Borjomi is a spa resort town 160 km from Tbilisi, famous worldwide for its mineral water. The main highlights: free drinking springs in the park (warm +35°C and cold), mineral pools (₾5–10), a cable car (₾5), three hiking trails, and the legendary narrow-gauge railway to Bakuriani (37 km / 2.5 hrs / ₾2). A day tour from Tbilisi costs from ₾178 per person. Getting there by minibus: ₾10–12. Don't forget to get travel insurance — mandatory for entering Georgia since 2026.
Borjomi Central Park — free springs and cable car
Borjomi's Central Park stretches along the gorge of the Borjomula river and is the heart of the resort. The park is open daily and entry is free. Inside you will find: a blue-domed pavilion over the warm mineral spring, a pool complex with mineral water (₾5–10), a cable car (₾5 one way), a children's rides area, and three marked hiking trails into the surrounding forest.
The atmosphere is quintessentially old-Soviet spa: pine trees, a promenade, the sound of rushing water, and a general sense that time moves more slowly here. Borjomi has been a resort since the 1830s, when Russian imperial officers discovered the springs and began building sanatoria.
The mineral water springs — warm and cold
There are two drinking springs in the park, both free. The warm spring (+35°C) is right at the entrance to the park, inside the blue pavilion. The water emerges naturally at 35 degrees, slightly sulphurous and rich in sodium bicarbonate. This is the same source that feeds the Borjomi mineral water brand, though the spring water tastes noticeably more mineral-rich than the commercial version.
The cold mineral spring is a 20-minute walk further into the park. This source is cooler, less sulphurous, and considered by many locals to be the better drinking water of the two. The walk through the forest to reach it is pleasant even in summer heat. Both springs are free — there is no ticket, no barrier, no time limit. Bring a bottle.
Borjomi gorge and National Park
The Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Georgia and Europe — 76,000 hectares of ancient Caucasian forest. The park entry point is 12 km from Borjomi town, at the Green Monastery (Zieloni Monastir). Entry fee: ₾2.
From the park entrance, marked trails lead into the forest — from short 2-hour walks to multi-day treks with mountain huts. The most popular trail follows the Borjomula gorge upward, passing waterfalls and crossing wooden bridges. In season (May–October) the trails are well-maintained and safe for independent walkers with basic fitness.
The gorge itself — the Borjomi canyon — is impressive even without entering the national park. The road from town to the park entrance runs along the river through increasingly dramatic scenery. Walking the 12 km takes about 3 hours; a taxi costs ₾15–20.
Narrow-gauge railway to Bakuriani
One of the most charming train rides in Georgia: the narrow-gauge "kukushka" (cuckoo train) runs from Borjomi to the mountain village of Bakuriani, covering 37 km in approximately 2.5 hours. The ticket costs ₾2 — one of the cheapest rail journeys in the country.
The train climbs through dense pine forest, crosses viaducts, and passes through several small stations where locals get on and off with bags of produce. In winter, Bakuriani is a functioning ski resort with lifts and slopes; in summer it is a quiet mountain village at 1,700 metres elevation. The return journey takes another 2.5 hours, making Borjomi + Bakuriani a full day out from Tbilisi.
Tour routes and prices from Tbilisi
| Route | Price (per person) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Borjomi day tour from Tbilisi | from ₾178 | 1 day |
| Borjomi + Gori | from ₾200 | 1 day |
| Borjomi + Vardzia (2 days) | from ₾300 | 2 days |
| Minibus from Tbilisi (self-guided) | ₾10–12 | 2.5–3 hrs each way |
| Train from Tbilisi | ₾5–9 | 3–4 hrs each way |
The minibus to Borjomi departs from Didube bus station in Tbilisi (green metro line). Journey time: approximately 2.5–3 hours. The train runs less frequently but offers a more comfortable journey and scenic views along the Mtkvari river valley.
Where to eat in Borjomi
Borjomi has a good selection of restaurants, most concentrated along the main street near the park entrance.
- Cafe "Borjomi" — the most popular option, right by the park. Khinkali, khachapuri, and grilled trout from the local rivers. Average bill: ₾15–30 per person.
- "Gio's" — slightly more upmarket, with a terrace over the river. Georgian classics done well. ₾25–45 per person.
- Park vendors — homemade lemonade (₾3–5), churchkhela (₾3–5), fresh fruit. Good for a light snack while walking.
Trout from the Borjomula and Mtkvari rivers is the local speciality — order it grilled or baked in clay. Mushroom khinkali are also popular in this forested region.
Overnight options
- Crown Plaza Borjomi — the landmark hotel, with a mineral water pool. From ₾180 per night.
- Likani Palace (former imperial residence) — historic building in the park, from ₾250 per night.
- Guesthouses — many families rent rooms in town, from ₾40 per night. Ask at the park entrance or check Booking.com.
Practical tips
- Best time to visit: May–October for hiking and trails. December–February for the contrast of hot springs in snow, plus Bakuriani skiing.
- What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle for the springs, and a warm layer even in summer (the gorge stays cool).
- Getting around town: Borjomi centre is walkable. The national park entrance requires a taxi or the park's shuttle (₾15–20 from town).
- Bathing pools: The mineral pools in the park charge ₾5–10 for entry. They are outdoor pools filled with naturally warm mineral water — not hot springs per se, but therapeutic and popular.
- Cable car: ₾5 one way from the bottom of the park to a hilltop viewpoint. Views of the gorge and surrounding Likhi Range hills.
We visited Borjomi as part of Timur's two-day tour with Vardzia, and it was one of the best decisions of the trip. The mineral spring in the park is genuinely extraordinary — warm water flowing freely from the ground, tasting of centuries. We walked the gorge trail, rode the cable car, and had the best trout of our lives at a small restaurant by the river. Nothing felt touristy. Borjomi is the Georgia that guidebooks miss.
Visit Borjomi with a guide
Timur organises day trips and multi-day routes combining Borjomi with Gori, Vardzia, and other highlights