Section guide

Things to Do in Georgia

Q: Does regular insurance cover skiing?

Usually not. Since January 1, 2026, foreigners have needed a medical insurance policy to enter Georgia, but basic coverage generally does not include skiing or helicopter evacuation.

Q: Can you swim in October?

The water is still about 20°C, but October is considered one of the rainiest months in Batumi. Warm water and sunshine are a safer bet in July, August and September.

Q: How do you get to the sulfur baths?

From Avlabari metro station, it is about 15 minutes on foot, downhill across the Metekhi Bridge. A taxi from downtown booked through an app costs 4-7 lari.

This section covers the sea, the mountains and ski resorts, the sulfur baths, food in Tbilisi and ideas for any time of year. Pick whatever appeals to you most, and you will see prices, seasons and how to get there.

25°Csea temperature in July and August

2-3lari for one khinkali in Tbilisi

4ski resorts on one shared ski pass

What are you in the mood for?

The gist in 10 seconds

Georgia month by month

April, May, September and October are considered the best months for Tbilisi and Kakheti
The swimming season runs from late June to late September
Hotels cost the most in July and August, and November sees the fewest tourists

Towers of Keselo Fortress in Tusheti at sunset — Keselo, Tusheti

Seasons

When to Visit Georgia

Georgia is a pleasure at any time of year, with the sea and mountain trails in summer, the grape harvest in Kakheti in the fall, and skiing in winter. The weather depends above all on altitude, so the coast, Tbilisi and the mountains can feel different even on the same day.

Best time

Tbilisi and Kakheti in springApril-June
Tbilisi and Kakheti in the fallSeptember-October
The seaJuly-September
Mountains in summerJuly-September
SkiingJanuary-March

Georgia Month by MonthHolidays, events, prices

When is the grape harvest in Kakheti?
Which month has the fewest tourists in Georgia?

Hotel prices

Average price of a 3-star hotel room

January 2026152 lari a night, more at the ski resorts
August 2026203 lari a night, the busiest month
October 2025153 lari a night

Public holidays

Orthodox ChristmasJanuary 7
National Unity DayApril 9
Orthodox EasterApril 30 - May 3 (2027)
Independence DayMay 26
SvetitskhovlobaOctober 14
GiorgobaNovember 23

Public Holidays in GeorgiaCalendar and what is closed Climate and Seasons in GeorgiaWeather in Tbilisi, Batumi and the mountains

The gist in 10 seconds

Mountains in winter and summer

Last winter, a day ski pass cost from 30 lari in Goderdzi to 70 lari in Gudauri
The 2026/27 season is due to open on December 20 at every resort, if there is enough snow
From December 1 to March 1, winter tires are required on mountain roads
In summer the mountains are for hiking, and the main season runs from June to September

Slopes and chairlifts of the Gudauri ski resort — Gudauri

Mountains

Georgia's Mountains in Winter and Summer

In winter, Gudauri, Bakuriani, Mestia and Goderdzi share a single ski pass, and prices are well below those in the Alps. In summer, from June to September, people head into the mountains to hike, whether for a half-day walk up to Gergeti Trinity Church or a four-day trek from village to village across Svaneti.

Day ski pass, 2025/26 season

Gudauri70 lari
Bakuriani55 lari
Mestia50 lari
Goderdzi30 lari

Children from 6 to 12 years old pay half price for a ski pass, and anyone under 6 years old skis for free. Prices for the 2026/27 season have not been announced yet.

Ski Resorts in GeorgiaGudauri, Bakuriani, Mestia, Goderdzi

Which resort suits a family with children?
How much do gear rental and an instructor cost?

Georgia's Mountains in SummerHiking, routes and the season

Where can you hike for a day from Tbilisi?
Do you need a guide on the Mestia-Ushguli trek?

Before you head into the mountains

Check that your insurance covers skiing and evacuation
Ski outside the marked runs only with a guide and avalanche gear
If you are injured, call 112, which works even without a SIM card

Summer in the mountains

Gergeti Trinity Church3-4 hours
Ninoskhevi Waterfall4-6 hours
Mestia-Ushguli4 days
Omalo-Shatili4-5 days

Jvari Pass

The Gudauri-Kobi section

In the winter of 2025/26 this section was closed 13 times, usually for about a day, and the longest closures lasted 4-5 days. The road from Tbilisi up to Gudauri itself almost always stays open.

