Travel Plan: Journey through the Caucasus - Baku to Tbilisi

With its lush forests, tall peaks, and ancient monuments, the Caucasus offers the trip of a lifetime. It’s a mountainous region between the Black and Caspian Seas, which makes a natural divide between West Asia and Eastern Europe. As a result, it offers a fascinating combination of cultures, all set against the dramatic natural backdrop of mountains, waterfalls, and dense forest.

We’ve designed our Baku to Tbilisi travel plan to introduce you to this area steeped in history and mythology. Our journey starts with one capital - Tbilisi, in Georgia - and ends in another - Baku, on Azerbaijan’s coast. The two cities are approximately 350 miles (or 570 kilometers) apart. While you can drive between them in around 7-8 hours, we recommend slowing down and visiting some other cities on the way to experience the Caucasus fully.

Let flynas take you on an unforgettable journey through this region of natural wonder and historical importance.

Planning Your Journey

Flynas flies direct from Dammam, Jeddah, or Riyadh to Baku, and back from Tbilisi to Riyadh or Dammam, meaning you can enjoy the main parts of your journey in the comfort of our award-winning service.

The journey between the two Caucasian cities is then up to you! To fully enjoy the region’s scenery, and for total control over your timetable, we recommend renting a car. At flynas we like to make your journey as easy as possible, so our car hire service offers free cancellation and no hidden charges.

Baku to Tbilisi Itinerary

● Direct flight to Baku – 2 hours 50 minutes from Riyadh, 2 hours 35 minutes from Dammam , or 3 hours 45 minutes from Jeddah

● Baku to Lahic – Just under 3 hours by car

● Lahich to Sheki – Approximately a 3-hour drive

● Sheki to Telavi – This is a 3 hour and 10 minute drive, but allow some extra time to go through border control

● Telavi to Tbilisi – Just under 2 hours by car

● Direct flight back from Tbilisi – 3 hours 20 minutes to Riyadh, or 2 hours 55 minutes to Dammam

Planning Your Itinerary: What to Do in Each City

Baku

How long to spend in Baku
A cosmopolitan coastal capital, Baku is sometimes called the 'new Dubai' thanks to its crop of modern skyscrapers, which stand in sharp contrast to the city’s ancient heart. You can easily take 2 or 3 days to appreciate this unique blend of old-meets-new - read our full guide to Baku for even more inspiration.

Things to do in Baku

● Explore the Old Town - Baku’s walled Old Town is a UNESCO World Cultural Site that’s best discovered on foot, whether you choose your own route or join a guided tour. The beautiful ancient architecture of the old market square and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs is offset by the strikingly modern Flame Towers, which rise dramatically in the background.

● Sample the local delicacies - If you’re looking for a taste of authentic Azerbaijani cuisine, head to Nizami Street. This bustling boulevard is lined with local restaurants where you can order local specialties like lavangi – roast chicken with a subtly sweet stuffing of walnuts, dried fruit, and onions.

● Zabitler Park - this serene park forms an oasis in the city’s center. Featuring pretty fountains, bird-feeding areas, a children's play area, a selection of cafés, and even an ice rink for skating, it’s a lovely place to spend a relaxing afternoon with the family.

● Gobustan cultural reserve - More adventurous travelers may want to consider driving to this World Heritage site. If you do, you’ll be rewarded with the spectacular sight of the natural mud volcanoes and the network of natural and man-made caves. They feature over 6,000 ancient rock carvings - some dating back as far as the 12th century BC!

Lahic

How long to spend in Lahic
Lahic is a small village that only takes a day to explore. It will be easier to find overnight accommodation in a bigger city like Gabala, a 1 hour 45 minute drive away.

Things to do in Lahic

● Jummah Mosque - On your drive out of Baku you’ll pass the Jummah Mosque; one of the oldest in Azerbaijan. Dating from the 12th century, it’s a stunning example of Eastern architecture. Admire the intricate wooden and stone patterns on the facade, and venture inside to wonder at the richly decorated ceilings and serene courtyards.

● Experience traditional village life - Lahic is famous all over Azerbaijan, not just for its breathtaking mountain scenery, but also for the way it has maintained its traditional architecture and ways of life. The cobbled streets and wooden-shuttered houses are largely unchanged - and the friendly locals are usually happy to tell visitors all about the village.

● Learn a local skill - Lahic is full of copper craftsmen, blacksmiths, and artisans. Why not book a workshop and learn how to work copper or make yogurt the traditional way? These classes provide a great opportunity to meet some locals and hear their stories - often over a cup of tea.

