Georgia is rich in mineral and thermal waters — by various estimates the country has thousands of springs. The best known are Tbilisi's sulphur baths, but beyond the capital there are other places to soak in hot water under the open sky or take a cure in historic sanatoriums. Here are the most interesting.

Borjomi — sulphur pools in the park

Borjomi is world-famous for its mineral water, but besides the drinking springs it has sulphur pools deep in the Central Park. Getting there means walking up through the park along the gorge for about 30–45 minutes (or taking the little park train/shuttle if it's running).

  • Temperature: around 30–38 °C.
  • Setting: several stone pools in the forest, with changing rooms and a café.
  • Hours: open year-round, including evenings. Bathing in warm water surrounded by snow in winter is a special treat.
  • Cost: a small entry fee.

Tip: also try the water from the pump room in the park — warm, slightly salty, real Borjomi straight from the source.

Tskaltubo — radon waters

Tskaltubo, near Kutaisi, was one of the USSR's best-known spa resorts. Its waters contain radon and are around 33–35 °C, comfortable for bathing without cooling.

  • Today Tskaltubo has renovated balneological buildings and spas where you can take baths and treatments.
  • The resort is also known for its abandoned Soviet sanatoriums, popular with photographers.
  • Nearby are Prometheus Cave and Sataplia Cave.

Important: radon baths are a medical treatment. Take them on a doctor's advice, especially with chronic conditions or during pregnancy.

Nokalakevi — a hot spring by an ancient city

By the ancient fortress-city of Nokalakevi in Samegrelo there's an open-air hot spring with pools. The water is warm, and a dip can be combined with exploring the ruins of the ancient capital of Egrisi and its museum.

Facilities are simpler than in Borjomi — check opening times locally.

Sairme

Sairme is a mountain resort in Imereti, in a forested valley at about 900 m. It's known for its mineral water (sold all over Georgia) and sanatoriums, offering treatments and fresh mountain air — a good spot for a quiet break.

Nunisi

Nunisi is a small resort near Kharagauli, on the edge of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. Its warm springs (around 30 °C) are known in Georgia for use in treating skin conditions. It's small, with a sanatorium and a calm atmosphere.

Utsera

Utsera in Racha is a mountain resort with mineral springs in the Rioni valley, ideal if you're combining a spa stay with exploring Racha — Shaori, Ambrolauri and Khvanchkara.

Abastumani

Abastumani in Samtskhe-Javakheti is a historic mountain climate resort where members of the Russian imperial family took cures. It has warm springs, pine forests, old churches and the famous Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory on Mount Kanobili.

Other places

  • Akhaltsikhe and surroundings — mineral springs and bathing spots.
  • Kakheti — several valley hotels use thermal or mineral water in their spas.
  • Tbilisi — the Abanotubani sulphur baths and modern spas using sulphur water, covered in a separate article.

What the waters are good for

Georgia's mineral and thermal waters are traditionally used for:

  • joint and musculoskeletal conditions;
  • skin problems (sulphur waters);
  • nervous system conditions;
  • general relaxation and recovery.

However, thermal treatments have contraindications: cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, pregnancy, cancer and others. If you have a chronic condition, consult a doctor.

Bathing tips

  • Don't stay in hot water too long — 10–20 minutes with breaks is usually recommended.
  • Drink water, especially in summer.
  • Don't bathe after a feast or alcohol.
  • Remove silver jewellery — sulphur water can tarnish it.
  • Bring flip-flops, a towel and swimwear.
  • The water may smell of sulphur — that's normal.

Building a route

  • Borjomi + Bakuriani + Vardzia — spa, mountains and a cave monastery.
  • Kutaisi + Tskaltubo + caves + canyons — western Georgia in 2–3 days.
  • Nokalakevi + Martvili — Samegrelo's antiquities and canyons.
  • Racha: Utsera + Shaori + Ambrolauri — mountains, wine and mineral waters.

In short

Georgia's thermal springs aren't just Tbilisi's sulphur baths. Soak in the sulphur pools of Borjomi park, take a radon bath in Tskaltubo, warm up in the hot spring by the Nokalakevi ruins, or unwind in the quiet resorts of Sairme, Nunisi, Utsera or Abastumani. Mind the contraindications, don't overheat — and Georgia's waters will restore your strength after long roads and mountain hikes.