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| Power Grid: |
220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Georgian Lari (GEL) £1 ≈ GEL 3.45 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in Georgia, especially in larger cities and tourist areas. Credit cards are commonly used in hotels, restaurants, and shops.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is appreciated in Georgia, but not mandatory. A 5-10% tip is common in restaurants, and taxi drivers may expect small tips for good service. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is prohibited in some areas of Georgia, but it is generally accepted in parks and other public spaces. Alcohol is commonly consumed in restaurants and bars. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces but allowed in designated outdoor areas. |
| Independence Day (26 May) |
Celebrates Georgia's independence from the Soviet Union |
|---|---|
| Christmas (7 January) |
Orthodox Christmas, widely celebrated |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 112 |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Bolt, Yandex |
| Other: | Georgia is known for its stunning landscapes, ancient history, and unique culture. Popular attractions include the Caucasus mountains, vineyards, and historic monasteries. |
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Don't miss
- ⛪ Climb Gergeti Trinity Church overlooking Mount Kazbek
- 🕳️ Explore the ancient Uplistsikhe cave city carved into rock
- 🏙️ Walk through the historic Old Town of Tbilisi
- 🥾 Hike the scenic trails of Svaneti with views of Shkhara
- 🌊 Relax along the beaches of Batumi, the Black Sea resort
- 🕌 Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gelati Monastery
Why travel to Georgia?
Georgia packs mountains, wine, history and food into a small area. Tbilisi has a hillside old town with carved wooden balconies, churches and sulphur bathhouses beside the river. Modern cafes, galleries and wine bars are alongside them. Mtskheta, one of the oldest cities in the country, is a short drive away and is a UNESCO site. The country has four UNESCO properties in all, which are the monuments of Mtskheta, Gelati Monastery, Upper Svaneti and the Colchic rainforests and wetlands. The mountains are the second reason. Kazbegi, also called Stepantsminda, is under Mount Kazbek and has hiking, a hilltop church and wide views. Svaneti has stone defensive towers and remote villages. Gudauri and other resorts have skiing in winter, but off-piste skiing is very dangerous so use a guide. Georgia is known as the birthplace of wine and its traditional clay-vessel winemaking is recognised by UNESCO. Kakheti has family cellars and tasting rooms among rolling vineyards. Batumi on the Black Sea has palm-lined promenades and a summer beach scene. Plan at least a week. Late spring and early autumn have mild weather and the harvest season in September and October is busy.
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Tbilisi
Capital city of Georgia sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, offering a mix of medieval architecture, vibrant markets and historic churches. Its winding streets reveal Ottoman influences, Georgian hospitality and a growing culinary scene. -
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Batumi
Coastal city on Georgia's Black Sea coast, known for architecture, botanical gardens and vibrant nightlife. The boulevard offers seaside promenades, cafés and a mix of historic attractions. Visitors enjoy river cruises, the iconic Alphabet Tower and nearby beaches. -
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Stepantsminda
A mountainous region in Georgia's north, known for its dramatic peaks and ancient monasteries. The landscape features deep valleys, terraced vineyards and traditional stone villages that dot the slopes of Mount Kazbek. -
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Mestia
This historic region in Georgia's Svaneti mountains features towering stone towers, deep valleys and traditional wooden churches. Visitors explore ancient villages, rugged peaks and UNESCO-listed architecture that define this remote, culturally rich destination. -
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Mtskheta
An ancient crossroads of trade and culture, this city hosts a cathedral that survived invasions and a fortress overlooking the Kura River. Its cobbled streets reveal medieval architecture, while nearby monasteries offer insight into early Georgian Christianity. -
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Gudauri
A Georgian mountain resort where ski slopes, alpine trails and snow-covered peaks attract winter sports enthusiasts. It offers a peaceful retreat from busy cities, with cozy lodges and scenic views that make Gudauri a perfect destination for relaxation and adventure in the Caucasus.
