Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Tbilisi — First Steps in the Old Town
Morning Arrivée & Installation
Arrive at Tbilisi International Airport. Transfer to the city center (taxi ~20 GEL / €7 or shuttle). Check into your hotel in the historic Old Town, ideally near Freedom Square or in the cobbled lanes of Abanotubani.
Afternoon Vieille ville & Pont de la Paix
Stroll through the winding lanes of Tbilisi's Old Town. Admire the typical carved wooden balconies, colorful facades, and hidden courtyards. Cross the Bridge of Peace, a futuristic glass-and-steel pedestrian bridge designed by Michele De Lucchi, elegantly spanning the Kura River.
Evening Dîner géorgien traditionnel — Supra
Experience a supra, the traditional Georgian feast. In a typical restaurant, taste iconic dishes: khachapuri (cheese bread), pkhali (vegetables with walnuts), badrijani (eggplant with walnut paste), and of course khinkali. All paired with Georgian qvevri wine.
Day 2 Tbilisi — Narikala Fortress & Sulphur Baths
Morning Forteresse Narikala & Mère de la Géorgie
Take the cable car from Rike Park up to Narikala Fortress, a 4th-century citadel overlooking the entire city. The ramparts offer a 360° panoramic view of Tbilisi, the Kura River, and surrounding mountains. The 20-meter Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia) statue stands just above.
Afternoon Quartier Abanotubani & Bains sulfureux
Head down to the Abanotubani bath district, Tbilisi's historic heart whose name literally means 'warm bath quarter.' The brick domes of the sulphur baths date from the 17th century. Treat yourself to a private bath session — the 40°C sulphurous hot water is renowned for its therapeutic properties.
Evening Soirée dans le quartier de Sharden
Explore Shardeni Street and Erekle II Street, the lively heart of Tbilisi's nightlife. Natural wine bars, terrace restaurants, and art galleries line these cobbled pedestrian lanes. The atmosphere is relaxed and cosmopolitan, with live music in several venues.
Day 3 Tbilisi — Rustaveli Avenue & Contemporary Art
Morning Avenue Rustaveli & Musée national
Walk up Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi's main boulevard lined with century-old plane trees, neoclassical and Art Nouveau buildings. Visit the Georgian National Museum housing exceptional archaeological treasures: Colchian goldwork (land of the Golden Fleece), Dmanissi Homo erectus skull (1.8 million years old).
Afternoon Fabrika & Marjanishvili
Explore Fabrika, a former Soviet sewing factory transformed into Tbilisi's iconic creative hub. Cafés, co-working spaces, local designer shops, galleries, and a large inner courtyard covered in street art. Continue to the Marjanishvili district, Tbilisi's 'Brooklyn,' with its independent art galleries.
Evening Dîner dans un duqan traditionnel
Dine in a duqan, those small neighborhood restaurants typical of Georgia, often without a sign, where the food is simple, hearty, and authentic. Adjarian khachapuri (boat-shaped with an egg) and mtsvadi (grilled pork skewers) are must-tries at these local spots.
Day 4 Mtskheta — Spiritual Heart of Georgia (UNESCO)
Morning Monastère de Jvari
Take a taxi or marshrutka (minibus, 1 GEL) to Mtskheta, 20 km from Tbilisi. Start with Jvari Monastery (6th century), perched on a hill at the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers. This masterpiece of early Georgian architecture, UNESCO-listed, offers a majestic view of Mtskheta and the river valleys.
Afternoon Cathédrale Svetitskhoveli & vieille Mtskheta
Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century), one of Georgia's most sacred religious buildings, where tradition says Christ's robe is buried. The interior features medieval frescoes and carved reliefs. Then stroll the lanes of Mtskheta, former capital of the Kingdom of Iberia, with its craft shops and wine cellars.
Evening Soirée vin nature à Tbilissi
Back in Tbilisi, discover the thriving Georgian natural wine scene. Georgia is the cradle of winemaking (8,000 years of history) and the qvevri method (fermentation in buried clay jars) is UNESCO-listed. Several downtown wine bars offer guided tastings.
