🌍Georgia — a country of life. A guide to cities, 🏔️mountains, 🍷wine and 🌿nature

✨ Why Georgia?

Georgia is a country where ancient meets modern, and compact distances open up endless possibilities. Here you can stroll along the old streets of Tbilisi in the morning, find yourself among the glaciers of Kazbegi by lunchtime, and listen to the sound of the waves in Batumi in the evening.

The hospitality of Georgian families, generous feasts and genuine joy of life have long made the country a favorite destination for travelers. It is no wonder that many tourists return here again and again - after all, Georgia truly lives up to its title of "country of life".

In this article you will learn:

• 🛂 Entry and visa requirements
• ✈️ How to get there
• 💳 Money, electricity and communications
• 🌤️ When to go
• 🏨 Where to stay
• 🍷 Food and wine
• 🏙️ Main cities and regions
• 🌿 Nature and national parks
• 🏔️ Active recreation
• ❓ FAQ
  
  
  

🛂 Entry and visa requirements

To enter Georgia, it is enough to have a valid passport. Citizens of these countries are granted a visa-free regime:

• USA
• Canada
• Israel
• Lebanon
• European Union countries
• Persian Gulf countries
• Russian Federation and most CIS countries.

Always check the duration of stay and current conditions on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia(www.mfa.gov.ge). This is especially important for long trips or plans to work remotely from Georgia.

Emergency services operate on a single number 112, which can be dialed from both a mobile and a landline phone.

✈️ How to get there

1. Avia.
   The main air gateway of the country is Tbilisi. From here you can easily reach any region. In addition, there are airports in Batumi and Kutaisi, where direct flights are carried out from European cities and the Middle East.
2. Ground transport.
   There are buses from neighboring countries to Tbilisi (from Baku, Yerevan, Istanbul, Ankara and Athens). The roads are picturesque and the ticket price is quite affordable.
3. Trains.
   Rail links Georgia with Armenia and Azerbaijan. Daily Baku-Tbilisi flights allow you to combine several countries in one trip.
4. By sea.
   Ferries depart from the ports of Ukraine (Odessa, Ilyichevsk), which is especially convenient for car tourists.

💳 Money, electricity and communication

• Currency: Georgian lari (GEL). In large cities there are ATMs and cards accepted, but in the mountains it is better to have cash.
• Electricity: 220V, 50Hz, fits standard European sockets.
• Country code: +995. Telecom operators - Magti, Geocell, Beeline. Almost every cafe and hotel has free Wi-Fi.

🌤️ When is the best time to go and where to stay

The country is attractive for travel all year round:

• Summer is ideal for seaside holidays and wine tours. The mountains are cool and comfortable at this time.
• Winters are mild in the cities but snowy in the mountains, making the country attractive to skiers.
• Spring and autumn are the best seasons for hiking, gastronomic tours and cultural trips.

✨ Hospitable Georgia offers a wide variety of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to cozy houses of local residents.

• In Tbilisi and Batumi, you can choose from five-star hotels of world brands to atmospheric boutique hotels.
• In the regions, guesthouses and family mini-hotels are popular, where guests are greeted with home-cooked breakfasts and genuine hospitality.
• In the mountains, tourists can find chalets and hostels for trekkers, as well as the opportunity to stay in the homes of local residents.

🍷 Cuisine and wine

Georgian cuisine is a reason in itself to visit the country.

• Basic dishes: khinkali, khachapuri, satsivi, pkhali, chkmeruli.
• The gastronomic capital is Tbilisi, where signature restaurants and cozy wine bars operate.
• The birthplace of wine is Kakheti. In Sighnaghi and the Alazani Valley there are wineries where you can try both classic European wine and unique varieties aged in qvevri.

🏙️ Main cities and regions

• Tbilisi: the heart of the country, a mix of architecture and cultures. Old town, sulfur baths, Narikala fortress.

