The 10 best natural sites in Georgia

These two karst caves in the picturesque region of Imereti are absolute top natural attractions in Georgia for anyone wanting to enjoy the genuine and breathtaking beauty of Georgian nature. There are several similar caves in West Georgia, but we recommend these two.

The guided tour through the colorfully illuminated Prometheus Cave lasts about an hour. During the tour, visitors can admire the unique beauty of the stalactites and stalagmites and experience a very special atmosphere. If the weather cooperates and the water level of the underground river permits, you can conclude your tour with an impressive boat trip through a natural corridor. You are welcome to book this wonderful boat trip additionally if you wish.

The Sataplia Cave, although somewhat smaller, is still very impressive and beautiful. A very special recommendation is the adjacent forest, which invites you for a pleasant 1- to 2-hour walk. From a viewing platform, you get a breathtaking view of the beautiful city of Kutaisi and the impressive Zekari Pass.

A very special highlight of the park are the dinosaur footprints, dating from the era when these impressive animals inhabited the region. Beautiful Sataplia is located near the charming city of Kutaisi. We are very pleased to inform you that both sites are designated as protected areas and thus enjoy a very special status.

A very special highlight of the country is the so-called Georgian Military Road, which leads from Tbilisi northwards to Russia and ends in the beautiful Dariali Gorge in Stepantsminda. The Military Highway has immense strategic importance and was often used by Georgian kings.

In the 19th century, it was used by Russia for military purposes, which explains the name it bears to this day. The route traverses a unique landscape, making it a very special and fascinating passage. The high mountains and deep gorges of the Caucasus hold a special fascination for all travelers who travel this route.

Along the route, there are some truly wonderful sights that you should definitely see. The impressive Ananuri Fortress tells of the power and history of past eras.

Another architectural highlight is the Zhinvali Dam, a masterpiece of engineering, that impressively shows how Georgia is advancing in the field of water supply. From a viewing platform, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, which will delight you with its mountains, forests, and rivers. It’s no wonder that the Georgian Military Highway ranks among the top 10 natural sites in Georgia

The beautiful landscape of the Kakheti region is characterized by two very special features: the impressive steppe landscapes of Davit Gareja and the fertile Alazani Plain, which stretches at the foot of the majestic Caucasus Mountains. These are, of course, among the 10 best natural sites in Georgia and are absolute top destinations in this country for all nature lovers.

Gardechi Steppes

If you have a little more time and a four-wheel drive vehicle, you can discover even more of the steppes’ beauty by taking a few detours. The area is particularly impressive when visited from early May to late June, when the meadows are in bloom and numerous birds can be seen.

The route to the monastery through the steppes is a dream for cyclists. Horse riders can also enjoy some wonderful excursions here. The steppes are home to some beautiful salt lakes, which are a dream come true for photographers. Dear travellers,

We would like to point out that poisonous snakes (Macrovipera lebetinus) live in this region. Although they are rarely seen on the way to and near the monastery, we recommend that you be particularly careful, especially when entering the meadows, whether for photography or any other reason.

Alazani Plain

The beautiful Alazani Plain covers much of the Kakheti region and stretches to the border with Azerbaijan along the majestic Greater Caucasus Mountains. The beautiful name Alazani is derived from the longest river in Kakheti, which flows through the picturesque plain. This beautiful plain can be seen particularly well from the picturesque town of Sighnaghi. The beautiful town of Telavi and the picturesque villages in the surrounding area also offer impressive views of the vast plain. The sunrise and sunset on the plain are a very special experience for all visitors. At these times, the landscape with the imposing Caucasus Mountains shows itself from its most beautiful side.

Tusheti, a truly enchanting mountain region in eastern Georgia, attracts visitors with its unique villages in the Caucasus Mountains, authentic architecture and breathtaking scenery. Even the journey to Tusheti is a wonderful, unforgettable adventure. The route begins in the beautiful village of Alvani, located in the Kakheti region. From there, it continues for about 70 kilometres to the centre of Tusheti, to Omalo.

The route takes you over the impressive Abano Pass, which is about 3,000 metres high and can only be crossed with a four-wheel drive vehicle. Despite the technical challenges, the trip to Tusheti is well worth the effort to experience the beauty of the region and the Abano Pass. Many visitors travel to Georgia especially to experience this unique adventure in Tusheti.

We recommend that you cover the route with a local taxi driver, as the technical difficulties of the journey could otherwise make it difficult to drive. This way, you can not only travel safely, but also discover the wonderful secrets and treasures of the region with experienced locals.

If you are looking for a truly special travel experience, then the Javakheti region in Georgia is the place for you. Here you will find picturesque mountain lakes and breathtaking scenery. The Lesser Caucasus, which encompasses the southern Georgian regions of Samtskhe and Javakheti, captivates visitors with its fascinating scenic beauty, making it one of the 10 best nature sites in Georgia. This mysterious and beautiful region delights with numerous volcanic mountains, picturesque rivers and extensive mountain lakes on high plateaus. This unique combination cannot be found in other parts of Georgia.

A very special highlight of this area is the Javakheti National Park, located near the small, charming town of Ninozminda. It is a real magnet for ornithologists, landscape and wildlife photographers, as well as anyone who appreciates and wants to enjoy the magnificent nature. The three most famous lakes in the park are Madatapa, Chantschali and Karzachi. These beautiful lakes have excellent infrastructure, which is a delight for all birdwatchers.

