Georgia

Asia

Georgia

Georgia's Caucasus mountains dominate every itinerary, from the fortress villages of Svaneti beneath permanent snowfields to the alpine trails around Kazbegi's Gergeti Trinity Church. Tbilisi itself blends sulfur bathhouses, balconied Old Town streets, and a fast-growing food and wine scene built on grape varieties and qvevri clay-vessel winemaking found nowhere else. Add the Black Sea resort town of Batumi, and a mountain-to-coast trip is entirely realistic in a single visit.

Why go thereWine Food Nature & landscapes Mountain hiking Culture & heritage Sacred sites Hot springs Architecture & cities Ancient ruins Markets & bazaars Adventure sports Skiing

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Khachapuri

Bread baked around melting cheese, the Adjarian version a boat with egg and butter.

Khinkali

Twisted dumplings of spiced meat and broth, held by the knot and never eaten there.

Mtsvadi

Pork skewered on vine cuttings and grilled over their embers, salted only.

Main destinations

Other destinations

Comfort in January · by notability

Food & drink to try

Khachapuri

Bread baked around melting cheese, the Adjarian version a boat with egg and butter.

Khinkali

Twisted dumplings of spiced meat and broth, held by the knot and never eaten there.

Mtsvadi

Pork skewered on vine cuttings and grilled over their embers, salted only.

Satsivi

Poultry in a cold walnut sauce with coriander and marigold, served at New Year.

Pkhali

Chopped spinach, beetroot or beans pounded with walnut and garlic into pâtés.

Badrijani nigvzit

Fried aubergine strips rolled around walnut paste and topped with pomegranate.

Lobio

Kidney beans stewed with coriander and served in a clay pot with cornbread.

Chakhokhbili

Chicken stewed with a mountain of tomato, onion and fresh herbs, no water added.

Shkmeruli

Fried chicken drowned in garlic and milk, served in the pan it cooked in.

Ostri

Beef stewed hot with tomato, garlic and chilli, eaten with bread and nothing else.

Kubdari

Svan bread stuffed with hand-chopped meat and blue fenugreek, cut in wedges.

Chikhirtma

Chicken soup thickened with egg and sharpened with vinegar, no vegetables at all.

Elarji

Cornmeal beaten with sulguni until it stretches in ropes from the pot.

Sulguni

Brined cheese with a squeak, eaten fresh, smoked or melted into everything.

Ajika

Hot paste of red pepper, garlic and herbs, made in autumn and used all year.

Tkemali

Sour plum sauce, green or red, served with meat and potatoes.

Churchkhela

Nuts threaded on string and dipped repeatedly in thickened grape must.

Tonis puri

Canoe-shaped bread stuck to the side of a clay tone and pulled out blistered.

Qvevri wine

Wine fermented with skins in buried clay vessels, a method eight thousand years old.

Chacha

Grape pomace spirit distilled at home, poured at the toastmaster's command.

Entry & health

Set your passport

iso.org gov.ge iec.ch

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Tipping isn't deeply ingrained but is appreciated; leave around 10% at restaurants and cafés if no service charge is already included, and round up for taxis. Hotel bellhops (2-5 GEL/bag) and tour guides/drivers can be tipped at your discretion for good service.

Dress modestly when visiting churches and monasteries — cover shoulders/knees, and women may need a headscarf (many sites provide wraps, but bring your own to be safe).
If invited to a home, remove your shoes at the door and bring a small gift like flowers or chocolate for your host.
Participate respectfully in a traditional 'supra' (feast) — follow the toastmaster's ('tamada') toasts and try a bit of everything offered rather than refusing food outright.
Avoid pointing with your index finger or other overly casual gestures, as they can be seen as impolite in social settings.
Punctuality is expected for business meetings, but social gatherings often run on a more relaxed schedule — don't be offended if a host arrives a little late.
Show interest in and respect for Georgian traditions and hospitality; Georgians take pride in welcoming guests and appreciate curiosity about their culture.

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Georgia — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA