First time in Georgia where to go. Travel to Georgia on your own! Language barrier in Georgia

The ancient state with spectacular nature, excellent cuisine and colorful features is highly popular among tourists. Even a short trip to Georgia will bring a lot of bright positive emotions. In order not to spoil the impressions, it is necessary to prepare for the future voyage.

Significant innovations in 2019

From March 1, 2018, new conditions for compulsory insurance of vehicles of foreign countries came into force in Georgia. The driver is required to insure the car to travel around the country. Insurance packages are divided depending on required period trips: 15, 30, 90 days and 1 year. The cost of insurance for 15 days is 30 GEL.

In this case, there is no need to try to save money. The fine for moving without a policy will cost much more - from 100 to 200 lari.

You can buy an insurance policy in any convenient way:

in Banks (“Liberty”, “Bank of Georgia”)
through payment terminals (“TBS”, “Liberty”, “Bank of Georgia”)
at official sales points near customs
via the Internet before the trip
in the offices of insurance companies

Another significant innovation this year was the appearance of a special tourist patrol. Tourist police take care of the safety of city visitors and can help in various situations. Patrol officers are proficient in several foreign languages and are able to provide information support to travelers from different countries.

Travel documents

The first question that worries a tourist is whether it is necessary. In 2012, Georgia introduced a visa-free regime for Russian citizens. Russians do not need a visa to Georgia when staying in the territory for less than a year.

Although Georgia is a visa-free country, the customs procedure at the border has a number of strict requirements. When going on a trip, you need to know clear rules about what you need for a trip to Georgia.

Special import requirements Money apply for an amount of more than GEL 30,000. Cash currency and traveler's checks of lower value do not need to be declared when crossing the border. This allows you to take a comfortable supply of cash in any currency.

You can withdraw money from numerous ATMs. Just like all over the world, payment by card is common.

Three requirements for a tourist passport:

The validity period of the passport must cover the entire period of the trip
two free pages for stamps
absence of seals and South Ossetia.

Trip with animals

Travelers with animals will need a special passport with a mark from the veterinary service of the Russian Federation confirming the health status of the pet. You can get it before your trip at the nearest veterinary clinic.

The attitude towards animals in the Caucasus is friendly. According to well-known accommodation booking services, several hundred hotels and apartments in Tbilisi allow guests to stay with pets.

Getting to Georgia

You can get to Georgia by several types of transport:

by plane;
by sea;
by bus;
by car.

“You can only cross the border by bus or car. When traveling on foot, to pass the checkpoint on your own, you must use a ride."

Several airlines operate flights to Georgia from Russia. Regular flights depart mainly from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov and Krasnodar.

By sea you can travel from Sochi on a special passenger line of the SPK Express-Batumi along the Sochi-Batumi route. The journey by sea will take at least 6 hours. Sea connections open in June and operate until September. It is better to buy tickets immediately in the same direction and in the opposite direction.

You can go to hospitable Georgia by bus. The route Krasnodar - Tbilisi is popular, flights depart several times a day. The journey takes 14 – 15 hours. Ticket price is 2500 rubles. Bus service to Tbilisi from Moscow, Samara, Sochi and from Nalchik to Batumi has been developed.

The abundance of options for modes of transport allows you to choose how to travel to Georgia depending on your personal preferences. Some people want to save money, others want to see as many attractions as possible, and others care about comfort.

Traveling by car in Georgia

Traveling by car has a lot of advantages and nuances. When going on a trip on your own, you can drive through secluded corners of the country and explore distant sights. Mountain monasteries, picturesque canyons, ancient fortresses - it will be much easier to get there by private car. When entering the country, travelers are fascinated by the Georgian Military Road. From the Ossetian language its name is translated as “Heavenly Gorge Road”. The path along it is accompanied by many ancient monuments.

Upon entry, a special sticker is affixed to your passport and is valid for 65 days. Before the end of the period, according to customs legislation, the car must leave the country.

Required documents for drivers

vehicle registration certificate
driver's license with data written in Latin letters
Georgian car insurance policy
international passport

When crossing the border, you will not need an insurance policy. It will be available to purchase immediately after entry at Georgian points of sale.

Under no circumstances try to get to Georgia from Russia through Abkhazia. Heading from Sochi or Gagra legally, you will have to make a circle of more than 400 kilometers. According to Georgian legislation, travel through the checkpoints of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali, namely through the Gantiadi-Adler and Rock-Nizhny Zaramag border checkpoints, is considered a criminal offense.

These checkpoints have been declared illegal. Crossing them is punishable by a significant fine and imprisonment. Therefore, when choosing how to travel to Georgia, forget the word “Abkhazia”. This country is worth visiting, but you can’t combine them.

The financial side of travel

The national currency of Georgia is the lari. The name of the currency according to the international standard is “GEL”. 1 lari, by analogy with Russian kopecks, consists of 100 tetri. During the second half of 2018, the exchange rate of the lari against the ruble fluctuated; as of January of this year it is 23.83 rubles per 1 lari.

Purchasing tickets and booking hotels long before your vacation will help you save a lot. Modern services allow you to select the function of canceling a reservation for a certain period before the start of the trip.

Another local feature that will help significantly reduce costs is the availability of bargaining. Whatever the price is, it's worth bargaining. You can often reduce the cost by two or three times.

Rules for how to have a cheap holiday

pick up free maps with marked attractions at tourist information centers. Such tourist centers are present in all major cities of Georgia.
install mobile applications with navigation programs and built-in guides in advance;
if you plan to rent a car, it is better to do it online;
purchase a Georgian one for the duration of your visit if you plan to use the Internet and make local calls;
Use Wi-Fi to access the Internet. In Tbilisi, the public free network Tbilisi Loves You operates throughout the city. Free wi-fi is available in the capital in minibuses and on central streets.

Prices in Georgia are comparatively not high. How much money to take is determined by everyone depending on their personal needs. The cost of cheap housing in summer per night for two in Tbilisi starts from 10 lari. In Batumi you will have to pay a little more - from 17 lari. Housing in winter in the resort of Gudauri will cost at least 100 lari per day.

Travel safety

Often girls who dream of vacationing in Georgia wonder how safe it will be to vacation alone. According to the international security and crime rating “Crime Index for country 2018”, Georgia’s security index is very high and amounts to 80%. This indicator is one of the best in the world. For comparison, the security index of the Russian Federation is only 56%.

Bakuriani is located in a picturesque area. It’s worth driving along the exotic narrow-gauge road “Bakuriani – Borjomi” and enjoying the mountain views. Where to go to Gudauri or Bakuriani is a difficult question. Both resorts are constantly improving and are worthy of attention.

It is convenient to travel around Georgia with your own car. An approximate route for a week, allowing you to travel to the best popular attractions, might look like this:

The famous Stepantsminda - Tbilisi - picturesque Sighnaghi - Gurjaani - fort and monasteries Telavi - Mtskheta - Gori - Borjomi - Rabat fortress - Vardzia - Batumi - Ureki - Kutaisi - Upper Lars.

