tourism georgia country

15 Amazing and Unique Places to Visit in Georgia

Wondering what to see in Georgia and where to go in this beautiful country in the Caucasus?  After spending almost one year here (and returning for more visits), I made a list of the 15 best and most beautiful places to visit in Georgia.

Georgia , a land of rock and stone, medieval fortresses and monasteries, green hills, majestic mountains, deep caves, and rocky beaches. A country where culture and history lovers will have the feeling they’ve been transported to the past while walking through the villages and towns.

Outdoor lovers will be amazed by the stunning landscapes of the mountains and every traveler will experience the incredible hospitality of the people and will be treated to a feast of delicious food  and  wine  (and the additional hangover). 

I spent almost one year in Georgia and I’m grateful that I had the chance to discover so many beautiful regions and unique places. 

3 Fantastic Itineraries to see the best of Georgia

It was hard to make a selection of the most beautiful places to visit in Georgia as there are so many of them, but here are the top 15 places and the best cities to visit in Georgia, the country!

Tip: See my  Georgia Travel Page  for a complete overview of all my travel guides and blog posts about Georgia!

Disclaimer: This posts might contain affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for helping to support this website!

Plan your trip to Georgia

• 19 important things to know before traveling to Georgia
• 15 Best Places to visit in Georgia
• 3 Fantastic Georgia Travel Itineraries
• Tours & Experiences: Georgia Tours
• Rent a car in Georgia
• Travel insurance for Georgia
• Book your stay in Georgia

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The best places to visit in Georgia

Tbilisi is the capital city and one of the best cities in Georgia to visit! Tbilisi lies on the banks of the Mtkvari (also known as the Kura) river and is surrounded by hills and mountains.

It has been the capital of Georgia since the 6th century and its diverse architecture reflects its long and complicated history.

One of the best ways to appreciate this unique place is to wander its streets, especially in the colorful Old Town.

During your walk in the city you’ll come across over-renovated and hyper-modern buildings but you’ll also find yourself in a warren of backstreets surrounded by ramshackle buildings that are beautiful in their own unique way.

Make sure you walk (or take the cable car) to the Narikala Fortress where you can enjoy the stunning panorama over the city.

Top Things to do in Tbilisi:

• Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral
• Go for a stroll in the old town of Tbilisi
• Take the cable car to Narikala Fortress and meet Kartlis Deda, “mother of Georgia”
• Enjoy the delicious Georgian food in one of the many traditional restaurants
• Visit the  Chronicle of Georgia, Tbilisi’s hidden gem

Recommended Tbilisi City Tours

There are many lovely guided walking tours you can take in Tbilisi to learn more about the history of the city while visiting its main points of interest.

Here’s a guided walking tour I highly recommend:

How to get to Tbilisi:

Just like all the roads in Europe lead to Rome, all the roads in Georgia lead to Tbilisi! You can easily get there by plane (the main airport of Georgia is located in this city), by train, by bus, by mini-bus and by hitchhiking !

Read more about traveling by public transportation in Georgia and Tbilisi here .

Where to stay in Tbilisi :

You can pay as much or as little as you want to stay in Tbilisi. You can find a bed in a hostel starting from €7 (10 GEL) per night or you can spend a few nights in a lovely guesthouse for only €12 per night. 

• Bude Hostel
• Tiflisi Hostel
• Boutique Fantaisie
• Luxury inn in Old Tbilisi
• Citadel Narikala Hotel in Old Tbilisi
• Stamba Hotel

Top Things to Do in Tbilisi – The Travel Guide to Georgia’s Capital City

2. Mtskheta

Mtskheta is the religious capital, the spiritual heart, and therefore the most important city of Georgia. It used to be the capital city before King Gorgasali changed his base to Tbilisi.

It’s also one of the oldest cities in Georgia, where 4000-year-old traces of human settlements were found. Mtskheta is home to three of Georgia’s most important churches: Svetitskhoveli (try to say this 3x in a row…), Jvari and Samtavro Monastery.

Saint Nino lived in this city. She’s known as the Enlightener of Georgia, is one of the most important saints in this country (many girls are named after her). She’s the woman who preached Christianity in Georgia and the reason why this religion was adopted as the state religion in the year 330.

Important Note : if you want to enter the churches, dress appropriately! Men aren’t allowed to wear shorts or hats while women have to wear a long skirt and cover their hair with a scarf.

Places to visit in Mtskheta:

• Jvari Monastery
• Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
• Shio-Mgvime Monastery
• Old Mtskheta
• Bebristsikhe Fortress

Guided tours to Mtskheta:

Mtskheta is definitely worth visiting with a knowledgeable guide while visiting the most ancient and holy places of Georgia!

I highly recommend going on a guided (half-) day tour from Tbilisi to Mtskheta you’ll get a thorough tour and background info of all the important monasteries and churches.

How to get to Mtskheta:

If you prefer to visit Mtskheta independently, it’s a 30-minute drive from Tbilisi. You can easily hitchhike there from the Tbilisi Mall (take minibus nr. 50 to get there) or take a minibus (mashrutka) all the way to Mtskheta for only 1 GEL. Here’s a very detailed guide on how to go from Tbilisi to Mtskheta .

Vardzia is a spectacular cave monastery near Aspindza in southern Georgia. It looks like one of the movie sets of Lord of the Rings, although it wasn’t the home of dwarves but of many monks.

This underground monastery was built in the 12th Century, under the reign of King Tamar, the first woman that was ever crowned as a king (not a queen!) in Georgian history. It used to be completely hidden until a severe earthquake exposed and destroyed the cave monastery. 

Things to do in Vardzia:

Read my Travel Guide to Vardzia for a complete overview of how to visit all the highlights of Vardzia.

Guided Tours to Vardzia:

It’s a bit of a journey to get to Vardzia independently. Taking a tour to Vardzia , maybe combined with a visit to Akhaltsikhe and Borjomi, might give you a more enjoyable experience and you’ll learn a lot about the cultural and historical background of these wonderful places!

How to get to Vardzia:

You can take a mashrutka from Akhaltsikhe to Vardzia. The ride takes one hour, it costs 7 GEL and they operate 3 times a day.

The first mashrutka leaves at 10.30 am, the last one from Akhaltsikhe to Vardzia leaves at 1.20 pm. The last mashrutka is at 3 pm from Vardzia to Akhaltsikhe where you can still catch another one to Tbilisi (if you want to return the same day).

You can also take a taxi to Vardzia but that will cost you at least 50 GEL (unless you’re with a group, then you can share the costs and stop along the way at the Khertvisi Fortress).

The Complete Guide to Vardzia, Georgia’s ancient cave monastery.

4. Uplistsikhe

Uplistsikhe is located in eastern Georgia, about 100 km from Tbilisi. It literally means “Lord’s Fortress” and it’s an abandoned rock-hewn town that is more than 3000 years old. 

It was founded around 1000 BC and was continuously inhabited until the 13th century AD. At one point Uplistsikhe even had 20000 inhabitants!

The cave city covers an area of almost 40.000 m2 and used to have a pharmacy, a bakery, an amphitheater and even a prison. All the structures are connected by tunnels.

On top of the whole complex is a church that was built in the 9th century. This colorful building sticks out against the gray and sober caves.

tours to Uplistsikhe:

You can opt for taking a day tour from Tbilisi to Uplistsikhe, combined with a visit to Mtskheta (see above) and Gori (I used to live there!).

There are many day tours to Uplistikhe from Tbilisi offered by local travel companies . I highly recommend the following:

How to get to Uplistsikhe:

The cheapest way to get from Tbilisi to Uplistsikhe is by taking a shared taxi (5GEL) or a mashrutka (3GEL) from Didube station to Gori. There you can take another mashrutka to the nearby village Kvakhvreli for 1 GEL. You can also negotiate with the driver and he’ll take you to Uplistsikhe for 1 extra GEL.

If you’re with a group, you can share a taxi that will cost you around 20 GEL. Entrance fee for Uplistsikhe: 15 GEL.

Visit the best places in Georgia with these 3 Georgia itineraries!

5. Katskhi Pillar

Georgia doesn’t only have unique places on the ground or in the mountains, but also in the air. Take the Katskhi Pillar, for example, a 40-meter high limestone monolith that is also known as “the Pillar of Life”.

Around the 4th century, this rock became a place of seclusion for the ‘Stylites’, a religious group who had a “slight” obsession with sitting on top of narrow pillars to come closer to God. How they got up on the Katskhi Pillar and were able to build a church on top of there is still a big mystery!

It was only in 1945 that the first researchers were able to climb it. Oh, and the most extraordinary thing: a monk has been living on top of that remote pillar for 20 years!

Day tour to Katskhi Pillar

You can go on a day tour from Tbilisi to Katskhi Pillar , combined with a visit to Chiatura (see below).

Here’s the day tour I recommend:

How to get to the Katskhi Pillar:

From Tbilisi to the Katskhi Pillar: take a mashrutka from Didube Station to Chiatura. The earliest leaves at 8 am and after that nearly every hour. The ride takes about 3 hours and costs 6 GEL.

In Chiatura take a taxi to the Katskhi Pillar, which shouldn’t cost much as it’s only 20 km away or you can hitchhike like I did.

From Kutaisi to Katskhi Pillar : take a mashrutka from Kutaisi bus station to Chiatura. It costs 6 GEL and the journey lasts an hour and a half. Once in Chiatura, you can hitchhike or take a taxi to the Katskhi Pillar.

Katskhi Pillar, the most incredible cliff church in the world!

6. Chiatura

Another point of interest in Georgia is Chiatura, a small town nestled between steep valleys and deep gorges.

Chiatura was founded in the late 1800s as a mining colony. In 1954 the Stalinist government installed a system of cable cars, also referred to as a “rope road” to get the workers more quickly to the mines, instead of them walking to the sites on the steep cliffs.

Every corner of the town was connected with the mines through these cable cars and Chiatura became known as “the cable car city”.

Most of these cable cars have rusted away but there are still some of these “air tramways” functioning today as a form of (free) public transportation.

It’s truly an amazing (and a little frightening) experience to step into these rusty flying cabins that are known as the “death-defying metal coffins”. Chiatura is a strange and charming city where you can still feel the ghost of the Soviet Empire.

Day tour to Chiatura & Katskhi Pillar:

Combine a visit to Chiatura with the Katskhi Pillar (see above) on this guided day tour from Tbilisi :

How to get to Chiatura:

From Tbilisi to Chiatura : take a mashrutka from Didube Station to Chiatura. The earliest leaves at 8 am and after that nearly every hour. The ride takes about 3 hours and costs 6 GEL.

From Kutaisi to Chiatura : take a mashrutka from the Kutaisi bus station (near McDonald’s) to Chiatura. It costs 6 GEL and the journey lasts 1,5 hours.

Where to stay in Chiatura:

When I first visited Chiatura in 2017, there was one guesthouse. Nowadays you can find about 10!

Here are my recommendations:

• Butichi Guesthouse
• Hotel in Chiatura
• Family Hotel

Visiting the ghosts of the past in Chiatura.

Batumi is a modern city on the coast of the Black Sea. It’s the second biggest city in Georgia and honestly, it doesn’t really feel like you’re in Georgia. One moment you can hear the church bells ringing, and the next you hear the muezzin’s call to prayer coming from the mosques (Batumi is right near the border with Turkey).

The architecture is a combination of European and Asian styles, often mixed with fairy-tale-like towers, statues and buildings created by some hallucinating architects. This is especially visible at night when the majority of the building is lit up and bathing in the colors of the rainbow.

Batumi is a ‘glamorous’ city, designed to attract tourists and gamblers to play in one of its many casinos. You love it or you hate it but I absolutely enjoyed living there for three months when there were barely any tourists around.

How to get to Batumi:

You can get from Tbilisi to Batumi by mashrutka, which also stops in Kutaisi. It takes about 4,5 hours and costs 15 GEL. Shared taxis or buses are also possible but will cost you at least double the price.

I would suggest you take the train from Tbilisi to Batumi , which is very comfortable and cheap (18 GEL). The journey lasts about 5 hours and will take you along some beautiful landscapes.

Where to stay in Batumi:

• Homestay Seaside by Manuchar
• Hostel in Batumi
• Orbi City Sea View
• The Admiral Hotel
• Best Western Premier Batumi
• Beach Resort in Batumi New Orbi

Top Things to do in Batumi – The Complete City Guide to Georgia’s Las Vegas

8. Ushguli & other villages in Svaneti

Located in northwestern Georgia and locked in the heart of the Caucasus mountains lies the historic province of Svaneti . The only way to get there is by driving from Zugdidi to Mestia along steep windy roads looking over beautiful gorges, wild rivers, and majestic mountains.

Svaneti consists of several small villages, built on the slopes of the snow-covered mountains and surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of alpine meadows.

Walking around in these picturesque villages that are dominated by tower houses, gives you the feeling that you’re thrown back into the European Middle Ages.

One village truly mesmerized me: Ushguli. This village is part of one of the highest inhabited settlements in Europe, at about 2200m above sea level.

It is very remote, the only road to get there is very rough and bumpy but oh so beautiful! The inhabitants live a remote and unique life. They ride on horses through the cobblestone streets while pigs, dogs, cows and goats walk next to them on the little paths. It feels like time stood still there!

Unfortunately, it’s also the most touristic village in the area (Mestia not included) but there are plenty of other villages in the area that not many tourists visit.

Tours to Svaneti

Svaneti is a beautiful region with a very unique history. It could be interesting to travel there on a guided tour.

On this 4-day tour , you travel into the Caucasian Mountains to visit Svaneti, Mestia, Hatsvali and Ushguli. You’ll visit a typical Svan house and get a taste of the local unique cuisine and folkloric music.

You can also go on a 4-day guided trekking tour to Svaneti ! You will be hiking along the beautiful trails to the Chalaadi Glacier, the Shkhara Glacier, and the Ushba waterfalls while also visiting Mestia and Ushguli where you get to learn more about the Svan history and culture, and maybe even participate in Georgian folk dances.

How to get from Tbilisi to Mestia:

Mestia is the central village of Svaneti.

You can go from Tbilisi to Zugdidi by train and you can opt for the night train (8 hours) or day train (5,5 hours) – check the schedule here . Tickets cost between 16 and 21GEL.

You can also take a mashrutka from Tbilisi to Zugdidi, which departs every day from “Vagzali” bus station (in front of Tbilisi Central building). Look for the platform with the sign ‘Mestia’. The bus departs at 7 AM, tickets cost 30 GEL and the journey will take about 9 hours.

From Zugdidi to Mestia : catch a mashrutka at the Zugdidi train station (look for the sign Mestia). They leave every time the bus is full, a ticket costs 20 GEL and the ride takes between 3 – 4 hours.

How to get From Mestia to Ushguli:

You’ve got three options to get to Ushguli: 1) Hitchhike like I did. I was told that it was nearly impossible to hitchhike there but I got very lucky that day and caught a ride within 2 minutes!

2) Walk from Mestia to Ushguli. This hike takes about 3 to 4 days and you’ll walk along the majestic valleys and meadows of the Caucasus. More about this hike here .

3) Take a shared taxi. The drivers know that this is your only way to go to Ushguli and back so they’ll easily charge USD $100. Your best option is to share the taxi with other people.

Where to stay in Mestia and Ushguli:

You’ll have plenty of space to camp in Svaneti and it’s definitely worthwhile! You can also find many guesthouses in Mestia starting from $20/night for 2 people.

• Travel Inn House Mestia
• Eka’s Guesthouse
• Nino Ratiani’s Guesthouse
• Hotel Elite-House Mestia
• Hotel Old House Mestia
• Beko’s Garden Inn

Ushguli has also facilities to accommodate guests if you’d like to spend the night in this little village. Here are my top 3 recommendations for homestays and guesthouses in Ushguli:

• Nizharadze’s Tower
• Old Tower Ushguli

21 Top Things to do in Svaneti, the Wild Heart of the Caucasus

9. Omalo & other villages in Tusheti

Tusheti is one of the most beautiful and fascinating regions of Georgia. It’s located in northeast Georgia, on the northern slopes of the Great Caucasus Mountains.

There is only one road that goes to the area over the treacherous 2900m Abano Pass. It’s a beautiful mountain pass but it’s also considered one of the most dangerous roads in the world.

You need a 4×4 vehicle and nerves of steel to cross the pass but it is definitely worth it! The road to Tusheti is only open for 5 months (late May to early October).

The inhabitants, the Tushs or Tushetians, nowadays only go up there during summer to graze their cattle, organize traditional festivals, provide accommodation and tours for tourists and reconnect with their roots.  In winter they live in the lowland villages of Alvani and Akhmeta in Kakheti.

Tours to Tusheti

As Tusheti is so remote and hard to access, I’d highly recommend taking a tour there unless you have your own vehicle and are an experienced off-road driver.

I highly recommend my own Adventure Tours in Georgia as both tours have Tusheti on the itinerary!

Discover Georgia’s Highlights or go on a unique Georgia Trekking Adventure to Tusheti , Racha , Vardzia , Katskhi and Chiatura on one of my Georgia Adventure Tours !

How to get from Tbilisi to Tusheti

It’s quite hard to get to Tusheti by public transport. Even if you’re renting a car , you have to be very cautious as it’s a very dangerous road!

Take a mashrutka from Tbilisi to Alvani. Get off in the towns of Zemo-Alvani or Kvemo-Alvani. From there you will find Delica’s (4×4 Mitsubishi mini-van) going to Omalo. It costs around 40/50 GEL per person (around $20) one way and the Delica leaves once it’s full.

The ride takes at least 5 hours so make sure to arrive in the morning in Alvani. The cars mostly leave from the central crossroads which is impossible to miss.

Another possibility is to book a private transfer from Tbilisi to Tusheti . More info & prices here .

How to visit Tusheti, one of Georgia’s most remote regions

10. Sighnaghi

Georgia has its share of big cities and tourist attractions but what’s really special about the country are the small towns. Sighnaghi is one of them.

Some of the best food & wine in Georgia, beautiful tiny streets and houses with colorful wooden balconies, breathtaking views over the Alazani valley, the smell coming from the bakeries, a variety of fancy castles and small family-owned wine cellars and vineyards.

Day trips to Sighnaghi :

Sighnaghi is known for having some of the best wine producers in Georgia. Going on a day tour from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi will not only allow you to see the highlights of this beautiful town but you’ll also get to taste some of the best wines in Georgia (and you’ll arrive safely back in Tbilisi afterward):

How to get to Sighnaghi:

It’s quite easy to get to Sighnaghi from Tbilisi by public transport. Take the minibus to Sighnaghi at the Samgori Metro Station in Tbilisi. The ride takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and it costs 6 GEL.

Where to stay in Sighnaghi:

There are many lovely guesthouses in Sighnaghi . You can already find a room for $15/night for 2 people. If you travel by yourself, you can find a bed in a dorm for $8/night:

• Zandarashvili Guest House
• Nana’s Guest House
• Boutique Hotel BelleVue
• Villa Royal
• Lost Ridge Inn, Brewery & Ranch

11. Shatili Khevsureti 

Shatili Khevsureti is a mysterious medieval fortress village, surrounded by huge green mountains. Be sure that the diversity of the scenery will amaze any traveler and inspire incurable travel lust in everyone. 

Modern life hasn’t penetrated this region in Georgia yet. Locals put all of their efforts into pleasing their guests, assuring that they are always comfortable and happy.

During important feasts, the local people put on their folk costumes and go to the church where ancient pagan traditions, mixed with Christian beliefs, are still being practiced.

Hiking Tour to Shatili

Shatili is a destination for outdoor and hiking lovers! As it’s not so easy to get there and navigate the trails by yourself, I’d recommend going on a hiking tour with a professional guide.

On my 14-day Best of Georgia Trekking Adventure , you’ll visit the highlights of the Khevsureti region (including Shatili) and Tusheti (see above). You’ll go on off-the-beaten-path hikes in both regions. It’s a tour that gets highly rated!

How to get to Shatili:

Shatili is about 140 km north of Tbilisi. Because of the snow, the road is only accessible from May to October.

Since you have to cross the Datvijvari pass, I highly recommend taking a minibus from Didube Metro station (it costs about $15), or renting a 4X4 car with an experienced local driver , because the road is unpaved and dangerous.

Where to stay in Shatili:

There are currently just a couple of guesthouses in Shatili. Check their availability here . There are also plenty of camping areas close to the river.

Juta is the most peaceful and green place in Georgia and one of the most popular climbing and trekking areas among professional climbers. There are also many equally pleasant walks to be done around the village.

Day Tour to Juta

The easiest way to reach Juta is by going on a guided day tour from Tbilisi or Kazbegi . Here are two tours I recommend:

From Tbilisi to Juta:

From Kazbegi to Juta:

How to get to Juta:

There are no buses going directly from Tbilisi to Juta.

You can take a minibus from Didube Station in Tbilisi to Stepantsminda for only 10 GEL ($4 – $5). The journey takes around 3 hours. Once you’re in Stepantsminda you can rent a Delica or any other 4×4 car to reach Juta, which is 24 km away. This will cost around 80 GEL.

Where to stay in Juta:

Whether you’re looking for a nice camping spot or a beautiful wooden guest house to stay at, Juta will suit all your needs. Check their prices and availability here .

13. Kazbegi (Stepandsminda)

Kazbegi is really an amazing travel spot for every taste and budget. From luxury lovers to hitchhikers, everyone can find something here to his or her liking.

There are plenty of walks through the amazing valleys and one will lead you to the Gergeti Trinity Church, located at an altitude of 2170m.

On the way from Tbilisi to Kazbegi, along the Military Highway, you’ll pass the Ananuri Castle, the Jinvaly water reservoir, the Sto Head sculptures and the Russia-Georgia friendship monument.

How to get to Kazbegi:

You can take a minibus from Didube Station in Tbilisi to Stepantsminda for only 10 GEL ($4 – $5). The journey takes around 3 hours.

You can also go on a day tour from Tbilisi to Kazbegi and visit all the main sights in one day:

Where to stay in Kazbegi

You can put up your tent facing the stunningly beautiful Mount Kazbek (5047 m) and enjoy nature’s grand surroundings. If this is not your thing, there are plenty of guesthouses where you can book a room for 2 people starting from €20/night.

Here are my recommendations for Kazbegi:

• Anano Guesthouse (prices starting from €8 p.p.)
• Giorgi’s Guesthouse (starting from €18 p.p.)
• Wooden Hotel Kazbegi (starting from €30 p.p.)

14. Martvili Canyon

Martvili is located in the Samegrelo region in the western part of Georgia, about 280km from Tbilisi. Despite its remote location, it’s one of the more popular places to visit in Georgia.

The Martvili Canyon is a little oasis of emerald green mossy trees, 70-meters high rock walls, cascading waterfalls and turquoise-blue natural pools.

The Canyon used to serve as the bathing place for the Dadiani Family, Georgian nobles who used to rule over Samegrelo.

You can take a boat ride down the 300-meter long river through the canyon (for USD $15 per person) or follow the 700-meter long walking path leading to limestone bridges and viewing decks where you can see the waterfalls up close.

Martvili Canyon is a National Park of Protected Area so you can only visit it during opening hours (from 10 am until 6 pm). The entrance fee is 17,5 Gel (around USD $6).

You can also book the following day trip from Tbilisi, Kutaisi or Batumi to the Martvili Canyon:

How to get to Martvili Canyon from Tbilisi:

Minibusses leave every day from Tbilisi Didube bus station to Martvili (20 GEL).

Where to stay in Martvili:

Here are my 2 top recommendations for Martvili:

• Novel House
• Karma Hostel

15. The Tea Route in Guria

Guria is one of the least-visited regions of Georgia, famous for its rich culture and natural wonders, including mineral waters, alpine meadows, green forests, and sandy beaches.

Here you can feel the real vibes of rural Georgia, catch a glimpse of the sun setting on the Black Sea, enjoy magnificent views, pick berries and mushrooms in the forest, and cuddle up by the campfire, wake to the faint hint of the early morning sunlight and enjoy the sweet sounds of nature.

Guria is also known for its tea fields . Plump wild blueberries hang like treasure in Guria’s mountains from July until September.

Oceans of wild blueberry bushes blanket the slopes. Each spring, families from mountainous villages across Western Georgia head into the forests and hillsides to pluck the young leaves of these bushes, as generations before them.

They hand roll the leaves to make wild blueberry leaf tea, a delicious tea that tastes like black tea with notes of blueberry.

If you decide to visit Guria, I highly recommend following its newly introduced Tea Route ! I also recommend reading t h i s in-depth travel guide to Guria .

