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: 2026-08-20
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 4.435107
AAVE 0.004011
ADA 2.061725
AED 1.409569
AFN 25.121140
AGIX 6.745310
AKT 0.746603
ALGO 4.662384
ALL 30.453728
AMD 139.323643
AMP 1,000.535973
ANG 0.687500
AOA 352.491891
APE 2.984560
APT 0.686135
AR 0.206504
ARB 4.388278
ARS 574.605352
ATOM 0.257193
ATS 4.521247
AUD 0.539959
AVAX 0.056661
AWG 0.687033
AXS 0.425826
AZM 3,262.370114
AZN 0.652474
BAKE 551.777144
BAM 0.642631
BAT 6.138339
BBD 0.767635
BCH 0.001817
BDT 46.701801
BEF 13.254555
BGN 0.642631
BHD 0.144315
BIF 1,141.598273
BMD 0.383817
BNB 0.000614
BND 0.488036
BOB 4.408499
BRL 1.987585
BSD 0.383817
BSV 0.023972
BSW 1,059.072008
BTC 0.000006
BTCB 6.484517
BTG 0.874711
BTN 36.701143
BTT 1,410,767.201678
BUSD 0.383563
BWP 5.162650
BYN 1.160474
BYR 7,521.706023
BZD 0.770960
CAD 0.529768
CAKE 0.238170
CDF 879.866286
CELO 6.133035
CFX 8.763169
CHF 0.306550
CHZ 30.024843
CLP 353.718487
CNH 2.581333
CNY 2.581464
COMP 0.020827
COP 1,171.712562
CRC 172.798627
CRO 7.702720
CRV 1.471088
CSPR 143.709456
CUC 0.383760
CUP 10.169653
CVE 36.231617
CVX 0.237282
CYP 0.192305
CZK 7.941446
DAI 0.383770
DASH 0.012079
DCR 0.032488
DEM 0.642631
DFI 385.726777
DJF 68.170314
DKK 2.456331
DOGE 5.112362
DOP 22.415912
DOT 0.484939
DYDX 3.489139
DZD 50.937951
EEK 5.141045
EGLD 0.135104
EGP 19.440940
ENJ 15.168189
EOS 5.815533
ERN 5.757261
ESP 54.669755
ETB 62.376395
ETC 0.058177
ETH 0.000170
EUR 0.328572
EURC 0.330902
FEI 0.383331
FIL 0.570147
FIM 1.953599
FJD 0.844536
FKP 0.282082
FLOW 13.274971
FLR 59.694772
FRAX 0.387095
FRF 2.155290
FTT 1.849211
GALA 266.366610
GBP 0.282082
GGP 0.282082
GHC 42,470.566071
GHS 4.247057
GIP 0.282082
GMD 28.442407
GMX 0.056411
GNF 3,368.262374
GNO 0.003166
GRD 111.960856
GRT 27.431252
GT 0.055150
GTQ 2.921436
GUSD 0.384449
GYD 79.836046
HBAR 5.415697
HKD 3.009920
HNL 10.261057
HNT 2.214384
HOT 1,136.574019
HRK 2.475625
HT 3.379639
HTG 49.920193
HUF 119.571287
ICP 0.165499
IDR 6,832.694052
IEP 0.258771
ILS 1.143162
IMP 0.282082
IMX 3.668768
INJ 0.082632
INR 36.701143
IQD 499.900042
IRR 527,517.198951
ISK 46.726452
ITL 636.203806
JEP 0.282082
JMD 60.295115
JOD 0.272127
JPY 60.779813
KAS 14.393949
KAVA 9.324848
KCS 0.052618
KDA 81.740743
KES 49.682125
KGS 33.601000
KHR 1,545.781353
KLAY 15.615089
KMF 161.646751
KNC 3.626921
KPW 345.384573
KRW 534.889899
KSM 0.124656
KWD 0.118309
KYD 0.318835
KZT 177.044425
LAK 8,604.877733
LBP 34,306.912514
LDO 1.132731
LEO 0.041279
LINK 0.036620