Beach and educational holidays in Georgia

In summer, hospitable Adjara invites you to relax on comfortable and clean beaches. You can get to modern Batumi from Tbilisi by train.

Magnetiti beaches with black magnetic sand are especially attractive. Healing sand relieves many diseases. It’s incredible to imagine how many kilometers connoisseurs of the wonderful properties of magnetic beaches travel to improve their health.

Georgia is people, cuisine, nature, history and wine. Travelers receive and consume all this in large portions at a very good price, and everyone is satisfied. Most, already on the way home, think about the “supplement” and plan a return visit to this country while still in the air.

I am professional Georgia, I have been visiting this country every year for several years now, which is why this article was born. I really hope that it will help you in planning your first and, I hope, not your last independent trip to Georgia.

How to go to Georgia yourself?

To do this you will have to answer a number of questions. I do this before preparing for every trip. Perhaps, in addition to those listed below, other issues will arise - the answer to each is worth knowing in advance, although in the case of Georgia, you can solve the “problems” that arise during the trip. So,

do you need a visa to georgia
how to choose a route in Georgia,
transport and car rental in Georgia,
how to buy cheap air flights to Georgia and
how to choose your own housing in the cities of Georgia.
where to eat while traveling
what's worth seeing
how much does a week's holiday in Georgia cost for two?

Visa to Georgia

For citizens of Ukraine and Russia visa to Georgia no need, just buy a plane ticket and fly to one of the airports.

How to get to Georgia from Ukraine

You can get to Georgia from Ukraine only by air, there are other methods, but they either take a long time or are quite extreme, so I do not consider or discuss them.

From Ukraine to Georgia can be reached in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi

From Kyiv: in Tbilisi and Batumi (summer)– UIA airline, in Tbilisi and Batumi – Yanair airline

From Kharkov: in Tbilisi and Kutaisi- a/k UIA

From Odessa: in Batumi and Tbilisi- a/k Yanair

From Dnepropetrovsk: in Batumi, Tbilisi – Dniproavia

From Lviv: to Batumi

This year I tested the route through Riga . From Riga V Tbilisi company flies airBaltic on the new CS300, the only relative inconvenience is the plane flies to Tbilisi very early in the morning.

average price flight to Georgia is approximately 180 euros If you spend a little time and follow airline promotions, you can buy tickets for about one and a half to two times cheaper - for 80-150 euros.

" ...Recently, for example, there was a promotion from UIA where you could fly to Kutaisi for less than 100 euros round trip

"...in May 2017 UIA announced low-cost tariffs for which you can buy tickets 10 months before the flight for up to 50 euros, including to Georgia

How to get from Tbilisi airport to the city center

By taxi: getting from the Georgian airport to the center of Tbilisi will cost 20-25 lari, at night - 30 lari. Start bargaining with 15 lari.

Bus: goes from Tbilisi airport to the city center bus number 37– 24 hours a day, fare – 0.5 GEL. The bus stop is located opposite the airport terminal exit. I wrote about this in detail in the article How to get from Tbilisi airport to the city center and where to change money

How to buy a cheap flight to Georgia

Flights to Georgia You can search on the websites of different airlines, but it’s best to use global search engine aviasales – today the best option for searching for air tickets on the Internet, try it.

What to see in Georgia. Choosing a route

This is the most difficult question. Despite its small size, there is enough in Georgia routes no less than three to five trips from a full trip, from hiking in the mountains to excursion Tbilisi And beach resorts Kobuleti and Batumi. Georgia also a very good country for road trips.

Depending on where you managed to buy a plane ticket - in Batumi, Kutaisi or Tbilisi, building route in Georgia. If the time is about a week, you can have time to see and relax in and Kobuleti. Or spend three to five days in Tbilisi, and the Alazani Valley, then take a ride along the famous and picturesque Georgian military road – see the Ananuri fortress, Truso Canyon and Cross Pass, and also spend at least two days in the village Kazbegi at the foot of Mount Kazbek staying in the best hotel in Georgia Rooms Hotel Kazbegi

Separate trip worth dedicating yourself beautiful part of Georgia- . It is convenient to combine it with. Close to Kutaisi a must visit beautiful Okatse Canyon, Prometheus cave, if time allows and you want peace and quiet, spend the night at a spa resort Tskhaltubo. Then you should go to Svaneti, you can even take a minibus from Kutaisi through Zugdidi, but it’s better by car, and spend from three days to a week there. If there is time left, from Svaneti go to the sea in Batumi– then you will get a full range of impressions – caves, canyons, mountains and the sea, not counting food and communication with people.

To prepare, I advise you to carefully study my Three routes for independent travel in Georgia and evaluate what you can see in Georgia in a week . Don't rush to see everything, because after the first time you will come again. Guaranteed. In any case, the aftertaste is Georgia stays for a long time.

Best time to visit Georgia

Many are considering Black Sea coast of Georgia only in summer, I also recommend off-season - spring and autumn. Especially autumn, when it is still warm, but there are no tourists and there is plenty of local fruit, and the prices at this time of year make you fall in love with this country completely.

Currency of Georgia– lari. 1 US dollar is equal to 2.46 lari, 1 euro is 2.70 lari. Dollars and euros are not accepted; money can be exchanged at the airport or (better) in cities. You can withdraw from the card at an ATM. Plastic cards are not accepted everywhere. I plan on cash to card money in a 2 to 1 ratio.

Car rent

An important position for independent travel. You can order a car remotely through booking sites, for example economycarrentals.com or economycarbookings.com and pick up the car directly at the airport. I rent a car via the website car rental and search Myrentaca r , who specializes in Georgia, I can recommend this site as a regular user.

Which car to choose for traveling around Georgia? In 90% of cases you can get by with a passenger car; over the past few years, the quality of roads has increased. You shouldn’t choose a car that is too cheap, they are not always new. Most of roads in Georgia to tourist places good quality. Middle class passenger car or a small SUV will suffice. Locals can always take you there in their jeeps for a reasonable price where a passenger car cannot go. For example, to the foot Kazbek from the village Stepantsmida (Kazbegi) or in Okatse Canyon close to Kutaisi or from Mestia V Ushguli village, what in Svaneti.

Average car rental price in Georgia– 55 USD per night, the jeep is a little more expensive – 70-80 dollars. Car with driver– approximately 70-100 dollars per day, locally for a trip to the canyon or to the waterfalls for half a day, a car with a driver will cost from 20 to 40 dollars.

Do you need a navigator to travel around Georgia?

I usually recommend navigation, but not in the case of Georgia. Firstly, everything is quite simple and clear even in cities, and secondly, asking for directions means communicating with local people, and this is one of the five things we look for arrived in Georgia. But if it’s inconvenient without navigation, I recommend the mobile app Sygic Car Navigation and offline maps maps.me for a smartphone - a very convenient thing for traveling around cities.

Is it possible to travel around Georgia without a car?

Travel without a car in Georgia You can also use minibuses and trains, as well as hitchhiking. From any large city such as Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Gori, Mestia, Zugdidi are coming minibuses countrywide. I wrote in detail how to get to the most interesting places in articles section Georgia.

Housing in Georgia

Housing in Georgia divided into three unequal categories. These are expensive, and sometimes even very expensive, hotels of global chains in Tbilisi And Batumi, small hotels and guest houses in tourist areas and offers of apartments of different levels of comfort and price.

Average cost of budget housing in Georgia is 20-50 dollars per day for two. This is the price level of Eastern Europe. True, the quality of housing does not always correspond to the price and varies greatly from guest house to guest house. In addition, due to the extreme hospitality and responsiveness of Georgians, hotel guests, as a rule, do not leave bad reviews even for mediocre accommodation. There is only one way out - to search more carefully and not focus solely on Booking reviews. Read articles on housing in Georgia, ask around those who have already been to Georgia, this often helps you get your bearings.

The best hotel with a view of Kazbeki - Rooms Hotel Kazbegi - we had great pleasure when we stayed there for two days, I recommend it - you won’t be sorry for the money, there is no similar alternative in the village of Kazbegi, rooms are sold out six months before entry. Here is my review of the best hotel in Georgia according to most travelers.

Another option for finding inexpensive apartments is the service Airbnb apartment rentals. Those who do not have an account will be able to register follow this link and get a cash bonus for your first booking.

Food in Georgia

One of the most enjoyable parts travel around Georgia, which is usually paired with wine and chatting with the locals. You can have breakfast and lunch in city cafes and restaurants or cook at home, buying food at markets. Food will be cheaper away from tourist areas. In tourist places, delicious food will be combined with beautiful view. Budget travelers usually alternate between these methods. For example, they have breakfast and/or lunch at home, and go to a new place for dinner. In this case, food costs will be approximately $15-30 per day for two, including wine.

Save on food It won’t really work out and you don’t need to do it - you’ll deprive yourself of the main pleasure. ABOUT the most delicious places in Tbilisi I wrote in the article Two days in Tbilisi .

Budget for travel to Georgia

Let's estimate all the main costs of traveling to Georgia for two people for 6 days. I base it on my trips, although the expenses were different - I highlighted the optimal expenses.

Airfare – $100-$200 * 2 = $200-$400 US dollars – here’s how to buy a ticket, start looking right now
Housing – $20-$50*6 days = $120-$300 US dollars – whoever is used to what comfort, in the mountains of Svaneti you can not pay for housing at all and live in a tent.
Car rental plus fuel – $350 dollars, this is the most significant expense item, so it’s better to go to Georgia with a group. This country is simply made for traveling with friends. For two pairs it works out to $175.
Meals – $10-$25*2*6 = $120-$350, can be made cheaper, but not much and not worth it.
Souvenirs – $50

TOTAL: $665 – $1500 can cost a rich, high-quality trip for two to Georgia.

Can it be even cheaper? Yes, even free, although this is an extreme option!

It’s possible to make traveling to Georgia even cheaper if

buy cheap air travel
rent an apartment instead of a hotel
travel with a group
alternate meals - cook yourself / go to a cafe
refuse to rent a car and travel by minibuses/trains

Excursions around Europe are always Sputnik and Georgia is no exception!

Useful links when planning your travels

Aviasales- low-cost air tickets around the world

Hotels Combined (RoomGuru)– allows you to save up to 20% when booking hotels and apartments as it searches all popular booking sites, including Agoda, Booking.com and others, offering the best price options

Booking.com– a familiar and convenient site for searching and booking accommodation around the world

Airbnb– the world leader in searching for apartments and apartments for travel, register using the link and get a cash bonus for your first booking

Car rental in Georgia – a site for searching and renting cars all over the world with the possibility of free cancellation

You will be transferred from the airport to the hotel and vice versa. The driver will meet you with a sign with your name and take you to your destination. There is no need to clarify the route - everything is done online in advance. This is often cheaper than ordering a taxi on the spot and is very convenient. Knowledge in English not necessary.

The best online service for selling insurance services from leading insurance companies

– Misto-travel is the only online operator selling online tours that has proven itself well

The fabulous beauty of ancient Georgia attracts tourists for good reason. Here you can swim in the clean and warm Black Sea, go down into caves, admire the landscapes of mountain peaks and valleys, and become familiar with ancient history.

The advantage of traveling by car

It would take a very long time to list all the benefits of traveling to this country. Therefore, the time limited by vacation is sorely lacking to explore at least some of these beauties. The first trip can be repeated many times, especially by curious travelers. Hikers who rely on a route to get to the right place may be disappointed by its absence.

The situation can be corrected if you go to Georgia in your own car, which significantly increases mobility and speed of movement. A car makes it possible not to depend on routes imposed by travel agencies and to choose the one that best suits the interests of a particular person. Not everyone is happy with a week-long tour, during which you won’t see even a small part of all the interesting sights.

If we highlight the most tangible advantages of road travel to Georgia, then these are:

Freedom of movement;
Independence from local transport schedules;
There is no need to prepare additional documents for the car (a driver’s license valid in Russia is also valid in Georgia, no additional insurance is required).

The way to Georgia

The route will depend on the starting point, but the last city in Russia will always be . Because getting to Georgia from Russia takes vehicle only through one checkpoint - Upper Lars. Vladikavkaz is connected to Tbilisi by the Georgian Military Road. Just to drive along it and see the beautiful landscapes surrounding the road is worth going to Georgia by car.

Experienced motorists prepare their iron horse for a long journey in advance. It is also worth paying attention to the availability of all documents necessary for traveling across the state border.

Customs officers inspect everything while crossing the state border and do it in the most scrupulous manner. To avoid troubles, you should carefully read the current customs laws, especially regarding items prohibited for import and limited in quantity for entering the territory of Georgia.

Roads in Georgia

A country in which tourism occupies an important position in the source of income is obliged to monitor the development of infrastructure and the condition of roads. It is worth noting that almost all roads along popular tourist routes, are in good condition, but in some places you can find areas of terrible quality. It is also not always possible to get to the attraction itself, due to inaccessibility.

Important: Roads in Georgia are mainly built in mountainous areas, so there are many sections with serpentines. At such points you should move with care.

Medical insurance for travel in Georgia

Officially this document is not mandatory for purchase and is not required to be presented. However, all local residents have compulsory health insurance policies, and the provision of paid medical care can significantly hit the budget. Therefore, you can buy it, since it is not expensive, and hope that it will not be needed.

Excursions and entertainment

Even when traveling by car, you will have to include in your budget in advance expenses for excursions, museums and various entertainments. The last point is especially relevant.

Note: Most historical sites, such as castles and monasteries, admit tourists without paying.

Guides can be found near almost every tourist destination. The easiest way to plan routes for traveling around Georgia is based on your own preferences.

cellular

Parking in Georgia is not a problem, especially in popular areas. Moreover, you can park your car almost everywhere for free.

Attention: Law enforcement officers who keep order on the roads do not always immediately issue fines; for a minor offense the driver may only be lightly reprimanded.

The starting point of almost all Russian autotourists will be Tbilisi. Further routes can be built as follows:

Mtskheta-Ananuri-Gremi-Tusheti;
Gori-Kutaisi-Mestia-Batumi;
Borjomi-Vadzia-Akhaltsikhe;

The construction of routes is approximate and depends on personal preferences, especially since your own car allows you to arrange them in any sequence. In the summer season, the Black Sea resorts are especially popular, where the stay can exceed five days.

Main attractions

The choice of route is influenced by specific attractions that the autotourist would like to see.

Important: Not all navigators work correctly in Georgia. It is better to download a high-quality Russified program that is not domestically developed.

An independent trip by car will allow you to go to the desired destination at a convenient time and get better acquainted with the sights. Moreover, along the way you can meet fascinating places, calmly stop and look at them.

Tbilisi

The capital of Georgia, if desired, can be explored within one day, especially the center. However, for a detailed acquaintance with the city and its ancient architecture, narrow streets characteristic of the Caucasus, you can spend more time.

Mtskheta

Traveling around Georgia is unthinkable without visiting the old capital. The second most important city, it has two special shrines for Georgia - the most ancient famous temples:

located near the city on Mount Armazi.

Svetitskhoveli was erected in the 11th century on the site of an ancient Christian sanctuary. The name of the temple literally translates as “Life-Giving Pillar.”

The history of both attractions is closely connected with Saint Nino, revered in Georgia.

Uplistsikhe

Very ancient history this city, which arose at the end of the 2nd, beginning of the 1st millennium BC. e., remembers periods of prosperity and decline. In the 7th century, it was almost completely destroyed by the Arabs. Residents finally left this city in the century before last. Now it is an open-air museum. A visit to the historical landmark is paid and will cost 3 GEL. A discount may be given for a group of tourists.

Kutaisi

The main attraction in the city is considered to be built in 1003. It was originally richly decorated, but was destroyed in the 17th century. The Turks almost completely destroyed the cathedral, which was restored only in 2012. The temple is located in the city center and is visible from everywhere.

In the vicinity of Kutaisi, the most popular among tourists are the cave and monasteries.

The Motsameta Monastery, which arose earlier than Gelati, is hidden in the mountains. Here, among the centuries-old greenery, peace and quiet reigns.

Prometheus Cave

Prometheus Cave, perfectly prepared among Georgian dungeons for tourists and artificially landscaped. Equipped with amazing lighting and sound accompaniment, the natural attraction transports visitors to an enchanting world of peace and tranquility.

In the cave you can see numerous grottoes, an underground river and lakes. Various representatives of the fauna live under the vaults of the dungeon, but they rarely catch the eye of tourists.

The constant temperature in the cave is approximately 14 degrees, so it’s a good idea to take warm clothes with you. At the exit from the cave there will be a monument with a stylized Georgian and a dog.

Akhaltsikhe

The large reconstructed fortress is divided into lower and upper parts, visiting the latter is only available for a fee. The territory is landscaped, and the view from above when you get to observation deck, mesmerizes with beauty.

Vardzia

The city, built in ancient times, arose on the site of a fortress destroyed in 1283 by a strong earthquake. In the Middle Ages it was captured by the Turks, who were distinguished by their bloodthirstiness and intolerance towards Christians. The monastery opened here shortly after the liberation of the territory from the Turks by Russian troops and is still in operation.

The monastery, which is more ancient than Vardzia, is less known to tourists. Some underground galleries are dangerous to visit.

Find out everything you need to know about organizing an independent trip to Georgia! How to go? What documents are needed? What to see in Georgia? Tips, prices in 2019, ways to get there, vacation reviews for 2018.

Until recently, Georgia was considered an almost exotic destination - few people went there or even planned to go there. Now the Internet is full of tourist reviews, guides to the country and beautiful photographs. Georgia has become one of the most visited countries by Russian tourists! This is both good and bad: on the one hand, the infrastructure is developing, there are many flights, on the other hand, you will have to put up with a huge number of other tourists, especially in the summer.

Our experience. We've been planning for a long time independent trip to Georgia, but from year to year our attention was drawn to this handsome man, this, this, that. In February 2019, we finally got to Georgia - we flew to Tbilisi for a few days. We liked! Now we are making plans for a big trip around Georgia in our car. In this review we will share with you our experience, tips and plans.

Exchange rate: 1 Georgian lari (GEL) ≈ 23 RUB.

Documents for traveling to Georgia

What documents are needed to travel to Georgia? Everything is very simple here: Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians do not need a visa if their stay in the country does not exceed 1 year. A foreign passport, of course, is needed for a trip to Georgia; it must be valid for the entire duration of the trip and it must not contain stamps from Abkhazia (in otherwise there will be problems, so enter with an internal passport).

Insurance- this is not a mandatory item at all, but for your peace of mind we advise you to arrange it on the websites or. They compare prices from all major insurance companies. You can choose a policy according to the parameters you need and the best price. We always take out insurance.

Trip to Georgia: how to get there on your own

By plane

An airplane is the easiest way to come on vacation to Georgia. Tickets are very cheap - many airlines fly to Georgia, competition is good, so prices are low. Pobeda also flies - usually it has the best prices. Flights to Tbilisi from Moscow, as well as from many other Russian cities, are direct. Tickets from Moscow, Perm, Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don cost 5-10 thousand rubles in both directions without luggage.

An idea for lovers of interesting independent travel and challenging routes: fly to Georgia on flights of the classy Azal airline with a long layover in Baku and see the beautiful Old city Baku.

Azal is the largest airline in Azerbaijan. Provides air transportation to countries in Europe, the CIS, North America, the Middle East and Asia. (Photo © wikimedia.org / Dmitry Terekhov)

By car

An independent trip to Georgia by car is a completely different format of travel. In some cases, it is not as comfortable as a flight, and, undoubtedly, longer and more tiring, but how many impressions you will get, how many secluded corners you can visit! The Georgian Military Road alone is worth it. We want to go there by car. We generally love traveling in our car, especially around the Caucasus.

Can't come by your own car? Rent a car! It's simple and inexpensive. - reliable and convenient service. Choose a car to suit your taste and budget - there is a wide choice. Car rental costs from $23 per day. Do you have any questions? The Russian-speaking support service will help you with everything.

A car ride around Tusheti. Photo: © etnobofin / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

As an avid lover of road trips, I guarantee you that you will get a lot of pleasure from traveling around Georgia by car!

Housing prices in Georgia

Finding accommodation to suit every taste and budget in Georgia is very easy! There are a lot of options. We advise you to choose not just an ordinary hotel, but accommodation in a national style - believe me, you will especially enjoy your trip to Georgia. This is exactly what we did for our holiday.

Type	Price per day (RUB)	Example
Budget guesthouse in the center of Tbilisi	from 1200 ₽	Guest House Kato
3* hotel with breakfast in Old Tbilisi	from 3000 ₽	7 Baits Hotel
Hotel 3* by the sea in Batumi	from 1700 ₽	Cozy Corner Hotel
Apartment with a courtyard in the center of Tbilisi (2 bedrooms)	from 3000 ₽	Central Tbilisi - Patio Apartment
Apartment in Batumi by the sea	from 2600 ₽	IOANE HOME

Our cozy apartment in Tbilisi in national style and with high ceilings!

Book in advance. If your trip to Georgia is planned for the summer or for holidays (New Year, May), be sure to book accommodation in advance, preferably a couple of months in advance. First of all, this concerns the Black Sea resorts and Tbilisi itself. This way you can get the best option in terms of price/quality ratio, and not be content with what is left free. We remind you: A LOT of tourists come to Georgia.

Look for hotels with discounts on the Rumguru service. This way you won’t wander around the city with your luggage looking for the best option, and you’ll save time and money. However, if you are ready to bargain and like to take risks, you can try to find options the old fashioned way - on the spot. But, to be honest, I don’t understand who else does this and why.

Live in an apartment. The best way Make your trip to Georgia pleasant and memorable - rent a cozy apartment in national style. Highly recommended! By the way, for a family or group of friends it will be both cheaper and more convenient than staying in a hotel. Look for cool apartments and rooms on Airbnb.ru - there is a huge selection of housing for every taste and budget.

Do you want to experience the famous Caucasian hospitality? Stay in guest houses - as a rule, this name hides either rooms in the owner's house or in a separate one next door. The bathroom is often shared. A warm welcome, homemade wine and a lot of communication are guaranteed.

Want to save money? From holidays in Georgia to high season(July and August) it is better to abstain, as prices rise significantly. We flew to Georgia at the end of February: prices were the lowest, there were few tourists, and the weather was already spring.

with a view of Tbilisi (Photo © Airbnb.ru)

Food prices in Georgia - 2019

Delicious Georgian cuisine is one of the main reasons why tourists love this country. Many people come here just for all these khinkali, khachapuri and kebabs! According to reviews from all tourists who vacationed in Georgia, food prices are quite reasonable, and cooking on your own while on vacation is not always cheaper than eating in a cafe.

Portions are often very large(with some exceptions), you can order half portions - check this if you are not ready for a large meal. Sometimes the waiters even warned us that the portion would be large and asked if we would like to order a smaller one.

Our average bill in a cafe in Tbilisi - 25-35 GEL for two. These are two or three main courses, tea or lemonade, and dessert. In most cafes and restaurants, a service charge of 10-15% is added to the order amount.

Huge khachapuri in Adjarian style.

Prices in cafes in Georgia in 2019:

Adjarian khachapuri - from 6 GEL;
khinkali, 1 pc. - 0.5-0.7 GEL;
eggplants with nuts - 5-7 GEL;
lobiani and kubdari - 4-7 GEL;
kebab, skewer - 6-10 GEL;
coffee and hot chocolate - 2-3.5 GEL;
tea - 1.5 GEL;
water "Borjomi" - 1 GEL.

Portions in Georgia are large! In the photo: rich Georgian khashi soup.

Delicious Georgian khinkali. There are different fillings: meat, cheese, mushrooms and others. 5-8 pieces are enough to fill you up.

Product selection in supermarkets Large cities are about the same as in Russia, you can find anything (which cannot be said about small villages). Vegetables and fruits are usually cheaper to buy either at markets or in supermarkets. Prices in single stalls on the streets are usually overpriced. Many products are brought to Georgia from Russia, even labels with information are in Russian, so in the store you will feel like you are in your own Pyaterochka.

Approximate food prices in stores in 2019:

milk (1 l) - up to $1.5;
bread (500 g) - from 0.2 to 0.4 $;
local cheese (kg) - $2-4;
eggs (12 pcs) - $1.2-1.6;
bottle of wine - $3-6;
water (1.5 l) - $0.3-0.5;
bananas (kg) - $1.2-2;
apples (kg) - $0.6-1.2;
figs (kg) - from $0.8;
grapes (kg) - about $3;
oranges (kg) - $0.6-1.7.

If you're not afraid baking, then one meal, for example, when sightseeing, can be replaced by eating khachapuri (or something else tasty) on the go - tasty, cheap, fast, satisfying. Georgians themselves willingly buy baked goods from local bakeries.

Wine shelves in a Tbilisi store (Photo © unsplash.com / @anastsiia_voiten)

What to see on your own in Georgia

Georgia seems like a small country only on the map. In fact, there are a lot of interesting places here. In addition, the country is mountainous, so moving around it takes a lot of time.

It’s difficult to advise what to see in Georgia on your own, especially in just a few days or a week. We will list the places that we have taken note of for ourselves, and based on the list, you can create routes that suit your interests and timing.

Mestia, Svaneti (Photo © Unsplash / pixabay.com)

Places worth seeing in independent travel in Georgia:

First of all this Georgian Military Road- they say it is one of the most picturesque in the world. We are big fans of mountain roads, so this is the most interesting attraction for us. If you go on a trip to Georgia in your own car, then your route will run along this road.
Tbilisi. We've already been here. We advise you to look not only, but to visit the cozy courtyards and magnificent ceremonial cities - for us this was a real discovery, it was for them that we fell in love with Tbilisi.
Batumi- the main Black Sea resort of Georgia. Read more about.
Kutaisi and Imereti in general.
Vardzia Monastery.
Kakheti- wine-growing region. The cities of Sighnaghi and Telavi, Gremi castle, numerous monasteries.
- it’s better to go here by SUV for a few days (only in summer).
Svaneti.
And much more.

Don’t try to see all of Georgia at once in one trip - you won’t be able to do it anyway, and constant travel will simply exhaust you. It’s better to carefully work out several routes and come to the country several times.

Temple in Racha, Georgia. Photo: © vampa_ / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Our budget: how much does a trip to Georgia cost?

We spent three full days in the Georgian capital. We lived in the Old Town. The program for our first visit to Georgia was simple and uncomplicated - we walked around the city all day, looked for and studied its wonderful front doors and courtyards, ate plenty of national food, went out of town only once - to Mtskheta for half a day.

In Tbilisi you can pay by card almost everywhere, so you hardly need cash. I only exchanged $15 to pay for transportation. In general, exchangers are everywhere here.