Book a Tea tour in Guria

I highly recommend booking the guided day tour to Guria to follow the Tea Route and learn about the interesting history and tea culture in Georgia:

How to get to Guria

The best place to get to Guria is Ozurgeti, the main municipality of the region.

There’s a train from Tbilisi to Ozurgeti, which departs in the early morning (check the train schedule here ). It takes about 9 hours to get to Ozurgeti as it’s an old slow train (but worth the journey and experience!) Tickets cost between 10 to 35 GEL and can be bought online or at the station.

You can also take a marshrutka (minivan) from every major town and city in Georgia to Ozurget. From Tbilisi, the journey takes around 6 hours.

Where to stay in Guria:

You can find many nice guesthouses in the region of Guria. Here are some I recommend:

• Menabde Winery
• Dumbo Eco Parc

A Guide to Georgian Tea – From Past to Present

Are there any places you would add to this list? Are you having plans to travel to Georgia? Let me know in the comments!

Related Posts:

How to visit Tusheti National Park in 2024, Georgia’s most beautiful and remote region

Georgia Itinerary – 3 Great Travel Itineraries to see the best of Georgia (country) in 2024

The Complete Svaneti Georgia Travel Guide – 21 Things to do in the Wild Heart of the Caucasus Mountains

How to get to the Chronicles of Georgia in Tbilisi

The Complete Georgia Travel Guide: 19 Useful Things you should know for backpacking in Georgia in 2024

10 Beautiful Historical Places in Georgia (country)

More georgia travel resources.

• Guide to Tbilisi , Georgia’s capital city
• Visit the 15 most beautiful and unique places in Georgia
• Plan your trip with these 3 awesome Georgia travel itineraries
• Discover the Chronicle of Georgia , Tbilisi’s hidden gem
• Guide to Batumi, Georgia’s most quirky beach city
• Hiking in Georgia: 7 beautiful off-the-beaten path hikes
• Visiting ghosts of the past in Chiatura, the cable car city of Georgia
• Visit Katskhi Pillar , the most incredible cliff church in the world
• Travel Guide to Vardzia , the ancient cave city of Georgia
• Visit Svaneti , the wild heart of Georgia
• Visit Tusheti , Georgia’s most remote region
• Visit these 10 beautiful historical places in Georgia
• Everything you need to know about skiing in Georgia
• 10 Georgian dishes you absolutely have to try
• Georgia, motherland of wine
• From Past to Present, a guide to Georgian Tea

94 thoughts on “15 Amazing and Unique Places to Visit in Georgia”

Interesting website with a lot of info. Thanks.

Google maps lists to cave towns named Vardzia. https://maps.app.goo.gl/CnLGbeu2LWfK8m3J7 https://maps.app.goo.gl/fZAxgEMLevQgtwsC6 They are at totally different locations. One is near little village Gogasheni, in the Mtkvari Canyon The other near Lakhundara and Achara. Are they both cave towns? Which is the one you describe? Kind regards Frank

Hi Frank, here’s the correct location of the Vardzia Caves, the one I describe. Google Maps isn’t always accurate in Georgia…

Hi Dear, We are planning our visit in the upcoming month of October ( end of October around 25th Oct) and will be there for a week. Can you tell us the must-cover places and also what would be weather out there? I and my husband are visiting and we would love to see the village, nature, its culture, wine history etc

Hi Pooja, if you have a week, I would highly recommend visiting Svaneti as it will be beautiful in autumn. It’s hard to predict the weather but definitely bring warm clothes for the evenings. For wine history, you should visit Telavi and Sighnaghi in the Kakheti region.

Thanks, Cynthia, We were thinking of covering Kazbegi and Juta in the mountain region instead of Svaneti, what do you suggest among the two?

If you want to go to a less-visited mountainous area, then Juta will be nice. Svaneti is stunning with its tower houses and the mountains there are also very beautiful but more touristy.

Hi this is an excellent post…I’m planning to visit Georgia around Middle of March for around 6 to 7 days..Could you please suggest a good itinerary…would love to have a village stay n visit some important places..thank you

Hi Santosh, I’m happy to refer you to my Georgia Itinerary Post . Check out the backpacker’s route and cultural route for itinerary inspiration. Hope this helps!

I am visiting Georgia for 4 days in first week of May.

Could you please let me know what are the places I can cover. (mostly by public transport)

Also if you can share me a map with all the public transport route. That would be appreciated.

Hi Souvik, this itinerary might help you: https://www.journalofnomads.com/georgia-itinerary/

Hello Cynthia,

I would like to ask you for help. Me and my partner are planning to visit Georgia by july 2023 for 10 days, may you please recommend us some towns or cities to visit that include historical places, bridges, natural, restaurants and shopping places. Thank You for your help

Hello Mariam,

Please see my Georgia Itinerary as this guide will give you lots of ideas and recommendations on what to do in Georgia for 10 days! If anything isn’t clear, let me know 🙂 Best wishes, Cynthia

Hi dear we are visiting Georgia in December month end. Do you have any recommendation of city to spend on? We have 7 nights.

What would you mainly like to see and do? Are you more interested in big cities, small towns or nature? Depending on your preferences, I can give you recommendations 🙂

nice article…is it possible to visit all these places during December? or any places to avoid during this month?

Thank you! Not all these places are accessible during December, like Tusheti and certain villages in Svaneti, due to snowfall.

Hi, I am planning to visit georgia in the month of noenjoyvember for 7 to 9 days with wife and 2 daughters (5 yrs and 8 month old).We are looking for calm short vaccation,so we would like to stay at places were we can enjoy the nature peacefully.can you suggest some places, thank you.

Hi Ajmal, have a look at this post: https://www.journalofnomads.com/georgia-travel-itinerary/ It includes 3 itineraries with places that you’ll enjoy! On the top of my head, I’d suggest Kazbegi and Sighnaghi.

Thanks a lot This post is really helpful Was planning to put a schedule for the last few days & find it difficult But your review make the life easy

Happy to hear this Aalaa!!

Hii I am also planning to travel georgia in the month of July. Will I be able to see Ice and I have only 4 days and places are more. What best I can do in this short span visit. Can you suggest.

Hi Ruchika, to answer your question, it depends on what you’d like to see/do. I’m not sure if you’re still going to be able to see ice and snow as it probably will all have melted by July. Would you like to go to the mountains, do you want to see historic places and/or cities,…? Let me know and I can give you suggestions 🙂

Just tripped over this and I love the info. Well done! I’m a “young” active 65 year old looking to start traveling alone to places more intriguing than Paris or Rome( which I love ,but…)

Tbilisi is a great and safe city to visit by yourself Sourab! 🙂

Hi Cynthia, Thanks for this list!! My husband and I are planning to spend 6 weeks in Georgia this summer, and we’re looking for a home-base that will provide a balance of culture and nature. Preferably a historic town or village, with restaurants within walking distance, where we can work from home and which will be a good base for weekend hiking adventures. We love good food, (we REALLY love Georgian wine), and we love hard hikes in high altitude. There are so many interesting places in Georgia, we are having a hard time narrowing our search. We’d appreciate your recommendation!

Hi Aubrey, I’m happy to hear this post was useful! What I would recommend in your situation is to spend 2 weeks in a different region. F.eg. 2 weeks in Sighnaghi (you’ll love it there as a wine lover ;)), 2 weeks in Kazbegi and 2 weeks in Mestia (Svaneti). I’d highly recommend Omalo in Tusheti for the hiking opportunities but I assume you need internet for your work? There should be a decent enough wifi connection in the 3 towns I recommended (except if you’re an online teacher, then I’d recommend Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi to have fast internet :)). I hope this helps? Let me know if you’d have more questions!

THANK YOU Cynthia!! XOXO Aubrey

Great article! Traveling is awesome in Georgia! I lived in Batumi for several months and visited Tbilisi often, too. Only 5 hours by train, super easy! 🙂 It seems like – long-term – these are two most popular cities to live, or would you recommend another city where it is fun to stay for a few months? thanks a lot!

Hi Lana, glad to hear you enjoyed my article! I think that Tbilisi and Batumi are probably the most fun cities to live for expats who like social activities and events. It really depends on what you’re looking for of course. Sighnaghi is beautiful and, as I’m an outdoor lover, I wouldn’t mind living for a while in f.eg. Mestia (Svaneti) as I’d be so close to the mountains!:)

We have visited Georgia last year and rented a 4×4 Toyota 4Runner at GSS Car Rental. It’s a local company and they have a lot of other 4×4 SUV’s available for rent. I can recommend GSS as they have a really good service…

Thank you for your suggestion Viktor!

Just want to say thanks, this website Inspired my travels to Georgia last year. I used these details base from my travels and went to 10 of the 15 places recommended (they were amazing). Some prices had gone up slightly but most of the information was still relevant. Not many websites have practical details on how to get around and expected prices to pay which was useful. thanks 🙂

Hi Kim, I’m so happy to hear this! I’m very glad that my website inspired your travels and super happy you had a great time there!

thanks for this topic

You’re welcome 🙂

Hello! Great blog post – Very informative. What is the weather in Georgia (mainly Tbilisi) like in April? I have read different accounts online, but since you live there, I thought you’d have a very localized perspective. Thank you!!

Hi Mikhail, we currently don’t live in Georgia anymore but we’ll return there this April 😀 There will still be snow in the mountains in April but the weather should be nice in Tbilisi. Some showers, soft temperatures around 15 degrees Celcius,… Of course we’re not weathermen and lately, the climate has been very unusual so we can’t predict how the weather will be this year 😉

I had never been to Georgia. But after reading this article I would love to go and visit destinations you have mentioned above.

Hi John, this is really great to hear! Georgia is a destination we definitely recommend as we had a fantastic time there visiting all these beautiful and unique places!

Hey, great post! Just one correction. Tbilisi was established in the 5th century but there wasn’t a Georgia to be capital of. It’s been a capital of Georgia since 12th century (1122). It would be great if you corrected that. And one question, how is the weather for visiting in early May?

Hi, can I ask for the source of this info please? From the resources I found is that Tbilisi was the capital of Iberia (present-day eastern Georgia) at the beginning of the 6th century, so according to my sources, this info is correct 🙂

The weather in early May is nice, it will still be chilly in the mountains but it will be nice and soft in Tbilisi, Batumi,…

How is March 15-30 , in terms of travelling to Georgia? Will it be very cold and will most places be inaccessible?

It will still be cold in Georgia in March but most places should be accessible, with the exception of Tusheti and maybe Racha.

Hi! we are traveling to Poti, Georgia to visit family. We want to stop in Tbilisi as well. Are there any cities that you would recommend visiting in between Poti and Tbilisi?

Depending on how much time you have, you could visit Kutaisi, Chatura, the Katskhi Pillar, Borjomi and Mtskheta.

Wishing you a great trip!

The list is amazing and awesome, It is just wonderful getting knowledge about these beautiful places and will definitely add it in my bucket list. All these places and pictures look amazing!

Thank you 🙂 Georgia is definitely worthy of your bucket list 😉

A chic country with amazing nature and very hospitable people. Food, wine, music … Thanks for your story. Very beautiful photos.

Hi Tori, glad to hear you enjoyed my photos and article. And yes, Georgia is such a great country. We’re going to return soon!

Hi Cynthia & niko Amazing post with Detials , going through your post I am confused where to go, I need your suggestion, I want to stay in nature (green fields ) and star gaze at night, where do you suggest.? I am planning to go on November for maximum 7 days

Hi Wahdawi, thank you! I’m glad to hear you enjoy this post!

If you want nature, go to Kazbegi or Svaneti. The road towards these places will still be accessible in November and you’ll see plenty of green fields and stars there! Enjoy your trip!!

I also enjoyed myself while I was visiting this kind of places.

Happy to hear Marckel!

addendum to Susie & Katie last query– we are now actually wondering if yo could advise us on our dream itinerary, with the intent of knowing if it is realistic for us to think we can drive a 4WD and not do marshrutki (of course we know that some smaller roads will be closed if there are blizzards and/or avalanches) Day 1: Arrive Tblisi Day 2 & 3: in Tblisi Day 4: Drive to Vardzia cave city Day 6: drive to Kutaisa Day 7: to Ushguli Day 9: to Kazbegi Day 13: to Tblisi, seeing Mtskheta en route Day 14:Tblisi Day 15: day trip Davit Gareja Day 17: home from Tblisi

Hi Susie & Katie, it might be possible that the road from Mestia to Ushguli won’t be accessible during December and January. You’ll be able to drive to Mestia and ask around in the town if the road to Ushguli is open. Same counts for Kazbegi. Just take your time to drive there as it might be very slippery and dangerous on the windy roads. If you’re not sure about the road conditions, ask the locals. They’ll be able to tell you whether it’s safe or not to go.

Wishing you happy and safe travels in Georgia! It will be beautiful and magical in winter!

hello! we are planing a trip to Georgia this December/January and we are finding your website very interesting indeed! We have one question– we take a lot of trips and love to rent a car to have the freedom to come and go as we please. We think this will be fine on the big main roads in Georgia with a 4-WD . However we would like to know if you can tell us about the smaller roads and a 4WD. For example, we would like to spend a few days in Tblisi then rent a car and go to Vardzia cave monastery. It looks like the road would be find for 4WD to Akhaltsihe but from there to Vardzia? We see there is a marshrutka f or that last leg but that would mean getting there intme for that or spending another day. So in short, can you say anything about driving on Georgia roads in winter with a 4WD? Thanks, Susie & Katie

Hi Susie & Katie,

You’ll be fine driving on most roads in Georgia during the winter. The main thing you’ll have to watch out for are the other drivers 😉 :D. The Georgians can drive a bit crazy on the roads (they love speeding and overtaking in the most impossible places) but it should be fine for you to drive. If you’re planning on going into the mountains, just make sure you have snow tires and be careful for slippery roads. Wishing you a great trip!!

I’m getting prepared for running the marathon in Erbil in October. On the way there I’ll need to train. Where do you recommend to run in Georgia? My idea for my 20 km training was Batumi. What do you think?

Hi Diana, I’m not familiar with the marathon in Erbil so I’m not sure on which terrain you have to run there. But the boulevard in Batumi is definitely a nice place for running! Niko often went for a morning run when we were living there so I’d say you’ll enjoy your training there. Wishing you all the best with the marathon!!

Really very nice !

Thank you Hussain! 🙂

Name of the river in Tbilisi is MTKVARI not kura !!!!

Hi Natia, as you can read, I’ve mentioned that the river in Tbilisi is called Mtkvari and that it’s also known as the Kura river.

KURA it is in russian language and thats why I said so Mtkvari it is in Georgian language. thanks for your reply and attention.

Tbilisi is one of the best places to visit in Georgia middle in the country nice place, I have been there the food is very much delicious and you will find new and unique recipes I might advice do try if you love food.

Yes, we totally agree with you Kanika! The food in Georgia and Tbilisi is finger-licking-delicious!! Tbilisi is also a really fun city to explore! It sounds like you had a great time there :)!

What a fabulous list, just thinking about the landscape and the food of Georgia wants me to go back!

Thank you Sarah! Yes, those are definitely two great reasons to return to Georgia! Ever since our stay there, we always look out for a Georgian restaurant, haha!

There’s a Korean program called “Wizard of Nowhere” that sent six celebrities to Georgia to meet the people while trying their homemade wine and cheese. Watching that show is what eventually led me to your site. Maybe someday I’ll be able to visit these beautiful places.

Hi Jenny, I never heard about this Korean program but I suppose it must be very entertaining to watch! 😀 I hope you get the chance to visit Georgia one day as it’s an absolutely beautiful destination!! We’ll return one day, that’s for sure!

I am surprised you did not put info on Prometheus Cave – I thought it is gorgeous ;)…

Hi Rati, we also visited the Prometheus Cave and it’s indeed very beautiful! We’ve seen similar caves like this one in other countries and this list is about the unique places that you can only find in Georgia 🙂 But you’re right, the Prometheus Cave is also worth a visit!

We had a project in Social Studies about Asia, and my assigned country happens to be Georgia, it was a total help and made me more interested with this country! Thanks a lot 🙂

Hi Jenel, oh, that’s really cool! When are you going to Georgia and what is your project about?

Sorry to interrupt you . But Georgia is thought to be Europe or else the gate between Europe and Asia it;s not Asia <3

I love mtskheta and I find it very beautiful, especially because of the cuisine.

Hi Denis, Mtskheta is indeed a very special place! What was your favorite dish there? Any recommendations for other travelers where they can enjoy the local cuisine in Mtskheta?

Hey guys ! Thank you for sharing these amazing tips . It definitely made our research easier and provided us with some sort of confidence in pulling this through. Just about to plan a little 5 day escapade to Georgia 😍… its not long but we’re hoping to enjoy the scenery, green sights , some good long hikes and in general nature with a splash of monuments and hystorical sights on the way . My Bf and I are planning to rent a 4×4 and drive through . Maybe get a guesthouse for a bit of comfort at some point but otherwise car attached 😁. I saw u had an itinerary you were planning to post a link for .. any chance you can share that ? Thanks again and happy safe travels ahead of you !

Hi Carmen, it’s great to hear from you and I’m very happy to hear you enjoyed this article! Traveling in Georgia by car is a fun way to explore the country but be careful, not for the windy roads but for the other drivers 😉 Here’s the link to the itineraries, you’ll be able to pick out the places you want to see in those 5 days you’re there: https://www.journalofnomads.com/travel-itineraries-georgia/ Have a beautiful trip and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have more questions!

Very nice article. Come back to see Racha! Should be the 16th if not before on the list 🙂

Thank you Teo and yes, we’d love to go back to Georgia! There are still so many amazing places we have to visit there!

Awesome post. Can’t wait now to explore this beautiful place. I will definitely like to plan a trip this vacation so that even my family can enjoy it.Keep sharing such useful posts.

Thank you Monica! I’m currently working on several travel itineraries for Georgia which I’ll publish in the coming week. Georgia is a wonderful country and there are so many things to see and do there! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as much as Niko and I did 🙂 Happy travels!!

Good to see Indian Replying and reading articles.

I think you’ve got just about everything covered here. I can’t think of any place to add! Maybe hiking in Lagodekhi? Or something about wine harvest…

Thanks, great to hear that 🙂 Oh yes, Lagodekhi looks very beautiful! We’ll visit that area in the coming month before leaving Georgia. Maybe we’ll call this article ’16 amazing places’ 😉

Great article. We’ve been meaning to return to Georgia and you’ve just given us 11 new reasons why. 😉

Thanks Tim! Haha, glad to hear that. Did you already book your trip? 😉

Really wonderful article! Thank you all for loving and appreciating my country. In rhe beginning of this article , there was mentioned that in Georgia there are many beautiful and amazing places and it’s true! I would add to this list “Prometheus Cave” which is located in Imereti Region, near Tzkaltubo. Also in Samegrelo Region you must visit lake “Tobavarchkhili”. And of course Tusheti Region! Tusheti is the Eastern Caucasus, at 900 – 4 800 meters above sea leveland it is one of the biggest and high altitude parks on the territory of Europe. This is the places which suddenly came in my mind. But believe me there are also many wonderful places to visit. Best wishes 😉

Thank you Tamar! <3 There are so many wonderful places in Georgia that it was hard to make a selection for a post and not write a book 😉 Thank you for your recommendations Tamar! We heard about Tusheti but haven't made it there yet. We hope to visit the area before leaving Georgia!!

Really awesome practical info and great pics! Can’t wait to get back to Georgia and see more of the country!

Thank you Megan! When did you visit Georgia? Did you go to any of the places that are mentioned in the post?

Super useful stuff. Will definitely try to visit all of these once we’re back in Georgia. Thanks a lot!

Thanks guys! Are you planning on returning to Georgia soon? I’m sure you’ll love Chiatura (watch out with the chacha this time 😉 )!

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The Top 10 Places to Visit in the Country of Georgia

This tiny country is Europe's best-kept secret

When you think of "Georgia," you probabably think of Atlanta, peach trees and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport , the hub of Delta Air Lines. Georgia is also home to ancient citadels, ornate Eastern Orthodox Cathedrals, a budding wine culture and some of the tallest mountains in the world. The other Georgia, anyway.

With all due respect to the home of the Brave(s), the country of Georgia (known in the Georgian language as "Sakartvelo") offers a richness of experience for travelers with which the state just can't participate. The country of Georgia may be much farther away than the state, but it's well worth a visit. Here are the top 10 places to visit in Georgia.

Narikala Fortress

Emad Aljumah/Getty Images

Tbilisi's Narikala Fortress isn't technically ancient, even though it occupies a very old site. The 13th century church that originally sat perched above Tbilisi's Old City burned down, and most of what currently exists was built in the late 1990s. Still, this is a must-see when you come to Georgia, if only because of the panorama it offers of Tbilisi's city center and the Kura River, which snakes through town. If you don't feel like hiking up to the fortress, which takes about 15-20 minutes, ride the cable car inside.

Sameba Cathedral

Nutexles/Getty Images

One of the most conspicuous Tbilisi attractions you can see from Narikala is the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, known colloquially as Sameba. Whether you see it from afar or close up, it's most beautiful at night, when it lights up in a bright golden color that beautiful contrasts it from the more dim tones of the surrounding neighborhood. Sameba is the world's third-largest Eastern Orthodox church as of 2018, and is one of the largest religious structure on the planet in general.

Stepantsminda and Mount Kazbeg

Emad Aljumah/Getty Images 

Georgia is a treasure trove of Orthodox architecture, it so happens, with another beautiful example being the hilltop 14th century Gergeti Trinity Church, located in the Caucasus Mountains a few hours north of Tbilisi. From the town of Stepantsminda, the nearest settlement to the church, it's about 90-minutes on foot at a brisk pace on a relatively steep incline. On a clear day, you can spot Mount Kazbeg (one of the highest peaks in the Caucasus Mountains) towering above the church from many points in the town, including the Rooms Hotel.

Davit Gareja Cliff Monastery

Juergen Rittenbach/Getty Images

Want to see an amazing religious site in Georgia, but can't devote an entire day and night to visiting Kazbegi? Another option would be to take a day trip from Tbilisi to Davit Gareja, a massive monastery complex a couple of hours from the city that's literally carved into a mountainside. Tour buses to Davit Gareja, which dates back to the 6th century, leave from Tbilisi's Freedom Square every morning.

Batumi's Black Sea Coast

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Not in a religious mood and aren't a mountain person? Not to worry. Though relatively short in length, Georgia's Black Sea coast is idyllic, and the city of Batumi has some lovely beaches to visit. One of the things many visitors to Georgia love about the city beach in Batumi is the fact that it's made of rocks, not sand. This means not only that the water is clearer, but that you won't get sand everywhere when you sunbathe!

Kakheti's Wineries

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Among the many reasons Georgia is rising to mainstream prominence? The country's long-secret wine scene (the Caucasus region is arguably where the modern wine tradition was born) is gaining more and more positive press, from the honey-sweet white wine Tvishi to fruity Aguna rosé. Popular wineries in the Kakheti region southeast of Tbilisi include Pheasant's Tears and Shumi Winery Khaketi.

Historical Sighnaghi

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Like Narikala in Tbilisi, much of the town of Sighnaghi (which, like the wineries listed above, is also located in the Kakheti region of Georgia) is significantly re-built. However, if you can overlook this fact, this is sure to be one of your favorite Georgia destinations. Notable Sighnaghi attractions include the Bobde Monastery, which sits just outside the town center, and eighth-century Kvelatsminda Church. A day or two in Sighnaghi town pairs perfectly (pun very much intended) with a trip to one or more of the Georgia wineries listed above.

Stalin's Hometown

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Although Joseph Stalin and his mythology are mostly associated with Russia, he actually hails from Georgia (which was, to be fair, a Soviet Republic, albeit a reluctant one). Apart from the massive Stalin Statue and extensive Stalin Museum that sits in the center of Gori Town, you can visit the ancient Gori Fortress or Uplistsikhe, an architectural site that dates back to the Iron Age. Keep in mind that while locals here are proud of the fact that Stalin hails from here, it's probably not a good idea to confuse them as being Russian, or to refer to them as such.

Affordable Ski Resorts: Bakuriana and Pasanauri

TripSavvy / Jamie Ditaranto

Thrifty European skiers have long known Georgia as an affordable alternative to the slopes of France and Switzerland, and a beautiful one as well. The country's Caucasus mountains are every bit as beautiful as the Alps, and their comparative lack of development makes them arguably more charming. While some would-be Georgia skiers might feel doubtful about their decision after video footage of a recent mishap circulated online , resorts like Bakuriani and Pasanauri are generally very safe, and are always an incredible value.

