Tbilisi to Borjomi road trip through Shida Kartli

The road from Tbilisi to Borjomi runs right through Shida Kartli, along the Mtkvari valley and over the hills to the spa town. It is about 160 km and three hours’ drive without stops, but there is so much on the way that it deserves a full day, or two with a night in Gori.

Stop 1: Samtavisi Cathedral

About 45 km from Tbilisi, turn off at Igoeti to see Samtavisi and its carved east façade. Allow 30 minutes.

Stop 2: Uplistsikhe

Just before Gori, turn off to the cave town of Uplistsikhe. Allow 1½ to 2 hours, and get there before the midday heat in summer.

Stop 3: Gori

Have lunch in Gori and climb to the fortress. If you are staying the night, visit the Stalin Museum and continue the next morning.

Stop 4: Kintsvisi or Tsromi

West of Gori, make a detour to the frescoes of Kintsvisi, near Kareli, or to the 7th-century church at Tsromi, near Khashuri. Both are in quiet villages a short drive from the main road.

Stop 5: Surami

At Surami, buy warm nazuki, the sweet spiced bread, from one of the stalls by the road, and look up at the fortress on its rock. According to legend, a young man named Zurab was walled up alive in it so that its walls would stand, a story made famous by Sergei Parajanov’s 1985 film. Read about Surami’s nazuki in our food and wine guide.

Arriving in Borjomi

From Khashuri, the road turns south-west into the wooded gorge of the Mtkvari and reaches Borjomi in about 40 minutes. Walk through Central Park to taste the mineral water at the spring, take the cable car up to the plateau, and see Likani Palace, the Romanovs’ summer residence, just outside the town.

Going further

From Borjomi, many travellers continue to Akhaltsikhe and Rabati Castle, and to the cave monastery of Vardzia. Others head west from Khashuri over the Rikoti Pass to Kutaisi.

Tips

• Fill up with fuel and cash in Gori or Khashuri before the smaller roads.
• In winter, check the weather; the hills around Surami and Borjomi can get snow.
• Do not drive north of Gori towards the occupation line. Read our safety guide.