Roavina

Country guide

Georgia

A photograph of Georgia
Photograph · Alexander Roumega · CC0

Georgia holds 3.9 million people and more than a third of them live in Tbilisi, so most visits begin in the capital and radiate out. The country sits on the east coast of the Black Sea, with Russia along the north, Turkey and Armenia to the south and Azerbaijan to the southeast, and the ground rises from beach to mountain village inside a single drive. Two things meet a first-time visitor immediately: Georgian, a Kartvelian language with no relation to any other language family in the world and its own alphabet to match, and wine, since the earliest known winemaking sites anywhere are here. Christianity arrived in the early fourth century, and the churches are correspondingly old.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Georgian
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+995
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Georgian lari (GEL)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and F · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Abanotubani Abanotubani
    02 45 min

    Abanotubani

    აბანოთუბანი

    Abanotubani is the historic sulfur-bath district in Old Tbilisi, Georgia. Its distinctive brick domes rise from the banks of the Mtkvari River, marking the natural hot springs that have defined this location for centuries.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Tbilisi
  2. Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
    03 30 min

    Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi

    წმინდა სამების საკათედრო ტაძარი

    The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, known locally as Sameba, stands as the principal modern Orthodox cathedral of Georgia's capital. Its golden dome dominates the Tbilisi skyline, visible from numerous vantage points across the city.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Tbilisi
  3. ქართლის დედა ქართლის დედა
    04 1 hour

    ქართლის დედა

    Mother of Georgia, known locally as Kartlis Deda, is a monumental aluminium statue standing on Sololaki Hill overlooking Tbilisi.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tbilisi
  4. National Botanical Garden of Georgia National Botanical Garden of Georgia
    05 45 min

    National Botanical Garden of Georgia

    ეროვნული ბოტანიკური ბაღი

    National Botanical Garden of Georgia occupies a deep gorge behind Narikala Fortress in central Tbilisi. The garden follows the Tsavkisistskali River valley, combining steep terrain, historic paths, cultivated botanical collections, and more naturalistic vegetation.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Tbilisi
  5. Metekhi church Metekhi church
    06 30 min

    Metekhi church

    მეტეხის ეკლესია

    Metekhi Church stands on a rocky cliff above the Mtkvari River in central Tbilisi, giving the city one of its most recognisable historic views.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Tbilisi
  6. Sioni Cathedral Sioni Cathedral
    07 45 min

    Sioni Cathedral

    სიონის ღვთისმშობლის მიძინების ტაძარი

    Sioni Cathedral, dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God, is a historic Georgian Orthodox cathedral in Tbilisi's Old Town. It remains a working place of worship, so its importance is both architectural and spiritual.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Tbilisi
  7. Dry Bridge Market Dry Bridge Market
    08 45 min

    Dry Bridge Market

    მშრალი ხიდის ბაზრობა

    The Dry Bridge Market is Tbilisi's principal open-air antiques and flea market, known locally as მშრალი ხიდის ბაზრობა.

    • Must see
    • Market
    • Tbilisi
  8. Anchiskhati Basilica Anchiskhati Basilica
    09 30 min

    Anchiskhati Basilica

    ანჩისხატის ღვთისმშობლის ტაძრადმიყვანების ეკლესია

    Anchiskhati Basilica is a sixth-century Georgian Orthodox church on Shavteli Street in Tbilisi's Old Town. It is widely identified as the city's oldest surviving church and remains an active place of worship.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Tbilisi
  9. Freedom Square Freedom Square
    10 45 min

    Freedom Square

    თავისუფლების მოედანი

    Freedom Square, or Tavisuplebis Moedani, is Tbilisi's principal civic square and a central meeting point between Rustaveli Avenue, Sololaki and the Old Town. A Saint George monument rises at the centre, while traffic circles the open plaza.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Tbilisi
  10. State Marionette Theatre Rezo Gabriadze State Marionette Theatre Rezo Gabriadze
    11 1 hour