Tbilisi's Rustaveli Avenue

 Emad Aljumah/Getty Images

Tbilisi is not only where Georgia begins for most travelers, but also where it tends to end, being the location of the country's main international airport. Presuming you follow the advice on this list and devote the first part of your Georgia trip to seeing Tbilisi's ancient sites, spend your last day or two in the country walking up and down cosmopolitan Rustaveli Avenue. Whether you enjoy high-end shopping, having a coffee or cocktail in trendy cafés that evoke Western Europe or simply watching the sunset over Freedom Square, you're sure to have a lovely time in Tbilisi.

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Georgia , Inspiration

25 incredible places to visit in georgia (the country).

One of the travel hotspots currently is the fantastic country of Georgia in the Caucasus.  A perk of traveling there is that the entire country is picturesque and has something to offer.  This is a guide of the best places to visit in Georgia (country) , hand-picked by other travel bloggers and myself.

This list is in random order and there are certain places that fit into other regions noted on the list.  We know- but we thought some of the places needed their own section even if they are part of another region (ie: Sighnaghi in Kakheti).  

We are also aware that depending on where you’re from, you may not consider all of these places to be in Georgia.  This post is not meant to be political.  So, please just take it for what it’s worth… and visit Georgia!

Unique Places to Visit in Georgia

My first trip to Georgia was far before tourism really picked up there (nearly a decade ago).  One thing that has stayed true about the Caucasian country is that it has so much to offer visitors and is truly one of the best travel destinations.

Now that I live in the Caucasus, I tend to visit the same places over and over in the region.  So, I recruited some help from other bloggers to talk about all the awesome places in Georgia that you can visit!  

If we left anywhere off of this list and it deserves to be here, please drop it in the comments!  Thanks so much.

Editor’s Choice

Kazbegi is a must-visit place if you find yourself in Georgia. Located in the high Caucasus mountains, it offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole country. Any lover of nature would be crazy not to go and make a trip there!

It has incredible hiking and is actually named after the largest mountain called Mount Kazbeg. There are also walking trails accessible for someone that wants to take it a bit easier, or even horseback riding if you’re feeling extra adventurous.

An absolute must, though, is visiting the famous Gergeti Trinity Church. There is nothing like seeing it in person, with the grand Mount Kazbeg directly in front of it.

It is the perfect place to truly unwind. There is a sense of peace that comes from feeling isolated and being in a village. It is about a 3-hour drive from Tbilisi and takes you along the Georgian Military Highway, which is one of the most beautiful roads in the country (or frightening in my case!).

Stepantsminda is the main town in the region and has everything you could need. That is where you will find accommodation, restaurants, bars, supermarkets, etc. Click here to read our experiences visiting Kazbegi .

Akhaltsikhe

Recommended by Diana at Czech Souls

Akhaltsikhe, the capital of Samtskhe-Javakheti is mostly known as an entry point to Vardzia. Many people just rush through, but the city and especially its renowned sight – Rabati Fortress – shouldn’t be overlooked.

This fortress resembles a castle and has a very rich history that is not only Georgian but also Ottoman. It has been renovated in the past decade and it feels like an oasis with its intact and well-kept gardens.

We have visited it early in the morning and that’s what I’d suggest to anyone as we had the whole fortress for ourselves. It is well worth it to climb some of the towers as the view is no less beautiful than the fortress itself.

Should you stay in Akhaltsikhe overnight, get a room with a view of Rabati because it is beautifully lit at night. Otherwise, Akhaltsikhe has a great connection with all major Georgian cities and Armenia by marshrutkas.

It can also serve as a perfect base for your trips around the south of Georgia to both well-known destinations such as Borjomi and Bakuriani and lesser-known ones such as Tmogvi, Khertvitsi, or Mtsvane.

Tbilisi has everything you would want in a city; unique and beautiful architecture, absolutely delicious food, a very hip crowd, but also a calmer and quieter old town. It was founded in 458 and was perfectly positioned to be the route between western and eastern Transcaucasia.

It was captured by The Turks on several occasions and later burned down by the Persians and in 1921 made the capital of Georgia. Luckily, what you see now is an incredibly unique place to visit.

Some fun things to do around the city are going on a ride on the funicular and exploring that area and if the weather is nice you can stroll around the botanical garden, visit the Dry Bridge Market, or take a walking tour where you can see some of the most important sights.

Some delicious places you can eat are Lolita, Salobie Bia, and for the most delicious Adjarian khachapuri, head to Retro. Tbilisi is known for its nightlife, some of the more popular clubs are Bassiani and KHIDI. They are usually only open on the weekends and Bassiani requires registration.

Tbilisi is not only a fantastic summer destination but it also shines during the winter.  Check out all the things to do in Tbilisi in winter here.

Recommended by Matěj at Czech the World

Vardzia is a huge cave monastery town in southern Georgia that was constructed in the second half of the 12th century during the golden age of Tamar the Great and Rustaveli.

It was abandoned after the Ottoman takeover in the 16th century. Nowadays, it’s part of a state heritage reserve and has been submitted for future inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

It’s around 500 m long and 19 tiers high. There are more than 400 rooms including 12 chapels, 25 wine cellars, church, bakery, and many other interesting things.

It’s pretty far from all the other popular attractions and the journey there is quite long, however, it’s totally worth it. One can spend several hours wandering through dozens of different caves and tunnels.

The opening hours are every day except Mondays from 1000 to 1900. The last visitors are allowed in at 1800. If you are a student, don’t forget to bring your student card because they have a huge discount for the entrance.

Visiting Vardzia is definitely one of the most amazing things to do in Georgia .

Adjara Region

Recommended by Amy at The Wayfarer’s Book

The mountains of Svaneti and Tusheti often get all the love from tourists in Georgia, but the mountains in Adjara are a real delight.

The region itself is well-known because of Batumi (see below) and its stretch of beaches, but if you dig a little further inland you’ll reach the Lesser Caucasus mountains.

One of the most adventurous things to do in Adjara is riding the Khulo cable car . This small red vessel soars 350 meters over a valley to connect the villages of Khulo and Tago — where blissfully the only thing to do is hang out in a local’s garden and order some coffee.

Traveling in Adjara is definitely for the bold! While there is plenty of hiking you can do, they are often more than just day trips.

However, there are loads of guesthouses and the people are incredibly friendly. The tourism office at Khulo was very helpful in giving me ideas of what else to do in the area. If you’re looking for off-the-beaten-track Georgia, this is definitely it!

Batumi is definitely most popular because it is located on the coast of the Black Sea and it is aptly known as Georgia’s Black Sea city. For the most part, the tourists are there to enjoy laying out in the sun but there are many other wonderful things to do.

Another great aspect of the city is its eccentric architecture. The flashy buildings are what allows it to be compared to Las Vegas often.

Batumi is part of the republic of Adjar where 30%o of the population is Muslim. The last remaining mosque in the city is the Orta Jame, which is quite small but an interesting place to visit.

Biking around the city is also highly recommended as there is nothing like feeling that freedom in such a beautiful place!

If you like hiking, the botanical garden is absolutely perfect; it is a steep walk, but once you reach the top the view of the Black Sea is superb!

Some of the best spots to eat are Retro, for the Adjarian khachapuri, Privet iz Batuma, BatuMarani for some Georgian dishes, and Cafe Adjar for some Adjarian specialties.

There are many options for getting to Batumi from Tbilisi and you can see them in our previously linked guide.

Tusheti (Omalo)

Recommended by Alex and Malin at Timezone Junkies

Taking a drive up to Omalo and the region of Tusheti is no small feat. Every year people die on this treacherous road that is only open from May to October due to bad weather and road conditions. 

But don’t let that put you off.  Georgia’s most remote region   will blow you away with its incredible scenery and historic villages.

Arriving in the main village of Omalo, you will have the choice of staying in Upper Omalo or Lower Omalo or, alternatively, you could find a wild camping spot almost anywhere in this grassy plateau.

There are countless tiny villages hidden among the majestic mountains… some abandoned and some with home-stays.  Getting to these little hillside hamlets can be as easy or as challenging as you want.  

The majority of people coming up to Tusheti go there for the spectacular trekking while others come for mountain biking, horse-riding, or just to visit the little villages by taxi (Delica 4×4).

You can get to Tusheti directly from Tbilisi or Telavi or by changing your marshrutka at the towns of Kvemo-Alvani or Zemo-Alvani and they leave when they fill up.

The total trip should cost between 40-70 GEL depending on where you start. 

Kutaisi is Georgia’s third-largest city but it retains an old charm compared to Tbilisi and some of the other cities in Georgia.

It was the former capital and for this reason, it has some important, ancient landmarks. Some of the must-see attractions are the Sataplia Nature Reserve, Prometheus Cave, Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Monastery, and the Parliament building.

Just as important as visiting the sights, is taking time to explore the city. Wander the city and enjoy its architecture, particularly the Lado Meskhishvili State Drama Theatre.

There is also the Green Bazaar; somewhere you can spend hours of your day gawking over the local produce and delicacies.

Food is also a very important part of being in Kutaisi so be sure to enjoy several Imeretian khachapuris! You can go to award-winning Baia’s Wine south of the city or a nice cafe like Sisters.

Recommended by Luda at Adventures with Luda

Most people may know Borjomi as the fancy carbonated mineral water sold all over Eastern Europe… but the actual town from where it’s bottled deserves to be on your “to visit” list as well!

Borjomi is Georgia’s beautiful resort town located in the mountains and it is the perfect place to break up a long trip from Tbilisi to Batumi . One to two days is plenty of time for you to see most of the attractions in Borjomi.

Start your day with a visit to Borjomi Central Park where you can try the famous mineral water for free! There’s a large “kiosk” stand in the middle of the park where workers pour mineral water that’s extracted directly from below.

Don’t forget to take the cable car up to the panoramic viewpoint where you’ll see a gorgeous view of the entire town. From there, take a moment to marvel at the beautiful architecture of the Golden Tulip Borjomi that was originally built in 1892 as a spa facility and later turned into a hotel.

Other popular places to visit in Borjomi include the red-and-yellow striped Romanov Palace, a place that the royal family used to visit at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park.

Whether you want to escape from big city life or simply spend some time in nature, Borjomi is the perfect place to do so.

Gori is the city where Joseph Stalin was born and went to school, and to this day, you can see the Stalinist architecture ever-present in the downtown area.

The most popular attraction of the city is the museum dedicated to him where you can see his belongings and photos of him on display. But, there is far more to Gori than Stalin- I promise!

Another equally important site is the Gori Fortress, located in the middle of the city atop a hill where the view is incredible.

If you enjoy museums, the Sergi Makalatia Gori Historical and Ethnographic Museum is a great place to visit and it’ll help you understand Georgian history further, as well as the Great Patriotic War museum.

The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin is also an important attraction in Gori and you can enjoy the garden outside the building. Lastly, you can visit the Gori Dramatic Theatre and marvel at its typical Soviet architecture.

Some popular places to eat are the Fish House for fresh seafood, Gamardjoba for some authentic Georgian cuisine, and L’avenue for some fresh food and vegetarian options. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t forget to stop by Cafe 22.

Katskhi Pillar

Katskhi Pillar, also known as Katskhi Column, has to be one of the most curious sites Malin and I have ever come across. Perched atop a 40-meter rock face, this perilous lookout is home to a single monk who climbs down the daunting ladder twice a week for supplies.

So why is there a chapel on top of this column and how old is it? After finding remnants of a plate with an inscription in 2007, the hermit cells were dated to the 13th century. However, upon further research, it becomes apparent that the actual age of the chapel is debated and range from the 6th to the 13th century.

Either way it is a fascinating place to visit. They even used to have a wine cellar up there! This would have been a dangerous place to get drunk. Unfortunately it is now closed to the public, but after seeing the ladder that runs up the side of the cliff-face you probably wouldn’t want to climb it anyway. It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted, that is for sure.

If there is anything you would like to change or if you have any questions please feel free to let us know.

Recommended by Emily at Wander-Lush

If you’re looking for an alternative place to visit in Georgia, the city of Chiatura in western Imereti region has a fascinating history.

The city was established to service manganese and iron ore mines after deposits were discovered in the area in the 1870s. It flourished, and by the turn of the century, 60 percent of the world’s manganese ore came from the hills around Chiatura.

To increase productivity, a network of cable cars was built to ferry miners from the center of the city, which sits in a low valley, up to the mines. At its peak in the 1950s, Chiatura had 17 separate aerial cableways crisscrossing its valley.

Many of them are still operational and used by residents on a daily basis (although at the time of writing, the lines are closed for refurbishment). Since the cable cars were built on the orders of Stalin himself, they’re often referred to as ‘Stalin’s ropeways’.

A ride in one of Chiatura’s rusty old ‘flying coffins’ is a nail-biting experience, but it’s worth it for the magnificent views of the valley and city from the top. If you like brutalist architecture, you’ll love Chiatura’s concrete cableway station buildings. Some still have their original hammer-and-sickle insignia above the doorway.

Aside from riding the cable cars, you can visit the Pioneers Palace, central market, and wander the streets, which are full of colorful apartment blocks and reminders of the city’s Soviet past. Chiatura is a quiet but friendly city.

There are a handful of hotels and restaurants, but most people choose to  visit Chiatura  as a day trip from nearby Kutaisi.

The journey takes around 2 hours each way and can easily be done using local marshrutka vans. Along the way, you can stop off at Katskhi Pillar for a view of the iconic monastery.

Recommended by Jyotsna at Wander With Jo

So, a quick overnight stop in Martvili was impromptu. We lucked out and ended up in a cozy guest house owned by the tourism manager of Martvili. He took it upon himself to showcase this amazing offbeat destination to us.

Our overnight stay turned into a 2-night stop and we explored not just the famous Martvili canyon, but also the town’s absolutely stunning and obscure natural wonders.

Martvili has an incredible history to boast off and some of the most beautiful waterfalls I have seen in Georgia. Top attractions in Martvili are – Martvili Monastery, Martvili Regional Museum, Kaghu Waterfall, Balda Canyon, Oghueshi Waterfall, and of course, the tourist attraction of town – the stunning – Martvili Canyon, among others.

We could’ve easily spent at least 2 more days doing a lovely trek recommended to us but we were short of time and Svaneti was calling. If you happen to visit Georgia, don’t skip Martvili!

Georgian Canyons

Recommended by Baia at Red Fedora Diary

Apart from beautiful cities, remote villages with medieval defense towers, and ancient cave towns, Georgia is home to various breathtaking canyons that can be visited as a day trip from Kutaisi or Tbilisi.

Okatse, located in the Imereti region, offers a nice walk on a hanging walkway overlooking a massive gorge. The canyon is 35-50 meters deep and 16 kilometers long, but the infrastructure permits you to only be able to walk 1.5 kilometers of it.

Martvili is the Samegrelo region’s jewel, boasting emerald green water running through the ravine. Unlike Okatse, Martvili doesn’t offer a long walking path to explore the area; the highlight here is a short, 300 meter-long, boat ride through the scenic valley.

Once done, walk for 10 minutes through the moss-covered forest, and you are done with the visit.

For more adventurous souls who’d like to hike a short distance, Dashbashi and Birtvisi Canyons are the best places to visit in Georgia. Both of them are very close to Tbilisi and can be done as a day trip from the capital city.

The main reason to visit Dashbashi Canyon is its cascading waterfall and moss-covered stones under the water creating an illusion of beryl-colored creek.

Birtvisi is home to volcanic hillocks overlooked by the once least accessible fortification in all of Georgia.

Uplistsikhe

Uplistsikhe is a cave city based on a rocky plateau on the Kura River. It is located about 10 kilometers away from the city of Gori.

Uplistsikhe is one of the oldest settlements of mankind and in the 6th-century BC became the center for trade between Asia and Europe.

The cave city is the highlight, so it doesn’t really matter where you decide to go first. The main attraction is probably the tunnel that was formerly used as an escape route.

Some other important parts are the large main square in the middle of the cave city, the hall of Queen Tamar, the wine cellar next to it, and of course the Princely Church, which will likely catch your eye first.

The church was built in the early Middle Ages and was named “Church Uplistsuli” (the church of the prince). Gold, silver, and bronze jewelry and sculptures were found there and they can be admired today in the National Museum in Tbilisi.

It is perfectly preserved to this day and it dominates the rest of the ruins of the ancient city.

Uplistsikhe is one of the few sights in Georgia for which we had to pay admission. It was the equivalent of €2.40 per person but is subject to change.

Abudelauri Lakes

Recommended by Miguel at Travelsauro

If you want to add some adventure to your Georgia itinerary, I recommend that you travel to the remote region of Khevsureti where you’ll find fortified stone villages and unspoiled natural wonders such as the Abudelauri Lakes.

These off-the-beaten-path lakes stand out for their colors (green, blue and white), and the unique location. All three are beautiful, but the white lake is undoubtedly the most spectacular as it’s surrounded by giant rocky walls.

The easiest way to get to the lakes is by getting a private tour from Tbilisi to Roshka. Theoretically, this can be done by public transport too.

However, the marshrutkas that connect Tbilisi with this region don’t have daily departures. From Roshka, it takes about 3 hours to hike up to the first lake.

If you are into hiking, I recommend that you take the Juta to Roshka Trek . This trail, which can be completed in one or two days (depending on your hiking ability), goes next to the lakes making it one of the most adventurous experiences you can have in the country.

Kakheti Region

Recommended by Elisa at World in Paris

Kakheti is a region in eastern Georgia formed from the historical province of Kakheti and the small, mountainous province of Tusheti.

Kakheti’s capital is Telavi, located on the foothills of the Tsiv-Gombori Rang. Sighnaghi (see below), is also a really well-known city in the region and a popular place to visit in Georgia. The region produces excellent wines and it is also home to beautiful monasteries and two national parks.

Kakheti is not far from Tbilisi and it is possible to visit some of its sights on a day trip from the capital, as long as you can arrange private transportation. Usually hotels in Tbilisi can help with that.

One of the most popular day trips from Tbilisi is Davit Gareja, a unique 6th-century rock-hewn Georgian Orthodox monastery complex located on the half-desert slopes of Mount Gareja.

Despite David Gareja is located at only 70 km from Tbilisi, this area looks like another world! On the way, we recommend doing a few stops to see more of the region like the Minotsminda Cathedral or for some great views over Mariamjvari Nature Reserve.

Sighnaghi is a relatively small town that doesn’t require much time to explore but its location makes it the perfect place to stay while making several day trips to places nearby.

A popular thing to do in town is to walk along the Sighnaghi town wall; it has 23 towers, each one named after nearby cities.

An important place for many Georgians is the Bodbe Convent, where St. Nino who brought Christianity to the country, is buried. The two most prominent churches to visit are St. Stephen and St. Giorgi.

St. Nino’s Spring is where pilgrims come to wash in holy water that will allegedly also heal you. On Sundays, the Bodbiskhevi Bazaar Sunday Market is open and you can see an amazing variety of local goods at unmatched prices.

Host of Sighnaghi is the first restaurant you will see as you enter the city through Tbilisi and if you go there, you can enjoy many Georgians specialties.

Nikala is the perfect place for some delicious Kakhetian food, and tasty khinkali. Lastly, at Pancho Villa you can enjoy Mexican food with Georgian ingredients.

Sighnaghi is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in the Caucasus countries .

Recommended by Kami at Kami and the Rest of the World

Tskaltubo is one of the easiest  day trips from Kutaisi and such a fascinating place to visit in Georgia. The healing waters were found in this area already in the 13th-century but the first sanatoriums were opened in the town before World War 2.

Soon after, Tskaltubo became a major spa destination in the former USSR , with some 20 sanatoriums and 9 bathhouses and famous residents, such as Stalin, who had his own cottage here.

After the collapse of the USSR and the civil war in Georgia, the town fell into disrepair and remain so until today. A few sanatoriums are reopened but the majority is in ruins, often occupied by IDPs from Abkhazia.

But even if the buildings are not in the best condition, you can still visit many of them. Fans of urbex will be in heaven exploring abandoned hotels and bathhouses and admiring the grand architecture from the Soviet times.

Even if you are not into urbex, you should still visit Tskaltubo to enjoy the healing features of the bathhouse or visit the nearby Prometheus Cave. 

Recommended by Coni at Experiencing the Globe

The Svaneti region is a truly unique place. It’s surrounded by 5000 meters peaks with deep valleys in between, where little towns have flourished. For this reason, people have lived in extreme isolation, giving the Svans a special character, as well as their own culture, language, and traditions.

The emblem of the region are the Svanetian houses, which feature defensive stone towers erected between the 9th and 12th centuries.

Mestia, the capital of the region, is known as Georgia’s capital of adventure.

If you’re into sports, the region offers two small ski resorts (Tetnuldi and Hatsvali), and world-class backcountry skiing.

Also, it’s the ideal place for hiking. The most known trail leads to Ushguli (see below), a UNESCO World Heritage Site said to be the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe. The trek will get you there in 4 days, or you can catch a ride to do a day trip.

From Mestia, you can also do day hikes to the Koruldi lakes and the Chalaadi glacier, both offering stunning views.

To get to Svaneti, jump into a ubiquitous marshrutka to Mestia or if you manage to get a reservation, get an inexpensive flight from Tbilisi or Kutaisi.

Recommended by Yulia at Miss Tourist

Ushguli, one of the main attractions in the Svaneti region, is a tiny community of about 200 people lost in the Caucasus mountains.

Ushguli was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its defensive towers that date back to the IX century.  It is also considered to be the highest continually inhabited settlement in the world (the elevation there is about 2,400 m)!

Despite the fact it is only about 45 km away from Mestia, the closest “city”, it will probably take you about 3 hours one way driving a 4×4 because of the road quality. You might rent a 4×4 yourself and drive slowly (that’s what we did and it was such a fun adventure!) or hire a local driver to take you there for a day trip.

The views on the way are absolutely breathtaking, if not for the settlement itself, I would go just for that!

We only stayed in Ushguli for a couple of hours to enjoy the views from a terrace cafe, but you can stay overnight and do mountain trekking or horse riding the next day. Attention – Ushguli is not your regular city with 5-star hotels – the accommodation options are super simple, but it is worth it!

Rustavi is a fairly young city and it was officially a city in the year 1948. Nowadays, it is the fourth-largest city in Georgia.

For about a decade after the collapse of the Soviet Union , Rustavi was known as the sleeping city because many of its inhabitants would leave to work in Tbilisi and come back to sleep.

Now, it has become the car city, where there is the biggest manufacturer of car parts and the biggest second-hand dealership. It is also the only place you can obtain your driver’s license. 

One of Rustavi’s main attractions is its Motopark where you can watch or even drive a Formula1 car. If you are more into nature, you can hike in Birtvisi Canyon or visit some parks around the city.

There is also a historical museum and drama theatre that are definitely worth a visit while you’re there.  Rustavi can be reached by public transportation or taking a taxi from Tbilisi .

Mtskheta is declared the “Holy City” by the Georgian Orthodox Church and its monuments became a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a result.

It is only a 40-minute drive from Tbilisi and doesn’t require much time to explore fully. There are several sites surrounding the town that are worth seeing, however.

One that can be visited on your way there is the Jvari Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the country.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is also highly recommended and it is where many Georgians believe the seamless robe of Christ is buried. Visiting Shiomgvime is also an interesting place to walk around or you can visit the ruins of the Amazi castle, named after a Pagan idol.

If you enjoy wine, you must visit the Chamber of Wine, a four-story building dedicated to the beverage.

As for eating, beans are a staple and important part of the cuisine and Salobie is the perfect place to eat this traditional meal. Ada Cafe is also highly recommended… you can enjoy fresh food and a spectacular view of the river!

Recommended by Pedro at Travel with Pedro

Gudauri is famous for being the most popular ski resort in Georgia. But rather than a seasonal destination, Gudauri is a great place to visit all year-round. The resort is located right on the historical Georgian Military Highway, which connects Tbilisi to Russia.

Before arriving in Gudauri, still on the highway, you will find the half-moon shaped Monument to the Georgian-Russian Friendship, built in 1983. It is really worth it stopping at the monument’s viewpoint to enjoy the scenery – the views are truly beautiful!

In the warmer months, the resort is quieter and attracts nature lovers looking to explore hiking trails, going paragliding, or just in search of some peace and quiet. But it’s between December and April that Gudauri becomes a hotspot for skiers from all over the region and, increasingly, other parts of Europe.

With a total of 15 ski lifts, Gudauri Ski Resort offers 35km of slopes, 13% of which is available for beginners, 56% for skiers of an intermediate level (red), and 31% for experienced skiers (black). Day passes are very affordable, with prices around 15 euros per adult.

There are many good hotels in Gudauri , with some new openings coming up. Overall, you can find accommodation for every budget, including small family-run hotels and trendy boutique hotels with a swimming pool.

