Georgia
Georgia
Mountains, wine and heartfelt hospitality
Georgia is a revelation. At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, this small country offers dizzying mountains, wine made in amphorae for thousands of years, and a hospitality that wins you over from your very first supra.
At a glance
Exchange rates and flight times are approximate.
Why Georgia
The Caucasus mountains
Kazbegi, Tusheti, Svaneti: 5,000 m peaks, medieval villages and hikes that stay with you for life.
The birthplace of wine
8,000 years of winemaking. Family cellars in Kakheti where you taste grape varieties no one knows anywhere else.
Tbilisi, the surprise
Sulfur baths, street art, fusion restaurants and a nightlife that rivals Berlin. All for next to nothing.
The right season for Georgia
May to June (late spring, alpine flowers, stable weather); September to October (mild autumn, grape harvest in Kakheti, golden light). Avoid: July-August (intense heat at low altitude, mass tourism), December-February (snow in the mountains, roads closed in Svaneti).
Moderate continental in the east (Tbilisi, Kakheti: hot summers, cold winters), humid subtropical on the Black Sea coast (Adjara), alpine in the mountains (Caucasus). Pack: sweaters for the evenings and the mountains, a rain jacket for autumn showers. Big temperature gap between the lowlands (25-30°C in summer) and the peaks (10-15°C).
The must-sees
Kazbegi (Caucasus Mountains)
Small alpine town (Stepantsminda, ~1,740 m), the starting point for treks to Mount Kazbek (5,047 m) and the Gergeti Trinity Church (Tsminda Sameba) perched at 2,170 m, along with thousand-year-old monasteries set on rocky peaks.
Kakheti (the Wine Valley)
Historic wine region: 8,000 years of tradition. Family cellars in Sighnaghi, tastings of kvevri amphora wine (traditionally macerated, known as "orange" wine), gently sloping vineyard landscapes.
Svaneti (Land of Snow-Capped Roofs)
Medieval villages (Mestia, Ushguli) tucked away in the Caucasus Alps, 12th-century defensive towers, demanding hikes, total authenticity.
Tbilisi (Sulphur Baths & Nightlife)
Cosmopolitan capital: Abanotubani (the historic underground sulphur bath district), the lanes of Metekhi, street art, fusion restaurants, chacha bars (the local brandy) and natural wine bars, electric nights.
Gelati Monastery (UNESCO Heritage)
12th-century monastic complex in Imereti, mosaic icons, Georgian spiritual history, lush green setting. About 20 min from Kutaisi.
Borjomi-Kharagauli (Alpine Trek)
An 850 km² national park, a 3-4 day trek among thermal springs, beech forests and wilderness camps. A demanding but stunning route, and rarely crowded.
Local flavours to try
- Adjarian khachapuri (cheese-and-egg bread, a coastal speciality)
- Khash (traditional calf's head stew, served at dawn in winter)
- Pkhali (vegetable and crushed walnut salad, served cold, found everywhere)
- Amber (orange) wine from kvevri (buried amphora, long maceration, tannic, unfiltered)
- Lobio (red or white bean stew in a clay pot, smoky flavour)
- Satsivi (cold walnut, garlic and spice sauce served over turkey or chicken, a New Year's feast dish)
Practical tips
- Transport: minibuses (marshrutkas) are very cheap and fast between cities. Hire a car with a driver for treks and mountain roads (safety + local knowledge).
- Language: Georgian uses its own alphabet (Mkhedruli), unrelated to the Latin alphabet. Learn 10 words or download a translation app. English is spoken in tourist areas, less so in the mountains.
- Tipping: not compulsory but appreciated (5-10% in restaurants). Small cash payments in GEL make local interactions easier.
- Electricity: type C & F sockets (European). An adapter is advisable for small devices.
- Safety: very safe for tourists. Avoid areas near the South Ossetia & Abkhazia borders (not under government control). Ask for local advice.
- Best app: Maps.me or offline Google Maps. Cheap mobile credit (Beeline/Silknet) for GPS in the mountains.
Frequently asked questions · Georgia
What is the best season for hiking in Georgia?
May-June and September-October. July-August: overcrowded mountain roads, extreme heat at low altitude. December-February: snow cuts off access to Svaneti and Kazbegi.
Do you need to speak Georgian to travel in Georgia?
No, but English is limited outside Tbilisi. Guesthouses and tourist hotels have English-speaking staff. A translation app and an open attitude are enough. Georgian hospitality makes up for any misunderstandings.
What daily budget for a couple?
€70–140 / day for two: simple guesthouse (€20–40), local meals (€5–8 per person), minibus transport (€1–5), trekking/activities (€10–30). Local wine costs next to nothing. A shared Sunday feast (supra): €3–4 per person.
Is Georgian wine accessible to Western palates?
Yes and no. Amber kvevri white wine (unfiltered, cloudy): very tannic, natural acidity, sometimes warming. Red wine: more approachable. Tastings in a family cellar: a local guide explains the nuances. A rich gastronomic journey for the curious, not something to shy away from.
Any vaccines or special health precautions needed?
No compulsory vaccines for EU travellers. A tetanus/diphtheria booster is advisable. Tap water is drinkable in Tbilisi; in the mountains, ask locally or buy bottled water. Travel insurance with repatriation cover is recommended (mountains mean remote areas).
Can you combine wine (Kakheti), mountains (Kazbegi) and culture (Tbilisi) in 10 days?
Yes, that's the classic voyagez.lu itinerary: Tbilisi (3 days) → Kakheti (2 days of cellars) → Kazbegi (3 days of trekking/monasteries) → back to Tbilisi (2 days to unwind). High-end budget: family guesthouses, private mountain guide, exclusive tastings.
Georgia is on its way to becoming the next big destination. Get there first.
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