Georgia
Tours and Holidays

What is the best time to visit Georgia?

The general view is that the best time to visit Georgia is between May and June, as the weather is very warm and sunny but you avoid any uncomfortably high temperatures or humidity. It’s also the start of the season for tourism at this time of year, so the country won’t be too busy with other travellers.

September is also a great time of year to visit Georgia, as it’s the end of the summer so the weather is once again pleasant without being too warm, and the busyness of the peak season will be drawing to a close.

Is Georgia safe to visit?

Georgia is a relatively safe destination to visit on holiday, with no factors that make it a particularly risky place to visit. Crime rates around the country are quite low, and whilst you should be cautious of things like pickpockets or travel scams, there’s no greater risk of this in Georgia than in any other European country.

One thing to be wary of in Georgia is that the road conditions aren’t very safe. Pedestrians should take extra care when crossing roads and always use crossings where possible, as drivers are unlikely to stop and accidents are quite common. 

How many days are enough to visit Georgia?

The amount of time you spend in Georgia really depends on how much of the country you want to see. If you’re only staying in one place during your visit, three to four days will probably be enough for you to enjoy all the attractions on offer.

If you want to get a proper feel for Georgia however, we recommend that you tour the country and visit multiple destinations, spending between ten and fifteen days there. This will allow you to see the range of landscapes and communities across the country and gives you adequate time to explore the places you stay as you travel.

How can I spend 10 days in Georgia?

If you’re spending ten days in Georgia, we recommend starting your trip in Tbilisi and visiting the historic sites around the city such as the Metekhi Temple and Freedom Square. A trip to the capital of Mtskheta is also a great idea, where you can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site and admire the views of the nearby Jvari Pass.

If you like hiking, we recommend that you visit the High Caucasus Mountains and the area near the Georgia-Russia border, which offers spectacular rugged terrain and scenery. You can enjoy a historic atmosphere in the Kakheti region, which is also a great place to stay if you enjoy wine tasting.

Our ‘Classic Georgia – Tailormade Tour’ is a great option if you’re looking for a longer holiday that offers a taste of all the highlights of the country.

Wondering what you can get up to when you visit Georgia? Here are our top ten recommendations of things to do in the country.

Visit the Old Town of Tbilisi

Tbilisi Old town, also known as Dzveli Tbilisi, is a must for any traveller to Georgia. You can easily spend days exploring the winding, narrow streets, the beautiful villas with intricate artwork and the crooked fairy tale churches. 

Tbilisi Old town is a melting pot of architecture, with both European and Asian influences evident as you wander around. Our first recommendation when visiting Tbilisi is to take the cable car to Narikala Fortress, which is spectacular and gives a great view of the Old Town.

Narikala Fortress dominates the views of Tbilisi and can be seen from almost all parts of the city. The Fortress was first built in the 4th century and has been expanded numerous times by various rulers over the following centuries.

Having visited the Narikala Fortress via cable car, it is time to enjoy Dzveli Tbilisi. Meander through the streets, stop off at the myriad of cafes and watch life go by. Spend an evening at one of the great restaurants and sample some of the excellent Georgian wine. This is a way of life that has been enjoyed here for generations and one that you will find irresistible as you explore Georgia!

Hit the Beach in Batumi

Georgia is a country with a diverse landscape, and a visit to the city of Batumi will show you the coastal side of the destination. It’s best to visit here in the summer months, as then you can make the most of the beaches!

Batumi is the second-largest city in Georgia and the capital of the Black Sea coast, often described as feeling like several cities rolled into one. The scenery is beautiful, the architecture is quirky and unique, and the climate is warmer than anywhere else in the country.

Highlights of the city include the Batumi Boulevard, the Batumi Bazaar, Anuria mountain and the Batumi Archaeological Museum. It’s a brilliant place to wander around spotting street art and a wide range of architectural styles, and is also known for having a thriving cafe culture which you should definitely sample at least once. 

See the Gelati Monastery, Kutaisi

Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, Gelati Monastery is one of the largest mediaeval Orthodox monasteries in Georgia. It’s also one of the country’s most treasured religious and cultural landmarks, making it a top choice for one of the best places to visit in Georgia.

Situated just 11 km west of Kutaisi, Gelati Monastery is famous for its architecture as well as for the wonderful mosaics and frescoes within. King David the Builder, the most celebrated King of Georgia, is buried in the yard of the monastery, but it is the mosaics and frescoes that are the main reason for visiting this quite beautiful monastery. When travelling to Georgia and exploring the collection of 12th to 19th-century mosaics, wall paintings, enamels, and metalwork, it is easy to see why Gelati Monastery gained its place on the UNESCO list.

Trek to the Gergeti Trinity Church, Kazbegi

Gergeti Trinity Church is one of the top attractions in Georgia and a unique symbol of the country. Dating from the 14th century, this ancient church stands at an elevation of 2170 metres, overlooking the small town of Stepantsminda in Kazbegi.

