Welcome to Georgia

Georgia is the best-kept secret between Europe and Asia — and one of the most fascinating travel destinations you haven't yet considered. Located at the crossroads of two continents, this small country in the Caucasus offers an almost incredible abundance on just 69,700 km²:

• The cradle of wine — Georgia is the oldest wine country in the world. For over 8,000 years, wine has been cultivated here, fermented in Qvevri (clay vessels in the ground), and drunk at every opportunity. The Qvevri method is UNESCO World Heritage.
• The Greater Caucasus — Peaks over 5,000 meters with eternal snow, dramatic gorges, glaciers, and mountain villages that seem from another time. Hiking, skiing, marveling — all at world-class level.
• One of the oldest Christian nations in the world — Georgia has been Christian since 337 AD. Ancient churches and monasteries stand on mountain tops and in caves, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes.
• Legendary hospitality — Georgians consider guests as "gifts from God". The Supra (feast table) with its Tamada (toastmaster) is an experience you will never forget.
• Incredibly good food — Khinkali (dumplings), Khachapuri (cheese bread), Mtsvadi (skewers), Churchkhela (nut-grape juice confection) — Georgian cuisine is a feast for every palate.
• Extremely affordable — Georgia is one of the cheapest travel destinations in Europe. A lavish three-course meal with wine for under €15, accommodations from €15 a night, Marshrutka rides for €2–5.
• No visa required — Germans, Austrians, and Swiss can stay in Georgia for up to 1 year without a visa. A whole year!
• Only 4 flight hours from Germany — closer than you think.

Georgia is the land where the Golden Fleece of Greek mythology lay, where Alexandre Dumas raved during his Caucasus journey, and where today digital nomads and adventurers celebrate one of Europe's last undiscovered gems. Once you've been to Georgia, you'll return — that's not a cliché, it's a law.

Georgia can be divided into four major travel regions, each with its own character:

🏙️ Tbilisi & Surroundings

For whom: City explorers, gourmets, night owls
The capital is a fascinating mix of old-town charm, Soviet architecture, and modern avant-garde. Sulfur baths, wine bars, the Narikala Fortress above the old town, and the vibrant nightlife make Tbilisi the perfect introduction to Georgia.

🏔️ Caucasus Highlands

For whom: Hikers, mountaineers, adventurers
The Greater Caucasus with its peaks over 5,000 meters forms Georgia's northern border with Russia. Kazbegi with the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church, the ski resort Gudauri, the remote Tusheti, and the UNESCO-protected Svaneti with its defense towers are among the most spectacular landscapes in Europe.

🍷 Kakheti & Wine Country

For whom: Wine lovers, pleasure travelers, romantics
Georgia's wine cradle in the east: The "City of Love" Sighnaghi on a hill, Telavi as the capital of the wine region, ancient monasteries like Alaverdi and Gremi, and everywhere wineries inviting you to taste in Qvevri cellars.

🌊 Western Georgia & Black Sea Coast

For whom: Culture travelers, beach holidaymakers, nature lovers
The second-largest city Kutaisi with its UNESCO World Heritage sites, the spectacular Prometheus stalactite cave, the bustling resort town Batumi on the Black Sea with futuristic architecture, and the Colchis wetlands (UNESCO) — the mythical land of the Golden Fleece.

1. Stand before the Gergeti Trinity Church — The iconic 14th-century church sits at 2,170 m in front of the snow-covered Kazbek (5,047 m). THE postcard motif of Georgia. → Chap. Caucasus
2. Experience a real Supra — The Georgian feast table with a Tamada (toastmaster) who delivers artful toasts, 20+ dishes, and endless wine is an unforgettable cultural experience. → Chap. Food & Drink
3. Bathe in Tbilisi's sulfur baths — The historic baths in the Abanotubani district with their domed roofs use natural sulfur springs. Cleansing, massage, and pure well-being. → Chap. Tbilisi
4. Taste Qvevri wine in Kakheti — In the oldest wine cellars in the world, try the amber wine that carries 8,000 years of tradition. → Chap. Wine Country
5. Wander through Tbilisi's old town — Crooked wooden balconies, hidden courtyards, street art, and wine bars in decaying palaces — Tbilisi's old town is an adventure in itself. → Chap. Tbilisi
6. Drive the Georgian Military Road — One of the most spectacular mountain roads in the world leads from Tbilisi through the Greater Caucasus to Kazbegi. Hairpin bends, gorges, and the Ananuri fort by the reservoir. → Chap. Caucasus
7. Eat Khinkali until you can't anymore — The Georgian dumplings, filled with spiced meat and broth, are eaten with hands and held by the top. If you eat less than 10, you weren't hungry. → Chap. Food & Drink
8. Visit Ushguli — Europe's highest permanent settlement — The UNESCO World Heritage site at 2,200 m in Svaneti with its medieval defense towers is one of the most remote and beautiful places in Europe. → Chap. Caucasus
9. Sighnaghi at sunset — The "City of Love" on a hill above the Alazani Valley with views of the snow-capped Caucasus is unrealistically beautiful. → Chap. Wine Country
10. Admire Batumi's architecture — The Black Sea city surprises with futuristic buildings, a car-free promenade, and Mediterranean flair. → Chap. Western Georgia
11. Explore the Prometheus Cave — One of Europe's most spectacular stalactite caves near Kutaisi, complete with an underground river and boat ride. → Chap. Western Georgia
12. Buy Churchkhela by the roadside — The "Georgian Snickers": walnuts or hazelnuts on a string, dipped in thickened grape juice. Available at every street corner. → Chap. Food & Drink
13. Admire the frescoes at Gelati Monastery — The UNESCO masterpiece near Kutaisi was once Georgia's spiritual center with one of the first academies in Europe. → Chap. Western Georgia
14. Try Chacha — The Georgian grape brandy (40–65%) is both a national drink and medicine. Every family distills their own. Caution: it tastes milder than it is! → Chap. Food & Drink
15. Visit David Gareja — A cave monastery from the 6th century in the semi-desert on the Azerbaijani border. The frescoes in the rock caves and the barren landscape are overwhelming. → Chap. Tbilisi