Winter Roads in GeorgiaThe pass, winter tires, chains

Is the road to Gudauri and Stepantsminda open right now?
Which tires count as winter tires?

Travel Insurance for GeorgiaA policy that covers skiing

The gist in 10 seconds

The sea in Georgia

The swimming season runs from late June to late September, and the water warms up to 25°C
The Stadler train from Tbilisi to Batumi takes about 4 hours, and tickets start at 35 lari
Beaches are free to enter, and a lounge chair with an umbrella costs 5-30 lari a day

The city beach and seaside park in Batumi — Batumi beach

Sea

The Sea in Georgia

Georgia's Black Sea coast stretches from Sarpi, on the Turkish border, to Anaklia. In Batumi and farther south, most beaches are pebbly with clear water, while Ureki and Shekvetili have the famous black magnetic sand and a gentle slope into the sea, which makes them especially convenient for a vacation with children.

Pebbles or sand

Batumipebbles
Gonio, Kvariati, Sarpipebbles, clear water
Kobuletisand with fine pebbles
Shekvetili and Urekiblack sand

Families with small children more often choose Shekvetili and Ureki, where you can wade 30-40 m out from shore before the water gets deep.

The Black Sea in GeorgiaResorts, beaches, season, prices

Where is the clearest water on Georgia's coast?
How do you get to the sea from Kutaisi Airport?

Lodging in Adjara, August 2026

Book ahead

A guesthouse room averaged about 120 lari a night, and a room in a three-star hotel about 240 lari. Prices rose by 25% in July alone, so the coast is noticeably cheaper in June.

On the beach

Swimming is prohibited when the red flag is up
Lifeguards are on duty at Batumi's main beaches from June to September, but not on undeveloped beaches
Leaving up to 2 kg of trash on the beach carries a fine of 80 lari
In an emergency, call 112

The gist in 10 seconds

Tbilisi sulfur baths

A private room costs 120-600 lari an hour for the whole group
The shared hall at Bathhouse No. 5 costs 10 lari for men and 6 lari for women
The water is 38-40°C, so the baths are not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart conditions

The tiled facade of the Chreli Abano bathhouse in Abanotubani, Tbilisi — Chreli Abano, Abanotubani

Baths

Sulfur Baths in Tbilisi

Most of the sulfur baths are in the historic Abanotubani district, at the foot of Narikala Fortress. Visitors usually rent a private room for their own group, and the price is for the whole room, not per person.

Private room per hour

Chreli Abano130-600 lari
King Erekle's200-400 lari
Royal Bath150-290 lari
Bathhouse No. 5120-200 lari

For a group of 4-6 people, a 200 lari room works out to about 35-50 lari per person.

Sulfur Baths in TbilisiWhich to choose, prices, booking

How do you book a room at the baths?
Can you bring children to the baths?

Booking

2-3 days ahead for weekends

For a weekday, book a room at least a day ahead, and mornings are usually the quietest. Arrive 15-20 minutes before your session starts. The time slot is fixed and will not be extended if you are late.

What costs extra

A kisi scrub, a rubdown with a coarse mitt, costs 20 lari at Chreli Abano and King Erekle's, and it is cash only
At Bathhouse No. 5 the kisi scrub costs about 10 lari
Towels, sheets and slippers are sold on site, but bringing your own is cheaper

The gist in 10 seconds

Where to eat in Tbilisi

Khinkali cost 2-3 lari apiece, and Adjarian khachapuri runs 20-30 lari
Lunch at a khinkali house or a cafeteria comes to 20-30 lari per person
The service charge is usually 10-15%, and where there is none, people tip about 10%

A plate of khinkali at a restaurant in Tbilisi

Food

Where to Eat in Tbilisi

Tourists most often pick the restaurants of the Old Town, but on its main streets prices are usually higher. You will find a wider choice of places and more affordable prices on Agmashenebeli Avenue and in Vera and Saburtalo, the neighborhoods where Tbilisians themselves prefer to eat.

What to order

Meat khinkali, apiece2-3 lari
Adjarian khachapuri20-30 lari
Badrijani with walnut paste15-28 lari
Mtsvadi, pork skewers20-27 lari
Glass of house wine5-12 lari

Portions are large, so dishes are usually ordered for the whole table and shared.

Where to Eat in TbilisiNeighborhoods, prices, what to order

How much is dinner for two in Tbilisi?
Where can you eat in Tbilisi late at night?

The bill

Bread and sauces are charged separately

Bread costs 3-6 lari, and tkemali or adjika sauce runs 3.50-4.50 lari. If the bill includes charges that were not on the menu, you can complain to Georgia's Competition and Consumer Protection Agency by calling its hotline at 15-20.

How not to overpay

If the menu has no prices, it is best to leave right away
Do not follow strangers who invite you to a "good local bar." This scam leaves tourists with bills for thousands of lari
Before you pay, check the dishes, the service charge and the prices against the menu

Food Delivery in GeorgiaWolt, Glovo, Bolt Food, prices

Year-round

What to Do in Georgia in Every Season

Every season in Georgia has its own charm and its own reasons to come, so a vacation here is a pleasure at any time of year.

Winter

Winter is for skiing. The 2026/27 season is due to open on December 20, and the best snow usually holds from mid-January to early March.

Spring

Tbilisi and Kakheti are especially beautiful in spring. In April the air warms to 19°C, the gardens fill with blossoms, and the tourist streets are not yet packed with summer crowds.

Summer

Summer means swimming in the sea and hiking the mountain trails. The sea at Batumi is about 25°C in July, and in the mountains the hiking season is in full swing, for example on the Mestia-Ushguli trek.

Fall

In the fall, Kakheti celebrates rtveli, the grape harvest, usually from early September to mid-October. The sea in September is still about 24°C.

FAQ

Questions About a Vacation in Georgia

Can you reach the resorts without a car?

Yes. Marshrutkas, the shared minibuses, leave from Didube bus station in Tbilisi. The trip to Gudauri takes about 3 hours and costs 15 lari, while Bakuriani is 2.5-3 hours away for 20 lari.

Does regular insurance cover skiing?

Usually not. Since January 1, 2026, foreigners have needed a medical insurance policy to enter Georgia, but basic coverage generally does not include skiing or helicopter evacuation.

Can you swim in October?

The water is still about 20°C, but October is considered one of the rainiest months in Batumi. Warm water and sunshine are a safer bet in July, August and September.

How do you get to the sulfur baths?

From Avlabari metro station, it is about 15 minutes on foot, downhill across the Metekhi Bridge. A taxi from downtown booked through an app costs 4-7 lari.

Can you drink tap water in Tbilisi?

Yes, the tap water in Tbilisi is safe to drink. A 0.5-liter bottle of water at a cafe costs about 3 lari.

What can a vegetarian eat?

Pkhali, badrijani, lobio, lobiani and khinkali with mushrooms or potatoes are made without meat. Lenten dishes are listed under "samarkhvo" on the menu, and they suit vegans too.

In short

Things to Do in Georgia in Five Points

The sea is warm from late June to late September, and the beaches are free to enter.
Four ski resorts share one ski pass, and a day of skiing costs less than in the Alps.
At the Tbilisi sulfur baths, a private room pays off for a group, and the cheapest option is the shared hall at Bathhouse No. 5.
Cafes and restaurants on Agmashenebeli Avenue and in Vera and Saburtalo are cheaper than on the main streets of the Old Town, and the choice there is wider.
In winter, check whether the Jvari Pass is open before driving into the mountains, and in summer, book your seaside lodging ahead of time.

Catalog of places to relax in Georgia

Coming soon to the catalog: baths, restaurants, seaside lodging and gear rental in Georgia

We are preparing listings of places to relax in Georgia. We publish only what we have checked ourselves.

Domes of Bathhouse No. 5 in Tbilisi's Old Town

Soon

Sulfur bathsrooms, prices and booking

The Fabrika courtyard in Tbilisi in the evening

Soon

Restaurants and cafeskhinkali houses, wine bars, bakeries

The beach and hotels in Gonio at the foot of the mountains

Soon

Seaside lodgingguesthouses and hotels

Soon

Rentals and instructorsat the ski resorts

Pictured: the domes of Bathhouse No. 5 and the Fabrika courtyard in Tbilisi, Gonio beach, and the Kokhta chairlift in Bakuriani.