Things to do in Surmushi
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Top 10 attractions in Surmushi
Ushguli
Ushguli is nestled at the end of the Enguri River valley in the Svaneti mountains of Georgia, backed by Mount Shkhara at an altitude of over 5,000m. Situated at an elevation of over 2,100m, it comprises four old stone villages—Murkmeli, Chazhashi, Chvibiani, and Zhibiani—and is one of the few permanently inhabited high-altitude villages in Europe. The iconic scenery here consists of hundreds of Svan towers: the tall, slender medieval stone towers were once fortresses for villagers to watch for enemies and shelter from snowstorms. Today, they still stand crowded together with churches and houses on the same hillside, while cattle and sheep roam freely in the stone-paved alleys between the towers. Walking through them feels like stumbling into a medieval mountain village that is still living its daily life.Mestia · 37.9 km from Surmushi
Bagrati Cathedral
Bagrati Cathedral stands atop Ukimerioni Hill in Kutaisi and is a prominent landmark of this ancient city, visible from many corners of the city. It was built in the early 11th century, commissioned by Bagrat III, the first king of a unified Georgia, and has long been considered a masterpiece of medieval Georgian architecture. Tall columns and layered arches support the central dome, and the exterior walls still feature reliefs of floral and animal motifs that are fascinating to examine closely. The cathedral is used by the Georgian Orthodox Church for regular religious ceremonies and is also a preferred venue for weddings among Kutaisi locals. Reaching the top of the hill offers a panoramic view with the entire city spread out below, which is especially stunning at sunset.Kutaisi · 37.6 km from Surmushi
Adventure Camping
Alpana · 4.2 km from Surmushi
Sairme Pillars
Zeda Sairme · 4.8 km from Surmushi
"Secret Pool" (Okronishi Pool)
Surmushi · 2.4 km from downtown
Ghvirishi Waterfall
Tskhukusheri · 7 km from Surmushi
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi stands on Elia Hill on the left bank of the Mtkvari River and is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The church adopts the traditional Georgian cross-dome architectural style, with the central dome covered in gold leaf and a gilded cross standing at the top, reaching a total height of nearly 100 m including the underground section. Thanks to its massive size and commanding position, its golden dome can be seen from almost anywhere in the city of Tbilisi. The interior of the church is also worth a close look. In the northeast corner, there is a mosaic icon of the Virgin Mary; the southeast corner houses a display case with a cross and a handwritten Bible; and the northwest corner displays a model of the holy city of Jerusalem made of mica. The church also has several chapels underground, and the main murals were painted by contemporary Georgian artists in a traditional style. In addition to the main cathedral, the entire complex includes auxiliary facilities such as a separate bell tower, a monastery, and a seminary, which are quite impressive in scale. As the mother church of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the cathedral hosts Orthodox rituals and religious activities all year round. The interior murals and mosaic decorations create a solemn religious atmosphere, and from the cathedral's platform, you can overlook the city of Tbilisi and the scenery on both banks of the Kura River.Georgia · Tbilisi
Mestia
Mestia is located in the Caucasus Mountains of northwestern Georgia, at an elevation of approx. 1,500m, and serves as the gateway and cultural center of the Svaneti region. It is surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks, glaciers, forests, and alpine meadows, offering magnificent natural scenery. Due to its remote location in the mountains, it has long preserved its unique architectural style, customs, and local culture, making it a tourist destination with distinct regional characteristics in Georgia. It is also a popular starting point for hiking, mountaineering, skiing, and glacier exploration. Visitors can travel from here to traditional mountain villages such as Ushguli, enjoy the natural views of the Caucasus Mountains, and experience local cuisine and folk culture.Mestia · 51.9 km from Surmushi
Gergeti Trinity Church
Gergeti Trinity Church stands on a hill at an altitude of over 2,000 m at the foot of Mt Kazbek in northern Georgia and is one of the iconic landmarks in the Caucasus region. The church was built in the 14th century and features a cross-dome architectural style. It is the only domed church in the entire Khevi region. The complex consists of the main church, a separate bell tower, and surrounding stone walls, with an exterior facade built of dark gray andesite, presenting a simple and solemn style. The church is located on a remote highland and historically served as a treasury and refuge for the ancient city of Mtskheta for a long time. During times of war, precious relics, including the Cross of Saint Nino, were transferred here for safekeeping. Today, only a few traces of original murals remain on the interior walls, but the rugged texture of the building itself blends perfectly with the surrounding steep mountains. Standing on the platform in front of the church, you can overlook the full view of the town of Stepantsminda and the valley. The snow-capped peaks and glaciers of Mt Kazbek spread out behind it, and the scene of the church set against the snow-capped mountains has become an iconic view of Georgia.Georgia · Kazbegi