Thanks to its geographical diversity — from the Black Sea to the 5,000-meter peaks of the Caucasus — Georgia has several climate zones: subtropical on the west coast, continental in eastern Georgia, and alpine in the high mountains.

🟢 Best Time: May–June and September–October

The absolute recommendation for most travelers:

• May–June: Spring — pleasant 20–28°C in Tbilisi, wildflowers in the Caucasus, hiking season begins. Kakheti is greening, the vineyards are budding. Not too hot, not too crowded.
• September–October: THE insider tip. Grape harvest (Rtveli) in Kakheti — families invite you to join! Warm weather (20–25°C), golden autumn colors, crystal-clear mountain views. The best time for hikes in the Caucasus.

🔴 Summer: July – August

Up to 40°C in Tbilisi — unbearably hot. Perfect for hiking in the high mountains (Tusheti, Svaneti) and beach holidays in Batumi. The mountains are pleasantly cool (15–25°C). Hotels in the mountains and in Batumi are full — book early!

🔵 Winter: December – March

Tbilisi: 0–8°C, occasional snow. The old town has a winter charm. Perfect for skiing in Gudauri or Bakuriani. Kakheti and Kutaisi are cold, but the tourist crowds are absent. Mountain passes (Tusheti, Svaneti sections) are closed!

Climate Table: Tbilisi

Climate Table: Batumi (Black Sea Coast)

Georgia is a dream destination for budget travelers. The country is one of the cheapest travel destinations easily accessible from Europe — and with a quality that far exceeds the price level.

Daily Budget per Person

Price Examples (2025)

10 things I wish I had known before my first trip to Georgia:

1. You can stay for 1 year. No joke: EU citizens can stay in Georgia for 365 days without a visa. This has made the country a hotspot for digital nomads.
2. Tbilisi is called "Tbilisi" in Georgian (from "tbili" = warm, due to the sulfur springs). Both names are used, and flight tickets show "Tbilisi" (TBS).
3. The alphabet is unique. The Georgian script (Mchedruli) has 33 letters and looks like a mix of elven runes and calligraphy. There is no uppercase and lowercase. Google Maps is in Georgian — download offline maps in English!
4. Marshrutkas are brilliant. These minibuses connect virtually every place in the country. They leave when full, are dirt cheap, and an experience in themselves. At the Didube bus station in Tbilisi, organized chaos reigns — just loudly call out your destination.
5. Georgians love toasts. At a Supra (feast table), the Tamada (toastmaster) leads the evening with artful toasts to family, friendship, the deceased, Georgia. After each toast, the glass is emptied. Those who don't want to drink can politely sip — this is accepted.
6. The food is the secret star. Georgian cuisine is probably the best you've never heard of. Each region has its specialties. Try Khinkali, Khachapuri, Lobio, Pkhali — try everything!
7. The driving style is "sporty". Georgians drive aggressively, lane markings are decoration, and overtaking in curves is standard. Rent a car only with strong nerves — or hire a driver (about €50/day).
8. Russian helps, English too. The older generation speaks fluent Russian (Soviet era). Younger Georgians increasingly speak English, especially in Tbilisi. In tourist areas, you can get by well with English.
9. Bolt is your best friend. The ride-hailing app Bolt works perfectly in Tbilisi and Batumi. Cheaper than taxis, no bargaining, fixed price. Definitely install it.
10. Prepare for spontaneity. In Georgia, strangers will offer you wine, invite you to eat, and tell you their life story. Embrace it — these are the best moments of the trip.