After arriving and dropping luggage at your hotel, ease into Tbilisi with a leisurely stroll through Rustaveli Avenue to admire early 20th-century architecture, then head to Freedom Square for people-watching and a quick coffee at a nearby café. Continue to the hillside neighborhood of Sololaki to explore charming narrow streets, see colorful balconies, and stop at a local bakery to try freshly baked Georgian pastries before lunch.
Wander down into Old Tbilisi to cross the modern [Bridge of Peace](https://tbilisi.gov.ge) and then follow the riverfront to the atmospheric Anchiskhati Basilica, Georgia's oldest surviving church, where you can admire medieval frescoes. Continue uphill on the cable car or a short walk to the hilltop Narikala Fortress for sweeping city views, then descend to the charming sulfur-bath quarter of Abanotubani for a restorative soak or a cup of herbal tea at a traditional bathhouse.
As dusk falls, wander to the lively neighborhood around Sharden Street to browse boutique shops and sip wine at a cosy enoteca, then grab a table at a traditional Georgian restaurant to sample dishes like khachapuri and mtsvadi alongside local vintages. After dinner, enjoy a relaxed riverside walk to the illuminated Rike Park sculptures and finish the night with panoramic city views from the modern Tbilisi TV Tower café or a rooftop bar in the Sololaki area.
Set out early from Tbilisi for a short drive to Samtavro Monastery, where you can stroll the peaceful grounds and see the tomb of St. Nino while locals light candles; follow that with a visit to the nearby Shio-Mgvime Monastery gorge for a short riverside walk and views of cave churches. Finish the morning in Mtskheta town center with a tasting of traditional churchkhela at a family-run shop and a relaxed coffee on the terrace overlooking the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura rivers before heading up to the hilltop.
After your hilltop visit, descend into Mtskheta's pedestrian streets to explore the artisanal stalls near Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (outside the morning sites) and sample freshly made churchkhela at a different family workshop while watching local craftsmen at work. Wander along the Kura riverbank to the peaceful Samtavro Garden for a picnic with regional snacks, then take a short drive to the lesser-known viewpoint by Jvari Panorama for late-afternoon light over the confluence of the Aragvi and Kura before returning to Tbilisi.
Return to Tbilisi and unwind with a slow dinner in the atmospheric Fabrika courtyard where you can sample Georgian street-food twists and mingle with local creatives; afterward, catch an intimate performance at the nearby Metekhi Theatre for contemporary Georgian drama or live music. End the night with a gentle stroll along the illuminated embankment to the quirky modern sculptures at Chronicle of Georgia viewpoint for panoramic night views over the city and river.
Leave Tbilisi early for a scenic drive along the Georgian Military Highway and arrive in Stepantsminda to hike up to Gergeti Trinity Church for golden-hour views of Mount Kazbek; pause at a roadside stall to sample warm chakapuli (local stew) and sweet pastries from a village bakery. After descending, visit the nearby Gveleti Waterfalls for a short, invigorating walk through snow-dusted pines and finish the morning with a relaxing cup of Georgian tea at a family-run guesthouse terrace overlooking the valley.
After a morning hike and tea, drive higher into the mountains to the scenic plateau near Cross Pass (Mamisoni Pass viewpoint) for sweeping panoramas and photos of snow-clad ridgelines; stop at a roadside shepherd's shelter to taste warm chakapuli-style soup served with freshly baked local bread. Later, visit the small village of Kobi to wander its quiet lanes, chat with shepherd families, and try homemade cheeses before returning to Stepantsminda for a slow tea and pastry at Local Guesthouse Café overlooking the valley.
After a day of highland panoramas, settle into the cozy village of Juta for a relaxed alpine evening-sip hot herbal tea on the terrace of Tetri Khidi Guesthouse while watching the valley glow and chat with local hosts about shepherding life. For dinner, enjoy a hearty, wood-fired meal at Café Lile, sampling regional cheeses and slow-cooked stews, then take a short twilight walk to the peaceful Chaukhebi Meadow for stargazing away from valley lights before returning to Stepantsminda for a nightcap at a riverside tavern.
Begin your final morning by wandering the lively stalls of Dezerter Bazaar, where you can sample local cheeses, pick up jars of Adjara honey and grab fresh fruit for the journey; follow this with a short stroll to the nearby Dry Bridge Market to hunt for Soviet-era postcards, enamelware and unique handicrafts from local artists. Finish with a soothing late-morning soak and a traditional scrub at a family-run house in the Orbeliani Bathhouse complex, paired with mint tea on the terrace before collecting luggage and heading to the airport.
After your market wanderings and a restorative bath, take a relaxed riverside walk to the leafy Mtatsminda Park funicular area and ride up for panoramic views, then meander the park's tree-lined paths to find the whimsical Puppet Theatre and the hillside cafés where locals sip late-afternoon coffee. Descend toward the Old Town to stop at Sioni Cathedral to admire its ornate iconostasis, then linger in the nearby cozy courtyard of Erekle II Street for a final slice of khachapuri and a glass of local wine before collecting luggage and heading to the airport.
As the city softens into twilight, enjoy a relaxed final dinner at Culinarium Khasheria, tasting modern takes on Georgian classics paired with a flight of regional wines, then stroll to Lisi Lake Promenade for an easy sunset walk where locals jog and families gather. Finish the night with a farewell drink at Kalakuri - a cozy bar known for inventive cocktails and small plates - before collecting your luggage and making a calm transfer to the airport, savoring one last view of Tbilisi's night-lit silhouette.