Abkhazia is a self-declared sovereign state that is part of Georgia, though the government refuses any sort of union with Georgia. They even have their own language and use the Russian Ruble as a currency.

It lies on the east coast of the Black Sea, making a very popular place for Russian tourists. The nature in Abkhazia is absolutely astonishing, with a sea on one side, and beautiful lakes, several waterfalls, and gorgeous mountains and parks to hike through.

One of the main attractions is definitely the Anacopia Fortress and at the top, you can savor the view of New Athos and the slopes that surround it.

Another very popular destination is the Gegsiky Waterfall and Lake Rica, wonderful options for anyone craving being around a body of water.

The New Athos Simoneau-Kananitsky Monastery is also a very impressive and a must-visit location, or you can enjoy a stroll through the Sukhumi Botanical Garden.

Some of the top-rated restaurants in Abkhazia are Restaurant Nartaa (I ate there almost every meal when in Sukhumi!), Tavern Khait, and DEM. Click here to see how you can travel to Abkhazia .

We hope you enjoyed these many awesome places to visit in Georgia and we hope you were able to add some to your list.  If you have more Georgia trip recommendations, please drop them in the comments for future travelers. Thanks!

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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now lives in Finnish Lapland after previous stints in Norway, Germany, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ (2020) and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.

3 thoughts on “ 25 Incredible Places to Visit in Georgia (the Country) ”

Very informative, we are looking to visit this area in February 2022. We intend to spend about a month so will definitely look into your recommendations Thanks

So awesome! If you have any questions – please reach out! We also have an Armenia travel site (absolutearmenia.com) if you pop down that way!

Hello Readers.. welcome to our blog town. Here we provide information about Instagram bios for girls & boys, all type of quotes, shayri etc. so please stay here and copy your favorite bios & quotes.

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12 things to know before traveling to Georgia

Jun 26, 2024 • 5 min read

Plan your trip to Georgia with these tips © Yumi mini / iStock / Getty Images Plus

With its beautiful but rugged mountain ranges, rich culture and Soviet past, Georgia once had a reputation as a challenging travel destination loved by intrepid backpackers. Luckily, it could hardly be easier to visit Georgia these days, and it’s no coincidence that much of the country’s economy is now based on tourism. 

I’ve been visiting Georgia for more than 20 years, and I’ve seen the country transform almost beyond recognition in many respects, while also remaining reassuringly familiar in others. Few countries can boast the charms that win Georgia so many converts among first-time visitors , and it’s rare not to hear people raving about the country after finally getting to visit. Here are a few of the tips I frequently find myself sharing with those about to discover the delights of the country locals call Saqartvelo.

1. Give yourself plenty of time to explore 

Georgia appears small on a map, leading some first-time visitors to assume it can be seen in just a few days. But due to a combination of mountainous terrain and infrastructural shortcomings, that’s not the case — travel times between regions are significant. Budget at least three full days to explore the capital,  Tbilisi , while I’d recommend spending at least a full week in the country to explore some of the best places to visit in Georgia . Internal flights to the mountains allow you to save a day’s driving in each direction if you are very pressed for time.

2. Pack clothes for all climates

The summer can be stiflingly hot in the lowlands, but as soon as you reach any altitude, let alone the High Caucasus themselves, the temperature plummets and you’ll need a fleece and jacket, even in July. Georgia is generally very relaxed about how people dress, with the only exception being in churches, where skin is best not exposed and where women are expected to cover their heads or don (church-provided) wrap skirts to cover up their pants.

3. Be prepared for some rough roads if you’re driving

Any experienced driver who has driven abroad before should feel fine taking the wheel here. Georgia’s roads have improved immeasurably in the past 20 years, and the vast majority are now sealed, though they remain predominantly single-lane, frequently studded with potholes, and lacking in markings or lighting at night. Nowadays it’s only the famously daunting road to Tusheti that should only be attempted by confident drivers in 4WD vehicles. 

4. Locals give far better advice than apps about driving routes

You may be used to having your apps decide what route you take between two given points at home, but Georgia is not somewhere to entrust your journey to a tech giant. While apps are often very helpful, you should always ask locals before setting out on a long car journey, as what your app might not be able to tell you is how good the road it recommends is or even how surfaced it is. Often in the South Caucasus, it pays to take the more circuitous route!

5. Keep an eye out for sheepdogs in the mountains

Sheepdogs in the Caucasus are bred to be fierce and can potentially be dangerous, so give them a wide berth when hiking in the mountains and carry a stick if possible. For this reason, when walking in the mountains, do also avoid walking too closely to herds of livestock – even if you can’t see a sheepdog, one may suddenly appear from nowhere, which might be an unpleasant surprise.

6. Be aware of political sensitivities

While speaking Russian can be very useful with older people who are unlikely to speak English, do bear in mind that to many younger people, it’s considered a colonial relic imposed on the country by an empire that continues to occupy around 20% of Georgia’s sovereign territory. The breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia (to which many governments advise against all travel ) are both emotive issues for Georgians, so broach them delicately if you want to ask locals for their views on the subject.  

7. Take it easy on the chacha

Georgia’s far stronger version of grappa, chacha is the national drink and you’ll almost certainly run into it during your visit. While commercially produced varieties are around 40% proof, homebrews can be twice as strong, so do genuinely proceed with caution when you inevitably find yourself handed a glass. 

8. Don’t toast with beer 

Georgians only toast their enemies with beer, so make sure you have a glass of wine or chacha to hand if you’re lucky enough to attend a traditional Georgian feast, or supra  (dinner party). Toasts, which are elaborate and usually led by a specially selected toast giver (tamada) , have their own myriad rules, but it’s easy enough to follow along and just drink when everybody else does.

9. Rural areas can be very conservative 

Spend a weekend in Tbilisi and you might come away with a rather unrepresentative sense of just how progressive Georgians are. A trip to a remote area, particularly the mountains, will soon even things out. While the people are delightful and welcoming, there’s no denying that the patriarchy still looms large in rural areas and attitudes that some may consider old-fashioned remain common. If you’re not married and don’t have kids, be prepared to field some fairly direct questions about why on earth you don’t.

10. Drink bottled water in the lowlands

The water in the mountains is generally of excellent quality and perfectly safe to drink, but it’s always safest to drink the bottled variety, which is plentiful and very cheap, in the lowlands, particularly in bigger cities. On the plus side, this does at least give you plenty of chances to try Georgia’s much-loved and unique mineral water Borjomi. 

11. Use Tbilisi’s underpasses to cross busy roads 

The Georgian capital is not a great place for crossing the road, particularly along Rustaveli, Tbilisi’s busy main avenue. Luckily, dozens of underpasses allow you to cross the road safely — it’s wise to use them, as one look at the febrile traffic situation is likely to confirm.

12. In big cities, a small tip will be appreciated 

Hot on the heels of international tourism, tipping has now well and truly arrived in Georgia, though it’s still limited to Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi for the most part. In general, leaving a 10% cash tip when you’ve had good service is appropriate in mid-range and top-end restaurants, but not always expected. Do be aware that tips left on credit cards are unlikely to make their way into the hands of your server, though.

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25 Practical Georgia Travel Tips for First-time Visitors

From pointers for planning the perfect itinerary to restaurant etiquette and staying safe on the roads, here are 25 essential Georgia travel tips to know before you go.

The first time I visited Georgia in 2017, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. I’m usually one to over-research and over-plan (can you tell?) – but on this particular trip, I was totally underprepared. 

This mostly worked in my favour. Almost everything I experienced in Georgia was a kind of ‘pleasant surprise’: Transport, money, safety, food, accommodation, hospitality – everything just flowed.

• Also read: Tips for visiting the Caucasus region – religion, etiquette and cultural curiosities .

Things have changed in the interim and travelling in Georgia is a bit different to how it was even 5 short years ago. Having lived here for over a year now and travelled to almost every corner of the country, I still learn something new every day.

My job is to absorb information, and over time I’ve picked up some really helpful tips that I wish I had known on my first trip. With so many people looking to visit Georgia for the first time this year, it’s finally time to put everything down on one page.

The last thing I want to do is give too much away or detract from your joy of discovering Georgia for yourself. If you’d rather come in blind like I did, stop reading this right now and go check out this list of amazing places to visit in Georgia instead!

If, however, you like to be prepared and you want to save yourself money, time and stress, then read on. Here are 25 things I think you should know before you visit the country of Georgia for the first time.

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25 practical Georgia travel tips for first-time visitors

1. late spring or fall is a nice time to visit georgia.

Georgia has a relatively mild climate outside of the high-altitude mountain regions. While there’s not exactly a definitive ‘best time to visit Georgia’, there is surely a period to avoid : Peak summer.

Summer is high season for international visitors. On top of that, when things start to heat up (and smog up) in Tbilisi , locals intuitively flock to the mountains or the villages. There’s increased pressure on transport and accommodation throughout the summer months as a result. On the Black Sea Coast, hotel prices go up considerably.

The nicest time to visit Georgia in my opinion is during shoulder season , either in late spring or in fall .

Once the spring rains clear (usually after Orthodox Easter ), temperatures are mild, wildflowers are blooming , and it’s not too crowded yet.

(Check the dates for the Eid al-Fitr holiday – this period does get busy with visitors from neighbouring countries.)

Fall or autumn (September to late October) is another great time to visit as the whole country is in a festive mood. The wine harvest, Rtveli , takes place around this time and if you’re organised, you can watch or participate in grape-picking in Kakheti .

In the capital, the Tbilisoba Festival is held in early October. Temperatures remain mild through to late October, and most mountain areas that are cut off in winter remain accessible until then.

Georgia has an extremely varied geography so temperatures and weather conditions vary a lot depending on where you go. Always do your research before you set out.

Key takeaway: Visit in late spring for hiking or fall for wine season. Avoid the summer months unless you’re going straight to the mountains. Consider winter for a Tbilisi city break but note that some mountain areas are inaccessible.

2. Top georgia travel tip: Buy a local sim card

A sim card is pretty much a necessity in Georgia if you’re going to be using taxis (see my next tip for more) or you need to navigate with Google Maps. It’s so easy and affordable to get set up with a local sim, there’s really no reason not to.

Magti is my preferred provider in Georgia for price, coverage and customer service. A sim card costs 10 GEL and the best deal is an unlimited 4G data package for just 9 GEL (2.50 USD) per week .

Don’t buy a sim card at the airport – prices are higher. Instead, wait until you get into the city and can visit a Magti branch. Registration is done for you at the shop (all you need is your passport) and takes all of 10 minutes.

A word of warning: Don’t always trust Google Maps in Georgia. Some streets and street numbers are way off. It’s pretty good for bus routes in Tbilisi, but TTC app is generally more reliable.

Key takeaway: Magti is the best mobile provider in Georgia. Don’t buy a tourist sim at the airport – wait to visit an office in the city. See my full step-by-step guide to buying a sim card and my recommended apps for Georgia.

3. Always use an app for taxis (and never take a taxi from the airport!)

Most regular taxis in Tbilisi and other cities do not have metres, meaning you need to negotiate the fare with the driver before you set off. To avoid confusion and overpaying, it’s much easier to use an app to book taxis.

Bolt is the most reliable local app and covers the major cities (there is no Uber in Georgia). It’s easy to use and in my experience, you never have to wait more than a few minutes for a driver. Prices are more than fair and you can tip the driver through the app if you want to.

If travelling from Tbilisi Airport to the city , use the airport bus 337, organise a private transfer with GoTrip , or use Bolt.

If travelling from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi, you can either use the train, use Georgian Bus or OmniBus, which are timed to depart as flights arrive, or book a private transfer . Find more info about travelling from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi in this transport guide .

Key takeaway: Always an app to book taxis – avoid hailing cabs on the street and never ever take a taxi from the airport in Tbilisi. See more tips for using taxis in Tbilisi and a comparison of the best apps.

4. Buy a transport card when you first arrive in Tbilisi

Tbilisi has a terrific public transport system that makes it very easy to get around the city. It has recently undergone a big overhaul – new minivans have been introduced, new routes planned, and most importantly, fares have doubled from 50 tetri to 1 GEL per ride .

As of May 2022, buses in Tbilisi no longer have coin machines . To use the buses, metro and cable cars in Tbilisi you first need to purchase one of two rechargeable transport cards.

The white MetroMoney Card is used for single journeys (each journey is valid for 90 minutes), while the blue Travel Card is suitable for anyone who uses public transport more frequently. With this new card, you can purchase a daily, weekly or monthly unlimited pass (capped at 20 rides per day). Both cards cost 2 GEL and are available at the cash desk inside any metro station. Top up with cash using an orange pay box.

International bank cards also work on public transport – meaning you can tap your credit/debit card on the machine as you would with a transport card (just as long as your card has a chip). Note that the fare is higher, around 1.50 GEL per ride versus 1 GEL.

Key takeaway: If you plan to use public transport in Tbilisi, buy a rechargeable MetroMoney or Travel Card when you first arrive. You can also use the MetroMoney card for buses in Batumi. In Kutaisi and most other smaller cities/towns, buses still have coin machines so you can simply buy a single ticket onboard.

5. Be conscious of road safety

The driving style in Georgia is pure madness. Speeding, filtering to create a new lane of traffic where there isn’t supposed to be one, and overtaking around blind corners on single-lane mountain roads are some of the biggest issues.

It would be funny if it wasn’t so serious: Georgia has a terrible track record with road accidents, especially on poorly maintained mountain roads. Things are improving gradually, but it’s something every traveller should be conscious of.

I personally don’t have the stomach for long marshrutka rides anymore (even short taxi trips in Tbilisi make me anxious). When booking day trips or organising transfers, road safety is something that should always be front of mind.

Key takeaway: Be hyper vigilant when it comes to road safety in Georgia. Don’t opt for the cheapest day tour as these companies often skimp on safety precautions. Avoid travelling on the roads after dark and never get into a car with a driver who you suspect has been drinking.

6. Use GoTrip for longer road journeys

One of the biggest mistakes people tend to make on their first visit to Georgia is thinking that because the country is so small, it will be fast and easy to get around. In truth, ‘public transport’ is still quite basic here and it can take a long time to get from A to B. Trains in particular are quite slow (with the exception of the Tbilisi Batumi high-speed train and the trains to Poti and Zugdidi ).

You will come to embrace the clunky marshrutka van as all travellers do, but know there are other (more comfortable and safer) transport options available that won’t break the bank.

GoTrip.ge is one of my absolute favourite services in Georgia. I can’t tell you how many times this platform has saved me. Essentially it’s a long-distance Uber for private one-way, round-trip or multi-day transfers – input your destination/s then choose a driver and vehicle based on their credentials and star rating.

The price is fixed when you book so there’s no need to negotiate the fare, and you can stop wherever you want, whenever you want along the way. Fares are very reasonable and up to 40% cheaper than if you were to find a driver on the street. I especially love GoTrip for journeys such as the Georgian Military Highway where there are lots of places to sight-see along the way.

Visit the GoTrip.ge website and use their Trip Planner to explore routes around Georgia.

Key takeaway: Consider a car and driver for longer journeys and dangerous mountain roads, even if it means paying a bit more. Avoid using marshrutka vans for very long trips, and try to break up long road journeys with an overnight stop.

7. If you hire a car, use a local agent

Georgia is extremely affordable but some things are disproportionately expensive, car hire being one of them. If you want to get off the beaten track by driving around Georgia , the best option is to go through a local agent rather than a brand-name company.

Local Rent is my favourite platform for booking cars in Georgia. They work exclusively with local agents and offer great prices, as little as $34/day for a 4WD. Insurance is typically included and most agents don’t ask for a deposit or credit card. Just note that the car might be a bit shabbier than you’re used to. Because these agents don’t have offices, they’ll even throw in free delivery to your address.

Check availability and prices for your travel dates here on Local Rent .

Remember what I said about road safety and exercise a higher level of caution than normal when you’re driving in Georgia. Most highways are in good nick and there aren’t too many curly road rules to wrap your head around – the main thing is to watch out for other drivers. Here are my insights into the local driving style and top tips for self-driving.

Key takeaway: Avoid renting a car through the usual channels and use a local agent instead. Local Rent is the best platform to find an affordable rental car in Georgia. BUT only hire a car if you’re a confident and experienced driver who doesn’t get spooked by erratic or aggressive drivers.

8. Always carry some cash

While 99% of restaurants and hotels in the city take credit card, smaller cafes, markets, taxi drivers (if you’re using them in rural areas) and smaller guesthouses only accept cash payment. Lari is the official currency in Georgia and you should always carry some on you – especially if you’re headed to the regions or the mountains.

Avoid the currency exchange at the airport – instead, use one of the ATMs in the arrivals hall (there are several) to withdraw GEL. All ATMs in Georgia accept Visa and Mastercard, while Bank of Georgia takes AMEX. Withdrawal fees are usually around 2 GEL (some charge nothing) but you’ll need to check with your issuing bank for other charges. Basisbank and Cartu Bank ATMs have higher withdrawal limits.

Don’t mistake a paybox for an ATM – payboxes are the jukebox-like plastic boxes on every street corner used for paying bills and other services. They don’t dispense cash. ATMs are everywhere on the street and in malls (but not in convenience stores). For peace of mind, it’s advisable to use the ATMs inside bank branches when you can.

Key takeaway: Card is accepted almost everywhere in the cities but it’s handy to have some cash for smaller purchases. ATMs are ubiquitous throughout Georgia but you should always carry cash with you when travelling in rural areas.

9. Understand the tipping culture

Tipping is not part of the culture in Georgia and it is not considered mandatory. But tipping is now expected in most service industries , especially in Tbilisi, and particularly when it comes to tourists.

The common-sense principle that you should only tip if you’re happy with the service applies. Personally I almost always tip because I understand that wages are low (40-60 GEL/day is the average for a restaurant server).

You’ll notice that many restaurants, bars and cafes add a 10% ‘service fee’ onto the bill (on top of 18% VAT). This almost never goes to the server, though – it’s used for other purposes, such as replacing broken plates and glasses.

If you want to be sure your server receives a gratuity, leave an extra tip in cash and try to hand it to them personally. I usually tip 10% for servers and 1-3 GEL for Bolt drivers.

Key takeaway: Tipping is not ‘the norm’ in Georgia, but it is hugely appreciated. If you’re happy with the service, tip your restaurant/cafe server in cash. Remember that the 10% ‘service charge’ added to your bill does not normally go to the waiter.

10. Tourist scams and corruption are rare

As long as you exercise common sense, Georgia is an extremely safe place and Tbilisi is a very safe city. Crime is very rarely targeted at tourists.

Scams do happen on occasion, though. Avoid eating or shopping in overly ‘touristy’ areas (such as the pedestrianised part of Aghmashenebeli Avenue in Tbilisi), and always ask for the price first before committing to purchase something from a market or food vendor. The biggest culprit is taxis and the best way to safeguard against this is to use an app in the cities and book drivers through your guesthouse when you’re in towns or rural areas.

There is one other perennial tourist scam in Tbilisi and Batumi to watch out for. A group or individual, either someone you meet on the street or through a dating app, will invite you for a drink at a local bar then ask you to foot the insanely overpriced bill. (This happened to friends of ours and they ended up getting fleeced for thousands of dollars.)

Be cautious when accepting invitations from strangers and if you do, meet at a place of your choosing. Avoid restaurants or especially bars that are not on Google Maps . Unless they’re brand new, if they don’t have a listing or past reviews you can safely assume this is a red flag.

A few decades ago Georgia embarked on a national project to stamp out corruption (notice how every police station is made of glass?). It mostly worked and today, corruption in all forms is extremely rare , especially where tourists are concerned. It’s not something you have to be wary of.

Key takeaway: Exercise a normal level of vigilance, especially in the big cities, but know that petty crime, scams and corruption targeted at tourists is extremely very rare in Georgia.

11. It’s (mostly) safe to drink the tap water

Can you drink the tap water in Georgia? This is always the subject of debate among expats. Georgians love their spring and mineral waters (e.g. Borjomi ) and for the most part, tap water is of a similarly high quality. Nine times out of 10 when you’re travelling in rural areas and small towns it will be more than safe to drink the tap water.

Many people choose not to drink the tap water in Tbilisi. In this case it’s more of an issue with the pipes than the water itself. If you’re staying in an old building, the water might be tainted with residue from old pipes. In all likelihood it’s still safe to drink but it might not sit well with you.

Key takeaway: Georgia is blessed with mountain springs and mineral waters – always carry a reusable water bottle when you’re travelling so that you can fill up at these natural springs. For the most part, tap water is safe to drink in towns and cities but some people choose to avoid it in Tbilisi. Bottled water is extremely affordable.

12. Understand that the days start late

Tbilisi in particular wakes up late and stays up late. Even in summer when the sun is out before 5am, if you’re on the street before 9, you can hear a pin drop. Banks open at 10am but many people start work mid-morning and continue late into the evening.

Don’t wake up early and expect everything to be open. Georgia doesn’t have a strong breakfast or brunch culture , so cafes in Tbilisi rarely open before 10am ( see a list of early risers here ). Shops, museums, galleries and other attractions tend to open between 10am and 11am. Peak hour falls later, and public transport is always very busy around 7pm on weekdays. Plan your days accordingly.

Key takeaway: Whenever possible, take breakfast at your accommodation (especially when you’re staying in a smaller town or village). Restaurant opening hours are sometimes flexible so it’s best to arrive 15-20 minutes after advertised opening time to be safe. Stick to outdoor activities in the mornings, especially in Tbilisi, and save your museums for the afternoon.

13. Take listed opening hours with a pinch of salt

As I mentioned earlier, Google Maps is far from 100% reliable in Georgia . Sometimes you’ll roll up to an address expecting to find a cafe there and zip, nada, nothing! (This still happens to me fairly often – sometimes I just can’t see the place, other times it’s moved.)

Business owners often neglect to update their opening hours or addresses on Google Maps, so it’s better to check on Facebook or Instagram instead. If I’m visiting a venue for the first time, I will always send a message on social media the day before to check they’re actually going to be open.

When a cafe or restaurant goes out of business, sometimes this doesn’t get updated either – so you’ll find places that are marked as ‘open’ on maps but are actually long abandoned, and other places marked as ‘permanently closed’ that are actually open.

In addition, lots of venues will open up later than their listed hours indicate or close the kitchen for the day at short notice (especially if the water or power is out). This is just something you have to get used to. Always have a Plan B up your sleeve just in case!

Key takeaway: Don’t rely on Google Maps – businesses are much more likely to update their Facebook or Instagram pages if they close down, move, or if their hours change. If in doubt, message ahead to double check.

14. Don’t rush through Tbilisi

If you’re starting or ending your trip in the capital, you might think a night in Tbilisi will suffice. While it’s true that you can see a good deal of Tbilisi’s ‘must-sees’ in a day, if you want to savour the city, you’ll need more time than that.

Tbilisi is the capital of course, but it doesn’t necessarily feel like it. Where other big cities are anonymous and cookie-cutter, Tbilisi has a very unique look and atmosphere that I can’t really compare to anywhere else. This has long been the most multicultural city in the region and all that wonderful diversity still shines through today.

Aside from the historical landmarks, museums and important churches, there are lots of offbeat things to do in Tbilisi , from visiting Stalin’s old printing press to taking an urban hike for a city view . On top of that, there are squillions of cafes, galleries , cute boutiques and wine bars that you can happily spend a day floating between.

Some of Tbilisi’s most interesting neighbourhoods, especially Sololaki, Abanotubani and Chugureti, should be explored at a slow pace by foot. Consider joining a free or paid walking tour for a more in-depth look at the city’s heritage architecture or Soviet history .

Plus, you’ll want at least six meals in Tbilisi so that you can sample a good range of the city’s best restaurants .

Key takeaway: Two to three days is the minimum amount of time you need in Tbilisi if you want to do it justice. If you love cities or you prefer slow travel, you can quite easily fill in 5-plus days in Tbilisi.

15. Remember to pack your bathers for the sulfur baths

I know this is very specific, but a trip to the sulfur baths is a Tbilisi experience most visitors want to have – just make sure it’s memorable in the right way!

Everyone goes nude at the public baths, but if you’re booking a private room with a Kisi massage/scrub treatment, it’s advisable to wear a bikini (women) or trunks (men).

Key takeaway: Pack your swimmers for Georgia, even if you’re visiting in winter. Read more about bathhouse etiquette in Abanotubani here.

16. Stay at family guesthouses when you can

Guesthouses are by far the most popular type of accommodation in rural Georgia. When you stay at a guesthouse, you’re spending the night in a family home – a bit like a homestay .

