Asia · Western Asia

Georgia

Flag of Georgia
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+04:00
🏛️ Capital
Tbilisi
👥 Population
4,000,921
📐 Area
69,700 km²
💱 Currency
lari (₾)
🗣️ Languages
Georgian
📞 Calling Code
+995
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+04:00
🌐 Region
Asia / Western Asia

About Georgia

Georgia is the kind of destination that travellers discover and immediately begin planning their return visit. Nestled at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, where the Greater Caucasus mountains sweep down to meet the Black Sea coast, this small country packs an almost impossible density of beauty, history, and warmth into its borders. Ancient cave cities carved into cliffsides, medieval monasteries perched on impossible peaks, rivers of dark amber wine poured from clay vessels buried in the earth — Georgia offers experiences that feel genuinely unlike anything else in the world.

The capital Tbilisi is a city of enchanting contradictions: sulfur baths steaming beneath an old Persian fortress, Orthodox churches standing alongside a mosque and a synagogue, Soviet-era apartment blocks draped with ornate wooden balconies jutting over labyrinthine alleys. Wander Abanotubani's bathhouse district, explore the narrow lanes of the Old Town, and you'll find craft beer bars and natural wine cellars in buildings that predate the Renaissance. The city is young, creative, and increasingly cosmopolitan, yet its roots run thousands of years deep.

Beyond Tbilisi, the landscapes shift dramatically. Kazbegi in the north delivers some of the most iconic mountain scenery in the Caucasus, with the Gergeti Trinity Church watching over glaciers and waterfalls from its ridge above the clouds. In Kakheti, Georgia's wine heartland, vines climb the lower slopes of the Alazani valley in every direction. The western regions of Svaneti and Racha reveal stone tower villages unchanged since the Middle Ages. Georgia is affordable, hospitable beyond measure, and profoundly rewarding for any traveller willing to venture off the tourist trail.

History & Background

Few nations can match Georgia's claim to antiquity. Archaeological evidence of winemaking in the South Caucasus region dates back 8,000 years, making Georgians arguably the world's first viticulturists. The ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia flourished here millennia before the Christian era, and Georgian oral tradition holds that the country was entrusted to the Virgin Mary herself. The adoption of Christianity in the 4th century gave Georgia a defining cultural identity that survived invasions by Persians, Arabs, Mongols, Turks, and Russians over the following seventeen centuries.

The medieval Georgian Golden Age under Queen Tamar in the 12th and 13th centuries produced a flowering of art, architecture, and literature that left a legacy of extraordinary monasteries and the national epic poem "The Knight in the Panther's Skin" by Shota Rustaveli. Russian annexation in the 19th century and subsequent Soviet rule (1921–1991) were chapters of suppression and resistance, but also of remarkable survival. Independence in 1991 was followed by painful civil conflicts and the Rose Revolution of 2003, which brought reformist governance and a decisive Western orientation. Today Georgia is an EU candidate country navigating its complex position between Russian pressure and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Culture & People

Georgian culture is anchored in a fierce pride in uniqueness — the country's script, language, cuisine, wine traditions, and polyphonic music all developed independently from surrounding civilizations and remain distinct to this day. Christianity arrived in Georgia in 337 AD, making the Georgian Orthodox Church one of the world's oldest, and faith permeates daily life in a way that feels organic rather than imposed. Churches are living gathering places, not museums, and the religious calendar marks the social rhythm of the year with feasts, fasts, and festivals.

The Georgian feast tradition known as "supra" is perhaps the country's greatest cultural gift to the world. A supra is not merely a meal but a ceremonial event guided by a toastmaster called the "tamada," who orchestrates hours of toasts to friendship, ancestors, God, and love. Wine flows from pitchers rather than bottles, traditional dishes cover every inch of the table, and polyphonic songs break out spontaneously between courses. Georgians consider hospitality a sacred duty, and being welcomed into someone's home for a supra is one of the most genuinely moving experiences any traveller can have. Family loyalty, generosity, and a passionate engagement with art, music, and debate define the Georgian character.

Food & Cuisine

Georgian cuisine is one of the world's great culinary traditions, built on bold flavors, walnut-enriched sauces, herb pastes, and an astonishing diversity of fresh cheeses. Khachapuri — the cheese-filled bread that comes in wildly different regional variations — is Georgia's most iconic dish. The Adjarian version arrives as a boat-shaped loaf filled with molten cheese and topped with a raw egg and butter, meant to be stirred together and scooped with torn pieces of bread crust. Khinkali, the hand-folded meat dumplings eaten by clutching the knot and drinking the hot broth inside before biting through, are a ritual as much as a meal.

The diversity extends far beyond these flagship dishes. Badrijani nigvzit — grilled eggplant rolls filled with walnut-garlic paste and garnished with pomegranate seeds — is a deceptively elegant appetizer found at every supra table. Lobiani is a flatbread stuffed with spiced kidney beans. Churchkhela, walnut chains dipped in grape must until they form a natural candy coating, make an irresistible street snack. Georgia's natural wines — amber-colored skin-contact whites aged in buried clay vessels called qvevri — have attracted global attention in recent years, and exploring them directly at small family wineries in Kakheti is an experience every food-loving traveler should prioritize.

Top Attractions

  • Gergeti Trinity Church, Kazbegi — A 14th-century church perched on a 2,170m ridge with Mount Kazbek's glacier as a backdrop, producing one of the most photographed views in the Caucasus.
  • Old Tbilisi & Narikala Fortress — The medieval heart of the capital, where sulfur bath domes, wooden balconied houses, and a hilltop fortress create an atmosphere unlike any other European city.
  • Vardzia Cave City — A vast medieval cave monastery complex carved into a volcanic cliff face, housing hundreds of chambers, frescoes, and a wine cellar still in use today.
  • Uplistsikhe Cave Town — A pre-Christian rock-hewn city dating to the 1st millennium BC, carved into the cliffs above the Mtkvari River near Gori.
  • Alazani Valley, Kakheti — Georgia's wine heartland, where rolling vineyards meet ancient monasteries and family cellars offer tastings straight from buried qvevri vessels.
  • Mestia & Ushguli, Svaneti — UNESCO-listed medieval stone tower villages deep in the Greater Caucasus, accessible by dramatic mountain road and utterly unlike anywhere else in Europe.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Download the app "Yandex Go" or use Bolt for affordable, reliable taxi services in Tbilisi — avoid street hails which often lack meters.
  • Georgian wine culture is central to hospitality; refusing a toast during a supra can cause genuine offence — raise your glass and drink, or politely explain a health reason.
  • Marshrutkas (minibuses) connect all major towns cheaply but run on irregular schedules — always verify departure times locally.
  • Dress modestly when visiting monasteries and churches — women should cover their heads and shoulders, men should wear long trousers.
  • The GEL (lari) is the local currency; exchange at official bureaux and avoid unofficial moneychangers offering suspiciously good rates.
  • Mountain roads in Svaneti and Kazbegi require a 4WD vehicle during shoulder seasons — hire locally with an experienced driver rather than renting independently.
  • Learn a few Georgian phrases — even a simple "gmadlobt" (thank you) draws enormous warmth from locals who are genuinely moved when foreigners engage with their language.

Visa Overview

Georgia has one of the world's most generous visa policies. Citizens of the EU, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, and over 100 other countries can enter Georgia and stay for up to 365 days without a visa — an extraordinary provision for long-stay travelers. A valid passport is all that is required. Citizens of countries not on the visa-free list can apply for an e-visa through the official Georgian government portal. Entry requirements are straightforward and the immigration process at Tbilisi International Airport is typically quick.

Getting Around

Tbilisi International Airport handles flights from across Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Within Georgia, marshrutkas (shared minibuses) are the primary long-distance transport option, departing from Didube and Isani bus stations in Tbilisi. The train network connects Tbilisi to Batumi on the Black Sea coast with a comfortable overnight service. For mountain regions like Kazbegi and Mestia, shared taxis or private vehicles are essential. Tbilisi itself has a metro, modern buses, and abundant taxis via ride-hailing apps making city navigation straightforward.

Safety Notes

Georgia is one of the safest countries in the Caucasus region for travelers, with low rates of violent crime. Tbilisi and major tourist areas are generally secure both day and night. The occupied territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are controlled by Russian-backed forces and must be avoided entirely — entry from Georgia's side is prohibited and carries serious legal risks. Mountain activities carry natural hazards: always hire certified guides for serious hikes and monitor weather conditions carefully. Petty theft can occur in crowded areas; standard precautions suffice.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Georgia.

lari (GEL) ₾
Updated: 2026-10-05
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 3.692145
AAVE 0.002134
ADA 1.444630
AED 1.415005
AFN 24.848714
AKT 0.486359
ALGO 2.942232
ALL 31.500634
AMD 139.576514
AMP 608.960473
ANG 0.693738
AOA 353.543971
APE 2.296686
APT 0.487459
AR 0.086106
ARB 1.916500
ARS 590.360032
ATOM 0.221235
ATS 4.740739
AUD 0.555383
AVAX 0.035374
AWG 0.689683
AXS 0.294149
AZM 3,275.084311
AZN 0.655017
BAKE 1,604.446665
BAM 0.673828
BAT 3.751283
BBD 0.770595
BCH 0.001210
BDT 47.380314
BEF 13.898020
BGN 0.673828
BHD 0.144872
BIF 1,161.247575
BMD 0.385298
BNB 0.000488
BND 0.493905
BOB 4.614668
BRL 2.011623
BSD 0.385298
BSV 0.019274
BSW 927.523516
BTC 0.000004
BTCB 5.436566
BTG 0.582406
BTN 37.159439
BTT 1,028,896.438198
BUSD 0.384398
BWP 5.321494
BYN 1.158034
BYR 7,541.072080
BZD 0.775484
CAD 0.550388
CAKE 0.154262
CDF 890.614221
CELO 3.663922
CFX 7.145282
CHF 0.319811
CHZ 23.053185
CLP 377.530151
CNH 2.585632
CNY 2.583469
COMP 0.015370
COP 1,263.928334
CRC 176.503677
CRO 5.643360
CRV 1.006116
CSPR 149.465064
CUC 0.384749
CUP 9.226766
CVE 37.990542
CVX 0.165419
CYP 0.201640
CZK 8.415804
DAI 0.384817
DASH 0.006470
DCR 0.020908
DEM 0.673828
DFI 582.394290
DJF 68.709479
DKK 2.574980
DOGE 4.043640
DOP 23.063271
DOT 0.317526
DYDX 2.661784
DZD 51.510963
EEK 5.390626
EGLD 0.086269
EGP 20.284051
ENJ 11.526257
EOS 3.995774
ERN 5.779463
ESP 57.323790
ETB 62.904578
ETC 0.042985
ETH 0.000142
EUR 0.344523
EURC 0.343886
FEI 0.384761
FIL 0.367316
FIM 2.048440
FJD 0.868413
FKP 0.291689
FLOW 12.184422
FLR 53.337243
FRAX 0.388191
FRF 2.259922
FTT 1.506958
GALA 155.367493
GBP 0.291689
GGP 0.291689
GHC 45,173.260563
GHS 4.517326
GIP 0.291689
GMD 28.539515
GMX 0.045947
GNF 3,391.206390
GNO 0.003189
GRD 117.396185
GRT 12.872966
GT 0.034715
GTQ 2.944224
GUSD 0.385481
GYD 80.538057
HBAR 3.734921
HKD 3.023304
HNL 10.368621
HNT 0.670678
HOT 860.539370
HRK 2.595808
HT 10.669543
HTG 50.418018
HUF 127.033342
ICP 0.118380
IDR 6,912.779684
IEP 0.271334
ILS 1.175865
IMP 0.291689
IMX 2.120544
INJ 0.050949
INR 37.159439
IQD 504.446747
IRR 671,978.584018
ISK 47.264011
ITL 667.089392
JEP 0.291689
JMD 60.947783
JOD 0.273176
JPY 60.906061
KAS 9.022438
KAVA 5.593854
KCS 0.051415
KDA 41.463999
KES 49.622972
KGS 33.696276
KHR 1,562.121780
KLAY 10.217607
KMF 169.494165
KNC 2.737699
KPW 346.273840
KRW 518.833326
KSM 0.074753
KWD 0.119021
KYD 0.319716
KZT 172.806204
LAK 8,684.111309
LBP 34,540.485013
LDO 0.826341
LEO 0.043131
LINK 0.027337
LKR 127.334387
LRC 36.616741
LRD 66.164997
LSL 6.447743
LTC 0.005502
LTL 1.189569
LUF 13.898020
LUNA 7.592819
LUNC 7,325.840951
LVL 0.242131
LYD 2.465741
MAD 3.798610
MANA 3.792806
MBX 12.946802
MDL 6.879034
MGA 1,717.009592
MGF 8,585.047959
MINA 2.406674
MKD 21.100316
MKR 0.000175
MMK 808.830934
MNT 1,386.764698
MOP 3.114003
MRO 154.737068
MRU 15.473707
MTL 0.147904
MUR 18.666613
MVR 5.956522
MWK 667.624140
MXN 7.023343
MXV 0.797024
MYR 1.575104
MZM 24,594.554810
MZN 24.594555
NAD 6.447743
NEAR 0.079008
NEO 0.151328
NEXO 0.448022
NFT 1,602,955.212310
NGN 511.336311
NIO 14.156259
NLG 0.759229
NOK 3.723576
NPR 59.482972
NZD 0.689199
OKB 0.003090
OMR 0.148255
ONE 2.635567
OP 2.941727
ORDI 0.085370
PAB 0.385298
PAXG 0.000093
PEN 1.333319
PEPE 87,746.982966
PGK 1.730712
PHP 24.174262
PI 4.435643
PKR 106.686384
PLN 1.511698
POL 3.548828
PTE 69.070644
PYG 2,249.566287
QAR 1.402483
QNT 0.001545
QTUM 0.392304
ROL 18,412.111268
RON 1.841211
RPL 0.201904
RSD 40.256098
RUB 32.311116
RUNE 0.493086
RVN 161.555588
RWF 569.146895
SAND 5.277992
SAR 1.444866
SBD 3.108860
SCR 5.493567
SDD 23,127.472102
SDG 231.274721
SEK 3.885788
SGD 0.493905
SHIB 65,281.492983
SHP 0.291689
SIT 82.561472
SKK 10.379097
SLE 8.879220
SLL 8,879.219560
SNX 1.532210
SOL 0.003193
SOS 219.572766
SPL 0.064216
SRD 14.570363
SRG 14,570.363059
SSP 2,201.047574
STD 8,513.193309
STN 8.513193
STX 0.976357
SUI 0.316381
SVC 3.371354
SYP 5,002.501077
SZL 6.447743
THB 12.980032
THETA 1.701476
TJS 3.547713
TMM 6,742.682580
TMT 1.348537
TND 1.152145
TOP 0.925906
TRL 18,941,075.187968
TRX 1.148395
TRY 18.941075
TTD 2.610917
TUSD 0.384902
TVD 0.555383
TWD 12.253676
TWT 0.678244
TZS 1,014.048365
UAH 17.327708
UGX 1,536.764683
UNI 0.042774
USD 0.385298
USDC 0.384777
USDD 0.384943
USDP 0.385494
USDT 0.384872
UYU 15.517742
UZS 4,537.676685
VAL 667.089392
VEB 33,409,077,915.2072
VED 334.090779
VEF 33,409,077.915207
VES 334.090779
VET 44.326341
VND 10,023.097049
VUV 46.404635
WAVES 1.280622
WEMIX 1.972297
WOO 28.568090
WST 1.068884
XAF 225.992220
XAG 0.006327
XAU 0.000093
XAUT 0.000093
XBT 0.000005
XCD 1.042768
XCG 0.693738
XCH 0.244652
XDC 11.711295
XDR 0.284557
XEC 47,427.723342
XEM 673.881948
XLM 1.729295
XMR 0.000715
XOF 225.992220
XPD 0.000329
XPF 41.112520
XPT 0.000225
XRP 0.255864
XTZ 1.173048
YER 91.081482
ZAR 6.447743
ZEC 0.000292
ZIL 107.521110
ZMK 7,566.982674
ZMW 7.566983
ZWD 139.439187
ZWG 10.313015
ZWL 25,769.379943

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Cities in Georgia 134
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Ahalcihe Ahali Atoni Ahalkalaki Ahmeta Ambrolauri Bagdadi Batumi Bihvinta Borzhomi Cageri Chaltubo Chiatura Cnori Dedoplisckaro Dioknisi Dusheti Gagra Gali Gudauta Gulripshi Gurdzhaani Honi Kobuleti Kutaisi Kvareli Lagodehi Lanchhuti Mahindzhauri Mcheta Ninocminda Ochamchira Oni Ozurgeti Sachhere Sagaredzho Samtredia Signahi Suhumi Tbilisi Telavi Terzhola Tkibuli Tkvarcheli Vale Vani Zestaponi Аҟəа Афон Ҿыц Гагра Гал Гәдоуҭа Гәылрыԥшь Очамчыра Тҟәарчал Ҭаӷьлан ақыҭа ахадара Шьашьикәара ақыҭа ахадара აბასთუმანი აბაშა აგარა ადიგენი ამბროლაური ანაკლია ასპინძა ახალქალაქი ახალციხე ახმეტა ბათუმი ბაკურიანი ბაღდათი ბორჯომი გარდაბანი გორი გურჯაანი დედოფლისწყარო დმანისი დუშეთი ვალე ვანი ზესტაფონი ზუგდიდი თეთრიწყარო თელავი თერჯოლა თიანეთი კაზრეთი კასპი ლაგოდეხი ლანჩხუთი ლენტეხი მანგლისი მარნეული მარტვილი მესტია მცხეთა ნინოწმინდა ოზურგეთი ონი ჟინვალი რუსთავი საგარეჯო სამტრედია საჩხერე სენაკი სიღნაღი სტეფანწმინდა სურამი ტყიბული ურეკი ფასანაური ფოთი ქარელი ქედა ქობულეთი ქუთაისი ყვარელი შორაპანი შუახევი ჩაქვი ჩოხატაური ჩხოროწყუ ცაგერი წალენჯიხა წალკა წნორი წყალტუბო ჭიათურა ხარაგაული ხაშური ხობი ხონი ხულო ჯვარზენი ჯვარი Ԥицунда

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Georgia needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Georgia?
The capital of Georgia is Tbilisi.
What currency does Georgia use?
Georgia uses the lari (₾) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Georgia?
The official language(s) of Georgia include Georgian.
What is the population of Georgia?
Georgia has a population of approximately 4,000,921 people.
What region is Georgia in?
Georgia is located in Asia, specifically in the Western Asia subregion.
What is the international calling code for Georgia?
The international dialing code for Georgia is +995.
What time zones does Georgia observe?
Georgia observes the following time zone(s): UTC+04:00.
What is the current time in Georgia?
The local time in Georgia is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Georgia?
Georgia covers a total area of 69,700 km².
How many states or provinces does Georgia have?
Georgia is divided into 21 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Georgia in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Georgia in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Georgia?
Visa requirements for citizens of Georgia vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.