🗺️ Where to go in Georgia: sea, mountains and gastronomy

EU citizens can stay in Georgia visa-free for up to 1 year. The flight from Germany is short, and the country itself is compact: in one trip you can both ski and swim in the sea.

Planning here is easy if you decide on your goal right away. In winter people head to the Caucasus Mountains for snow, in summer to the warm Black Sea. Your resort, season, and budget all depend on that.

Below is a practical overview to help you plan your trip: entry rules, the best time to go, five ski resorts, quiet beaches, four cities, and places worth eating at.

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Visa and entry rules

💡 In short:

Citizens of the EU, the US, and dozens of other countries do not need a visa.
EU citizens can stay in the country visa-free for up to 1 year.
Entry and length of stay: 09/2026, verified on the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Tourists from the European Union do not need a visa. You buy a ticket and fly. At the border you only need a passport valid for the entire duration of your trip.

EU citizens can stay in the country visa-free for up to 1 year (as of 09/2026, GeoConsul, Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

When to go: sea or mountains

There is no universal month, it all depends on the purpose of your trip.

In winter you go for snow. Ski resorts operate from December through April. In summer the Black Sea opens up, but the first half of August brings heat and humidity. The second half of August and September are the most comfortable.

The mountains are always cooler than the coast. Even in summer, bring a jacket.

Where to go in winter: five ski resorts

In winter, five ski resorts operate in the country (according to the Georgian National Tourism Administration). Two of them are well-known and crowded, three are just gaining momentum.

Gudauri

The country's most popular and highest-altitude resort. Young people come here for freeride, backcountry, and heli-skiing. The slopes are mostly for confident skiers, but there are also beginner areas.

In total, Gudauri has more than 80 km of groomed slopes (according to the National Tourism Administration). There are baths, saunas, and a kids' club where you can leave your child. Off the slopes you can ride a snowbike, snowmobile, or paraglider.

Book accommodation in advance: hotels in Gudauri on Trip.com.

Gudauri ski resort in winter with snow-covered mountains in the background

Bakuriani

The country's oldest resort and the best option for beginners. It has several schools, wide gentle slopes, and freeride zones.

Bakuriani is convenient for those who want to combine skiing with sightseeing. The Rabati Fortress and the cave city of Vardzia are nearby (according to the official tourism portal of Georgia).

panoramic view of Bakuriani in the mountains

Tetnuldi

A young resort in Svaneti. Its slopes offer views of Ushba and the glaciers. There are five chairlifts and five main runs, plus wide freeride terrain (according to georgia.travel).

There are almost no lift lines, and ski rental and a couple of cafes are available on site.

Snow-covered peak of Tetnuldi above a village in Svaneti

Hatsvali

Tetnuldi's neighbor near Mestia. A small resort with a gondola, three runs, and surface lifts for beginners (according to Georgia's tourism portal).

You can freeride across the entire area. The infrastructure is just a couple of cafes, so bring snacks with you.

Goderdzi

A resort in Upper Adjara, not far from Batumi. There is one gondola with two stations: a chairlift leads to one, and six-person cabins to the other (according to the Georgian tourism office website).

The infrastructure is modest, but there are fewer people than anywhere else.

Mountain landscape with a village on the slopes of Goderdzi

Beach vacations: where the sea is calmer

Batumi is less suitable for swimming than it seems. The beach there is rocky, the waves are strong, and there are crowds both on the shore and in the city.

Choose nearby towns instead. Ureki has soft sand, a gentle entry, and calm water. Sarpi has a pebble beach, but the sea is also calm there. Gonio and Kvariati are also worth a look, with mountains coming right down to the sea.

Kobuleti and Shekvetili are also good, but they are the most popular spots, so they get crowded in season. Book seaside accommodation in advance: hotels in Kobuleti and Ureki on Trip.com.

Main cities and attractions

Tbilisi

Start your introduction to the country in the capital. You can wander the old town for days and keep finding something new.

Head down to the Abanotubani sulfur baths. They are easy to find by the smell. Nearby, Narikala Fortress rises above, with a cable car leading to the top. Tickets are paid both for the ride up and the ride down, so you can go up by cable car and walk down along the fortress or through the Botanical Garden.

Panorama of Tbilisi with the river and the Bridge of Peace

The second climb goes up Mount Mtatsminda. An amusement park and the Funicular restaurant operate there. Even on a modest budget, try the local donuts. It is easier to get to the top by taxi and come down by funicular.

The Gabriadze Theater deserves a separate visit. Tickets are scarce, but the tower hosts a mini performance called "The Cycle of Life" every day. You can watch it from the street.

In warm weather, take a trip to the Tbilisi Sea. That is what locals call the lake. Nearby stands the "History of Georgia" monument, often compared to Stonehenge. Then take a walk in Vake Park by Turtle Lake and stop by the ethnographic museum.

