The Best Day Trips from Tbilisi (Closest to Furthest)

If you are visiting Georgia, staying in the capital, and looking to do some day trips from Tbilisi while you are in town, you've reached the right page... and I'm not just saying that. We've spent the better part of a few months living in Tbilisi (after multiple visits to Georgia over the years). During that time, I did most of these trips, and here's the honest truth: some of them are perfect for a quick escape, and some are way better if you slow down and stay overnight (hint: learn from our mistakes).

The thing that surprised me most? You can legitimately reach wildly different parts of the Caucasus... ancient cave cities, wine regions, mountains that'll make you forget you're a few hours from the city... without changing your hotel. And yeah, you can even cross into Armenia for the day if you're feeling adventurous.

Below, I've ranked everything by how doable it actually is, plus real talk about which ones are secretly better as overnight or multi-night trips (looking at you, Batumi and Tusheti).

At-a-Glance: Day Trips from Tbilisi

Best Day Trips from Tbilisi (Closest to Furthest)

1) Mtskheta + Jvari Monastery (Half-Day or Easy Full Day)

If you only have time for one easy day trip from Tbilisi, make it Mtskheta. Mtskheta is Georgia's ancient capital and spiritual heart... a UNESCO World Heritage Site where two rivers meet. It's one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and home to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, which holds immense religious significance for Georgian Orthodox Christianity. The town itself is small and walkable, with narrow streets, local shops, and a relaxed atmosphere that feels a world away from Tbilisi despite being minutes away.

It’s 30–40 minutes away, compact, beautiful, and by far the lowest-effort way to see something truly historic while staying based in the capital.

Add Jvari Monastery on the hill above town, and you get one of Georgia’s most iconic views.

• Distance: 30–45 minutes
• Time needed: 3–5 hours

Why This One Works

• No long drive
• No intense planning
• Major UNESCO sites
• Easy to combine with a half-day in Tbilisi

It’s the "I want culture, but I don’t want a full expedition" option.

What You’ll See

• Svetitskhoveli Cathedral: Georgia’s most important cathedral, right in the center of town.
• Jvari Monastery: Hilltop monastery overlooking the meeting point of two rivers. Big views, minimal effort.
• Optional stop: Chronicle of Georgia on the way back (one of our favorite places in Tbilisi).

How to Get There

2) Gori + Uplistsikhe (History + Cave City Combo)

This is one of the easiest "big history" day trips from Tbilisi because the stops pair naturally. You'll see ancient rock-hewn settlements and explore one of Georgia's most fascinating historical regions without overcommitting to a grueling drive.

I actually stayed overnight in Gori (Stalin's hometown) the first time I came to Georgia in 2016, but looking back, it was very doable as a day trip.

• Distance: 1–1.5 hours
• Time needed: 6–9 hours

Why This One Works

• Natural pairing (minimal extra driving between stops)
• Rich history in a compact area
• Flexible pace depending on your interests
• Good mix of archaeology and local culture

What You'll See

• Uplistsikhe: Ancient rock-hewn settlement carved into the hillside—the main event. Explore chambers, tunnels, and terraces that date back centuries. These remind me a bit of the ones in Vardzia, but are much closer access to Tbilisi.
• Gori: Quick stop in this local town; optional depending on your pace and interests. Just going to the Josef Stalin Museum made the trip worth it for me the first time I went.

How to Get There

3) David Gareja Monastery (Georgia's Desert-Edge Day Trip)

David Gareja feels like a different planet compared to Tbilisi—wide-open landscapes, semi-desert vibes, and monastery complexes carved into the hills. Like Vardzia, it offers ancient rock-hewn architecture, but David Gareja is less extensive and closer to the capital.

The monastery is located near the border of Azerbaijan, a country we also explored thoroughly, but unfortunately you cannot cross overland from Georgia to Azerbaijan (though you can easily fly from Tbilisi).

Do take note that parts of the monastery is closed, but the trip is still very much worth it!

• Distance: 1.5–2 hours
• Time needed: 5–7 hours

Why This One Works

• Otherworldly landscape unlike anywhere else near Tbilisi
• Rich monastic history and stunning views
• Manageable drive time
• Great for photography and nature lovers

What You'll See

• David Gareja Monastery Complex: Ancient monastery carved into semi-desert hills with sweeping panoramic views.

• Lavra Monastery: The main spiritual site with centuries of history etched into stone.

How to Get There

4) Kakheti Wine Region: Sighnaghi (Best for Wine Lovers)

Kakheti is the most popular wine-focused option for day trips from Tbilisi, and Sighnaghi is the postcard town: cute streets, big views, and easy winery access. We came here during the thick of autumn, and there was something just so enchanting about it. From all the stunning town photo angles of Sighnaghi to the generous wine tastings, coming here has to be one of my favorite memories of Georgia.

