Home › Journeys › Tbilisi & the High Caucasus › 8 days
Tbilisi & the High Caucasus — a 8-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 8-day version for June: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 5-day plan · 6-day plan · 8-day plan · best time to go.
8
days
851 km
distance
17.0 h
driving
50
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Green valleys, open mountain passes and wine harvest in Kakheti — Georgia at full strength.
- Heavy transit: day 4 (6h08) runs over 6 hours on the road. Around 8 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Tbilisi → Mtskheta
🌡 4.1–37.1°C · 🌧 ~8 rain days · ☀ 15.0h light
09:00
Sameba Cathedralchurches & landmarkslocal & traditionalhistory & sagas
Be awed by the towering synthesis of Georgian church architecture.
50 min · Tbilisi
09:50
Open Air Museum of Ethnographymuseums & heritagecraft beer & pubs
Explore 70 traditional Georgian houses and ancient crafts.
50 min · Tbilisi · Adults 25 lari, guided tour 60 lari
open: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00
10:40
Tbilisi History Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Journey through Tbilisi's rich history in this engaging museum.
50 min · Tbilisi · Adults 3 lari, students 1 lari
open: Tu–Su 10:00–18:00
12:05
Shio Mgvime Monasterychurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Take in spectacular views from a 6th-century monastery.
50 min · Mtskheta
12:55
Svetitskhoveli Cathedralchurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Feel reverence in one of Georgia's holiest sites.
50 min · Mtskheta · free
13:45
Zedazeni Monasterychurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Admire city views from an 8th-century church.
50 min · Mtskheta
14:35
Cafe Gugacoffee & bakes
Savor outstanding Georgian cuisine in private huts.
60 min · Mtskheta
18:30
"Salobie"
Dine in a large restaurant with exceptional food.
75 min · Mtskheta
Overnight: Mtskheta
e.g. Mtskheta Sanapiro Guest House · Guesthouse Lizi
Day 2 Around Mtskheta
🌡 4.1–37.1°C · 🌧 ~8 rain days · ☀ 15.0h light
09:00
Jvari Monasteryhistory & sagas
Marvel at early Christian Georgian architecture with clear views.
50 min · Mtskheta
09:50
Samtavrochurches & landmarks
Ponder where St. Nino once prayed in ancient churches.
50 min · Mtskheta
10:40
Armaztsikhe-Bagineti Archaeological Sitehistory & sagas
Explore ancient fortress excavations above the river.
50 min · Mtskheta · Free
11:30
Bebris Tsikhe
Climb ruins for sweeping valley overlooks.
50 min · Mtskheta · free
12:20
Kashveti Church of St. Georgechurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Admire this replica of the medieval Samtavisi Cathedral.
50 min · Tbilisi
13:10
Norashen Armenian Churchchurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Gaze at boarded windows hiding centuries of Armenian heritage.
50 min · Tbilisi
14:00
Restaurant
Enjoy a big meal with mediocre taste.
60 min · Mtskheta · 8-13 lari
Overnight: Mtskheta
e.g. Mtskheta Sanapiro Guest House · Guesthouse Lizi
Day 3 Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
🌡 -3.8–26.6°C · 🌧 ~13 rain days · ☀ 15.1h light
11:30
Gergeti Trinity Churchchurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Towering over the city with breathtaking mountain views.
50 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
12:20
Alexander Kazbegi Museummuseums & heritage
Currently closed, awaiting reopening in the future.
50 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
open: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00
13:10
Jvari Pass Travertine Natural Monumentchurches & landmarks
Feel the cold sulphur water of a unique mountain hill.
50 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
14:00
Mineral Spring Pool
Chill in freezing mountain mineral water under summer skies.
50 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
14:50
Sno Valley
Wander through serene, sleepy villages nestled in nature.
50 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
15:40
Kazbegi Marathon
90 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
18:30
Shorena's hotel & bar restaurantcoffee & bakescraft beer & pubs
Enjoy small but flavorful portions in a cozy café setting.
75 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
Overnight: Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
e.g. Ketino's Guesthouse · Anano's Guesthouse
Day 4 Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) → Gori
🌡 -3.8–26.6°C · 🌧 ~13 rain days · ☀ 15.1h light
12:04
Historical Ethnographic Museummuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalhistory & sagas
Discover Georgian life through vibrant costumes and artifacts.
90 min · Gori · 3 lari (price listed 2013)
13:34
Stalin Statuechurches & landmarksmuseums & heritage
Marvel at one of the few surviving grand Stalin statues.
50 min · Gori
14:24
Lunch at Maialocal & traditional
Delight in daily-changing Georgian feasts, including rich beef soup.
