Georgia Travel Guide

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Georgia is one of the most breathtaking countries, with landscapes that range from deserts and coastlines to canyons and the highest mountains in Europe, with several peaks over 4,000 meters tall.

During your trip to Georgia, you’ll also learn about its fascinating and, at times, turbulent history. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, this country has a strong Soviet legacy that’s still visible today.

Georgians are famous for their millennia-old traditions, like winemaking, acrobatic dances, and polyphonic singing—recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage and have reached the space! I’m not joking! 😉

In this guide to Georgia, you’ll find the key articles I wrote during the year I lived and explored every corner of this incredible country.

The goal is to make it your go-to resource for traveling in Georgia. And as always, if you have any questions, just leave a comment below, and I’ll do my best to help you out. 😉

Planning Your Trip to Georgia

Safety, Occupied, and Disputed Territories

If you’re wondering whether it’s safe to travel to Georgia, the short answer is yes.

Currently, Georgia isn’t involved in any armed conflicts with other countries. However, there are two Russian-occupied territories with different situations:

• Republic of Abkhazia: Recognized as a country only by Russia and three other nations.
• South Ossetia: This is a fully occupied territory that you shouldn’t enter, even by mistake.

👍 Friendly Tip: If you’re planning to hike near South Ossetia, make sure to stay a safe distance away or go with a guide.

There’s also a disputed area along the border with Azerbaijan that includes the David Gareja Monastery. This historic site lies partially on Georgian land and partially on Azerbaijani territory.

While there’s no armed conflict here, you should only visit the Georgian side of the monastery. For detailed information on how to visit and get there, check out this article.

Tips for Traveling to Georgia

Here are a couple of articles that will be super helpful for your trip: one on what to pack for Georgia.

In the other one I cover safety tips, visa info, the best time to visit, currency, and even the quirky questions immigration officers might ask. 😅

How Many Days to Spend in Georgia?

Georgia may be a small country, but it’s packed with incredible places to explore. I recommend spending at least 10 days to cover the must-sees.

Georgia Travel Itinerary

Must-Sees in Georgia

Georgia has three main cities, and depending on what you’re looking to explore, any of them can serve as an excellent base for visiting nearby attractions:

• Tbilisi: The capital, rich in history, with modern areas, amazing food, and plenty to do.
• Kutaisi: One of Georgia’s ancient capitals and a great base to explore some of the country’s most stunning sights.
• Batumi: A popular summer destination, surrounded by lush vegetation bathed by the Black Sea.

Here are articles about each city and the must-see attractions nearby:

Tbilisi and Surroundings

Kutaisi and Surroundings

Batumi

Accommodation

Georgia is one of the most affordable countries to travel to in Europe, with accommodations that are much cheaper than in many other destinations.

However, during the high season (July and August), prices in Tbilisi and Batumi can increase quite a bit, so it’s a good idea to book several months in advance.

Kutaisi is less touristy, and accommodations in smaller towns (aside from mountain villages) are usually even cheaper.

You can check out all the accommodation deals in Tbilisi here. I recommend staying in the city center so you’ll have most attractions within walking distance.

⭐ You may also be interested in this other article about 22 Affordable Destinations in Europe, where I include Tbilisi and share average prices for accommodations, meals, drinks, and flights.

🤑 If you want to save on your next adventure, use this Booking link to get 15% off your stay.

How to Get Around Georgia?

Driving

The best way to explore Georgia is by car.

Georgian drivers have a reputation for being fast and bold, but if you’re experienced behind the wheel, you’ll be fine.

Another bonus: rental cars are very affordable. I recommend using this website to find reliable, budget-friendly local companies.

If you’re planning to drive in Georgia, check out my guide below. I cover road conditions, livestock on the roads, required documents, and more.

Day trips

Another good alternative for sightseeing is the full-day tours, which are usually very cheap, such as this excursion to Kazbegi that costs less than 25 euros.

The advantage is that you don't worry about everything, you have a guide who explains it to you and many times even the food is included.

Public Transportation

Another advantage of Georgia is the availability of public transport to visit most tourist places. In case you don't want to drive, you won't have too many problems.

Below you will find several articles that will help you get around the country, including the Kutaisi airport, which is where Wizz Air's low-cost flights arrive. In addition, there is a guide explaining how to get to Armenia from Georgia.

Georgian Cuisine

This travel guide to Georgia could not be complete without including its amazing cuisine, which is gradually gaining international recognition.

