Georgia travel guide
Georgia, the country in the Caucasus between the Black Sea and the Caspian, is known for the high peaks of the Greater Caucasus, ancient monasteries, a wine tradition said to stretch back eight thousand years and an exceptional culture of hospitality. Tbilisi mixes old balconied houses with sulphur baths and lively bars. It suits hikers, food and wine lovers, history enthusiasts and road-trippers.
Places worth the trip
Tbilisi
The capital's Old Town has winding streets, wooden balconies and churches below the Narikala fortress, reached on foot or by cable car. The domed sulphur baths of Abanotubani, the Bridge of Peace and Rustaveli Avenue are the classic sights.
Kazbegi and Gergeti Trinity Church
Along the Georgian Military Road, the village of Stepantsminda sits beneath Mount Kazbek. The fourteenth-century Gergeti Trinity Church stands on a ridge above it, one of the most photographed sights in the country.
Svaneti
A high mountain region in the north-west, with medieval stone defensive towers in villages such as Mestia and Ushguli. Multi-day treks link the villages beneath glaciers and peaks such as Ushba and Shkhara.
Kakheti wine region
Vineyards and wineries in the east, where wine is fermented in large clay vessels called qvevri buried in the ground. The hilltop town of Sighnaghi, with its walls and views across the Alazani Valley, and Telavi are good bases.
Mtskheta
Georgia's ancient capital, a short drive from Tbilisi, is the spiritual heart of the Georgian Orthodox Church. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the hilltop Jvari Monastery are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Vardzia
A cave monastery carved into a cliff in the south in the twelfth century, with hundreds of rooms, chapels and tunnels, built during the reign of Queen Tamar.
Batumi and the Black Sea coast
A seaside city with a long promenade, modern architecture, a botanical garden overlooking the sea and a busy summer season.
Uplistsikhe and Tusheti
Uplistsikhe, near Gori, is an ancient rock-cut town on a hill above the Mtkvari River. Tusheti, in the north-east, is a remote mountain region reached by a dramatic road open only in summer.
Interesting facts about Georgia
- Archaeological finds suggest that wine has been made in Georgia for around eight thousand years, and the qvevri winemaking method is listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Georgian has its own unique alphabet, with three historic scripts recognised by UNESCO.
- Hominin fossils found at Dmanisi, around 1.8 million years old, are among the oldest found outside Africa.
- A traditional Georgian feast, or supra, is led by a toastmaster called a tamada, who proposes a long series of toasts.
- Ushguli in Svaneti is often described as one of the highest permanently inhabited settlements in Europe.
Best time to visit Georgia
Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October) are ideal for most of the country, with pleasant weather in Tbilisi and the lowlands. July and August are hot in the lowlands but the best time for high mountain treks in Svaneti, Kazbegi and Tusheti. The grape harvest, rtveli, takes place in September and October, especially in Kakheti. Winter brings skiing at Gudauri and Bakuriani; some mountain roads close.
Getting around
Shared minibuses called marshrutkas connect most towns and are cheap, frequent and informal. Trains run between Tbilisi and Batumi and to some other cities. Tbilisi has a metro, buses and cable cars, and ride-hailing apps are widely used. Hiring a car with a driver is popular for day trips, and renting a car works well, although mountain roads are steep and winding and local driving can be fast. Domestic flights serve Mestia in good weather. Check your government's travel advice for areas near the boundaries with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Practical details
- Capital
- Tbilisi
- Currency
- Georgian lari (GEL)
- Languages
- Georgian
- Plug types
- C, F
- Voltage
- 220 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 112 for all emergencies
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Many restaurants add a service charge to the bill. If not, leaving around a tenth for good service is common.
Staying online in Georgia
Mobile coverage is good in Tbilisi, Batumi and other cities, and along the main roads, with 4G widely available. In high mountain regions such as Svaneti, Tusheti and on remote trekking routes, coverage can be patchy, and some valleys have none. Wi-Fi is common in hotels, guesthouses and cafés. Georgia is outside the EU, so EU roaming allowances don't apply. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Useful apps
- Bolt: Widely used for taxis in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi, with fixed fares shown upfront.
- Wolt: Food and grocery delivery in Tbilisi and other cities.
- Google Maps: Directions in cities and offline maps for mountain regions and treks.
- Google Translate: Translate the Georgian script on signs and menus with your camera.
Georgia travel FAQs
Georgia sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia in the Caucasus. Geographically it is often placed in Asia, while culturally it has long ties with Europe, and many organisations group it with European countries.
Cards are widely accepted in cities, but cash in lari is useful for marshrutkas, markets, small guesthouses and rural areas. ATMs are common in towns.
Yes, coverage is good in cities and along main roads, but patchy in the high mountains. As Georgia is outside the EU, a travel eSIM is a practical way to get local data while your home number stays active.
Try khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), khinkali (dumplings), badrijani (aubergine rolls with walnut paste) and churchkhela, a sweet of nuts dipped in grape juice.