My personal recommendation would be to give Sighnaghi at least two days and a night if you can (which allows you time to also visit the Bodbe Monastery), but doing a day trip is also very much possible.

In case you give yourself a bit more time to explore Sighnaghi, we've written up a list of the top 10 things to do in the beautiful wine town.

• Distance: 1.5–2 hours
• Time needed: 6–8 hours

Why This One Works

• Wine tastings and local wineries
• Charming town with incredible views
• Flexible pacing depending on your interests
• Easy winery access without needing a car

It's the "I want to experience Georgian wine culture without committing to an overnight" option.

What You'll See

• Sighnaghi: Picturesque town with narrow streets, local shops, and panoramic views over the Alazani Valley.
• Local wineries: Family-run estates offering tastings and tours (Khalani Winery is a popular choice).
• Bodbe Monastery (optional): Historic convent overlooking the valley... best if you have extra time or stay overnight.

How to Get There

5) Borjomi (Simple Nature + Park Day)

Borjomi is one of the more unique and relaxing day trips from Tbilisi: forest air, a central park walk, Soviet-era spa culture, and the ridiculously famous mineral water obsession. You can actually try mineral water directly from the source (it might taste different than you expect).

We spent two nights here, but it's doable as a day trip if you're willing to put in some longer hours. Borjomi often pairs well with a trip to Vardzia for a full-day adventure. While Borjomi isn't everyone's favorite Georgian destination, it has plenty of redeeming qualities.

• Distance: 2–2.5 hours
• Time needed: 6–8 hours

Why This One Works

• Works well year-round
• Easy to combine with a slower travel day (no early start required)
• Unique Soviet-era spa culture
• Natural mineral springs and forest scenery

What You'll See

• Borjomi Central Park: Forest trails, mineral water springs, and Soviet-era bathhouses in a peaceful setting.
• Borjomi Mineral Water Springs: Experience Georgia's famous mineral water directly from the source.

Optional: Combine with Vardzia for a history-and-nature full day.

How to Get There

6) Kazbegi / Stepantsminda (Best Classic Mountain Day Trip)

If you only do one "big scenery" option, this is usually it. Kazbegi (often called Stepantsminda) is the iconic mountain escape for day trips from Tbilisi... dramatic peaks, alpine air, and one of Georgia's most photographed churches.

• Distance: 2.5–3 hours
• Time needed: 7–9 hours (or more)

Why This One Works

• Iconic mountain scenery without extreme commitment
• Famous viewpoint accessible from town
• Works year-round (with weather caveats)
• Easy to combine with a morning in Tbilisi

It's the "I want mountains but need to be back by evening" option.

What You'll See

• Gergeti Trinity Church: Hilltop church with sweeping valley views. Weather-dependent, but unforgettable on clear days.

Optional stops: Local hiking trails, Dariel Pass viewpoint (if weather permits), Russia-Georgia Friendship Memorial.

How to Get There

7) Vardzia (Best for History, But a Long Day)

Vardzia is one of Georgia's most impressive historic sites... an enormous cave monastery complex carved into a cliff. It's bigger than Uplistsikhe or David Gareja, and while it can be done as a day trip from Tbilisi, prepare for a long one.

We made nearby Akhaltsikhe our home base for two nights and explored Vardzia during the day. Wandering through the caves on our own and getting lost was seriously something else. It's doable as a day trip, but ideally you'll want to do it with a tour.

The area is also known for having our favorite type of khachapuri: Meskhetian.

• Distance: 3.5–4.5 hours
• Time needed: 8–10 hours

Why This One Works

• One of Georgia's most impressive cave complexes
• Pairs naturally with nearby Borjomi or Akhaltsikhe
• Rich monastic history and dramatic cliff architecture
• Regional cuisine worth the trip alone

What You'll See

• Vardzia Monastery: Epic 12th-century cave city carved into the cliff with over 6,000 caves, tunnels, and chambers—far more extensive than other cave sites nearby.

• Akhaltsikhe: Charming town with local markets and regional architecture worth exploring.

Optional: Combine with Borjomi for a full history-and-nature day.

How to Get There

8) Northern Armenia (Cross-Border Day Trip From Tbilisi)

If you want the most "different" option among day trips from Tbilisi, crossing into northern Armenia is the move. It's a long day, but you get a real cultural shift... forest landscapes, monasteries, and a totally new cuisine.

I did this back when I was visiting Georgia and Tbilisi in 2016 and opted for a guided tour and the experience was seamless and the monasteries we saw were unbelievably impressive. It was a particularly wild thought to me at the time that you could cross into a new country and back in one day.

