Borjomi sits high in the center of Georgia, in a long valley along the Borjomula River surrounded by forested mountains. For centuries its mineral springs have drawn people to the region, but it wasn’t until the 1800s that the water became known to the wider world when Russian officers stationed here shared its crisp, naturally fizzy taste and believed health-boosting properties with visitors. By the late 19th century, grand stone and wooden hotels, parks, and even a summer palace were built by Russian nobles who made Borjomi their seasonal retreat, shaping the resort that today still thrives on wellness and quiet discovery.

At the heart of town, Borjomi Central Park stretches along the river with leafy paths, historic fountains, and open pavilions where visitors can fill glasses straight from the springs. Nearby, the Borjomi Museum of Local Lore collects objects that tell the story of the region, from ancient artifacts to items once owned by the Romanov family, offering a window into the layers of life here across centuries. Historic buildings like the Firuza House, a fusion of Persian, European, and Georgian styles, add texture to a stroll through the old streets.

Just beyond the town lies the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, one of the largest protected areas in Europe, spanning dense oak and fir forests, high meadows, and winding trails that invite exploration. Well-marked paths lead through quiet valleys, past rippling streams and lookout points where the line of the Lesser Caucasus rises on the horizon. Shelters and picnic spots make it easy to spend a full day breathing deep and traveling at a gentle pace through this vast green world.