Once you’ve dropped your bags, make Freedom Square your gentle first stop: 30–45 minutes is enough for a look around and a first feel for central Tbilisi. If you’re coming from the airport, a taxi or Bolt is usually the simplest option with luggage; allow roughly 25–40 minutes depending on traffic. Keep this first wander flexible in case your flight runs late.
From the square, walk downhill into Tbilisi Old Town for an unhurried hour or so among its narrow lanes and carved wooden balconies. The streets are uneven and can be slick in December, so wear shoes with a good grip. There’s no entry fee, and the pleasure is simply taking your time rather than trying to cover every lane.
After the walk, unwind at the Abanotubani Sulfur Baths. Book a private room ahead, especially for a Saturday evening; allow 1–1.5 hours, and budget roughly GEL 100–200 or more per room depending on the bathhouse, room and duration. Bring sandals and check what towels are included when you reserve. Then head to Machakhela in the Old Town for khinkali or khachapuri; expect about GEL 30–60 per person. If you’re tired from travelling, you can shorten the stroll and keep the bath and dinner as the day’s main event.
Head to Mtskheta early; it’s about 25 km from central Tbilisi, usually 30–45 minutes by car. A pre-booked driver is easiest for this sequence, especially because you’ll need a ride up to Jvari Monastery; agree on a return pickup and waiting time in advance. A private half-day car might cost roughly GEL 100–180, depending on the wait and vehicle. Start at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral for about an hour, then walk through the compact old center to Samtavro Monastery (around 45 minutes). Both are active religious sites, so dress modestly; Sunday services can make the cathedral busier, and visitors may need to wait quietly or keep to the visitor areas.
Continue by car up the hill to Jvari Monastery—the road is steep, and walking up isn’t a good use of your time. Allow about 45 minutes for the church and the sweeping view over the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. It can be noticeably colder and windier on the ridge than in town, so bring a warm layer. Entry to the churches is generally free; check for any service-related access restrictions when you arrive. Finish at Salobie, near Mtskheta, for Georgian bean dishes and a relaxed late lunch; budget around GEL 25–50 per person. Confirm Sunday opening before setting out, and ask your driver to take you back to Tbilisi afterward.
Start at Dry Bridge Market around 10:00, when the stalls are getting going. Mondays are much quieter than weekends, and some sellers may not come out—especially in cold or wet weather—so allow about an hour to browse the antiques, paintings and small souvenirs without expecting the full weekend market. From there, walk roughly 15–20 minutes along the river and up toward Rustaveli Avenue, or take a short Bolt ride.
The Georgian National Museum is next, with archaeological collections and the Treasury usually taking 1.5–2 hours. One important Monday caveat: the museum commonly closes on Mondays, so check its official hours before setting off; if it is closed, you won’t be able to see the collections today. Afterward, take a proper break at Prospero’s Books & Caliban’s Coffeehouse on Rustaveli Avenue—budget around GEL 15–30 per person for coffee and something small, and enjoy a browse in the bookshop.
Head to the Mtatsminda Funicular lower station on Chonkadze Street; a taxi or Bolt from Rustaveli takes about 10 minutes, while walking uphill is steep. Check that the funicular is operating before you go, since winter weather can affect service. At the top, give yourself 1.5–2 hours for the city views and an easy walk around Mtatsminda Park; rides and food outlets may have reduced winter hours, so treat this as a relaxed viewpoint stop rather than counting on every attraction being open. For dinner, come back down and choose somewhere along Rustaveli or in the nearby Vera neighborhood.
Allow 5–6 hours for the train from Tbilisi Central to Batumi, so the exact arrival time depends on the December timetable. Book ahead through tkt.ge and check the departure time before setting off; train schedules can change. Once in Batumi, take a taxi or Bolt to your accommodation and drop your bags before heading out.
If daylight and the weather cooperate, walk a relaxed stretch of Batumi Boulevard for about 45 minutes. The Black Sea can be breezy in December, so bring a warm layer; if it’s wet or windy, keep the stroll brief and save your energy for the city centre. From the boulevard, continue toward Europe Square for a 30–45-minute look at the distinctive architecture and open square.
For Georgian food, settle in at შემოიხედე გენაცვალე (Shemoikhede Genatsvale), a central choice for a first Batumi dinner. Budget roughly GEL 30–60 per person, depending on what you order. Since you’ve had a travel day, keep the rest of the evening easy—and check the restaurant’s hours before heading over, as winter schedules may vary.
Head north to Batumi Botanical Garden at Green Cape, about 9 km from central Batumi. A Bolt or taxi takes roughly 20–30 minutes; local buses also run toward Green Cape, but a taxi is easier in winter. Allow 2–3 hours to explore the coastal sections and viewpoints. The garden is generally open daily, but check its winter hours before setting out; admission is usually around GEL 20. December can be wet, windy and muddy, so wear shoes with good grip and bring a waterproof layer.
Return to the port area for Fish Market Batumi. Choose your fish or seafood at the market, then take it to a nearby restaurant to be cooked—ask about the cooking charge before ordering, as it may be separate from the price of the fish. Budget roughly GEL 30–70 per person, depending on your selection and sides. It’s a casual, lively stop rather than a polished dining room, and the catch and prices vary.
Take a taxi to Batumi Piazza for an unhurried hour among the tiled square, clock tower and café terraces; settle in for coffee or something warm if the weather turns. From there, walk toward Batumi Boulevard for the waterfront promenade and a view of the Alphabetic Tower from outside. Give yourself about 1–1.5 hours for the stroll, adjusting the route to the wind and daylight—December evenings come early, and the seafront can feel much colder than the city streets. If you’d rather skip the walk between stops, taxis are readily available around the centre.
