Georgia travel guide
Georgia Tourism | Georgia Guide
You're Going to Love Georgia
On the border of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Georgia has a diverse influence of cultures and the result is simply amazing. Residents are flatteringly kind and greet tourists with warm accommodation. The mountainous landscapes lend themselves to quaint villages where one can find "Supra" food banquets and exquisite natural wines.
What to do in Georgia
1. Adventure the Surroundings of Stepanstsminda
The picturesque valley town is bordered by Mt Kazbek and provides a wonderful array of winding trails to explore. Mountain biking, hiking, horse riding, and paragliding are just some of the outdoor activities that the steep hills offer.
2. Stoop Inside the Caves of Vardzia
Chiseled into the face of Erusheti Mountain, Vardzia is a cave monastery that dates back to the Bronze Age. Inside are wall paintings, meeting rooms, chapels, and buried wine bottles.
3. Let Tbilisi Bring Out Your Party Animal
Georgia's capital has developed a reputation for having one of the trendiest club scenes in the world. Get lost in the vibrant concoction of techno clubs, hipster bars and vodka taverns.
4. Shred the Slopes of Svaneti
A swarm of ski resorts surround the historic northwestern region, delivering a peculiar combination of medieval character and snowy slopes.
5. Soak in the Black Sea
The city of Batumi is a great destination for a summer vacation, with a long winding beach and buzzing atmosphere that builds with the warm weather.
When to visit Georgia
The middle of summer can be particularly humid and thus it's best to travel during late spring (April to June) and early autumn (August to October).
How to Get to Georgia
Entry requirements
All European Union citizens can freely enter without restriction, while the majority of other nationalities are limited to one-year stays.
Plane
International flights are available to the cities of Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi. Direct routes are possible from many departure locations throughout Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.
Train
Services can be caught from the neighboring countries of Azerbaijan and Armenia, departing from Baku and Yerevan.
Car
Border crossings from all directions are relatively straightforward; however, it is necessary to purchase an insurance policy at the checkpoint that covers the driver within Georgia.
Bus
Budget-conscious travelers may be inclined to take the long journey from Istanbul, which takes roughly 20h but only costs approximately ლ104 ($35). Non-stop trips are also available from Baku.
Boat
Ferry journeys across the Black Sea are possible from Odessa in Ukraine and Istanbul in Turkey, both landing in the southwestern city of Batumi.
Popular airlines serving Georgia
Where to stay in Georgia
There is a broad variety of hotels within large cities, such as Batumi and Tbilisi, including international chains and independent businesses. Throughout the countryside and remote villages, the options are reduced, and homestays are more common.
Where to stay in popular areas of Georgia
Most booked hotels in Georgia
How to Get Around Georgia
Public Transportation
All cities have a reliable network of buses, while Tbilisi additionally has a 2-line metro system. A single-use metro ticket costs approximately ლ0.50 ($0.20) and taxis are a readily available alternative.
Trains
Intercity services connect the west to the east, though trains are considerably old and lack amenities, such as air conditioning. Take one and enjoy the antique charm of what once made up the middle corridor of the Silk Road.
Bus
Regional daily routes link Tbilisi to Batumi and Zugdidi. The buses provide a smooth ride as they are modern and have considerable storage space, plus tickets can be purchased for roughly ლ30 ($10).
Car
Car rental offices are available at major airports as well as in cities and offer fantastic opportunities to explore Georgia's diverse landscapes. Roads can be trickier to navigate in mountainous regions and can be severely affected by rain during winter periods.
Plane
Domestic flights are available between the cities of Tbilisi, Mestia, Kutaisi, Batumi, and Ambrolauri. Vanilla Sky is one of the only airlines to offer these services, making it an impractical option for most travelers.
The Cost of Living in Georgia
Food and accommodation prices are rather cheap and in line with other Eastern European destinations. A sit-down meal at a comfortable restaurant will cost approximately ლ30 ($10) per person. Most point of sale registers accept credit cards in large cities, however, cash is almost exclusively used in regional towns.