Georgia (the country, not the state) is the Caucasus secret that delivers alpine scenery, 8,000-year-old wine culture, and a capital that feels like Tbilisi’s cooler sibling — all at a fraction of Western Europe prices. This seven-day loop covers the highlights with public transport, priced for two people with honest trade-offs.
Day 1–2 — Tbilisi, the layered capital
Arrive at Tbilisi airport (bus 37, 0.80 GEL, 30 min to centre). Check into an apartment in Sololaki or Vera (50–70 euro/night, kitchen). Day 1: walk the Old Town — Narikala Fortress (cable car 2.50 GEL), sulphur baths (private room 40 GEL/hr), Meidan Square, dry bridge flea market. Dinner at **Shavi Lomi** (modern Georgian, 25 euro pp). Day 2: day trip to **Mtskheta** (train 20 min, 1 GEL) — Jvari Monastery (view over river confluence), Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Return via **Stalin Museum in Gori** (marshrutka 1 hour, 5 GEL) if history interests you. Evening: wine bar **Vino Underground** (natural qvevri wines by glass, 5–8 euro).
Day 3 — Kazbegi (Stepantsminda), the mountain wall
Marshrutka from Didube station (2.5 hours, 15 GEL) via Georgian Military Highway — stop at Ananuri Fortress (free, reservoir views). Check into guesthouse in Stepantsminda (40–60 euro/night). Hike to **Gergeti Trinity Church** (2.5 hours round-trip, 2,170 m, iconic silhouette against Mt Kazbek 5,054 m). Sunset from the church plateau. Dinner at guesthouse (home-cooked khinkali, khachapuri, 15 euro).
Day 4 — Kazbegi to Gudauri to Kutaisi
Marshrutka back to Gudauri (30 min), transfer to marshrutka to Kutaisi (3 hours, 20 GEL). Check into apartment near Bagrati Cathedral (40–50 euro/night). Evening: walk the **White Bridge**, dinner at **Palaty** (Imeretian khachapuri, 12 euro pp).
Day 5 — Kutaisi: Prometheus Cave and Martvili Canyon
Bus to **Prometheus Cave** (40 min, 23 GEL entry + boat) — 1.5 km illuminated underground river, stalactite halls. Then marshrutka to **Martvili Canyon** (1 hour, 17 GEL boat + entry) — turquoise water, limestone cliffs, boat through narrow gorge. Return to Kutaisi. Dinner at **Bebia’s Garden** (family-style, 18 euro pp).
Day 6 — Svaneti express: Mestia (optional, long day)
Marshrutka Kutaisi → Mestia (5–6 hours, 30 GEL, spectacular but long). If time is tight, skip and spend Day 6 in Kutaisi: **Sataplia Cave** (dinosaur footprints, 17 GEL), **Okros Chardakhi** wine cellar tour. We recommend the Svaneti extension only if you have 10+ days.
Day 7 — Return via Batumi or direct
Option A: Train Kutaisi → Batumi (2.5 hours, 15 GEL), fly from Batumi (often cheaper to Europe). Option B: Marshrutka Kutaisi → Tbilisi (3.5 hours, 20 GEL), fly from TBS. Option C: Night train Kutaisi → Tbilisi (sleep, wake in capital).
Cost summary, per person
- Accommodation (6 nights): 240–360 euro
- Transport (marshrutkas, trains, buses): 60–80 euro
- Activities (caves, canyons, baths, entries): 50–60 euro
- Food (market + guesthouse meals + 3 restaurants): 150–180 euro
Total: about 500–680 euro per person for 7 days — one of Europe’s last true value destinations with alpine scale.
One-line verdict
Tbilisi for wine and layers, Kazbegi for the mountain wall, Kutaisi for caves and canyons — Georgia in 7 days by marshrutka, $500–680 pp.