Wedged between the snowy peaks of the Caucasus and the Black Sea, Georgia is a place where time slows down and strangers treat you like family. It’s one of the most welcoming – and wildly underrated – countries I’ve travelled, where wine flows freely, mountains scrape the sky, and the hospitality is unmatched.
Independent travel is easy and affordable. Marshrutkas (minibuses) connect most towns, hitchhiking is common and safe, and budget-friendly guesthouses and homestays are widely available.
I have been to Georgia four times already and I still can’t wait to go back. Wandering through remote valleys, sharing homemade chacha with villagers, and trekking into landscapes that felt utterly untouched. From ancient monasteries to alpine villages only reachable by foot, this is a country made for the curious, the bold, and the wild at heart.
Visa
Most nationalities can get a free 365-day visa on arrival. There’s also an eVisa system.
Quick Facts
Capital: Tbilisi
Population: 3.7 million
Language: Georgian
but Russian is widely spoken
Currency: Georgian Lari
Area: 69 700 km2
Best Time to Visit
Georgia can be a year-round destination.
Summers are best for trekking in the Caucasus mountains.
Spring and autumn are the best to enjoy cities and lower-altitudes mountains.
Highlights
Transportation
Georgia has a good network of marshrutkas, trains, and buses. Hitchhiking is common, safe, and a great way to meet locals.
Budget
Georgia is affordable – food, transport, and guesthouses are cheap, making it ideal for budget backpackers.
Safety
Georgia is very safe, even in rural and remote areas. I always felt safe, even as a solo female traveller. Locals are extremely friendly and hospitable.