Between the Black Sea and the high Caucasus

An independent guide to ten of Georgia's most striking places, from medieval monasteries and cave cities to a mountain church and stone towers.

A small country with a long memory

Georgia lies between the Black Sea and the Greater Caucasus. It has its own alphabet, a Christian tradition dating back to the fourth century, and one of the oldest winemaking cultures in the world.

This guide starts with ten places: cathedrals and monasteries around Mtskheta and Kutaisi, a cave city in the south, a mountain church under Kazbek, stone towers in Svaneti and two landmarks in Tbilisi.

Featured landmarks

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Mtskheta & the Military Highway

Gergeti Trinity Church (Kazbegi)

A small stone church on a high ridge, framed by the snow-covered cone of Mount Kazbek.
Tbilisi

Narikala Fortress (Tbilisi)

An ancient hilltop citadel above the old town, reached by cable car, with sweeping views over Tbilisi.
UNESCO World Heritage

Mtskheta & the Military Highway

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Mtskheta)

A great eleventh-century cathedral at the heart of Georgia's ancient capital, said to guard the robe of Christ.
UNESCO World Heritage

Svaneti

Ushguli Svan Towers

Medieval stone defensive towers in one of Europe's highest villages, below the glaciers of Mount Shkhara.
Samtskhe-Javakheti

Vardzia

A twelfth-century cave city carved into a cliff face, with chapels, frescoes and hundreds of rooms.