How to Spend Two Days in Kazbegi

Why Kazbegi?

If you have such a busy schedule that you are not able to travel long distances, don't worry about it. You can always escape from your stressful daily routine for a day or two and have a nice trip out of town.

Kazbegi is among such places where you can discover a variety of interesting spots and sights for two days. On the road to Kazbegi, just 2.5 hours from Tbilisi, you can enjoy breathtaking views, visit historic castles or churches, and taste mountain dishes.

Must-See Places in Kazbegi

Ananuri Fortress and Zhinvali Reservoir

The first sight you will see on the way to Kazbegi is the Zhinvali Reservoir. A dam was built across it to generate electricity for Tbilisi. It is a tourists' favorite place to take photos. Here you will find the Ananuri Fortress too, which dates back to the XVI-XVII centuries and unites several churches in the complex. If you are lucky, you can also see the Church of the Holy Cross in the complex, which is covered with water after the water level rises.

Gudauri Ski Resort

The military road will pass through the Gudauri resort as well. Although Gudauri is an alpine resort, you can engage in entertaining activities here in summer too. First of all, enjoy the beautiful views of Gudauri, which neither lose its charm in winter nor summer. In Gudauri, you can try horse riding, paintball, paragliding, and more. A monument to the Russia-Georgia "Friendship" is a very popular landmark among tourists. It was erected in 1983 to mark the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Georgievsk. It was constructed due to propaganda purposes, and its name is not relevant to today's reality.

Jvari Pass Travertine Natural Monument

In 25 minutes drive from Gudauri on the way to Kazbegi, in several places of the ravine of the river Bidara, there are piles of limestone travertines. It is also one of the most picturesque and must-see locations, which will astonish anyone who sees it.

Stepantsminda

Stepantsminda, which is the center of Kazbegi Municipality, is the main destination of the trip. This small town, located at the foot of Mount Kazbek, has even been named among the most beautiful small towns in the world. You can stay in Stepantsminda on the first day of the trip (see the list of places to stay below). If you are interested in museums, you can visit the Stepantsminda Historical Museum at the end of the day, which is part of the Memorial Complex of Alexander Kazbegi.

Gergeti Trinity Church

You can not leave Kazbegi without visiting Gergeti Trinity Chuch. The monastery built in the 14th century is located at 2170 meters above sea level and is a symbol of Georgia for tourists. You can get to the place by taxi, which runs from Stepantsminda. If you prefer a cheaper and more adventurous route, you can arrange a hike. It will take you about 1.5-2 hours to walk from Stepantsminda to Gergeti and back. If you have enough courage, you can rent a horse on the spot and spend an unforgettable time.

Gveleti Waterfall / Village Tsdo

On the 2-day trip, you can follow the military road to the end and enjoy the diversity of Kazbegi nature. The two main locations are the village of Tsdo and the Gveleti Waterfall, which always attract tourists. The waterfall is not far from Stepantsminda and it is quite easy to reach. There is about 7 km from Stepantsminda to Gveleti. On the way, you will pass the village of Tsdo. In Tsdo you will find houses built on the edge of the rock in which people still live today. You can also visit the icon of St. George of Tsdo. You can wether use the car to reach the place, or reach it on foot.

Dariali Gorge / Dariali Monastery Complex

If you are traveling by car, you will manage to follow the military road to the end, to Dariali gorge. Dariali Monastery Complex is a modern design monastery that unites several churches and in total, twelve temples are planned to be built in the complex. It is the farthest point that a tourist from Tbilisi can reach. It is the best place for walking and enjoying the views.

Transportation

You can arrive at Kazbegi by different types of transport. It is most convenient to rent a private taxi or car, follow the link to hire a driver or transport. If you are looking for cheaper transport, then you can arrange a two-day trip by minibus, which departs once every hour from Didube bus station. To get your departure schedule and tickets go to the website of Didube bus station. You can also consider buying a tour package from one of the travel companies. You can find the tours to Kazbegi on this page.

Where to Stay?

There is a wide variety of hotels in Kazbegi with different prices and services. We will help you choose the hotel, cottage, or guesthouse both, in Stepantsminda and its surroundings.

What to Eat in Kazbegi?

Georgian cuisine is well-known to anyone. When visiting Kazbegi, you must taste the local dishes. First of all, you should taste Mokhevian Khinkali, prepared by the locals with minced meat. You won't be able to taste such khinkali anywhere else, so be sure to use the chance. In Kazbegi, you can also taste other dishes of Georgian mountain cuisine, for example, Mokhevian Khachapuri. Kazbegi has both traditional and modern food outlets. Which one you choose depends on your character and taste.