The Open Road Travel

When looking at the best cities to stay in Georgia, you may be surprised at how many options you have. Despite being a relatively small nation, it has an incredible amount to offer.

From ancient cities and UNESCO World Heritage Sites to mountains and lush nature, you will never run out of things to do and sights to see.

The beautiful country of Georgia is an immerging destination for tourists and a location you must add to your bucket list. So, if you are planning to visit Georgia yourself but aren’t sure where to stay, this is the article for you.

Not to be confused with the US state, the country of Georgia is nestled between Russia, Armenia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, and bordered to the west by the Black Sea.

Located in The South Caucasus, on the border of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Georgia is a country full of rich culture and amazingly diverse landscapes.

Georgia is a former Soviet republic state and is still considered a mysterious destination by many. However, more and more tourists are discovering the country and experiencing its beauty and charm.

The country has almost every type of climate there is. From subtropical, dry semi-deserts to cold, snowy mountains, Georgia is one of the most ecologically diverse countries on earth.

However, the climate is not the only thing special about the country.

The Georgian language is one of the oldest spoken languages in the world and one of the most unique. They even have their own alphabet. Georgia is also considered to be the birthplace of winemaking, with the tradition spanning more than 8000 years.

What time of year you decide to visit Georgia will all go down to what area you choose to stay in.

Around the capital city and lowlands, the months of June, July, and August are hot, and temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius. It can sometimes get uncomfortably hot and make exploring difficult.

However, this is a pleasant time of year to travel if you’re planning on visiting the mountain areas, which can be difficult to reach and hard to traverse during the colder months.

Overall, March to May is the best time to visit Georgia, as is September, as temperatures are mild.

With plenty of historic sites and other attractions to enjoy all over the country, it can be a tough to pick what city you’d like to stay in on your trip to Georgia.

Each city has something different to offer, so it may even be a good idea to visit more than one during your time in the country.

I am going to show you the four options we feel are the best cities to stay in Georgia and tell you a little bit about what’s on offer at each, to help make things a little easier for you.

Batumi is the second largest city in Georgia and is located in the Southwest of the country, on the coast of the Black Sea. The port city of Batumi is a premier resort town and an up-and-coming destination, with big hotels continuously being built.

Due to its location, Batumi is the best city to stay in Georgia for beaches and a seaside vacation. The most popular and visited part of the city is Batumi Boulevard.

This relaxing area, full of fauna, flora, restaurants, and activities, stretches 7 kilometres along the beach and is a wide green space separating the city and the Black Sea.

There is always a lot happening on and around the boulevard and, if you’re travelling with kids, there will be plenty to keep them entertained. This makes Batumi the best city to stay in Georgia with family and children as well.

Visitors can rent a bike or an electric scooter and enjoy riding up and down in the sunshine or chill out on the grass or pebbled beach with a picnic.

Tourists and locals alike come here daily to exercise, socialise, or just relax. There are also vendors along the length of the promenade selling food, drinks, and souvenirs.

Plus, with this being Georgia, there are, of course, many spots to stop and enjoy a glass of wine. Small wine booths no bigger than vending machines line the boulevard, allowing those passing buy to purchase a cup and enjoy a tipple as they stroll.

Keep an eye out for several quirky statues while on your trip to Batumi, including the moving 8-metre steel structure, Ali and Nino.

Also known as the ‘Statue of Love’, the sculpture consists of two metal figures made of stacked segments that slowly turn towards each other, eventually merging as they pass.

The city of Batumi also has a superb café and restaurant scene. One great location for stopping for a bite to eat or a drink is The Batumi Piazza.

This beautiful spot in the heart of downtown Batumi is an Italian-style open public area, which features boutique hotels, bars, and restaurants.

Despite the city being known as a beach resort, I would suggest heading into the city centre and away from the beach to see everything else Batumi has on offer.

The Old Town features long, picturesque streets and boasts some striking old buildings along with impressive modern architecture.

Batumi is an easy city to get around either by foot, bus, or bike.

However, if you are wanting to visit more than one Georgian city during your trip and have not got a car, be aware that Batumi Central Station is located on the outskirts of the city, around 4 km away from the Old Town.

The train offers daily long-distance services to the capital, which takes us on to our next location.

Stay in Batumi if:

• You want a beach break
• You are traveling with family or children
• You want to see Batumi's striking architecture

The fantastic Radisson Blu Batumi offers stunning views of the Black Sea and is under a 5-minute walk from the promenade.

This chic, contemporary hotel with a glass façade has a striking exterior and its sleek rooms offer flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and Nespresso coffee machines.

Rooms and suites are also air-conditioned and feature floor-to-ceiling windows and offer either sea or city views.

Guests can choose to dine in one of the two on-site restaurants that serve everything from Georgian traditional cuisine to tasty grilled dishes and sushi.

You can also enjoy creative cocktails at the rooftop bar with amazing views, while a breakfast buffet is provided each morning.

Radisson Blu Batumi has a fitness centre as well as indoor and outdoor pools. There are also sauna and steam rooms, plus guests can book a massage for extra relaxation.

Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is a charming city with a striking mountainous backdrop. It is one of the world’s oldest settlements and is ethnically diverse and architecturally varied.

Being the capital of the country and with what’s on offer, I believe Tbilisi is the best city to stay in Georgia for tourists.

A trip to Tbilisi would not be complete without a visit to the ancient fortress that overlooks the city, Narikala. Narikala Fortress can be seen from almost every part of Tbilisi and from it, you can enjoy some of the best panoramas of the city.

If you fancy a workout, take a walk up to the fortress or, if you don’t like the idea of that, why not get a cable car up? Admission is free, so wander around the ruins and take in the views for as long as you like.

Not too far from the foot of the fortress and on the bank of the Mtkavri river is Abanotubani, one of the oldest districts of Tbilisi. This is the area you’re going to want to visit to relax and unwind after exploring the city.

Abanotubani is famous for its public sulphur baths, which are one of the most iconic Tbilisi sights. The word itself literally means ‘bath district’ and the origin of the bathhouses dates back to when Tbilisi was founded and plays an important part in its history.

Fed by underground bubbling sulphur springs, the historic bathhouses are below ground level, and some have domed ceilings that look charming from the outside.

The hot, sulphur-rich water is not only relaxing but apparently has healing benefits, including treating skin irritations and infections such as eczema. Once you’re nicely relaxed, you’ll probably be wanting a bite to eat.

Georgian cuisine is the ultimate comfort food and Tbilisi is Georgia’s culinary capital.

There are plenty of eateries in the city offering all different kinds of foods, so you may want to take a wander through the beautiful, cobbled streets of the city and weigh up your options before deciding on where to eat.

However, before leaving Georgia, you must make sure to try the delicious, traditional Georgian dish, Khachapuri. Cheese stuffed bread molded into various shapes and topped with an egg, this dish can be shared or eaten alone.

There are several distinctive types of khachapuri, each one just as tasty as the next, and they are sold all over Tbilisi in restaurants and cafes.

If you are interested in discovering more about the history of Tbilisi or would like to discover charms you may have missed, why not take one of the many tours on offer?

You may just find out a few interesting facts about Tbilisi, like how and why the city has a piece of the Berlin Wall installed.

Stay In Tbilisi If:

• You want a beach break
• You are traveling with family or children
• You want to see Batumi's striking architecture
  

Conveniently located in the heart of the city, the Shota Rustaveli Boutique Hotel offers free Wi-Fi throughout and every room features a flat screen TV, air conditioning, electric kettle, minibar, and safety box.

The rooms are elegantly decorated and have a private bathroom with bathrobes and slippers. Family rooms also come with kitchenettes.

A hot breakfast buffet is provided and room service is available, plus, if you plan on spending the day exploring, packed lunches are offered on request.

On site at the hotel is an à la carte restaurant, which offers delicious, fresh local food, inspired by Georgian and Italian cuisines.

There is also a bar where guests can enjoy diverse drinks, including craft beers and, of course, a wide selection of wines. On Friday evenings there are Jazz events in the bar.

This relaxed boutique hotel is only 3 km from the Narikala fortress.

The city of Kutaisi is located in West-central Georgia and is the third most populous city in the country. Kutaisi is the former capital of Georgia and is also one of the oldest cities in the country. This means that it has plenty of ancient cultural landmarks to explore.

The city is also a lot more laidback and quieter than the other areas I’ve spoken about so far. Because of this, I feel Kutaisi is the best city to stay in Georgia for couples.

The city and its surrounding areas are full of wonderful attractions such as caves, canyons, UNESCO heritage sites, and monasteries. One of these monasteries, which is also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the Gelati Monastery.

This impressive building, situated north of Kutaisi, was founded in 1106 and is one of the largest medieval Orthodox monasteries in the world. Vivid and intricate murals from the 12th to the 17th centuries decorate the inside of the beautiful building.

If you would like to get a taste of the Georgian cuisine and see how the locals of Kutaisi live, why not visit the covered central market, Green Bazaar. Here you can purchase a variety of fresh produce, such as fruits, vegetables, spices, and other products grown by local farmers.

One food item you can pick up at Green Bazaar, and one you will see a lot on your trip to Georgia, is Churchkhela. This unusual looking snack is a Georgian delicacy made with strings of walnuts that are repeatedly dipped in hot grape juice thickened with flour.