Budget for our trip for two for three days:

Air tickets Perm-Tbilisi for a direct Pobeda flight with luggage one way - 9,400 rubles.
Apartment - 5150 rubles.
Bus from the airport and back - 2 lari (50 rubles).
Metro - 2 lari (50 rubles).
Minibus to Mtskheta and back - 4 lari (100 rubles).
Food in a cafe - 4400 rubles.
Groceries in supermarkets - 450 rubles.
A bottle of Kindzmarauli wine - 900 rubles.

In total, we spent three days in Tbilisi 11000 rubles excluding tickets. The budget for one day for two is 3,700 rubles.

We explore the amazing front doors of Tbilisi. Pictured is the London Hotel.

What you need to know when going on a trip to Georgia. When and where to go to Georgia, do you need visas, what to see and visit in Georgia. Food and prices, etc.

Georgia has been attracting me for a long time with its khachapuri and mountain expanses, but so far I still couldn’t get to this dream country because of its Asia, Europe and Siberia.. Finally, it is getting closer and closer, and for now I decided to start with this Guest post. My Georgia specialist Victor is also a global traveler and photographer whom we met in Phuket. He lived in Batumi as a child and still comes to Georgia every summer. Victor’s website Georgiabest.ru turned out to be the most useful for me in preparing for my first trip, and in this article Victor briefly but succinctly tells all the most important things: information on how to get to Georgia, about visas, prices, interesting places in Georgia that are worth visit, etc.

Victor, traveler, guide in Georgia: Georgiabest.ru

Yes, Georgia is on everyone’s lips these days. And not in vain, oh not in vain. Come and see for yourself. So that later, closing your eyes, with a dreamy look, you can tell your friends how good, fun and soulful it is there. Of course, there are exceptions among the happy crowds of tourists, but they only prove the rule. And the rule is that this country will not leave anyone indifferent. And you have no reason to deny yourself the pleasure of getting to know Georgia and discovering its amazing people and the breathtaking beauty of nature. What can we say about cultural, architectural and historical monuments, which are literally at every step here, and often right in people’s yards, such as towers in Svaneti or ancient qvevri in Kakheti...

in winter people go to Georgia to have a fun and unforgettable meeting New Year: V New Year's Eve the whole country explodes with hundreds of thousands of fireworks. Also in winter people come here to ski and snowboard in Bakuriani and Gudauri. Well, considering that winter in Georgia is not so cold compared to Ukrainian or Russian, then it will be all the same to see the sights in different parts of the country, with the exception, perhaps, of the remote regions of Tusheti and Racha, and even more so, to take a walk around Tbilisi and Mtskheta comfortable and not cold.

Important information about winter in Georgia:

IN winter time, and especially in March, there is a possibility of strong gusty winds, which usually last 2-3 days.
In apartments and hotels in Georgia, the heating is not at all as good as in Russia - it’s cool.
Due to snowfalls, the Georgian Military Road, the only highway connecting the country with Russia, may be blocked, and it will not always be possible to get to Stepantsminda to see the legendary Kazbek and the Gergeti Church.
In Georgia there are a couple of excellent ski resorts with good slopes and space for freeride: Gudauri 80 km from Vladikavkaz (for beginners and advanced) and Bakuriani 180 km from Tbilisi (more difficult trails).

May June– a good period for those who do not like heat. There aren't any yet high temperatures, because of which Tbilisi is practically empty in the summer: everyone is trying to leave, and even more so, to take their children somewhere to the forest or to the mountains. In general, in Georgia it is an almost unbreakable tradition - to take children to 3, or at least 2, resorts in the summer to change the air and boost their immunity. So, in the period from May to early July, local residents usually go to the mountains or coniferous forests. In May, pine trees bloom, and this pine air is very beneficial for both adults and children.

But even in Tbilisi at this time it is quite comfortable. As a rule, it rains from time to time, the sun shines, but does not burn everything around yet, plus local vegetables and fruits appear on the shelves. You can eat to your heart's content, because the prices are quite reasonable compared to the megacities of neighboring countries.

End of summer. Well, if you are a lover of the scorching sun, sea, beach and watermelons, come to Georgia in July-September. You can fly straight to Batumi, go to Kobuleti, Kvariati, Shekvetili, Ureki, Sarpi or to Cape Verde (Mtsvane Konkhi). During this period, you will also be exposed to an incredible abundance of local fruits, berries, vegetables and herbs.

Late fall. It may seem that from October to December in Georgia it is gray, uninteresting, cold, and there is nothing to do. Actually, not quite like that. In October it is still quite warm, and going on excursions is a pleasure, and the stalls are bursting with gifts of the Georgian land: grapes, persimmons, figs - these are just a few examples. The famous Georgian tangerines will begin in November. Also, in the fall they go to Georgia to attend such a colorful and unforgettable event as “rtveli” - the grape harvest. A visit to Rtveli is in itself a sufficient reason to go here in mid-autumn.

An important factor in favor of planning a trip at this time (as well as from February to March) is lower prices for accommodation and excursions than at the height of the season. So weigh the pros and cons, and choose the perfect time for you.

Visa to Georgia (not needed)

Good news, if you are coming from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Moldova and 88 other countries, you do not need a visa, they will simply put an entry stamp in your passport at the border. Moreover, citizens of Russia, if you suddenly want to stay longer (and this is a very possible scenario, as practice shows), you can stay for a whole year, you will not need a visa.

Is it safe for Russian-speaking tourists in Georgia?

Very often you can hear the question: “How safe is it for Russians to travel to Georgia?” Considering the tense relations between these two states, the question is quite understandable.

But among Georgians it causes either laughter or bewilderment. “How could you even think that it’s dangerous for Russians here?” - this is roughly what the answer to your question will sound like from the mouths of local residents.

Georgians, and everyone who lives in this southern country, are for the most part peaceful and hospitable, so you have absolutely nothing to worry about. The older generation in Georgia speaks excellent Russian, and so do some of the younger generation. Although young people usually know English better than Russian, as such, you will not have a barrier in communicating with the local population. There will definitely be someone nearby who knows Russian.

And even more so in the field of tourism services: sellers, guides, drivers, hotel staff speak Russian.

How to get to Georgia on your own

On this moment You can get to Georgia either by air, or by land, or, if you are coming from Ukraine, by sea - by ferry. Trains, unfortunately, do not travel here yet.

Planes fly to Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi. They fly to Kutaisi, so this is a good option, especially since there are also many interesting places in this part of Georgia, you can even stay there for a couple of days. A Moscow-Tbilisi air ticket costs around $80, you can find the best tickets.
You can come by your own car - this is even greater freedom of movement and unrealistic beautiful roads.
Getting there by bus from Moscow to Tbilisi takes a long time, but is budget-friendly (about $60). There is a bus from Kyiv.
You can get to Georgia from Odessa by ferry. Although it takes a long time and the price is close to air travel.

Prices in Georgia: for vacation and for life

Another actual question— how much will a vacation or life in Georgia cost? This is understandable - you want to have an idea in advance, at least approximately, how much money to take with you and what to be prepared for.

Regarding housing prices- then here, depending on your luck, well, what conditions do you prefer. - from $4 per night per person, clean and in the city center - from $10. Apartments for daily rent during the season cost $30 and more. Usually a good renovated apartment with a good location costs $50-60.

→Rent housing for a long time The easiest way is to already be there, or write an ad in advance in a Facebook group (a group for the city where you want to live). In the winter season, many not cheap hotels rent out rooms for a long period of time very cheaply, you can find them around $200/month.

Taxi around the city- from 5-15 lari ($2-7). Guide services - from 100 lari ($40) per day, car rental - from $50 per day. Gasoline costs 2.35 lari ($1).

Entrance to many historical places is free, or within 3-7 lari ($1.25-3).

Look at examples of food prices if you have the strength and desire to cook yourself in a country where there is delicious street food and fairly reasonable prices in restaurants:

Sugar 1 kg – 2 lari ($0.75)
Bread – 70 tetri ($0.25)
Local apples – 1.5 lari ($0.6)
Potatoes – 80 tetri ($0.3)
Georgian cheese – from 6 lari ($2.5)
Coffee beans 100 g – from 1.5 lari ($0.6)
Milk – 2.50 lari ($1)
Churchkhela – 3 lari ($1.15)

→Some restaurants in Tbilisi worth visiting:

Art Cafe Gabriadze (Shovteli St., 13) is one of the most original establishments in Tbilisi, an original cafe created by artist and director Rezo Gabriadze, author of “Kin-dza-za”, sculptor of the famous monument “Chizhik-Pyzhik” in St. Petersburg .
Restaurant “House of Khinkali” (Rustaveli, 37, Rustaveli metro station). Open 24/7, the name speaks for itself :).
Dukhan “Racha” (6 Lermontov St.). A place for locals, most of visitors are men. The place is very atmospheric, you can order Georgian national dishes here, but it is best to try dishes typical of the Racha region: aphazuri, lobiani, etc.
Art cafe “Shevardnadze’s Garden” - the establishment combines a shabby chic cafe, a garden and a flower shop. Location: Latkini microdistrict. at the end of the street Khudadova, (near the police station).
“Machakhela” (Meydan, 26) is a chain restaurant, one of the best is the restaurant on Meydan Square, in the very center of the old city. It is easy to recognize by the voluminous inscription located in front of the entrance: I love Tbilisi. Sitting in a restaurant, you can admire the panorama of the city opening from a window, balcony or open terrace.
Restaurant Samikitno (25 Merab Kostava St).
Mirzaani (delicious beer, address: 140 Akaki Tsereteli Ave).
Salobio.
Hinkleys sakhli.

Although these are more likely to be eateries, they are clean, some of them have interesting Georgian-style interiors, and the food is almost like home-cooked food.

In general, you need to try hard to find an establishment in Georgia that serves Georgian cuisine poorly. Prices for shish kebab - from 12 lari ($5), Khinkali - 70 tetri piece. Five pieces - and out of habit, nothing else will fit into you. But we have to. Khachapuri - 7 lari ($3), kebab - from 6 lari ($2.5). Tea, coffee, lemonade - about 2 lari ($0.8) per cup/bottle.

Street food is also tasty and inexpensive: lobiani, kubdari, picini, khachapuri cost an average of 2 lari.

Georgian cuisine. Must try

One can write endlessly about Georgian cuisine. But it’s even better to come and taste everything yourself. We can only guide you so that you do not completely get lost in the novelty, diversity and unusual names.

Khinkali

Khinkali– the most famous dish of Georgian cuisine. They look like bags made of thick dough, filled with minced meat and herbs, including cilantro. A proper khinkali should have at least 16 folds, according to knowledgeable people. It is important to eat them correctly: with your hands or a fork (a compromise for non-locals), grab the leg, carefully bite it, drink the delicious juice, and then eat everything except the leg. You can pour satsebeli tomato sauce into the hole of the khinkali. For vegetarians they prepare khinkali with mushrooms.

Khachapuri

Khachapuri. A lot of them different types: Imeruli, Ajaruli, Megruli, and, of course, Ajaruli. Adjarian khachapuri in the shape of a boat and with an egg broken into a cheese filling, and butter– a real celebration of taste. This is a must try. Some establishments serve huge ajaruli, nicknamed the Titanic - enough for a whole company or family. You need to pinch off pieces of dough on the sides of the khachapuri and dip them into the hot filling.

Lobio and Mchadi. Simple, satisfying and very tasty dish. Red beans cooked with spices in a ketsi (clay pot) and an unleavened flatbread made from corn flour. There are even establishments called “lobiynaya” - for example, the Salobio cafe, which has already become a separate landmark of the city of Mtskheta, where Alexander Sergeevich himself once treated himself to the famous Mtskheta pies and lobio.

If you are not afraid of new tastes and unusual combinations, also try the following very colorful dishes:

Chakapuli– young meat stewed with herbs and spices, as well as sour green tkemali.

Hashi– very much for an amateur. If you are that kind of fan, you will be delighted. In Georgia, khashi is so respected that separate establishments have been created for them: khash houses. And they open very early in the morning - at approximately 4:00. Because this fatty, hearty, scalding hot soup made from offal and big amount garlic has a very beneficial effect on hangovers. They usually eat it with chacha.

For vegetarians in Georgia there is also complete freedom. There are all kinds of cheese, kindzmari (fish in cilantro sauce) and pkhali - paste made from spinach, cabbage, beet tops or beets with spices, and nadugi with mint, and various soups, and champignons fried in ketsi, and ajapsandal - stew from tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplants and potatoes, and a variety of pickles.

All kinds of spices, herbs, herbs, and nuts are generously used in Georgian cuisine. Even an ordinary tomato and cucumber salad is turned into a work of art here, because they add aromatic regani (red basil) and add nut sauce. Nuts are put in fried eggplant rolls, in satsivi, in bazhi, and in kharcho soup.

Wine in Georgia. Special wine and gastronomic tours are popular, Georgian cuisine is so delicious and original, and there’s no need to say anything about the wines - come and taste it.

What to see in Georgia, where to visit? Top 7 interesting places

Georgia, although small in territory, can compete with the largest and most ancient countries in terms of the number of attractions and beautiful corners. It would probably take several months or years to explore everything Georgia has to offer! So you’ll have to make a plan, choosing the most interesting thing for you. But there are places that every self-respecting traveler to Georgia must visit. We will list them for you to take note of.

Metekhi Church of the Mother of God and the monument to King Vakhtang in Tbilisi

No matter how far to go, there are many such places in Tbilisi itself:

Narikala fortress,
Sameba Temple,
Meydan (one of the central squares of Tbilisi),
sulfur baths...