• Distance: 4–5+ hours (including border)
• Time needed: 9–11 hours

Why This One Works

• Completely different culture and landscape
• UNESCO monasteries worth the drive
• Forested terrain contrasts beautifully with Georgia's variety
• Authentic cross-border adventure

It's the "I want something truly different" option.

What You'll See

• Haghpat Monastery: UNESCO-listed monastery in a dramatic canyon setting.
• Sanahin Monastery: Ancient monastic complex nearby, equally impressive.
• Alaverdi area: Canyon scenery and additional monastery options.

How to Get There

Now we start to get into some of the trips that realistically will take longer than a day due to distance or difficult conditions. We put these here to give you an idea of places you can visit further out in Georgia, but we highly recommend trying to split these into multiple days to get the most out of these places.

9) Kutaisi (Culture + Urban Exploring — Very Long as a Day Trip)

Kutaisi is a fantastic city, but as a day trip from Tbilisi it's on the edge of what feels "fun" versus "endurance." If you're determined, it's doable... just plan a long day, ideally do it through a tour, and keep your itinerary tight.

We came here for a day, and it honestly wasn't enough. Kutaisi has this charm that gets you immediately, and we wish we had planned in a few more days. We particularly loved Tskaltubo and its abandoned Soviet-era spa buildings and the wineries (this is a different and unique wine region from Kakheti). Check out our post on our favorite things to do in Kutaisi.

• Distance: 4–4.5 hours
• Time needed: 12-14 hours

Why This One Works

• Rich cultural sites and Soviet-era architecture
• Underrated city with authentic local vibe
• Manages timing okay if you start very early
• Adventure for those willing to commit to a long day

It's the "I want something off the tourist path" option.

What You'll See

• Bagrati Cathedral: Medieval cathedral overlooking the city with sweeping valley views.
• Gelati Monastery: UNESCO-listed monastery complex with stunning frescoes and peaceful grounds.
• Local Markets & Soviet Architecture: Wander the city center for authentic Georgian urban culture and weathered Soviet charm.

Optional: Abandoned sanatorium explorations in Tskaltubo (for urban explorers).

How to Get There

10) Batumi (Beach + Architecture — Better Overnight)

Batumi is super cool, but it's generally too far for a comfortable day trip from Tbilisi unless you're okay with mostly being in transit, as it is 5 to 6 hours by bus or train.

We skipped this as a day trip and actually ended up spending 10 days in Batumi, as we just loved the coastal vibes of the city and had to stay.

• Distance: 5.5–6.5 hours
• Time needed: Not ideal as a day trip (better overnight)

Why This One Works (As an Overnight)

• Unique Black Sea beach culture
• Eclectic architecture worth exploring
• Georgian coast cuisine and casinos

It's the "worth staying longer" option.

What You'll See

• Botanical Gardens: Lush seaside gardens with diverse plant collections.
• Batumi Boulevard & Architecture: Bizarre eclectic buildings, seafront promenades, and unique urban design.
• Black Sea Beaches: Pebble shores perfect for swimming and sunset views.
• Turkish Border Region: Easy bike rides to nearby border areas.
• Gay Nightlife & Casinos: Small but thriving LGBTQ+ venues and gaming culture.
• Adjarian Cuisine: Regional khachapuri and Black Sea seafood.

How to Get There

11) Tusheti (Incredible, But Not a Realistic Day Trip)

Tusheti National Park is breathtaking, but the road is slow and intense, and access is seasonal. If your goal is genuine day trips from Tbilisi, consider Kazbegi instead for mountains... then save Tusheti for a few nights (or longer). We've crafted a doable 4-day itinerary for Tusheti in case your travel plans allow that.

• Distance: Seasonal + very long
• Time needed: Best as a multi-night, multi-day experience

What You'll See

• Tusheti National Park: Remote mountain valleys with traditional stone villages, alpine meadows, and pristine wilderness. One of Georgia's most isolated and scenic regions.
• Dartlo Village: Ancient settlement perched on a hillside with historic architecture and stunning panoramic views.

How to Get There

Practical Tips for Planning Day Trips from Tbilisi

• Start early for anything beyond ~2 hours one-way (Kazbegi, Vardzia, Kutaisi, Armenia).
• Weather matters in the mountains—build flexibility into your plan.
• Don’t overpack stops: 1–2 key places usually feels better than 4 rushed photo stops.
• If you’re wine tasting, don’t drive... use a tour/driver.

Plan Onward (Beyond Day Trips)

Alternatively, you can easily get to Yerevan, Armenia (by train or bus) and Azerbaijan (by plane) for two completely different cultures.