Caucasus peaks, ancient churches and legendary hospitality
Georgia sits between the Black Sea and the Greater Caucasus, packing mountains, wine country and old churches into a small area. Tbilisi has sulphur baths, balconied old streets and a lively food scene. In the mountains, villages like Kazbegi and Mestia offer some of the best hiking in Europe and Asia. It suits food and wine lovers, hikers and travellers who enjoy warm hospitality on a budget.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
A tangle of wooden balconies, churches and sulphur bathhouses beneath Narikala Fortress. The Abanotubani bath district is the classic stop.
An ancient fortress on a hill above the old town with sweeping views of Tbilisi. A cable car runs up from Rike Park.
A 14th century church on a ridge below Mount Kazbek, one of the most iconic views in the Caucasus. The drive there follows the Georgian Military Highway.
A historic road from Tbilisi over the Jvari Pass toward Kazbegi. Ananuri Fortress and the Gudauri viewpoint lie along the way.
Georgia's ancient capital and spiritual heart, with Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery. It is a short trip from Tbilisi.
A remote high valley with medieval defensive towers, glaciers and Ushguli, among the highest villages in Europe. It offers fine multi day treks.
Georgia's main wine region, where wine has been made in buried clay qvevri vessels for thousands of years. Wineries, monasteries and Sighnaghi fill the valley.
A pretty hill town with city walls overlooking the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus. Nearby Bodbe Monastery is an important pilgrimage site.
A rock cut monastery complex in semi desert hills with old frescoes in caves. Part of it lies on the border with Azerbaijan.
A 12th century cave city carved into a cliff, created under Queen Tamar. Tunnels, chapels and frescoes remain.
A Black Sea resort city with modern towers, a long boulevard and a pebble beach. It is lively in summer.
Kutaisi is Georgia's third city, and nearby Gelati Monastery is a masterpiece of medieval Georgian architecture. The area also has caves and canyons.
A narrow limestone canyon with turquoise water and waterfalls, explored by walkway and boat. It is a popular day trip from Kutaisi.
A large show cave with stalactites and underground lakes near Kutaisi. Lighting and a boat ride add to the visit.
An ancient rock cut town on a bluff above the Mtkvari River. It was a pagan and later Christian centre for many centuries.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Capital with old town, baths and food scene.
food, culture, gateway · Open the city guideBase for Kazbegi and mountain hikes.
hiking, nature · Guide comingSvaneti base for towers and treks.
hiking, culture · Guide comingGateway to western Georgia's canyons and caves.
nature, history · Guide comingWine country base.
wine, views · Guide comingBlack Sea beach city.
beach, nightlife · Guide comingWine capital of Kakheti.
wine, countryside · Guide comingBase for Vardzia and Rabati.
history, castles · Guide comingThe capital and nearby ancient sites.
Tbilisi Old Town, Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe
High mountains, villages and trekking.
Kazbegi, Svaneti, Tusheti
The wine heartland in the east.
Sighnaghi, Telavi, David Gareja
Green hills, canyons and monasteries.
Kutaisi, Gelati, Martvili Canyon
Subtropical coast and resort city.
Batumi, Batumi Botanical Garden
The political and cultural core of Georgia.
Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Gori
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: May to June and September to October. Warm days and clear mountain views without the summer heat in Tbilisi.
High mountain passes and treks are best from July to September, while ski resorts like Gudauri run in winter; the Black Sea coast is for July and August.
January. Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
42°F daily high, 34°F average, 0.7 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates Georgia Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) but advises against travel to the Russian occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and notes risks from unrest and demonstrations.
Marshrutka minibuses and shared taxis go almost everywhere, but mountain roads are slow and drivers can be reckless.
Food, wine, guesthouses and transport are very good value.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Check visa and entry rules on the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular page Entering Georgia (https://www.geoconsul.gov.ge/en/entering-georgia) and on your own government's travel advice before you go, as rules can change. |
| Plugs | Type C, F; 220 V |
| Tap water | varies |
| Tipping | A service charge is often added in restaurants; otherwise 10 percent is a kind tip. |
| Payments | Cards work in Tbilisi and Batumi, but carry lari in cash for villages, minibuses and markets. |
| Emergency | 112 |
| Etiquette | Hospitality is a point of pride, and a supra feast comes with a toastmaster called a tamada, so pace yourself. Churches are active places of worship, so keep your voice low. Politics, especially regarding Russia, can be sensitive. |
| What to wear | In churches women should cover hair and wear skirts or wraps, and men should wear long trousers; scarves are often lent at the door. |
| Driving | On the right |
| Between cities | Marshrutka minibuses and shared taxis link most towns from Tbilisi's main bus stations. Trains run Tbilisi to Batumi and Kutaisi, and small flights serve Mestia in good weather. Many visitors hire a driver for mountain routes. |
| Main airports | TBS, KUT, BUS |
| Ride apps | Bolt |
Georgia was one of the first countries to adopt Christianity, in the 4th century, and its churches and monasteries are central to its identity. The medieval kingdom peaked under Queen Tamar around 1200 before invasions by Mongols, Persians and Ottomans. It became part of the Russian Empire in the 1800s and then the Soviet Union, regaining independence in 1991. Abkhazia and South Ossetia are outside government control, and Georgia has had tense politics in recent years.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.