Georgia Travel Guide: Exploring Cities, Landmarks, and Hidden Gems

Georgia is a mosaic of historical epochs, where each period reveals its unique stories and legends. From ancient civilizations through tumultuous battles to modern transformations, walk through the pages of time and discover the rich and diverse heritage of this great country.

Historical journey through Georgia

Tbilisi is the capital

Tbilisi is the largest city in Georgia. It is located at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. The population is about 1.1 million people in 2020. It was founded in the 5th century. It is also an important transit city for trade with neighboring countries. Since 1937, the city has acquired its usual name, previously it was called Tiflis.

The city has an extensive network of public transport routes. Most of the population prefers to travel by minibus. There is a subway with twenty-three stations. Another feature is the existence of cable cars.

For tourists, there are a huge number of different hotels that receive and serve their guests at all times and at the highest level. Some of them have a passenger pick-up service at the airport, a currency exchange service, and car rental.

Tbilisi is one of the oldest cities in the world. It has gone through a difficult path, destroyed many times by the conquerors. But it was restored and changed over the centuries. The charm of the city defines the flavor of the old districts. The peculiar streets with carved overhanging balconies, spiral staircases and open courtyards are all old Tbilisi.

The city is developing and being built. Modern architects try to fit new buildings into the surrounding reality in such a way as not to destroy the charm of the ancient city of Tbilisi. Here the past is successfully intertwined with the present.

Weather and when is the best time to go to Sakartvelo

Each of us has our own favorite season and comfortable air temperature. Therefore, it is difficult to name the best time to come here. You need to consider what kind of vacation you choose: alpine skiing, the sea or an excursion program.

Месяц Температура днем Температура ночью Температура моря Подходит для
Январь +10° +3° +11° Горный отдых
Февраль +10° +4° +10° Горный отдых
Март +13° +5° +9° Горный отдых
Апрель +17° +8° +11° Горный отдых
Май +20° +11° +18° Экскурсии
Июнь +24° +15° +22° Море
Июль +26° +19° +25° Море
Август +27° +18° +26° Море
Сентябрь +25° +15° +24° Море
Октябрь +21° +12° +21° Море
Ноябрь +16° +8° +16° Экскурсии
Декабрь +13° +5° +13° Горный отдых

Geographical location

Georgia is located in Asia in the Transcaucasus. In the west it is washed by the Black Sea. It borders Russia in the east and north, Armenia and Turkey in the south and Azerbaijan in the southeast. The country's territory is 69,700 km².

Карта Грузии

Regions and districts

Georgia has one city of national importance – Tbilisi, 11 regions (territories) – Adjara, Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samgrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli. Of these, Abkhazia and Adjara are considered autonomous republics. Abkhazia is today de jure controlled by the government of independent Abkhazia, but the border with it is considered administrative, not state. The regions are divided into municipalities, there are 71 of them.

map-georgia5.jpg

Local cuisine

30 dishes of Georgian cuisine, mandatory for a Russian tourist

30 dishes of Georgian cuisine, mandatory for a Russian tourist

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Khachapuri: types and where in Georgia they taste best

Khachapuri: types and where in Georgia they taste best

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The best wines of Georgia: production methods, varieties and tasting

The best wines of Georgia: production methods, varieties and tasting

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Restaurants with Georgian cuisine

Restaurants in Tbilisi

Airports of Georgia

Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli Airport

Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli Airport

Bus #37 goes to the airport. The airport is international, but you can fly to Batumi from here. The ticket price varies depending on the season, the number of days before departure, on average it is 120 - 150 lari.

Natakhtari Airport

Natakhtari Airport

Only domestic flights within the country. It is located on the outskirts of the village of Natakhtari, 6 km from Mtskheta. From the capital Tbilisi, you can get there by minibus for just a couple of lari. It is convenient to fly to Kutaisi, the cost is 50 lari, and tickets to Svaneti are slightly more expensive. The plane to Batumi flies on Thursdays and Sundays, tickets cost 80 lari.

Kutaisi Airport

Kutaisi Airport

The international airport is located 14 km from Kutaisi.

Batumi Airport

Batumi Airport

A modern international airport 2 km from Batumi. Alternative name: Chorokh. The distance from Batumi to Tbilisi in a straight line is 265 km. You can cover the route in this direction in just 35 minutes. The first morning flight on the schedule is at 5.55, the latest is at 1.39. Ticket prices are generally between 140 and 170 GEL, and it is more profitable to buy in advance.

Queen Tamar Airport in Mestia

Queen Tamar Airport in Mestia

From Mestia there are flights to Natakhtari four times a week. The ticket price is from 65 GEL, with up to 15 kg of hand luggage. You can also fly to Kutasi, the price is from 40 GEL.

