Transportation
- Top Regional Airline
- Georgian Airways (Flying from Tbilisi/Batumi)
- Top International Airline
- Wizz Air (Kutaisi International Airport is the closest major hub, 2.5 hours away)
- Highway Access
- S8 highway connecting Borjomi to Akhaltsikhe and the E60 (East-West Highway)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Borjomi Park Station (Old station) and the main bus station near the city entrance
- Public Transport Passes
- Pay cash directly to driver (1 GEL for city buses, 0.50 GEL for local vans)
- Regional Travel
- Marshrutkas (Minibuses) to Tbilisi (15 GEL), Kutaisi (15 GEL), or the 'Kukushka' train to Bakuriani (currently intermittent)
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (Available but limited cars; local taxis usually congregate near the bus station)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Mountain bike rentals at the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park Administration (approx. 35 GEL/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Batumi (Black Sea) is approx. 4.5 hours away via train or marshrutka
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Borjomi Medical Center (60 Rustaveli St)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Wellness Center within Crowne Plaza Borjomi (Premium spa and mineral baths)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Local gym near the Borjomi Sports School; fitness facilities also available in major hotels
- Laundry Services
- Most guesthouses provide laundry for 10-15 GEL; Borjomi Central Hotel offers professional service
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo (Limited availability compared to Tbilisi; Wolt is not yet active here)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Kharcho with walnuts and homemade Borjomi Jam (made from pine cones)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Cafe Tourist (Offers Lobio in clay pots and fresh Georgian salads)
- Best Dessert Spots
- The family-run pastry shops near Borjomi Central Park exit
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Borjomi Central Market (near the bus station) for fresh produce and local cheese
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Vendoo.ge or Extra.ge (Delivery via Georgian Post/USPS)
- Grocery Delivery
- Limited; Spar and Nikora on Rustaveli St are the primary supermarkets
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Quiet nightlife; most action is along Kostava Street in hotel bars
- Local Brewery
- Natakhtari and Kazbegi are the standard beers served at Riverside Restaurant
- Wine Bars
- Borjomi Wine House (Pirosmani St) for local Samtskhe-Javakheti varieties
- Street Food Stalls
- Shotis Puri (traditional bread) bakeries on every street corner (1-2 GEL)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Terrace Borjomi (Modern fusion and European dishes with a view)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Borjomi Central Park and the sulfur water pools (5 GEL entry)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Borjomi Local Lore Museum (One of the oldest in Georgia, 5 GEL)
- Historical Sites
- Romanov Palace (Likani) - historical summer residence of the Russian royalty
- Religious Sites
- Green Monastery (Mtsvane Monasteri), a 15-min drive from the center
- Annual Events
- Borjomoba (City Day in Autumn, dates vary)
- Cultural Districts
- Likani District for mid-century architecture and parklands
- Theater Venues
- Borjomi Cultural Center (Rustaveli St)
- Local Markets
- The Central Market for 'Pine Cone Jam' (Muraba) unique to the region
- Music Scene
- Live folk music nightly at Old Borjomi Restaurant
- Street Art
- Murals on Soviet-era apartment blocks near the Likani entrance
- Cooking Classes
- Offered informally by guesthouses like 'Green Flower' for Khinkali making
- Art Galleries
- Exhibitions often held in the Crowne Plaza lobby gallery
- Historic Buildings
- The 'Blue Palace' Firuza (built 1892) at the entrance of Central Park
- Local Heritage
- Water bottling heritage; visit the historic factory sites
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park (One of the largest in Europe)
- National Parks Nearby
- Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park - main entrance at Meskheti St
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Info Trail (easy) or the hike to the Sulfur Pools through the forest
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Ferris Wheel on the plateau (accessible via Cable Car for 15 GEL)
- Birdwatching Locations
- High altitudes of the National Park during spring migration
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated camping sites within the National Park (Permit required, approx. 5 GEL)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Georgian Post (Rustaveli St); Nova Poshta for international parcels
- Tech Repair Services
- Small mobile shops on Rustaveli St for basic repairs; major issues require Tbilisi
- Gaming Lounges
- Small local internet cafes near the bus station
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Small slot clubs located on the outskirts; full casinos in Tbilisi or Batumi
- Table Tennis Spots
- Outdoor tables in Borjomi Central Park
- Language Classes
- Private tutors found via local Facebook communities; no formal schools
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Borjomi Public Library (Nodar Dumbadze St)
- Community Centers
- The Administrative Office of the National Park (Information and gathering hub)
Essentials
- City
- Borjomi, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia
- Population
- Approximately 10,500
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps (Magti Fiber widely available in central areas)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 GEL ≈ 0.37 USD / 1 USD ≈ 2.70 GEL
- Tap Water
- Drinkable (World-famous mineral water source, though locals prefer the public springs)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Magti (Best coverage in mountains), Silknet/Geocell; ~15-30 GEL for unlimited weekly/monthly data
- Banking for Expats
- Bank of Georgia, TBC Bank (Widely available ATM and card acceptance)
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses (30-60 GEL/night), Crowne Plaza (600+ GEL/night), Airbnbs (80-150 GEL/night)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, common in supermarkets and hotels; cash still needed for marshrutkas and local markets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local guesthouse listings via Facebook Groups
- Budget Accommodation
- Borjomi Under the Pines (approx. 45 GEL/night for a room)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Near Borjomi Central Park (Kostava St) for proximity to the springs and attractions
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Near Rustaveli Street (City Center) for better grocery access and more stable internet
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking; Crowne Plaza Borjomi Lobby/Cafe (Kostava St) is the best quiet professional spot
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafe Tourist (9 April St) or INCOGNITO (Kostava St) which offer reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Limited; informal gatherings often happen at 'The Borjomi Story' or through the 'Expats in Georgia' Facebook group
- Social Events for Expats
- The 'Borjomi Nomads' Telegram chat or evening drinks at Old Borjomi Restaurant
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $800 - $1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $36,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $500 - $700 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $24,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $54,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $36,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $68,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $550 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $44,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 15% (Estonian model: only taxed on distributed profits)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5%
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residence based; tax residence after 183 days
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 20% flat rate on Georgian-sourced income
- VAT
- 18%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No strict CFC rules in the traditional sense
- Property Tax
- Up to 1% based on annual household income (often 0% for base range)
- Property Transaction Tax
- No transfer tax; registration fee is approx. 50-200 GEL
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Individual Entrepreneur status: 1% tax on turnover up to 500,000 GEL/year