Home-cooked meals and home-made alcoholic beverages are part and parcel of the guesthouse experience. More than that, guesthouse host families are like travel agents who can organise taxis, tours and tickets, phone ahead to save you a seat on the next marshrutka, call the local restaurant to book you a table… And just about anything else you might need.

I swear by guesthouses, especially in small villages where you might need some help with travel logistics. It’s also a really nice way to meet a family and make a local connection , and to link up with other travellers too.

Needless to say this is one of the easiest ways to show your support for small business and community tourism in Georgia.

Key takeaway: When in doubt, book a family run guesthouse. Not only do they offer affordable accommodation and home-cooked meals, they can help you with all kinds of travel logistics too. Most can be booked online through Booking.com but many only accept cash payment. See here for a full list of my favourite guesthouses around Georgia.

17. Remember that Georgia is a good place to treat yourself

As soul-nourishing as guesthouse hospitality is, it’s nice to treat yourself to something slightly more luxurious once in a while. The good news is that Georgia – a budget-friendly destination by any measure – has a stellar range of high-quality accommodations that are extremely well priced.

In Georgia, you can spend the night in a historic wine chateaux in Kakheti , settle into a ski-in luxury mountain cabin in Kazbegi, go glamping in the heart of the forest in Racha, or curl up in a high-rise boutique hotel overlooking the Black Sea for a fraction of the cost of something similar in Western Europe (or even Eastern Europe for that matter).

It’s within almost every traveller’s budget to splash out on a nice hotel room or a private tour. If you’re supporting a local business at the same time, then why not.

The only area where you don’t really need to fork out extra cash is food . In my experience, a higher price tag rarely equates with better tasting food or more attentive service – so you’re safe to stick to the cheap (or mid-range) and cheerful when it comes to restaurants.

On a serious note: Don’t come to Georgia expecting everything to be dirt cheap or worse, for things to get handed to you for free. No doubt you’ll be the recipient of Georgia’s legendary hospitality at some point in your travels, but remember to be gracious and try not to take advantage of people’s generosity.

Key takeaway: Don’t be afraid to book that beautiful accommodation or private tour if it will enhance your experience. There are other areas where you can save money, such as on food and alcohol.

18. Make sure you do at least one hike

Even as a bonafide non-hiker, I can say this with absolute confidence: You must get out on foot in the mountains, even if it’s just for a half-day trek.

Many people come to Georgia for the sole purpose of hiking. The Mestia to Ushguli trail in Svaneti is arguably the most popular multi-day hike, but there are trails in every national park. Black Rock Lake in Lagodekhi, the Truso Valley near Kazbegi and St Andrews Trail near Borjomi are all great alternative options. If you’re serious about hiking, have a look at the Transcaucasian Trail , a route-in-progress that will soon connect the whole South Caucasus region.

Why hike? There’s no better way to connect with the mountain landscapes that make Georgia so special. It’s not just the scenery, but the cultural diversity and way of life in the mountains that makes hiking a must-do.

Key takeaway: Bring your comfy shoes because a hike in Georgia is mandatory. The Gergeti Trinity Church hike is easily the best half-day trek in the country.

19. Look beyond the mountains

We all know Georgia has majestic mountains, but did you know there’s also mud volcanoes, rainbow hills, volcanic plateaus and primordial Colchic forests in Georgia – sometimes all within the same region?

For a country of its size, Georgia is incredibly diverse in terms of the climate and landscape. Wake up in the mountains, off-road through a semi-desert then eat dinner on a black-sand beach – it’s possible in Georgia.

The Greater Caucasus are obviously a must, but I urge you to explore some of the other landscapes and outdoor adventures Georgia has to offer as well. Some of the most rewarding experiences this country has to offer can be found in the more remote, rugged corners: Start by looking at Vashlovani, Lagodekhi, Machakhela and the newly UNESCO-listed Colchic Forests and Wetlands for inspiration.

By the same token, don’t limit your horizons to the big three cities. Georgia has some incredible smaller cities and regional towns that are every bit as rewarding. My favourites are Gori , Telavi , Oni and Zugdidi .

Key takeaway: The best Georgia itineraries sample as many different landscapes as possible. This will help you appreciate the contrasts – and make those mountains seem all the more stunning. Here are 35+ places to visit in Georgia to get you started.

20. Understand the dress code for visiting religious sites

There is a strict dress code for visiting Orthodox churches, monasteries and convents in Georgia. The same applies for mosques.

For men, this means covered knees (no shorts) and covered shoulders (no singlet tops). Women must cover their shoulders and knees as well, and cover their hair. Some churches in rural areas require women to be wearing a long skirt rather than fitted pants. In my experience, a long jacket that’s zipped up will do.

Ninety-nine percent of religious sites have wrap-around apron skirts and headscarves that you can borrow at the door free of charge. However, I always recommend dressing appropriately if you know you’re going to be visiting a church or monastery. For hygiene reasons, I suggest women carry their own light scarf for their hair.

Remember that many tourist sites such as Vardzia and Uplistsikhe have chapels or churches so you’ll need to dress appropriately if you want to visit this part of the complex.

Although there are no hard and fast rules about how to dress outside of religious settings, Georgia tends to err on the conservative side in this department. It’s unusual for men to wear shorts or for women to wear microskirts (except in Batumi), for example. When visiting rural areas and small villages, it’s better to cover up to avoid making other people feel uncomfortable.

Key takeaway: If you’re going to be visiting lots of religious sites, make sure you pack appropriate attire. Ladies, pack a lightweight cotton scarf and always carry it with you. Try to dress more conservatively in rural areas. See here for my full Georgia packing list and what to wear in Georgia.

21. Watch out for monastery fatigue

Speaking of visiting religious sites – monastery fatigue is real, and it’s something many travellers experience. I have no idea just how many monasteries and churches there are in Georgia, but it’s probably in the tens of thousands. Kakheti in particular has dozens and dozens of splendid monuments to see.

I’ve been here long enough that I can start to appreciate the little design details and historical quirks that set each one apart. But on my first few visits to Georgia, I didn’t know enough to appreciate the differences so everything just started to blend into one.

Something important to mention here is that monasteries are much more than just religious sites: They’re equally historical sites. Georgian culture, literature, music, food, wine – the list goes on – is all so interwoven with the church, it’s impossible to find one without the other. When you visit a monastery, you’re not just learning about religion, you’re immersing yourself in history and culture as well. Where else in the world but Georgia would you visit a monastery to do a wine tasting!?

My advice is to pace yourself – don’t pack too many monasteries/churches into one day, and try to split them up with other activities (in Kakheti, wine tastings do the job perfectly). Look for something memorable, maybe a distinctive icon, to help you differentiate each place.

And be selective about the ones you do visit – don’t feel pressured to visit a monastery you’re not interested in just because someone says you should. (Unless it’s me telling you, because I am very selective about the monasteries I recommend!)

Key takeaway: Most monasteries have little or no signage beyond a basic information plaque so if you want to gain an appreciation (and you don’t speak enough Georgian to converse with the priest), either go with a guide or read-up as much as you can before your visit. This will help you better appreciate each monastery and church that you visit and keep you feeling motivated to see more.

22. Don’t skip the wine region

Cultivating grapes, fermenting wine and raising a glass of Saperavi at a Supra feast are all fundamental aspects of Georgian identity. Just as you can’t visit the country without seeing a few monasteries, no trip to ‘the cradle of wine’ is complete without a jaunt through the wine region.

I say ‘the’ wine region, but what I really mean is a wine region. Kakheti might be the biggest, most productive and most popular wine route, but there are vineyards all over Georgia . Maranis (cellars) in Imereti (outside Kutaisi ), Upper Adjara ( a day trip from Batumi ) and Racha all showcase traditional winemaking methods.

You don’t go to a winery just to drink wine – you also go to learn about Qvevri technology , Georgia’s 8000-year tradition of fermenting grapes underground in clay vessels . Even if you don’t drink alcohol or you have no interest in wine, it’s an opportunity for a hands-on lesson in Georgian culture.

Key takeaway: Kakheti is a great choice for a wine tour, but remember there are vineyards and cellars all over Georgia. Wherever you go, be sure to visit a mix of commercial and small family wineries that use Qvevri techniques so you can observe the traditional methods.

23. Come hungry!

Is it rumours of ‘soup dumplings’ as big as your hand and ‘cheesy bread’ topped with melted butter and egg yolk that are drawing you like a magnet to Georgia? Don’t worry, you wouldn’t be the first traveller to be lured here by their stomach.

It doesn’t take long to realise there’s way more to Georgian cooking than just Khinkali and Khachapuri – though both those dishes really are very good.

Marigold, blue fenugreek, sour plum, kiwi, pomegranate, homemade cheese, tandoor bread and the best tomatoes on earth – it’s all waiting for you in Georgia, and in combinations and concoctions you’ve likely never encountered before.

The food here continues to blow me away every time I eat out, especially when I’m travelling in the villages. Unexpectedly fresh, always packed with flavour and fiercely regional, Georgian must be one of the most underrated cuisines on the planet.

Just be strategic with your meals! It’s not a bad idea to skip breakfast so that you can concentrate on lunch and dinner, the two biggest meals of the day traditionally.

Key takeaway: Get your fill of Khachapuri and Khinkali then look beyond the typical dishes to discover the wonderful world of Georgian cuisine. Tbilisi has many restaurants that specialise in regional dishes but it’s even better if you can taste them in-situ. Samegrelo, Upper Adjara and Racha are my personal favourite foodie destinations in Georgia.

24. Never eat Khinkali with a knife and fork

This one is fairly self-explanatory. There’s only one way to eat Khinkali and that’s with your fingers – it’s the only way to ensure you don’t miss a single drop of that delicious meat juice!

There are of course some exceptions: Non-meat Khinkali is sometimes eaten with cutlery, and you can use the tip of your fork to harpoon the meat dumplings if you don’t want to get your hands dirty.

Key takeaway: Put that knife and fork away. Read more restaurant etiquette tips here, and don’t forget to download a free copy of my Tbilisi Khinkali Guide so you know where to find the best dumplings!

25. Learn a bit of Georgian before you arrive

Someone once told me that state, religion and language are the holy trinity in Georgia.

The Georgian language has monumental significance as a symbol of cultural identity and sovereignty. Unlike some other post-Soviet countries , Georgia held onto its tongue through thick and thin. People are incredibly proud of their language and everything it represents.

Learning a few words of Georgian will not only help you interact with people and break the ice, it’s also a nice way to demonstrate your respect for the country and the people. Believe me when I say that locals will hugely appreciate you making even the smallest effort.

As someone who’s spent the past year or so trying to learn Georgian, I can tell you it’s very challenging. Learning the characters of the Georgian alphabet is a great place to start. Helpfully, every letter is ‘pure’ and pronounced the same way no matter how it’s written or where it falls in a word. Once you know your k from your k’ , you’ll be surprised how much you can read and understand.

Georgians are normally very open (beneath that sometimes hard exterior) and happy to chat about any topic. But it’s a good idea to warm up to each other’s company before you start talking politics or religion . By the same token, don’t be surprised if someone you just met asks you your age, marital status and whether or not you have children (and if the answer to the last one is ‘no’, they might weigh in with their opinion on your life choices!). Personal questions are fairly common , don’t be surprised if people pry. But money is rarely discussed.

Key takeaway: English is widely spoken in Georgia but it pays to learn a bit of the language. Use an app such as Write Georgian to master the beautiful characters and watch free YouTube tutorials such as this one to practice basic conversational Georgian.

What did I miss? Do you have any extra Georgia travel tips to share? Let me know in the comments below.

Georgia essentials

Here are the websites and services I personally use and recommend for Georgia. Check out my full list of travel resources for more tips.

FLIGHTS: Search for affordable flights to Tbilisi, Batumi or Kutaisi on Skyscanner .

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with HeyMondo , my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance (get 5% off when you book with my link).

SIM CARD: Magti is my preferred provider, with prices starting from 9 GEL/week for unlimited data. See this guide for all the details about buying a Georgian SIM card .

AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Most flights into Georgia arrive in the early hours. For ease, pre-book a private transfer from Tbilisi Airport to your hotel (from $17) or from Kutaisi Airport to Tbilisi (from $90) with my partners at GoTrip.ge.

ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com is the most widely used platform in Georgia. Use it to find family guesthouses, private apartments, hostels and hotels around the country.

CAR HIRE: Find a great deal on a rental car in Georgia – use the Local Rent website to book through a local agent (prices start from $20/day).

DAY TRIPS & CITY TOURS: Use Viator or Get Your Guide to browse a range of day trips and city tours. For off-beat programs, I recommend Friendly.ge (use the promocode wanderlush for 10% off). For in-depth day trips to Georgia’s wine regions, I recommend Eat This! Tours (use the promo code wanderlush for 5% off).

PRIVATE TRANSFERS: GoTrip.ge is a terrific service for booking a private professional driver and car for the day. Use it for A-to-B transfers, a customised round-trip itinerary, or a multi-day trip. You can stop wherever you like for as long as you like without the fixed price going up.

NEED SOME HELP?: Need feedback on your itinerary or personalised travel tips? I offer a one-on-one consultation call service for Tbilisi and Georgia. More information and bookings here .

You might also be interested in…

• The ultimate Georgia itinerary : Four detailed & custom-designed itineraries
• Georgia Travel Guide : All of my 200+ posts plus my top travel tips
• Georgia travel tips : 25 essential things to know before you go
• Places to visit in Georgia : 50+ unique & underrated destinations around the country
• The best things to do in Tbilisi : Favourites, hidden gems & local picks
• 35+ best restaurants in Tbilisi : Where to eat Georgian food
• 15 best day trips from Tbilisi : With detailed transport instructions
• The best time to visit Georgia : Month-by-month guide to weather, festivals & events

33 Comments

Hi Emily, Thank you for these very useful tips. I have previously visited Georgia but found these tips very informative and useful for my return trip to Georgia in 2025! Keep up the good work! Regards – James (South Africa)

Thanks very much, James! Glad to hear you are returning to Georgia!

What a great site with so much inspirational info. I really appreciate the amount of work you’ve put into this. I’m planning a business visit in September and it has inspired me to stay longer and bring my hiking boots!

Terrific to hear that, Gareth! Thanks for your comment.

Thanks for a fantastic guide to Tbilisi and Georgia, it has been priceless help for our first visit this last week!

Thanks so much, Johannes!

Hi Emily, Fabulous article. This and the rest of your site is helping us considerably with planning our trip to Georgia this September. We love the detail you go into. Thanks heaps.

Thanks Ken, very happy to hear it!

Hi Emily, First of all, I would like to thank you for sharing so many updated tips for a great discovery of Armenia and Georgia. Your website is definitely my 1st source of information for my oncoming trip to both countries. From what I read on your website, you are away visiting Albania, etc at the moment, but could you possibly tell me if there is a train between Tbilisi and Yerevan on Monday, Oct 23. With the changes in the timetable, it is difficult to know for sure which is which between odd and even days. I asked the hostel people in Tbilisi, but they did not bother to check and said they did not know… Looking forward to your answer. Have a great time in the Balkans, Guy (France)

Hi Guy, the timetable does indicate that there is a train on October 23 (Tbilisi to Yerevan). If you are in Tbilisi now, I would pop down to the station to check and buy tickets if you can.

Thanks very much for the well wishes. Safe travels!

Mrs Emily, I would like personally to thank you for this amazing blog. It has really helped me organise my trip to Tbilisi this November!

Thanks Eirini! So happy to hear that. Have a wonderful trip to Georgia!

Wow, this is a bunch of information…. It is not easy to find good information about Georgia as it is still an underestimated holday destination .

Thanks Jos! Glad you found it helpful.

Hello Ms. Wander Lush, your blogs have been my BIBLE for planning my trip to Georgia this September. Thank you for all the information for any possible question I had in mind. Really looking forward to the holiday!

Thanks Vinodini, so glad the site has been helpful. Wishing you a terrific trip!

Hi Ms Emily,

Me and my friend will be travelling to Georgia and Armenia this coming Friday. And I’m so lucky to find your blog about these two countries which is very informative and useful for our travel plans. We we’re able to arrange our trip smoothly because of your blog as our reference…such as taking overnight train for Armenia trip, group tours, souvenirs shops, food and budget tips. Keep it up and thank you so much.

Hello Jasmin, that’s so great to hear! Thank you for your comment. I hope you both have a wonderful trip! Safe travels!

Hi again Ms Emily.. just quick question, which one they prefer for currency exhange, euro or in dollars? Thanks again.

Hi Jasmin, it is better to withdraw local currency (lari) directly from an ATM if possible.

wow couldn’t find a better blog about Georgia,we are on our initial stage to plan a trip to Georgia from India and we have got the perfect itinerary from this blog,thank you so much Emily for this amazing blog, going thoroughly in and out of it.

Thanks so much Suchi!

Wow! Such an elaborate post! I just bumped on this link and with the information given here it sounds so easy to me now. I might plan a trip soon but do you recommend coming to Georgia with a 15month old?

Hi Akanksha, thanks! Georgia is generally a family friendly destination, you just have to be aware of a few things such as road safety. But there are certainly lots of fun things for families to do!

Thank you so much for your insight! I plan on traveling there with a group in May, do you have any travel tips for groups of 10?

Hi Jasmin – transport will be your biggest consideration. Feel free to email me with any specific questions and I will try to help out.

Thank u for ur guidance. We should book red bus tour or should we visit the places by ourselves? Can we get Halal food easily in Tbilisi?

Hi Imran – it’s really up to you, but in my opinion walking around Tbilisi is bliss so I think it’s much better to explore on foot. You’ll see a lot more! There are plenty of Halal restaurants in Tbilisi, especially around Aghmashenebeli Avenue and Marjanishvili Metro Station. Enjoy your trip!

DIDI MADLOBA I just moved to Georgia and your tips are extremely helpful. Well done, informative and interesting. I am so glad I found your blog. Thank you!

Thank you Lucie! Welcome to Georgia!

thank you very much for information

I am planning to travel to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan next Spring. I cannot eat gluten. Is this going to be a problem do you think?

There will be limitations but I think you’ll be fine as long as you plan ahead. A lot of guesthouses can cater to dietary requirements. Lots of dishes in this region are veg and meat based.

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27 unique things to do in Georgia (the country)

Georgia (the country) is one of the most beautiful, underrated countries in Europe, and I’m so glad to have visited.

It’s got history, snow-capped mountains, cave towns, and amazing food , and it’s not too crowded with tourists.

Are you thinking about visiting Georgia and wondering what to experience there? In this post, I’ll guide you through the top things to do in Georgia to make sure you get the full experience.

Let’s dive in!

This post contains referral links for products I love. Adventurous Miriam earns a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links. I appreciate your support ♡ Learn more

Things to do in Georgia

1. visit tbilisi’s old town.

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, and you’ll find history around every corner.

Walk around to explore the colorful, old buildings in one of the most atmospheric capitals in the world.

Make sure to visit the Narikala Fortress, which dates back to the 4th century. It’s a great spot for panoramic city views and understanding Tbilisi’s strategic importance through the ages.

2. Experience a traditional Georgian Supra

A Georgian Supra is an extravagant meal held on special occasions. A Tamada (toastmaster) will lead you through a series of toasts and stories.

This tradition is so integral to Georgian culture that it’s been recognized by UNESCO as an expression of intangible cultural heritage.

🇬🇪 Book here – Half-Day Famous Georgian Supra Feast

3. Tour the Vardzia Cave Monastery complex

Explore the Vardzia Cave Monastery, a remarkable 12th-century cave town.

This monastery complex was built under the reign of Queen Tamar , one of Georgia’s most famous rulers, and it was used as a cultural and spiritual center.

🇬🇪 Book here – Day tour to Vardzia, Rabati, and Borjomi

4. Visit the Uplistsikhe Cave Town

Uplistsikhe is an ancient town carved into rock, with structures dating back to the early Iron Age. It was a major political and religious center up until the 9th century.

🇬🇪 You can visit on a day trip from Tbilisi or Gori – book here .

5. Inspect the frescoes at Gelati Monastery

The Gelati Monastery is known for its incredible frescoes that have survived since the 12th century.

Founded by King David the Builder in 1106, the monastery shows the Byzantine and Georgian church architecture that flourished during Georgia’s Golden Age.

6. Explore the Ananuri Fortress’s history

Head up to Ananuri Fortress and take in the views of Jinvali Reservoir.

This fortress has seen its fair share of battles for control over the region, especially during the 13th century when it was a castle of the eristavis (dukes) of Aragvi.

It’s easy to visit on a day trip from Tbilisi – book here .

7. Discover the David Gareja Monastery Complex

One of the best things to do in Georgia is to visit the David Gareja Monastery Complex on the Azerbaijan border.

It’s a sprawling network of rock-cut churches from the 6th century, showing off Georgia’s dedication to its faith through centuries.

🇬🇪 Book here – David Gareji and Rainbow Mountains

8. Walk through Mtskheta’s ancient streets

Stroll through Mtskheta, where every path leads to history, like the 6th-century Jvari Monastery.

As the place where Christianity was proclaimed as the state religion of Georgia in 337, you’re literally walking through the cradle of Georgian Christianity.

9. Admire Akhaltsikhe’s Rabati Castle architecture

Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe stands as a testament to the region’s diverse history, with influences from the Ottoman Empire to the Russian Empire.

It’s been rebuilt several times since its initial construction in the 9th century.

10. Explore Gori, the birthplace of Stalin

Gori has a complex history, notably as the birthplace of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1878.

The Stalin Museum there gives you a look at his life, while the Gori Fortress offers a glimpse into the area’s medieval past.

11. Trek to Chalaadi Glacier

If you’re up for an adventure, the trail to Chalaadi Glacier is calling your name.

Starting from Mestia in the Svaneti region, the hike will take you through a lush ancient forest along the swift Mestiachala River.

It’s a must-do for nature lovers and those looking to experience Georgia’s stunning mountain scenery.

12. Visit the Katskhi Pillar

The Katskhi Pillar is something straight out of a fantasy book.

Imagine a towering limestone column with a monastery perched on top, 40 meters above the ground.

Maxi me Qavtaradze , a monk of the Orthodox Church, has lived on the Katskhi Pillar for 20 years and only comes down twice a week.

🇬🇪 Book here – Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One-Day Urbex Tour

13. Visit the powerful Ushba waterfalls

If you’re near Mazeri village and want to see something extraordinary, visit the Ushba waterfalls.

They’re in the middle of the Caucasus Mountains and are pretty impressive because of how powerful they are.

14. Ski or snowboard in the Gudauri resort

Looking for some winter fun?

Gudauri Resort has got you covered with its excellent ski and snowboard slopes.

Plus, it’s just a stone’s throw away from Tbilisi, making it an easy getaway for some snow action.

15. Drive the scenic Georgian Military Highway

Taking a drive on the Georgian Military Highway is an experience in itself.

This historic road is a vital link between Georgia and Russia, but it’s also a journey through some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery you’ll find anywhere.

You’ll pass by ancient watchtowers, valleys, and gorges, making it the perfect route for anyone who loves a road trip with a view.

🇬🇪 Book here – Georgian Military Highway including Lunch & 4WD

16. Visit the Rainbow Mountains

The Rainbow Mountains in the David Gareja region are unbelievable.

Picture layers upon layers of vibrant colors streaked across the hills, all thanks to the unique weathering and erosion that’s taken place over time.

Read next: 15 epic rainbow mountains around the world

17. Visit Svaneti

Svaneti has towering medieval stone towers and snow-capped peaks.

It’s a place that’s managed to hold onto its ancient traditions, and with mountains like Tetnuldi and Shkhara reaching for the sky, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world.

🇬🇪 Book here – Svaneti Mountains! 2 days & 1 night tour from Kutaisi

18. Ascend to Gergeti Trinity Church in Kazbegi

The Gergeti Trinity Church is a hallmark of Georgia.

Perched high at 2,170 meters in the Caucasus, Gergeti Trinity Church dates back to the 14th century.

Its iconic silhouette against Mount Kazbek and historical significance make it a must-visit in Georgia.

🇬🇪 Book here – Kazbegi PRIVATE MOUNTAIN Tour

19. Drift through Martvili Canyon’s green waters

Imagine floating through the emerald waters of Martvili Canyon, surrounded by the sounds of waterfalls and the sight of steep, lush canyon walls.

It’s a peaceful escape that’ll make you appreciate the quieter side of nature’s beauty.

🇬🇪 Book here – CANYON & CAVE Tour from Kutaisi

20. Discover Racha

Take a detour to the tranquil region of Racha, a place that’s off the beaten path but brimming with natural beauty.

You’ll find forests you could get lost in, lakes that mirror the sky, and a peacefulness that’s becoming rare. And while you’re there, sip on some local wine.

