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Top 10 attractions in Vardzia
Bagrati Cathedral
Bagrati Cathedral stands atop Ukimerioni Hill in Kutaisi and is a prominent landmark of this ancient city, visible from many corners of the city. It was built in the early 11th century, commissioned by Bagrat III, the first king of a unified Georgia, and has long been considered a masterpiece of medieval Georgian architecture. Tall columns and layered arches support the central dome, and the exterior walls still feature reliefs of floral and animal motifs that are fascinating to examine closely. The cathedral is used by the Georgian Orthodox Church for regular religious ceremonies and is also a preferred venue for weddings among Kutaisi locals. Reaching the top of the hill offers a panoramic view with the entire city spread out below, which is especially stunning at sunset.Kutaisi · 43.4 km from Vardzia
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi stands on Elia Hill on the left bank of the Mtkvari River and is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The church adopts the traditional Georgian cross-dome architectural style, with the central dome covered in gold leaf and a gilded cross standing at the top, reaching a total height of nearly 100 m including the underground section. Thanks to its massive size and commanding position, its golden dome can be seen from almost anywhere in the city of Tbilisi. The interior of the church is also worth a close look. In the northeast corner, there is a mosaic icon of the Virgin Mary; the southeast corner houses a display case with a cross and a handwritten Bible; and the northwest corner displays a model of the holy city of Jerusalem made of mica. The church also has several chapels underground, and the main murals were painted by contemporary Georgian artists in a traditional style. In addition to the main cathedral, the entire complex includes auxiliary facilities such as a separate bell tower, a monastery, and a seminary, which are quite impressive in scale. As the mother church of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the cathedral hosts Orthodox rituals and religious activities all year round. The interior murals and mosaic decorations create a solemn religious atmosphere, and from the cathedral's platform, you can overlook the city of Tbilisi and the scenery on both banks of the Kura River.Georgia · Tbilisi
Gergeti Trinity Church
Gergeti Trinity Church stands on a hill at an altitude of over 2,000 m at the foot of Mt Kazbek in northern Georgia and is one of the iconic landmarks in the Caucasus region. The church was built in the 14th century and features a cross-dome architectural style. It is the only domed church in the entire Khevi region. The complex consists of the main church, a separate bell tower, and surrounding stone walls, with an exterior facade built of dark gray andesite, presenting a simple and solemn style. The church is located on a remote highland and historically served as a treasury and refuge for the ancient city of Mtskheta for a long time. During times of war, precious relics, including the Cross of Saint Nino, were transferred here for safekeeping. Today, only a few traces of original murals remain on the interior walls, but the rugged texture of the building itself blends perfectly with the surrounding steep mountains. Standing on the platform in front of the church, you can overlook the full view of the town of Stepantsminda and the valley. The snow-capped peaks and glaciers of Mt Kazbek spread out behind it, and the scene of the church set against the snow-capped mountains has become an iconic view of Georgia.Georgia · Kazbegi
Ananuri Fortress Complex
Ananuri Fortress Complex is located on the banks of the Aragvi River, approx. 70 km north of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and adjacent to the Zhinvali Reservoir. It is a nearly unavoidable stop when traveling north along the Georgian Military Highway toward Kazbegi. Since the 13th century, this has been a castle and military fortress for the feudal lords of the Aragvi dynasty, with the existing walls and main structures mostly dating back to the 16th–17th centuries. It consists of two castles, upper and lower, and continuous walls. The lower castle with its round tower is now just ruins, while the side along the ridge, along with the square Sheupovari tower, is well-preserved. Climbing the tower offers a panoramic view of the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir and the mountains on the opposite bank. The scene featuring the walls, church domes, and the surrounding landscape makes this a popular location for travelers in Georgia.Georgia · Ananuri
Borjomi Central Park
Borjomi Central Park is a park with sulfur pools. It produces famous sparkling mineral water, and the air quality is very good, making it a great place for hiking and exercise.Borjomi · 31.7 km from Vardzia
St. George’s Church and Monastery in Ubisa
Ubisa · 13 km from Vardzia
Shorapani Castle
Saghvine · 8.2 km from Vardzia
Chronicles of Georgia
Chronicles of Georgia stands on the top of Ghani Hill in the northern suburbs of Tbilisi, right next to the Tbilisi sea, and is a massive sculpture complex that sculptor Zurab Tsereteli began building in 1985. 16 bronze pillars, each approx. 35 m high, form an open array on the vast hilltop, looking like Stonehenge from a distance, and are therefore also known as the "Chronicles of Georgia". The pillars are covered with bronze reliefs from bottom to top: the lower sections depict biblical stories and the life of Christ, while the upper sections feature Georgian kings, queens, commanders, saints, and poets, interspersed with scenes of daily life such as grape harvests and festive feasts. Beside the pillar array stand the Grapevine Cross of Saint Nino and the Church of the Annunciation.Georgia · Tbilisi
Mt Kazbek
Mt Kazbek is located on the border between northern Georgia and Russia. It is a dormant volcano with a double-coned mountain body at an elevation of approx. 5,000m. It is the third-highest peak in Georgia and one of the few volcanic cones in the Caucasus Mountains. The peak is covered in snow year-round, and multiple glaciers hang from the mountain. The surrounding area features deep valleys, glaciers, meadows, and alpine rock faces. Due to its high altitude, the summit is covered in snow year-round, creating a sharp contrast between the white snow-capped peak and the dark rocks, which looks particularly spectacular in clear weather.Georgia · Kazbegi
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is located in Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, approx. 20 km from the capital, Tbilisi, and is one of the largest surviving medieval church structures in Georgia. It is renowned for its magnificent stone architecture and exquisite carved decorations. The building features a traditional Georgian cross-dome layout, with a towering central dome and heavy stone walls that create a solemn appearance. The exterior walls are decorated with crosses, reliefs, arched windows, and symbolic stone carvings, showcasing the unique style of medieval Georgian architectural art. The interior of the cathedral preserves murals, religious icons, and historical relics, with some decorations reflecting artistic styles and religious traditions from different periods.Georgia · Mtskheta
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Bagrati Cathedral
Kutaisi · 43.4 km from VardziaHoly Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
Georgia · TbilisiGergeti Trinity Church
Georgia · KazbegiAnanuri Fortress Complex
Georgia · AnanuriChronicles of Georgia
Georgia · TbilisiMt Kazbek
Georgia · KazbegiSvetitskhoveli Cathedral
Georgia · Mtskheta
Bridge of Peace
Georgia · Tbilisi
Ali & Nino Statue
Georgia · Batumi
Narikala Castle
Georgia · Tbilisi
What travelers say about Vardzia
kareninagurlMarch 28, 2023
5.0
In 1994, Bagrati Cathedral, together with the Gelati Monastery, was included in UNESCO's World Heritage Site list as a single entity. In 2001, ownership of the cathedral was transferred from the Georgian state to the Georgian Orthodox Church. It is presently of limited use for religious services, but attracts many pilgrims and tourists. It is also frequently used as a symbol of the city of Kutaisi, being one of its main tourist attractions. I recommend to visit in the morning.
Bagrati Cathedral
NachtischApril 3, 2026
5.0
The most striking feature of the church is undoubtedly its pure gold-clad dome, dazzling in the sunlight and exuding a gentle solemnity when illuminated at night. It's worth noting that the church's construction was primarily funded by donations from ordinary citizens—it's not just a building, but a symbol of Georgians rediscovering their faith and solidifying their national identity after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
yccuiOctober 13, 2025
5.0
This church, unlike any other in Europe, sits nestled among the hilltops. It's truly a journey of pious beauty. The century-old stone statues remain as fresh as ever. Practicing Taoism here offers a deeper sense of purpose.
Gergeti Trinity Church
镜里看花October 20, 2026
4.0
On the way to Kazbekistan, almost everyone stops here. After crossing the bridge, Ananuri Fortress stands beside the reservoir at the bridgehead, looking from afar like a stone castle stranded in the middle of a lake. I stopped the car and took some photos from the bridge. As soon as I pressed the shutter, it suddenly dawned on me—wasn't this the same angle as on the cover of *Lonely Planet*? The same bridge railings, the same gray-white stone walls, the same blue-green water. So the "cover-style shot" mentioned in the travel guides was just an ordinary roadside spot, not at all pretentious.
The reservoir behind the fortress is called Renvali Reservoir, surrounded by concentric circles of mountains, its water a medium-deep green. Standing atop the fortress, the view is indeed the best—the reservoir, the bridge, the mountains, and the winding mountain road in the distance, all spread out below.
But getting up there wasn't so easy. The left entrance was blocked off. A local offered a small tip to enter from the right; the fee wasn't much, more like a "gateway fee" for this centuries-old fortress—payable by soldiers six hundred years ago, and by tourists six hundred years later.
The internal staircase was narrow and the steps slippery. Every step was taken with extreme caution. My friend slipped while going down, so safety first. This view is best seen in photos :D
Ananuri Fortress Complex
KeYinWanderJuly 28, 2023
4.0
you can get free borjomi mineral water which claimed to be very good for health there, and is quite nice to take a walk around the park
Borjomi Central Park
zinnia_615November 29, 2024
4.0
Georgia has a chronicle monument, which was built during the Soviet era and witnessed the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Many locals go to the Tbilisi Sea for vacation, swimming, and sunbathing. From the monument, you can see the Tbilisi Sea from a distance. It takes 12 minutes to walk from the monument to the beach.
Chronicles of Georgia
Alex_GorSeptember 28, 2026
5.0
We drove along the Georgian Military Highway in July and stopped at Kazbek. The mountains are massive, the peak is covered in snow, and the green slopes below — it looks like a postcard. We hiked up to Gergeti Church, and the views from there are the best on the whole road. The climb on foot takes about an hour, and it's windy and chilly at the top even in summer, so a jacket is a must. It gets crowded, but it's worth it. If you're driving this road, definitely make a stop — you won't regret it.
Mt Kazbek
小晚的漫游日志April 16, 2020
4.0
The Pillar of Life Cathedral is located in the urban area of Mtskheta, northwest of Tbilisi. It is also called the Svetitskhoveli Church. The church is one of the most sacred and magnificent churches in Georgia. It is also the second largest Christian holy place after the Jerusalem Church. It is famous for the blood cloak of Jesus and the pillars of early church buildings. The exterior of the cathedral is majestic and surrounded by a circle of walls. The interior decoration is gorgeous and delicate, with many exquisite murals and stickers. The architectural style has a dome and a cross-shaped plane. There are also tombs of several members of the Georgian royal family in the church, including the last two generations of Georgian kings.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
