Telavi

13 hand-picked places in 6 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.

6 places on the map

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Catch a marshrutka: Minibuses to Telavi leave Tbilisi from Ortachala bus station; the route over the Gombori Pass is shorter but twisty, so sit up front if prone to carsickness.
Hire a driver for the valley: Wineries, Alaverdi and Gremi are spread across the Alazani Valley, so a day with a local driver is the easiest way to link them.
Agree taxi fares first: Local taxis in Telavi rarely use meters; settle the price before you get in, ideally with your guesthouse host's help.

Pace yourself at a supra: Georgian feasts mean endless toasts of wine and chacha; it is fine to sip rather than drain your glass every time.
Mind the roads: Driving in Kakheti can be fast and aggressive, with cows on the road; avoid night drives on mountain passes if you can.
Ignore the street dogs: Telavi has many stray dogs, mostly tagged and calm; do not feed or approach packs, especially near markets.

Stay in a family guesthouse: Telavi guesthouses often include homemade breakfast and house wine, and hosts can arrange cheap tastings.
Shop at the bazaar: The Telavi market sells churchkhela, cheese, fruit and shoti bread fresh from the tone oven for far less than restaurants.
Buy wine from family cellars: Small marani cellars sell qvevri wine by the bottle or jug at much better prices than branded shops.

Pack light for summer: July and August are hot in the Alazani Valley; bring breathable clothes, a hat and sunscreen for vineyard visits.
Bring layers for autumn: The Rtveli grape harvest in September and October has warm days and cool evenings, so pack a sweater.
Expect cold winters: Winters are chilly with snow in the Caucasus foothills and on the Gombori Pass; bring a warm coat and boots.

Cover up at monasteries: At Alaverdi, Ikalto and Shuamta, women should cover their heads and wear skirts, and men should avoid shorts.
Follow the tamada: At a supra the toastmaster leads the toasts; wait for your turn and do not drink before a toast is made.
Taste qvevri wine: Kakheti is the home of wine made in buried clay qvevri jars; try amber Rkatsiteli and red Saperavi at local cellars.

See the giant plane tree: The huge old chinari tree near the town centre is a local landmark and a shady stop before Batonis Tsikhe.
Visit Tsinandali: The Chavchavadze estate nearby has gardens, a museum and wine cellars, an elegant half-day trip from Telavi.
Time your trip for Rtveli: During the autumn harvest many families welcome visitors to help pick and press grapes, a memorable experience.

Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.

Day 1 of 1

🕘 9:30–15:30📍 4 stops