• Batumi: a modern seaside resort on the Black Sea, festivals and embankment.
• Kutaisi: a city with a rich history, Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery - UNESCO sites.
• Mtskheta: a spiritual center, Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Temple.
• Kazbegi: the majestic Kazbek and Gergeti Temple - the calling card of Georgia.
• Gudauri: the main ski resort of the Caucasus.
• Svaneti: Svan towers, Mestia and Ushguli settlements, mountain glaciers.
• Tusheti and Shatili: hard-to-reach, but incredibly beautiful highland regions.
• Borjomi: famous mineral water and national park.
• Cave cities: Vardzia, Uplistsikhe, David Gareja.

🌿 Nature and National Parks

Georgia is one of the world leaders in natural diversity. In a territory of only 67,000 km², you can find glaciers, alpine meadows, subtropical coastline, deserts and swamps.

• Protected areas: 14 reserves, 9 national parks, 17 protected areas, 14 natural monuments and 2 landscape zones.
• The most famous is Borjomi-Kharagauli, one of the largest parks in Europe, a member of the PAN Parks network.

🐾 Wildlife

Georgia is home to the brown bear, leopard, wolf, jackal, wild cat, Caucasian tur and ibex. There are over 360 species of birds, and the rare Anatolian leopard can be found in Vashlovani National Park.

🏔️ Active holidays in Georgia

Georgia is a real find for adventure lovers. Here you can escape from everyday life, walk along ancient paths, climb mountains or experience the adrenaline of extreme sports.

🚶 Hiking and trekking

In the mountains of Svaneti, Tusheti and Kazbegi, there are dozens of trails that were used centuries ago. Locals have preserved the trails in their original form, and along the way you will find towers, fortresses and the hospitality of mountain villages.

• Easy routes are suitable for those who want to enjoy quiet walks along rivers and alpine meadows.
• Challenging trails lead to glaciers, gorges and peaks, where views of the Caucasus open up, the likes of which you will not find in Europe.

🪂 Paragliding and 🎈 hot air balloon

Imagine yourself soaring over the Caucasus Mountains, feeling the hot sun and fresh mountain air.

• Paragliding is available in Gudauri and other highland locations - these are moments of absolute freedom.
• A hot air balloon flight over the plains of Kartli and the vineyards of Kakheti is the best way to see the beauty of the country from above.

🌊 Rafting

Dozens of turbulent rivers originate from glaciers at an altitude of over 5,000 m. Rafting in Georgia is an adventure for those who love extreme sports. You can choose both safe tours for beginners and routes of increased complexity for experienced ones.

🐎 Horseback riding tours and 🚙 4×4 adventures

If hiking is too much for you, get on a horse. Horseback riding through the meadows of Tusheti and Khevsureti will fill your lungs with the purest mountain air. And those who love car travel can take a 4×4 jeep tour. In just one day, you can see the desert, the subtropics, tea plantations, and mountain passes.

🧗 Mountaineering

Georgia attracts climbers from all over the world. It is a test of strength, endurance and a gift in the form of breathtaking panoramas.

• For experienced climbers - Kazbek (5033 m) and Shkhara (5200 m), higher than Mont Blanc;
• For beginners - medium-height peaks of varying difficulty.

🚴 Mountain bike (MTB)

A multitude of developed routes and nature trails make Georgia a paradise for mountain bikers. The choice is unlimited - adrenaline is guaranteed.

• Easy walking routes in the foothills.
• Extreme descents on steep Caucasian slopes.

🐦 Bird watching

For those who prefer a more relaxed holiday, Georgia is a true paradise for birdwatchers. It is home to more than 360 species of birds, and one of Europe's largest migration routes passes through the Caucasus.

Georgia is a country where legends come to life and new stories are born. Here you can see seas and mountains, ancient cities and modern resorts in a week, and most importantly, feel the sincere warmth of people.
Come to Georgia - the country of life!

❓ FAQ