Traditional Georgian dishes are made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, seasoned with unique spices, and paired with flavorful sauces.

You’ll also find delicious bread and an impressive variety of cheeses.

In the article below, I’ll share the must-try dishes for your trip to Georgia and recommend some great restaurants in Tbilisi. 😉

Outdoor Adventures for Active Travelers

If you’re an adventure lover, Georgia is perfect for activities like paragliding, skiing, and, of course, hiking and trekking.

Skiing

Winter sports, especially skiing and snowboarding, are among Georgia’s top attractions, drawing plenty of visitors every year.

The country has nine ski resorts, but these three are the most popular:

• Bakuriani: Georgia’s oldest resort, located closest to Tbilisi, in the Lesser Caucasus, with charming landscapes.
• Gudauri: The largest resort in Georgia, offering breathtaking views of the Greater Caucasus. It’s the most popular option, thanks to its easy access by bus or this transfer service, which makes stops along the way. If you check out the Kazbegi article I mentioned earlier, you’ll find detailed info about Gudauri and all the alternatives on how to get there.
• Mestia: Located in Svaneti, it’s the most remote of the three but offers stunning scenery. You can read more about Svaneti in my articles on day trips from Tbilisi or Kutaisi, as it’s accessible from both cities.

Paragliding

One of the most exciting activities you can try in Georgia is paragliding, and Gudauri is the best spot to fly over its magnificent mountains.

Prices are very reasonable, and if you’re interested, I recommend this company —it’s reliable, and all their equipment is in excellent condition.

Hiking and Trekking

Hiking and trekking are essential parts of any trip to Georgia. If you’re a mountain lover, you simply have to try at least a trail or two. There’s something for every skill level.

One of the most popular spots is Mtatsminda, the mountain next to Tbilisi. In the What to See in Tbilisi article, you’ll find details about this route, which takes you past Turtle Lake.

For easy to moderate trails with beautiful landscapes, head to Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. You’ll find more information in my article about Borjomi.

If you’re up for more challenging, high-altitude routes, the Kazbegi area is perfect, with waterfalls, glaciers, and stunning mountain scenery.

Check out my Kazbegi article I mentioned earlier for more details. If you’re interested in guided hikes, I recommend this tour to Juta and the Gveleti waterfall—I tried it myself!

In Kazbegi, the most spectacular trail is the Chaukhi Pass, at an elevation of 3,341 meters. It’s a tough route to do solo, but you can join this guided trek as an alternative.

Otherwise, in the Svaneti region there are the most spectacular routes in the country, with lakes and glaciers in the heart of the Greater Caucasus.

For the most breathtaking trails in Georgia, visit the Svaneti region, where you’ll find glacier-filled routes and stunning lakes in the Greater Caucasus. One of the most famous multi-day hikes is the Mestia to Ushguli trail, known for its jaw-dropping views. You can either do it on your own or join this guided group tour. For me, it was the most spectacular route I’ve ever done.

Urbex and Soviet History

Georgia’s history includes 69 years as part of the USSR and even earlier as part of the Russian Empire.

If you’re interested in exploring this legacy, there are plenty of fascinating spots to visit, including some incredible abandoned sites, included in my posts below.

One of the most striking locations is Tskaltubo, a favorite among urbex enthusiasts and photographers. Then there’s Chiatura, a one-of-a-kind mining town with its own character.

Finally, you will find another article about Soviet-era buildings and mosaics in Tbilisi. It’s a compilation I spent a year exploring, and I’ve highlighted the best spots for you.

Georgia Fun Facts

Before you travel to Georgia, you might enjoy reading my article on fun facts about the country. It covers everything from its history and unique surnames to its famous feasts, the "messengers of God," the Voyager space message, and more.

By the way, the photo in the article shows traditional Georgian clothing, which is still worn today for special occasions, religious festivals, and weddings. 😍

Final Thoughts

I hope this Georgia travel guide helps you plan an amazing trip to this beautiful country, full of stunning natural landscapes and still relatively undiscovered by tourists.

Keep this guide handy; it'll be a valuable resource throughout your journey, providing access to all my articles. If you found it helpful, don't hesitate to share it with fellow travelers. Have a wonderful trip! 💚

More Guides to the Caucasus and Europe

• Armenia Travel Guide
• Greece Guide
• Türkiye Guide (Turkey)