15 Things to Do in Guria – Ultimate Regional Guide

Located in the western part of Georgia, the Guria region is a fascinating mix of lush landscapes, rich cultural heritage, ancient history, and warm hospitality. Even though there are many things to do in Guria, many tourists still overlook it in favor of visiting Georgia’s more well-known destinations. 

Nevertheless, Guria’s geography is diverse and breathtaking – from the subtropical Black Sea coast to the misty mountains of the Lesser Caucasus. The verdant hills are dotted with tea plantations, proving Guria’s importance in Georgia’s tea industry, which dates back to the 19th century.

The region’s capital, Ozurgeti, is its cultural and administrative center. While not as grand as some of Georgia’s more famous cities, Ozurgeti will surprise you with its many cultural and historical sights, beautiful Soviet-era buildings and mosaics, and plenty of street art. 

Guria is also famous for its regional cuisine, with dishes like Guruli Gvezeli (Gurian Pie) – a regional take on Georgia’s national dish, Khachapuri, various plant-based appetizers, and cornbread, to name a few. 

The cultural heritage here is rich and varied. It is home to a 300-year-old ball game called Lelo Burti, the iconic Bakhmaro Horse Race, and Khinamchuli polyphonic song, one of the most challenging to sing. Georgian polyphonic singing is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Gurians also have their own dialect, folklore, wine, and festivals. They are famous for their sense of humor. Listening to their conversation is like watching a live comedy stand-up show. Gurians are also characterized by being fast-paced in everything – talking, walking, working, and making decisions. They are direct and don’t like flattery; they get upset quickly but calm down almost instantly. There’s even a saying that it’s better to hug a nettle than a Gurian female. ☺

History lovers will find many interesting artifacts in its Chokhatauri, Ozurgeti, and Lanchkhuti regional museums from the Bronze Age to today. In the 15th century, after the division of a unified Georgia, the Principality of Guria was created and ruled by twenty-two princes of the House of Gurieli from the 1460s to 1829 at the residence in Ozurgeti. 

With its high-spirited and fighter nation, the region played an important part in various battles for the entire country and the Russian Empire. Most notorious is the uprising against the government that started in 1902 and culminated during the Russian Revolution of 1905, making it the most organized and effective peasant protest in the Empire.

The uprising resulted in self-government and the creation of the Gurian Republic with its own laws and court. Benia Chkhikvishvili, a social democrat, was its president. 

The Republic lasted until 1906 as they couldn’t stand against the Empire’s massive military force. Some of the Gurian Republic leaders were executed, exiled, or imprisoned.

However, others, including Benia Chkhikvishvili, played significant roles in establishing the Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1918-21. Benia served as mayor of Tbilisi for a year during our independent years. His bust is now placed at the Platanus Garden in Ozurgeti. 

With lush greenery and rolling hills, there are a handful of things to do in Guria for nature lovers. The Bakhmaro and Gomismta resorts, perched high in the mountains, offer stunning panoramic views and gorgeous sunsets above the clouds. For those seeking a more relaxed experience, Guria’s Black Sea coast, with its black sand magnetic beaches, is a go-to summer destination for many locals. 

Despite its many attractions, Guria remains untouched by mass tourism. This sadly means that the tourist infrastructure still needs to be developed in some parts of the region. With this detailed Guria guide, I hope to put it on the tourist map and help the region develop its tourism potential. 

After all, if you’ve read my other guides for Guria, you know that I am half Gurian from my father’s side and have spent much of my childhood in our village of Bukistsikhe in Chokhatauri Municipality. 

This post covers some of the best things to do in Guria region, travel tips, and dishes to try. 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy something through them—at no extra cost to you. It helps support my blog and lets me share real, first-hand travel tips. Learn more

Best time to visit Guria

The climate in Guria is divided into two parts – lowlands and mountains. The lowland is characterized by humid subtropical weather, moderately hot summers, and rather cool winters.

Mountain areas are characterized by somewhat warm summers and relatively cold winters. The combination of sea and mountain air is characteristic of the mountainous part of the Guria region, especially the Bakhamro resort. 

Summer is a busy season for the Black Sea coast, particularly July and August. Since I’ve been to Guria every season, I prefer early summer and early autumn for its moderate temperatures. 

In western Georgia, spring comes early. If you plan your trip for this time of the year, consider that the country celebrates Orthodox Easter, and it is one of the best times to visit Guria, especially if you want to attend Lelo Burti. 