Railways

Train Tbilisi - Batumi

Train Tbilisi - Batumi

The main route connecting Tbilisi with Batumi. The route is served by double-decker Stadler Kiss trains. Travel time is 5 hours.

Tbilisi-Zugdidi

Tbilisi-Zugdidi

Departure daily at 21.45 from Tbilisi, arrival in Zugdidi at 6.05. In the opposite direction departure at 21.30, arrives in Tbilisi at 6.35. Stops in Mtskheta, Gori, Kareli, Kaspi. Price for a compartment is 22 GEL.

Tbilisi - Kutaisi

Tbilisi - Kutaisi

The train is also a night train — and the same one to Zugdidi, these are trailer cars. The price is 17 lari. There is another option to get to Kutaisi. The train departs at 16:04 and arrives at 21:50. Stops are Kaspi, Kareli, Gori. From Kutaisi, departure is at 4:50, arriving in the capital at 11:00. The ticket price is 10 lari.

Batumi - Kutaisi

Batumi - Kutaisi

Departs from Batumi at 8.00, arrives in Kutaisi at 12.04. The return direction departs from the station at 17.40, arriving in Batumi at 21.47.

Tbilisi - Poti

Tbilisi - Poti

Departure at 8.20, the train arrives in Poti at 13.18. Return at 17.40, arrival time is 22.31.

Tbilisi - Borjomi

Tbilisi - Borjomi

Departs from Tbilisi at 6.40, arrives at 11.15. Return: at 16.40 from Borjomi, at 21.25 in Tbilisi.

Bus stations

Old bus station Batumi

Old bus station Batumi

You can travel both within Georgia and to neighboring countries.

Kutaisi bus station

Kutaisi bus station

Address: st.Chavchavadze, 67.

Bus stations in Tbilisi

Didube

Didube

From here you can get to Mtskheta, Gori, Stepantsminda, Akhaltsikhe, Bakuriani and other settlements.

Samgori

Samgori

From the station, passenger buses depart to the eastern regions of the country, mainly to Telavi and Kakheti.

Ortachala

Ortachala

International bus station, from where buses go to Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Mobile communications

Mobile phone rates in Georgia are inexpensive, especially when connecting to various packages and services. It is easy and convenient to buy a SIM card here, it costs 5 lari (177 rubles), and you will also need a passport to buy it.

There are only three mobile operators that offer GSM SIM cards: Geocell and Magti. Their prices are quite low, the average cost of services is as follows:

  • Mobile Internet (5GB) – $5 (=560 rubles).
  • International calls – $0.2 (=25 rubles) per minute.
  • Local calls – $0.05 (7 rubles) per minute.
  • SMS – $0.03 (=2 rubles).

Вино

Where to taste and buy Georgian wines

Ze Gvino

Ze Gvino

The Ze Gvino store is waiting for you every day, seven days a week.

A charming little shop filled to the brim with various wines will definitely attract your attention.

Only high-quality wines are sold here, and consultants will tell you about all production technologies, about all wines, and will give you a taste.

You can buy both bottled wine and bottled wine. There are limited series of wines that you need to have time to try!

You definitely won't want to leave empty-handed from here!

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KTW Wine Shop

KTW Wine Shop

KTW Wine Shop is a cozy establishment in Batumi, Georgia, which specializes in selling Georgian wines. Here you can enjoy a rich selection of high quality wines at affordable prices. The store offers a wide range of different varieties of wines and regularly pleases its customers with various promotional discounts and promotions. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or just a lover of a cozy evening with a glass of fragrant drink, KTW Wine Shop is sure to please everyone with its exquisite selection and pleasant atmosphere.

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Tsangala's Wine Shop & Bar

Tsangala's Wine Shop & Bar

You can visit the wine shop and the Tsangala bar every day.

The bar has not only a variety of fine wines, but also other alcoholic beverages.

The best wines from all over the country are waiting for you here!

But not only wines and other alcoholic beverages are sold here, as well as souvenirs.

If you don't want to buy anything, then you can just come here and have a drink - the store has a wonderful bar with a huge assortment of products.

The sellers and bartenders are all very friendly, they will definitely tell you something interesting, they will advise you something.

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Reserve Wine Tasting Shop

Reserve Wine Tasting Shop

The reserve wine tasting shop is a place known to everyone in Georgia. There is the largest selection of wines, of different varieties and from different countries, of different aging periods. The most important thing is that all the rules of wine storage are observed here, therefore, buying here, you are guaranteed quality.

The consultants in the store are unobtrusive and will not advise you to buy expensive wines, but on the contrary will pick up the drink that you can afford. They will tell you everything, about all production technologies, about all wines.

The store is open every day and is located in the city center.

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