As well as food items, you can also pick up second-hand goods, such as books and clothes at the market. However, if you don’t feel like spending any money there, the bazaar is worth a visit just for its exterior alone.

The outside of the covered market features a ceramic relief sculpture/mural. Created in 1987 by a Georgian artist, it is a truly impressive sight. Another notable sight is the Colchis Fountain in the centre of the city.

Adorned with large-scale copies of the famous gold jewellery discovered at a nearby archaeological site and golden figures in the shape of animals, it is worth taking a stroll to see. Just bear in mind it is located in the middle of a busy roundabout.

If you want to do something a bit different, how about taking a cable car up to the Besik Gabashvili Amusement Park. Cable cars are quite a common thing in Georgia and lines dating back to the Soviet Era run in Kutaisi.

A short ride on one of these takes you over the river and up to the top of the hill on which the amusement park sits.

The park is quite small, and the rides are a bit dated, giving you chance to feel as though you’ve gone back in time to the Soviet Union. You can also get a uniquely fantastic view of the city from up here.

Lastly, located in the old part of the city is Kutaisi’s most charming bridge, White Bridge. Built at the start of the 1850’s, White Bridge crosses the river Rioni and is a lovely spot to take a romantic stroll and enjoy the beautiful views.

Stay In Kutaisi If:

• You want to visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• You are travelling as a couple
• You want to experience a more laid-back city
  

With the Colchis Fountain reachable within a mere 400 metres, Newport Hotel Kutaisi is an ideal accommodation option situated in a great location.

Housed in the 19th-century cultural heritage building, the hotel is beautiful and offers ultimate comfort and luxury.

The gorgeous, allergy-free rooms feature free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, a kettle, fridge, and minibar, while also boasting stunning city views. Each room even has a private bathroom with a bidet.

There is a terrace for guests to enjoy and a 24-hour front desk.

A buffet breakfast is available daily at the accommodation and the hotel has a wonderful restaurant on site.

Our final city is located in Eastern Georgia, just over 50 miles west of Tbilisi. Gori is the 5th most populous city in the country and is famous for being the birthplace of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

The Stalin Museum is a popular attraction in Gori and is dedicated to the life of the infamous despot. The museum features some unique displays, including personal belongings of Stalin and a reconstruction of his first office in the Kremlin.

Not only is there a museum dedicated to him, but there are also a few statues of Stalin located around Gori, plus the main avenue is named after him. However, there is more to Gori than just Stalin and, despite being small, it has a lot to offer.

Situated on a hill above the city, Gori Fortress is a medieval citadel that first appeared in records in the 13th century. If you’re a lover of history, you don’t want to miss out on a visit to the fortress.

Visitors can hike up to the top of the hill and entry is free. At the bottom of the fortress is the Memorial of Georgian Warriors, which comprises of 8 large sculptures seated on stone blocks.

Unfortunately, the fortress was significantly damaged by an earthquake in 1920 but is still an impressive structure and dominates the city of Gori.

Although it may not technically be in Gori, instead located just under 10 miles to the east, the Uplistsikhe Cave Town is definitely worth a visit if you are staying in Gori.

It is identified by archaeologists as one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia. Built on the rocky bank of the Mtkari River, the cave town consists of hundreds of rooms and chambers.

It began as a religious centre and place of Pagan worship, then became home to about 20,000 people before being abandoned around the 14th century.

Due to Gori being a lot smaller than the aforementioned cities, most areas can be reached by foot, and it can be nice to just take a relaxing stroll around the city, admiring its old architecture.

With so many old buildings and monuments, Gori is the best city to stay in Georgia for history.

There are also many tours that take place throughout the city. If you’d like to learn a little more about the history of the area and get insights from a local, I recommend booking one during your stay in Gori.

Stay In Gori If:

• You love history
• You are interested in Joseph Stalin
• You want to see Georgia’s oldest settlement
  

Situated just 1 mile from the Stalin Museum and with a view over Stalin Park, Georgia Gold offers large comfortable rooms as well as family suites.

Every room at the hotel features a flat-screen TV, free wifi, and air conditioning.

This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk plus room service, and guests can make use of the fitness centre and indoor swimming pool.

A varied buffet breakfast is available for free to guests.

Georgia is a beautiful, unique country, and a cultural gem. With a long history, heritage sites and more, the country has something to offer for everyone.

I hope the cities I have spoken about in this article have helped you decide on where exactly you’d like to visit during your trip to Georgia. You should now be able to fill out your Georgia itinerary and get on with booking an unforgettable trip to this wonderful country.