The Spinny Index: Georgia
Spinny's verdict: unscientific, but built on a lot of travel. 5 wheels = maximum.
Tbilisi and Mtskheta: sulfur baths, a golden cathedral and an ancient capital
Tbilisi takes its name from the Georgian word tbili, meaning warm, after its hot springs.
In the old Abanotubani district, the sulfur baths hide under distinctive brick domes.
Above the city rises the golden-domed Holy Trinity Cathedral, Sameba, completed in 2004.
Just outside the capital, Mtskheta was the ancient capital of the kingdom of Kartli. Its historical monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Best for: city breaks, food, history · Spinny tip: Book the sulfur baths in advance, especially on weekends.
Georgians are obsessed with…
Kakheti: 8,000 years of wine and clay jars buried in the ground
Georgian winemaking goes back to the Neolithic, around 6,000 BC, when wine was made in clay jars.
The traditional qvevri is an egg-shaped clay vessel, sealed and buried in the ground. UNESCO lists the method as intangible cultural heritage.
Wine country means Kakheti. The hilltop town of Sighnaghi looks out over the Alazani Valley.
Find tastings and wine routes in our guide to wine in Georgia.
Best for: wine, food, slow travel · Spinny tip: Ask for amber wine: white grapes left in contact with their skins, which turns the wine darker.
Spinny's food dare
Four words that open doors
| Hello | გამარჯობა | ga-mar-DZHO-ba |
| Thank you | მადლობა | MAD-lo-ba |
| Cheers! | გაუმარჯოს! | ga-u-MAR-dzhos |
| Goodbye | ნახვამდის | NAKH-vam-dis |
Capitals = stressed syllable. ə = a short, neutral vowel.
Kazbegi and Svaneti: a hilltop church and villages of stone towers
In Kazbegi, the Gergeti Trinity Church sits on a hill outside Stepantsminda, against the high back of Mount Kazbek.
Further west, Upper Svaneti is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its medieval tower houses.
In Ushguli, the village of Chazhashi alone has kept more than 200 of them. Ushguli is considered the highest inhabited settlement in Europe.
Best for: hiking, mountains, road trips · Spinny tip: In winter, the road over the Jvari Pass to Kazbegi can be restricted or closed because of avalanche danger. Check before you go.
Georgia in 60 seconds
- c. 6000 BC Neolithic farmers make wine in clay jars.
- 4th century Georgia converts to Christianity in the early 4th century.
- 1184 Queen Tamar takes the throne, aged about 20.
- 1991 Georgia declares independence on 9 April.
- Today A country with its own alphabet, its own language family and its own currency, the lari.
Batumi, Vardzia and Borjomi: Black Sea nights and a city carved into a cliff
Batumi is Georgia's Black Sea hotspot, with the palm-lined Batumi Boulevard and a botanical garden.
In the south, Vardzia is a cave city carved into a cliff in the 12th century. Queen Tamar turned it into a fortified monastery.
Nearby Borjomi gave its name to Georgia's famous mineral water. In the town's park, the Ekaterine Spring is a favorite stop.
Best for: beaches, history, road trips · Spinny tip: Wear good shoes in Vardzia. The cave paths have steps and tunnels.
Georgia: three easy mistakes
Georgia by numbers
Myth vs truth
💶 What it costs
Georgia is excellent value. Eating out is cheap, and public transport in Tbilisi costs very little.
A day in Georgia
Per person per day, sharing a double room, excluding flights.
Prices worth knowing
Spinny's money tips
- Shared minibuses go almost everywhere in the country for very little.
- Food and wine are excellent value. Family guesthouses often include a home-cooked dinner.
- In Tbilisi, use Bolt for taxis and the metro for longer trips.
🛂 Visa & entry (tourist stays)
- EU/EEA citizens: No visa needed for most EU citizens for stays of up to one year. You can enter with a passport or a national ID card issued in the EU. You must have health and accident insurance.
- US citizens: No visa needed for stays of up to 365 days. Your passport must be valid when you enter. Since 1 January 2026, you must show proof of health and accident insurance.
- UK citizens: No visa needed for stays of up to one year. Your passport should be valid for your whole stay. You must have health and accident insurance.
Other nationalities, longer stays or work: check the official source.
General guidance only, not legal advice. This information is collected automatically and may be incomplete or out of date. SpinYourDestination takes no responsibility for your entry to any country – always check the official source or the embassy before you travel.
