Travel to Georgia
A hilltop church facing Caucasus peaks, a capital of wooden balconies, some of the world's oldest known winemaking and villages of medieval stone towers: here is what to plan before you look for cheap flights to Georgia, the country between Europe and Asia.
Georgia in numbers
Capital
Tbilisi
Population
Nearly 4 M
Highest point
Over 5,000 m
Currency
Lari
Language
Georgian
Wine tradition
~8,000 years
Continent
Asia
Time zone
UTC+4
Airports covered
2
Why visit Georgia
The Caucasus, wine, old cities and the Black Sea in one small country
The Caucasus within reach
A third of the country is mountainous, with peaks above 5,000 metres. One day you hike beneath Mount Kazbek, the next you ski at Gudauri or reach the villages of Svaneti.
The cradle of wine
Some of the earliest known traces of winemaking come from Georgia, and the national tourism site speaks of eight thousand years of tradition. Wine aged in clay qvevri jars has been on UNESCO's list since 2013.
A culture of its own
A language with no relatives elsewhere, its own alphabet, polyphonic songs, feasts where a toastmaster leads the table: Georgia kept a strong identity, shaped early by Christianity.
From glacier to Black Sea
Climate changes within hours of driving: the tourism board notes that you can sunbathe on the coast in the morning and stand by a Svaneti glacier later the same day.
Landmarks
Tbilisi, Kazbegi, Svaneti, Kakheti and Gudauri
A trip to Georgia usually starts in Tbilisi, with day trips to the northern mountains and the wine country and, if time allows, an extension to Svaneti or the Black Sea: eight to ten days give a comfortable rhythm.
Tbilisi, the Old Town of wooden balconies
Tbilisi stretches along both banks of the Mtkvari beneath Narikala Fortress. The old quarter has wooden-balconied houses, sulphur baths under brick domes, churches, a modern glass bridge and terraces for wine and khachapuri. Two days let you wander without rushing.
Kazbegi and the Georgian Military Road
North of the capital the road climbs to Stepantsminda, beneath Mount Kazbek, and to Gergeti Trinity Church, perched on a hill facing the massif. The official tourism site lists it first among its attractions; Truso Valley and Dariali Monastery extend the day.
Gudauri, the Greater Caucasus ski resort
On the same road, Gudauri is the region's major ski resort: gondolas, runs opening onto a horizon of snowy ridges, and a winter season that usually stretches from December to spring. In summer the green slopes become a starting point for long hikes.
Svaneti, villages of medieval towers
In the north-west, Upper Svaneti is on UNESCO's list for its villages of stone defensive towers. Mestia is the base, and Ushguli, described by the tourism site as Europe's highest permanently inhabited village, sits at the foot of glaciers. A small airport links Mestia to the rest of the country, and the road takes time.
Kakheti and Sighnaghi, wine country
In the east, Kakheti holds most of the country's vineyards. Sighnaghi, a red-roofed town perched above the Alazani plain with the Caucasus as a backdrop, is best visited in the warmer months, with tastings in family cellars and the grape harvest in autumn.
Before you go
Which season to travel to Georgia
| Area | Climate | Best time to visit |
|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi and Kakheti | Hot summers, cold but moderate winters; around 0 degrees in winter and 23 to 25 in summer in Kakheti. | May-June and September-October |
| Black Sea coast (Batumi) | Humid subtropical, mild winters, hot summers, rain mostly in autumn. | June to September for swimming |
| High mountains (Kazbegi, Svaneti) | Long cold winters, short but pleasant summers. | July to September for hiking |
| Ski resorts (Gudauri, Bakuriani) | Plentiful snow in winter. | December to March |
Climate changes a lot from region to region: pack layers for the mountains even in summer. Autumn is the grape-harvest season, a very good moment for Kakheti. Keep an eye on fares before you lock in your dates.
Getting around
Minibuses, trains, cars and mountain roads
Between towns, minibuses (marshrutkas) and trains link Tbilisi with the main destinations, including the Black Sea coast, in a few hours. For Kakheti, Kazbegi or the castles, a driver or a rental car gives more freedom than a fixed timetable.
Mountain roads are beautiful but slow, and weather can complicate them: leave some slack before a return flight. For Svaneti, plan a day on the road or a domestic flight to Mestia.
Food and culture
Khachapuri, khinkali and feasts around wine
The Georgian table blends Eastern and Western influences: khachapuri, a cheese bread whose Adjarian version is served boat-shaped, mtsvadi grilled skewers, khinkali dumplings eaten by holding the knot, and churchkhela, the nut candy of the harvest.
The feast, or supra, follows a ritual: a toastmaster, the tamada, leads the toasts. Wine takes first place, from amber whites aged in clay jars to the reds of Kakheti. The Georgian alphabet, very graphic, appears on shop signs as on monastery frescoes.
Flying to Georgia
The Georgian airports covered by SniperAir
Tbilisi International
The capital's airport, about 17 kilometres southeast of the centre: allow half an hour by road; a municipal bus and taxis serve it. It is the entry point for Tbilisi, Kazbegi and Kakheti.
Batumi International
The airport of the Black Sea resort, south of the city and not far from the centre; an urban bus serves it. It suits Adjara, the coast and the summer months.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Georgia
Which airport do I fly into for Georgia?
Two airports: Tbilisi (TBS) for the capital, the mountains and Kakheti, and Batumi (BUS) for the Black Sea. SniperAir tracks both.
When is the best time to travel to Georgia?
May-June and September-October are the most balanced for cities and wine. Summer suits the mountains and the coast, winter suits skiing at Gudauri.
Is travelling to Georgia expensive?
On the ground, meals, guesthouses and local transport are generally modest compared with Western Europe. Excursions with a driver and the summer season push the bill up.
Do I need a visa for Georgia?
It depends on your nationality and length of stay. Check entry conditions on the official Georgian tourism site and with the authorities before you go.
How long do I need in Georgia?
Eight to ten days cover Tbilisi, Kazbegi, Kakheti and an extension to Svaneti or the coast. A week is enough for the capital and two excursions.
Can you ski in Georgia?
Yes: Gudauri, on the northern road, and Bakuriani are the best-known resorts, with a winter season that usually runs from December to March.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Georgia gets cheaper?
Create a SniperAir alert profile with your departure airport and Tbilisi or Batumi as destination: we track prices and tell you as soon as an opportunity matches. See how it works.
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