Georgia’s natural mineral waters are a specificity of the small Caucasus country and a must-try for visitors. They have a plethora of healing properties which Georgians and guests have been enjoying for centuries. Here’s our choice of the top five places to visit if you want to get a taste of those magic mineral waters.
BORJOMI
This is among the best-known resort towns in Georgia, popular for its mineral water and mountain air. The mineral springs there were accidentally found by some Russian soldiers at the beginning of the 19th century. The mineral springs have curative powers and can help particularly with health problems related to digestion. Access to the single fountain in Borjomi Park will sent you back a mere 2 GEL, and you can fill up as many bottles as you want of the warm, mineral magic before (or after) exploring the gorge.
Borjomi is also one of the most famous brands of bottled mineral water in Georgia, the bottling of which is a major source of income for the area since Borjomi is the most exported water in the country. Note- what you get in the bottle tastes very different to what you get at the spring itself!
NABEGHLAVI
The Nabeghlavi spring was discovered in 1905 by local shepherds, and its water was found to have a special taste and certain curative properties, cleansing the body of harmful substances and enriching it with needed minerals. The spring is located on the territory of health resort Nabeghlavi in western Georgia and can be visited free of charge. It is a sodium bicarbonate naturally sparkling water and people can drink it daily without issue.
SHOVI
Shovi is an alpine health resort in the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti region in northern Georgia. It was built in 1923 and 16 different water springs have been discovered there to date. These are used for treatment of different diseases such as anemia and respiratory and urinary illnesses. The mountainous climate is also perfect for a healthy retreat from the urban bustle. People can enjoy a stay at the famous Sunset Shovi Hotel among others.
Image source: http://www.shovi-racha.com/
TSKALTUBO
Tskaltubo is a balenological resort in Georgia's Imereti region in west-central Georgia. It is famous for its radon-carbonate mineral springs, whose natural temperature enables the water to be used without heating. The water is particularly helpful for circulatory, nervous, muscular-skeletal, gynaecological and skin diseases. The 4- star complex of Tskaltubo SPA Resort opened in 2011 and there are also other hotels in the town which can comfortably accommodate you while you enjoy the waters. It can also be interesting to visit the abandoned sanatoriums which lost their function after the fall of the Soviet Union.
SAIRME
The Sairme health resort is located to the south of Kutaisi in a beautiful mountainous area surrounded by a deciduous and evergreen forest. There are four springs that differ in their chemical composition and medicinal treatment qualities- take along a cup and bottle and give them a try after reading the health information in the hotel brochure or visiting the local health center and spa, which provide visitors medical consultations. The diseases that can be treated by the waters are urinary calculus diseases, gallstone diseases, metabolic disbalance and gastrointestinal diseases.
By Gabrielle Colchen