Georgia

Though it looks small on a map, the Caucasus Mountains carve Georgia up into many different regions, each with their own food, culture, and attractions:

• Tbilisi – Georgia’s capital and the single most popular place to visit in the country. For short trips, you can base yourself here and take day trips to the mountains.
• Batumi – A fascinating Black Sea resort city that’s sort of like what you would get if you mixed Singapore with Atlantic City.
• Svaneti – My favorite region of Georgia. Locked deep in the mountains and difficult to access, but that’s the charm.
• Kakheti – Georgia’s wine region is filled with vineyards that rival those in Italy, but at a fraction of the cost.
• Kutaisi – The country’s second city offers less to do than Tbilisi, but is strategically situated for trips around the Western region.

👉 Explore our full list of places to visit in Georgia.

🗓️ Best Time to Visit

The best months to visit Georgia are May and September. Though Georgia is a small country, its climate varies considerably among its various regions, owing to the huge changes in elevation that you’ll find within this Caucasian country. Generally, the best time to visit Georgia is between May and October, though if you’re into winter sports you can visit the country of Georgia at any time of the year.

👉 For more, see the full guide to when to visit Georgia.

⚠️ Safety

Georgia is generally a safe place to visit, despite the very brief conflict in 2008 between Russia and Georgia, but it’s not perfectly safe. For one thing, there has been a general rise in political protests over the past year, though in general these have not posed a safety threat to tourists. Also, know there have been increasing safety incidents since the pandemic, however, especially directed towards women and LGBT travelers. It is a good idea to check the latest US State Department travel advisories for Georgia before booking your trip.

👉 Tips & Things to Know

• 🌙 – Most flights come in the middle of the night – It’s a weird quirk about the Tbilisi airport.
• ✈️ – Or you can fly into Kutaisi – Several budget carriers have direct flights there, and it’s closer to Svaneti.
• 🎫 – If going to Mestia, buy ahead – The local Vanilla Sky airline runs pretty affordable fares, but they fill up fast.
• 🇷🇺 – Russia is a touchy subject – Always remember Georgia is an occupied country.
• 🚰 – You can drink the tap water – The mountain spring water that runs in the taps is actually delicious.

👉 For more, see our list of travel tips for Georgia.

🧳 What to Pack

• 🧥 – Layers – It gets cold in the mountains, even in summer, so it’s best to pack clothing that can be layered.
• 🥤 – Water Bottle – The tap water is safe to drink, so carry a bottle and fill it up as you go.
• 🌤️ – A Warm Jacket – Even in summer you will need a jacket if you’re going anywhere near the mountains.
• 👙 – Swimwear – Whether it’s in a thermal bath or for the Black Sea, you might do more swimming than you’re expecting.
• 🦟 – Insect Spray – Mosquitoes are annoying in Tbilisi. Come prepared!

👉 For more, see our full Georgia packing checklist.

🤓 Facts & Info

• Population (2024) – 3.674 million
• Capital – Tbilisi
• Currency – Lari ($1 = ~2.72 laris)
• Language – Georgian
• Plugs – Type C or F, 220V / 50Hz

💵 Budgeting & Money

Major establishments take debit/credit cards, but smaller-scale accommodations, tourist sites, and restaurants may only take cash. ATMs are widely available in Georgia.