Ananuri Fortress Complex
Ananuri Fortress Complex is located on the banks of the Aragvi River, approx. 70 km north of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and adjacent to the Zhinvali Reservoir. It is a nearly unavoidable stop when traveling north along the Georgian Military Highway toward Kazbegi. Since the 13th century, this has been a castle and military fortress for the feudal lords of the Aragvi dynasty, with the existing walls and main structures mostly dating back to the 16th–17th centuries. It consists of two castles, upper and lower, and continuous walls. The lower castle with its round tower is now just ruins, while the side along the ridge, along with the square Sheupovari tower, is well-preserved. Climbing the tower offers a panoramic view of the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir and the mountains on the opposite bank. The scene featuring the walls, church domes, and the surrounding landscape makes this a popular location for travelers in Georgia.Georgia · Ananuri
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Free things to do in Surmushi
Bagrati Cathedral
Kutaisi · 37.6 km from SurmushiHoly Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
Georgia · TbilisiGergeti Trinity Church
Georgia · KazbegiAnanuri Fortress Complex
Georgia · Ananuri
Chronicles of Georgia
Georgia · Tbilisi
Mt Kazbek
Georgia · Kazbegi
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Georgia · Mtskheta
Bridge of Peace
Georgia · Tbilisi
Ali & Nino Statue
Georgia · Batumi
Narikala Castle
Georgia · Tbilisi
What travelers say about Surmushi
Nene_inChinaAugust 13, 2022
5.0
Ushguli highest village in Europe located in Georgia. it's must to visit! the most beautiful landscape ever 🤩
Ushguli
kareninagurlMarch 28, 2023
5.0
In 1994, Bagrati Cathedral, together with the Gelati Monastery, was included in UNESCO's World Heritage Site list as a single entity. In 2001, ownership of the cathedral was transferred from the Georgian state to the Georgian Orthodox Church. It is presently of limited use for religious services, but attracts many pilgrims and tourists. It is also frequently used as a symbol of the city of Kutaisi, being one of its main tourist attractions. I recommend to visit in the morning.
Bagrati Cathedral
NachtischApril 3, 2026
5.0
The most striking feature of the church is undoubtedly its pure gold-clad dome, dazzling in the sunlight and exuding a gentle solemnity when illuminated at night. It's worth noting that the church's construction was primarily funded by donations from ordinary citizens—it's not just a building, but a symbol of Georgians rediscovering their faith and solidifying their national identity after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
YoYo_妖怪January 26, 2026
5.0
Mestia is a small mountain town located in the Svaneti region of northwestern Georgia. If Sighnaghi is the "town of love," then Mestia is the "heart of the Georgian Alps," renowned for its medieval Svan Tower, stunning snow-capped mountain scenery, and top-notch hiking trails.
Despite its small size, the town has its own airport.
* Svan Tower (medieval defensive stone towers), hiking paradises (such as those leading to Koruldi Lakes), ski resorts (such as Tetnuldi), and Caucasus Mountain scenery.
An outdoor haven where natural beauty and a thousand years of history intertwine.
Mestia
yccuiOctober 13, 2025
5.0
This church, unlike any other in Europe, sits nestled among the hilltops. It's truly a journey of pious beauty. The century-old stone statues remain as fresh as ever. Practicing Taoism here offers a deeper sense of purpose.
Gergeti Trinity Church
镜里看花October 20, 2026
4.0
On the way to Kazbekistan, almost everyone stops here. After crossing the bridge, Ananuri Fortress stands beside the reservoir at the bridgehead, looking from afar like a stone castle stranded in the middle of a lake. I stopped the car and took some photos from the bridge. As soon as I pressed the shutter, it suddenly dawned on me—wasn't this the same angle as on the cover of *Lonely Planet*? The same bridge railings, the same gray-white stone walls, the same blue-green water. So the "cover-style shot" mentioned in the travel guides was just an ordinary roadside spot, not at all pretentious.
The reservoir behind the fortress is called Renvali Reservoir, surrounded by concentric circles of mountains, its water a medium-deep green. Standing atop the fortress, the view is indeed the best—the reservoir, the bridge, the mountains, and the winding mountain road in the distance, all spread out below.
But getting up there wasn't so easy. The left entrance was blocked off. A local offered a small tip to enter from the right; the fee wasn't much, more like a "gateway fee" for this centuries-old fortress—payable by soldiers six hundred years ago, and by tourists six hundred years later.
The internal staircase was narrow and the steps slippery. Every step was taken with extreme caution. My friend slipped while going down, so safety first. This view is best seen in photos :D
Ananuri Fortress Complex