Georgia (Georgian: საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a country in the Caucasus. Sandwiched between Russia in the north and Turkey in the south, it sits along the coast of the Black Sea around where Europe and Asia meet. It is a rather mountainous country and is home to some of Europe’s highest mountain peaks. Despite its modest size, Georgia presents a large mix of other landscapes and micro-climates, ranging from dry wine-growing valleys in the east, to lush Black Sea resorts in the west.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Georgia.
Cards and cash
ATMs are available countrywide and generally accept cards from both Mastercard and Visa.
Tipping
Tipping is common in Western-style restaurants in the capital, but almost never expected in more traditional establishments.
Georgian
For language fans, the Georgian language and its dialects are an object of fascination. For everyone else, however, they could be a nightmare.
An eSIM costs 10 lari by itself and can be installed using the MyMagti app (iPhone) before you arrive in Georgia.
Mobile networks
Drinking tap water is generally safe, but it's better to ask house owners if they drink it themselves.
In terms of ecology, Georgia has a lot of problems with waste management, especially in villages and small towns, where municipal services are almost non-existent.
Covered in the guide
Georgians in general are friendly, and they are hospitable to a fault. If a Georgian invites you somewhere, they will often pick up the tab.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Tbilisi (Georgian: თბილისი), is the capital city of the country of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mtkvari River. The metropolitan area covers 726 km² (280 mi²) and has a population of approximately 1.3 million (2026).
Akhaltsikhe (Georgian: ახალციხე, "New Fortress") is a small city of about 18,000 people (2014) and the capital of Samtskhe-Javakheti. It's a rather sleepy town, but its Old City and Old Turkish baths are worth a visit, and it's a great base for exploring the surrounding areas, including Sapara Monastery in the immediate vicinity and Vardzia to the south with Khertvisi and Tmogvi Fortresses along the way.
Batumi is the capital city of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara in the country of Georgia. Batumi's coastal location and sub-tropical climate make it a popular holiday destination.
Borjomi (ბორჯომი bohr-joh-mee) is a town in central Georgia as well as the name of a natural reserve and of the famous volcanic salty spring water. The source of this spring water lies in the Borjomi gorge.
Gori (Georgian: გორი) is a city in the Shida Kartli region of Georgia.
Kutaisi is a city in the Rioni Region of Georgia. The city is very cinematographic and charming, and a visit to Kutaisi is almost mandatory to see the Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites and offer views from the mountain slopes over the city and the Rioni River.
Mtskheta (მცხეთა) is a town with a population of about 8,000 people (2014) 15 km north of Tbilisi in the Kartli region of Georgia.
Sighnaghi (Signagi) (Georgian: სიღნაღი) is a town in Georgia's easternmost region of Kakheti and the administrative center of the Sighnaghi District. It is one of the country's smallest towns with a population of about 1,600 (2019).
The Georgian Military Highway (Georgian: საქართველოს სამხედრო გზა [sakartvelos samkhedro gza], Russian: Военно-Грузинская дорога [Voyenno-Gruzinskaya doroga], Ossetic: Арвыкомы фæндаг [Arvykomy fændag]) is a mountain road that crosses the Greater Caucasus Mountains and connects Tbilisi in Georgia with the Russian town of Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia. It passes through narrow gorges squeezed between colossal mountains, which makes for some amazing views.
Kakheti is a region in eastern Georgia, famous for great weather, golden hills, and Georgia's principal wine country.
Stepantsminda (Georgian: სტეფანწმინდა; formerly Kazbegi, Georgian: ყაზბეგი) is a town in the north of Georgia, popular for the trekking opportunities in the visually spectacular surrounding mountains, its views of the mighty Mount Kazbeg, and for the beautiful view from the town of the Holy Trinity Church outlined against Mount Kazbeg itself.
Udabno is a town in the Kakheti region of the country of Georgia. It is best known for David Gareja (Georgian: დავითგარეჯის სამონასტრო კომპლექსი, Davit'garejis samonastro komplek'si, sometimes spelled Davit Gareja or David Gareji), a rock-hewn Georgian Orthodox monastery complex in the Kakheti region of Georgia.
Mazeri (მაწერი) is a mountain village in Upper Svaneti of Northwestern Georgia.
Mestia is a city in Upper Svaneti of Northwestern Georgia.
Vardzia (ვარძიაis) a cave monastery site in Georgia, on the slopes of the Erusheti Mountain in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia next to the border with Turkey.
