Georgia in brief
- Where to go: Tbilisi, Kazbegi, the Kakheti wine country, Svaneti, the cave cities and Batumi.
- Georgia and Armenia combine easily by road, in 10 days to two weeks.
- Pair Georgia and Turkey via Istanbul or overland along the Black Sea.
- April in Georgia brings blossom and about 18°C in Tbilisi; the mountains open in June.
Georgia packs a lot into a small country: a capital full of character, the snowy peaks of the Caucasus, cave cities, a wine tradition said to go back 8,000 years, and some of the warmest hospitality anywhere. It’s only about five hours’ flight from London. This guide covers where to go, combining Georgia and Armenia or Georgia and Turkey, visiting Georgia in April and spring, and the best routes.
Where to go in Georgia
Tbilisi
Wander the Old Town’s carved balconies, soak in the domed sulphur baths of Abanotubani, ride the cable car up to Narikala fortress and eat your way through the city’s restaurants and wine bars.
Mtskheta
Georgia’s ancient capital, just outside Tbilisi, where the rivers meet below the hilltop Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the spiritual heart of the country.
Kazbegi and the Military Road
Drive the Georgian Military Road past Ananuri fortress and over the Jvari Pass to Stepantsminda, where Gergeti Trinity Church stands below Mount Kazbek (5,047 m). Hike up, or go by 4×4.
Kakheti wine country
Georgia’s main wine region. Visit family wineries that still ferment wine in clay qvevri buried underground, a method listed by UNESCO, and stay in the walled hilltop town of Sighnaghi.
Svaneti
A remote valley high in the Caucasus, famous for its medieval stone defence towers. Mestia is the base, and Ushguli is one of the highest villages in Europe that is lived in all year. Best from June to September.
Vardzia and the cave cities
Vardzia is a 12th-century monastery carved into a cliff, with hundreds of caves. Combine it with Uplistsikhe, an even older rock-cut town near Gori, and the spa town of Borjomi.
Batumi and the Black Sea
Georgia’s lively summer resort on the Black Sea, with a long seafront promenade, a botanical garden and pebble beaches. It’s also the gateway to Turkey.
Food and wine: don’t leave without trying khachapuri (cheese bread), khinkali (soup dumplings) and walnut-rich dishes, and joining a supra, a traditional feast led by a tamada, or toastmaster.
Georgia and Armenia
For the Armenian half of the trip, from Yerevan and Garni to Tatev and Lake Sevan, see our Armenia holiday guide.
Georgia and Armenia combine easily, and it’s one of the most popular ways to see the Caucasus. The border crossing between them is a few hours’ drive south of Tbilisi, and the whole journey to Yerevan takes about five to six hours by road.
In Armenia: Yerevan, with views of Mount Ararat on a clear day; the monasteries of Geghard and Tatev; Lake Sevan and its hilltop monastery; and the green spa town of Dilijan.
How long: allow two weeks for both countries, or 10 days for the highlights. Your driver will follow the FCDO advice on roads near the Azerbaijan border.
Comparing tours of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan? Our guide Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan: one, two or all three? sets them side by side.
Georgia and Turkey
Georgia and Turkey make a good pairing too, in two main ways:
- Istanbul and Georgia: spend a few days in Istanbul, then fly to Tbilisi in about two and a half hours. It’s an easy way to combine two very different cities.
- Overland along the Black Sea: cross the border at Sarp, just south of Batumi, and follow Turkey’s green Black Sea coast to Trabzon and the cliffside Sumela Monastery.
- Eastern Turkey: from southern Georgia, continue to Kars and the medieval ruined city of Ani.
Georgia in spring: March, April and May
March is cool and changeable, with highs of about 13°C in Tbilisi and snow still deep in the mountains.
April in Georgia is a lovely time to visit: Tbilisi reaches about 18°C, fruit trees blossom, the countryside is green and it’s quieter than in summer. Georgian Orthodox Easter often falls in April, with candlelit services in the churches.
May is warm (about 23°C in Tbilisi) and one of the best months overall, though it can be showery.
