A country located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, the Caucasus region, and bounded to the west by the Black Sea. Georgia lies at the crossroads of trade and tradition for centuries and is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. It is a country of breathtaking landscapes, a cuisine that is as delicious as it is undiscovered and a rich national story stretching back over 5,000 years. Tbilisi has the image of harmoniously integrated city of ancient and modern and through centuries it has been home to people of multiple cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. This is especially evident in the city’s Old Town, where mosques, synagogues and Christian churches stand side by side.
Bachi Kajaia, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Karelj, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Jon Gudorf Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0
::ErWin, CC BY-SA 2.0
Georgia´s climate is quite diverse due to the Caucasus mountains and the Black Sea interfering in the different conditions. In general terms the climate is drier yet colder in the east, where it also tends to rain less, and warmer in the west, but with more rain. The best times to visit Georgia are mid- May and June or September to late-October, especially in the lowlands around Tbilisi, as you will avoid the summer heat and humidity as well as the freezing winter. The period from June to September with its warm long days is perfect if you plan on visiting the mountains and/or the Black Sea coast, since weather is not so hot.
Wine tasting: is one of the oldest wine regions in the world. The fertile valleys and protective slopes of the Transcaucasia were home to grapevine cultivation and Neolithic wine production for at least 8000 years. Autumn is the harvest time and the best season for visiting Georgian wine regions.
Hiking and other outdoor activities: Georgia is small country but its mountain regions are simply spectacular. Late spring and early summer are the best time to go hiking in Georgia. The country remains popular for hikers right through to September. Although in July and August some trails can get extremely warm. Even in summer, snow remains on the higher mountains.
Ski and winter sports: Georgia has majestic mountains in which to enjoy skiing and other winter sports, with 92 kilometres of slopes in different resorts such as Gudauri or Bakuriani. The best season is typically from December until mid-April.
Georgian Tea: Georgia, as surprising as it might be, is one of the most suitable places on Earth to grow organic high-quality tea. Vast tea plantations become crowded in May when local residents, mostly women, hand-pick the leaves. The best season to explore the tea plantations is from mid-May until mid-October.
Black sea beaches: the best season is from late-May until mid-September. Many travellers may be shocked to find that the majority of Georgia’s shoreline is rocky, so do not forget to bring your slippers or beach shoes.
The Georgian Lari is the official currency. Typically, 2,5 to 4,2 lari per Euro and 2,3 to 3,5 lari per US Dollar.
Georgian is the official and primary language, while in the Abkhazia region the official language is Abkhaz. English is spoken mainly in bigger cities like Tbilisi, certainly by staff in hotels or in other tourist oriented business but not often by the general population.
Citizens of more than 90 countries and territories can enter Georgia without the need for a visa for stays of up to one year. Those who need visas can apply online. Citizens of EU countries may enter Georgia with a national identity card instead of a passport; all other nationalities must carry their passport. Non-visa-free nationalities must obtain a visa in advance. For ‘short-term’ visits (up to 30 days), this is easiest done through the e-Visa Portal (visa is received by email within five working days).
In major cities, ATMs are everywhere. However, if you are going outside of the major cities, stock up on cash beforehand, as ATMs are a lot less common in small towns. Visa and Mastercard are most widely accepted. Before you use an ATM, check the logos on it to make sure they match your card. Credit card payments are progressively more widely accepted, but in general you should not expect them to be accepted beyond major towns and hotels and high-end restaurants.
Banks or museums open from 9am to 6pm, while restaurants and bars are opened from 10 am to 10 or 11pm. Shops and other commercial places, open from 9am until 7pm or 9pm, depending on size and location.
Time: GMT + 4 hours.
Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi Airport (the largest airport in Georgia), is the airport of the country´s capital, Tbilisi.
David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport (is one of the fastest growing airports in Europe since Wizz Air decided to open a base in 2016), southwest of the city of Kutaisi, with good connections to the cities of Poti and Tbilisi.
Road conditions in Georgia vary a lot, some stretches are motorway in good condition, but many roads remain unpaved and poorly lit. This is something to take into consideration when planning your trip and calculating the time needed for travelling around.
All cities and some smaller towns in Georgia are covered by the bus network. Tbilisi also has an underground metro. For the most part, public transportation in Georgia is user-friendly and extremely affordable. In the cities, you will be using a mix of coach buses and microbuses (marshrutky). In Tbilisi, you can buy a rechargeable MetroMoney Card (valid for the metro and buses) or purchase single-ride tickets from machines inside the station or bus. You can use the same transport card in Batumi.
