Writing about Georgia is always difficult, especially with American audiences. By default—and understandably—they think I’m talking about the Peach State, whose capital is Atlanta.
Only the very well-traveled realize that the Eastern European nation (known, in its own language, as Sakartvelo) is the topic at hand. And only a few of them know anything about the country, apart from its up-and-coming capital Tbilisi.
So, is Georgia worth visiting? Yes—and not just if you’re well-traveled. I hope you’ll continue reading to learn precisely why I feel this way!
Why I Visited Georgia in the First Place
The genesis of my Georgia trip was somewhat aimless. I wanted to spend the last summer of my 20s in Europe; I didn’t want to go somewhere I’d already been. I wanted to head east; I didn’t want to deal with the process of applying for a Russian visa, or encounter any turmoil in Ukraine. The Caucasus region seemed like the ideal destination—and Georgia was the nucleus of the Caucasus.
Now, there were other reasons Georgia ended up winning out as well, including—and I’ll describe this in greater detail in a few paragraphs—the very low cost of travel. I almost didn’t know what to do with my extra cash! And I had many choices. Beyond shopping, which is what I ultimately ended up doing, this includes online casinos and finer dining than you might be used to in your home country.
5 Reasons I Fell in Love With Georgia
It’s inviting
Apart from the long flight, Georgia is an easy country to visit. From visa-free entry, to tons of amazing hotels, to the relatively close distance of the airport to central Tbilisi, Georgia makes it easy for travelers to come. Speaking of flights, there are also more nonstop flights to Georgia from Europe, Asia and the Middle East than there have ever been (we’re still waiting on direct flights from North America).
It’s equipped
Another thing that makes planning a Georgia itinerary delightful? Whether you stay in Tbilisi, or go elsewhere, the tourism infrastructure is impressive. This includes not only the hotels I spoke about earlier—The Room Hotels in Kazbegi is astonishing—but lots of links between destinations, and well-defined tourist routes once you get there, from the Black Sea to the Caucasus Mountains.
It’s made for Instagram
Speaking of the sea and the mountains, Georgia has surprisingly diverse landscapes for a country of its size, but that’s all there is to photograph. Whether we’re talking about modern architecture along the river in aforementioned Tbilisi, or ancient structures in out-of-the-way Svaneti way up in the mountains, Georgia’s built environment makes for amazing Instagram posts just as well as its natural one.
It’s easy to explore
I mentioned Georgia’s infrastructure earlier, but it’s not just about roads, bridges, buses, trains and domestic flights. Once you’re in a given city or town, so many of the things to do in Georgia are accessible via your own two feet, which makes exploring simple. This is true whether you hike from Stepantsminda town up to Mt. Kazbeg, or walk through Old Tbilisi before watching the sunset from Narikala Fort.
It’s where the Caucasus begins
I’ll be up-front with you: I enjoyed Georgia way more than I did Armenia or Azerbaijan. In spite of this, those countries may still be worth exploring if you’re in the region, at least depending upon how long you have (more on that in a moment). Do you continue by bus from Tbilisi to Yerevan, and admire ancient monasteries towering above Lake Sevan? Or fly to the Azeri capital of Baku and watch its skyline glisten in the Caspian Sea?
How Long Should You Spend in Georgia?
Georgia is bigger than it looks, but smaller than you’ll wish it was at the end of your trip. Depending upon how deeply you want to explore, you could spend anywhere from a few days here to a couple of weeks. Obviously, if you’re coming from the US, it will probably make sense to spend longer, whether or not you visit Armenia and Azerbaijan. You’ll need a few days just to get over the jet lag!
As far as the way to organize your trip, no matter how many days in Georgia you spend? With 3-5 days, you could pair a couple nights in Tbilisi with a few nights up in the mountain region colloquially known as Kazbegi. A week could allow you to add in some beach time on the Black Sea in Batumi, or relaxation in the historical town of Sighnaghi. With two weeks, you could add a trip to unique Svaneti, and see all the other places I’ve listed as well.
Other FAQ About Visiting Georgia
Is it worth going to Georgia?
The country of Georgia remains one of Europe’s unsung treasures, though it’s gotten more popular over the years. If you make the journey here, consider exploring the country off-the-beaten path, or traveling to nearby countries such as Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Why do tourists go to Georgia?
Tourists go to Georgia because it offers many of the familiar elements of traveling in Europe—great food and wine; diverse scenery; cosmopolitan culture—at a much lower price point and with fewer crowds than more mainstream destinations. It’s not necessarily off the beaten path, though it’s not on the tourist trail either.
Is Georgia a cheap country to visit?
Georgia remains extremely cheap, in spite of the fact that its popularity has increased in relative terms. On the low end, budget travelers can get by in Georgia for 50 USD per day, or even less. On the higher end, even luxury experiences are unlikely to cost you more than a couple of hundred dollars per person, per day.
The Bottom Line
Is Georgia worth visiting? Well, it’s definitely the best country in the Caucasus region of Eastern Europe, for what that’s worth. Beyond this superlative, however, Georgia has a lot going for it, with flavorful food, a fantastic and well-connected capital city, great hotels and a very low cost of travel. The only thing I don’t like about it, if I’m frank, is just how far it is from the US state of Georgia! If you’re on the fence about visiting the country also known as Sakartvelo, I urge you to get off it. One way to expedite this process? Hire me to plan your Caucasus itinerary so that you leave absolutely nothing to chance.