In spring, the high mountains are still snowy. Kazbegi is reachable, but Svaneti’s trekking season and the road to Ushguli open fully in June.
| Month | Tbilisi | Kakheti | Batumi | Kazbegi | Mestia (Svaneti) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar | 13°C · 70 mm | 11°C | 14°C | 3°C | 4°C |
| Apr | 18°C · 95 mm | 16°C | 18°C | 8°C | 9°C |
| May | 23°C · 100 mm | 21°C | 21°C | 13°C | 14°C |
| Jul | 31°C · 45 mm | 28°C | 26°C | 20°C | 22°C |
| Sep | 26°C · 55 mm | 23°C | 25°C | 16°C | 19°C |
| Oct | 19°C · 55 mm | 17°C | 21°C | 11°C | 13°C |
Average daily high, 10-year ERA5 data; Tbilisi also shows monthly rainfall. Mountain values are approximate.
The rest of the year: June and September to October are the other sweet spots; late September and October bring the Rtveli grape harvest in Kakheti. July and August are hot in Tbilisi (above 30°C) but ideal for the mountains and Batumi. Winter is for skiing at Gudauri and quiet city breaks.
Classic routes
Classic Georgia
- Tbilisi (3 nights)
- Kazbegi (2)
- Kakheti (2)
The capital, the mountains and the wine country.
Georgia in depth
- Tbilisi (3 nights)
- Kazbegi (2)
- Vardzia and Borjomi (2)
- Svaneti (3)
- Kutaisi (1)
Add the cave cities and the high Caucasus (June to September).
Georgia and Armenia
- Tbilisi (3 nights)
- Kazbegi (2)
- Kakheti (2)
- Dilijan (1)
- Yerevan (4)
Two countries, overland, with Lake Sevan and the monasteries.
Ways to see Georgia with us
Practical tips
- Entry: British citizens don’t need a visa for Georgia (for up to a year) or Armenia. Check the FCDO Georgia advice before you go.
- Areas to avoid: the FCDO advises against all travel to Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and all but essential travel next to their boundary lines. None of the places in this guide are affected.
- Driving: mountain roads are slow and driving can be erratic, so most visitors travel with a driver-guide.
- Churches: cover your shoulders and knees; women should bring a headscarf.
- Wine: you’ll be offered a lot. Pace yourself at a supra, and never drink and drive.
- Money: cards are widely accepted in Tbilisi and Batumi; carry cash in the mountains.
Frequently asked questions
Is April a good time to visit Georgia?
Yes. Tbilisi reaches about 18°C, the countryside is green and in blossom, and it's quieter than in summer. The high mountains are still snowy, so Svaneti is best left until June.
What is the weather like in Georgia in March?
Cool and changeable, with highs of about 13°C in Tbilisi and frequent showers. There's still deep snow in the Caucasus.
Can you combine Georgia and Armenia?
Yes, easily. Tbilisi to Yerevan is about five to six hours by road, and two weeks is ideal for both countries.
Can you combine Georgia and Turkey?
Yes. Fly between Istanbul and Tbilisi in about two and a half hours, or cross the land border at Sarp near Batumi and follow Turkey's Black Sea coast.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Georgia?
No. British citizens can visit Georgia without a visa for up to a year.
Is Georgia safe to visit?
Georgia is widely visited and welcoming. The FCDO advises against all travel to the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and the areas right next to them; the main tourist areas are not affected.
How many days do you need in Georgia?
Eight days covers Tbilisi, Kazbegi and Kakheti. Allow 12 days to add the cave cities and Svaneti, or two weeks with Armenia.
What is Georgia famous for?
Its wine, made in clay qvevri for thousands of years, its food and hospitality, the Caucasus mountains, medieval churches and the old town of Tbilisi.
Keep planning
- Georgia holidays
- Escorted tours of Georgia
- Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan tours
- Armenia holidays
- Azerbaijan holiday guide
- Escorted tours of Armenia
- Turkey holidays
- Tailor-made holidays
Plan your Georgia holiday with a Travel Designer
Tell us when you’d like to go and we’ll plan your route through Georgia, with Armenia or Turkey if you like, with a driver-guide and flights in one ATOL-protected booking.
Make an enquiry Georgia holidays
