The Best Things to See and Do in Georgia in Autumn

A good time to explore Tbilisi is during autumn, when the temperature is around 20-25C (68-77F) – similar to spring. However, the evenings might get chilly, so have a jacket or a cardigan with you while traversing the city. Embark on a walking tour of Tbilisi and discover famous landmarks on the way – which you can do with Culture Trip by joining our immersive nine-day Georgia adventure, led by our local insider.

Tbilisi is known for its sulphur baths, and you’ll find them in the ancient district of Abanotubani. It’s home to several options, each with a different price tag. The sulphuric waters have therapeutic minerals that are good for your skin and overall health, and with a temperature of 40C (104F), there isn’t any chance of you getting cold. You can also ask for a masseuse to give you a good scrub. A visit to Tbilisi’s sulphur baths is also included on Culture Trip’s specially curated small-group Georgia tour.

Tbilisi has a long and rich history, and every October, people celebrate the city’s past with a lively festival called Tbilisoba. The central streets are closed to cars and transformed into an open-air fair, where you can buy and try local products such as wine, cheese and sweet delicacies.

Bateti Lake is quite small, covering only 2ha (5 acres). It lies near the village of Kodmani in Kareli Municipality, making it easily accessible by car. Although the landscape here is beautiful year-round, the best time to visit is autumn, when the leaves take on warm, golden hues.

Rtveli is a wine-harvesting holiday in Georgia and one of the major autumn events, taking place from late September until mid-October. Georgia is the oldest wine-producing country in the world, with the tradition of Rtveli dating back to ancient times. Some wine producers – both big factories and family-run wineries – host wine tours and allow you to participate in the harvest.

In Lagodekhi National Park, Black Rock Lake offers breathtaking views of the alpine zone during the summer and autumn months. To reach the lake, you’ll have to trek through the mountainside forest – it’s steep – which eventually opens up to beautiful scenic views. You’ll then continue to the alpine zone, where you’ll find the lake 3,000m (9,843ft) above sea level.

Another picturesque place to visit in autumn is Shaori Lake – a lake and a reservoir in the region of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti. Being nearly 7km (4mi) long and 3km (2mi) wide, it’s one of the most important reservoirs in the country.

Kutaisi is the former capital of Georgia and one of the oldest cities in the world, brimming with historical landmarks, including one Unesco World Heritage site. Stroll down the streets of Kutaisi, visiting Bagrati Cathedral and the Gelati Monastery complex. Afterwards, walk through the Sataplia Nature Reserve to see dinosaur footprints and tour Prometheus Cave.

Even though the summer months are over, you can still enjoy sunny days and warm waters at various resorts along the Black Sea until the middle of September. Locals call this time of year the “velvet season”. During autumn, the prices are a bit lower, and the beaches are not as overcrowded as in summer.

Tbilisi hosts two photo exhibitions in autumn: Kolga Tbilisi Photo and Tbilisi Photo Festival. Kolga Tbilisi Photo has been bringing the works of local and international photographers to the Tbilisi stage since 2012. Within the framework of the festival, a photo competition takes place, complete with awards and prizes for the winners.

Meanwhile, Tbilisi Photo Festival, co-founded by Georgian journalist Nestan Nijaradze and French photographer Lionel Charrier, was launched in 2010, showcasing superb works by photographers from Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The Tbilisi Jazz Festival is an annual event held at the Tbilisi Concert Hall. It brings jazz singers from all around the world to the stage, such as Earth, Wind and Fire, Marcus Miller, and Dee Dee Bridgewater, to name just a few.