    State Marionette Theatre Rezo Gabriadze

    რეზო გაბრიაძის მარიონეტების თეატრი

    The Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater and Clock Tower is a cultural landmark in Tbilisi's Old Town, created by Georgian artist, writer, and director Rezo Gabriadze.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tbilisi
  11. Chronicle of Georgia Chronicle of Georgia
    12 45 min

    Chronicle of Georgia

    საქართველოს მატიანე

    The Chronicle of Georgia is a monumental sculptural ensemble by Zurab Tsereteli on an elevated hillside above the Tbilisi Sea reservoir.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Tbilisi
  12. Rike Park Rike Park
    13 1 hour

    Rike Park

    რიყის პარკი

    Rike Park is a central riverfront public space beside the Mtkvari River in Tbilisi.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Tbilisi
  13. Leghvtakhevi Waterfall Leghvtakhevi Waterfall
    14 1 hour

    Leghvtakhevi Waterfall

    ლეღვთახევის ჩანჩქერი

    Leghvtakhevi Gorge and Waterfall is a compact natural landmark in Tbilisi’s historic Abanotubani district. The gorge takes its name from Georgian words connected with figs and ravines, recalling vegetation associated with the area.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Tbilisi
  14. Gorgasali Square Gorgasali Square
    15 45 min

    Gorgasali Square

    ვახტანგ გორგასლის მოედანი

    Gorgasali Square, also called Vakhtang Gorgasali Square and Meidan, is a historic public square in Tbilisi’s old town. It works as a central meeting point where several important parts of the historic core come together.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Tbilisi
  15. Orbeliani Square Orbeliani Square
    16 45 min

    Orbeliani Square

    ორბელიანის მოედანი

    Orbeliani Square, known in Georgian as ორბელიანის მოედანი, is a rehabilitated public square at the northern edge of Tbilisi’s historic centre. It belongs to the flower-market quarter and links nineteenth-century façades with pedestrian lanes.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Tbilisi
  16. Queen Darejan's palace Queen Darejan's palace
    17 45 min

    Queen Darejan's palace

    დარეჯანის სასახლე

    Queen Darejan Palace is a surviving royal residence on elevated ground above Tbilisi’s Avlabari district.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Tbilisi
  17. Juma Mosque Juma Mosque
    18 45 min

    Juma Mosque

    ჯუმა მეჩეთი

    Juma Mosque is Tbilisi’s sole surviving mosque and an active place of worship in the old town. The mosque stands beside the bath district and the botanical-garden gorge, placing Islamic religious heritage within a predominantly Orthodox Christian city.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Tbilisi
  18. Kashveti Church Kashveti Church
    19 45 min

    Kashveti Church

    ქაშვეთის წმინდა გიორგის სახელობის ტაძარი

    Kashveti Church is a stone church dedicated to Saint George on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi. The church stands directly opposite the Parliament of Georgia, making it one of the clearest landmarks on the capital’s main thoroughfare.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Tbilisi
  19. Turtle Lake Turtle Lake
    20 1 hour

    Turtle Lake

    კუს ტბა

    Turtle Lake, or Kus Tba, is a lakeside recreation spot on the wooded hillside above Tbilisi’s Vake district. Its appeal is immediate: water, trees, open air and a break from the city’s dense streets.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Tbilisi
  20. Lisi Lake Lisi Lake
    21 1 hour

    Lisi Lake

    ლისის ტბა

    Lisi Lake is a recreational lake on the western edge of Tbilisi. Known in Georgian as ლისის ტბა, it gives the capital an open landscape of water, trails and broad outdoor space away from the dense historic core.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Tbilisi
  21. Vake Park Vake Park
    22 1 hour

    Vake Park

    ვაკის პარკი

    Vake Park is a large terraced green space on the hillside in western Tbilisi.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Tbilisi
  22. Mziuri Park Mziuri Park
    23 1 hour

    Mziuri Park

    მზიურის პარკი

    Mziuri Park is a restored public park in Tbilisi’s Vere valley, designed around family recreation and outdoor time. It combines a natural valley setting with walking paths, children’s play spaces and areas for cultural activity.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Tbilisi
  23. Dedaena Park Dedaena Park
    24 1 hour

