19 Best Things to Do in Kakheti, Georgia (in 2024)

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I’m a travel expert who’s visited Kakheti several times and in this guide, I share some of my favorite things to do in Kakheti, Georgia. 

The Kakheti region is premier wine country and exploring various tasting rooms is one of the best things to do in Georgia.

There are also many cozy towns, medieval monasteries, and fantastic landscapes awaiting visitors here. Continue reading to learn about these attractions and several hidden gems throughout Kakheti!  

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19 Best Things to Do in Kakheti

Wine Tasting Tours

Sample the best vintages of a nation famous for its wines.

👉 Browse Eat This! Food and Wine Tours

Wine is a foundational element of Georgian culture. Grapes grow everywhere in Georgia, except the highest mountain regions. Kakheti has the best growing conditions, so it produces the most. Wine tours in Kakheti take you to the local wineries and give you a taste of their top vintages.

There are a wide variety of places to sample Georgian wine in Kakheti. These include historical wine chateaus like Tsinandali Estate. Tsinandali is famous for being the first place in Georgia to adopt the “European method” of aging wine in oak barrels. The wine cellar there preserves several fine wines and is one of the most popular places for a wine-tasting tour.

There are also small specialty wineries like Pheasant’s Tears and many family-run wineries throughout the region. 

🍇 Local Tip: Fermentation in qvevri is Georgia’s traditional method for making wine. These large, underground clay vessels affect the flavor less than oak. It allows for the wine’s own unique flavors to develop, they say. 

Telavi

Telavi is a tiny town with a ton of character and a great place to indulge in Georgian wine, history, and architecture.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book Telavi Tour on Viator

Telavi is the administrative capital of the Kakheti region. It’s one of the best day trips from Tbilisi and a great hub for exploring the area. The town is small but has some must-see sites worth including on your Georgia itinerary.

Batonis Tsikhe was formerly the home of Kakhetian kings. Now, it houses a historical museum and the remnants of royal residence buildings. There is also the Giant Plane Tree, estimated to be over 900 years old! 

You can also check out the Telavi Bazaar, the best place for local produce and assorted goods. Kakheti’s fertile soil is good for growing much more than grapes! Nadikvari Park is the perfect place for a walk.

Alaverdi Monastery

Alaverdi Monastery is famous for its towering medieval cathedral, as well as its award-winning wines.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily | 👉 Book Suggested Alaverdi Tour

It’s easy to see why the Alaverdi Monastery is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gigantic Alaverdi Cathedral seems even more massive on the inside. Faded frescoes on the walls only add to the atmosphere of hushed reverence. Only a few monks live here now, continuing the traditions of their ancestors.

Wine-making is one of those traditions. The monastery’s abbot (also the bishop of Kakheti) revived the tradition in 2006 and the monastery’s wine went on to win international awards. There is a dress code here for visitors. Men are required to wear long sleeves and full-length pants. Women are asked to wear long skirts and have their arms and heads covered.

Rtveli Wine Harvest

Georgia’s main wine region springs to life in the early autumn months as the grape harvest begins.

👉 Book a Wine Harvest Tour

What better way to deepen your wine-tasting experience than by seeing how it all starts? This wine region may seem sleepy in other parts of the year. But it comes to life in September and early October, one of the best times to visit Georgia. Some wineries may be too busy to host events. But special tours allow you to see the harvest first-hand.

You can even participate in the process by picking grapes and helping in other ways. I got first-hand experience helping my friends with their start-up winery and had a blast (keep an eye out for Satrpo Wines!). We worked until the wee hours but, thankfully, no tour will require you to do so.

Sighnaghi

Sighnaghi sits snugly perched above the Alazani Valley, serving as a perfect place to begin exploring Kakheti.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book Sighnaghi Tour on Viator

Sighnaghi is the crown jewel of Kakheti. This tiny town features cobbled streets and pastel-colored houses as well as stunning views of the surrounding Alazani Valley. There are several wineries (such as Pheasant’s Tears) here, offering the best of the best from Georgia’s premier wine region.

There are other noteworthy attractions, too. The city walls are a perfect place for a walk. There’s also the tranquil Bodbe Convent just outside town. Sighnaghi is an easy day trip from Tbilisi but, if you ask me, it’s best enjoyed on a longer Kakheti itinerary. There are several awesome and affordable places to stay in this cozy corner of Georgia.

Getting here isn’t too tough. Minibusses (marshrutkas) depart from Navtlugi Station near the Samgori metro station in Tbilisi. You can also travel via a shared taxi that departs from near the Isani metro station.

Davit Gareji Monastery Complex

Medieval cave monasteries and colorful rock formations make this site one of the highlights of any trip to Kakheti.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: no official hours, usually open in daylight hours | Entrance: free | 👉 Book Suggested Davit Gareji Tour on Viator

No Kakheti itinerary would be complete without a tour of Davit Gareji. This remote locale was a veritable city in the Middle Ages, with 20 different monasteries and thousands of monks. Today, only three monasteries remain inhabited by monks.

You can visit the Rainbow Hills here, too, famous for their vivid layers of sedimentary rock.

I recommend visiting outside the summer months. Summer sees the highest temperatures, sometimes upwards of 100°F!

👉 Local Tip: The Caucasus has seen many conflicts and shifting borders over the centuries. The dispute with Azerbaijan, thankfully, remains one of the least heated. Georgian border guards are posted to keep visitors from accidentally straying across the border.

Kakheti Sites & Attractions

Bodbe Monastery

This picturesque convent outside Sighnaghi serves as the final resting place of one of Georgia’s most revered saints.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 10 am – 6:30 pm daily | Entrance: free | 👉 Book Bodbe Tour on Viator

There are many monasteries in the Kakheti region, but Bodbe Monastery is one of the most sacred places for the Georgian Orthodox Church. It’s also one of the easiest to get to, being right outside Sighnaghi. St. Nino, the woman who brought Christianity to Georgia in the early 4th century is buried in the older church.

A newer church now stands on the grounds, offering a fine example of Georgia’s unique ecclesiastical architecture. The monastery also has a beautiful garden overlooking the Alazani Valley. A small shop on the monastery grounds sells products made by the nuns, as well as religious items.

Lagodekhi National Park

Forested hills and scenic alpine lakes make Lagodekhi National Park an ideal place for hiking and camping.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +995 577 10 18 34 | Website | Hours: open 24 hours | Entrance: contact park authorities | 👉 Book Lagodekhi National Park Tour on Viator

Lagodekhi National Park proves that there is more to do in Kakheti than drink wine and visit medieval monasteries. It sits in the northeastern corner of the Kakheti region and is famous for its lush forests and abundant wildlife. Lagodekhi is considered to be one of the best places in Georgia for hiking and camping.

There are several waterfalls winding their way down from the hills here. Black Rock Lake is one of the most photographed places in the park. It takes about three days of hiking to get there, but the views and the serenity are worth it!

There is a portion of the park, though, that is off-limits to visitors, being a protected nature reserve. You won’t have a problem with accidentally crossing over into it as long as you stay on the designated paths, though.

👉 Local Tip: Many of the lesser-known places in Kakheti are a bit harder to get to. Telavi and Sighnaghi are good hubs for regional marshrutkas. Alternatively, ask your guesthouse or hotel about hiring a private car and driver. These usually run around 50-60 lari for a full day. 

Nekresi Monastery

This medieval monastery sits atop a narrow ridge, housing frescoes and a long history.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon – Fri, 3 – 5:30 pm Sat, 9 am – 4:30 pm Sun | Entrance: free

Nekresi Monastery is one of the oldest monastic sites in Georgia, founded in the 6th century. Most of the currently standing buildings date from later periods. Though, the “new” ones are at least several centuries old in true Georgian fashion. The Church of the Dormition here preserves 16th-century frescoes of the Kakhetian royal family.

The monastery sits atop a steep hill and has great views of the surrounding area. There are also ruins of an ancient Zoroastrian temple just south of the monastery.

Ujarma Fortress

Walk amidst the remnants of a fortress that once served as the second capital of medieval Georgia.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: ₾ 10 adults, free for children 5 and under

Ujarma Fortress is now mostly ruins, but once served as the second capital of one of the early Georgian kingdoms. The site consists of the Upper Fortress or Citadel, as well as the Lower Fortress. Many of the surviving structures here date from the 4th century.

The fortress occupied an important position on trade routes. It guarded the Gombori Pass, one of the main routes from Kartli (central Georgia) to Kakheti. Today, the Gombori Pass has less strategic value but is the fastest way to get from Tbilisi to Telavi (and is quite scenic). Stop to buy honey from the roadside vendors here if you have a chance. 

Ikalto Monastery

Follow in the footsteps of Georgia’s greatest poet at this monastery which once housed the finest academy in the country.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +995 571 30 61 20 | Hours: generally open during daytime | Entrance: free

Ikalto Monastery once had a flourishing academy within its walls. Students studied all the known sciences of the time, along with literature, languages, and much more. It is also the place where Shota Rustaveli studied. He’s the author of the national epic The Knight in the Panther’s Skin.

The Ikalto Academy ceased operation after a brutal Persian invasion in 1616. A small brotherhood of monks now resides in Ikalto, reviving at least a little of the traditions that made the monastery famous. 

Kakheti Hidden Gems

Visit a Family Marani

Wander off the beaten path a little and find yourself in the best of company!

A smaller marani (the Georgian word for “wine cellar”) is the place to go if, like me, you know nothing of wine criticism. Forget having to give detailed analyses of flavor profiles. Sit back, get to know people, and enjoy a homemade glass, or several — this is Georgia, after all!

Every family makes their own wine, even if they don’t sell it commercially. Sometimes, that’s the best stuff! You can also find home-cooked meals in some smaller venues. Be sure to come hungry, though! Some wine tours stop by these places. You may also find yourself invited to one or two as you start making local friends.

Tusheti

Ascend to a remote mountain region that feels more like a fairy tale than the waking world.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Tusheti Tour

Tusheti is its own region, occupying a lofty place deep within the Caucasus Mountains. Kakheti, however, is the gateway to this alpine paradise. You should, by all means, visit this place. Georgians speak of it with special admiration, like the crown jewel of their already fantastic nature.

The region is only accessible during the summer months when the heavy snow has melted. I strongly recommend you don’t take your own car there if you booked a car rental in Tbilisi. The mountain road is notoriously tricky, so it’s best to let locals who know it well do the driving. A private tour is the best way to do this.

Kvareli

Relax by the lakeside at the birthplace of the “Uncrowned King of Georgia.”

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Tour to Kvareli

The small village of Kvareli is the birthplace of one of the greatest figures in recent Georgian history: Ilia Chavchavadze. He’s known as the “Uncrowned King of Georgia” and was a major leader of the Georgian cultural renaissance in the late 1800s. You’ll see him depicted on the 20 lari bill.

Kvareli isn’t on most tourists’ radar, and that is one of the best things about it! This is the perfect place to unwind for a while and avoid the crowds. You may find a little more foot traffic around the famous Khareba Winery. This winery produces excellent wines and is known for its underground wine cave (also sometimes called the “wine tunnel”).

Vashlovani Nature Reserve

Rugged rock formations and shrublands make Georgia’s southeastern corner feel a little like the American Southwest.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +995 591 04 67 00 | Website | Hours (Entrance): 9 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: see website | 👉 Browse Vashlovani Nature Reserve Tours on Viator

Georgia’s nature is remarkably diverse. Few places show that quite so well as Vashlovani Nature Reserve. The semi-desert environment is quite distinct from the lush landscapes elsewhere in Georgia. Along with Lagodekhi, this is a great place for day hikes or even overnight expeditions.

The closest settlement to Vashlovani is the village of Dedoplistskaro. This hamlet is a worthwhile stop in its own right. It has some interesting Soviet-era statues and cozy, affordable guesthouses to stay the night in.

Kakheti Food & Drink

Attend a Kakhetian Supra

Good food + good wine + good company = The Georgian recipe for success!

👉 Book a Kakhetian Supra Tour on Viator

The context of a celebratory meal is one of the best ways to enjoy local wines. For Georgians, the fancy wine degustation process that we know in the West (just sampling, maybe with a few gourmet hors d’oeuvres) is odd. Wine is best as part of a hearty, festive meal with heartfelt toasts at every turn. 

Private tours are a good way to attend your first supra. Making new friendships is easy in Georgia, though. You’ll likely find yourself invited to supras, or at least a more informal meal which will always include great food, wine, and toasts.

Pheasant’s Tears Winery

This private winery offers the best organic wines in Sighnaghi, as well as delicious entrees.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +995 598 72 28 48 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 11 pm daily | 👉 Book a Tour to Pheasant’s Tears Winery

This winery in Sighnaghi deserves a special mention. Pheasant’s Tears Winery focuses exclusively on producing qvevri wine and following traditional Georgian practices. An onsite restaurant also makes some delicious food to pair with the wines. Some gourmet tours stop by here, but you can also visit it on your own time.

The unusual name comes from a Georgian folk tale. The hero of the tale claims that only the best wine has the power to make a pheasant weep tears of joy. There are no feathered patrons on hand to test the theory, but I was quite impressed when I visited. It’s well worth adding this place to your tour of the wine region.

Try Churchkhela

Sink your teeth into one of Georgia’s favorite traditional snacks, known colloquially as the “Georgian Snickers.”

👉 Book Kakheti Food Tour (Churchkhela Masterclass Optional)

Georgian food is famous for its hearty meat and cheese-based dishes, but it also has some lighter fare. Churchkhela are a favorite snack food, made from nuts dipped in a mix of grape must and flour. You will see these sweets dangling from many roadside vendor’s shops throughout the country. Kakheti, though, claims to have invented this classic Georgian snack.

Try Georgian Craft Beer

Sip unique local brews across the region when you need a break from wine. 

Hours: varies by location

Wine tasting isn’t the only local libation available in Kakheti. Craft beer has been growing slowly in the country and Kakheti has a few excellent breweries. Alkhanaidze in Telavi and Lost Ridge Inn in Sighnaghi are great places to stop for a brew if you’re fancying a respite from wine. 

Alakhanaidze has also been slowly branching out to Tbilisi. It is opening up an establishment in Tbilisi’s Saburtalo neighborhood. I’ve also had a pint at a cozy place called Easy Bistro near the Marjanishvili metro station.

FAQs About What to Do in Kakheti

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Thanks for reading my guide on the best things to do in Kakheti, Georgia! Check out Nate’s guide to Svaneti for adventures in a very different, but equally awesome corner of the country.