Bakuriani: history, sights and housing

History and character

According to Georgian Wikipedia, Ukrainians were the first settlers in the Borjomi Gorge (1816), working timber. The resort grew from the Borjomi–Bakuriani narrow-gauge railway (1898–1901), and an alpine botanical garden was laid out on the Kokhtagora slope in 1902–1910. Bakuriani became an urban-type settlement in 1926.

Skiing began in 1932 with the first ski base, and the same source says the USSR's first ski tow was installed here in 1954. In Soviet times the resort hosted slalom, bobsleigh, biathlon and ski-jumping competitions. A 2014 Winter Olympics bid with Borjomi failed, but the freestyle and snowboarding World Championships were held here in 2023.

What to see

This is an activity resort: slopes and trails come first.

• The Didveli and Kokhta ski areas: the top Didveli lift reaches 2,702 m, Kokhta skiing goes to 2,269 m, and Didveli has artificial snow. A tourist guide counts 23 runs.
• The alpine botanical garden on the Kokhtagora slope, laid out in 1902–1910.
• A bridge on the Borjomi–Bakuriani line that guides link to Gustave Eiffel's plans, and a ski tour to the Tskhratskaro pass (13 km, 2,454 m).

Life and economy

The climate is cool: about 4.3 °C on average a year, around −7 °C in January and +15 °C in August. Snow lies from December to March, averaging 64 cm. The economy is tourism; the resort is described as year-round, but demand peaks in winter.

The housing market: what is known and what is not

We found no public data on housing prices in Bakuriani: no official statistics, no analytical reports. Listing prices are asking sums, not sale prices. The key point before buying is that winter occupancy may be high but the off-season is much quieter, so judge income over a year, not peak weeks.

• How many months a year the home can really be rented, and who manages it off-season.
• The state of completion (turnkey or shell) and heating costs.
• For documents and the deal process see buying-process.html, taxes.html and mortgage.html.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: Wikipedia (en): Bakuriani · Wikipedia (ru) · Wikipedia (ka) · Georgia.travel (GNTA): Bakuriani · Wikipedia (en): Borjomi (Borjomi-Bakuriani railway)

Other Cities

Before you buy

Rules that apply across Georgia, whichever city you pick: