Fairytale Georgia! The best attractions of Georgia that are worth seeing. Practical information!

Georgia is a country with an extraordinary history, breathtaking landscapes, rich culture and simple, tasty cuisine. As a result, it is becoming more and more popular among tourists from all over the world. Georgia has completely enchanted us with its beauty and virginity. If you are planning a trip to this fascinating corner of the Caucasus, it is worth getting to know the best attractions, but also practical information. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you plan an unforgettable trip.

The best attractions in Georgia. Points of interest worth seeing on the map

The majestic mountains of the Caucasus, postcard temples, amazing canyons, valleys and rock cities. A real pearl, or Svaneti, and a surprisingly European capital. Climatic churches and such beautiful views in the mountains that we have never seen more beautiful. Discover the most beautiful attractions of Georgia! We have included a map where we have marked the places described in the article to make it easier for you to locate them.

Svaneti - Mestia and Ushguli with koshkami

The magical Svaneti is a mountain paradise at the end of the world, with a mysterious, dying heritage. Here, time passes more slowly, and traditions are alive as nowhere else. This is a region on the northern outskirts of Georgia, where majestic gothic towers, the so-called baskets guard history, and the hospitable Swans delight with their culture and simple cuisine. The road is over 150 km long, it is difficult, narrow, with boulders and cows, and in some places it even gets lost and leads over the abysses, but I recommend this place! What is worth seeing here?

Cities with gothic koshkas

UNESCO-listed cities are an ideal base in the heart of Svaneti, full of medieval towers, some of which you can explore. They are characteristic of this place and amazing! Tall and slender, they force you to climb vertical ladders to the next floors. Together with the elders of the Swans, we regret that this heritage is disappearing and the tradition is disappearing. Tourism can change this, so we encourage you to travel, even though the route requires patience and good skills.

The Tower of Love with a legend in the background

This tower of love is associated with an interesting legend, namely, lovers, a girl and a boy who loved each other very much once sat on a stone under it. One day, the boy did not return from hunting. The girl did not believe in his death and waited for him on the stone every day. Unfortunately, he didn't come back for years, and she didn't get married. The family took pity on her and erected this tower so that she could take refuge in it. Today it is called the tower of love. Admission here is paid (2 lari, PLN 2.70).

Ushguli - with the Lamaria Orthodox Church. It's definitely worth seeing in Georgia!

Ushguli (Ushguli) is the highest, permanently inhabited settlement in Europe, at an altitude of 2,100 m above sea level (although it lies in the Caucasus, which is the border with Asia). Like Mestia, it is also inscribed on the UNESCO list, with the mysterious Orthodox church of Lamaria, in which the former pagan goddess was renamed Our Lady over time.

Szchary Glacier - offroad and trekking

Shchara is Georgia's highest peak, at 5,193 m above sea level, and can be seen from Ushguli. From below the church, you can set off on a trail 9 km to the very head of the glacier. There is no road, but 4x4 cars will do. We drove 7 km to the last parking lot, and the last 2 km is already trekking. But quite calm and pleasant, with breathtaking views. The head of the glacier is at an altitude of 2557 m above sea level, which is higher than our Rysy! 
The icing on the cake after these landscapes and tiring feats is a visit to CAFE-LEMI in Ushguli. It is an inconspicuous pub, like many in Georgia, but here with a hammock and a wonderful view. Try kubdari, a traditional Svaneti meat pie. Good and cheap!

Cminda Sameba - Orthodox church and monastery with Kazbek in the background. The most beautiful viewpoint!

Cminda Sameba Orthodox Church is one of the most beautiful places of our trip to Georgia and one of the most beautiful attractions of Georgia in general. It waits at an altitude of over 2100 meters above sea level. It is a monastery and church of the Holy Trinity, which often appears in catalogs promoting this country. It's no surprise. The location knocks you off your feet, and from the nearby settlement of Stepancminda you can get here quite easily and quickly. There is asphalt along the entire route, and there are 2 parking lots upstairs, including one almost under the church itself.

We stopped at the earlier car park, it was free of charge. Thanks to this, we could look at this miracle from afar and enjoy the proximity of nature without spectators. Horses in the meadow, green hills and high, snow-capped mountains of the Caucasus in the background. Something wonderful! The monastery was most likely built in the 14th century, the church can be visited free of charge. Remember that in temples, women must wear a headgear. If you do not have your own scarf, they are waiting at the entrance to the church. This was the case in all the churches we visited here. When you have short shorts, you also need to put a scarf on your hips, as a skirt, both women and men. Interestingly, the monastery is a good starting point for Kazbek. You can sleep here and go on a trail to eventually reach an altitude of 5054 m above sea level, because this is the number of this dormant volcano. This is the 5th highest peak in the Caucasus. It's wonderful!

Georgian War Road - stunning mountain landscapes

The Georgian Military Road allows you to admire the most beautiful views we have experienced so far. It was formerly called the Darial Way. It was already known in antiquity and was very important and valuable, because it served both merchants and armies. It was practically the only such good way to break through the Caucasus. That is why it has served for centuries to move troops, hence its current name. And it appeared in the 19th century, when the road was modernized. At that time, a Pole, Bolesław Statkowski, participated in the project.

It is one of the most beautiful roads in all of Georgia. It reminds us a bit of the one from Mallorca Ma-10, which winds with serpentines and offers great views. Stunning views and mountain passes await on this Georgian route, as well as interesting attractions such as the Ananuri fortress, the monument of Georgian-Russian friendship or the magical Truso Valley.

Ananuri Fortress - Great Views, Beach & Souvenirs

Ananuri Castle, which guarded the Aragvi dynasty, was built to protect the Georgian DW. The current building dates back to the 16th century, but there were fortifications here before that. Over the years, the fortress was destroyed, but it was always rebuilt and beautiful with every century. Today, it is inscribed on the UNESCO List and delights with its view over the blue surface of the Aragvi waters.

Ananuri Castle is available to tourists free of charge. You can climb the ruins and enter the interior of the church. Above, there is a paid, but inexpensive car park, and below, it is worth going down to a nicely landscaped beach. Not far from the road there are prepared selfi places with hearts and souvenir stalls. Tourists like to visit here.

Pasanauri - sister waters of the White and Black Aragvi

In the village of Pasanauri, two rivers, the White and Black Aragvi, connect on the GDW. After joining, they flow side by side, without joining their waters. This is because they have different density, temperature and water composition. A legend also talks about it. There were once two sisters, a fair-haired one and a dark-haired one. They both fell in love with the same knight, but he married a fair-haired one. Unfortunately, the black-haired woman threw herself into the abyss, creating the Black Aragvi River. The fair-haired sister missed her so much that she also committed the same crime by jumping into the abyss. This is how she created the White Aragvi. From now on, they always flow together, but they never connect.

Georgian-Russian Friendship Monument at GDW

At the GDW, near the Cross Pass, you will find such an interesting and original monument. It is an expression of Georgian-Russian friendship. Georgia was part of both Russia and the Soviet Union. The colorful colossus surrounded by mountain peaks and deep abysses makes a real impression. There is also an interesting photo bench with a great panorama in the background. The place would be wild and delightful, only that a large number of tourists slightly disturbs this idyllic picture.

Truso

Valley - magical trekking or off-roading. Highly recommended when visiting Georgia!

There are places that will stay alive in your memories forever! Such is the Truso Valley. Considered by many to be the most beautiful valley in Georgia. It is fantastic, located in the north of the country, near the village of Stepancminda. It stretches over a length of 16 km. You can beat it on foot or by bike, but we decided to go by car. Although there is absolutely no road here. Totally off-road, but it's so beautiful that we stopped every few minutes to enjoy the views.
Right next to the border with Russia and separatist South Ossetia, the Zakagori fortress, or rather its ruins, grows on a hill. It once bravely guarded North Ossetia. The views from here are breathtaking. Everywhere there is a lush green of grass, and in the background there is a whiteness of snow-capped peaks. A little earlier, the extremely romantic village of Abano with an Orthodox monastery got lost. You can have a meal here for a free donation. A great place to reflect and breathe from everyday life.

Sno

Sno is a small town located at the outlet of the Juta Valley. We had it planned, but the collapsed road did not allow us to enter it. For this, Sno gave us a colorful arc that stretched between the peaks. The rainbow accompanied us several times in Georgia. Thanks to this, it was really fairy-tale. With picturesque ruins of a small stone fortress, wild horses and unusual heads, like from the Easter Islands. And how not to love this country.

Uplisciche – an ancient city carved in rock

I've been waiting for this attraction a lot, because I love rock cities since we visited the Turkish Cappadocia years ago. I was not disappointed, Uplisciche is not huge, but very interesting. Unfortunately, it was also quite crowded and very windy.

Translated into the Castle of the Gods, it is one of the oldest rock cities in the world. Its origins date back to the 8th century BC. Not only residential houses were carved into the rock, but also temples, the royal palace, and even a theater. In its heyday, 20,000 people lived here. At that time, paganism flourished in these lands. Since the Christianization in the 4th century, traditional cities such as Tbilisi and Mtskheta have played a more significant role. Ultimately, hostile raids and earthquakes buried the Uplisciches.

Today, available for tourists (15 lari, or PLN 20), it attracts with the possibility of penetrating ancient rock nooks and crannies. There is a Gothic Orthodox church here, which people built using chicken eggs, as was the case with the bridge in Kłodzko or the castles in the Jura. With a more expensive ticket (20 lari), you will also get to know the culture of making wine, because Georgia is the cradle of this drink recognized in the world. Archaeological research says that wine was produced here as early as 8,000 years ago, and it was stored in large clay amphorae, the so-called quevri. According to the legend, if a child was born in such a household, the amphora was poured with liquor and matured until the child reached the age of 16!

It is a great place to take pictures, but also to touch the old culture, when hundreds or even thousands of years ago people lived, developed and created their everyday life carved in rock.

Mtskheta – the historical capital of UNESCO

UNESCO-listed Mtskheta is one of the oldest cities in Georgia and at the same time the former capital of this country. The Cathedral of Sveti Khochoveli and the Jvari Monastery are an important place for the history and sacred architecture of Georgia. It is prayed by the faithful belonging to the Georgian Orthodox Church, which is today the most popular religion of Georgians.

It is worth mentioning that Georgia is one of the oldest Christian countries in the world. She adopted Christianity in 337, immediately after Armenia. It is true that the kingdom of that time was called Iberia, but modern Georgia is its heir. This was due to Saint Nino, who was born in the second half of the third century in Cappadocia, but was sold as a slave to the Georgian ruler. In this way, she found herself in McKheth and healed the wife of King Mirian III. This, in turn, made  the king accept baptism and Christianity as the state religion. At the request of Saint Nino, a church was built here.

And today there is a large Orthodox church, which is a cathedral. In its current form, it was created in the 11th century, during the reign of King George II. Since then, all churches in Georgia have been built on its model, which is why they are so similar to each other. The earlier ones are exhibited in the Armenian style. In the 18th century, the cathedral was surrounded by a high defensive wall with eight towers.

Tbilisi – the capital of Georgia full of contrasts

Tbilisi is the modern capital of Georgia and one of the oldest cities in the country. Founded in the 5th century, during its 1500-year history, the city was many times completely ruined and the entire population brutally murdered by hostile armies. After each such aggression, the city was reborn again like a Phoenix from the ashes. Today, almost a third of the country's population lives in the city ( out of 3.7 million people in Georgia, as many as 1.2 million live in Tbilisi).

Baths in Tblisi

The name of the capital can be translated as "Cieplice" - a warm place. This is because there are hot sulfur springs here, which have been used for centuries. There are baths waiting for tourists, used in the past, for example, by Marco Polo or Pushkin. The latter praised them with the words: "There is no greater pleasure than bathing in the Tbilisi banya".

Cable car and Narikala Fortress

For such a large city, it has a lot of charm and a completely European atmosphere. We recommend the old town with its narrow streets and interesting buildings, but it is also worth taking a cable car to the hill, where magnificent views and Narikala fortress await. The oldest fortification in the capital was founded in the fourth century by the king of the Persians, because they reigned in these areas at that time. Over the years, it was expanded by successive rulers: Arabs, Georgians and Mongols. In the 19th century, it housed a Russian ammunition depot, when there was an explosion that left only picturesque ruins. From these ruins there is a beautiful view of the capital and the Kura River.

In the center, we were also enchanted by the historic bazaar. In interesting interiors, you can buy icons, ornaments, clothes, spices and delicacies, including colorful, famous Georgian snickers. All around, there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars that invite you late at night, including Pub Warszawa, where you will not only talk in Polish, but also see Polish posters.

Mother Georgia Monument

Above the city stands the monument Mother Georgia, which was erected in 1958, on the 1500th anniversary of the city. In one hand, he has a sword as a symbol of struggle and resistance, and in the other a bowl of wine as a symbol of famous Georgian hospitality. The church of the Holy Trinity (Sameba), the largest Orthodox church in Georgia and one of the largest in the world, was also built on a grand scale. It was created in 1995-2004, and its interiors are decorated with rich frescoes and mosaics. 

Monument to the Chronicle of Georgia

About 10 km from the center of Tbilisi stands a fantastic monument called the Chronicles of Georgia. It was founded in 1985, and today it has become a very popular, even Instagram-like place. The tall and impressive columns consist of three parts. The lowest are representations from the Holy Scriptures, the middle are Georgian rulers, and the highest are scenes from the history of this country. The whole is 30 meters high and very impressive. We regretted that due to the strong wind, the Ziemowit drone did not allow us to take shots from a different perspective with a water reservoir in the background.

Kutaisi and surroundings: Okatse Canyon, Martvili, Prometheus Cave

Kutaisi is not a very interesting city, because the buildings in the center do not impress. However, you can recommend restaurants that are cheap. The Bagrati Cathedral, built in the 11th century, is worth seeing. Unfortunately, it was partially destroyed during the war in the 17th century. In 1994, it was entered on the UNESCO list, but in 2008-2012 its reconstruction was so controversial that in 2017 it was removed from this prestigious list. During our visit, it was under renovation, as was the Gelati Monastery from the UNESCO List. It was built in the 12th century by King David IV the Builder. There was an academy that brought together outstanding Georgian scholars, philosophers and theologians, called "the second Jerusalem" or "the new Athens". There are valuable frescoes and graves of Georgian monarchs. Queen Tamara was also buried here, but in a secret place. He is one of the most prominent figures in the history of Georgia called "the king of kings and queen of queens". Like our queen Jadwiga of Anjou, who was also called the king of Poland. Tamara became an Orthodox saint. 

Although Kutaisi does not knock down these buildings, its surroundings are fantastic, we visited some really cool curiosities here.

Okatse Canyon

Near Kutaisi, the river carved the Okatse Canyon, which is even 100 meters deep. Its greatest attraction is a metal footbridge suspended over a precipice. It is openwork, so for some it is a problem. It is not long, so you can easily walk it. The views are cool. In the further part, it already passes over the ground and does not lead over the abyss. It ends with a small viewing platform hanging over the Okatse River. The entire loop is about 1.5 kilometers long and half of it is this interesting path (only a few hundred meters hangs over the abyss). The entrance to the canyon is 20 lari (PLN 27), free parking is available on site.

Martvili Canyon

We recommend visiting the second canyon, Martvili, in a different way. It is famous for its crystal clear water and you can float here by a pontoon. It's fun and there are quite a lot of people interested, but the queue is getting smaller quickly. It is true that the cruise is not long, because it is only 300 meters one way and it is additionally paid, but the rocks together with the vegetation from the perspective of water create a completely unusual picture. After all, their peaks are even 40 meters away. Interestingly, this place was famous for the fact that the Georgian aristocracy bathed here. She had her own private pools and stairs to them.

After the cruise, you can take a 700-meter walk along footbridges and viewpoints, and this time admire the canyon from above. Sightseeing on foot is 20 lari, and an additional cruise is 20 lari (the total is about PLN 54)

Martvili Monastery

The monastery is approached by many stairs. A huge oak tree once stood here, which was a kind of fertility deity for the local population. Sacrifices were made here and, what is worse, also infant sacrifices. Later, this practice was stopped and the oak was cut so that it would no longer be remembered. Around the 7th century, the church of St. Andrew was built here, because it was here that he converted pagans. In this atmospheric church you will see beautiful frescoes. The name of the place "Martvili‑ Chkondidi" is proof of the truth of this story. The second part of the term in Megrelian, belonging to a common family with the Georgian language, means "great oak". 

Prometheus Cave

A very large and very popular Prometheus Cave is recommended near Kutaisi. Its entire length is over 11 kilometers, but a footbridge with a length of about 1,400 meters (20 lari, or PLN 27) is available for tourists. You can additionally swim a part of the boat. The cave is beautiful, it starts without frenzy, but each subsequent hall makes a huge impression. And why such a name? According to legend, there is a cliff nearby on which Prometheus was hanging, whose bad bird, as you know, ate his liver every morning, and later it grew back. And all because he stole fire from the gods and gave it to people. Interestingly, the name of the cave was proposed in 2010 by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.
The drip robe here is magnificent. The cave itself was discovered relatively recently, in 1984. Stalactites, stalagmites and other forms therefore had time to grow peacefully to such fascinating sizes and were not destroyed. I must admit that I have never walked such vast rock halls before. The largest one is even 100 meters long, 30 meters wide and 25 meters high. In addition, dynamic lighting adds an unusual dimension to these corridors. Even if speleology isn't your thing, go underground and you'll be happy.

Mocameta Monastery

It is true that we had planned the Gelati monastery, but it was under renovation, so we chose the neighboring monastery in Mocameta. This place was built in memory of the martyrs, two brothers David and Constantine, who defended these lands against the Arabs. They organized a rebellion against them. After capture, they had a choice: convert to Islam or die. Their heads were beheaded and thrown into the river. Now the legend enters, the bodies  were fished out by lions and later transferred to the church. These lions symbolize power and divine intervention. Therefore, a monastery and a temple were built in this picturesque place, visited today by numerous pilgrims. Their bodies still rest in the crypts here.

Gori

Gori is quite a pleasant city with a nice center and a very impressive fortress, towering over the surrounding area. It dates back to the 4th century, and its ruins are available free of charge. Not everyone knows that the most famous inhabitant of Gori is Iosif Jugashvili, or... Stalin. His house was turned into a museum. He is one of the greatest criminals in the world. He lived here until about the 1990s. Of the 19th century, when he went to Tbilisi. As his native language, he spoke Georgian, and he spoke Russian with a distinct Georgian accent for the rest of his life. The nickname Stalin was adopted around 1912, when he began his activity in the Bolshevik environment, and it was supposed to mean "man of steel".

These places are just some of the attractions that Georgia has to offer, and each region has something special to offer. Among the places we haven't reached, I recommend you the most:

Batumi - seaside resort

Batumi is a seaside resort on the Black Sea. It is worth visiting the beaches and the Botanical Gardens of Batumi, and in the evening admire the play of lights on the modern and glass buildings of the city.

Wardzia - the most famous rock city in Georgia

Wardzia (Vardzia) is a magnificent rock town from the 12th century, located in the south of the country. The network of centuries-old chambers and apartments was built on the orders of King George III, and completed during the reign of his daughter, the legendary Queen Tamara, one of the most prominent figures in the history of Georgia.

Wardzia served as a refuge for the inhabitants from Mongol invasions, as well as a religious and cultural center. During its heyday, it could accommodate up to 60,000 people. The complex consists of 13 levels carved in rock with more than 3,000 rooms, including a throne room, a monastery, a bakery, a forge, a chapel and a huge church. Interestingly, the entire hollowed-out city was invisible from the outside, and the only access to the city and the monastery was provided by several well-hidden tunnels near the Kura River. Unfortunately, the earthquake in 1283 caused a landslide, partial destruction of the city and unveiling. It was no longer a secret. In 1551, the invading Persians plundered the city and the inhabitants left it. Today, the place is maintained by a small group of monks. The experience is subject to a fee and there is a car park on site.

Jute Valley 

We recommend trekking 1.5 hours before the Juta Valley, we were forbidden access by a broken road, but the place is beautiful. It is a tiny village located at an altitude of 2200 m above sea level. It offers an unusual view of the Chaukhi Massif, often called the "Georgian Dolomites" with a rocky peak at an altitude of 3864 m above sea level. It is a real wilderness, there are no marshmallows, small public buses, there are only a few huts and people living from tourism and pastoralism.

Koruldi Lakes near Mestia

Several kilometers from Mestia there are interesting Koruldi lakes. To reach them, you have to bounce 1 km behind the town into a side, gravel road and follow it on foot or by car for 10 km. The road is not easy, the trail winds first through the mountain forest and then straight through the meadows. Only mountain landscapes around, green underfoot and white on the tops. There are also horses, cows and shepherds' huts. Charm in its own right. The lakes are small and shallow, but at this altitude, over 2800 m above sea level, with the peaks of the Caucasus, they form a magical landscape.

Chalaadi Glacier

Trekking to the Chalaadi Glacier is another fascinating attraction in Svaneti. On the way, you can count on beautiful views.

Tama na Inguri

The Inguri dam is an engineering miracle of the Soviet era, because Georgia was once part of the USSR. Construction lasted more than 20 years (1961-1987), and the result was the highest arched dam in the Caucasus. At the time of commissioning, it was even the highest in the world. It is 271.5 meters long and 728 meters long. Soviet technology, however, did not turn out to be so wonderful, because shortly after the dam was handed over, in 1994, the fatal condition of the dam, found by Canadian specialists, became a problem. It was renovated mainly with the European Union's money, for $116 million, and saved from an unimaginable tragedy. We were here twice but it rained so much that we did not get out of the car, because we could barely see the dam.

Georgian cuisine - khachapuri, chinkali, wine and chacha

Georgian cuisine is simple and tasty, and Georgian dishes in Georgia are really cheap. In good restaurants, you can eat a specific dish for 20 laris (about PLN 27), but you can also eat cheaper. Of course, the most popular here are khachapuri in various forms. We especially like Ajarian, with egg and butter. The immeruli with cheese is also delicious. We liked the kubdari, a traditional dish in Svaneti. It resembles an imerula, but the main element of the stuffing here is meat. Everywhere there were great chinkali, or characteristic dumplings, which are held by the "tail" and the broth is drunk first. Usually sold in 5 pieces, they are cheap and sometimes you can order different stuffing. I also liked Georgian soups. It's an even cheaper way to savor their flavors. I recommend saffron or bean soup. I tasted delicious tomato soup with croutons. They also have chinkali soup with great dumplings.

I will not recommend all the places where we ate, because there are quite a lot of pubs everywhere and almost every one serves local cuisine, tasty and served with heart. I will list the most memorable ones:

• Cafe Lemi in Ushguli - food very good, and the view from the hammock is unforgettable
• Shin da Gori in Gori - an elegant restaurant with good food
• El Depo in Kutaisi - it's very cheap here and the food is very tasty

Wine reigns everywhere, after all, Georgia is the cradle of wine in the world, created in large amphorae called kwewri. Almost every night we were served local, often our own wine, and in restaurants you could also buy a liter carafe for 20-30 lari. And no Georgian feast can do without a chacha. It is a kind of moonshine, transparent alcohol, which has 40-50% and many Georgians also produce it themselves. It is an element of the famous Georgian hospitality, it is traditionally drunk from the horns.

Examples of restaurant prices:

• Chinkali 5 pieces: 10 lari (PLN 13)
• Khachapuri Ajar: 15 lari (PLN 20)
• Khachapuri imeruli: 12 lari (PLN 16)
• Tobacco (chicken): 26 lari (PLN 35)
• Cream soup: from 10 lari (PLN 13) 
• Vegetables: 10 lari (PLN 13)
• White wine 1l:  20 lari (PLN 27)
• Red wine 1l: 30 lari (PLN 40)
• Water: 2 lari (3 

