Abastumani, located in the southern part of Georgia, has long been renowned for its healing springs rich in chlorine and sodium sulfate. In medieval Georgia, the territory of present-day Abastumani was part of the district of Odzre, named after the fortress whose ruins are preserved not far from the village. In 1892, the Abastumani Mountain Observatory was built—the first such structure in the territory of the Russian Empire. Grand Duke Georgy Alexandrovich, the younger brother of Nicholas II (1871-1899), was treated for tuberculosis in Abastumani.
In addition to the healing springs, Abastumani boasts numerous medieval landmarks. During the restoration of the 14th-century Church of St. George, previously unknown medieval frescoes were discovered. Visitors can admire the ruins of a 13th-century castle in the city, as well as an arched bridge named after Queen Tamar. Among the more recent structures, Abastumani is home to a bathhouse built between 1879 and 1881 by German physician Adolf Alexandrovich Remmert.
The city also gave its name to an asteroid (1390) Abastumani, discovered on October 3, 1935.