The border between Georgia and Turkey marks a fascinating transition from the Caucasus region to Anatolia. It’s a frontier that stretches from the lush, subtropical coast of the Black Sea, over high-altitude mountain plateaus, and down into arid valleys. There are three road crossings connecting the two countries. The busiest by far is at Sarpi (Georgia) and Sarp (Turkey), located right on the Black Sea coast. This crossing is known for its uniquely modern and striking Georgian border terminal, and it sees a constant flow of traffic, from Turkish trucks heading to Central Asia to travelers exploring the Black Sea coast.
A second crossing is located further inland at Vale (Georgia) and Türkgözü (Turkey), a route that takes you through the beautiful high plateaus of the Lesser Caucasus. A third crossing exists on the railway line connecting Kars in Turkey with Akhalkalaki in Georgia. The border region is historically significant, as much of what is now northeastern Turkey was once the medieval Georgian kingdom of Tao-Klarjeti, and many ancient Georgian churches and monasteries can still be found on the Turkish side of the border. This adds a deep layer of historical discovery to any journey across this frontier.