60 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) · 100–120 lari for 3 people
open: Daily 15:00–22:00 (later on weekends)
Overnight: Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
e.g. Ketino's Guesthouse · Anano's Guesthouse
Day 5 Gori
🌡 2.8–35.9°C · 🌧 ~9 rain days · ☀ 15.0h light
12:04
Stalin Museummuseums & heritage
Explore artefacts and media celebrating Stalin’s life and legacy.
50 min · Gori · 15 lari for foreign tourists (1 lari chi
open: Daily 10:00–18:00
12:54
The Great Patriotic War Museummuseums & heritage
Reflect on wartime courage through photos and medals.
90 min · Gori · Free
open: Summer: Tu-Su 10:00–18:00 (closed M)
14:24
Internet Cafe @ ENTERcoffee & bakes
Surf fast internet amid adolescent gamers in a helpful setting.
50 min · Gori · 1 lari/40 min
open: 09:00-21:00
15:14
Internet Cafe/Computer Storecoffee & bakes
Navigate a smoky, dark space with limited computer supplies.
50 min · Gori
open: 10:00-19:00
16:04
Gori Fortresshistory & sagas
Enjoy panoramic city and highway views from a site under renovation.
50 min · Gori · Free
16:54
Cake Houselocal & traditionalcoffee & bakes
Delight in a variety of sweet cakes and savory snacks.
60 min · Gori · 5 lari
18:30
Intourist Cafemuseums & heritagecoffee & bakes
Dine privately on classic dishes in a quiet patio setting.
75 min · Gori · 10–15 lari
Overnight: Gori
e.g. Hotel Intourist · Gueshouse Marina
Day 6 Around Gori
🌡 2.8–35.9°C · 🌧 ~9 rain days · ☀ 15.0h light
09:00
Stalin Parkchurches & landmarks
Stroll among bears, rides, and the iconic Stalin statue.
90 min · Gori
10:30
Gorijvarichurches & landmarks
Relax by mineral springs near a serene church complex.
50 min · Gori
11:20
Central Bazaarlocal & traditional
Browse lively stalls brimming with local produce and goods.
50 min · Gori
12:10
Grocery Store Samebalocal & traditional
Indulge in fresh pastries and savory khachapuri.
50 min · Gori
13:00
Virgin Mary Cathedralchurches & landmarks
50 min · Gori
13:50
Tourist Information Office
Pick up a leaflet mapping out the twelve sights of Gori.
50 min · Gori
open: Su–F 09:00–17:00
14:40
Orbi's Restaurantlocal & traditionalcraft beer & pubs
Feast on Georgian cuisine and local beer on a spacious patio.
60 min · Gori · 10–15 lari
Overnight: Gori
e.g. Hotel Intourist · Gueshouse Marina
Day 7 Sighnaghi → back to start
🌡 7.6–38.6°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 15.0h light
11:54
Pheasant's Tears Restaurant, Wine Bar, and Fine Artmuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalcraft beer & pubs
Savor organic Georgian cuisine paired with traditional qvevri wines.
90 min · Sighnaghi
13:24
Bodbiskhevi Bazaar Sunday Marketlocal & traditionalhistory & sagas
Browse fresh produce, meats, crafts, and more at the bustling Sunday market.
50 min · Sighnaghi
open: Morning hours
14:14
St. Giorgi Churchchurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Admire the tall bell tower of this Armenian-built Georgian Orthodox church.
50 min · Sighnaghi
15:04
Sighnaghi Museummuseums & heritage
Explore archaeological treasures and original works by Niko Pirosmani.
50 min · Sighnaghi · 5 lari; 1 lari for students
open: 10:00-18:00
Day 8 Around Sighnaghi
🌡 7.6–38.6°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 15.0h light
09:00
St. Stephen Churchchurches & landmarks
Climb the tower for panoramic views of Sighnaghi's surroundings.
50 min · Sighnaghi
09:50
St. Nino's Springchurches & landmarks
Rinse in holy water under the care of a sister at this sacred spring.
50 min · Sighnaghi
10:40
Marshrutkha station
Find public toilets conveniently located right on the square.
50 min · Sighnaghi
11:30
Sighnaghi town wall
Walk along the impressive 18th-century fortifying wall with 23 towers.
50 min · Sighnaghi · No admission
12:20
Bodbe Convent
Visit the sacred burial site of St. Nino in a serene chapel.
50 min · Sighnaghi
13:10
Getting married
Witness lively wedding celebrations and marry hassle-free in Sighnaghi.
90 min · Sighnaghi
14:40
Host of Sighnaghilocal & traditional
Delight in delicious khinkali, mtsvadi, and other Georgian specialties.
60 min · Sighnaghi · For full meal plus wine you shouldn't pa