After visiting 90 countries, it takes a lot to really surprise and impress us while traveling, but Georgia in Europe was one of those places. Delicious food, friendly people, and stunning landscapes are just a few of the things that you can expect when you visit this truly underrated country.
When we told our friends and family that we were visiting Georgia for two weeks they thought, but why would you go to Atlanta for that long? Little did they know that we meant the Georgia in Europe, not the state.
When we were getting ready to go to Georgia we had no idea what to expect! Because of that, we were truly blown away, and the country really exceeded our expectations, But we're here to share with you just why we loved it there so much, and prepare you for an incredibly special experience.
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Where is Georgia in Europe Exactly?
Georgia is a small country tucked away all the way in Eastern Europe. It lies to the east of Turkey, bordering Russia to its north. In the south it borders Armenia and Azerbaijan, two other small European countries that don't seem to get much attention either.
Georgia is located all the way in the east of Europe under Russia.
How to Get to Georgia in Europe
Georgia is actually rather easy to get to, and is pretty well connected to many cities throughout Europe. We flew from Greece for just 25 euros, and also have seen flights from Ukraine, Poland, Italy, Turkey and other countries in Eastern Europe.
The capital of Georgia is Tbilisi, which has the most international flights. Kutaisi is the second biggest airport, which is where we found our super cheap flight from Thessaloniki with Wizz Air.
Flight Tip: Using Skyscanner you can put from "your city" to "Georgia" and see which is the best airport to fly to. Also, you can try out the calendar feature to see which are the cheapest dates for flying to each airport.
Entry Requirements to Visit Georgia in Europe
Here is everything you need to know for entry requirements to enter Georgia in Europe.
Covid Requirements to Visit Georgia in Europe
Every country in Europe has different requirements for entry when it comes to Covid-19 standards. Georgia in Europe currently is open for travelers from all countries. If you are arriving by air you can travel freely if you are fully vaccinated, or have proof that you have had Covid within the past 100 days.
If you travel by land or sea to enter, then you will also need to provide a PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
Update: There are currently no longer any restrictions to entering Georgia due to Covid.
Visa Requirements to Visit Georgia in Europe
Georgia in Europe is one of the most welcoming countries in the world! They allow visa free travel to 98 different countries. While most countries grant 30-90 days for foreigners, Georgia allows those without a visa to study, work, and live in the country for a full year with no paperwork necessary. Pretty incredible right?
Local Adjustments for Visiting Georgia
Like anywhere, traveling to a new place means a lot of adjusting to some local differences such as language, currency, and other things. Here are a few things you need to know for when you visit Georgia in Europe.
What Language is Mostly Spoken in Georgia?
Georgia in Europe does indeed have its own language, and it is a super difficult one. It is one of the oldest languages in the world, and they use a completely separate alphabet to the rest of the world as well.
Luckily, pretty much everyone speaks English, so you won't need to worry about struggling to communicate while traveling, unless you're visiting tiny rural towns.
What Currency is Used in Georgia?
Although Georgia is a European country, it is not actually in the European Union. Georgia uses its own currency, which is the Georgian Lari. Currently (April 2024), the exchange is 2.68 Lari for every USD, 2.86 Lari for every Euro, and 3.3 Lari for every GDP.
There are plenty of banks and ATMs to take money out at. Many restaurants and hotels do take credit card, but there are a lot of markets and shops that are cash only. Also, if you go outside of the major cities, there are many hotels and restaurants that will only take cash.
Electrical Plugs in Georgia
The outlets in Georgia are the same to the rest of Europe, which are plug types C and F. Plug C is the one which has two round pins, and plug F is the one which has two round pins and two earth clips on the side. Georgia in Europe operates on a 220 V supply voltage and 50 Hz.
Is it Safe to Drink Tap Water in Georgia?
The water throughout the country is very fresh and safe to drink. We suggest bringing a refillable water bottle, as buying bottled water in not necessary.
