A charming spa town, Bordjomi offers a pleasant and restorative escape for its visitors. Known for its celebrated sodium bicarbonate mineral spring and the numerous ski resorts all around, Bordjomi is the best stopover to recharge in Géorgie. Hikers can indulge their passion thanks to the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, the country's largest.

Diving into Bordjomi's History

Bordjomi is located in Samtskhe-Javakheti, in central Géorgie. More precisely, the town sits in the Borjomi Gorge, which is part of the Mtkvari River. It was in 1921 that Bordjomi obtained its status as a "city." According to legend, the name Bordjomi comes from the words "borj" meaning "the fortress" and "omi" meaning "war".

Archaeological excavations have helped estimate the origin of the mineral springs. These were already known since ancient times. The 7 stone bathtubs, dating from the early 1st century AD, are the principal vestiges.

Moreover, according to research conducted by V. Esadze and V. Bagrationi, Georgian historians, the water was used from the 1st century to the late 16th century. Clay water conduits from these periods are concrete proof.

Bordjomi experienced an unexpected boom in the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to its mineral water springs. Various establishments quickly emerged and this spring became one of the most appreciated in Géorgie.

Indeed, thanks to its status as a thermal resort and its numerous hotel infrastructure, the town was able to welcome thousands of refugees from the First South Ossetia War. In the 20th century, Bordjomi became a renowned tourist destination, but also a pleasant stopover near other sites in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.

The Town Today

Bordjomi is a Georgian town located 152 km west of Géorgie's capital, Tbilisi. Its fame stems from its sodium bicarbonate mineral springs. Exploitation of these springs truly began in the early 19th century. And in 1850, the Bordjomi Mineral Waters Park was inaugurated.

The town's development continued with the opening in 1894 of a bottling plant by Grand Duke Mikhail Romanov. During the Soviet era, Bordjomi's thermal resort was recognized throughout the USSR. Today, the town is a renowned tourist destination, but also a pleasant stopover during a stay in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.

Main Attractions of the Town

Bordjomi is situated in the gorges of the Mtkvari River, in southeastern Géorgie. The town sits at an altitude between 810 and 850 meters. This mountain resort is surrounded by a massif covered with deciduous and coniferous forests. Water from the springs of the Bordjomi Valley, with its healing properties, is the town's principal draw.

The Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, located in the heart of Géorgie, is another major attraction. Geographically, it is situated in the Caucasus Mountains and the Achara-Trialeti Range. It extends across three major regions of Géorgie: Imereti, Tori, and Samtskhe. Covering approximately 76,000 hectares of pristine forest, roughly 1% of the entire territory, this park is the natural habitat of many rare animal and plant species.

Large herds of leopards appear in spring and autumn. Lynx, brown bears, wolves, and chamois can also be spotted in the pristine forests. This park also lies on the migration route of several migratory birds.

History enthusiasts can visit the Bordjomi History Museum, housed in a historic building. Built in 1890 by W. Schweier, a German engineer, the museum captivates with its fine architecture, not to mention the 36,000 exhibition pieces spread across different spaces. Private collections from the Romanov family are among the most interesting sections of this museum. Note particularly the drawings on the dishware. After discovering objects belonging to the Romanov family, head to the section dedicated to the history of Bordjomi's mineral waters.

Bordjomi's Climate

Bordjomi enjoys a temperate mountain climate year-round. During the year, the average temperature stands at 9.4°C, with precipitation of 268.6 mm. The most favorable period to discover the town falls between June and September.

There are 3 ways to connect Tbilisi to Bordjomi: by bus, taxi, or car. The bus offers the advantage of being the cheapest transport option for this journey. A direct bus departs from Didube station in Tbilisi for Bordjomi. Bus services leave 5 times daily, for an approximate duration of 2 hours.

The fastest way to travel from Tbilisi to Bordjomi is by taxi, with a journey time of 1 hour 50 minutes. And for those opting for a car, the distance between Tbilisi and Bordjomi by road is 150 km.

It is also possible to connect Tbilisi, Gori, Mtskheta, and Bordjomi via the railway network. Daily marshrutka services connect Batumi and Bordjomi, and vice versa, which can be another option to consider. The journey takes approximately 6 hours.