Are you planning to spend one day in Kazbegi? This guide has the details you need to know for an amazing day!
Kazbegi is located in Georgia’s mountainous region. The mountains are literally in your face, and it is by far one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.
Picture tiny A-frame cabins and restaurants in open, lush, green fields surrounded by towering mountains that you couldn’t be closer to. It feels like some type of fairytale or dream.
If you have a car rental or you are taking a day tour from Tbilisi, spending one day in Kazbegi is entirely doable, though I would personally recommend at least two full days if your itinerary allows!
1 day in Kazbegi allows you to scratch the surface of this incredible mountain destination and visit some of the most famous locations here!
1 Day Kazbegi Itinerary
1. Georgian Military Highway
You will drive along the Georgian Military Highway to get from Tbilisi to Kazbegi.
The drive itself is something I recommend that every traveler experiences at least once. Experiencing Georgia’s incredible countryside scenery is a true treat.
There are several pull-off stops along the highway I recommend checking out on your way to Kazbegi, like Ananuri Fortress and Zhinvali Reservoir.
Both of these stops are the closest scenic stops on the highway from Tbilisi.
2. Gergeti Trinity Church
Gergeti Trinity Church is one of the main reasons people visit Kazbegi, or perhaps even the country.
The iconic church is perched high atop the Gergeti Hill.
You have two options for getting here: hike from Stepatsminda Town or drive all the way up the mountain to the top!
If you go with a guided day tour from Tbilisi, there will not be time to hike, and the bus will drive you to the church.
3. Stepatsminda Town for Lunch
Stop for a quick bite to eat in Stepatsminda Town for local Georgian cuisine for lunch.
Like the rest of Kazbegi, you’ll be greeted with stunning mountain views of Mount Kazbek and the surrounding peaks.
The streets are lined with guesthouses, cafes, and small shops.
For lunch, visitors can try local dishes like khinkali (dumplings) and khachapuri (cheese bread) at family-run restaurants.
I recommend Kazbegi Good Food for lunch. The food is delicious, is served in generous portions, and has affordable prices.
Other highly-rated restaurants in Stepatsminda include Restaurant Maisi, BeBa, and Restaurant Panorama.
4. Pansheti Mineral Pool
The Pansheti Mineral pool is a free (freezing) mineral pool located in the middle of a vast stretch of land.
You can get here by a 5-minute taxi, car rental, or walking 40 minutes from the center of Stepatsminda Town.
During my trip, my friend and I hired a taxi driver from Tamta Guest House to drop us off.
After we were done hanging out at the pool, we made the 40-minute hike back to Stepatsminda Town.
I recommend renting a car for higher flexibility, and less worrying about time if you have one full day in Kazbegi!
There is no entrance fee for the Pansheti Mineral Pool.
5. Sno Village Giant Stone Heads
About 15 minutes down the Georgian Military Highway from the Pansheti Mineral Pool, you will find a field of giant stone heads.
The Giant Stone Heads in Sno Village were carved by Georgian artist Merab Piranishvili starting in the 1980s.
He shaped them from large local stones to honor famous Georgian poets, writers, and leaders.
Visitors can walk around them freely!
6. Friendship Monument
This is where you will begin making your drive back to Tbilisi.
I have incorporated time to enjoy a few more stops in daylight on the Georgian Military Highway because it is one of the most beautiful roads in the world, and you will need to drive the entire road to get back.
Not only is it sketchy to drive on in the dark (think lots of mountainous switchbacks), but it’s so beautiful I highly recommend enjoying the beauty of it in daylight.
(I made the mistake of driving from Tbilisi to Kazbegi at night, and missed the views on the way up! I didn’t make the same mistake on the way back.)
The Friendship Monument stands along the Georgian Military Highway near Gudauri. The circular stone structure has a colorful mural inside showing scenes from both countries’ history.
It’s a quick and striking stop on the way back to Tbilisi from Kazbegi!
7. Travertine Natural Monument
The Travertine Natural Monument near Kazbegi is a terrace-like formation created by mineral-rich spring water.
As the water flows over the rocks, it deposits calcium carbonate which builds up over time.
Visitors see white and yellowish layers of stone with small waterfalls and shallow pools.
It’s a super cool stop literally on the side of the road!
Tips
Itinerary Swap-Outs
If you have more time or would like to swap anything out on this itinerary, I highly recommend considering the Gveleteli Waterfalls.
Transportation
Day Tour from Tbilisi to Kazbegi
The easiest way to get around Kazbegi in one day is to take a day tour from Tbilisi.
While you will not have the flexibility to create your own itinerary and you may need to skip some items on this list, taking a structured day tour will allow all of the logistics to be covered for you.
No figuring out how to get from point A to point B.
⭐Kazbegi Hotels
Car Rental
Renting a car is the top way I recommend exploring the Kazbegi region of Georgia because it provides you the most flexibility.
You can make as many stops along the Georgian Military Highway as you want, spend as much time at the Gergeti Church or Pansheti Mineral Pool as you want, etc.
Day Trip Taxi
My friend and I booked a Day Trip vehicle to drive us from Tbilisi to Kazbegi.
This option is great if you have friends you can split the cost of the car with and if you are not comfortable driving.
Day Trip has an option where the driver can make as many stops as you request, which allows you to enjoy various stops on the Georgian Military Highway.
However, this will also be an expensive option as you will need to book a ride back to Tbilisi for later in the day, or you will need to set your itinerary for stopping in various spots in Kazbegi throughout the day, including ending in Tbilisi.
Conclusion
This one-day Kazbegi itinerary provides a mountainous adventure and scenic stops.
From Gergeti Church views to swimming in the Pansheti Mineral Pool and scenic stops along the Georgian Military Highway, every traveler is in for a scenic adventure. It’s a day well spent in the heart of the Caucasus.
Georgia is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited, and I can’t wait to hear about your trip!
