I booked a week-long vacation starting next Wednesday to Tbilisi, Georgia since I heard a lot of good things about the city. The last time I took a proper vacation was back in August 2018 and it was also for a week so I’m really really looking forward to the time off. I’m taking Jazeera Airways since they fly to Tbilisi directly and then going to rent a Land Cruiser LC76 while there so I can also drive over to Armenia next door.
I’m looking for things to do, see, and places to eat at so if you have any recommendations please let me know!
48 replies on “Armenia and Georgia Recommendations”
Chances are you(like many other thousands) will be deported from the airport without giving any reason.
Make sure you search horror stories of georgian immigration and avoid any prepaid or non refundable bookings to avoid any kind of loss.
I am a victim myself, i went to georgia by jazeera only and was returned the very same time woth 6 of my friends. They did not give any reason whatsoever.
He’s Canadian. So his immigration experience will be a breeze.
Don’t need visa for Georgia just needed to get one for Armenia and that cost me $6 and I was able to apply for it online.
If you are Asian then your entry is difficult but others have no problem at Tbilisi Airport. Enjoy your trip
Been there around 4 times, was not deported. What was your experience?
Indian punjabis having a very bad reputation in Georgia and if you are Indian bachelor then its a very high chance to deny the entry in Georgia and Armenia. The first question they will ask you emigration is are you a panjabi and if you are not then the second question is how far you are from punjab 🙂
I arrived yesterday, I didn’t get deported. Passport control was a breeze and they were handing bottles of wine back with the passports after stamping them. Best passport control experience I’ve had, I’ve never gotten anything from passport control let alone bottles of wine!
There are some beautiful Soviet architecture in Tbilisi if you’re a fan like myself
Make sure to spend a night or two at the Rooms hotel in Kazbegi and from there you can visit Gudauri. Its the best thing to do if you love scenic places and skiing.
Even if you dont ski, its an amazing place to chill and have a drink.
However, i don’t advice you to drive there since the roads are going to be filled with snow! Just book a cab.
I’m actually staying at Rooms but in Tbilisi but heard the mountain one was nice as well. I’m aware the roads are gonna be filled with snow which is why i’m renting the LC76 😀
I recomend you spend a few nights at the mountain one too.. Its just amazing – especially because of the snow!
Rustaveli Metro Stations in Tbilis is quite an overwhelming experience with a 120 meters deep escalators. If you happen to visit Georgia in summer, make sure to stay in Batumi, a vibrant architectural and touristic city by the black sea with some Cuban vibes. Only issue about Batumi is that there are no direct flights (Dubai transit) and it’s 5 hours by train/car away from Tbilisi.
Georgia is a crazy cheap country but make sure to stay away from cliche touristic places. The best restaurants are hidden gems, not close to mainstream touristic locations.
Visit a supermarket and check the prices of the goods and groceries for a good laugh
I have google map of places I wanted to go to/went to in Tbilisi last year. Where do you want me to send it?
can u share it here so other people can check it out as well?
Here’s the map I created of all the places I visited and some I didn’t have the time to.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1xEhF0K94CiGBbln-H3sQmI9pu_Xasxar&ll=42.15956783137928%2C43.354428249999955&z=9
Super useful showing everything in the map, you could tell some which to group together for a walk and which you should drive to.
By the way, staying in the Rooms hotel huh? You’re never gonna wanna leave lol
Where did you book your holiday from?
U mean my ticket and hotel? The website of the airline and the website of the hotel
in Tbilisi:
1. Old Town. Walk from Liberty Square down the pebble stone road toward river side or Narikala Fortress. There are many historical buildings and sites. Better join walking tour for better experience. Leave your car in in parking lot somewhere a little bit out of Old Town to avoid traffic jam/trap.
2. Opera House. Check their website for ballet or traditional dance shows.
3. The big Trinity Cathedral. There is a cafe called Lagidze Water, a local-brand with varieties of flavored soda. The chocolate one is good.
Out of town from Tbilisi (depend on road access in winter):
1. go north toward Ananuri up to Gudauri.
2. go west toward Mskheta, Gori, Borjomi (carbonized spring water) and national park, Akaltsikhe (castle), Vadzia cave city & monastery.
3. go east to Telavi or Rustavi.
All 3 routes are offered as day trip by many local tour company in Tbilisi. The tour guides are good and informative. You may consider it if you want to know more about local history and culture rather than merely enjoying the view and liberty of driving.
Mestia & Ushguli with their defending towers in far NW are pretty but the road access maybe too challenging in winter.
Have to try khinkali and khachapuri. Georgian wines are good, even the house wine. They tend to be full bodied but not too dry.
Hope you enjoy your vacation.
oh i completely forgot about the wines! i wonder if i can do a vineyard visit in the winter?
Yes, you can. It is in Kakheti Region. You’ll have a blast. We had the whole day in that wine region. (“,)
Hi Mark.
If you are looking for daily tours in Georgia, you can check Gamarjoba Georgia Tours (Instagram @gamarjobageorgia7971) and look for Lana. When you book tours with them, airport transfers to hotel (vv) are free. They have best offers and discounts now.
Cafe Linville near Liberty Square is a very old house that was turned into a restaurant…. Quaint, old-styled and extraordinary decor, The Mushroom pasta, Panna Cota and Brownie are a must-try dishes.