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Narikala Fortress
This historic fortress offers panoramic views of Tbilisi's winding streets and ancient architecture. Visitors can explore its stone walls, learn about Georgian history and enjoy sunset vistas over the city from this iconic landmark. -
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Old Town Hall
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Gergeti Trinity Church
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Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
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David Gareja Monastery Complex
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Sighnaghi
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Batumi Boulevard
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Tsikhisdziri fortress
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Tbilisoba (October)
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New Wine Festival (May)
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Black Sea Jazz Festival (July)
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Tushetoba Festival
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Tbilisi International Film Festival
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Rtveli (Grape Harvest, September-October)
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Art Gene Folk Festival
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Batumi International Art-House Film Festival
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Tbilisi Fashion Week
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Tbilisi Open Air Music Festival
Popular travel destinations in Georgia
Knowledge before you go
- Buy health and accident insurance that covers your whole stay.
- Pre-book taxis through a ride-hailing app to avoid haggling and check the car has seatbelts.
- Pay in lari because shops and hotels may quote prices in dollars or euros.
- Hire a local guide for off-piste skiing or hiking near boundary lines because conditions are risky.
How to travel to Georgia
Most visitors arrive by air at Tbilisi International Airport, which has flights from European cities, Türkiye, the Gulf and neighbouring countries. Kutaisi and Batumi also have international airports with budget flights, so check them if you want to start in the west or on the coast. By land, Georgia shares borders with Türkiye, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. Crossings with Türkiye and Armenia are the most common for travellers. Entering from Russia through South Ossetia or Abkhazia is illegal. Border rules can change, so confirm which crossings are open before an overland trip. British citizens can enter without a visa for up to one year. Many other nationalities have similar rules, so check the rules for your passport. All visitors need health and accident insurance covering the whole stay. Airlines or immigration may ask for proof of it while your passport should be valid for the whole stay.
Access summary
- Tbilisi: Fly to Tbilisi (TBS) from European, Middle Eastern hub airports.
- Batumi: Seasonal international flights to BUS; buses, trains from Tbilisi/Kutaisi.
- Kutaisi: Low-cost carriers to KUT from Europe; buses connect to major cities.
Where to stay in Georgia
Tbilisi has the widest choice, from hostels and guesthouses to boutique hotels in restored old houses and large international chains. The old town and the Sololaki and Vera districts put you near restaurants, wine bars and sights. Rustaveli Avenue is central and convenient but has frequent demonstrations, so check the mood before booking. Outside the capital, family-run guesthouses are a highlight. In Kakheti, guesthouses are in wine villages and many serve home-cooked dinners and their own wine. Kazbegi has hotels with mountain views and simple guesthouses in the village. Svaneti has family guesthouses and small hotels in Mestia and Ushguli. Batumi has beach hotels, apartments and high-rises, with the busiest period in summer. Book ahead for summer, the autumn wine harvest and the winter ski season. Prices may be quoted in dollars or euros but you pay in Georgian lari.
Hotel recommendations
How to get around Georgia
Tbilisi is easy to get around and longer trips need more planning.
In Tbilisi:
The old town is walkable though hilly, the metro covers the main axis and buses and minibuses fill the gaps. Order taxis in a ride-hailing app instead of hailing one on the street. This avoids haggling and you can check the car has working seatbelts.
Between towns:
Minibuses called marshrutkas run from bus stations to most towns and mountain villages. They're cheap and leave when full. Trains link Tbilisi with Kutaisi and Batumi and sleeper compartments usually have locks.
By car:
Hiring a car or a driver gives the most freedom for Kakheti and the mountains, though rural roads are often poorly lit and in poor condition. Expect stray livestock, erratic driving and landslides. Heavy rain or snow can close mountain passes.
Licences and guides:
A UK licence is valid for up to a year and some hire firms ask for a 1968 international permit. The drink-driving limit is lower than in the UK and trekking in the mountains is better with a local guide.
Food in Georgia
Georgian food is hearty and made for sharing. Khachapuri is cheese bread and the boat-shaped Adjarian version comes with an egg and butter on top. Khinkali are large soup dumplings that you hold by the top knot and eat with your hands. Other staples include walnut-based dishes such as badrijani nigvziani, grilled meat skewers called mtsvadi and kharcho, a spiced beef soup.
Wine is central. The country's winemaking uses clay vessels called qvevri. Amber wines made from white grapes with skin contact are a local speciality. Long meals are led by a toastmaster called a tamada who sets the order of toasts.
Vegetarians can eat well on bean dishes, cheese bread, aubergine and herb salads. Buy your own drinks and keep them in sight because drink spiking has been reported. Dining out is cheap by European standards.
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Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
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| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
Packing recommendations for Georgia
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