What is the Tipping Etiquette in the Country of Georgia?
In general, tipping is very welcome in the country of Georgia. Many times there is actually already a 10% service charge added, in which case you won't need to tip more unless you feel they deserve a little extra. If it is not included, we suggest a 10-15% tip for great service.
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Getting Around Georgia in Europe
Georgia is a country that we rented a car in, and were so happy that we did. While you can certainly get from city to city by public buses, we found that renting a car in Georgia really allowed us to see so much more.
Just driving through the country there are tons of hidden gems, great viewpoints, and surprises along the side of the road. That being said, if you plan on going to the stunningly remote areas in the mountains, it is absolutely necessary that you get a high clearance vehicle.
The good thing is that rental companies are pretty cheap, and they include everything from road assistance to full insurance in their packages. We had a few mishaps, and the rental company was super helpful with everything.
Driving in Georgia allows you to stop and enjoy the stunning landscapes.
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Places to Visit in Georgia
Although Georgia is a pretty small country, it is super diverse, and has tons of cool places to visit! Here are some of the top places to visit in Georgia.
Tbilisi
This is the capital of Georgia, and one of our favorite cities in the world! Tbilisi is an amazing mix of ancient and modern worlds colliding. Stunning architecture, a neighborhood of thermal baths, and trendy restaurants are just a few of the things that you can find in Tbilisi.
This is a great place to start or finish off the perfect trip in Georgia, and definitely deserves at least 4 days to see all that it has to offer.
Tbilisi is the capital, and deserves at least a few days to explore all it has to offer.
Suggested Read: Things to Do in Tbilisi, Georgia: The World's Most Enchanting Capital
Here are some popular routes to Tbilisi:
Kutaisi
This is the second largest city in Georgia, and has tons of cool things to check out. We loved the stunning churches, delicious food, and some of the very unique landscapes here.
Kutaisi has a nearby town with thermal baths, large fields of yellow flowers, and a system of stunning caves that you can sail through.
Kutaisi is the second largest city in Georgia, and has plenty of cool things to see.
Batumi
Batumi is in the south western corner of the country, just bordering Turkey. This coastal city is an interesting blend of where both ancient and modern worlds collide. The city itself is known as the "Las Vegas of Georgia" as its known for its casinos, nightclubs, and fun beach vibes.
The area of Batumi is surrounded by beaches, waterfalls, and some of the best Glamping sites in the country.
Here are some popular routes to get to Batumi:
Adjara
Adjara is a truly stunning region between Kutaisi and Svaneti. This is where we had some of the most scenic drives, and beautiful fall colors. Spend a night Glamping, or stay in a tiny cabin in the middle of lake. Adjara is the place for some truly unique accommodation, and enjoying the outdoors.
In the region of Adjara you can stay in the middle of a blue lake surrounded by mountains.
Want to explore the best of Adjara? Here are some great tours that you can take:
Svaneti
This was our absolute favorite area to visit in Georgia, because of it's stunning mountain villages. The region of Svaneti will make you feel as if you've just jumped back in time with its tall stone towers, dirt roads, and livestock roaming the area.
Mestia is the capital of the area, and has plenty to offer touristically. Our personal favorite of all of Svaneti was the village of Ushguli though, which is one of the highest continuous settlements in all of Europe, and is hidden deep in the mountains.
Ushguli is one of the most stunning villages in Europe.
Want to explore the best that the area of Svaneti has to offer? Here are some tour packages that you can check out:
Want to visit the area on your own? Here are some of the routes you can look into:
Kazbegi
Kazbegi is another stunning area tucked away in the mountains. The region is full of breathtaking churches on hilltops, waterfalls, and other hidden gems to discover.
Also known as Stepandsminda, the city lies right by the border with Russia. We suggest visiting the small town of Juta, and doing the hiking trails for some spectacular mountain views, and the most adorable A-frame bar.
Juta has beautiful hikes from its small town near Kazbegi.