Set off from Batumi early and keep this mostly a travel day: the transfer via Tbilisi can take roughly 7–9 hours in winter, and weather or road conditions may add time. Check the highway status with your driver before leaving and make sure the vehicle is winter-ready. With December daylight fading around 5pm, don’t count on a long stop after you reach Gudauri.
After checking in, head to a nearby Gudauri viewpoint for 30–45 minutes if there’s still daylight and visibility is good; mountain weather can change quickly, so skip it if conditions are poor. Then stop by Gudauri Ski Resort to check lift and snow updates and arrange equipment or lift passes for tomorrow. Allow about an hour, but confirm what’s operating locally—early-season conditions can affect services.
Keep dinner close to your accommodation in New Gudauri after the long drive. Choose a casual Georgian restaurant in the village; expect around GEL 30–60 per person, and check that it’s open before heading out, as winter hours can vary. For tonight, warm food and an early rest are a better plan than adding another outing.
Start at Gudauri Ski Resort when the lifts open—often around 10:00, but check the resort’s live lift and weather updates first. Snow and lift operations can be limited in mid-December, so keep the day flexible. If the slopes are running, allow 3–5 hours for skiing or snowboarding; rentals and a day pass are extra, and prices vary by season. Dress for wind and changing conditions, and ask your lodging about the easiest lift access from where you’re staying.
Take a warm-up break at New Gudauri, beside the main lift area. Cafés there are convenient for soup, snacks or a hot drink; budget roughly GEL 20–40 per person for a light meal. Afterward, visit the Gudauri Friendship Monument for its sweeping mountain views, but only if your driver confirms the Georgian Military Highway is safe and conditions are clear. It’s roughly a 45–60-minute outing including the drive and time at the viewpoint; icy access, poor visibility or road restrictions are good reasons to skip it.
Return to your lodging area and settle in for dinner at Khreki, a relaxed local option in Gudauri. Allow roughly GEL 35–70 per person, depending on drinks and dishes, and check opening hours before heading over—winter schedules can change with the season. Dress warmly for the short walk or arrange a quick ride if the weather turns.
Leave Gudauri in the morning for Tbilisi; allow roughly 2.5–4 hours, since winter weather can slow the road. Check the highway status with your driver before setting out. After arriving, head to the Chronicle of Georgia on the city’s northern edge. Allow about an hour for the immense carved pillars and views over Tbilisi Sea; it’s an outdoor stop, so dress warmly and aim to visit in daylight.
From the monument, take a taxi or Bolt to Fabrika Tbilisi in Chugureti—around 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. Wander through the courtyard, then settle in for coffee; budget roughly GEL 15–30 per person. It’s a relaxed place to pause after the drive, and you can take your time exploring the courtyard’s small shops and studios.
Stay in Chugureti for dinner at Barbarestan, a short taxi ride or an easy walk from Fabrika. Its Georgian menu draws on a 19th-century cookbook; expect roughly GEL 60–100 per person. Reserve ahead, especially for Saturday evening, and check the restaurant’s current hours when booking.
Hire a driver for the day rather than relying on taxis between stops: Gori is about 85 km west of Tbilisi, usually 1.5–2 hours by road, and Uplistsikhe is another short drive beyond town. Leave around 8:00 to give yourself enough daylight and time at each site. Start at Gori Fortress; the hilltop ruins are usually freely accessible during daylight, and the climb is worth it for views over the town. Allow about an hour, and take care on uneven steps, especially if they’re wet.
Continue to the Joseph Stalin Museum in central Gori for around 1–1.5 hours. It generally opens on Sundays, but check its current hours and ticket price before setting out—winter schedules can change. The exhibits are a distinctly unvarnished look at Stalin’s life and legacy; you can decide how much of the complex you want to see. Then drive to Uplistsikhe Cave Town for a 1.5–2-hour walk among the rock-cut rooms and passageways. Wear sturdy shoes: the stone can be slippery, and the site is exposed to wind. Check winter opening hours before you go, and keep an eye on daylight.
Pause for a sit-down Georgian lunch in Gori before heading back to Tbilisi. Ask your driver for a well-reviewed local restaurant in town; budget roughly GEL 25–50 per person for a meal, depending on what you order. Allow about 1.5–2 hours for the return drive, longer if traffic or weather slows you down.
Start at Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) in Avlabari; allow 45–60 minutes for the vast grounds and interior. Entry is free, but dress modestly and keep your voice low during services. The cathedral is generally open daily, though access can be restricted during worship. From the centre, a Bolt or taxi takes around 10–15 minutes; walking from Avlabari metro is also manageable, but the final stretch is uphill.
Take a taxi down to Rike Park by the Mtkvari (Kura) River—about 10 minutes—or walk downhill in roughly 20 minutes. Give yourself 30–45 minutes for an easy riverside stroll; December can be chilly and the paths may be slick after rain. For coffee or a light bite, stop at Café Flowers, near the river, and budget about GEL 15–30 per person.
Finish with Leghvtakhevi Waterfall in Abanotubani. It’s around a 10–15-minute taxi ride from the park, or you can walk through the old-town lanes in about 20 minutes. The short gorge walk takes roughly 45 minutes; go carefully on wet or icy stones, and treat the waterfall as weather-dependent in winter. Check locally for access before setting out, as conditions can temporarily close the path.
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