Georgia: Tbilisi, mountains and wine — a country that keeps calling you back
People travel to Georgia for its mountains, its wine and its hospitality — and almost all of them come back. In a single trip you can stroll the old quarters of Tbilisi, see a monastery set against a snow-capped peak, taste qvevri wine right at the winery and swim in the Black Sea. And a Georgian feast, with its toasts and songs, is something you won't forget for a long time. Here's everything you need to plan your route.
Key points
- Tbilisi, the Kazbegi mountains, Kakheti and Batumi: four very different moods in one small country.
- Mountain roads are stunning but winding, so allow extra time for getting from place to place.
- In churches, women wear a skirt and cover their heads; men skip the shorts and take off their hats.
- You'll need data for maps, taxis, booking guesthouses and keeping in touch with your driver.
Tbilisi: the old town and sulfur baths
Tbilisi spreads across both banks of the Kura River. The old town is all carved wooden balconies, narrow lanes and courtyards where people linger over coffee and wine. In the Abanotubani district, the famous sulfur baths hide beneath brick domes. Above them rises Narikala Fortress: ride the cable car up and the whole city opens out below you.
Take a walk along Rustaveli Avenue, browse the flea market by the Dry Bridge, and drop into the creative spaces in former factory buildings, full of cafés, workshops and music.
Mtskheta and Kazbegi: monasteries and mountains
Just outside the capital lies Mtskheta, Georgia's ancient capital, home to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery, which stands on a hill above the meeting of two rivers. Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Georgian Military Road takes you to Stepantsminda, formerly known as Kazbegi. Gergeti Trinity Church set against Mount Kazbek is one of the country's most recognizable views. Along the way, the road passes Ananuri Fortress and climbs over a pass with sweeping views of the Caucasus.
Kakheti: wine and orchards
Kakheti is Georgia's wine country. Here wine has long been made in qvevri — large clay vessels buried in the ground — a method inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Small family wineries host tastings, and the hilltop town of Sighnaghi, overlooking the Alazani Valley, is known as the city of love.
The sea and beyond
Batumi, on the Black Sea coast, means a long seaside boulevard, modern architecture, a botanical garden and beaches. Mountain lovers will fall for Svaneti and the medieval towers of Mestia, while history buffs can explore the cave towns of Uplistsikhe and Vardzia.
What to try
Georgian food alone is reason enough to make the trip.
- Khachapuri, especially the Adjarian kind: a bread boat filled with cheese, egg and butter.
- Khinkali: juicy dumplings eaten by hand, held by their little topknot.
- Badrijani: eggplant with walnut paste.
- Mtsvadi: Georgian shashlik, meat grilled on skewers.
- Lobio: beans served in a clay pot.
- Churchkhela: nuts dipped in grape juice — the best souvenir to take home.
Good to know before you go
Georgians are famously hospitable, and here a guest is considered a gift.
- Women enter churches in a skirt with their heads covered; scarves and skirts are often handed out at the entrance.
- Mountain roads are winding and mountain weather changes fast, so pack warm clothes even in summer.
- Toasts are made at the table, and the feast is led by the tamada, or toastmaster — a part of the culture well worth experiencing.
- It's easier to order taxis through an app, and it helps to know the price of a ride across town in advance.
Staying connected
In Georgia you'll want data from your very first hour: to call a taxi from the airport, find a guesthouse in the mountains, map your way to a winery or translate a menu. You can install your eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, so there's no hunting for a SIM card at the airport after you land. When a plan's validity starts is shown on the checkout page before you pay: for some plans it begins when you first connect in your destination country, for others when you install it or right after purchase. Your main number stays in your phone, and calls and messages to it keep arriving as usual, under your carrier's terms.
Pick an eSIM for your trip to Georgia in our shop: our plans for Georgia are gathered on this page, and the installation details will arrive at the email address you give at checkout. Gaumarjos — and have a wonderful trip!
Sources and further reading
- Use eSIM while traveling internationally with your iPhone · Apple Support
- How to use an eSIM with your Galaxy phone · Samsung Support