🇬🇪 Book here – Private Tour to Racha from Tbilisi

21. Try iconic Georgian cuisine like khachapuri

You can’t visit Georgia without trying khachapuri, a warm, gooey cheese bread that’s a staple at most Georgian tables.

Also, you should taste khinkali – it’s some of the best Georgian food you’ll find!

22. Relax in Tbilisi’s sulfur baths

When in Tbilisi , do as the locals do and soak in the sulfur baths of Abanotubani.

These thermal waters aren’t just a great way to unwind; they’re steeped in history and said to have health-boosting benefits.

23. Visit the beach in Batumi

Take a trip to Batumi and enjoy the Black Sea beaches.

It also has great cafes, street art, and cool finds in the Old Town. You’ve got a nice market, cableway views, and it’s close to national parks. 

Oh, and you’ve got to try the local food while you’re here. Batumi is where they make Adjaruli Khachapuri – that’s the bread boat filled with cheese and egg.

24. Taste authentic Georgian wine in Kakheti

In Kakheti, you’ll get to sip your way through the birthplace of Georgian wine.

This region is a treasure trove for wine enthusiasts, offering a peek into the ancient traditions and rich flavors that make Georgian wine truly unique.

🇬🇪 Book here – Day Trip to Kakheti Wine Region Including Seven Wine Tastings

25. Visit the abandoned spa houses in Tskaltubo

When you visit the abandoned spa sanatoriums in Tskaltubo, you’ll explore Soviet history firsthand through the grand, decaying architecture of what were once luxurious retreats.

🇬🇪 Book a tour – Tskhaltubo Soviet Private Tour

26. Take a cable car in the mining town of Chiatura

Chiatura in Georgia is one of the weirdest places you’ll see, full of old cable cars and cool views.

They put in these cable cars back in 1954 because the town’s stuck way down in a valley, and it’s way faster to get around with them. There are 17 of these cable cars left, and if you try to find and ride all of them, it’ll keep you busy for a good while.

27. Find dinosaur tracks at Sataplia Nature Reserve

Sataplia Nature Reserve is home to well-preserved dinosaur tracks.

In Sataplia, you can find dinosaur footprints from both herbivores and raptors from various periods. The local dinosaurs, known as “Satapliazaurus,” are different from those found in Europe .

FAQ – Best things to do in Georgia

What is the number 1 attraction in georgia.

The number 1 attraction in Georgia is the historic city of Tbilisi, particularly its Old Town, which is known for its diverse architecture and sulfur baths.

What is the most famous thing in Georgia?

The most famous thing in Georgia is its wine, which is one of the oldest wine regions in the world.

What is the most scenic place in Georgia?

The most scenic place in Georgia is the mountainous region of Svaneti, with its medieval towers and dramatic landscapes.

Which month is best to visit Georgia?

The best month to visit Georgia is May or September when the weather is warm and dry, ideal for exploring both cities and the countryside.

Miriam Risager is the founder of Adventurous Miriam. She has traveled to 62 countries in the past 18 years and has done most of it solo. She helps over 100,000 people per month plan their travel adventures across the world.

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The Ultimate Georgia Itinerary: 1, 2 or 3 weeks

Last Updated on January 23, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Planning a Georgia itinerary can seem a little bit overwhelming when considering just how much there is to see and do here. Though it has always been a popular holiday destination for citizens of the former Soviet Union, the small country of Georgia in the South Caucasus region has only recently begun to gain attention from nations further afield.

Whether it’s the dramatic Caucasus mountains, the world-class cuisine and viticulture, the hip atmosphere of Tbilisi or the famous hospitality that draws you to Georgia, there is no doubt that this country has a lot to offer.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Georgia?

How long do you need to spend in the Republic of Georgia in order to do it justice, visit where you want to visit and not feel rushed or unfulfilled?

You could be forgiven for thinking that, because it is so small geographically, you wouldn’t need to spend that much time in Georgia. However, you would be surprised by just how much there is to see and do in this seemingly small country.

That is why we wouldn’t recommend staying less than one week in Georgia and would only suggest staying fewer days if you are only planning a short city break to Tbilisi.

Even one week really isn’t enough to give Georgia the justice it deserves, but it does give you an adequate amount of time to get a feel for the country.

If you’re able to take more time to explore Georgia, then that is all the better. If you can, we would really suggest planning to spend at least 2 weeks in Georgia.

However, 3 weeks would be the most ideal length of time for a Georgia trip. When you have 3 weeks in Georgia, you will be able to see a good portion of the country and really feel as if you’ve got a good feel for all of the diverse places and the incredible culture.

In our experience travelling through this country (we also lived in Tbilisi for a couple of years), we have come to agree that that length of time is optimal to see as much of Georgia as possible without overwhelming yourself.

Best Time to Visit Georgia

It is fair to say that Georgia experiences a typical continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Outside of the mountain areas, you can expect the winter months to be the coldest with temperatures hovering somewhere around freezing.

Because of its southern location, winters do tend to be fairly short (the coldest months will be December and January) and not all that snowy in the bigger cities like Tbilisi and Kutaisi.

However, it will still be necessary to have proper winter clothing if travelling to Georgia between late November – late March. Winter is also an attractive time to visit if you want to take advantage of some of the most affordable ski resorts in Europe.

In contrast, summers in Georgia can be incredibly hot, with temperatures in the lower regions and capital soaring to well over 35-40 degrees Celsius (95-102 degrees Fahrenheit), with the mountainous offering some respite from the heat.

Summer is the ideal season to visit if you plan to do a lot of hiking or trekking while in Georgia as it is the only season where mountain trails and roads are sure to be open. It is also the best time to visit the coastal area of Batumi.

Like most everywhere else in the world, I would say that the ideal time to visit Georgia would be in the shoulder seasons between March-May and September-November. Here is where you will experience the mildest of weather, fewer crowds (though there aren’t many crowds in Georgia to begin with), and the most availability when it comes to accommodation.

What is worth noting is that, if you do plan to travel in spring, the few weeks surrounding Easter tend to get as busy as it does in peak season. That is because people from countries that celebrate both Orthodox and Catholic/Protestant Easter usually have a bit of time off and use it to travel to Georgia.

Getting To & Around Georgia

Unless you arrive in Georgia overland via Russia, Turkey, Armenia or Azerbaijan , it is likely that you will come into Georgia via air. There are three main airports where you could fly into: Batumi, Kutaisi, and Tbilisi.

Kutaisi airport is the hub for the budget airline WizzAir and is where many European tourists will arrive into, however, the highest-traffic airport is in Tbilisi.

All three airports are well-connected to other major cities with buses timed with arrivals to shuttle you onto another destination. For instance, if you fly into Kutaisi (located in Western Georgia) but want to begin your trip to Georgia in Tbilisi, there is a bus connection leaving directly from the airport for those cities.

Georgia is actually a relatively easy country to travel in and has a fairly easy-to-navigate public transport system. If you’re travelling to Georgia on a budget , then your best bet is going to be to rely upon the bus, train and shared taxi network, as it will undoubtedly save you a lot of money.

The most common mode of transport is by minibus, most commonly referred to as a marshrutka in Georgia. These usually seat about 15 people and are incredibly affordable. Popular routes between various cities run frequently, though they don’t often run on absolute set schedules, rather they depart when they are full.

The train network in Georgia exists, but it is neither as developed nor as convenient as the marshrutka system. There are train routes connecting most major cities in Georgia, however, they tend to leave at odd times and can be slow going depending on the route. Trains are, however, also quite an affordable way to travel and can offer a bit more comfort than a minibus.

Travelling by shared taxi is also a popular option in Georgia, and you can usually find a driver to whichever destination you looking to travel to at the bus station.

The car usually has a set price and you will wait until there are enough people to split the fare between before you will depart. Usually, they accommodate up to four people, however, taxis will depart with only one or two provided you pay the entire fare. You can pre-book drivers here .

If you would rather not rely on public transit while in Georgia, then your best bet is going to be to rent a car. Driving in Georgia can prove to be a daunting task as the road can be in poor repair and the drivers can be aggressive and erratic, but it is nonetheless a popular option amongst travellers looking to be a bit more flexible with their Georgia travel itinerary.

If you want to rent a car in Georgia, you can rent directly from locals by using LocalRent which connects private individuals renting a car with drivers.

1-Week Georgia Itinerary

As stated above, one week can very much seem like not enough time to spend in Georgia, however, it is long enough to give you an excellent taste of the country. The only harm of this itinerary is that you are sure to leave ready to plan another trip.

Days 1-3: Tbilisi

The most logical first stop through this beautiful country is in the capital city of Georgia, Tbilisi. A metropolis known to charm all of those who care to explore it, this hip capital has a tonne of great things to do and can easily keep visitors occupied for a number of days.

However, for your 7 days in Georgia, we recommend spending three days in Tbilisi .

This will give you a solid amount of time to be able to explore all of the main sites in Tbilisi and maybe take an easy day trip to nearby Mtskheta , which was the former capital of Georgia, to the incredible Chronicles of Georgia Monument or to Stalin’s birthplace of Gori and nearby Uplistsikhe.

Spend your first day exploring Tbilisi’s old town, seeing the Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia statue and wandering over to the gorgeous botanical garden.

On your second day, hunt for interesting antiques at the Dry Bridge Market before crossing the Mtkvari River to the Marjanishvili neighbourhood.

And on your third day, you can either spend it exploring more of Tbilisi or opting to head out on one of the aforementioned day trips.

Where to Stay in Tbilisi

Pushkin 10 Hostel — A high-rated hostel located in the centre of the city, this is a great option for budget and solo travellers looking to meet others. They have both private and dorm rooms available and good common areas available to mingle with other travellers.

Guest House Rampa  – A budget guesthouse located in the Abanotubani neighbourhood is an excellent option for those looking for more of a local experience. They have a range of private rooms available for both solo travellers and couples and a kitchen available for guests to use. 

Hotel Flower   — This centrally-located hotel is an excellent place to stay if your budget allows for a bit more luxury hostel or guesthouse. It is within walking distance of most of Tbilisi’s main attractions, they have numerous rooms available (some with their own hot tub!) and a great breakfast included in your nightly rate.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Tbilisi hotels

Days 4-5: Kazbegi

After spending your first few days in Tbilisi, it’s time to head north and venture into the beautiful Caucasus mountains. One of the most famous places to do this and one of the best places to visit in Georgia, is in the town of Stepantsminda, commonly referred to as Kazbegi .

Nestled in a valley surrounded by the Greater Caucasus, Kazbegi may well be one of Georgia’s most picturesque areas. And while the town itself isn’t anything to write home about, the scenery surrounding it is truly spectacular.

The most popular thing to do in Kazbegi is to hike up to the Gergeti Trinity Church, which is perched in an incredible location in view of the imposing Mount Kazbek — the 7th highest peak in the Caucasus and a site to numerous legends.

Because of its small size, many treat Kazbegi as a day trip from Tbilisi, however, we would recommend spending one full day (two nights) here in order not to rush yourself and to truly be able to enjoy the incredible scenery.

Where to Stay in Kazbegi

Guest House Kavtarashvili 38 — A small, family-run guesthouse well-located within a short walk of the main drag in Kazbegi and the bus station. They have a handful of clean and comfortable rooms available and a great breakfast option.

Red Stone Guest House — Located in Gergeti Village, this guesthouse is a great option if you want to get an early start on the hike to the Gergeti Trinity Church. They have a number of great rooms available and a hearty breakfast option included.

Rooms Hotel Kazbegi — This is the place to stay if you want to live in luxury during your time in Kazbegi. They have a number of chic and comfortable rooms to choose from, great facilities such as a swimming pool and sauna and a great restaurant with commanding views of Mount Kazbek.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other options in Kazbegi!

Days 6-7: Sighnaghi

After enjoying the cosmopolitan vibes of Tbilisi and taking in the imposing Greater Caucasus in Kazbegi, it’s time to discover another aspect that makes Georgia famous — its wine! And there is no better place to do this than the postcard-perfect town of Sighnaghi in the Kakheti region .

You will need to head back to Tbilisi in order to easily get from Kazbegi to Sighnaghi, but it isn’t far from the Georgian capital.

This walled hill town is often referred to as the prettiest town in Georgia and it is an excellent place to escape for a couple of days. Located in the heart of Georgia’s main wine-producing region, you can also opt to go on a wine tour to local vineyards and cellars and learn about Georgia’s ancient viticulture techniques — the oldest in the world!

Again, Sighnaghi is often treated solely as a day trip, however, as we believe that both the surrounding wine country and the town itself are worth exploring, we recommend spending as much time as your itinerary allows.

Where to Stay in Sighnaghi

Maya Guesthouse  – This well-located family guesthouse is a fantastic budget option in Sighnaghi. They have a few clean and comfortable rooms available, a beautiful balcony commanding spectacular views of the Alazani Valley and an option to add breakfast and dinner to your room rate. They will also organise tours of the surrounding area. 

Guesthouse Wine  – An excellent family-run guesthouse in the town centre that has numerous comfortable and clean rooms with friendly and helpful owners. They also make and sell their own delicious wine on site. 

Boutique Hotel BelleVue  – A boutique hotel in the town centre, they have myriad rooms to choose from. This is a great option if you’re looking for a romantic getaway in Sighnaghi and your budget allows for more than a guesthouse.

Not quite what you’re looking for?  Click here to browse more Sighnaghi hotels!

2-Week Georgia Itinerary

If you have a fortnight, this will give you a great amount of time to really dig deep and visit a number of different destinations and really get to know the country and its people. Here is what to do in Georgia in two weeks:

Begin your 14 days in Georgia with three days in Tbilisi. Follow the suggestions above as to how to spend your time and where to stay in the city.

Like in the one-week itinerary, your next stop should be Kazbegi, the beautiful mountain with imposing views of the stunning Mount Kazbek. Again, you only really need about two nights here (one full day) to be able to get the most out of these destinations.

Days 6-8: Sighnaghi

Like in the one-week itinerary, make your next stop be the lovely town of Sighnaghi and spend a couple of days tasting wine, walking the town walls, and enjoying the prettiest town in Georgia.

Days 9-11: Borjomi

From Sighnaghi, you can easily head to the town of Borjomi with a quick connection in Tbilisi. Borjomi is a beautiful spa town located to the west of Tbilisi and is famed for its healing, sulphuric waters.

You can spend one day exploring the lovely town of Borjomi, taking a walk through its lush central park and going for a swim in naturally warm sulphur pools which is one of the most iconic things to do in Georgia!

Borjomi is also an excellent jumping-off point to explore the incredible cave city of Vardzia, which is located about 100 kilometres south of Borjomi and accessible as a day trip from the city.

You could also venture into nature at the lovely Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, the largest national park in Georgia. Here you will find ample trekking opportunities.

Where to Stay in Borjomi

Guesthouse Metreveli  – This is an excellent guesthouse located in a quiet neighbourhood about 10 10-minute walk from the city centre. They have three comfortable rooms available, a delicious breakfast option, and friendly owners who will fill you with their homemade wine and chacha.

Crowne Plaza Borjomi  – This is the place to stay if you want a swanky, luxury hotel in Borjomi. Located next to the Central Park in a beautiful historic building, they have a myriad of luxe rooms available and numerous amenities. 

Not quite what you’re looking for?  Click here to browse more Borjomi hotels!

Days 12-14: Kutaisi

End your trip to Georgia in the country’s third-largest city of Kutaisi. Though it has now become a hub for low-cost airlines that have affordably connected Georgia with continental Europe, this city is often overlooked by tourists.

We find this to be a huge mistake as there are a number of really great things to do in Kutaisi and the surrounding Imereti region. Take one day to explore the laid-back city, take in the bustling Green Bazaar, visit the Bagrati Cathedral and head to the lovely botanical gardens.

On your other days, use it as a base to explore the region and maybe go on a day trip to the impressive Prometheus Cave or lovely Martvili Canyon. There are also some excellent wineries to head to in the Imereti region and the nearby town of Tskaltubo is popular for urban explorers, as well.

Kutaisi also has a very good restaurant scene and you can eat very well in this city. All in all, Kutaisi is an excellent way to see a smaller city in Georgia and a great place to end your trip.

Where to Stay in Kutaisi

Pospolita Guesthouse  – A small, family-run guesthouse with very friendly owners, this is an excellent budget option in Kutaisi. Well-located within easy walking distance of all of the Kutaisi attractions, there is also a large homemade breakfast included. 

Hotel Green Town  – If you’re looking for a proper hotel rather than a guesthouse, then this is a great option. Located a stone’s throw from the beautiful and historic Bagrati Cathedral, they have a range of rooms available, offer a shuttle service from Kutaisi Airport and a hearty breakfast included in the nightly rate. 

Not quite what you’re looking for?  Click here to browse other hotels in Kutaisi!

3-Week Georgia Itinerary

3 weeks is really the ideal amount of time to really get to know the country.

With this amount of time, you will be able to see and do as much as possible without totally exhausting yourself. If you’re wondering what to see in Georgia for three weeks, follow these suggestions:

Days 1-4: Tbilisi

Begin in the capital of Tbilisi. While we recommend spending three days here in the other routes above, we suggest upping that to 4 days if you have 3 weeks for your trip.

This will allow you to see a lot of the capital city while giving you time to go on a day trip or two. Popular and easy-to-organise day trips from Tbilisi include to Mtskheta, Gori, Telavi and beyond.

Days 5-6: Kazbegi

After spending four days in Tbilisi, head up to Kazbegi and follow the suggestions above for how to spend your time there and where to stay.

Days 7-9: Sighnaghi

Like the one- and two-week Georgia routes outlined above, we recommend heading to the lovely town of Sighnaghi to taste some fantastic wines and enjoy the lovely atmosphere.

Days 10-12: Borjomi

After visiting Sighnaghi, Borjomi makes an excellent next stop on this three-week trip.

Spend one day on a day trip to Vardzia and the Rabati Fortress complex in Akhaltsikhe and the other day either exploring the town of Borjomi itself or trekking in the national park.

Days 13-15: Kutaisi

Georgia’s third-largest city of Kutaisi is the logical next stop from Borjomi and it is worth spending a couple of days exploring the city and its surrounding area and enjoying its gastronomic scene.

Days 16-18: Mestia

After enjoying laid-back Kutaisi, it’s time to head into the Greater Caucasus once more and explore the beautiful Svaneti region. The most developed, easy-to-reach and tourist-friendly town here is the lovely village of Mestia.

While this three-week trip doesn’t give you enough time for it (unless you cut out the last stop!), Mestia is well-known as the starting point for the four-day Mestia to Ushguli trek, a hiking route that takes you from village to village until you reach what claims to be the highest town in Europe: Ushguli.

However, if you don’t have the time for this trek, you can spend one day in Mestia and going for one of the day hikes that are easily accessible from the town. On the other day, you can hire a 4WD or take a tour up to the town of Ushguli and even trek to the glacier from there.

This is truly a beautiful place in Georgia and very much cannot be missed on your 3-week itinerary for Georgia.

Where to Stay in Mestia

Guesthouse Guram Baba – This family-run guesthouse is an excellent place to stay if you’re visiting Mestia on a budget. They have a number of clean and comfortable rooms available, a kitchen available for guests’ use, and the friendly owners will organise transport to Ushguli if you’d like.

Hotel Level – This hotel is a great option if you’re looking for a more high-end place to stay in Mestia. They have numerous rooms available and an option to include breakfast in the nightly rate.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more accommodation in Mestia!

Days 19-21: Batumi

After ascending some of the highest peaks in Georgia, it’s time to soothe those sore muscles in the saltwater of the Black Sea in Georgia’s premier resort town of Batumi!

Batumi has been a popular holiday destination since the days when Georgia was under the rule of the Russian Empire, however, these days its grand colonial past also shares space with modern high-rises, futuristic architecture, and plenty of casinos. Acting as something like a mini Las Vegas on the sea, Batumi isn’t for everyone.

However, it is possible to have a mellow beach holiday here as well. You can spend one of your days soaking up the rays on the beach and swimming in the Black Sea and another getting lost in the massive botanical garden located a few kilometres outside of the city centre.

Batumi is a little bit out of the way for shorter Georgia routes, however, it is the perfect place to end your trip.

Depending on where you plan to visit after Georgia, it is possible to travel on to Turkey from Batumi. There are also easy connections from Batumi to Kutaisi or Batumi to Tbilisi.

Where to Stay in Batumi

Hotel N16 – This hotel is an excellent place to stay in Batumi. Located within walking distance of the beach and the promenade, they have numerous rooms available, an incredible view and a helpful staff.

Hotel Monarch – This hotel is a great option if you’re looking for a nice place to stay while still supporting a local business. Well-located close to the beach and the main sites, they also have an array of clean and comfortable rooms available.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Batumi hotels!

Planning a trip to Georgia can seem daunting when you consider just how much there is to see and do in such a small country. However, regardless of how long you have you’ll be sure to make your trip a memorable one.

Are you planning to visit Georgia? Have any questions about these routes? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

How to Get from Tbilisi to Borjomi & Things To Do in Borjomi

The Ultimate 2 to 3 Days in Tbilisi Itinerary

The Perfect Georgia-Armenia-Azerbaijan Itinerary

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

thank you so much.. this is very helpful. Can u give more details where to visit during december? we are plannig on a trip to Georgia by december end- january start. am assuming, many places will be blocked due to snow? we plan to rent a car for traveling within the country. Will snow be an issue for this? Any info would be helpful. Thank you.

Good morning,

thanks for this excellent blog, it really helps me planning my trip! I have one question: how do you get from Borjomi to Kutaisi by train? I’ve read it somewhere but cannot find it anymore, I’ve also checked the Georgian railway’s website … are you familiar with this option? Or do you recommend the marshrutka?

Thank you in advance! Katya

The most frequent and easiest way to get between Kutaisi and Borjomi is going to be the marshrutka 🙂

Thank you for these information about Georgia. This will help a lot those travellers who are planning to visit Georgia, and I hope we will also be able to visit this beautiful country soon.

Thanks for your comment! I hope that you’re able to get to Georgia soon 🙂

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Last updated on January 5, 2024 by Shannon

The resilience of the Georgian spirit shapes my favorite aspects of traveling there. Throughout history, this tiny country has offered the world everything from cowboys to wine. This is one of the most unexpectedly lovely countries that I have encountered on my travels. I spent the bulk of my time in the capital, and Tbilisi won me over with subtle charms and gentle nudges.

One of the key reasons tourists head to the Republic of Georgia is the country’s location in the lower Caucasus mountain range. This means there is ample hiking (best in spring and fall) as well as skiing in the winter months. But beyond the mountains, which are stunning, the people of Georgia are wonderfully welcoming and hospitable.

The country has only begun rapidly expanding for tourism since 2008, so it’s still a budget destination, and the internal road infrastructure is a bit rough. Backpackers can easily navigate on a budget, but there are also many cozy and beautiful high-end options for travelers looking for comfort as well as culture.

The Republic of Georgia is utterly charming and I highly recommend adding it to a Central Asian trip, or visiting as a single destination in its own right. Continue on for a look at the history and travel facts you’ll need to know before you visit Georgia! Or skip right to the city guide recommendations .

Table of Contents

Things to Know Before Traveling to the Republic of Georgia

You would be forgiven for wondering if Georgia’s a part of the Middle East. The actual vibe, however, is European. Part of what makes traveling this area so fascinating is the sheer amount of history contained in a small geographic area.

In the absence of context, it’s hard to imagine what the Republic of Georgia is like. Located on the edge of the Caucasus Mountains, the country is neighbored by cultures as varied as its topography. Once a stop on the Silk Road, the city became a confluence of the civilizations over the millennia.

This peculiar positioning means many consider Georgia a part of Europe or Asia, depending on who you ask. And you would be forgiven for wondering if it’s a part of the Middle East. But the actual vibe: It’s European. Part of what makes traveling this area of the world so fascinating is the sheer amount of history contained in a small geographic area.

Wine is a big part of the Georgian culture and for good reason: Archaeologists found the oldest traces of wine production in present-day Georgia. The wine-production dates back as far as 8,000 BC. Even more, Georgians have a unique clay-jar process of winemaking that has even made it onto the UNESCO list for Intangible Heritage.

This history is important, alongside its long religious history, because Georgians are very proud of their well-preserved cultural heritage and legacy. Christianity came to Georgia in the first century, and now Georgia is predominantly Eastern Orthodox—to the tune of 84%.

The country is dotted with monasteries and churches, giving the Republic of Georgia a visible and strong Christian presence. It’s actually this adoption of Christianity that is credited with aligning Georgia more with European culture versus the surrounding Middle Eastern culture arranged around Islam.

While a country’s ancient history plays a part in any trip, so too does recent history. For countries with recently attained peace, understanding a foundational history is paramount. It shapes the experience with compassion and empathy. It invites the visitor deeper into the psyche of the culture and people.

Only by understanding the past can you enjoy what makes the Republic of Georgia unique. Georgia was a part of the former Soviet Union. The country also dealt with political and social unrest throughout the 90s and early aughts.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, Georgia has a precarious and complex relationship with Russia. Most international governments recognize that Russia is occupying two areas that belong to Georgia—South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This is an ongoing point of contention, with the country going to war with Russia in 2008.

All of this is a current stressor on present-day Georgia, so it’s important for travelers to understand the country’s history, be sensitive to the political nature of this topic, and always research the current safety of these two contested regions if planning a visit to anywhere in that area.

The Fast Facts About Georgia Travel

Georgian Lari (GEL) ( current exchange rate )

Electricity

220V, 50Hz (European plug)

Primary Airports

• Tbilisi (TBS)
• Batumi (BUS)

Can you drink the water in Georgia?

While it’s generally safe to drink the water in the city centers, it can vary widely throughout the country. Interestingly, Georgian mineral water is highly rated, tasty, and a big export item. It’s also affordable to buy bottled while in the Republic of Georgia.

How’s the wifi in the Republic of Georgia?

WiFi is rampant; available at most guesthouses and cafes. Also central Tbilisi has a free WiFi network, TbilisiLovesYou. Some places may even boast fiber-optic networks.

Local SIM Cards

Securing a local SIM card is a cinch in Georgia, and I highly recommended getting one for language translation and such. I had speedy, cheap 4G throughout Tbilisi.

When you arrive in Tbilisi, there are a handful of Magti shops (Google it or ask your guesthouse). Bring your passport and for less than US $10 you can get a SIM and high-speed data. This will work in most non-mountainous regions of the country.

You’ll need a VPN if you plan to access many U.S. sites and to stream U.S. Netflix. I’ve used NordVPN since 2016 while living abroad and it’s never failed me once.

Georgians speak Georgian, which is its own unique language and has its own alphabet. Most locals also speak Russian. English is only prevalent in touristy areas of Tbilisi and some of the mountain ski regions. Have patience though, as Georgians have a deep culture of hospitality and will work with you to communicate.

Possible Issues

Georgia is one of the safest countries in Europe (except the two occupied areas). Corruption is now low and it’s safe to walk around.  Altitude sickness is a possible issue: Be warned and be cautious if you are visiting the mountains.

Pick out accommodation on Booking.com.

This is the only booking platform I use because it rewards you for loyalty, and I regularly score free breakfasts and 15% off my hotel.

Festivals of Note

Tbilisoba takes place in mid-October every year. Information in English can be scarce, but you can often find the dates and schedule on the Georgian Tourism website. I also just Facebook messaged the tourism board and asked for the schedule in English and they sent me one. It’s a huge cultural event that takes over Tbilisi for a number of days and it’s a great way to taste a range of foods and see a broad representation of Georgian song and dance.

Black Sea Jazz Festival in Batumi (July)

Tushetoba in Tusheti (August)

Food Considerations

Georgians are quite proud of their national cuisine, and it’s also popular in Russia and other countries. It’s tasty! They many several signature dishes that you can try at every price level. Nice restaurants will have fancy versions, but there are also many fast street-eats versions too.

The food is very bread and cheese based, with fresh salads and meat also quite prevalent. Food and wine is affordable and a big part of traveling Georgia—they enjoy the ceremony of meals!

Vegetarians can get by, but celiacs and vegans will have a harder time since bread and cheese are the base of most dishes. This is the best food guide I’ve seen, and it includes the dish names in Georgian, too.

Accommodation

Finding a place to stay is easy. The country has rebounded strongly from the issues of the mid-2000s and with the Georgian focus on hospitality you can expect comfortable accommodation at every price level.

I was Old Town adjacent during my stay and everything was cozy and well-appointed. Find budget options and apartment rentals on Booking.com —you want to stay near the City Center, Old Town, or the River.

Getting Around Georgia

Georgian driving is not the safest. Wear a seatbelt. The country has some of the highest traffic accident rates in the region. There are trains between a few of the cities, otherwise there are minibuses ( marshrutka ) connecting all major cities in Georgia, as well as connecting Georgian cities to its neighbors.

It’s surprisingly affordable to hire private transport if you’re in a group to split the costs. For more transport information, Bookaway shares detailed regional information on routes between cities .

Socially Responsible Travel

If you’re trekking, consider these tips for responsible travel . Even with extensive research and asking locals, I could not find any social impact organizations in the country. It seems like sustainable and community-based tourism organizations have a goal of implementing projects by 2020, so ask around!

How much should you budget for Georgia travel?

This is a pretty decent budget destination. It’s not rock-bottom, but the Georgian Lari lost value over the past few years, making it a more affordable travel spot. Everything is moderately priced and wine and food is reasonable, so you can eat well here.

Plan on moderate, average budget of US $30-45 per day for a single person, slightly less per person in a couple. Couples can share private transport for an affordable way to make the travel more comfortable. Your budget will likely lessen outside the capital. This is a good single day solo budget (does not include averaging in price of day-trips).

Americans, Canadians, and those with EU passports do not need a visa to visit, and they may stay in Georgia for up to a year. For other countries, check your visa requirements here .

World Travel Planning Resources

From the best travel gear to how to pick travel insurance—a detailed list of resources, tips, and advice to help you plan an amazing trip.

Is Georgia a Safe Country to Visit?

In the wake of Georgia’s 2008 Rose Revolution, the country is safe and growing. The police department cleaned up corruption and many Georgians assured me their country was safe for solo travelers. After having wandered solo for weeks, I agree.

That said, travelers should use caution when visiting areas near the Russian-occupied areas of Georgia. Also, I highly recommend picking good travel insurance before you leave— IMG Global is a solid choice for most travelers, and SafetyWing is great for digital nomads and long-term travelers. You can also check the latest U.S. Government warnings .

Pre-Trip Reading: Books About the Republic of Georgia

Fiction & Nonfiction Books About Georgia

• One More Year : A fascinating account of stories from across the collapsed Soviet Union. This collection of stories explores everyday life and culture alongside the fallout from this region’s history.
• The Caucasus: An Introduction : The one book you should add to your Kindle if you are visiting the Georgia and/or the Caucasus region. Journalist Thomas de Waal takes a close and well-accounted look at the turbulent history of this region, as well as the cultural nuance that makes it a fascinating region to explore.
• Georgian Folk Tales : A fun way to learn more about Georgian history. These are free here as a part of project Gutenberg, but you should spring for the $1.99 version for a clean reading experience.
• Fiction from Georgia : This is not in a travel-able form, only in paperback, but it’s the newest collection of fiction recently translated from Georgian authors.

Podcasts and Online Reads

• A Pilgrimage to the Cradle of Wine : This NY Times longread takes a close look at Georgia’s remarkable history of winemaking and why it’s such an important part of our collective world heritage.
• Time Turned Back: On the Use of History in Georgia : An interesting read about how the Soviet Union used historians and the manipulation of history to push ideology and shape Georgia differently.. This loads up as a PDF that you could download and put on an e-device.
• Adjika: Sauce of Glory, Pride of Abkhazia : A dose of Georgian history through a struggle to identify the origins of adjika , a delicious sauce from this region. Fascinating longread.
• Reasons to Love Tbilisi, Georgia : I wrote this piece and it gives a good overview of what you can expect from a visit to the capital. It enumerates all the reasons I crushed hard on this pretty little capital city, as well as the Georgian culture.

Don’t forget to  book travel insurance for your trip —a great policy provides coverage in case of medical emergencies, lost or stolen gear, adventure sports riders, and more. I’ve used  IMG Global  for more than a decade  highly recommend it !

Best Things to Do in Georgia

My 5 Favorite Georgia Travel Experiences

• Wandering the streets of Old Town Tbilisi with a camera in hand.
• Climbing behind the gorgeous David Gareja monastery for views of Azerbaijan .
• Sipping tea in a Parisian style cafe overlooking the river in Old Town.
• Visiting the Mother Georgia statue at night and meeting local friends.
• Accepting the many offers of genuine hospitality and friendship from Georgians.

Things to Do in Tbilisi, Georgia

Such a charming city and one of my favorite spots in the world. You can fill many weeks just exploring the town, and relaxing at the adorable coffee shops scattered all over Tbilisi. My post shared a high level view of the many things to do in Tbilisi , as well as why it’s just so charming.

Visit Narikala Fortress

This site is gorgeous and looms over Old Town. The aerial tram in the easiest way to get to the fortress, it drops you just at the base and then you can wind up into the ruins.

There are very little safety measures though, and you can climb up some crumbly areas, so be warned. It’s very pretty views at the very top but you will have to climb with all four limbs just a short ways.

This is near the Mother Georgia, but best to be visited with enough time to just see it. The views are also stunning at night, and the tram is cheap, so consider visiting both times.

Wander Tbilisi’s Historic Old Town

This is the heart of the tourist activities and most of the churches and historic sites are all located in a walkable area. You will likely stay in or adjacent to Old Town, so take an afternoon to simply get lost in the back streets.

Climb to the Mother Georgia Statue

This is the symbol of Georgia and Georgians just love her. Consider seeing her up close by climbing up to her from Old Town. Then you can weave down the back side of the hill toward the botanical gardens. This is pretty from spring through fall, and shouldn’t take more than six or seven hours. You can also bail on the hike at parts as there are other transport options near Mother Georgia, so you can just take the aerial tram back down.

Try the Sulphur Baths

This is located just near the main intersection in the old part of town, it’s called the Abanotubani area, and is on the south side of the Metekhi bridge. You’ll want to bring a friend and get the full washing/scrubbing experience. Locals also love doing this in the cold weather as a fun activity to get warm and enjoy each others company.

Visit a Tbilisi Fresh Market.

There are many but the main one is a great spot for a wander and is across the river, near Didube.

Shop the Saturday Flea Market

Also know as the “Dry Bridge Market,” this place is easy to spot near the river and about 15 minutes beyond (west of) the main Metekhi intersection. It’s fun to wander the antiques spread on the sidewalk, and there’s also a lot of artwork too. Even kids would enjoy poking around the weird and quirky things on offer. I picked up some interesting knick-knacks as gifts for friends that you won’t find anywhere else.

Relax at a Parisian-Style Cafe

There are a lot of these popping up in the city and they are cozy and quiet and a great place to relax with a book. Try  Entree  (20 Rustaveli Ave) or Cafe Canape (Abashidze Street – Vake).

Try a New Food and Restaurant Every Night

Try all of the best Georgian foods by switching it up for lunch and dinner every night you’re in town. The best way to get the lay of the land is by taking a food and drink tour your first day in town so that you can understand the food landscape, try a lot of local dishes, and also pump your tour guide for additional recommendations.

Save this food guide and use it to try all of the beautiful traditional dishes on offer around the country. They also have a list of cute restaurants and cafes in Tbilisi .

Find a Great Place to Sleep

Stay at a cute vacation rental from VRBO . I used Bacho’s tiny apartment and it was just lovely. But check out all of his listings because they are thoughtfully and carefully arranged and beautifully done. And they’re all in a great spot too.

Consider Fox Hostel or Cozy Hostel . Both of these are in great areas of town and have everything you might need. Fox is super clean and a bit quieter. Maria has a backpacker vibe and a tour desk so it’s super easy to arrange things with them. Even if you pick a different hotel, consider using Booking.com as I find they usually have the best deals and selection.

Stay in a nice spot . I enjoyed staying just near Old Town—this is where the tourism is focused, there is good nightlife and it’s close to all of the major sites. With that in mind, consider Sunny House Apartment and the charming Apartment Piccolo , both of which are mid-range prices and in a good location. If you’re there on business, or if you simply want a more formal hotel, then  Rooms Hotel  for midrange, and Citrus Hotel  for a nice place from which to visit the city. These are in a different part than Old Town, but still a lot to visit and see.

Best Day Trips from Tbilisi

Hike Around the David Gareja Monastery

This is a stunning day trip from Tbilisi and one of my favorite trips out of the city. It’s pretty far though, and there’s not a lot between Tbilisi and the monastery, so you will surely need transport and/or a guide.

I used my Airbnb host, but you can also book a tour near the tourist information booth in Freedom Square (there are brochures and always people there offering services), or this day tour on Viator includes Rainbow Mountains and looks amazing.

One reader notes: “Make sure you get honey from their shop—it is a divine honey from almond tree blossom.” One of the coolest parts of the visit is climbing behind the monastery to the top of the cliff and looking out into Azerbaijan. Then you go explore the cave paintings and make your way back down.

Venture Out to Kazbegi

You can do this as a weekend trip and it’s enjoyable. Plan on visiting the monastery on the hill overlooking the village, Tsminda Sameba Church. One reader recommends trying hinkali , a meat dish, at the tiny cafe nearby. This is one of the highlights for people visiting Georgia as the mountains are one of the country’s most prominent features and this page has more information on planning time in Kazbegi.

Bookaway shares details on how to get there , and if you’re short on time, book this day tour to see it in a day and maximize every moment.

Tour Monasteries and Churches Near Mtskheta

This is a very easy day trip from the city and a must-see as this is the historic former capital of Eastern Georgia and the centre of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Visit Gori and Uplistsikhe

This will be a long day trip from Tbilisi, but it’s definitely possible to visit in just a day.  Uplistsikhe is a 3,600 year old Silk Road cave city and Gori is Stalin’s birthplace.

Begin your journey by taking a train or bus from Tbilisi to Gori, where you can delve into the life of Joseph Stalin at the Stalin Museum and visit the house where he was born. From Gori, a short distance away, Uplistsikhe awaits—a remarkable ancient cave city. Marvel at the intricate rock-cut structures, religious sites, and panoramic views that transport you back in time to an ancient civilization.

The combination of visiting Stalin’s birthplace and discovering the architectural marvels of Uplistsikhe creates a contrasting and thought-provoking experience, shedding light on different aspects of Georgia’s past.

Using a local guide or joining a guided tour would really enhance your experience by providing informative commentary and historical context. Here’s how to hire a car to get you to Uplistsikhe .

Head to Ananuri Fortress

This day trip offers sweeping views along the Aragvi River from the fortress, and it’s only 45 miles from Tbilisi. You could visit this en route to the mountain towns.

If you’re visiting in the winter months, the Gudauri Ski Resort is one gorgeous option in Stepantsminda District and just 75 miles from Tbilisi. It’s easy for those looking for a bit of skiing in addition to other sightseeing and such.

Venture into Armenia

The Armenian border is not far from Tbilisi and you can easily take a weekend trip into Armenia while still keeping a base in Tbilisi. While you could do this solo and there are easy bus and van transport here , it’s a lot easier with a local guide if you’re doing it as a one-day trip— this is a great and affordable option .

Other Adventures Around Georgia

Go hiking in the Svaneti region , arguably one of the prettiest around. The official tourism website has route information on the most popular treks, and this is the best place to research specific trekking ideas for this region.

Getting there . You can either take private transport from Tbilisi (a rental car or a hired driver). Or you can take a the entire 12 hour journey. Or you can split the difference by using the overnight train from Tbilisi to Zugdidi.

From Zugdidi you will take a minibus from Zugdidi to Mestia (in Zugdidi, the bus toward Mestia leaves from near Svanish Tower). If you’re sleeping at one of the homestays in Mestia, then you’ve arrived!

Otherwise, you will pair up with others heading in that direction and share a jeep to Ushguli. At the end of this post you will find a more detailed guide on how to get there . And as I’ve noted elsewhere, the roads in Georgia have high accident and fatality rates, I would consider trains when possible to cover long distances.

Where to sleep in Mestia . Mestia has a large homestay network and it’s a cinch to find one either once you arrive, or you can use the Svaneti Trekking & Tourism Centre  to connect with a family within the local homestay network. This group is dedicated to developing regional tourism and is responsible for a lot of the development and infrastructure you will find in the region.

I’ve also read from others that Guest House Folk Music (+995-599-15-9694 or [email protected]) is lovely. Have your guesthouse call ahead (or hopefully you took my advice and bought a SIM card since they are so cheap!).

What to pack . Trekkers should have a solid waterproofing outer-layer, as well as sturdy shoes, and a strong headlamp for sure. Ask your trekking guide for additional suggestions, but those three things are the bare minimum you should have before arriving in the region.

Kakheti Wine Region

Tour the Kakheti wine region , and learn about the country’s long legacy of wine (Georgia’s wine-making process is actually recognized by UNESCO for its intangible heritage). This is a great tour option from Tbilisi .

Do a wine tasting . The Twins Wine Cellar in Naparevli  offers a lovely wine tasting and museum to learn more about the unique way that Georgians prepare and process wine.

Explore the gorgeous churches . This is a strong list of sights to see while in the region. They took their trip with the tourism board, so it’s  everything ; you’ll likely want to pick and choose a few of the sights that interest you most when constructing your own itinerary.

Swim in the pretty waters of the Black Sea in Batumi.

Watch sunset from the Argo Entertainment Complex , with has an aerial tram and cable car with stunning views over the city.

Visit the Piazza Square , a landmark and a pretty Italian renaissance square with upscale boutiques and restaurants.

Getting there . Taking a train between Tbilisi and Batumi is likely the easiest option, and the bus is six hours and also very cheap . Batumi’s train station is new and very nice (and has luggage storage if needed). You could also rent a car and make it a road trip, taking in all of the lovely towns along the way—if you are doing this, then you won’t need to take a daytrip to see places like Mtskheta (a town with a name I  still can’t pronounce!).

Read my full guide on how to get under the skin of Tbilisi, Georgia .

Essential Travel Planning Resources

❗ Yes, you need travel insurance . IMG Global is the travel insurance I’ve used for well over a decade of traveling solo, and with kids. Here’s why .

🧳 Smart packing can save your trip. Shop my favorite travel gear , including all of the packing essentials for world travel , gear to keep you safe on the road, my favorite travel books , and more.

🛏️ Find great accommodation . Booking.com is essentially the only hotel booking site that I use. It has a wide and affordable selection of traditional hotels, but also hostels and vacation rentals, too. Use these pro tips to find the best travel accommodation .

📍 Navigate more effectively. Rome2Rio is super handy to assess the full range of transport options between two cities—shows everything from flights to trains, buses, minibuses, and more. If you’re booking a rental car, I’ve always found the best deals on RentalCars.com .

✈️ Book affordable flights. Expedia is one of the first places I look for low-cost flights .

☕ Peruse all of my tips for round the world travel , or learn how to move and live abroad .

Tips & how to travel to Georgia in 2024

By Joan Torres 23 Comments Last updated on August 27, 2024

Georgia is the ultimate European travel destination. 

This Caucasian country is home to, definitely, the most striking mountains in Europe, composed of massive glaciers, fairy meadows, and 5,000-meter snowed capped peaks; and great, vibrant capital, very Eastern European on the one hand but, on the other, with its unique Caucasian and Georgian identity and filled with the most unimaginable chaos. 

Barely discovered by the average traveler, Georgia is a country with a very strong national character, visible in many aspects, from having their own Christian branch to a unique architectural style, a very elaborate cuisine considered the best in the former Soviet Union and a deeply rooted wine culture. 

I lived and traveled in Georgia for more than 7 months, and it is truly one of those countries which, every time I write about its beautiful things, I can’t avoid falling into nostalgia. 

Georgia is a great country and this guide contains everything you need to know for traveling to Georgia , from how to get a visa to cultural facts, trekking advice, and plenty of travel tips, making it the most detailed Georgia travel blog. 

In this Georgia travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• Best time to visit Georgia
• Travel Insurance
• How to get in
• 5 Top experiences
• Is Georgia safe?
• The people and the culture
• Non-recognized republics
• Get off the beaten track
• Soviet heritage in Georgia
• Georgian food
• Transportation in Georgia
• Accommodation
• More information

our recommended travel insurance for Georgia

With its backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of trekking destination, like Georgia.

🪪 Visa for traveling to Georgia

Free one-year visa.

Georgia has one of the greatest visa regimes in the world, as you can get a 1-year FREE visa upon arrival in the country. 

You can live in Georgia for the rest of your life

The best part is that this 1 year gets automatically renewed once you leave and re-enter the country, even if you cross the Armenian border and come back after one minute. This means that you can stay in Georgia forever. 

Which nationalities?

Here you can see the list of the countries (94) which are eligible for the 1-year travel visa, which includes all Western Nationalities, Latin America, and all high GDP Asian nationalities. 

By the way, apparently, EU citizens can enter the country without a passport, with just their national ID but, just in case, I recommend you bring both. 

Other nationalities can get an online visa

Then, some countries like India, China or Egypt , among many others, can apply for an e-visa through this portal . 

Remember to read my Tbilisi travel guide

⛅ Best time to visit Georgia

First of all, you should know that Tbilisi can be visited all year long as, in winter, it never gets too cold plus you won’t find tourists. Summer is particularly hot in Tbilisi but it is the best season to enjoy the rest of the country. 

• Visit Georgia in winter – Georgia has a few ski resorts, Gudauri being the most popular one, around 3 hours away from Tbilisi. Obviously, their ski resorts are not as great as the ones in Europe, but they are all right and for people living in Dubai and other warm areas, Georgia might be the best nearby ski destination.
• Visit Georgia in spring – Beautiful landscapes and many sunny days but it might be too early to go trekking in the Georgian Caucasus . 
• Visit Georgia in summer – The best time for trekking in the high Caucasus and visiting the coastal area. 
• Visit Georgia in autumn – Mid-September is the harvest season, so for wine lovers, this is the best time to visit Kakheti region . 

I personally think that September would be the ideal month to travel to Georgia because the trekking season is not over yet, it is harvest season, the weather in Tbilisi is great and the big crowds have already gone. 

🚑 Travel Insurance for Georgia

Georgia is an adventurous destination, so we recommend going there with proper travel insurance.

I recommend IATI Insurance because:

• Their backpacker plan covers all types of adventure activities, including trekking
• Very competitive prices
• Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount

🛫 How to get to Georgia

How to travel to georgia by air.

• Via Tbilisi – Tbilisi has many connections with Europe, some Asian destinations and Dubai and other Middle Eastern cities. 
• Via Kutaisi – There is a low-cost airport, with many Wizzair flights coming from several European cities, so it would also be a great chance to visit Kutaisi .

How to travel to Georgia by land

• Russia – Officially, only one border with Russia is open, which is the one in Kazbegi . Then, you have the South Ossetian border, which can’t be used for entering/exiting Georgia, and the border with Abkhazia, which can be used for exiting but not entering. For more information, read my travel guide to Abkhazia . 
• Azerbaijan – There are two official borders, one closer to Tbilisi, which can be crossed by train, and the other one in the Kakheti region . Both are friendly and very easy to cross. Read my Azerbaijan itinerary for more information. 
• Armenia – There are three borders to choose from, depending on where you want to go. 
• Turkey – The are two very friendly borders, the easiest being the coastal one, which takes you straight to Batumi. 
• Ukraine – You can travel to Georgia by ferry from Odesa in Ukraine. There are two companies offering this service, Ukrferry , and Ferrysped , and detailed schedules may be found on their websites. A ticket costs around 100USD. Read my travel guide to Ukraine

Read: Everything you must know for visiting Iran

📚 The best books on Georgia

These are just my favorite 2 books. For more options, check the best 15 books on Georgia

Georgia Diary: A Chronicle of War and Political Chaos in the Post-Soviet Caucasus – Thomas Goltz

In this insightful book, Thomas Goltz tells all the struggles Georgia went through after the independence from the Soviet Union, ranging from separatists conflicts (Abkhazia), the war of neighboring Chechenya, corruption, crime, and endless politicals problems.

Bread And Ashes: A Walk Through the Mountains of Georgia – Tony Anderson

If you ever traveled to Georgia and had to read one single book on the country, I would definitely recommend this one.

The author Tony Anderson traveled across the Georgian High Caucasus in 1998, on foot, through Tusheti, Khevsureti, Racha and Svaneti. In his journey, he discovered something that I have always been saying in all my articles, which is that despite belonging to the Soviet Union and basically, being the crossroads of the world, this part of Georgia managed to keep their culture and ancient traditions intact.

This book is great not only to also understand Georgian’s national identity but also to learn about the Caucasian ethnicity and culture.

🛖 5 Top experiences in Georgia

1 – explore the capital, tbilisi.

Whether you come for sightseeing, partying or to live your life as a digital nomad, Tbilisi is a great capital to spend a couple of days in.

2 – Discover the Communist Heritage of Georgia

From abandoned factories to masterpieces of Soviet Modernism, Communist buildings and functioning infrastructure, as a former Soviet Union country, Georgia has the largest Communist heritage I have ever seen.

Check this Soviet modernist building:

3 – Wander around unspoiled Mountain villages of Tusheti

One of the remotest mountain regions in Georgia, only accessible by a 4×4 through a 3,000-meter pass, and where you find some of the most unspoiled mountain villages in the country.

4 – Visit Kakheti during harvest season

Georgia was the first country ever to produce wine and Kakheti is the region where most wine is produced, so I recommend you go there during harvest season and visit small, random wineries to see how wine is made most traditionally.

Read my Kakheti travel guide

5 – Visit the Muslim villages of Adjara

Georgia was never fully under Ottoman rule, just a small part of it one occupied part being the mountains that stretch from the coast along the Turkish border, and that is the reason why most people living there are Muslims.

That area is named Adjara, and its tiny villages are home to absolutely hospitable people and aluminum-made mosques.

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Georgia?

There is not much to say here other than Georgia is very safe to visit, as it enjoys some of the lowest crime rates ever. 

In fact, I used to work in different cafés around Tbilisi every day and I was very surprised that the Georgians would always leave their laptops and belongings on the table and go outside for a couple of minutes, something I would never do in Spain or in pretty much any European city.

Traveling to Georgia is safe, really, including for solo women. 

Are you traveling to Central Asia? Check my travel guide to Central Asia

🕌 The people, the culture and the country

The country.

Georgia is a country located in the Caucasus region that used to be part of the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991. It is located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, which made it particularly appealing and convenient to occupy for several empires, from the Mongols to the Ottomans, the Persians and, of course, the Russians, both the Russian Empire and the USSR.

Georgia is a country with many layers of history, absolutely fascinating, yet, and, surprisingly, they have been able to maintain their strong culture and character, very different from anywhere else you may have been to. 

Read: What to do in Iran for 1 month

Is it part of Europe or not?

From a geographical point of view, the country is literally, right in between Asia and Europe, in Eurasia, so some people may argue when it comes to allocating it.

To be honest, I don’t really care where it sits because I personally think that its culture is more important than its geographic location and, in my opinion, Georgia has many similarities to Eastern Europe, more than even Turkey, which is geographically closer; and it barely shares any similarity with its Central Asian cousins and it is extremely different from any country in the Middle East . 

Moreover, as a Spaniard, I will even tell you that they have many similarities with South Europeans, especially Greeks and Spaniards, not only in the way we look like but also, in the way we eat, drink and sit around the table.

Actually, some studies confirm that Georgians have common ancestry with Basque people, a separate nation within Spain. 

So yes, I think that Georgia is part of Europe. 

Georgia and Russia

Heads-up. Georgians don’t like Russians, for many reasons, but mainly due to the Georgian-Russian war in 2008 . I don’t really want to enter into politics but, basically, Georgia went to war with South Ossetia, a region that wanted to separate from Georgia and had the support of Russia, which ended up into a military invasion of Georgia with Russian tanks. 

It is, of course, much more complicated than that, but this is what most Georgians will tell you and, if you meet some Georgians, you are likely to hear them complaining about Russians all the time. 

This topic is kind of controversial because Georgia largely depends on Russian tourism, and they can actually travel to Georgia visa-free, but Georgians need to go through a very tedious process to enter Russia. 

My country is 20% occupied by Russia If you stay in the country for long enough, you are going to hear this sentence quite often, directly from Georgians or even written on blackboards from the most progressive bars. This 20% refers to South Ossetia and the Republic of Abkhazia .    

Georgia is where traditional and European values collapse

Tbilisi is one of those capitals which, on the one hand, is home to a very traditional and super religious, conservative society which still lives in the last century and, on the other hand, a large young population, very open-minded in all senses and with very strong European values. 

From not hiding their homosexuality to fighting for gender equality, the young crowd is really demanding change.

They would like to be at the level of any EU country, to be part of it even, but, unfortunately, they are in conflict with the large, utterly conservative branch, who are supported by the powerful Church and, as a result, many of their demonstrations end up with violence. 

Really, when I was living there in 2018, I witnessed quite a few extremely violent episodes. 

The language 

Georgians speak Georgian , a language whose origins are a bit uncertain plus it is similar to nothing you ever listened to. They also have their own alphabet, pretty beautiful in my opinion. 

How to communicate with the locals

In Tbilisi, most young people speak good English but outside of Tbilisi not that much. Unlike in most former Soviet countries, in Georgia, they stopped teaching Russian at school right after their independence, which means that people who were born after 1991 don’t speak Russian at all, and some of the older generation who do don’t really like to speak it for the above-mentioned reasons. 

85% of Georgians belong to a Christian branch named Georgian Orthodox, one of the world’s most ancient Churches, founded in the 1st Century and the main reason why Georgians have been able to preserve their national identity despite all the invasions. 

Georgia is the most religious Christian country I have ever been to, a country where you are going to see a lot of young people crossing themselves every time they pass a Church. 

By the way, visiting the endless Georgian Orthodox churches and monasteries is one of the highlights, as they tend to be built in epic locations, plus they have their own architectural style. 

Furthermore, 10% are Muslims, mainly living in Adjara, a region bordering Turkey, as that area used to be part of the Ottoman Empire. 

Read: What to do in Azerbaijan in 3 weeks

The unrecognized republics within Georgia

In this Georgia travel guide, I think it is a good idea to mention some independent, yet, non-recognized, countries you may not have heard of. 

Basically, an unrecognized republic is a country that has got its independence, but, nobody in the international community recognizes it, which means that the UN doesn’t acknowledge its existence. 

There are many ghost countries around the world and in Georgia, you find two: Abkhazia and South Ossetia. 

Those countries declared themselves independent from Georgia, which led to a bloody war and, since nobody recognized them, they weren’t able to be part of the international banking system and their borders were closed, so today, they are economically backed up by Russia, in exchange for recognition, influence and military presence. 

However, entering these enclaves feels like being in a totally different country, as they have a border, require separate visas, have a distinct culture and Georgia has absolutely zero power and influence over them. 

• Abkhazia – You can easily visit it from Georgia and all you need is an e-visa which takes one week to process. For more information, read: How to travel to Abkhazia . 
• South Ossetia – Not accessible from Georgia: you can only enter from Russia and you may need to have a double-entry Russian visa. 

Read my articles to other unrecognized countries:

• Transnistria

🧭 Getting off the beaten track when you go backpacking in Georgia

Georgia is an emerging tourist destination but I think that, in a couple of years, it will enter the mass tourism destination stage. 

In fact, some parts of Georgia, like Kazbegi or Mestia are already quite commercialized, which means that taxi rip-offs are common and the locals don’t care about anything but the money you have in your pocket. 

It is a pity because Georgians are known for their humble hospitality and it seems that this commercialization came too quickly.

Nevertheless, don’t be disappointed because most of the country has been barely visited by tourists and there are many pure regions, pretty raw, where the locals will bless you with their hospitality. These are the best off the beaten track places to go backpacking in Georgia:

• The mountains of Adjara (bordering Turkey)
• Some villages of Kakheti

Soviet Heritage in Georgia

Like I said before, the Georgia-Russia relationship is kind of controversial because, on one side, they want to erase any Russian influence from their culture but, on the other side, here you find a shit load of Soviet Heritage, much more than in its neighbor Azerbaijan , a Soviet Country that decided to eliminate most Soviet buildings, yet, they have good relations with mother Russia. 

Some Soviet relics you may find:

• Soviet Modernism – Soviet Modernism was an artistic movement that flourished during the last decades of the USSR and mainly consisted of buildings with particularly weird shapes. Well, in Tbilisi you find traces of this movement everywhere. 
• Concrete Soviet buildings – Outside of the Old City, most of the buildings are from the Communist era, especially in the suburbs, where everything remains untouched. 
• Abandoned factories – There are loads of abandoned Soviet factories all over the country, my favorite being the one in Zestaponi. 
• Mining towns – Chiatura used to be one of the most important centers for the mining industry in the Soviet Union (Stalin himself used to live here) and the town hasn’t changed much since then.

Here you can learn more about Soviet countries in Europe

🏔️ Trekking in Georgia

Georgia is the ultimate trekking destination, home to some of the highest mountains in Europe, with its highest peak being Shkhara , located at 5,193 meters. 

A few things you should know about trekking in Georgia:

• Most of the high mountains are located in the north of the country, at the heart of the Greater Caucasus. 
• If you are planning to trek in high altitudes, summer is the ideal season but the end of spring and beginning of autumn should be good as well.
• The Greater Caucasus is no joke, as it offers some really challenging treks and the weather is highly unpredictable. If you don’t have much experience, don’t go alone, or try doing one of the busy, popular treks.
• Except in some parts of Svaneti and Tusheti, you won’t find any guesthouses along the way, so you must bring proper mountain equipment. 
• From epic glaciers to mind-blowing snow-capped peaks, the mountains of Georgia are a real wonder, so enjoy. 

For more information, including my personal tips + a packing list, read my trekking guide to Georgia .

If you really want to know about all the hiking trails in Georgia, I recommend you check this website: Caucasus Trekking – It contains very detailed guides to pretty much any trek in Georgia. 

🍷 Wine in Georgia (and chacha )

Wine is part of Georgian’s identity and, therefore, the highlight of traveling to Georgia and it truly deserves a single section in this Georgia travel guide. 

Archaeological evidence shows that they have been producing wine for nearly 8,000 years, making them one of the oldest countries in the world , if not the oldest, to ever produce wine. 

Traditionally, they used to make wine in something called qvevri , which are some clay vessels which are placed on the floor of a room called marani . This used to be the traditional way and, like most traditions in Georgia, many wineries still use it. 

In rural areas and smaller towns, it seems that everybody produces their own wine at home and, if you are staying in a traditional guest house, it is not uncommon that your host will probably offer you some for breakfast, no kidding. 

It also happened to us that random people stopped us in the middle of the street to just greet us and give a few litters of wine, for free. 

The fact is that Georgian wine is everywhere, and you are going to find good wine and bad wine but the most important is that for just a few €, you can find some good stuff. 

If you want to really witness the wine culture in Georgia, you must visit Georgia in September, during the harvest season, when all Kakheti is filled with Soviet trucks extra loaded with grapes and all the small wineries are in their production stages. 

By the way, Georgia produces a large variety of grapes but the most common ones would be Saperavi for red wine and Rkatsiteli for white wine. 

What about chacha ?

When Georgians don’t drink wine, they drink chacha, a really strong liquor usually made from grape which can easily contain up to 60-70% of alcohol.

You will be surprised to know that some guest houses also offer you chacha for breakfast. 

We also got offered chacha by many taxi drivers, bus drivers and just random people we bumped into. 

Moldova has a very similar wine culture. Read my Moldova travel guide

🍲 Georgian cuisine: what are you like to eat when visiting Georgia

The food is another of the highlights of visiting Georgia. 

In fact, Georgian cuisine is the cuisine of reference in the Soviet Union, to the extent that the best local restaurants in Ukraine and Russia are Georgian restaurants. 

Their food, however, tends to be heavy but they offer a large variety of dishes and, unlike all the developing countries I have been to, in Tbilisi you already find quite a few restaurants serving high local cuisine.

Cheese, walnuts and meat, loads of meat, are usually the core of any of their meals but they also have many vegetarian options, especially eggplant dishes. 

Some of the dishes you are likely to taste are:

Churchkhela

Churchkhela is not really a dish but a traditional candle-shaped candy, and I am putting it on the top of the list because you find it everywhere.

Basically, it consists of walnuts and almonds dipped into a super thick, and extremely hot, grape juice, which they need to hang for a couple of hours to dry out.

Don’t buy it in touristic areas, as they charge 4 or 5 times the actual price. The local price is 2-3GEL per unit. 

The local dumplings, typically stuffed with meat. You may also find them stuffed with cheese and other ingredients but those are aimed at tourists.

By the way, the local way to eat them is biting one a tiny bit to suck all the meat broth and then eating it as if it was an apple. 

Khachapuri Adjaluri

Khachapuri is, basically baked bread with melted cheese, but they have many variations and adjaluri is boat-shaped khachapuri with loads of melted cheese, butter and an egg floating over on top of it.

Badridzhani Nigvsit

Grilled eggplants with walnut paste. Perhaps, my favorite. 

Chicken in walnut sauce. This dish tends to be expensive and not available on most menus but I strongly recommend you order it, at least once. 

Bean stew, usually served with cornbread and pickles. 

Gobi is a special starter dish containing several vegetarian snacks such as phkali , which are spinach balls with walnut paste. 

The local grilled sausage.

💻 Internet and connectivity in Georgia

Wi-Fi – Wi-Fi is great throughout the country. In the mountains, the signal is bad, of course, but you can still connect to pretty much anywhere, even in Tusheti. 

SIM Card – Magticom is the mobile company I was using and I remember that for just a few €, you can get loads of GB every month. The best is that you can top-up your phone online. Check their website for the latest deals. 

eSIM for browsing, calling and traveling in Georgia

Basically, an eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical SIM card, with the added benefit that you can buy it from home before the beginning of your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it at your destination. 

With Holafly , you can get a SIM Card for a wide range of destinations, including Georgia . 

Moreover, you can benefit from a 5% discount with the following code:  AGAINSTTHECOMPASS

Get a VPN for traveling in Georgia

You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.

Your connection will be much safer. 

Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Georgia. 

I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. 

If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling .

💰 Money in Georgia – Georgia travel budget

In Georgia, they use the Georgian Lari (GEL) and, approximately:

1 USD = 2.60 GEL

They call the small currency Tetris.

Credit cards and ATMs

In Tbilisi, you can pay by credit card pretty much anywhere and ATMs abound, all of them accepting international credit cards. You will need cash for taxis and the traditional shops. Outside of Tbilisi, do bring cash. 

Exchanging money

Exchanging money is easy and € and USD are accepted everywhere. 

How much does it cost to travel in Georgia? 

The good news is that Georgia is really, really cheap. 

How much does food cost in Georgia?

• A meal in budget, local eateries – Around 7-10GEL
• A meal in higher quality restaurants – Around 15-25GEL
• A meal in top-end restaurants – From 50-60GEL
• Cappuccino – 4-5GEL
• Local beer – 2-3GEL
• A glass of local wine – 2-4GEL
• A glass of good quality wine – 8-11GEL

How much does transportation cost in Georgia?

• Taxis within Tbilisi – 3-5GEL
• Bus/metro ride – 0.50GEL
• Marshrutka to Mtskheta – 1GEL
• Marshrutka to Kazbegi – 10GEL
• Train to Batumi – 50GEL

How much does accommodation cost in Georgia?

• Budget Hostels – From 15GEL
• Double room in a budget guest house – From 40-50GEL
• Double room in a mid-range hotel – From 80GEL

Backpacking Budget for Georgia: from 25-30€ a day

🛺 Transportation – How to go backpacking Georgia

How to move around tbilisi:.

• Taxi – If you want to get the cheapest rates (and avoid bargaining), download Yandex or Taxify. Most rides cost around 3-5GEL. 
• Metro – There are two metro lines. A single metro ride costs 0.50GEL, but you need to first buy a metro card for 2GEL. 
• Bus – It works with the same metro card and Google Maps tells you the bus number of your route. 
• Yellow mini-vans – You will also see some yellow mini-vans roaming around Tbilisi. They are private and one single ticket costs 0.80GEL. However, they are more difficult to use because the signs are in the Georgian alphabet. 

How to move around Georgia:

Marshrutka – Marshrutkas are the tiny mini-vans used to move around the country. They go pretty much anywhere, are the cheapest way to move around and leave once they are full. However, the drivers are literally crazy, seriously, some of the craziest I have ever met, and note that I have been traveling in places known for their crazy driving like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan . 

Train – There is a train line that goes all the way to Zugdidi, Batumi and also to Armenia and Azerbaijan. You can book your train tickets at the train station itself but I used to buy them online through this website . Do book them in advance, especially in summer because they run out pretty quickly. 

Renting a car – When my parents came to visit us in Georgia, we traveled around Georgia for a week by car. It is very convenient and, if you drive carefully, you should be all right. We used a local company named parent.ge , which is significantly cheaper than most international branches. The owner of this company was our landlord, Dato. He is a cool guy. 

Here you can find more information on renting a car in Georgia .

🏨 Accommodation in Georgia

In Georgia, you find a wide range of accommodation throughout the country:

Hostels – In Tbilisi, you can find a shit load of hostels.

Guest Houses – Budget, lovely guesthouses also abound all over Georgia. 

Hotels – From 5-star hotels in Tbilisi to the mountain lodges in Kazbegi, the hotel options are endless. 

Homestays – In Svaneti and Tusheti, homestays are the way to go. 

❗ More information for traveling to Georgia

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Georgia destination

• Travel Guide to Kakheti
• Travel Guide to Kazbegi
• Tbilisi Travel Guide
• Georgia Itinerary
• Best Books on Georgia
• Trekking Guide to Georgia

Facebook Groups – Expats in Tbilisi and Georgian Wanderers are some great Facebook Groups where you can ask questions. 

Travel guides to former Soviet countries

• Belarus Travel Guide
• Ukraine Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Moldova
• Azerbaijan Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Kyrgyzstan
• Travel Guide to Tajikistan
• Uzbekistan Travel Guide
• Kazakhstan Travel Guide

23 comments

Georgia is a beautiful country and you also described it more beautifully and worthy. Nice photos with good content.

Nice post! Thanks for sharing!

Hi Joan, Thanks for sharing. Very informative content and quite different from other travel blogs especially the Russian buildings. BTW, I will be travelling from Tbilisi to Chiatura on June 23, do you have any idea how much does it cost by shared taxi (We are a group of 3 adults) so that I have some ideas on it rather than being ripped off. Actually I did ask for private transfer, it quotes 270 GEL, seem quite expensive for me. Hope you can give me some advice on this as you have been in Tbilisi for quite a time. Thanks in advance for your help! Cheers!

Hi Paulina, I don’t know if there are shared taxis going to Chiatura but, from Didube station, you can take the marshrutka that goes to Kutaisi, which costs 15GEl if I am not mistaken, drop off in Zestaponi and from there, take a second marshrutka to Chiatura.

Joan, as always a very informative and comprehensive post – thanks a lot!

But to be honest I have never thought of Georgia as “barely discovered by the average traveler”. Quite the contrary to be honest. By average you mean western European tourists? Because it is (and has been for quite some years) one of key tourism destination for eastern Europe and Russia… Gone are the days when Georgia was an unknown country. Last time I visited (in 2016 and off season) only to find that it is quite prepared for mass tourism and even then (January) there were quite a lot of tourists not only in Tbilisi, but also in Kutaisi and, of course, Singhnaghi. Very different to how it was, let’s say 10 years ago. I will be back again in few days and I wonder or rather I am a bit afraid, how things have changed in these 3 years and how is Georgia during high season. Even now, without Russian tourists.

I will check the tarmac road in Kazbegi 😉 Hope it will decrease a bit the taxi mafia… Cheers!

very interestingly written and informative content. Different and unique from other blogs same like Georgia. Thanks for sharing your experience in so detail , it was very helpful

Really fantastic blog! My wife and I are in the early stages of planning a 6 week trip to Georgia,Azerbaijan and possibly Armenia and I’m delighted to read that there is a border crossing between Sighnaghi and Azerbaijan,as we’d like to travel the High Caucasus on our way to Baku before catching the train back to Tbilisi. Can you confirm that there is definitely no border crossing from Agstafa into Armenia as without that,I think we may have to give Armenia a miss this time. Will now get your Georgia guide! Thanks,Peter

Hey Peter, thanks for your kind message! No border crossing between Armenia & Azerbaijan, 100%, unfortunately.

Hi Joan, My buddy and I are looking at visiting for a 3 day weekend from Frankfurt (COVID travel pending of course). We saw some pretty nice looking tours on Trip Advisor to Vardzia-Rabati-borjomi-back to Tbilsi, and another to Kazbegi. Both tours are 10 to 14 hours. Do you have any suggested tours. Due to COVID we had to announce our vacation time a lot earlier from work so we figured we would try to get a taste of Georgia, and then return next year if it is as it seems, beautiful.

Hi Aaron, I don’t know about any specific tours, other than the one recommended in the articles from GetYourGuide, sorry

Nicely informative narrative but of course impossible to evaluate for what may have been left out for a first time tourist that could be of interest. Well, that’s the adventure aspect in travel, isn’t it. Like, hooking up, female sexual mores, clubbing, etc. Also missing was any mention of medical, dentistry, and hospital services in the nation. All in all a good, readable word on Georgia. Thanks.

Hi Joan, I am planning to visit Georgia and other neighbouring countries such as Mongolia post-COVID 19, in 2022. Thank you so much for a very informative blog and beautiful photos of Georgia. I will need a visa as I am a Papua New Guinean. I reckon the closest place to get a Georgian visa will be Australia our neighbour to the south. I am not a trekker but love walks and want to find out if Tbilisi has lakes in the city or near the city. I am interested in buying your book so will check out Amazon. Would love a copy of your book ‘Against the Compass’ – it sounds exciting and different.

Thanks, Mari, I wish you all the best with your visa, and let me know if you need anything

Hey Joan! Incredible post. I’m fully vaccinated (yayyy) and planning a trip to Georgia this spring – so soon. I can’t wait to buy your book and learn more. I’m curious, have you heard anything about the country actually being open? I know that I can travel there with vaccine proof but I’m curious what it will be like once I arrive.

Hi Kylee! I think Georgia is now requiring a mandatory quarantine, but they kept it changing every now and then, and not sure how it works with people who are vaccinated. Did you check on IATA?

Hi Joan, I just came across your account of living in Georgia, I enjoyed the read and have subscribed!

I’m a solo female traveller from Canada and I have a specific question I’d like to ask you about the South Ossetia region. I’d like to visit the Gudauri Ski Area, and from what I can tell this area “seems” to fall within the South Ossetia region. I say “seems’ because I’m finding a lot of different information. From what I can understand the border is not static and is always fluctuating. My government’s travel website says that this region is not recommended for travel, and as such my insurance would not cover me if I have an incident in this region. So I’m just trying to find out from someone who’s been there what their take on it is, is the ski resort in this region and is it a generally safe place to visit? It looks like a chill place with new hotels opening up. And a great place to spend a few days playing in the snow! (I heard about the chair lift incident in 2018, but hopefully they’ve worked out this issues)

I hope that you are able to help me out, any information you can provide would be great.

Hi Leslie, thanks for your message! Gudauri is near South Ossetia but it doesn’t belong to the region. It’s a very safe touristic area, however, and as you well said, there are many hotels.

South Ossetia on the other hand is a breakaway territory today only accessible from Russia. I would not say it’s dangerous but you cannot access from Georgia anyways and even from Russia is tricky.

Thank you for the quick reply! I will continue to plan my ski trip and I can’t wait to get out there!

> Really, when I was living there in 2018, I witnessed quite a few extremely violent episodes.

Sad to say, but things are getting only worse. Orthodox priests were just yesterday beating journalists and gays while police was just watching and enjoying the show. The ruling mafia and extremist Georgian Orthodox church are promoting violence, intolerance and racism against sexual minorities, Russians and everyone who threatens their Jihadist values and way of life. And high level of nationalism is boosting xenophobia.

We are planning a lengthy European trip from early spring to late autumn in ’25 or ’26 , I am planning buying or renting a camper van for ease of travel, the trip includes Western Turkey. How easy is it to drive along the Black Sea coast and enter Georgia by private vehicle, any insurance problems ? Could the return trip be via Russia and/or Ukraine, is there a vehicle ferry from Georgia to the Ukraine ? PS, I have driven to India via Turkey in the past, so I am aware of many potential problems for the traveler. Thank you, David

Hi David, driving along the route is super easy, no hassle at all, but I am not sure about travel insurance. That’s something you’ll need to figure out. Via Russia is also OMK, as long as you have a visa. No VOA available.

Hi David, Thanks for sharing! We were considering Georgia for travel in 2022, however with the eastern europe conflict, is this something you think would make Georgia unsafe for travel in 2022?

What a fantastic resource for discovering Georgia in 2023! This article gives such a clear impression of this lovely nation, from its breath taking surroundings to its distinct culture and welcoming people. Every phrase shows the author’s obvious passion for Georgia, which makes me want to go on my own adventure there. The helpful advice on visas, travel insurance, and the ideal times to visit is of the utmost value. Additionally, the inhabitants’ emphasis on safety and friendliness is quite touching. It is excellent to emphasise Georgia’s extensive history, diverse language, and, of course, its renowned wine culture. This page serves as a travel guide as well as an open invitation to first-hand experience Georgia’s charm. I’m grateful to you for sharing this amazing story, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it myself!

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