In addition to the national park, there are two other beautiful lakes in the region that are a must-see: Lake Paravani, the largest lake in the country, and Lake Saghamo. These beautiful lakes are very close to each other and surrounded by impressive volcanic mountains. The route to these idyllic waters leads over the Paravani Pass, which forms a high plateau at an altitude of over 2,000 metres.

The beautiful Svaneti region is home to the most significant mountains and peaks in the Caucasus, including the impressive Ushba, Tetnuli, Lahla and Aila. These majestic peaks are best viewed in Svaneti. It is even possible to hike to the glacier, as is the case in Ushguli in the Enguri Valley. It is definitely worth a visit and should be at the top of your list of Georgia’s best natural attractions.

The Enguri Valley invites you to walk along a flat and wide hiking trail to the glacier of Mount Shkhara. This impressive mountain is the highest in Georgia and the source of the Enguri, the most important river in Svaneti. The trail is lined with impressive mountain meadows, babbling brooks and thundering waterfalls. Here you will meet many other hikers and horse riders with whom you can exchange impressions of the beautiful surroundings.

The glacier is about 9 km from the village. The last 2 km are a little more strenuous as the trail runs along the riverbed and is rocky. If you don’t want to cover the entire distance, you can also cover the first seven kilometres by four-wheel drive vehicle.

Where the drive ends, right by the river, there is a cosy café where you can enjoy refreshments and relax after your journey. Here, our guests can order hot or cold drinks and enjoy the impressive mountain atmosphere. It is a wonderful place to take a short break before setting off on the more challenging part of the trail. Nature lovers and adventurers meet here to enjoy the impressive mountain atmosphere together.

The beautiful waterfall in the picturesque Betscho Valley in Svaneti is one of Georgia’s most impressive natural wonders. It is an absolute eye-catcher and a highlight for all nature lovers. The water comes directly from the Ushba Glacier, creating a fascinating backdrop that is not to be missed. A beautiful day hike to the waterfall is possible from both the picturesque villages in the valley and the charming town of Mestia.

If you start the hike from Mestia, we recommend driving into the valley first and continuing on foot from there. The trail is classified as moderately difficult and offers an extremely pleasant hiking experience as you walk along the wild Dolra River.

Along the way, several charming forest cafés invite you to sit down and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere. One of these cafés is the Hikers Café, which is located on a bridge and even offers an artificial lake for swimming. Here you can refresh yourself and take a break to unwind. These cosy rest stops invite you to take a short break, admire the breathtaking nature and refresh yourself before reaching the impressive natural spectacle of the waterfall.

This impressive mountain, which reaches a height of 5,047 metres, towers majestically over Stepanzminda/Kazbeg and captivates amateur and professional mountaineers alike. But it’s not just mountaineers who find their way to Stepanzminda to see and photograph this imposing peak – photographers and visitors who want to experience the beauty of the mountain landscape also flock here. The beautiful Trinity Church serves as a striking foreground for the mountain.

The combination of these two landmarks creates a unique image that never fails to fascinate visitors and is therefore definitely one of the 10 best natural sites in Georgia. If you want to experience the mountain in all its glory, then come here during sunrise or sunset. Then it glows in the most beautiful colours and the dazzling colours of the sky highlight the majestic backdrop even more intensely.

This makes Stepanzminda not only a destination for mountaineers, but also a place of inspiration for anyone who wants to experience the captivating beauty of nature in the Kazbegi area. Prometheus is said to have been imprisoned in this special place.

This impressive place in Kakheti, in the far east of the country, is affectionately known as Little Africa in the Caucasus, which is very fitting. The park features a variety of beautiful landscapes, with the impressive steppe-like surroundings being particularly striking. The diverse flora and fauna make the park a particularly attractive destination and an exciting place for nature lovers.

Among the numerous plant species in the park, the beautiful endemic plant Paeonia tenuifolia L. blooms in May. Another highlight are the hundreds of years old Pistacia mutica and Pistacia atlantica plants. The park is also a paradise for nature photographers, as it is home to various beautiful bird species such as bee-eaters, blue rollers and vultures. Animals also live here, including bears, wolves and foxes. The gazelle population in the Samuchi Plain is particularly interesting.

A very special highlight of the park is the Bear Gorge. This is a dry river bed where you can discover beautiful shells in the layers of earth. You can also see mud volcanoes that look like small geysers. The most popular activities in the park are jeep tours, horse riding and cycling.

Please note that poisonous snakes (Macrovipera lebetinus) live in the park. Please be especially careful when you are in the park. Even if you enter the beautiful meadows, whether to take photographs or for any other reason, please be careful. Even when you are on the paths, snakes can lurk under the bushes and trees.

One of the top destinations in Georgia is the Martvili Canyon. In the beautiful village of Gachedili, which belongs to the municipality of Martvili on the side of Samegrelo, visitors can discover this picturesque place at an altitude of 210 metres above sea level. The friendly team at the Martvili Canyon Visitor Centre welcomes you near the entrance to the canyon.

A paved footpath starts from the visitor centre, which is 700 metres long and leads to the historic Dadiani trail. There you will find two beautiful bridges, three breathtaking panoramic platforms and an impressive historic staircase with 30 steps built from chalk stone.

Visitors have the wonderful opportunity to take a leisurely stroll or travel down the beautiful Abasha River by boat. This ‘journey’ is a very special experience and covers approximately 300 metres (one way). Visitors can enjoy the extremely beautiful and charming views of the river and the canyon. We also offer maritime routes, but please note that the minimum height for participation is 1 metre.