Day 5 Georgian Military Highway — Heading to Kazbegi
Morning Route vers Kazbegi — Forteresse d'Ananuri
Early departure by marshrutka or shared taxi from Didube bus station. The Georgian Military Highway, one of the Caucasus' most spectacular roads, runs along the turquoise Jinvali Reservoir. Stop at Ananuri Fortress (16th century), a fortified complex overlooking the lake with two churches adorned with bas-reliefs.
Afternoon Col de la Croix & arrivée à Stepantsminda
Cross the Cross Pass (2,395 m), the road's highest point, marked by the Soviet Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument with its panoramic mosaic mural. The descent to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) gradually reveals Mount Kazbek (5,047 m), one of the highest Caucasus peaks, often snow-capped in October.
Evening Dîner montagnard à Stepantsminda
Enjoy a hearty dinner at a guesthouse or local restaurant in Stepantsminda. Mountain cuisine showcases local products: fresh mountain cheese, Kazbegi beef khinkali, lobio (red bean stew) served in a clay pot, and homemade chacha (grape brandy).
Day 6 Kazbegi — Gergeti Trinity Church & Hike
Morning Randonnée vers l'église Gergeti Trinity
Hike up (1.5h) or take a 4x4 (20 min) to Gergeti Trinity Church, perched at 2,170 m with Mount Kazbek as backdrop. This is Georgia's most iconic image: the 14th-century stone church, alone on its hilltop, framed by the snow-capped peaks of the Greater Caucasus.
Afternoon Retour à Tbilissi par la route militaire
Take the Georgian Military Highway back to Tbilisi. The return journey offers different perspectives — afternoon light gilds the valleys and perched villages. Possible stop at Gudauri, a ski resort with a panoramic viewpoint over the valley.
Evening Soirée détente à Tbilissi
Back in the city, enjoy a relaxed evening in the Vera district or on Agmashenebeli Avenue, recently renovated and now one of Tbilisi's trendiest spots with its cafés, restaurants, and tree-lined terrace bars.
Day 7 Kakheti — Vineyards, Sighnaghi & Harvest
Morning Route vers la Kakhétie — Monastère de Bodbe
Early departure by rental car or shared taxi to Kakheti, Georgia's main wine region (~2h drive). First stop at Bodbe Monastery (9th century), nestled among cypresses, where Saint Nino, the evangelizer of Georgia, rests. The view from the monastery over the Alazani Valley and Greater Caucasus mountains is stunning.
Afternoon Sighnaghi & dégustation dans un domaine viticole
Explore Sighnaghi, the 'city of love,' perched on a hill with its medieval ramparts, cobbled lanes, and colorful balconied houses. Then visit a family winery for a qvevri wine tasting. In October, the vines are in full harvest (Rtveli) — you can often join in the grape picking.
Evening Dîner de vendanges en Kakhétie
End the day with a harvest dinner in a family marani (traditional wine cellar). In October, Georgian families celebrate Rtveli with large communal meals around freshly filled qvevris. Return to Tbilisi in the evening.
Day 8 Tbilisi — Final Discoveries & Departure
Morning Marché des Déserteurs & derniers achats
Visit the Dezerter Bazaar, Tbilisi's largest covered market. A festival of colors and flavors: Georgian spices (khmeli-suneli, Imeretian saffron), fresh cheeses (sulguni, imeruli), churchkhela, dried fruits, fresh herbs, and local products. The perfect place to bring back authentic food souvenirs.
Afternoon Chroniques de Géorgie & transfert aéroport
Make a final stop at the Chronicles of Georgia, a monumental site of 16 carved pillars (35 m tall) depicting scenes from Georgian history, overlooking Tbilisi Sea. Often compared to a Georgian Stonehenge, this little-known site offers panoramic city views. Then transfer to the airport.
Evening Départ
Transfer to Tbilisi International Airport for your return flight. Nakh vamdis, Sakartvelo! (Goodbye, Georgia!)