In summer, Fabrika Tbilisi is worth a visit. It is a hostel, but its grounds host concerts and draw local young people.

Tickets for tours and museum entry are easy to buy online: tickets and tours in Tbilisi.

Mtskheta

Mtskheta is about half an hour from Tbilisi. People come here to see the Samtavro Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. On the northern edge, the walls of Bebristsikhe Fortress remain.

Next, head to Jvari Monastery, the most recognizable site in Mtskheta. From here you can see the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers. In bad weather it is windy and cold at the top, so bring a jacket.

Batumi

Batumi surprises with its contrasts. Skyscrapers stand next to old courtyards, and the sea is visible from almost anywhere in the center.

Start with the Botanical Garden. It is convenient to get around the grounds by electric car, but a walk is also lovely. Then stroll along Batumi Boulevard, where local musicians often play.

cobblestone street in old Batumi with cars

Nearby stands the "Ali and Nino" sculpture, the city's calling card. It tells the story of two lovers meeting and parting. A little further on is the Ferris wheel, which offers an evening panorama.

Be sure to take the cable car up Mount Feria. Morning is best; during the day tour groups gather at the cable car. From the top you can see just how varied Batumi can be.

Sighnaghi

Sighnaghi is worth seeing without rushing. The town in Kakheti resembles Italian streets. An ancient fortress encircles it, and the local registry office performs weddings around the clock for couples from all over the world.

There is a zipline nearby; the descent is faster than driving.

On the way, it is worth stopping at Bodbe Monastery, where the relics of Saint Nino rest. It is usually the first stop, followed by Sighnaghi.

Tours and tickets in Tbilisi

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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Georgian cuisine: what and where to try

The local cuisine is known for khachapuri, khinkali, kharcho, chakhokhbili and ojakhuri. Wine and chacha deserve a special mention. Georgian winemaking is over 8,000 years old (according to the official Georgia tourism portal).

For wine in Tbilisi, stop by the 17th-century wine cellar at 19 Irakli II Street. It stocks wines from private wineries. The cellar buys out an entire good batch, so these bottles can't be found anywhere else. Tastings are held on site.

Georgian table with khinkali and stew in a clay pot

Another spot for wine is the 8000 Vintages bar. Here you can sample different varieties and buy bottles to take home. Note: they mostly serve snacks, so a full dinner isn't an option.

In central Tbilisi, try Modi.wine. It's a trendy spot where you can get a tasting set and learn about winemaking, regions and vintages.

Among restaurants, we'd highlight Usakhelouri near the sulfur baths. The design is modest, but the food is made with soul. Order the khinkali and fried chicken.

The Tsiskvili chain is good for lunch. Prices are above average, the food quality is excellent, and the interiors are made for photos.

For khachapuri on a skewer, head to the Tiflis restaurant. It draws plenty of both tourists and locals.

Elite restaurant operates in the Turkish quarter. The cuisine isn't Georgian, but the sweets and hot dishes will please you.

Jazz lovers should check out the 1984 club. Various bands perform here, and the schedule is posted on the venue's page. Cocktails, food and music are all on point.

Book gastronomic tours of the city online: wine and gastronomic tours.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Do EU citizens need a visa for Georgia?

No, tourists from the European Union do not need a visa. EU citizens can stay in the country for up to 1 year (as of 09/2026, Consular Department of the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

When is the best time to go skiing?

The season at Gudauri and Bakuriani runs from December to April. The fewest tourists come at the end of the season. In Svaneti, at Tetnuldi and Hatsvali, there is more snow, but the drive is longer. Check trail conditions before heading out: in spring the snow can be wet.

Where can you swim in Georgia?

For calm seas, go to Ureki or Sarpi. Ureki has a gentle entry and soft sand, Sarpi has pebbles. Kobuleti also works, but it gets crowded in season. In Batumi the beach is rocky and the waves are stronger. In Gonio and Kvariati, the mountains come right down to the sea. The swimming season runs from June to October.

How many days do you need for the trip?

Three to four days is enough for the cities: Tbilisi, Mtskheta and Sighnaghi are close to each other. For a seaside vacation, plan on a week. If you want to add skiing and Svaneti, allow 10 days or more. The country is compact, but mountain roads take time.

What food should you definitely try?

Start with Adjarian khachapuri, khinkali and chakhokhbili. Be sure to try churchkhela and local wines.

In short: what to book

The takeaway depends on the type of trip.

In winter, for skiing, book a hotel in Gudauri or Bakuriani in advance. Check hotels in Gudauri on Trip.com for your dates: in January there are few vacancies.

In summer, choose accommodation in Kobuleti, Ureki or Sarpi. Book excursions and tickets in cities online, so you don't stand in line.

Georgia without a visa for up to a year: five ski resorts and the best cities