Bakuriani City
Mountain resort town and ski centre
A compact ski town in the Lesser Caucasus, Bakuriani draws skiers to gentle slopes and Soviet-era chairlifts, hikers to pine ridges and meadows, and food seekers to taverns serving hot khinkali, local cheese and pot-roasted mountain stews.
Why Visit Bakuriani?#
High in the Lesser Caucasus, this Georgian ski-and-mountain resort draws winter sports fans and summer hikers alike. Didveli slopes and the Bakuriani ski area offer reliable runs and a compact resort feel, while pine forests and alpine meadows open up for summer trails and berry picking. Mountain cuisine-think khinkali and hearty stews-pairs well with the alpine hospitality found in guesthouses. It’s a practical, year-round alternative to larger Caucasus resorts.
Best Things to Do in Bakuriani#
.jpg?width=600)
.jpg?width=600)
Bakuriani Bucket List#
Didveli Ski Area - Main ski area with varied slopes served by modern lifts and snowmaking.
Kokhta - Kokhta offers hiking and panoramic views above Bakuriani in summer and winter.
Borjomi-Bakuriani Railway - Historic narrow-gauge line offering scenic journeys between Borjomi and Bakuriani.
Bakuriani Botanical Garden - Small alpine garden showcasing native Caucasus plants and experimental cultivars.
Local paragliding launch sites - Local paragliding launch sites provide tandem flights with views over conifer forests.
Borjomi‑Kharagauli trailheads - Trailheads leading into Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park for multi‑day hiking routes.
Borjomi - Famous spa town with mineral springs, central park, and cable car rides.
Akhaltsikhe and Rabati Fortress - Medieval Rabati complex in Akhaltsikhe with museum, mosque, and restored tower.
Best Time to Visit Bakuriani#
Bakuriani is a winter destination for skiing and snow sports, while summers are cool and excellent for hiking. Shoulder seasons are variable-expect lingering snow at elevation into spring.
December - February
-8-0°C (18-32°F)
Winter is prime for reliable snow and skiing-mountain conditions are scenic and lively during the season.
June - August
10-22°C (50-72°F)
Summers are pleasantly cool and ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and berry picking without lowland heat.
March - May
0-12°C (32-54°F)
Spring is changeable-snow lingers at higher elevations while lower trails green up, offering early-season solitude.
Bakuriani's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (825 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (111 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
How to Get to Bakuriani#
Bakuriani is a mountain ski resort in southern Georgia; most visitors fly into Tbilisi (TBS) then travel by road to Borjomi and onward to Bakuriani. The seasonal narrow-gauge Borjomi-Bakuriani line is a scenic alternative to road transfers when it operates.
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS): Tbilisi is the main international gateway for reaching Bakuriani. From TBS travel to Tbilisi Didube bus station (~15-30 minutes) and then take a marshrutka or regional bus toward Borjomi; total travel to Bakuriani is several hours (see below).
Kutaisi Airport (KUT): Kutaisi can be an alternative for some international flights; from Kutaisi you travel overland to Borjomi/Bakuriani by train or bus - expect longer travel times and at least one transfer.
Train + Narrow-Gauge: Reach Borjomi by road or train from Tbilisi; from Borjomi a narrow-gauge tourist train (“Kukushka”) runs to Bakuriani on a scenic line (service can be seasonal/supplemented by buses). The narrow-gauge trip takes longer but is a notable experience when it runs.
Marshrutka / Bus: Regular marshrutkas and minibuses run from Borjomi to Bakuriani (road journey typically ~40-60 minutes). From Tbilisi you can take a marshrutka or bus to Borjomi (about 2-3 hours) then transfer to Bakuriani.
How to Get Around Bakuriani#
Expect an overland journey from Tbilisi to Borjomi followed by a short marshrutka, taxi or the scenic narrow-gauge train to reach Bakuriani. Marshrutkas are cheapest; a private transfer is faster and more comfortable.
- Marshrutka / Minibus (≈5-15 GEL) - Marshrutkas run Tbilisi-Borjomi and Borjomi-Bakuriani and are the common low-cost option. They are inexpensive and fairly frequent from Tbilisi’s Didube station; seats can fill up, so arrive early in peak season.
- Narrow-gauge Train (Borjomi-Bakuriani) (Low single-digit GEL (seasonal)) - The historic ‘Kukushka’ narrow-gauge train from Borjomi to Bakuriani is a scenic, sometimes seasonal service. It’s slower than road transport but popular with visitors; check the timetable because operation can vary by season.
- Taxi / Private Transfer (40-120 GEL (depending on distance)) - Taxis or private transfers from Borjomi or Tbilisi deliver door-to-door convenience and are handy with luggage or on tight schedules. Negotiate or book a fixed fare for intercity trips.
- Car (hire) (€30-€70/day) - Hiring a car gives full flexibility to visit Bakuriani and nearby attractions; winters require winter tyres or 4x4 due to snow. Roads are mountainous but generally well-maintained on main routes.
- Hiking / Cableways (seasonal) (Varies by lift/tour) - Bakuriani has walking trails in summer and ski lifts/cableways in winter; both are primary ways to get around the resort itself for recreation.
- Walking - Bakuriani village is compact and walkable - on-slope and resort areas are best explored by foot.
Where to Stay in Bakuriani#
Town centre / near Didveli slopes - ₾30-70/night
Bakuriani has many budget guesthouses and family-run pensions, especially outside ski season. Plenty of simple, ski-friendly options.
Bakuriani guesthouses (tourist listings) - Budget homestays and pensions
Small inns and apartments - Economical rooms close to slopes
Near Didveli / Kokhta-Mitarbi lifts - ₾70-140/night
Mid-range ski hotels and lodges offer private bathrooms, breakfast, and ski storage; best value during shoulder seasons.
Mid-range hotels and ski lodges - Comfortable hotels with ski access
Local listings and mid-range options - Ski-oriented hotels with extras
Ski resort core / Didveli area - ₾150-300+/night
Bakuriani has a few higher-end hotels with spa and premium rooms, but true luxury is limited; peak-season bookings essential.
Quadrifoglio Hotel (Bakuriani) - Upscale hotel with spa and dining
Luxury resorts in wider region - Top-tier options sometimes available seasonally
Where to Eat in Bakuriani#
Bakuriani combines hearty Georgian classics-khachapuri, stews and grilled meats-with warming soups and local cheeses popular after a day on the slopes.
Cosy cafés and pastry shops are ideal for hot drinks, fresh bread and pastries, offering quick refuels for skiers and summer hikers alike.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Bakuriani’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Bakuriani#
Shopping caters to visitors: ski rental shops, outdoor gear stores and small souvenir kiosks are common. You’ll find essentials and tourist items rather than large retail outlets.
For specialty sporting goods or wider selection, consider larger towns with bigger sports shops.
Nightlife in Bakuriani#
Bakuriani has an approachable, low-key nightlife centered on hotel bars, après-ski cafés and family restaurants. There are some lively evenings in high season, but no large club scene.
Expect cozy bars and live-music nights rather than late-night clubbing.
.jpg?width=600)
.jpg?width=600)
