Itinerary Tbilisi, Kazbegi & Kutaisi

June is an excellent month to visit Georgia: the weather is warm, the mountains are accessible for hiking, cities are lively, and it's the peak of cherry and apricot season. Expect lush landscapes and numerous cultural festivals.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	950 USD
🏨 Accommodations	770 USD
🧳 Gear	100 USD
🗺️ On-site	630 USD
Total	2,450 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇬🇪 Tbilisi - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🛕 Narikala Fortress ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Ancient fortress overlooking the old town; panoramic views. Take the cable car up, walk down through the old streets.

• [ ] 🏛️ Georgian National Museum ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Fascinating archaeology, history, and the Soviet Occupation Hall. English audio guides available.

• [ ] 🌳 Mtatsminda Park ⭐ (~2h)
  Hilltop amusement park and forest area; funicular ride up, perfect for easy city hiking and views.

• [ ] 🎨 Tbilisi Old Town & Abanotubani District ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Stroll among colorful houses, beautiful balconies, sulfur baths, and mosques. Ideal for photos and café stops.

• [ ] 🏙️ Rustaveli Avenue ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Central avenue: theaters, opera house, and classic architecture.

• [ ] 🛕 Sioni Cathedral & Anchiskhati Basilica ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Historic Georgian Orthodox churches; notable frescoes.

• [ ] 🏛️ Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theater & Clock Tower ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Unique landmark, whimsical photo op; catch the noon puppet show.

• [ ] 🏙️ Fabrika Tbilisi & Marjanishvili Quarter ⭐ (~2h)
  Trendy repurposed Soviet factory: street art, cafés, creative shops, local designers.

• [ ] 🎨 Museum of Fine Arts ⭐ (~1.5h)
  Collection of national artworks—admission ~5 USD.

• [ ] 🌳 Rike Park & Bridge of Peace ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Modern pedestrian bridge; green lawns and Sunday markets.

• [ ] 🏛️ Dry Bridge Market ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Legendary flea market for Soviet kitsch, antiques, and creative souvenirs. Haggle!

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Tsiskvili Restaurant & Garden ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Traditional live music, open-air terrace by the river. Book in advance for shows.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Deserter’s Bazaar ⭐⭐⭐
  Lively market: sample churchkhela (walnut candy), Sulguni cheese, and local fruits. ~3-7 USD per snack/portion.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Tbilisi Ethnographic Museum (~1.5h)
  Open-air display of rural Georgian architecture, crafts.

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🇬🇪 Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🛕 Gergeti Trinity Church ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h, including hike)
  Iconic church perched above the valley; panoramic Caucasus vistas. 1.5h hike or 4x4 ride up.

• [ ] 🌳 Kazbegi National Park & Truso Gorge ⭐⭐ (~3h)
  Epic mountain hikes, travertine mineral springs; guided day treks available.

• [ ] 🏛️ Kazbegi History Museum ⭐ (~1h)
  Small museum with mountaineering exhibits and local lore.

• [ ] 🌳 Gveleti Waterfalls ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Short hike to two waterfalls; peaceful, ideal picnic spot.

• [ ] 🏙️ Stepantsminda Village ⭐ (~1h)
  Wander local guesthouses, sample fresh khinkali dumplings.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Rooms Kazbegi Terrace Bar ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Ultra-scenic spot for cocktails and sunsets with mountain views.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Cafe 5047m ⭐⭐⭐
  Cosy, home-cooked Georgian dishes: khinkali, mountain lamb stew. Mains ~8-12 USD.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Juta Village & Chauki Pass Hike (~4h)
  Beautiful remote valley, wildflowers, longer hike—worth if weather is good.

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🇬🇪 Kutaisi - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🛕 Bagrati Cathedral ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  UNESCO site: landmark medieval cathedral with hilltop views.

• [ ] 🏛️ Gelati Monastery ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  World Heritage Monastery, gorgeous mosaics and frescoes.

