Pasanauri
Mountain village at 1,050 m on the Georgian Military Road, near the meeting of the White and Black Aragvi, known for khinkali.
Pasanauri is a small mountain village on the Georgian Military Road, about 90 km north of Tbilisi at 1,050 m. It lies in the Aragvi valley near the confluence of the White (Tetri) Aragvi and the Black (Shavi) Aragvi, where water of two different colours flows side by side for a short stretch. In Soviet times it was a popular summer retreat for its cool air, clean water and mountain food, and today it is mainly a stop on the way to Gudauri and Kazbegi.
Georgians associate Pasanauri with khinkali, and the restaurants along the road are a classic lunch stop. Beyond eating, you can walk along the river and into the forested hills around the village. Accommodation is mostly simple guesthouses and a few small hotels, and the village is quieter and cheaper than Gudauri, 30 km further up the road. In winter it is a useful place to check whether the Jvari Pass is open before continuing north.
What to see and do
- Khinkali lunch in a roadside restaurant
- The meeting of the White and Black Aragvi
- River walks in the forested valley
- Quiet overnight stop before Gudauri or Kazbegi
How to visit
Getting there
Pasanauri is about 90 km from Tbilisi on the Georgian Military Road, about 1.5 hours by car. Marshrutkas from Didube to Stepantsminda pass through, and some run only as far as Pasanauri.
When to go
Summer for cool air; any season as a lunch stop. Plan 1-hour stop or one night here.
- Khinkali are ordered by the piece; eat them by hand, sip the broth first, and leave the twisted top.
- Restaurants are busiest at weekend lunchtimes with families from Tbilisi.
- In winter, check the Jvari Pass status here before driving on to Gudauri and Kazbegi.
Pasanauri: FAQ
Is Pasanauri the home of khinkali?
Khinkali come from Georgia's eastern mountain regions, and Pasanauri is one of the places most associated with them. It is the classic place to eat them on the road to Kazbegi.
How far is Pasanauri from Kazbegi?
Stepantsminda is about 65 km further north, over the Jvari Pass. Allow about 1.5 hours in good conditions.
Tours that include Pasanauri
Read more in our guides
Photo: Alexxx1979, CC BY-SA 4.0A day-by-day loop from Tbilisi through Uplistsikhe, Kazbegi and Kakheti, showing how long each drive takes, where to eat and sleep, and realistic 2026 costs.
Photo: Jelger Groeneveld, CC BY 2.0Twelve trips out of the capital, from Mtskheta and Kazbegi to Sighnaghi, Uplistsikhe and David Gareja, with distances, transport options and which places deserve a night.
Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote, CC BY 4.0From cheese breads and broth-filled dumplings to walnut pâtés and fasting dishes: what Georgians actually eat, how to order it and where each dish is at its best.
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Pasanauri.