Ushguli is a community of four villages in Northwestern Georgia next to the foot of Shkhara, one of the highest Caucasian summits.
Places in Georgia on the World Heritage List.
Gelati Monastery
Listed 2017
Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands
Listed 2021
Historical Monuments of Mtskheta
Listed 1994
Upper Svaneti
Listed 1996
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The Georgian heartland, centre of East Georgian culture, and the national economic, cultural, and political hub; home to many major destinations like Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Gori and Kazbegi
The center of Western Georgia and the ancient kingdom of Colchis, land of the Golden Fleece; today home to magnificent UNESCO sites and fantastical mountainous scenery in both Racha and Imereti
Georgia's fertile wine region, with relatively dry climate, full of valleys, beautiful churches, monasteries and wineries
The hub of Georgia's seaside resorts, including the nation's second largest city of Batumi
An area of diverse landscapes, transitioning from marshlands and lowlands of western Mingrelia to one of Europe's highest mountains in Upper Svaneti
Home to the cave city of Vardzia and the enchanting Sapara Monastery. The area also contains much of Georgia's ethnic Armenian population
Georgia's pro-Russian breakaway regions, not controlled by the central government; Abkhazia is a subtropical beach, while South Ossetia is high in the Greater Caucasus Mountains, with little to offer a traveler beyond danger and mountain vistas. Both areas are controlled by the Russian border guards.
Public transport and paid services in Georgia.
By bus
Buses are mostly used to ride inside or between big cities or on international routes.
By marshrutka
Since marshrutkas are privately owned vehicles, some drivers try to charge tourists several lari more than locals.
By train
Georgian Railway (GR) has an extensive network of trains in Georgia.
By taxi
Taxis in Georgia are a convenient method of travel, and they are relatively cheap. Trips within Tbilisi start from 3 lari and will barely exceed 20 lari.
By plane
Georgia has domestic flights, though they're seldom convenient. Georgian Airways fly once a week between Tbilisi International Airport TBS and Batumi.
By car
Roads connecting Tbilisi and other major cities are typically smooth and in good condition, but country roads are often in disrepair.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Georgia.
Finding apps for Georgia…
Other ways to travel:On foot and navigationBy thumbBy bicycle
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Tbilisi · International · TBS
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Tbilisi
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 6° | 8° | 14° | 18° | 24° | 30° | 33° | 32° | 27° | 20° | 12° | 7° |
| Avg. low | -4° | -3° | 1° | 5° | 11° | 16° | 19° | 19° | 14° | 8° | 2° | -2° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 18 | 17 | 28 | 49 | 58 | 49 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 38 | 25 | 17 |
| Humidity | 69% | 66% | 61% | 61% | 60% | 52% | 47% | 46% | 56% | 67% | 70% | 72% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$115
Per person, per day
Luxury
$305
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $65 | $180 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $55 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Georgia. Georgia is generally a safe destination for travelers. Review our Travel Guidance for Georgia to learn how to prepare for a safe trip. Do Not Travel To: The Russian-occupied Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia due to risk of crime, unrest, and landmines.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel South Ossetia and Abkhazia For security reasons, FCDO advises against all travel to the Russian occupied regions of: South Ossetia Abkhazia FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to areas immediately next to the administrative boundary lines with South Ossetia and Abkhazia. FCDO cannot provide face-to-face support to British nationals travelling in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as UK government employees are restricted from travelling there. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator review your travel insurance policy for coverage monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts If you have been impacted by travel disruption and need to review your visa contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Georgia.
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Food & drinkGeorgian cuisine is very varied. In addition to its many famous meat dishes, there are also a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes, in part due to the ubiquitous presence of the Orthodox Church which prescribes frequent…
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Georgian Military Highway (Georgian: საქართველოს სამხედრო გზა [sakartvelos samkhedro gza], Russian: Военно-Грузинская дорога [Voyenno-Gruzinskaya doroga], Ossetic: Арвыкомы фæндаг [Arvykomy fændag]) is a mountain…
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsThe Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) (Russian: Союз Советских Социалистических Республик (СССР)), or Soviet Union, emerged as the successor state to the Russian Empire in 1917, and was dissolved in 1991.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureNorthwestern Georgia provides some excellent hiking opportunities, and is a good way to experience the region.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesU.S. Highway 1 is 2,390 miles long (3,846 km) and follows the eastern coastline of the United States of America. The north end is in Fort Kent, Maine and the south end is in Key West, Florida.
Wikivoyage
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