● Gabaland amusement park - This theme park is a great alternative to Lahic if you’ve got kids to entertain, or if you’re staying in Gabala. The roller coasters, pedal boats, and water slides are all great fun, but it’s the stunning mountain backdrop that really sets this theme park apart.

Sheki

How long to spend in Sheki
Sheki is your last stop in Azerbaijan, and a hidden gem - we recommend spending at least one full day here, and up to two.

Things to do in Sheki

● Khan’s Palace - The UNESCO-listed Khan’s Palace is one of Azerbaijan’s most famous buildings. The ornate exterior is impressive, but it’s nothing compared to the interior, which is the most richly decorated you’ll ever see. Every wall, ceiling and floor is covered with paintings or wood carvings, and even the windows are made from brightly colored stained glass.

● Visit a Shebeke workshop - Shebeke is the name given to the technique used to create the stained glass windows in the Khan’s Palace. It’s a unique and skilled process where the glass is slotted into a wooden frame without any nails or glue. Watch the master craftsmen at work and marvel at this living piece of history.

● Browse the Taza Bazaar - This is the biggest and best food market in Sheki. You’ll find everything here, from spices and nuts to fruit, pickles, and tea. Why not pick up some snacks for the rest of your journey? You mustn’t leave without trying the local halva, which is almost more like baklava - it contains crushed nuts and spices sandwiched between paper-thin layers of pastry.

● Try Azerbaijan’s national dish - Sheki is renowned for its food, making it a great place to try the national dish, piti. It’s a rich stew made with lamb, chickpeas, onions, chestnuts, saffron, and spices. Impress your hosts by eating it the traditional way - pour the piti gravy over bread and eat that as an appetizer before tucking into the rest of the stew.

Crossing the Azerbaijan-Georgia border

Check the latest information on border crossing requirements when you plan to travel, as this can change. It’s also worth checking if the crossing you plan to use has set opening hours. You can expect to queue, but we recommend having all your travel documents ready to help speed the process along. These include your car rental documents and any visas for both Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Telavi

How long to spend in Telavi
Welcome to Georgia! Located in a lush green landscape, Telavi is the main city of Georgia’s eastern province. There’s certainly enough here to entertain you for a full day or two.

Things to do in Telavi

● Batonis Tsikhe Castle - Once the home of 17th-century kings, this imposing fortress is today a well-preserved example of Persian architecture. The on-site museum will teach you all about the building’s history before you venture into the complex to discover the art, baths, and gardens for yourself.

● Admire heritage homes - Telavi is known for its beautiful traditional architecture - think red tiled roofs, carved wooden balconies, and cobbled streets. The main street, Erkele II, is particularly scenic. Walk to the end of it and cross the river to Cholokashvili Street - one of the oldest streets in the city - to get all the best photos.

● Shop for local handicrafts - Erkele II is also home to some artisanal craft shops, including leather workshops and pottery studios. These are a great place to pick up unique souvenirs as well as to watch the craftsmen at work - you can even go to a masterclass and learn some skills yourself!

Tbilisi

How long to spend in Tbilisi
Known as the ‘Balcony of Europe’, Tbilisi is on a par with many of Europe's graceful old capitals. We recommend spending 2 to 3 days here - check out our guide to Tbilisi for more information about the cultural treasures and culinary delights you’ll discover.

Things to do in Tbilisi

● Take a walking tour - To orient yourself in the city, we recommend starting with a walking tour. All the famous landmarks of the Old Town are within a few minutes’ walk of each other. Plan a route that includes the Baratashvili bridge, the Gabriadze Leaning Tower, the Peace Bridge, and prepare to take lots of photos.

● Soak in the sulfur baths - After all the driving you’ve been doing, what better way to relax than with a natural thermal bath? This is an experience that people have been enjoying in Tbilisi for centuries - in fact, the city’s name means ‘warm place’ because of its hot springs.

● Georgian National Museum - This world-class museum is arguably the best place to get to know Georgian history and culture. It showcases gold, silver, precious stonework, and other artifacts from as far back as the 3rd millennium BC. It also often hosts talks and hands-on workshops for the whole family.

● Try khachapuri and khinkali - You mustn’t leave Georgia without trying its national dishes. Khachapuri is a bread stuffed with salty cheese, butter, and egg yolk - mouthwatering when hot and fresh. Khinkali are Georgia’s famous dumplings. They can be stuffed with various meat-based or vegetarian fillings - try a selection to find your favorite!