Georgia Travel Guide: Tbilisi, Kazbegi, Wine Country in 2026

Georgia has one of the world's most generous visa policies.

Citizens of 98 countries — including the EU (all Nordic countries), United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Israel, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Japan, and South Korea — can enter visa-free and stay for up to one year. Russian citizens also enter visa-free for up to 1 year.

Citizens of countries not on the visa-free list can apply for an e-Visa via the official portal at geoconsul.gov.ge — usually approved within 5 working days. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry. A return ticket is not technically required but airlines may ask.

Always confirm current rules before flying — Georgia's policy is generous but reviewed periodically.

A balanced first trip: 3 nights in Tbilisi (Old Town, sulphur baths, Narikala Fortress, Mtatsminda Park, day trip to Mtskheta — Georgia's spiritual capital), 2 nights in Kazbegi (the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church with Mount Kazbek behind, ~3 hours' drive on the Georgian Military Highway, with stops at Ananuri and Jinvali Reservoir), and 2 nights in Kakheti wine country (Signagi for the hilltop town and 24-hour wedding palace, Telavi as base, visits to Schuchmann or Twins Wine House to taste qvevri-fermented wines).

With 10–14 days, swap or add Svaneti (Mestia and Ushguli — Georgia's most dramatic mountain region, reachable by an 8-hour marshrutka or a twice-weekly flight from Tbilisi) or Borjomi.

Kazbegi (officially Stepantsminda), about 3 hours by car or marshrutka north of Tbilisi along the spectacular Georgian Military Highway. The 14th-century stone church sits at 2,170m with Mount Kazbek's 5,047m peak behind it — the photo every Georgia article uses.

To reach the church itself: hike up from town (about 1.5 hours, moderate climb) or take a 4x4 taxi (around 50 GEL one way). The viewpoint just below the church is where the iconic shot is taken.

Stay at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi — the landmark property with a terrace view that justifies the price (book months ahead in summer), or budget guesthouses from $30/night. Kazbegi sits at 1,750m, so give yourself a day to adjust if you came straight from sea level.

Georgia is one of the world's oldest wine countries — 8,000 years of continuous winemaking, much of it still fermented in clay qvevri buried underground (a UNESCO-listed practice).

The Kakheti region is the heart of wine country; book a half-day at a working winery rather than just tastings. Saperavi (red) and Rkatsiteli (white) are the iconic native varieties.

For food: khachapuri (cheese-filled bread, with the Adjarian version — boat-shaped with egg on top — the most photographed), khinkali (juicy dumplings, eaten by hand, drink the broth first), mtsvadi (skewered grilled meat), lobio (bean stew), and the supra feast tradition with endless toasts.

A traditional toastmaster (tamada) runs a good supra. Tipping isn't expected but 10% is appreciated at restaurants.

Yes — Georgia ranks among the best-value travel destinations in the world for the quality of experience it delivers.

Realistic 2026 totals for 5 days per person: budget (hostel dorms, marshrutkas, local restaurants, group tours) $400–550; mid-range (boutique hotel, restaurants, private guide for a day, train + driver) $700–1,000; luxury (Stamba or Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, fine dining, private everything, wine purchases) $1,500–2,500+.

Tbilisi metro is 1 GEL per ride (~$0.35). Use Bolt (cheaper) or Yandex for taxis — never accept a street-hailed cab without the app or meter. A full bottle of decent Kakhetian wine in a restaurant runs $10–15; the same bottle in a village winery, $5.