Georgia Tourism
In Georgia, adventure is always calling.
The question is, will you go?
Why Travel to Georgia?
Located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, Georgia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region, attracting travellers from all over the world. Little wonder, when you consider all that Georgia tourism has to offer: mesmerizing nature in the form of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, green forests and national parks housing rare species of plants and wildlife; history lurking in mysterious caves and among centuries-old Christian temples, located a five minutes’ walk from a synagogue and mosque; a truly unique language and alphabet; and delicious food, exotic wine and warm hospitality.
Each region, city and village in Georgia surprises with its diversity and will fill your vacation with unforgettable memories to last a lifetime. Tbilisi is famous for its charming streets, carved balconies and a genial mixture of old and new traditions. In Kakheti Region, referred to as Georgia’s cradle of wine, you can find an authentic wine cellar and family winery in every village and city, complete with historical vessels called qveri and wine presses known as satsnakheli. Sample a large variety of tasty seasonal fruit in Kartli, a region referred to as the Orchard of Georgia.
The old capital of Georgia, Mtskheta, features prominently on any tourist map of Georgia, for it is home to an ancient archaeological site at Armaztsikhe Bagineti and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Svetistskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery. Imereti is famous as the ancient kingdom of Colchis, described in Greek mythology in Argonauts and the Golden Fleece. Adjara offers beautiful beaches on the Black Sea, while Svaneti is famous for its abundance of medieval towers, splendid nature and the highest permanently settled village in Europe, Ushguli, included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Looking for ways to conquer high mountains and find remote hiking paths? Come immerse yourself in the beauty of the Greater Caucasus Range, where the Greek god Prometheus was chained to its 5000+ meter peaks. Georgia in winter offers Olympic-standard slopes and heli skiing at the first-class ski resorts of Gudauiri and Bakuriani. If you’re looking for a relaxed holiday filled with green meadows, ancient fortresses and centuries old temples, you can visit Georgia any time of the year.
Food and wine connoisseurs will appreciate Georgia’s famous hospitality and rich flavours of local wine, combined with the authentic taste of national dishes prepared according to traditional recipes. The wine production in Georgia stretches back more than 8000 years and is deeply connected with local religion, folklore and traditions. Taste the famous cheese bread khachapuri and drink the life-giving mineral water Borjomi in one of the most captivating countries in the South Caucasus.
Is Georgia a Safe Country?
Traveling to Georgia is interesting, unique, affordable and safe. The International Crime Index rated Georgia as the seventh safest country in the world in 2017, and the World Economic Forum honored the country by ranking it 34th in terms of national security. Police officers patrol the cities nonstop to ensure safety and order, and Georgia tourism statistics confirm its reputation as a country safe for travelers. According to a recent travel advisory published by the US State Department, Georgia was declared among the safest countries in the world for US travelers.
Traveling to Georgia is equally safe for solo female travellers, backpackers, digital nomads and families.
People are welcoming and helpful, and English can be found on most road signs, taxi apps, bus stops, metro announcements and, most importantly, restaurant menus. Most young people communicate quite well in English and will be glad to offer you assistance or point out the hidden gems of their country.
No matter your sphere of interest when traveling to Georgia, you can consider yourself very safe and protected while in country.
Types of Tourism
There is no lack of things to do in Georgia, and our Georgia tourism packages encompass trips of every type. Choose your favorite style of tourism from the list below to read our suggestions of recommended experiences and must-see sites based on your style of travel:
Historical and Cultural Tourism
From ancient castles to gleaming cities to bizarre cave towns, there is a lot to discover in Georgia, “The Country of Life”. Your tour will be packed with ancient churches and monasteries, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, castles, watchtowers and unique, intangible treasures of folk songs and dances as you follow the historical evolution of this fascinating country.
The abundance of museums, art galleries, theatres and concert halls in Tbilisi and other big cities will flavor your trip with excitement. Fill your evenings and weekends with the splendor of traditional Georgian song and dance. The vibrant and cosmopolitan capital with its Old City Quarters, remote and highly traditional mountainous villages Juta and Ushguli and fortified villages of Shatili and Mutso add mystery to your trip, while warm hospitality and delectable food and wine will fill your travels with memories to last a lifetime.
Adventure and Nature Tourism
Georgia hides memorable adventures for you in every corner of its dazzling snow-capped mountains, glaciers, green valleys, pristine rivers, remote villages, beautiful canyons and mysterious off-roads.
If you are looking for isolation and the opportunity to disconnect, Khevsureti and Pshavi offer towering mountains, traditional guesthouses, campgrounds, beautiful trails and superb sceneries that provide the perfect backdrop for hiking. Those seeking wilder adventures will appreciate the dangerous road to Tusheti and trekking in remote areas of this mysterious region. Svaneti and Kazbegi attract visitors all year round with hiking, horseback riding and cycling in the beautiful Caucasus in summer and high-altitude heli-skiing, off-piste skiing and paragliding in winter.
Other ventures include rafting, picnics in faraway villages, swimming along the Black Sea Coast, discovering waterfalls amidst natural canyons, cave tours and camping in isolation near rushing rivers. When combined with ancient towers, fortresses and churches, delicious food and authentic tastes of mountain life, adventure tourism doesn’t get any better than this!
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a growing sector of Georgia tourism, and the country’s rich heritage and varied ecosystems will fill your trip with unforgettable experiences as you practice responsible travel, help to conserve the environment and support local, grassroots tourism.
Forty percent of Georgia’s land is covered by extremely rich forests and approximately twenty percent of the country’s territory is protected area. These national parks are an ideal place for ecotourism, offering safe hiking paths, horseback riding trails, camping sites and more than 330 species of birds. It is an ideal place to get closer to nature, relax and unwind alone or with friends and family.