Our trip plan to Georgia

• 1 day: flight to Kutaisi, Prometheus Cave, Okatse Canyon, Martvili Canyon, overnight stay in Martvili
• Day 2: drive to and sightseeing in Mestia, overnight stay in Mestia
• Day 3: The Tower of Love, Ushguli and trekking to the Shchara Glacier, overnight in Mestia
• Day 4: drive to Gori, walk around the center, stay overnight in Gori
• Day 5: visiting the Gori fortress, crossing the Georgian War Road, Ananuri, Pasanouri, crossing the Juta Valley, here the ruined road thwarted our plans, so we stopped at the nearby settlement of Sno, accommodation in Stepancminda
• Day 6: Cminda Sameba, Truso Valley, Mtskheta, Tbilisi and Pub Warsaw, overnight stay in Tbilisi
• Day 7: sightseeing in Tbilisi, Uplisciche, return to Kutaisi, accommodation in Kutaisi
• Day 8: Departure to Poland

Practical information about Georgia. This is something to know before you go!

Georgia is not part of the European Union, so some aspects may surprise you here. That is why we provide a handful of practical information that is necessary when planning a trip to this beautiful but still wild country.

Currency of Georgia - lari, gels or jelly beans

The official currency of Georgia is the Georgian lari (GEL). One lari is divided into 100 tetri. Banknotes come in denominations from 1 to 200 lari, and coins from 1 tetri to 2 lari. The currency was introduced in 1995 and is stable, making it easy to plan your travel budget. In larger cities and tourist destinations, payment cards are widely accepted, but in smaller towns it is worth having cash with you. You also pay for accommodation in cash. Currency exchange is possible at banks and many exchange offices, which also operate on weekends.

Sample prices:

It is definitely cheaper in Georgia than in Poland. We're dropping off some prices.

• Water 1.5 l: 1.60 lari  (PLN 2.10)
• Eggs 12 pcs: 4.50 lari (PLN 6.00)
• Sliced yellow cheese: 6.50 lari (PLN 8.70)
• Bread: 1.40 lari (PLN 1.90)
• Coffee in the restaurant: 5.00 lari (PLN 6.70)
• Tea in the restaurant: 3.00 lari (PLN 4.00)
• Fuel: about 2.70 lari per liter (3.60 PLN)
• Accommodation, double room: about 70 lari (PLN 93)
• Car parks: free or 2-3 lari (PLN 4)

Interestingly, Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych produces Georgian banknotes (Lari). Such cooperation has been going on for many years. This is not the only country whose money we produce. Others include, for example, Lebanese pounds, Thai satangs or the famous Colombian pesos, known from the film Kiler.

Internet in Georgia

Georgia is not in the European Union, so phone calls here are very expensive, about PLN 8 per minute if you want to call Poland. SMS costs a few zlotys. The Internet is very expensive, PLN 4.30 per 100kb. It's not profitable at all, which is why we immediately bought local Internet at the airport. A sim card with unlimited Internet for 7 days cost 20 lari (about PLN 27).

At the airport there are several stands offering sim cards. We were in a group, so we tested different options. There were places in the mountains of Georgia where it did not catch any Internet, but generally cheaper it had a slightly weaker range than the more expensive ones. I leave the choice to you, we chose Magti and we were satisfied.

How to get to Georgia? Roads in Georgia and car rental

The easiest way to get to Georgia is by plane. We flew with Katowice Wizzair to Kutaisi. These airlines will also bring you to Kutaisi from other major cities in Poland. The airport in Kutaisi is small but modern. In addition, LOT FLIES from Warsaw to Tbilisi. Flight prices vary. Definitely more expensive in the high season. In June, we paid about PLN 1,000 for 2 people in two directions. Off-season can be found much cheaper, but then there is a danger that through the snow you will not reach many attractions in the depths of Georgia.

Car rental - Georgia with us crazy

And how to get around here? You can choose marshrutks, i.e. small, state-owned buses. They fly to many places and are cheap, so it's a good choice, but sometimes they run infrequently and do not commute everywhere. That's why we rented a car from Georgia with us crazy people. We can highly recommend them. The car was waiting for us at the airport and we left it there before departure.

We had a large Toyota Grand Hiace for 8 people, but we moved in 6 people. The car was already old, but the 4×4 drive allowed us to reach the most beautiful attractions in this country. The rental cost 60 euros per night, at no additional cost. An international driver's license is not required, but it is worth choosing a car with full insurance. At the urging of the rental company, we refueled with the best quality fuel. It was relatively cheap, because it cost about 2.70 lari per liter, or about PLN 3.5.

What are the roads in Georgia and what dangers will you encounter here?

The wilderness of this country delighted us every step of the way, but driving in Georgia is a big challenge. Apart from larger cities, roads are sometimes weak, and in places even asphalt gets lost, or they may even turn out to be impassable due to rivers or other obstacles. This is the case, for example, in Svaneti, in the Juta Valley or Truso, where there is offroad at all. In such places, 4x4 is a must. In early spring and late autumn, these places may be even more inaccessible.

In addition, cows grazed and even sat on the road almost everywhere. Horses and pigs ran across the street, and the top was a camel grazing on the side of the road. Cattle usually don't respond to horns and need to be avoided. We even saw them on the highway. 

It is said that locals often drive under the influence of alcohol. Besides, they drive dangerously, you have to be really careful and attentive. In larger cities, however, there are a lot of radars. It is also worth avoiding bus lanes, as there is a fine.

Accommodations in Georgia

Georgia offers a wide selection of accommodation, from cheap hostels and guesthouses to luxury hotels in larger cities such as Tbilisi or Batumi, from where you can even count on an airport transfer. In intimate guest houses all over the country, you can often enjoy wine or chacha.

Standard accommodation in Georgia is cheap, much cheaper than in Poland, we usually paid about 70 lari for a double room per night. The conditions are quite decent, in some places very good. It's best to book them in advance. Payments are made in cash on site. We practically slept in a different place every day, because we wanted to get to know many attractions of Georgia, in different parts of it. We were in 6 people, so we always had 3 rooms and often a shared living room and a kitchen with equipment.

Only in Mestia we spent 2 nights in one night at Mamuka Chartolani Guesthouse. Our best night was in Gori near Georgia with us crazy people. It was a luxury, we highly recommend it. Beautiful rooms, a large living room, a shared bathroom for 3 rooms and a huge terrace overlooking the fortress. And in the cellar there was wine in kwewri, which we could use. In addition, we slept in Martvili at Hotel Doko, in Stepancminda at Guest House Suja, and in Kutaisi at Guest House Darejani. These accommodations were located off the beaten track. In Tbilisi, we slept in the very center, in Guest House Imereti.

Here you will find a wide selection of accommodations. By booking your stay on Booking.com through our link, you support the development of our blog — and we thank you in advance! It helps us reach many interesting places that we later love to show you and share our experiences and information with you.

Our video from Georgia

You can also see the above-mentioned experiences in our video.

Georgian alphabet. Is it easy to get along in Georgia?

The Georgian alphabet is complicated and completely illegible to us. Fortunately, many names on roads are also written in Latin letters. Georgia was part of the USSR, which is why older residents mostly speak Russian, which is the easiest language to communicate with outside the larger cities. In the capital and other larger centers, you are more likely to get along in English, but mainly with young people. 

• The Georgian alphabet was probably created in the 4th century AD, on the basis of Greek writing, in order to promote Christianity. It has 3 fonts, quite different from each other:
  asomtavruli ("majuscule"), also called mrgwlowani ("rounded")
• nuschuri ("minuscule") sometimes referred to as chucuri ("ecclesiastical")
• mchedruli ("knightly") - educated in the 10th century, it is the modern Georgian alphabet, which consists of 33 characters

Georgia is a country that delights with a variety of attractions, from historic cities to spectacular mountains and seaside resorts. Thanks to the stable currency, the possibility of renting a car and a wide range of accommodation, a trip to Georgia can be safe and full of unforgettable experiences. When planning a trip, it is worth taking these elements into account to make the most of the time spent in this beautiful country.

Rent a car

Exploring becomes much easier when you have your own means of transport. You don’t have to worry about buses or taxis, and you can plan each day your way. The search box below will help you find the right car – right where your journey begins.

What's worth seeing in the area?

You don't have to travel far to find more interesting places. Within a radius of 100 kilometers, there are many attractions waiting for you that will certainly enrich your stay Your trip with additional memories.

• Georgian cuisine, distance: 92.2  km
• Ushguli in Georgia, distance: 92.2  km
• Svaneti in Georgia, distance: 97.4  km