Georgia is having a moment. Tbilisi was named the world's second top trending destination for 2026 by Tripadvisor — and travelers who have been here know exactly why. Ancient culture, extraordinary food, some of the world's oldest wine, and a hospitality tradition that makes every guest feel like family.
This is your complete guide to visiting Georgia for the first time in 2026.
Why Visit Georgia in 2026
Georgia sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia — and it shows in everything from the architecture to the food. Tbilisi's Old Town is a maze of wooden balconies, sulfur baths, and churches that date back to the 5th century. The countryside offers snow-capped Caucasus mountains, ancient monasteries, and wine regions that have been producing qvevri wine for 8,000 years.
And yet Georgia remains remarkably uncrowded. The tourists have not arrived in the numbers that have overwhelmed other European destinations. Go now — before they do.
Getting to Georgia
Most international visitors fly into Tbilisi International Airport. Direct flights are available from most major European cities, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Dubai, and many other hubs.
No visa is required for citizens of most European countries, the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Israel, and many others. Check the Georgian e-Visa portal for your specific nationality.
Where to Stay in Tbilisi
Old Town — The historic heart of Tbilisi. Walking distance from everything. Best for first-time visitors who want to experience the city's atmosphere.
Sololaki — A slightly quieter neighborhood with beautiful 19th century architecture, hidden courtyards, and some of the best local restaurants.
Vera — A residential neighborhood popular with expats and long-term visitors. More local feel, excellent cafés and wine bars.
Budget travelers can find excellent guesthouses for $20-30 per night. Mid-range hotels run $60-120. Tbilisi offers exceptional value compared to most European cities.
Georgian Food — What to Eat
Georgian food is one of the greatest surprises for first-time visitors. Rich, flavourful, and completely unlike anything else.
Khinkali — Georgia's iconic soup dumplings. Large pleated dumplings filled with spiced meat and broth. Hold by the knot, bite a small hole, drink the broth, eat the dumpling. Never cut with a knife. Never eat the knot — it is a handle.
Khachapuri — Georgia's cheese bread. The Adjarian version is a boat-shaped bread filled with melted sulguni cheese, topped with butter and a raw egg. Break the edges and mix everything together.
Pkhali — Walnut and herb balls made from spinach, beetroot, or green beans. Cold, dense, and extraordinary.
Badrijani Nigvzit — Fried eggplant rolled around walnut paste with garlic and spices.
Georgian Wine — Georgia is the birthplace of wine. The qvevri method — fermenting wine in clay pots buried underground — produces extraordinary amber wines unlike anything else in the world. Try Rkatsiteli, Manavis Mtsvane, and Saperavi. If you are lucky, try - Khvanchkara and Usakhelauri. (Very rare type of Georgian wine)
The Georgian Supra — The Most Important Cultural Experience
If you do one thing in Georgia, experience a Georgian supra.
A supra is not just a dinner. It is an ancient ritual — a structured feast with a Tamada (toastmaster) who leads the table through a series of toasts. To Georgia. To family. To guests. To those who are no longer with us. Each toast is a short speech. The food is endless. The wine flows.
Georgian hospitality holds that a guest is a gift from God. At a supra, you will feel this is not just a saying.
The most authentic supra experience is not in a restaurant — it is in someone's real home. SecreTable connects international travelers with local Georgian families who host authentic supra dinners in Tbilisi and across Georgia. Real food, real hosts, real stories.
Book your Georgian experience at SecreTable
Things to Do in Tbilisi
Old Town Walking Tour — Get lost in the narrow streets of Old Town. Find the wooden balconies, the hidden courtyards, the 6th century Metekhi Church perched above the river.
Narikala Fortress — A 4th century fortress overlooking the city. Take the cable car up, walk down through the botanical garden.
Sulfur Baths of Abanotubani — Tbilisi's famous sulfur baths in the city's oldest neighborhood. Private rooms available from 15-20 GEL per hour.
Dry Bridge Flea Market — One of the best flea markets in the world. Soviet memorabilia, antique jewelry, art, and handicrafts spread across the bridge every weekend.
Georgian National Museum — Georgia's history from the Bronze Age to the Soviet period. The Golden Treasures exhibit is extraordinary.
Day Trip to Mtskheta — Georgia's ancient capital, 20 minutes from Tbilisi. UNESCO-listed Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery with views over two rivers.
Day Trip to Kakheti — Georgia's wine country. Wineries, monasteries, and the beautiful city of Sighnaghi perched on a hilltop above the Alazani valley.
Getting Around Georgia
Tbilisi — Metro, buses, and Bolt taxis. The metro is cheap and efficient. Bolt is the preferred app for taxis — always cheaper than street taxis.
Intercity — Minibuses connect all major cities. Fast, cheap, and run frequently. Tbilisi to Batumi: 5-6 hours, around 25-30 GEL.
Car rental — Recommended for exploring Kakheti, Kazbegi, and Svaneti. Roads outside Tbilisi vary in quality — a 4x4 is recommended for mountain regions.
Georgia Travel Tips for 2026
Language — Georgian is unlike any other language in the world. English is widely spoken in Tbilisi, especially among younger people.
Currency — Georgian Lari (GEL). 1 USD = approximately 2.7 GEL. Cash is king outside Tbilisi — bring small bills.
Safety — Georgia is one of the safest countries in the world. Crime rates are extremely low. Tbilisi is safe to walk at night.
Best time to visit — Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-November) offer the best weather. Summer is hot but lively. Winter brings ski season in Gudauri.
Tipping — 10% in tourist-oriented restaurants. Nothing expected in local canteens.
How to Eat Like a Local in Georgia
The best meal you will eat in Georgia will not be in a restaurant. It will be in someone's home.
SecreTable connects international travelers with local Georgian families for authentic home dining experiences across Tbilisi, Kakheti, Batumi, and beyond. Choose a sit-down supra dinner, a Georgian cooking class where you make khinkali and khachapuri from scratch, or order authentic home-cooked Georgian food for pickup.
Real homes. Real food. Real Georgia.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Georgia?
The best time to visit Georgia is spring (April-June) and autumn (September-November) when the weather is mild, the landscapes are beautiful, and tourist crowds are smaller.
What is Georgian food like?
Georgian food is rich, flavourful, and unique. Must-try dishes include khinkali (soup dumplings), khachapuri (cheese in the bread), pkhali, badrijani, etc. Georgian wine is extraordinary — Georgia is the birthplace of wine with 8,000 years of winemaking history.
What is a Georgian supra?
A Georgian supra is a traditional feast with multiple dishes, Georgian wine, and toasts led by a Tamada (toastmaster). It is one of the most extraordinary cultural experiences in the world and has been practiced for over 8,000 years.
Is Georgia expensive to visit?
Georgia is one of the most affordable destinations in Europe. Budget travellers can get by on $50-60 per day including accommodation, food, and transport. A khinkali costs around 1.50 GEL (less than $1).
How do I eat with locals in Georgia?
SecreTable connects international travelers with local Georgian families for authentic supra dinners and cooking classes in Tbilisi and across Georgia. Real homes, real food, real culture.