Georgia
Georgia squeezes the high Caucasus, Black Sea beaches and cliffside monasteries into a country smaller than Scotland. Tbilisi's sulphur bathhouses sit below a fortress in a hillside old town, Svaneti's medieval stone towers stand beneath glaciers, and Kakheti's farmers still ferment wine in buried clay qvevri, a tradition stretching back some 8,000 years.
Overview
Georgia sits where Europe and Asia blur, with the Greater Caucasus walling off its northern edge and the Black Sea lapping its west. It adopted Christianity in the fourth century and writes in its own curling alphabet, so its churches and street signs feel unlike anywhere else. Most first trips use Tbilisi as a base: a day trip to Mtskheta, a drive up the Georgian Military Road to Kazbegi, then east to Kakheti's vineyards. With more time, head west via Kutaisi to Svaneti's tower villages and finish on the coast at Batumi, or go south to the cave city of Vardzia.
Georgians treat hospitality as a duty, and a supra feast led by a tamada (toastmaster) can run for hours, fuelled by wine and fiery chacha. Costs are low by European standards, with guesthouse rooms and long meals far cheaper than at home. Much travel is by marshrutka minibus or shared taxi along winding roads, so journeys take longer than they look. High passes stay snowbound into early summer, making July to September the window for serious trekking. Visitors are often surprised by Tbilisi's creative nightlife, its converted Soviet factories and the quality of the country's natural wines.
Map of Georgia
Top 5 highlights
- 1Sacred site
Gergeti Trinity Church, Kazbegi
A 14th-century church on a ridge at about 2,170 metres, framed by the glaciated 5,054-metre cone of Mount Kazbek. Hike up from Stepantsminda in around 90 minutes, or continue towards the Gergeti glacier.
- 2Culture
Upper Svaneti
Medieval defensive towers rise from villages beneath some of the Caucasus's highest peaks. Base yourself in Mestia, then trek or drive to Ushguli, at around 2,100 metres one of Europe's highest permanently inhabited settlements.
- 3Food
Kakheti wine country
Georgia's main wine region spreads across the Alazani valley below the Caucasus. Visit family cellars to taste amber qvevri wines, and stay in hilltop Sighnaghi, ringed by 18th-century walls with views to the mountains.
- 4History
Vardzia
A 12th-century cave monastery carved into a cliff above the Mtkvari river during Queen Tamar's reign, once home to hundreds of monks. Tunnels, cells and a frescoed church survive across many levels of rock.
- 5Sacred site
Mtskheta
Georgia's ancient capital, 20 km from Tbilisi, where the 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the hilltop Jvari Monastery have been UNESCO-listed since 1994. Jvari's view over the river confluence is the classic shot.
Biggest cities
Tbilisi
Carved wooden balconies, sulphur baths and a cable car to Narikala fortress share the old town with converted Soviet factories and wine bars. Allow at least three days.
Batumi
A Black Sea resort of glass towers, casinos and a long seafront boulevard. Fun for a couple of days; the botanical garden and Adjarian khachapuri are the real draws.
Kutaisi
The ancient capital of western Georgia, now a budget-flight hub. Use it as a base for Gelati Monastery, the Prometheus Cave and Martvili Canyon before heading up to Svaneti.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Georgia
Best time: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Average climate in Tbilisi
Festivals & events
- JanAlilo
On Orthodox Christmas, 7 January, Alilo processions with flags and icons wind through Tbilisi and other towns, singing carols and collecting gifts for those in need.
- Sep–OctRtveli
The grape harvest, when Kakheti's families pick, press and celebrate; many guesthouses and wineries welcome visitors to join in, with feasting to follow.
- OctTbilisoba
Tbilisi's city festival, usually held over an October weekend, fills the old town with food and wine stalls, folk music and craft markets.
How much does Georgia cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Khachapuri
Cheese-filled bread in many regional forms; the Adjarian version is a boat-shaped loaf topped with molten cheese, a raw egg yolk and butter.
Khinkali
Twisted dumplings filled with spiced meat and broth. Hold the topknot, bite and slurp the juices, then leave the doughy knot on the plate.
Badrijani nigvzit
Strips of fried aubergine rolled around a garlicky walnut paste and studded with pomegranate seeds, a fixture of every supra table.
Getting around
Marshrutkas (minibuses) and shared taxis leave Tbilisi's stations for every corner of the country, cheaply but on informal schedules. Comfortable trains run from Tbilisi to Batumi, and an overnight service reaches Zugdidi for Svaneti. Small planes fly to Mestia when weather allows. Bolt works in Tbilisi and Batumi, and Tbilisi has a cheap metro. Car hire is easy, but local driving is assertive.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF220V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +995
- Time zone
- UTC+4 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Many restaurants add a 10–15% service charge, so check the bill. Where none is added, leave about 10%; tipping guides and drivers is welcome.
- Etiquette
- At a supra, follow the tamada's toasts and never toast with beer, traditionally reserved for enemies. In churches, women cover their heads and wear skirts, and men avoid shorts.
- Main airports
- Tbilisi International Airport (TBS), Tbilisi; Kutaisi International Airport (KUT), Kutaisi; Batumi International Airport (BUS), Batumi
Visas & entry for Georgia
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Georgia without a visa for up to one year.
To stay longer or to travel for work or study, you must apply for a longer-term visa. Contact the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Hepatitis BMeaslesRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Georgia
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Mon 23 Nov 2026 | Saint George's Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Sat 2 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Thu 7 Jan 2027 | Christmas Day |
| Tue 19 Jan 2027 | Epiphany |
| Wed 3 Mar 2027 | Mother's Day |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | International Women's Day |
| Fri 9 Apr 2027 | National Unity Day |
| Fri 30 Apr 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Holy Saturday |
| Sun 2 May 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sun 9 May 2027 | Day of Victory over Fascism |
| Wed 12 May 2027 | Saint Andrew's Day |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Day of Family Sanctity and Respect for Parents |
| Wed 26 May 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sat 28 Aug 2027 | Dormition of the Mother of God |
| Thu 14 Oct 2027 | Holiday of Svetitskhovloba, Robe of Jesus |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Georgian
| English | Georgian | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | გამარჯობა | gah-mar-JOH-bah |
| Thank you | მადლობა | mad-LOH-bah |
| Please | გთხოვთ | g-TKHOVT |
| Excuse me | ბოდიში | boh-DEE-shee |
| How much is this? | რა ღირს? | rah GHIRS |
Know before you go
- Carry lari in cash for marshrutkas, village guesthouses and markets; cards are widely accepted in Tbilisi and Batumi but much less so in the mountains.
- Abkhazia and South Ossetia lie outside the Georgian government's control. Check the FCDO travel advice before planning any route near them.
- Snow keeps high trekking routes and the road to Tusheti closed until early summer; for Svaneti, Kazbegi and Tusheti treks, aim for July to September.
Georgia travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Georgia?
The best time to visit Georgia is generally May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Peak months are May, June, September and October. Average highs in Tbilisi range from 7°C to 31°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Georgia cost per day?
Roughly £30 a day on a tight budget, £65 mid-range and £140+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Georgia?
Georgian lari (GEL).
What plug type does Georgia use?
Type C and F sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Georgia?
Traffic drives on the right in Georgia, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Georgia?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Georgia?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Georgia without a visa for up to one year. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Georgia before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/georgia/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Georgia?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies and Tuberculosis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
