Qvevri wine, the supra feast, Svaneti and Kazbegi, three alphabets, UNESCO sites, khachapuri and khinkali, the lari and visa-free entry: what first-time visitors to Georgia notice.
Georgia is a small country where subtropical coast, high Caucasus mountains, dry eastern valleys and a very old wine culture sit within a few hours of each other by road. This is an editorial guide for people arriving for the first time, on a holiday or a viewing trip. We list what visitors tend to notice and, where we could check it, the source behind the fact.
1. Wine made in buried clay jars
The ancient Georgian method of making wine in the qvevri, an egg-shaped clay vessel buried in the ground, was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013. Grape juice, skins and stalks are sealed in the jar and ferment underground for several months; UNESCO describes a tradition passed down in families and village communities, with roots going back to around 6000 BC. Many cellars and family wineries will show you a qvevri and let you taste the result.
2. The supra: a feast with a toastmaster
A traditional Georgian feast, the supra, is led by a toastmaster, the tamada, who proposes a sequence of toasts, each of which can last several minutes and refers to family, history, friends or the people who are no longer present. As a guest you are not expected to know the order; follow the table, raise the glass when others do, and pace yourself, because the table is long and the dishes keep coming.
3. Three alphabets, one of them in everyday use
The Georgian script looks like nothing else you have seen. UNESCO inscribed the living culture of three writing systems of the Georgian alphabet in 2016: Mrgvlovani, Nuskhuri and Mkhedruli. Mkhedruli is the one taught in schools and used on signs and menus today; the older two survive mainly in church contexts. Street signs in cities usually also carry Latin letters, and an offline translator app on your phone helps with menus.
4. UNESCO sites: old churches and a rainforest
Georgia's World Heritage list includes the Historical Monuments of Mtskheta and Gelati Monastery (both inscribed in 1994), Upper Svaneti (1996) and the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands (2021), the first natural property of the country. Check the UNESCO page for Georgia for the current list, which can change after each committee session.
5. Svaneti: towers in the high mountains
Upper Svaneti is a valley along the Enguri river between the Greater Caucasus and the Svaneti Range, known for its medieval stone towers, which served both as homes and as defence. The area is remote and the roads are mountain roads: allow extra time and check weather, especially outside summer.
6. Kazbegi and the Gergeti church
Stepantsminda, often called Kazbegi, lies about 165 km north of Tbilisi at an altitude of roughly 1,740 m, at the foot of Mount Kazbek (5,054 m). The 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church on its hill, with the snow cap behind it, is one of the most photographed views in the country. The road from Tbilisi is the Georgian Military Road; in winter it can be affected by snow.
7. Bread, cheese and dumplings
Khachapuri is bread filled with cheese, and it comes in regional types; the boat-shaped Adjarian version, with an egg on top, is the one visitors meet most often on the coast. Khinkali are large dumplings with a twisted top, usually eaten by hand. Vegetarians will find plenty of options: walnut-based dishes, beans, aubergine rolls and fresh herbs are everywhere.
8. Several climates in a small country
The Black Sea coast around Batumi is humid subtropical with mild winters and heavy rainfall; Tbilisi and the east are drier with hot summers and cold spells in winter; the high mountains have snow for much of the year. Plan the trip by region rather than for the whole country. Look at the Batumi guide and the Tbilisi guide for the two main cities.
9. Hospitality as a habit
Visitors often mention that locals are glad to help with directions, recommend a restaurant or invite them to taste something. Treat it as courtesy, return it with thanks, and do not feel obliged to accept every offer; a polite refusal is understood.
10. A year without a visa for many travellers
Georgia allows visa-free entry for citizens of about a hundred countries; one source counts 101, and the stay is reported as up to 365 days. The authoritative list is kept by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, and it is the page to check before you book, together with the rules for your own passport. Note that a visa-free stay and a residence permit are different things; see our overview of Georgia's residence options.
11. The lari and everyday payments
The currency is the Georgian lari (GEL, symbol ₾), divided into 100 tetri; it was introduced in 1995. Cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist places, but keep some cash for markets, taxis and village shops. The National Bank of Georgia publishes the official exchange rate, which is useful for comparing with the rates you are offered at exchange offices.
12. Old and new in the same city
In Tbilisi and Batumi you see medieval fortresses, Soviet blocks and glass towers within sight of one another. It is part of what makes the country feel unfinished in a good way: there is a lot to look at, and the landscape changes every hour of driving.
Practical tips for your first visit
- Check the visa-free rules and the validity of your passport on the official foreign ministry page before you fly.
- Airports in Tbilisi and Batumi have international connections; a day train and domestic roads link the two cities (reported journey of roughly five hours).
- Taxi apps are common in cities; agree on or check the price before a long trip.
- Mountain roads need time and good weather; do not plan tight connections on the same day.
- Dress modestly in churches (covered shoulders and knees; women often cover their heads), and ask before photographing people.
- European emergency number: 112 works in Georgia.
FAQ
What is qvevri wine? Wine fermented and aged in a buried clay jar, a method that UNESCO added to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013.
Do I need a visa? It depends on your passport. Many nationalities can enter visa-free and stay for up to a year; confirm on the foreign ministry website.
Which currency should I carry? The lari. Cards work widely in cities, but cash helps outside them.
When is the best time to visit? Spring and autumn suit most regions; summer is warm on the coast and in the mountains, while the east can be hot.
Can I combine a trip with viewing property? Yes. Read how to plan a viewing trip and the Georgia property guide.
How we help
This article is editorial and is not legal, tax or investment advice. D.H. Realting is a trilingual platform (Russian, Polish, English). If your trip to Georgia includes looking at homes, you can browse listings in Georgia and read the country page. We coordinate independent local lawyers and tax advisers; please verify current rules before you decide.