Things to do in Vardzia

No. 19 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Bagrati Cathedral

Bagrati Cathedral stands atop Ukimerioni Hill in Kutaisi and is a prominent landmark of this ancient city, visible from many corners of the city. It was built in the early 11th century, commissioned by Bagrat III, the first king of a unified Georgia, and has long been considered a masterpiece of medieval Georgian architecture. Tall columns and layered arches support the central dome, and the exterior walls still feature reliefs of floral and animal motifs that are fascinating to examine closely. The cathedral is used by the Georgian Orthodox Church for regular religious ceremonies and is also a preferred venue for weddings among Kutaisi locals. Reaching the top of the hill offers a panoramic view with the entire city spread out below, which is especially stunning at sunset.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi

Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi stands on Elia Hill on the left bank of the Mtkvari River and is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The church adopts the traditional Georgian cross-dome architectural style, with the central dome covered in gold leaf and a gilded cross standing at the top, reaching a total height of nearly 100 m including the underground section. Thanks to its massive size and commanding position, its golden dome can be seen from almost anywhere in the city of Tbilisi. The interior of the church is also worth a close look. In the northeast corner, there is a mosaic icon of the Virgin Mary; the southeast corner houses a display case with a cross and a handwritten Bible; and the northwest corner displays a model of the holy city of Jerusalem made of mica. The church also has several chapels underground, and the main murals were painted by contemporary Georgian artists in a traditional style. In addition to the main cathedral, the entire complex includes auxiliary facilities such as a separate bell tower, a monastery, and a seminary, which are quite impressive in scale. As the mother church of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the cathedral hosts Orthodox rituals and religious activities all year round. The interior murals and mosaic decorations create a solemn religious atmosphere, and from the cathedral's platform, you can overlook the city of Tbilisi and the scenery on both banks of the Kura River.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Gergeti Trinity Church

Gergeti Trinity Church stands on a hill at an altitude of over 2,000 m at the foot of Mt Kazbek in northern Georgia and is one of the iconic landmarks in the Caucasus region. The church was built in the 14th century and features a cross-dome architectural style. It is the only domed church in the entire Khevi region. The complex consists of the main church, a separate bell tower, and surrounding stone walls, with an exterior facade built of dark gray andesite, presenting a simple and solemn style. The church is located on a remote highland and historically served as a treasury and refuge for the ancient city of Mtskheta for a long time. During times of war, precious relics, including the Cross of Saint Nino, were transferred here for safekeeping. Today, only a few traces of original murals remain on the interior walls, but the rugged texture of the building itself blends perfectly with the surrounding steep mountains. Standing on the platform in front of the church, you can overlook the full view of the town of Stepantsminda and the valley. The snow-capped peaks and glaciers of Mt Kazbek spread out behind it, and the scene of the church set against the snow-capped mountains has become an iconic view of Georgia.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Ananuri Fortress Complex

Ananuri Fortress Complex is located on the banks of the Aragvi River, approx. 70 km north of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and adjacent to the Zhinvali Reservoir. It is a nearly unavoidable stop when traveling north along the Georgian Military Highway toward Kazbegi. Since the 13th century, this has been a castle and military fortress for the feudal lords of the Aragvi dynasty, with the existing walls and main structures mostly dating back to the 16th–17th centuries. It consists of two castles, upper and lower, and continuous walls. The lower castle with its round tower is now just ruins, while the side along the ridge, along with the square Sheupovari tower, is well-preserved. Climbing the tower offers a panoramic view of the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir and the mountains on the opposite bank. The scene featuring the walls, church domes, and the surrounding landscape makes this a popular location for travelers in Georgia.

Borjomi Central Park

Borjomi Central Park is a park with sulfur pools. It produces famous sparkling mineral water, and the air quality is very good, making it a great place for hiking and exercise.

St. George’s Church and Monastery in Ubisa

Shorapani Castle

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Chronicles of Georgia

Chronicles of Georgia stands on the top of Ghani Hill in the northern suburbs of Tbilisi, right next to the Tbilisi sea, and is a massive sculpture complex that sculptor Zurab Tsereteli began building in 1985. 16 bronze pillars, each approx. 35 m high, form an open array on the vast hilltop, looking like Stonehenge from a distance, and are therefore also known as the "Chronicles of Georgia". The pillars are covered with bronze reliefs from bottom to top: the lower sections depict biblical stories and the life of Christ, while the upper sections feature Georgian kings, queens, commanders, saints, and poets, interspersed with scenes of daily life such as grape harvests and festive feasts. Beside the pillar array stand the Grapevine Cross of Saint Nino and the Church of the Annunciation.

No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Georgia

Mt Kazbek

Mt Kazbek is located on the border between northern Georgia and Russia. It is a dormant volcano with a double-coned mountain body at an elevation of approx. 5,000m. It is the third-highest peak in Georgia and one of the few volcanic cones in the Caucasus Mountains. The peak is covered in snow year-round, and multiple glaciers hang from the mountain. The surrounding area features deep valleys, glaciers, meadows, and alpine rock faces. Due to its high altitude, the summit is covered in snow year-round, creating a sharp contrast between the white snow-capped peak and the dark rocks, which looks particularly spectacular in clear weather.

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Georgia

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is located in Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, approx. 20 km from the capital, Tbilisi, and is one of the largest surviving medieval church structures in Georgia. It is renowned for its magnificent stone architecture and exquisite carved decorations. The building features a traditional Georgian cross-dome layout, with a towering central dome and heavy stone walls that create a solemn appearance. The exterior walls are decorated with crosses, reliefs, arched windows, and symbolic stone carvings, showcasing the unique style of medieval Georgian architectural art. The interior of the cathedral preserves murals, religious icons, and historical relics, with some decorations reflecting artistic styles and religious traditions from different periods.