• [ ] 🌳 Sataplia Nature Reserve & Caves ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Visit dinosaur footprints and spectacular caves in a forest park.

• [ ] 🎨 Colchis Fountain & Central Square ⭐ (~1h)
  Modern fountain adorned with golden Colchis-inspired statues; good for people-watching.

• [ ] 🏙️ Kutaisi Green Bazaar ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Best food/farmers’ market in town—try local honey, walnuts, spices.

• [ ] 🌳 Prometheus Cave ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Underground river tour, magical stalactites. ~10 USD, book in advance in June.

• [ ] 🎨 White Bridge & Riverwalk ⭐ (~1h)
  Evening stroll along the Rioni River, cafes and local art stalls.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Palaty Restaurant ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Fusion of local and modern Georgian cuisine with brilliant wine selection.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Sisters Restaurant ⭐⭐⭐
  Famous for Imeretian khachapuri (cheese bread). Mains ~7-10 USD.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Okros Chardakhi (Golden Marquee) ruins (~1h)
  Historic architecture, lesser-known site.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇬🇪 Tbilisi

• [ ] 🎬 Tangerines (2013) — ⭐ 8.2 — War and peace in the Georgian countryside — Amazon
• [ ] 📺 Hostages (2017) — ⭐ 6.9 — Soviet-era drama inspired by a real story — Google Play

🇬🇪 Kazbegi

• [ ] 🎬 Dede (2017) — ⭐ 7.3 — Poetic story of tradition in Svaneti mountains — Festival circuit/YouTube
• [ ] 📺 Cooking in the Caucasus (2022) — ⭐ 8.0 — Culinary travel, Georgian mountain food — YouTube

🇬🇪 Kutaisi

• [ ] 🎬 Corn Island (2014) — ⭐ 7.4 — Meditative drama on an islet in the Rioni River — Kanopy
• [ ] 📺 Georgia From Above (2020) — ⭐ 8.3 — Drones capture breathtaking nature — YouTube

🍜 Local specialties

🇬🇪 Tbilisi

• [ ] Khinkali (dumplings)
• [ ] Badrijani nigvzit (eggplant with walnut paste)
• [ ] Churchkhela (walnut-grape candy)

🇬🇪 Kazbegi

• [ ] Mokhani khinkali (mountain meat dumplings)
• [ ] Lamb chakapuli (herb stew)
• [ ] Tushuri guda (sheep cheese)

🇬🇪 Kutaisi

• [ ] Imeretian khachapuri (cheese bread)
• [ ] Lobio (bean stew)
• [ ] Elarji (cornmeal with cheese)

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇬🇪 Tbilisi

1. 🌤️ Narikala Fortress
2. 🌙 Tsiskvili Restaurant
3. 🛍️ Dry Bridge Market
4. 🏨 Shota @ Rustaveli Boutique Hotel
5. 🍽️ Deserter’s Bazaar

🇬🇪 Kazbegi

1. 🌤️ Gergeti Trinity Church
2. 🌙 Rooms Kazbegi Bar
3. 🛍️ Stepantsminda Village shops
4. 🏨 Rooms Hotel Kazbegi
5. 🍽️ Cafe 5047m

🇬🇪 Kutaisi

1. 🌤️ Prometheus Cave
2. 🌙 Palaty Restaurant
3. 🛍️ Kutaisi Green Bazaar
4. 🏨 Best Western Kutaisi
5. 🍽️ Sisters Restaurant

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Tbilisi
• [ ] 🚅/🚌 Tbilisi → Kazbegi (shared jeep/minivan, scenic 3h trip)
• [ ] 🚅 Kazbegi → Kutaisi (via Tbilisi, possible return with driver or guided transfer)
• [ ] ✈️ Kutaisi → London

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Tbilisi	3	Shota @ Rustaveli Boutique	330 USD
Kazbegi	2	Rooms Hotel Kazbegi	260 USD
Kutaisi	2	Best Western Kutaisi	180 USD
Total	7		770 USD