Each region of Georgia has diverse nature. In Kakheti, enjoy the beauty of Lagodekhi National Park or visit David Gareja Desert for bird watching. Tusheti National Park offers breathtakingly beautiful nature amid the skyscraping Caucasus Range, while remote mountain villages preserve long-held traditions and ancient recipes for delicious food. Kazbegi is a popular destination for rafting, where the rushing Aragvi River will entice those craving extreme adventures.
Winter Tourism
Georgia offers incredible experiences all year long, and winter is no exception. Traveling to Georgia in winter can be equally enjoyable as a family, solo traveller or with a group of friends.
Start your winter tour by exploring the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi. The temperature rarely falls below zero and the city remains vibrant year-round. Warm up at the famous sulphur bath houses on a chilly winter day or indulge in hot khachapuri in a cozy restaurant, surrounded by the lively tones of Georgian traditional songs and the boisterous voices of friendly local people. Fascinating museums and art galleries, theatres and an opera house staging world famous productions all provide hours of indoor entertainment.
Outside the capital, Georgia is home to several world-class ski resorts: Gudauri, Bakuriani, Mitarbi, Goderdzi, Mestia-Hatsvali and Tetnuldi, each of which offers unique skiing experiences from early December to late March.
Religious Tourism
If you’re looking for a tour filled with faith, authentic religious sites, ringing bells and sacred songs, Georgia is the place for you. The country remains a popular destination for religious tourists, where deep-seated beliefs have been preserved through numerous invasions and hardships. While some come seeking information about the country’s Jewish heritage and others wish to visit the temples of various confessions, most religious tourists desire to learn about Georgian Orthodox Christianity, the prevailing local religion, as they tour the country’s unique cathedrals, monasteries and churches.
In 337 AD, Georgia became one of the first countries to adopt Christianity as an official religion. Since then, Christianity has played a central role in the formation of Georgian character, traditions, history, politics, education and lifestyle. Today, you can find unique, sacred places in every region of Georgia. Nekresi Monastery in Kakheti Region is the oldest church in Georgia, built in the 4th century. In Bodbe Monastery the grave of Saint Nino, credited with bringing Christianity to Georgia, is one of the most important stops for religious pilgrims. In Mtskheta, the religious centre of the country, part of the sacred robe of Christ is believed to be preserved at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gelati Monastery in western Georgia, displays unique mosaic frescos. In the mountainous regions, small churches are colourfully painted both inside and outside. Georgian church architecture is famous for its beautiful vine branch ornamentation, numerous symbols and religious statues.
Georgia remains a religious country, and Christianity is a part of the identity of nearly every Georgian national.
Almost every village and city has a chapel, people cross themselves and say a prayer when passing a church and priests bless you with warmth and kindness if you approach them. The first toast at the table is always for religion and the most beloved holidays are religious in nature. Christmastime, during which every church service is packed with believers and every window displays a symbolic burning candle, can be a particularly special time to visit.
Wine Tourism
After archaeologists in Georgia found traces of old pottery shards dating back to 6000 BC, the country claimed the crown as the world’s oldest wine producer. Wine fermentation in clay pitchers, called qvevri in Georgian, is one of the oldest winemaking methods in the world and was given the status of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Wine is an integral part of Georgian culture and intimately related to the identity of the Georgian people. Four main attributes form a strong bond among locals: their patriotism, unique language, religion and wine.
For centuries, invaders tried to destroy Georgia’s wine culture, for they realized it gave strength to the people. Sweets made from grape juice provided energy to soldiers on the battlefront, and an oft-told legend relates how soldiers wove a piece of grapevine into their chain armor, so if they died in battle a vine would sprout not just from their bodies, but their hearts. Saint Nino, the enlightener of Georgia, arrived holding a cross made with vine branches. The main decoration found on Georgian churches is vine branches, and one of the most popular songs in the country, Shen Khar Whenakhi (You Are The Vineyard) is dedicated to wine. The sight of old men tending their grapes, eyes filled with warmth and admiration, speaks volumes about the importance of wine in Georgia.
Culinary Tourism
If you travel in pursuit of unique cuisine in foreign lands, look no further than Georgia, where local culinary traditions artistically express the country’s heritage and culture. Georgians are well known for their hospitality displayed through delicious food, sumptuous feasts and ritual social gatherings centred around freshly cooked dishes, unique wine and poetic toasts.
Situated at the crossroads of civilizations and trade routes and having borne the brunt of invasions by Greeks, Romans, Iranians, Arabs, Byzantines, Mongolians, Ottomans, and Russians over the years, Georgian cuisine fully reflects the dramatic history of the country. Ingredients from east and west arrived in Georgia via the Silk Road, and Georgians managed to incorporate all the new ingredients into their meals to create a new and authentic local taste. Georgian cuisine is natural, rich in flavor, filled with aromatic spices and vegetables, and equally satisfying for meat lovers and vegans.
The more you travel in country, the wider the range of culinary experiences you’re bound to have, for every region of Georgia has placed its unique stamp on Georgian food. From fine dining to street food, you will find delicious options in every part of Georgia.
Georgia Tourism Packages
Once you’ve decided which style of Georgia tourism suits you best, you can determine how you wish to travel:
- Group Tours offer fun experiences with a small group of travelling companions and new friends while remaining an affordable travelling option.
- Private Tours, with suggested itineraries and flexible dates, come in every shape and size: city tours, day trips, weekend tours, cross-country excursions, extension tours and more.
- Tailor-Made Tours allow you to customize your tour based on your dates of travel and personal bucket list of desired destinations. Contact us to begin planning your tailor-made tour today.
Regardless of which tour package or style of tourism you choose, your time in Georgia will be filled with spectacular memories of pristine nature, friendly people, captivating architecture and extraordinary adventures.