Georgia Travel Guide: Tbilisi, Mountains and Wine

The Georgian National Tourism Administration describes Georgia as a country with almost every type of climate zone, from humid subtropical to permanently snowy glacial zones. It says five monuments are on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list, along with the Georgian writing system and the traditional qvevri method of making wine.

The tours on this page start from Tbilisi and go to Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe and Gori, Kazbegi and Ananuri, Kakheti and the David Gareja monastery.

Places to visit in Georgia

Tbilisi

Georgia Travel calls Tbilisi one of Europe's oldest capitals, and says it has been the country's cultural, political and economic centre for fifteen centuries. Old Tbilisi is known for its domed sulfur baths and for its mix of Orthodox, Armenian and Catholic churches, a mosque and synagogues. The Mtatsminda funicular links the city with the mountain above it.

Mtskheta

Mtskheta is called the city-museum. It was proclaimed the capital of the Kartli Kingdom in the 4th century BCE. Its Jvari Church, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Samtavro Church are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Kazbegi and Ananuri

Stepantsminda, also called Kazbegi, sits below Kazbegi Peak, whose height Georgia Travel gives as 5,054 meters. Gergeti Trinity Church dates from the 14th century. The 16th to 18th-century Ananuri Fortress Complex is in the Dusheti municipality.

Uplistsikhe and Gori

Uplistsikhe is a cliff-carved Bronze Age city and one of the oldest settlements in the Caucasus. Gori is the administrative center of Shida Kartli, 76 kilometers from Tbilisi.

Kakheti and David Gareja

Georgia Travel calls Kakheti Georgia's premiere winegrowing region, home to qvevri winemaking. The Davitgareji Monastery Complex stretches across twenty-five kilometers and is known for its architecture and its art.

Getting to Georgia

Georgia Travel says there are three international airports: Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli, 17 kilometers southeast of the capital, Batumi, and Kutaisi, 14 kilometers from Kutaisi city. Tbilisi airport is linked to the city by the #337 municipal bus, and taxis are available at the entrance.

Kutaisi airport is described as the base of Wizz Air, and it has direct flights to cities including Athens, Budapest, London, Paris and Rome.

Getting around

For Tbilisi, Georgia Travel lists road distances: Telavi 1:50 hr, Kutaisi 3:25 hr and Batumi 5:30 hr. Check road conditions and times before you set out.

Georgia Travel also says Mestia has an airport with local flights from Kutaisi. In Tbilisi, the Mtatsminda funicular links the mountain with the city. For the day trips on this page, check where each tour meets before you plan your own transport.

When to go to Georgia

Spring

Georgia Travel says the country turns green in spring, and that monuments such as Jvari Monastery, Uplistsikhe and Davit Gareji look especially striking as plants and flowers bloom.

Summer

The tourism administration points to the mountains of Svaneti, Tusheti, Khevsureti and Upper Ajara in summer, and to the Black Sea resorts for beach holidays.

Autumn

Georgia Travel describes autumn temperatures as usually warm and comfortable, and points to the grape harvest as an activity.

Winter

Georgia Travel says winter is not largely characterised by heavy snow in much of the country, and names the ski resorts of Gudauri, Mestia, Bakuriani and Goderdzi.

What to book ahead

• Check the road conditions for Kazbegi and the mountain routes before you plan a day trip in winter.
• If you are flying into Kutaisi or Batumi, plan the onward transfer to Tbilisi before you book.
• Look up grape-harvest and festival dates if you want to visit Kakheti in autumn.
• Guided tours run on fixed days; check dates before fixing your route.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements depend on your nationality and change over time. Check the current rules on the official Georgian e-Visa portal before you book, and confirm again shortly before you travel.

Official source: Georgia e-Visa portal.

Frequently asked questions

Which Georgian sites are on the UNESCO list?

Georgia Travel lists the historical churches of Mtskheta, the Gelati Monastery and the villages of the Ushguli Community, along with the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands. The Georgian writing system and the qvevri winemaking method are on the intangible list.

Which airports serve Georgia?

The tourism administration says there are three international airports, in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi, and three domestic ones. Check each airport's destinations before you book.

What is the Davit Gareja monastery complex?

Georgia Travel describes the Davitgareji Monastery Complex in Kakheti as stretching across twenty-five kilometers and famed for its architecture and its art.

When are the Georgian ski resorts open?

Georgia Travel names Gudauri, Mestia, Bakuriani and Goderdzi as the winter resorts. Check each resort's season and snow reports before you book.

Do I need a visa for Georgia?

It depends on your nationality. The official Georgian e-Visa portal explains the current process, so check it before you book.