While summer can sometimes be unbearably hot, it is still a great season for Guria’s mountain getaway resorts such as Bakhmaro and Gomismta. Additionally, on August 19, Bakhmaro hosts its annual cup. 

Winter is rarely the season to visit Guria. Nonetheless, it brings snow to many parts of the region, and the mountain areas are only accessible by snowmobiles. 

How to get to Guria

Guria has a well-connected transportation system with the major cities in the country. Depending on where you want to go, you can find marshrutka minibusses to every central city in Guria. 

The best way to get to Guria and explore the region is to have a car. If you need to rent, I recommend LocalRent, or affordable prices from local agents, a wide choice of vehicles, including insurance, and no deposit in many cases. 

Alternatively, you can opt for a taxi transfer offered by GoTrip if you don’t want to drive yet and enjoy the flexibility and comfort of the car. You can make a few stops on the way (make sure you put the stops when booking the service), the prices are locked, and the drivers are pretty nice.

However, if you need to rely on public transport, base yourself in Ozurgeti for convenience. You can choose a train or a marshrutka to get to Ozurgeti from Tbilisi, Kutaisi, or Batumi. Check out my Ozurgeti guide and its transportation section for more details and timetables. 

Where to stay in Guria

I typically use online booking platforms such as Booking.com for my hotel reservations anywhere I travel. Sadly, as I mentioned earlier, tourism infrastructure in some parts of Guria is under development and lacks guesthouses and hotels. Despite that, here are a few stays in the entire region. 

Portokhlebi (Sajavakho): Technically, it is not in Guria as it’s on the border between Imereti and Guria regions, but if you are driving a car, I recommend staying overnight here either before or after your Guria trip. Portokhlebi, translated as oranges in English, offers a fantastic view of the Rioni River Valley, cottage accommodation, an open pool, a restaurant, and an orange field. 

Skijis Sakhli in Khidistavi (Chokhatauri): Beautiful wooden accommodation with rustic farmhouse vibes offering mountain views, a garden, and a restaurant of local cuisine. 

Komli in Tsitelmta (Ozurgeti): Just a 10-minute drive from the heart of Ozurgeti, Komli is a charming guesthouse with a little tea farm right in the courtyard. The rooms are cozy and traditional, but if you want something different, they transform giant barrels into unique guest rooms! As part of the Tea Road, Komli offers tea and wine tastings, guided tea tours, and a mouth-watering lunch you don’t want to miss.

Dumbo Eco Camp in Shemokmedi (Ozurgeti): They’ve got cute A-frame cottages that come in a range of prices, plus spaces for campers or tents if you bring your own. Some of the cottages even come with a kitchen. The property also offers a shared kitchen, picnic area, and outdoor fireplace for relaxing evenings. And it’s just a short drive to Gomismta, a beautiful mountain resort worth visiting.

Menadbe Winery in Shemokmedi (Ozurgeti): A lovely retreat outside of Ozurgeti with an inviting atmosphere. You’ll enjoy hearty meals, cozy rooms, and wine tastings. 

Buxus Hotel Shekvetili (Shekvetili): Located a few steps from the coast, this 4-star hotel has a seasonal outdoor pool, a garden, and pool/sea views from its room. There’s also a shared lounge, a bar, and a terrace where you can relax.  

Seaside Chalet Guruli Kokhebi (Ureki): These A-frame cottages are outside the central Ureki, offering a tranquil environment and private beach area. The chalets are air-conditioned and have a seating area, TV, kitchen, dining area, and a terrace. 

15 Things to do in Guria region

This ultimate guide to the region of Guria is packed with cultural and historical spots for you to visit. A few places are also included in my other Guria posts, but I still added them here because of their importance to the area. That said, the majority of them are original to this post. 

Learn about notorious Gurian horse riders at Lanchkhuti Museum

During my recent visit to Guria, I went to all the regional museums to find which had the most information and displays about the famous Gurian horse riders. While I was expecting Ozurgeti to be the one, I was surprised that Lanchkhuti had many more interesting items showcasing their history. 

Gurians have always been great horse riders; some might even say quite reckless with their tricks performed while riding. This made them famous all over the country. Therefore, when Thomas Oliver, a commissioner familiar with the Russian Empire, arrived in Georgia in the late 19th century to find riders for the Wild West shows, an employee of the British Council in Batumi gave him a tip to find such riders in Guria. 