Ancient city of Mtskheta(20 km from Tbilisi, coordinates: 41.840922, 44.707233) . Near Tbilisi is Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. In this renovated city and its surroundings you will see many beautiful, important and holy places: Jvari Monastery on a hill overlooking the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Shiomgvime Monastery, and many others. Also, the city itself has been restored, there is a large selection of souvenirs, spices, churchkhela, and it’s just nice to stroll along its cozy streets.

Vardzia(240 km from Tbilisi, coordinates: 41.381223, 43.284173) - not the only ancient cave city, but perhaps the most spectacular. 8 “floors”, about 600 caves. An incredible place where people lived for many centuries, hiding from numerous enemies.

Svaneti. Also a very original and unlike anything else region in Georgia is Svaneti - a historical mountainous region in North-West Georgia (coordinates 42.904220, 42.503335). It attracts tourists from all over the world. Svaneti has never been conquered or conquered throughout its history. And the people who live here are special - the Svans, real harsh mountaineers. Many people still have ancient defense towers in their yards that once belonged to their ancestors and were built about 1,000 years ago.

Prometheus Cave near Kutaisi (42.376771, 42.600971), discovered in 1983, is located next to the Sataplia nature reserve, where there is also a smaller cave and dinosaur tracks. A very spectacular place. Inside there is a cave with beautiful lighting, huge stalactites, and it will not leave either adults or children indifferent. You can even take a boat ride on the underground lake.

Martvili Canyon is one of the most beautiful in the Megrelian Region

Definitely worth a look and incredibly beautiful Martvili Canyon (Northwest Georgia, coordinates: 42.457356, 42.377148). If you are in Georgia during the hot season, be sure to visit this picturesque place, sail from the upper to the lower canyon by boat and swim at the waterfall.

Rabat Fortress in Meskheti (coordinates: 41.642829, 42.977166)- a restored medieval Turkish fortress with an area of 7 hectares and modern infrastructure. Beautiful, majestic, convenient for visiting and family time.

Black sand of Ureki (41.987783, 41.760103). If you visit Georgia in the summer or early autumn, be sure to take the opportunity to visit the Black Sea coast, on the unique magnetic sand beach in Ureki. This black sand is famous for its healing properties for joints and the vascular-cardiac system.

Cities in Georgia that are worth visiting

Tbilisi- a unique capital, the heart of Sakartvelo, where in the old town you will find narrow streets, antique carpets, openwork bars on windows and balconies, the aroma of coffee and a special relaxed atmosphere, so unusual in big cities. You can walk in Tbilisi for more than a day or two, discovering new things every day interesting places and establishments. Historical and cultural monuments are presented here in abundance. It is unforgivable to come to Georgia and not get to know Tbilisi.

A guide to Tbilisi can be studied

Colonnade on the seaside boulevard - Batumi

Batumi is a lively and charming city on the Black Sea. Beaches, musical fountains, old and new houses, a moving monument to lovers, an alphabet tower, bicycles for rent, a fish market where the fish of your choice will be cooked before your eyes, and much more awaits you to surprise and delight.

Sighnaghi - the city of love

Sighnaghi- a restored, romantic, cozy city with red roofs and views of the Alazani Valley. There is a 24-hour wedding palace here, where couples from different countries can get married by first submitting the necessary documents.

Auto tourism in Georgia

Gasoline cost in Georgia - a little less than a dollar per liter.

About movement. Be prepared for the fact that the traffic on the roads of Georgia is chaotic, everyone is honking, cutting off, violating, so keep your eyes open. There are problems with parking in the center of Tbilisi - there are not enough spaces, there are paid parking near Rike Park and Meydan, as well as underground parking lots near large supermarkets, be guided by them, because in central regions In most places in the city you can park only if you buy such a service from the city hall.

There are several highways in Georgia - this is part of the Tbilisi-Batumi road, as well as the Rustavi and Gori highways. The government plans to build new roads and restore existing ones.

The introduction of a new system of fines is currently being actively discussed in Georgia. Under this bill, a driver would have 100 points per year and a certain amount would be deducted for violations. If the limit of points is reached, you will have to retake the exam to obtain your license. Special “smart” video cameras are being installed throughout the city.

The road patrol is more loyal to tourists than to locals; moreover, it helps if you contact them.

The most beautiful roads- this is the road to Racha, Svaneti and Tusheti, although the latter can only be reached from June to September.

Georgian Military Road The road along which we enter Georgia from Russia is incredibly beautiful, but the quality of the road is much less pleasing than the scenery. However, this is not so important, let's see what sights you will pass immediately after entering Georgia along the Georgian Military Road:

Along the entire route there are Georgian ancient monuments: cathedrals, fortresses, watchtowers. On the Georgian Military Road there are Mtskheta, the Jvari temple-monastery (late 6th - early 7th centuries), and the Zemo-Avchala hydroelectric power station.
The village of Chmi, where there is a complex of archaeological monuments from the Bronze Age to the late Middle Ages and a large Alan burial ground of the 6th-9th centuries, where a large number of weapons, implements, and household items of the Alans were found.
Mount Kazbek (5033 m).
Daryal fortification, built in 1804 in the Daryal Gorge to protect the road.
"Tamara's Castle" - the ruins of an old tower on the opposite bank of the Terek.
Zion Grove is a green oasis among the snowy peaks of the Caucasus.
Cross Pass - highest point Georgian Military Road.
Gudauri abyss and the highest mountain village of Gudauri on the Georgian Military Road.

What a tourist should know about Georgia

Georgia is a patriarchal country with living traditions, respect for elders, and strong nepotism.
Has great influence in the country Orthodox Church. When visiting churches and monasteries, be prepared for the fact that women may need to cover their heads or wrap themselves in a scarf if they are not wearing a skirt. Not all places inside temples allow photography.
Children are treated with reverence here, they are allowed a lot, they are bathed in love and attention. Strangers may try to kiss your baby's hands and squeeze your cheeks, and in a restaurant they may well pick you up and take them, for example, to the kitchen, or walk with them around the hall. To some parents, such increased attention seems tactless, while others rejoice and admire. Be that as it may, these are the nuances that you need to be prepared for in order to respond adequately.
Georgia is a mixture of east and west, and this is its zest and charm. This is not a “sleek” tourist country.
On the central streets and in the metro you may encounter harmless but annoying gypsies and beggars.
In many in public places smoke, although the ban law has already been practically adopted.
The streets are not always perfectly clean and restored, although many visitors consider the latter to be a plus.
People for the most part are friendly and hospitable, not because they expect monetary rewards from you, but because they are naturally like that, and have not yet forgotten those qualities that are considered important for every worthy resident of this amazing country.

Georgiabest.ru is Victor’s website and the most complete guide to Georgia, I highly recommend bookmarking it to everyone who is planning a trip to this country. You can rate this article: