Georgia by Car: 7 Places You Will Never See on a Typical Tour
Georgia has plenty of famous places. Tbilisi, Kazbegi, Batumi, Mtskheta and Kakheti are on almost every tourist’s list. But there is another Georgia that is much harder to discover. It starts when the tour bus turns back. Small mountain villages, empty valleys, remote lakes, strange landscapes and roads with almost no tourists can make a trip through Georgia much more memorable. And this is where having a car makes a real difference. Here are eight places worth adding to your route if you want to see a different side of Georgia.
1. Vashlovani – Georgia That Looks Like a Desert
Vashlovani National Park in eastern Georgia looks nothing like the green Caucasus most visitors expect. The landscape is dry and dramatic, with cliffs, canyons, open plains and unusual rock formations. Some areas even look more like Central Asia or the American Southwest than Georgia.
Getting here requires more preparation than a normal tourist trip. Some routes require a suitable off-road vehicle, and visitors should check access conditions before travelling. But if you are looking for a place where you can drive for a long time without seeing crowds, Vashlovani is hard to beat.
2. Truso Valley – Beyond Kazbegi
Almost everyone visiting the Kazbegi region knows about Gergeti Trinity Church. Far fewer tourists make the effort to explore the Truso Valley. The valley is surrounded by enormous mountains and is known for mineral springs, abandoned settlements and old defensive towers. The landscape feels remote even though it is relatively close to Stepantsminda.
A car gives you the freedom to spend as much time here as you want instead of worrying about finding transport back. As with many mountain destinations in Georgia, check the current road conditions before setting off.
3. Juta – A Mountain Village at the End of the Road
Juta is another place that becomes much easier to visit by car. The village lies high in the mountains and is surrounded by the spectacular Chaukhi massif. From here, several hiking routes lead deeper into the Caucasus. You do not need to be an experienced mountaineer to enjoy the area. Even a short walk can give you spectacular mountain views.
The best part is the journey itself. The road from the main highway gradually takes you away from the busy tourist route and into a much quieter landscape.
4. Racha – The Georgia of Quiet Roads
If you want to experience Georgia without crowds, put Racha on your map. This mountainous region in western Georgia is known for forests, valleys, traditional villages and Lake Shaori.
There is no need to fill your itinerary with attractions. The pleasure of Racha is simply driving through the landscape, stopping for photographs and discovering small places along the way.
It is exactly the kind of region where a rental car becomes more than just transportation. You can leave in the morning without knowing exactly where you will stop in the afternoon.
5. Lake Paravani – A Different Georgia
Lake Paravani lies on the high Javakheti plateau in southern Georgia, at an altitude of around 2,000 metres. The landscape is wide, open and almost treeless. Small villages, volcanic hills and the enormous lake create an atmosphere very different from the rest of the country.
There are relatively few international tourists here, partly because the region is not located on the classic Tbilisi – Kazbegi – Batumi route. That is precisely why it is worth driving there.
6. Katskhi Pillar – One of Georgia’s Strangest Sights
Imagine driving through the countryside and suddenly seeing a huge limestone column rising from the valley. At the top is a small church. This is Katskhi Pillar, near Chiatura in western Georgia.
The sight is so unusual that it looks almost artificial. The column rises about 40 metres above the ground and has become one of the most recognisable unusual landmarks in the region. Katskhi is easy to combine with a road trip through Imereti. You can visit the pillar and then continue to Chiatura, a fascinating former mining town built into a narrow valley.
7. The Road to Ushguli – Where the Mountains Take Over
Mestia is becoming increasingly popular, but the journey deeper into Svaneti is a different experience. Ushguli is a group of high mountain villages famous for medieval defensive towers and dramatic views of the Caucasus. The road itself is part of the adventure. Mountains become larger, villages become smaller and the feeling of isolation increases with every kilometre. However, this is not a route where you should simply take any rental car and drive without checking first.
Road conditions can vary, and some mountain routes may have restrictions for rental vehicles. Always ask your car rental company whether your chosen vehicle is suitable and whether the route is permitted.
Why a Car Makes Such a Difference in Georgia
The most interesting places are often not located directly on a railway line or next to a major bus station. A public bus can take you to a city. A tour can take you to a famous attraction. But a car can take you somewhere in between. You can stop at a viewpoint, take a detour to a village, spend an extra hour beside a lake or change your route completely because you have discovered something interesting.
That freedom is one of the biggest advantages of car rental in Georgia. Of course, freedom does not mean ignoring the rules. Before driving into remote or mountainous areas, check road conditions and make sure your rental agreement allows you to use the planned route.
What Kind of Car Do You Need?
For Tbilisi, Kakheti, Batumi and most major paved roads, a standard passenger car is usually enough. For mountain roads and unpaved routes, you may need a vehicle with greater ground clearance or four-wheel drive. Some destinations should only be visited with an appropriate off-road vehicle and, in certain cases, an experienced local driver. That is why it is a good idea to tell the rental company your planned route before booking.