With the help of Prince Ivane Makharadze, one of the distinguished riders, Oliver managed to get the troup for Buffalo Bill’s Wild West shows in Europe and the United States. The story of Gurian horse riders started in 1892 when they performed in England for the first time. The word quickly got out of their impossible tricks and made Queen Victoria curious, so she invited them to Windsor Palace to perform for her. 

After the successful European trip, they were invited to the United States to participate in various fairs and circus performances for 30 years. The group of Gurian Horse Riders mainly consisted of participants from Lanchkhuti and would grow over the years. It even had four female trick riders.

Back then, because Georgia was part of the Russian Empire, Gurian riders were referred to as Russian Cossacks, mainly because being part of Czarist Russia meant that everyone was Russian. 

Gurian riders were famous for doing the most incredible stunts while galloping – standing on the saddle (on their feet and hands) facing the horse’s tails, chasing each other to grab a handkerchief held in their mouth, and even unsaddling and saddling it back while riding. Read more about the riders here.

The museum has a vast collection dedicated to Gurian riders in Buffalo Bill’s shows. Archival photos of them wearing traditional clothes chokha, and being playful with other participants hang on the wall, along with personal letters sent to families back to Guria, memorabilia of the most notorious riders, posters, books, etc. 

• Opening hours: Tue-Sun from 10 am till 6 pm; Closed on Mondays. 
• Entrance fee: adults – 2 GEL. Bring cash. 

Explore Guria’s capital, Ozurgeti

Ozurgeti, the region’s central town, is quiet but full of sights and attractions. It perfectly blends a rich history, vibrant street art, and Soviet-era architecture. 

The city is relatively small and walkable, with many landmarks and green spaces in its center, making it a great town to base yourself and explore the region from here. It has a small contemporary art gallery showcasing works of Gurian artists and a local history museum where you can learn more about the area. 

Moreover, just a few kilometers away from the city, you can explore Ozurgeti Municipality’s tea plantations, visit the historic Shemokmedi monastery, hunt down splendid cultural houses of the Soviet era, find somewhat preserved mosaics, and admire the beautiful sunset at Gomismta mountain resort (more on below). The Black Sea coast is around 40 minutes away from here. 

→ Read my detailed Ozurgeti city guide for more spots within the city limits and beyond. 

See the traditional Gurian house at the Chokhatauri Museum 

Before the charming Oda houses became a staple in Guria—those cozy, timber-built homes with 3-6 rooms, terraces, and standing on short wooden or stone columns—locals lived in much smaller, single-room houses. 

At the heart of these homes was a firepit. But unlike the Meskhetian houses, which had an open roof for the smoke to escape, the roofs of Gurian houses were covered, and locals cleverly used the smoke to preserve their produce, especially meat.

When Oda houses became popular in western Georgia, kitchen and living spaces were separated. You can find one of the excellent examples of the traditional one-room Gurian house in the courtyard of the Chokhatauri Museum, which also displays ethnographic items used back then. 

• Opening hours: Mon-Fri from 9:30 am to 6 pm; Sat-Sun from 11 am to 4 pm.
• Entrance fee: adults – 2 GEL.

Enjoy Georgian tea tasting at various tea farms

Guria has always been a prime tea grower region, followed by Samegrelo and parts of Imereti. Georgian tea industry started in the 19th century with Chinese tea specialist Lau Dzhen Dzhau from Zhejiang province, saw its height in the Soviet era as the world’s fourth largest producer, then collapsed overnight together with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and was almost non-existent for a decade or two. 

Thanks to small artisanal tea farmers, the industry, slowly but steadily, is making a comeback. Several companies sell their product in grocery chains in Tbilisi. Shota Bitadze, who founded the Georgian Organic Tea Producers Association, has a tiny museum shop in Tbilisi I often go to get some tasty herbal mixes. 

Some independent farmers offer tea-tasting experiences with a farm visit at their enterprises. Therefore, one of the things to do in Guria is to book a tea tasting. Komli in Tsitelmta, located 6 km from Ozurgeti, and Teni Tea in Kveda Bakhvi, 12 km from Ozurgeti, are the farms I have visited and can recommend. My Ozurgeti guide has more details about my experience. 

Journey through Chokhatauri – the ‘real Guria’

Locals from the Chokhatauri municipality joke that Chokhatauri is the ‘real Guria’ because the railway didn’t come up here and left it almost untouched by modern life, unlike the lowlands of Lanchkhuti or Ozurgeti.

While you can certainly see the authentic Guria when traveling through Chokhatauri, being “untouched by modern life” also means that the tourist infrastructure is more limited than in other towns. The tourist attractions are spread out, and the Chokhatauri town has very little to see. 

Nevertheless, the municipality offers lush landscapes as most of the area is mountainous with plane, chestnut, oak, fir, and beech forests. It is also home to a climatic mountain resort, Bakhmaro, characterized by unique air – the mix of mountain and sea air – believed to have curative purposes, especially for those with respiratory problems. 

→ Read my comprehensive Chokhatauri municipality guide for detailed information and attractions. 

Try Gurian wines at a winery

The vineyards in Guria are spread in river valleys and on slopes, creating a unique environment for grapes. The region is home to some fantastic Georgian grape varieties, such as Tsolikouri and the region’s pride, Chkhaveri. The latter is harvested late in the season, sometimes as late as November or even December! Hybrid vines such as Isabella, also known as Adesa and Noa, are pretty common. 

For a unique wine-tasting experience, book a place at Sharashidze Winery in Chokhatauri’s Bukistsikhe village. They have some rare varieties almost unknown to the rest of the country. Rich, full-bodied Jani red wine is my absolute favorite at Sharahidze’s winery. Alternatively, check out Menabde Winery in Ozurgeti’s Shemokmedi village. 

Stay in a giant barrel at Komli 

Looking for a unique overnight stay? How about a repurposed Diogenes Barrel, a small tea plantation, delicious Gurian food, and a tranquil environment? If so, Komli ticks off all these in Ozurgeti’s village of Tsitelmta. 

I mentioned Komli in the upper section of the post, but because it offers an original accommodation, I think it deserves its spot in this Guria regional guide. My visit to Komli a few years back was very memorable, and I am a huge supporter of their family business run by three generations of Gurian women! 

Attend Georgia’s oldest and most brutal ball game

Lanchkhuti municipality’s Shukhuti village hosts the annual Lelo Burti on Easter Sunday, the predecessor of Georgian rugby played in Guria for 300 years.

Although Lelo Burti was played in the entire Guria region, only Shukhuti maintains the tradition and is the only place you can attend, watch, and even participate if you are brave enough. Read my detailed explanation and a few tips for attending Lelo Burti.

Watch breathtaking sunsets above the clouds

Guria is home to two beautiful mountain resorts – Bakhmaro and Gomismta, or Gomi Mountain – both offering spectacular scenery during the sunset. 

Bakhmaro in Chokhatauri, at 2050 meters above sea level, is nestled in a valley featuring wooden cottages dotting the slopes. Gomismta in Ozurgeti is 2,100-2,755 meters above sea level, surrounded by coniferous and spruce forests and alpine meadows. 

Both mountain resorts have a particular geographical advantage, where clouds and fog concentrate in the valley, creating an illusion of a sea of clouds where the sun slowly sinks at sunset. This highly depends on the weather, and I was unlucky during my visits to both resorts and experienced a total whiteout. But it was still a beautiful scenery.  

Apart from the sunset, you can also see the breathtaking sunrises in Bakhmaro. My Chokhatauri guide has more details on how to watch the sunrise and/or sunset in Bakhmaro. 

Experience the thrill of Bakhmaro’s Iconic Horse Race

Bakhmaro Doghi (horse race) has been a beloved annual tradition of the region for nearly a century. Each year, on August 19, on the Transfiguration of Jesus, the Chokhatauri municipality and surrounding areas come together to cheer on the country’s finest jockeys as they tackle the challenging terrain in pursuit of winning the cup. 

The race takes place in the bed of the Bakhviskali River, with rugged, stony terrain. The circular track winds along river banks, and riders must cross the river multiple times, depending on their competition category.

I’ve always wanted to attend this iconic event but couldn’t for various reasons. This year, I finally made it! And let me tell you, it was an experience like no other—one that took me entirely by surprise. I have shared my thoughts and tips for anyone considering attending the Bakhmaro Horse Race!

Savor authentic Gurian dishes

Regarding regional cuisine, Gurian meals are not famous, unlike its neighboring Samegrelo, Adjara, or Imereti. However, this doesn’t mean it’s not delicious or the region doesn’t have its own dishes. They are overshadowed and not widespread. 

Gurian cuisine is characterized by poultry meat meals such as chicken, duck, and pork. Because it is a prime grower of hazelnuts, Gurians use them in some meals instead of walnuts. Besides meat dishes, Gurian cuisine has plenty of vegetarian meals, too. 

The prime item for cooking is a stone or clay pan called ketsi placed in the middle of a fire to bake mchadi (cornbread), Khachapuri, and Brinjula (sort of a Gurian pancake) or to fry fish, chicken, and mushrooms. Traditionally, Gurians used vine and walnut leaves at the bottom of ketsi, giving it a unique aroma and taste. 

My absolute favorite is Guruli Gvezeli, or Gurian Pie, a regional take on widespread Khachapuri with a half-moon shape and boiled eggs inside. Traditionally, Gurian Pie is a Christmas dish, but you can find it sold at various bakeries in Tbilisi and restaurants all over Guria. 

While you might be familiar with mchadi, the cornbread, Gurians make it differently. Instead of small, individual pieces served in the rest of the country, Gurian mchadi is baked as one whole piece in stone or clay ketsi. Once done, it’s broken into pieces by hand instead of being cut into proportional slices. 

Kezhera Pkhali, or Kale in English, is a favorite plant-based dish similar to Spinach Pkhali seasoned with walnut paste, dried coriander, and parsley. 

Brinjula is more famous in the lowlands of Guria, such as Lanchkhuti. It looks like Khachapuri and omelet, but it’s neither one nor the other. It is more of a pancake with cheese and egg. And despite the word brinji in its name, which in Georgian means rice, the meal doesn’t have rice. The name comes from when the wheat flower was a rarity in the region or was in limited quantities, and locals used milled rice to bake their pastries. 

Janjukha in the Gurian dialect is Churchkhela, the grape juice and nut snack native to Georgia and the Caucasus. Gurian Janjukha uses hazelnuts as an alternative to walnuts and corn flour to thicken the grape juice instead of wheat flour used in the east. 

Take a boat tour at Georgia’s “Amazon” 

Kolkheti National Park is a natural border between Samegrelo and Guria regions, encompassing 34,000 hectares of wetlands and lakes. The park is a newly added UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site for Georgia as part of the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands with Mtirala, Kintrishi, and Kobuleti national parks and protected areas. 

The park is a prime sanctuary for various water birds, attracting more than 200 native and migratory species that find shelter in its diverse habitats. The best time to visit the Kolkheti National Park is in October, when you can spot black kites, falcons, honey buzzards, sea eagles, imperial eagles, and vultures. Apart from the Javakheti region in south Georgia, this park is another famous birdwatching destination.

Since it is mainly a wetland with no walking trails, the only way to explore it is by booking a guided boat tour of Lake Paliastomi and the Pichori River with the park’s administration. However, it’s very weather-dependent, and the boat tour might be canceled at the last minute. For more detailed information, contact the Kolkheti NP Visitor’s Center.

Relax at the black sand beaches of the Black Sea

Bordering the Black Sea, Guria has a few famous beaches on its 22 km long coast. Ureki, Shekvetili, and Grigoleti are the go-to summer destinations for Gurians and the rest of the country. Unlike bustling Batumi and even Kobuleti, the coast here is much more tranquil.

Moreover, beaches here have black sand high in iron and minerals, believed to cure various health issues. These sandy beaches are a great alternative and a relief from Adjara’s pebbly coast. 

I haven’t been to Grigoleti, but Ureki gets noisy in the summer and has minimal sights. On the other hand, Shekvetili is quieter, and there are a few things to do besides sunbathing at the beach. For an even more peaceful retreat, check out Maltakva, which is technically part of Poti but still a nice place to relax north of Guria.

Remember that restaurants and some guesthouses/hotels only operate during summer and feel very deserted in other seasons.  

Explore Musicians Park in Shekvetili

Next to the renowned Black Sea Arena, you’ll find a gimmicky and peculiar Musicians Park featuring 23 statues of local and international artists. It pays tribute to music legends such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Elton John, Bob Marley, and Whitney Houston, to name a few. Walk up the statues, and you’ll hear their timeless pieces. 

Some sculptures don’t resemble these public figures, but guessing the artists without relying on their iconic tunes is much fun. In addition, the park has a fisherman’s cabin as a tourist attraction hidden behind the tall swamp plants and a few intriguing wood-carved statues. It’s free to visit any time of the year. 

See Georgian landmarks in miniature 

Adjacent to Tsitsinatela theme park, Georgia Miniature Park is an open-air museum showcasing the country’s most iconic landmarks in miniature form.

From the Abanotubani and Narikala Fortress in Tbilisi to the majestic medieval defense towers of Svaneti and Tusheti, from Oni Synagogue to Batumi’s beautiful Gothic cathedral, these exquisite miniatures are pleasant to admire, especially if you don’t have time to see all those architectural heritage of Georgia.