    Dedaena Park

    დედაენის ბაღი

    Dedaena Park is a riverside public park in central Tbilisi, beside the Mtkvari and close to the Dry Bridge area. Its name refers to the Georgian-language memorial within the grounds.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Tbilisi
  24. Vera Park Vera Park
    25 1 hour

    Vera Park

    ვერის ბაღი

    Vera Park is a neighbourhood green space in central Tbilisi's Vera district. Its appeal comes from everyday local use and from the late-Soviet architecture of the Chess Palace and Alpine Club buildings.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Tbilisi
  25. Tbilisi National Park Tbilisi National Park
    26 1 hour

    Tbilisi National Park

    თბილისის ეროვნული პარკი

    Tbilisi National Park is Georgia’s first national park, on forested mountain ridges immediately north of Tbilisi. It is the capital’s nearest large protected natural area and makes a strong contrast with the city’s dense streets, courtyards, and traffic.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Tbilisi
  26. Bank of Georgia headquarters Bank of Georgia headquarters
    27 45 min

    Bank of Georgia headquarters

    საქართველოს ბანკის სათავო ოფისი

    Bank of Georgia Headquarters is one of Tbilisi’s most striking late-Soviet modernist landmarks.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Tbilisi
  27. Tbilisi Circus Tbilisi Circus
    28 1 hour

    Tbilisi Circus

    თბილისის ცირკი

    Tbilisi Circus is a distinctive circular hilltop building overlooking Heroes Square. It is both a Soviet-era architectural landmark and a performance venue for traditional circus entertainment.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Tbilisi
  28. Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, Tbilisi Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, Tbilisi
    29 30 min

    Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, Tbilisi

    ყოვლადწმიდა მარიამის ზეცად აღყვანების კათოლიკური საკათედრო ტაძარი

    The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin is Tbilisi’s Catholic cathedral in the historic centre. Its Georgian name is ღვთისმშობლის ამაღლების კათოლიკური კათედრალი.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Tbilisi
  29. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
    30 45 min

    Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

    სვეტიცხოვლის საკათდრო ტაძარი

    Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is a Georgian Orthodox cathedral located in Mtskheta, the ancient capital near Tbilisi. Its local name is სვეტიცხოვლის საკათედრო ტაძარი.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Tbilisi
  30. Jvari Jvari
    31 30 min

    Jvari

    ჯვრის მონასტერი

    Jvari Monastery is a sixth-century hilltop church above Mtskheta, overlooking the meeting point of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. Its Georgian name is ჯვრის მონასტერი.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Tbilisi

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Georgia be?

Seven to ten days supports Tbilisi plus Kakheti, Kazbegi or a western city without racing across the country. Combining Svaneti, the Black Sea and the capital needs additional nights because mountain and cross-country transfers consume substantial portions of a day.

What entry documents are needed for Georgia?

Georgia’s official eVisa service explains whether advance permission applies to a particular passport. Confirm the permitted stay, entry route and documentation there, and consult current government guidance before any overland crossing rather than assuming every neighbouring border operates normally.

What is the best way to travel around Georgia?

Tbilisi and Kutaisi are useful air gateways; trains serve a limited set of major corridors, and marshrutkas or hired vehicles reach many regional towns. Mountain itineraries need weather and road checks, while Tbilisi’s metro and buses handle most urban movements.

When is a practical time to visit Georgia?

May to June and September to October are versatile for cities, wine regions and lower mountain routes. High passes may open later or close earlier, and Batumi has a wetter pattern, so one national forecast cannot settle dates for a multi-region journey.

What money and payment basics apply in Georgia?

Georgia uses the lari. Cards are common in Tbilisi, yet guesthouses, markets and mountain transport can still depend on cash; withdraw or exchange through recognised providers and confirm whether an quoted tour price includes regional transfers.

What practical safety details should I save for Georgia?

The emergency number is 112, with Type C and F sockets at 220 V. Tap-water guidance is Not recorded in this dataset; seek local confirmation, and keep official road or emergency alerts available when travelling into mountain districts.