Borjomi is a resort town at 800 m elevation in the Kura River gorge (Samtskhe-Javakheti region), 165 km west of Tbilisi. Population: around 11,000. Known primarily for its volcanic-origin mineral water – free to collect from springs in Central Park. The town is compact: life centres on one street along the river. Key points: the park with its cable car, sulphur pools, Romanov Palace in Likani, and the entrance to Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park – one of Europe's largest (85,000 ha). The cuisine differs from Tbilisi: strong Armenian influence – tolma, shashlik, lavash.
From Tbilisi: marshrutka from Didube – 10–15 GEL, 2 hours. Train is cheaper but 4+ hours. One day is enough for the town. If you plan hikes in the national park (routes from 1 to several days, elevations up to 2,640 m), budget 2–3 days. Borjomi pairs logically with Bakuriani (30 km, 40 min) – skiing in winter, hiking in summer. The narrow-gauge 'Kukushka' railway between Borjomi and Bakuriani is currently not operating (closed since the pandemic, no confirmed reopening).