LKR 126.292354
LRC 48.245323
LRD 69.494552
LSL 6.179737
LTC 0.008170
LTL 1.134493
LUF 13.254555
LUNA 8.680671
LUNC 7,597.068036
LVL 0.230920
LYD 2.428700
MAD 3.552095
MANA 5.725162
MBX 18.560185
MDL 6.579393
MGA 1,643.957658
MGF 8,219.788290
MINA 8.981452
MKD 20.264499
MKR 0.000264
MMK 805.807119
MNT 1,380.751305
MOP 3.100217
MRO 152.867443
MRU 15.286744
MTL 0.141056
MUR 18.027892
MVR 5.933320
MWK 662.488974
MXN 6.504785
MXV 0.742521
MYR 1.551688
MZM 24,493.048101
MZN 24.493048
NAD 6.179737
NEAR 0.220157
NEO 0.210870
NEXO 0.513974
NFT 1,362,820.500605
NGN 516.887007
NIO 14.083064
NLG 0.724077
NOK 3.580258
NPR 58.749355
NZD 0.645701
OKB 0.003749
OMR 0.147729
ONE 531.992741
OP 4.321429
ORDI 0.104256
PAB 0.383817
PAXG 0.000086
PEN 1.286079
PEPE 132,497.801228
PGK 1.723145
PHP 23.650334
PI 4.271012
PKR 106.105249
PLN 1.419056
POL 4.701960
PTE 65.872741
PYG 2,296.613947
QAR 1.397095
QNT 0.006495
QTUM 0.531735
ROL 17,238.129886
RON 1.723813
RPL 0.246812
RSD 38.557136
RUB 32.237000
RUNE 0.899897
RVN 147.233111
RWF 562.817259
SAND 9.292389
SAR 1.439315
SBD 3.070679
SCR 5.567524
SDD 23,035.279972
SDG 230.352800
SEK 3.622216
SGD 0.488036
SHIB 81,004.882824
SHP 0.282082
SIT 78.738957
SKK 9.898555
SLE 8.794190
SLL 8,794.189710
SNX 1.872472
SOL 0.004524
SOS 217.674318
SPL 0.063970
SRD 14.510407
SRG 14,510.406646
SSP 2,175.846643
STD 8,102.525921
STN 8.102526
STX 2.942387
SUI 0.543851
SVC 3.358402
SYP 4,989.654133
SZL 6.179737
THB 12.602225
THETA 2.553664
TJS 3.520552
TMM 6,715.401555
TMT 1.343080
TND 1.112331
TOP 0.914305
TRL 18,405,775.759778
TRX 1.149062
TRY 18.405776
TTD 2.594517
TUSD 0.384394
TVD 0.539959
TWD 12.219530
TWT 0.959713
TZS 1,015.867438
UAH 17.142362
UGX 1,426.084793
UNI 0.104817
USD 0.383817
USDC 0.383732
USDD 0.383988
USDP 0.384223
USDT 0.383960
UYU 15.356697
UZS 4,508.061183
VAL 636.203806
VEB 29,794,586,559.5629
VED 297.278540
VEF 29,727,854.013447
VES 297.278540
VET 79.074120
VND 10,026.287066
VUV 45.397629
WAVES 1.946318
WEMIX 1.983232
WOO 34.795833
WST 1.033682
XAF 215.529002
XAG 0.005737
XAU 0.000085
XAUT 0.000086
XBT 0.000006
XCD 1.038971
XCG 0.687500
XCH 0.270921
XDC 13.797988
XDR 0.280288
XEC 54,740.057891
XEM 819.796778
XLM 2.234681
XMR 0.000899
XOF 215.529002
XPD 0.000289
XPF 39.209051
XPT 0.000213
XRP 0.345900
XTZ 1.761894
YER 90.991973
ZAR 6.179737
ZEC 0.000684
ZIL 157.899543
ZMK 7,190.032379
ZMW 7.190032
ZWD 138.903511
ZWG 10.236530
ZWL 25,578.264628

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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.