Georgia doesn’t try to impress and that’s exactly why it does. Tucked between Europe and Asia, this underrated country blends dramatic mountains, ancient traditions, legendary hospitality, and food that people dream about long after leaving.

If you’re looking for somewhere authentic, affordable, and deeply human, these 10 places in Georgia reveal why travelers who come once almost always want to return.

Explore Georgia with HomeExchange

Why Georgia Feels So Different

Georgia moves to its own rhythm. Guests are treated like family, meals turn into celebrations, and landscapes shift quickly from snow-capped peaks to sun-washed vineyards. It’s a country where history isn’t behind glass it’s lived, shared, and toasted with homemade wine.

Experience Type Where to Go Why It Stands Out
Culture & Cities Tbilisi, Kutaisi Creative, lived-in, welcoming
Mountains & Nature Kazbegi, Svaneti Epic landscapes without crowds
Wine & Food Kakheti 8,000 years of wine tradition
History & Faith Mtskheta, Vardzia, Uplistsikhe Deep roots, dramatic settings
Sea & Relaxation Batumi Unexpected Black Sea charm

Tbilisi: A Capital With Soul

The heart of the country, Tbilisi, feels layered and alive. Wooden balconies lean over cobbled streets, sulfur bath steam rises from Abanotubani, and cafés spill into courtyards.

Tbilisi is gritty, charming, creative and impossible to label neatly.

Kazbegi (Stepantsminda): Georgia at Full Scale

In the Caucasus Mountains, Stepantsminda delivers one of the most iconic views in the region. The Gergeti Trinity Church stands alone against towering peaks, often wrapped in mist.

It’s humbling, cinematic, and quietly powerful.

Svaneti: Medieval Towers and Mountain Life

Remote and rugged, Svaneti feels untouched by time. Stone defensive towers rise above villages, traditions run deep, and daily life still follows the seasons.

This is Georgia at its most raw and authentic.

Kakheti: Wine Older Than History

Georgia is one of the world’s oldest wine producers, and Kakheti is its beating heart. Vineyards roll across the landscape, and wine is fermented in clay vessels buried underground.

Tastings feel like family gatherings because often, they are.

Mtskheta: Where Georgia Began

Just outside Tbilisi, Mtskheta holds immense spiritual importance. Ancient churches overlook the confluence of rivers, and history feels quietly present rather than staged.

It’s small, walkable, and deeply meaningful.

Batumi: Georgia by the Sea

On the Black Sea coast, Batumi surprises visitors. Modern architecture meets subtropical gardens, long promenades, and relaxed seaside living.

It’s playful, different, and refreshingly unexpected.

Vardzia: A City Carved Into Stone

Hidden along a cliffside, Vardzia is one of Georgia’s most astonishing sights. This ancient cave complex once housed thousands of monks, complete with chapels and living quarters.

Walking through it feels surreal.

Borjomi: Forests, Springs, and Fresh Air

Nestled among green hills, Borjomi is known for its mineral water and peaceful atmosphere. Locals stroll parks, hike trails, and slow the pace naturally.

It’s restorative in the simplest way.

Uplistsikhe: Georgia Before Cities

One of the country’s oldest settlements, Uplistsikhe predates Christianity. Carved directly into rock, it offers sweeping views and a sense of Georgia’s deep, layered past.

Kutaisi: Lived-In and Laid-Back

Georgia’s second city, Kutaisi, feels relaxed and real. Markets buzz, locals linger in parks, and nearby caves and canyons make it a great base for exploration.

It’s not flashy and that’s exactly its charm.

Live Georgia Like a Local With HomeExchange

Georgia’s magic reveals itself when you slow down  and stay somewhere real.

With HomeExchange, you can swap homes with locals and experience daily life: a Tbilisi apartment near the old town, a countryside house in Kakheti, or a mountain retreat near Kazbegi. You’ll shop neighborhood markets, cook long meals, and experience Georgian hospitality the way it’s meant to be shared.

Because in this underrated country, home isn’t just where you stay it’s how you’re welcomed.