Kazbegi (or Stepantsminda as it is called these days) is both literally and figuratively a highlight of your trip through Georgia. Located in the heart of the Caucasus, this mountain village is the ideal base for a few days of hiking and rest in amazing surroundings. The absolute highlight is the Gergeti Trinity Church, which stands out like a postcard against the iconic Mount Kazbek. In this article you will discover the 6 best activities to do in Kazbegi in Georgia!
Kazbegi or Stepantsminda?
Kazbegi was originally called Stepantsminda during the Russian Empire, in honor of St. Stephen. Later it was renamed after Alexander Kazbegi, a local nobleman and poet. Today, the official name of this mountain village is again Stepantsminda, although everyone still calls it Kazbegi. Above all, remember that it is a wonderful base for a few days of hiking and nature fun in the mountains. Do you make a tour of Georgia, then Kazbegi should definitely not be missed!
Kazbegi in Georgia is close to the Russian border, and that scares some in light of current events that are unfortunately taking place. However, you don’t have to worry about that at all. It’s certainly safe to travel to Georgia and Kazbegi, and the rugged mountainous landscapes mean that you won’t hike past the border. In addition, the locals of Georgia are incredibly hospitable and are happy to serve you.
6 best things to do in Kazbegi, Georgia
The mountain landscapes of Kazbegi are undoubtedly among one of the most beautiful in Europe. The reason is the magnificent Caucasus Mountains with Mount Kazbek (5054m) as the highlight, one of the highest mountains on the continent. The small mountain village of Kazbegi is therefore the ideal base to not miss anything of this natural beauty. You can visit Kazbegi as a day trip from Tbilisibut we recommend spending at least 1 night here. Discover here the 6 best activities to do in Kazbegi in Georgia.
1) Gergeti Trinity Church
Kazbegi in Georgia is best known for the 14th century Gergeti Trinity Church or Trinity Church . Located on a hilltop at 2170 meters, surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the Caucasus, this is an absolute must-see in Kazbegi. You can reach the church in two ways: by jeep or on foot. The fastest way is by jeep for which you pay 20 GEL per person for a ride there and back. From the center, the jeeps will take you to the church via an asphalt road with hairpin turns in about 10 minutes.
However, the best way to reach the Gergeti Trinity Church in Kazbegi is on foot. A beautiful 7 km round trip walk will take you through a green valley to the little church. From the main square in Kazbegi, walk north along the main road until you cross the bridge. Turn left here and continue walking past the village of Gergeti. At the end of the village you will see a dilapidated watchtower and along there the path leads to the little church. You can also visit the Trinity Church from the inside where an ancient and austere interior awaits you. Keep in mind that in Georgia, both as men and women, you must cover your shoulders and knees for the Orthodox faith. There are cloths at the entrance to the church that you can use for this purpose.
Opening hours Gergeti Trinity Church: daily from 9 a.m. to 5h (may vary in winter months)
2) Stroll through the village of Kazbegi
Kazbegi itself is really not big and consists of only a few streets, some of which are not even paved. Still, it is fun to wander through the little streets where you can see mountain life going about its everyday business. While the baker in the village sells fresh loaves of bread through his window, you see farmers walking behind their cattle. On several occasions we saw horses, cows and even pigs roaming freely on the streets. Be sure to stop at Archangel Gabriel Church, the little church in the center of Kazbegi. Here we just saw the local priest ring the bells to signal that mass was about to begin.
3) Horseback riding to the Elijah monastery
Located on a hill behind Kazbegi you will find the lesser-known Elia Monastery. From this small monastery you can look out over Kazbegi, the spectacular mountain landscape and see the Gergeti Trinity Church on the other side. You can walk from the village to the monastery on foot, but for a truly Georgian experience, you can also go on horseback. Horseback riding is an important part of Georgian culture, and Kazbegi’s beautiful landscapes make it the ideal place to try it out. Book this fun horseback riding tour here!
4) Military highway
The road to Kazbegi is quite a trip in itself! Kazbegi lies on the Georgian Military Road, a historic and important mountain and trade route that links Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, with Russia. It is the most important road in the region and the 200 km drive takes you past several highlights such as the former capital Mtshketa, the Ananuri Fortress and the Jvari Pass.
5) Hiking in the Truso Valley
Located about 20 km south of Kazbegi, the Truso Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the region. Here you walk from (abandoned) village to village and old monasteries surrounded by amazing nature. Highly recommended is the hike from Kvemo Okrokana to Zakagori and back. This hike is 15 km and takes about 6 hours. The trail is fairly flat, which makes it an accessible walk. Be sure to check in advance at the Kazbegi National Park Visitors Center if the hike is open. In the summer months this will not be a problem, but the area is not accessible in winter because of snow. If you don’t have your own transportation, you can talk to a local cab driver in the village to have him drop you off in the valley and ask him to wait for you there.
6) Culinary delights at Rooms
Rooms is Kazbegi’s most popular hotel and stands out in the landscape with its gigantic structure. You have an indoor pool there that, thanks to its many windows, lets you look out on Mount Kazbek and the adjacent mountain peaks. Even if you are not staying in Rooms, it is worth making a stop here. In fact, you will also find a nice bar and restaurant where you can taste local Georgian dishes. Weather permitting, be sure to catch the sunset from the beautiful terrace of Rooms Kazbegi.
Where to stay in Kazbegi
During our stay in Kazbegi, we ourselves stayed in Eco Cottage Kazbegi. These are two cozy tiny houses with beautiful mountain views where you have your own kitchenette and living space. Prefer not to cook yourself? Then you should definitely spend a night at the luxurious Rooms Kazbegi consider. The beautiful indoor pool with mountain views and cozy interior completes your experience in Kazbegi! My Space Kazbegi is another fun and budget-friendly option.
How to visit Kazbegi in Georgia
There are several ways to reach Kazbegi, depending on your budget and whether you want to make some stops along the Georgian Military Road in between. We ourselves went to Kazbegi from Tbilisi with a day tourso we could take in the best sights along the Georgian Military Road. In the return we took the marshrutka, the local transport of Georgia. From the bus stop in Kazbegi, you drive back to Tbilisi in about 4 hours. The vans leave in the morning and you pay about 10 GEL per person. Just know that these local vans do not stop along the way.
Georgia is also a wonderful country to drive through by yourself. The Georgian Military Road to Kazbegi is paved and is great to drive by yourself. With your own transportation, you have the freedom to go wherever you want. At Discover Cars you can easily rent a car including car insurance. If you do not wish to drive yourself but still want to be able to stop along the way, you can also choose to take a shared cab via GoTrip, something that is common in Georgia.
Best travel time for Kazbegi in Georgia
The months of June, July, August and September are ideal for traveling to Kazbegi. This is because Kazbegi is in the middle of the Caucasus Mountains and if you go outside the summer months, there is a good chance that the hiking trails will be closed due to snow. However, if you prefer a day trip from Tbilisi toward the Gergeti Trinity Church, then the ideal travel time is between May and October. Of course, if you wish to visit Kazbegi in winter, that is also possible. The Georgian Military Road to Kazbegi is the only main road towards Russia, so it is open all year round. Sporadically, however, the road may be temporarily blocked due to heavy snowfall.
Have you also been to Kazbegi in Georgia and found it as beautiful a country as we did? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information about your next trip to Georgia? Please do not hesitate to contact us or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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