Want to take a tour from Tbilisi to Kazbegi? Here are a few that you can choose from:
Want to go on your own? Here is another option:
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Georgian Cuisine
One of the best parts of visiting Georgia in Europe was the incredible food that it has. The cuisine is on the heavier side, and perfect for those cool temperatures throughout a large part of the year. They are known for their great wine, as well as chacha, which is a homemade liquor that Georgian's typically have at home to share with guests.
Georgia is certainly not the easiest place for vegans or those that are gluten free, as it is very heavy on meat, dairy, and carbs. However, there are a number of vegan Georgian dishes that you can find.
Here are a few of the top foods & drinks to try while in Georgia:
- Chacha: a very strong liquor made from fermented grapes
- Khinkali: traditional soup dumplings - we also suggest taking a khinkali cooking class!)
- Khachapuri: the national dish which is bread stuffed with cheese (each region has their own version)
- Georgian bread: bread baked in traditional clay ovens like they did centuries ago
- Walnut salad: tomato and cucumbers drenched in a thick sauce made of blended walnuts
- Satsivi: a winter chicken dish smothered with a thick walnut cream sauce
- Churchkhela: nuts covered with a chewy and fruity sweet and strung together
- Tklapi: thin sheets of dried fruit (similar to fruit roll-ups!)
Kachapuri is a boat of cheese melted perfectly into homemade bread.
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Is Georgia in Europe Safe?
Georgia is very close to Russia, and has some eerie communist vibes in many areas. Many people have a straight face on the streets, and it is particularly confusing as a tourist in this country.
That being said, the people in Georgia are some of the nicest in the world! As soon as we got to know them they were super friendly, helpful, and generous.
We felt extremely safe throughout the entire country, and really think this is a great destination for all types. Solo travelers, couples, and families alike can enjoy all that Georgia has to offer, without having any safety concerns.
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Other Things to Know About Visiting Georgia in Europe
Now you know all about the cuisine, the best places to visit, and how to get around Georgia. Now here are a few other things to know when visiting.
Is Georgia in Europe Expensive?
This is another thing that we found extremely surprising, and amazing- Georgia is such a cheap country!
We stayed in beautiful apartments for $10 a day, had entire meals for just a few dollars, and visited tons of awesome nature for free. Georgia is a super budget friendly country, making it one of the best countries to visit when it comes to bang for your buck.
Weather in Georgia
Georgia experiences all four seasons, sometimes even in one day! It can have pretty heavy snow in the winter time, or even earlier and later in the mountainous areas. Tbilisi has the warmest temperatures in the country, but still sees snow in the winter time.
The weather in Georgia largely depends on which area you are visiting in the country.
Best Time to Visit Georgia in Europe
The high season for Georgia is the summertime, as temperatures are moderate and there is a lot of sunshine, without scorching temperatures.
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We visited in October, and thought it was such a great time to visit though! We got to experience warm sunshine, gorgeous fall colors, and even snow. There were very few tourists, so we really had a lot of places to ourselves.
If you are looking for a more lively atmosphere, then we suggest going in July or August. It's also important to note that if you plan on visiting the mountainous areas such as Svaneti and Kazbegi, you won't be able to go in the winter. This is because the roads are not in great condition, and due to heavy snowfall it isn't possible to get there.
Georgia experiences all four seasons, sometimes all in one day!
Another thing to keep in mind is that from mid/end of October to March/April most hotels and restaurants in those areas close. So if you want to explore the mountains of Georgia in Europe, we suggest avoiding traveling there in the winter.
Packing for a Trip to Georgia in Europe
When it comes to packing, we suggest being prepared for everything! No matter when you go, you'll want a bathing suit for the awesome hot springs and baths around the country. You'll also want plenty of layers, and sneakers to go on hikes.
Even in the colder parts of the year you should have a bathing suit to enjoy Georgia's thermal waters.
Packing for a trip to Georgia in Europe should include pretty casual clothes, as a lot of the best areas to explore are out in nature.
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