Fabrika is a must-to-visit place, as it has everything, from cafes, bars and restaurants, a ceramic studio. There’s a ramen bar called Shio, and a microbrewery Shavi Lomi.
If snowy mountains and Monasteries appeal to you, book for the Kazbegi tour. You will visit Gergeti Holy Trinity Church and the Georgia-Russia Friendship Monument.
Not interested in tours which is why i’m getting my own car but didn’t know there was a ceramic studio at Fabrika. Was originally planning to stay there but the room i wanted wasn’t available.
Roads leading to the ski resort in Gudauri are full of Heavy trucks (there were 75 trucks that we drove passed) for transporting goods to and from Russia, European and Balkan countries. Be safe driving around, eh.
Also based on the comments looks like i’m gonna need tp spend the night in kazbegi!
Armenia and Georgia in a week? Way too short. In fact Yerevan and Tbilisi alone deserve more than a week each. Let alone the regional areas as mentioned.
Yeah I realized I should have booked for longer
I took a tour of Tumo when I visited Armenia a couple of months ago and I would recommend you do the same. Part of the tour was to see the kids work on coding, design, and hear some samples of music production. I bought an album on itunes – pretty neat.
Every country should have a Tumo and their free services for disadvantaged kids.
Check out Chronicles of Georgia . Absolutely breathtaking. Look it up, it’s hard to describe, or better yet, just go there.
-While in Tbilisi dont forget to visit the sulphur baths.
-You might also consider going to Bakuriani which is a quaint little ski town unlike Gudauri.
– If interested in a bit of history you can visit Stalin’s museum in Gori
– Dont forget to try “Cha cha” which is a very strong georgian brandy
– Uplistikhe is the rock city near Gori which is a must visit
– Spa #6 is famous for its mud bath frequented by Stalin
– Prometheus Caves near Kutaisi is also a must visit.
Hey Mark,
Armenia alone you need at least 10 days.
for sightseeing Make sure you go to Wings of Tatev. Although it’s pretty far but you can pass through so many other touristic areas while taking the route to Tatev which btw It has the most beautiful scenery.
You can stop in Noravank ( the road trip itself is so nice) and khntzoresk
Also Dilijan is a must.
hope this was helpful
yeah I figured this would be more of a quick look trip and depending on how it goes I can fly over more frequently over weekends.
I saw once in Tiblisi an amazing puppet show. It is not for kids. It is about the war. Check it out. Absolutely wonderful
too short to cover two countries. I spent 10 days in Georgia alone, in summer.. still couldn’t cover a few places 🙂
make sure to have a travel insurance ..they might ask you about it…I went to Georgia in 2018. I didn’t have any problem..it was beautiful trip.. im a Lebanese passport holder.
try their traditional food, it is the best
share some hidden gems!
Also forgot to ask people but do i need cash or can i use my knet and mastercard everywhere like regular countries?
Carry USD from KW and get it converted into GEL at TBS airport as most places do not accept cards.
There is this exchange place in Armenia,Yerevan that contains Kuwait Dinar bill so in case you need for emergency.
I personally use my bank card anywhere that contains Knet mashine.
Hey,
You definitely need more days in Armenia & Yerevan alone!
For restaurants, you should visit Sherep & Tavern Yerevan, both on Amiryan street, for traditional armenian cuisine. For Tavern Yerevan, you should go for dinner as they have live band between 8-11pm. Make sure to try out the grilled fish! For middle eastern cuisine, you should try out Anteb “they have the best lahm b ajin” & Derian. Some of these lebanese restaurants have live performances at dinner so you can double check on that.
In Yerevan, you should go to Ararat brandy “Cognac” factory, there’s also the historical museum in the republic square. If you have time, you should go to Garni Temple & Geghart monestary, they’re about 3 hours drive away.
The list can go one forever… 😊
Ok so I guess I’m gonna consider this trip a scouting trip for future trips cuz it seems everyone is in agreement here that 7 days is clearly not enough. I should check and see if I can actually change my ticket and come back later 🤔
FYI, vehicles in Georgia can have the steering wheel on either side. There doesn’t seem to be a regulation on it. Most cars are bought up on online auction sites and shipped to the country.
The car I’m renting is LHD but driven RHD one before in South Africa. Super confusing for sure lol
Hello, I’m David from Armenia, born and raised in Kuwait not I’m currently in Armenia studying and working, so I can help you out here with everything you need.
I have been to Tbilisi many times now, since it’s few hours drive only, but I am more help to you in Armenia.
If you choose to contact me when you are here I could help you get everything sorted out for you and I always like to help tourism here in Armenia.
I could post some places here as well for those who are interested,
Hey so few people know this but I’m actually half Armenian. So hoping to practice my Armenian while in Armenia but I’ve been told the Armenian spoken in Armenia is a different dialect and my Armenian is most likely gonna be useless there?
BASSIANI and KHIDI in Tbilisi if you are into techno, two of the best in the world
I guess you will like the Tbilisi Auto Museum near the Airport. It is 30 minutes drive from the centre, and it is the same highway going to the airport.
That’s my only priority lol
Just a quick update, been using the recommendations here and so far they’ve been all on point! Just got to Yerevan so gonna go through those recommendations now.