Overshadowed by the 5047m tall Mount Kazbegi, it’s a two-hour walk to the church, although this can be shortened by taking a taxi for the less mobile. The newly built road is still a bumpy ride, but if it means you get to visit then it is certainly worth it. 

The Telegraph named Gergeti Trinity Church in sixth place on its list of the world’s most stunning churches, and you can see why when you look at the location. Make sure that you have plenty of battery power in your phone or camera, as this is a truly stunning location and one that will live long in the memory once you have left.

Discover The Stalin Museum, Gori

An unusual site to include in a ‘Best Things to do in Georgia’ list maybe, but nonetheless worthy of inclusion. Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin, the former ruler of the Soviet Union, was born in Gori, Georgia in 1878 and this museum is a homage to him.

Travel through the various rooms as you make your way through the life of the dictator. In recent years, the museum has started to touch upon the purges, murders and ruthlessness of the Stalin regime, but do not expect a balanced view as the hometown boy is still very much revered here.

A visit to the Stalin Museum is one of the more unique activities in Georgia and highlights some of the contradictory feelings that can be found in the country towards Russia. For those who like their museums with a touch of the sinister, this is definitely the place for you.

Travel Back in Time to Tusheti

In northeast Georgia is the wild and historic region of Tusheti. Bordering Chechnya and Dagestan, Tusheti is arguably one of the most beautiful of the many stunning areas of the country. 

For lovers of the outdoors, Tusheti has a bounty of experiences to enjoy. There are wonderful hiking opportunities, with stops and overnights available in many converted barns and stone buildings.

Tusheti is one of the least developed regions of Georgia, so visiting the area can sometimes feel like travelling back in time and is a great option for those seeking adventure travel experiences. Many roads are impassable in the winter, so to explore Tusheti you need to plan to travel in the late spring or summer. 

For a more gentle Georgia travel experience, maybe you would like to shadow a local shepherd and spend days looking after the flock and the nights in the shepherd’s huts sharing stories and drinking Chacha (a strong Georgian brandy).

Sample Khachapuri

Your travels in Georgia won’t be complete without trying Khachapuri, the local delicacy of bread, egg and cheese. That may not be the best description of this delicious national dish, but for any traveller who has tried it, it is certainly a highlight of a visit to Georgia.

This Georgian food consists of a yeasted dough formed into a rugby ball shape with the edges folded over, filled with a combination of cheeses and a single egg. The khachapuri is then baked until golden, with the cheese oozing out and the egg cooked like a well-done fried egg. This is ideal for dipping bits of the crust into. Mouth-wateringly good!

Enjoy Wine Tasting in Kakheti

It is a little-known fact that Georgia is one of the oldest wine regions in the world. The rich and fertile land, combined with a mild year-round climate, makes for excellent conditions for vineyards.

Around 150 million litres of wine are produced in Georgia every year, but very little of that makes its way to the UK, where it is still a rarity. One of the best times to visit Georgia is just after the harvest, when there is plenty of wine on offer across the country. 

The production of wine takes place throughout the country of Georgia from Kakheti and Kartli in the east, and Imereti, Samegrelo, Guria, Ajaria, and Abkhazia in the west. The most important wine-producing region is Kakheti, which produces 70% of all Georgian wine.

Visiting local wineries is a real pleasure and private wine tours and day excursions are easily arranged from hotels in Georgia, including a driver, so you can relax and enjoy discovering what the Georgians have known for 8000 years – the wine here is exceptionally good!

Learn About History in Mtskheta

The town of Mtskheta was the original capital of Georgia and is thought to have been inhabited as far back as before 1,000 BC. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the wealth of history and culture located here, which makes it a great place to visit if you want to learn more about the country.

Mtkvari is only 20km away from Tbilisi, so it’s an easy place to visit on a day trip if you’re staying in the new capital of the country. It was once a key location on ancient trading routes, and you can see the evidence of this in the many archaeological remains that have been unearthed around the area and are now on display.

There are plenty of incredible attractions around Mtkvari, from the Georgian Orthodox Jvari Monastery to the remains of the Armazi Fortress. For such a small town, the places to visit on offer are plentiful, so we highly recommend you pay a visit during your time in Georgia.

Explore Svaneti

Svaneti is a region in Georgia in the north of the country, which is often thought of as one of the most beautiful places. There are deep green valleys, snow-dusted mountains and quaint little villages scattered over the hillsides, offering a tranquil setting for a slower-paced holiday.

Located on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus mountains, Upper Svaneti is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the area that people tend to mean when talking about ‘Svaneti’ in general. There are mediaeval villages and the ruins of plenty of old buildings, which have all been wonderfully preserved thanks to their remote location in the mountains.

If you enjoy hiking then Svaneti is an ideal location, with plenty of walking trails suitable for enthusiasts. In the winter, it’s also becoming a prime skiing destination.