Like in most big cities, taxis in Tbilisi have a reputation for overcharging tourists. It is common to practice to flag down official taxis, but fares should always be negotiated in advance. In small towns and rural areas, taxis are the only way to get around. Shared taxis where you pay per seat are very common for longer journeys. If you need an intercity taxi, or you want to hire a driver for the day (a very common and easy way to get around), it will be a good idea to organise a driver through your accommodation.
Georgia by train: Georgia has an extensive railway network that was mostly developed during Soviet times. There are several different types of train running today. The main rail route, Tbilisi to Batumi, uses high-speed Stadler trains, connecting the two cities in around 5 hours. The rest of Georgia’s trains are old Soviet locomotives, which are often uncomfortable and painfully slow. Georgia’s international sleeper trains, on the other hand, are very comfortable and a budget-friendly way to travel from Tbilisi to Yerevan and from Tbilisi to Baku. The schedule changes depending on the season, running either nightly or every other day. You can buy tickets for the Georgian Railways online up to 40 days in advance.
Driving in Georgia by a rental car, is it possible if you are an experienced and confident driver, hiring a car is a great way to get around Georgia. Generally, you do not need an international driver’s permit to rent a car in Georgia, and rates can be fairly cheap if you go through a local agent.
The regions of South Ossetia (on the Russian border, north of Tbilisi) and Abkhazia (bordering Russia and the Black Sea in the far west of Georgia) are not safe to visit since they are breakaway regions of Georgia that have experienced high conflict in recent years. There are been reports of tourists in Tbilisi being scammed by locals who invite them into a bar for food and drinks and then force them to pay a really high bill. Be wary of demonstrations or protests. Drinking the tap water. Be aware that taxis here do not have meters. Remember to ask and agree on a price before you commit to buy from street vendors the touristy parts of the Old Town or on the pedestrianised part of Agmashenebeli Avenue. In churches and cathedrals women need to cover their hair, while men should take their hats off.
Georgian cuisine features a perfect mix of flavors from Greece and the Mediterranean, as well as influences from Turkey and Persia. Each region has its unique cuisine with flavors derived from spice combinations, but as a rule, a focus on herbs and garlic predominates and also makes extensive use of walnuts. Georgian wines highly regarded for their quality and their history. The country’s unique climate and soil quality have made it a major winemaking region for many thousands of years.
“Khinkali” (twisted knobs of dough served boiled or steamed, traditionally stuffed with meat but also vegetables, mushrooms and cheese/curd), “Badrijani Nigvzit” (roasted eggplant strips topped with walnut paste), “Lobio” (a cross between bean soup and refried beans), “Dolmas” (steamed, roasted, or boiled vegetables or leaves stuffed with minced meat, herbs and rice), “Satsivi” (chicken or turkey served with a thinned paste of walnut, garlic and herbs).
European type plugs (types C and F, unearthed and earthed two round pin plugs, respectively) make most of the power sockets in Georgia. The country operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.
EU residents can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives you free emergency treatment at hospitals. The EHIC does not replace travel insurance, which covers non-essential treatment along with emergency repatriation and other costly procedures. Ensure you have comprehensive insurance which covers all the activities you are planning to do. Travellers from other country must bear the cost of any medical treatment, be it essential or not, so an insurance policy is strongly recommended, specially if practicing dangerous sports.
Visit your GP or travel clinic six to eight weeks before departure to ensure you are up to date with all necessary vaccinations. Georgia has very strict drugs laws and some medication that’s permitted elsewhere could be confiscated in Georgia – or even lead to criminal proceedings. Always carry the relevant documentation for prescription medicines and fill in a customs declaration on arrival. There are no mandatory immunizations for travelers to Georgia though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A.
Mosquitoes are found in many parts of Georgia so bring a good insect repellent. Those containing DEET are generally more effective.
Tipping is not mandatory in Georgia, but it is certainly appreciated, especially in restaurants and cafes where wages are extremely low.
Cobbled street in Tbilisi call for sensible shoes.
Consider that people outside of the main cities are strongly conservative, so dress appropiately.
The bathhouses in Tbilisi, unlike those in Budapest or Istanbul, you will have a private room, however, it is still recommended to wear a swimsuit to avoid awkward moments.