When to visit Georgia: a guide for every season

Summers in Georgia follow the European timeframe from June to September. Most Georgians make a trip to the milder coastal region of Adjara in July and August, escaping the sweltering heat in the southern and central lowlands. For this reason, expect prices in Batumi between June to the end of August to be higher than in the capital city and the rest of the country.

The Black Sea provides a chance to enjoy some relief, complete with sea breezes. Most Black Sea beaches are rocky and pebbly (rather than sandy), with clear, warm water. Along the coast, from the port city of Batumi, also known as the “Pearl of the Black Sea” to the Sarpi Turkish Border, are several popular beaches. 

These include a Central Zone of beaches in Batumi with nice infrastructure, great for families with children because of the gradual incline. This zone of beaches adjoins the long, beautiful and well-maintained Batumi promenade, with pine and eucalyptus forests, fountains, cafes, gardens, and shops.

Some sections of the seafront are home to paid beach clubs with food, bar, and amenities. These beaches can be quite packed from late June through August.

If you’re into more of a bar beach scene with nightlife activities, further down the coast are the more lively beaches of Gonio and Sarpi.

And, to the north of Batumi, are the Shekvetili, Kaprovani and Ureki beaches in the Guria district, composed of therapeutic magnetic sand that relieves several muscular and cardiovascular issues. 

If you’d rather head into the mountains for relief from the heat, summer is a great time to go north and explore the Caucasus Mountains, as they will be free from winter snow.

Whether you hike to the summit of Mt. Kazbek (5,047 metres), one of the highest mountains in all of Europe, or meander through villages in the hidden valleys of Tusheti, Georgia is a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts. Head east, and you can trek to Black Rock Lake in the protected Lagodekhi National Park (for exotic wildlife). The wide array of possible treks offer the chance to see gorgeous waterfalls, flower-filled valleys and historic churches and monasteries.

As summer temperatures cool down, mid-September through October are the best months to go for those activities that were either too hot to contemplate in summer, or that come around only in this short but lovely season. It’s still possible to do many of the hikes in the Caucasus Mountains mentioned above, and the weather will be more enjoyable for taking in landmarks and historic ruins in the crisp, fresh air.

Even the capital city, Tbilisi (sweltering in summer!) offers great weather in autumn. Set out on a sightseeing tour of the large European-style city itself, or take a hike at the nearby David Gareji Monastery. You can tour the area surrounding Tbilisi by car to view brilliant autumn foliage, or visit Kakheti (to the east) for the yearly wine harvests, an important aspect of Georgian culture, plus seasonal festivals.

If you head west to the Black Sea area, the summer throngs will have gone, and you can enjoy the still-warm waters and milder temperatures in peace. Batumi also offers other activities that are wonderful in autumn, such as touring the Botanical Gardens and lounging around at the now uncrowded seaside resorts.

Late Autumn in Georgia

In the mountain regions, until late October you may still be able to take hikes in Svaneti and Borjomi (just check for weather; you never know!).

By late October and November in Georgia, the weather is already becoming less predictable and quite changeable from one day to the next. Throughout the country, you might have warm days interspersed with rainy, colder days. Now is the time to enjoy still-pleasant weather, with often discounted rates on hotels and resorts. 

You can also take the opportunity at this time to visit the cave cities of Uplistikhe or Vardzia.

Although you’ll no longer find the fall foliage in most of the country, you can still find colourful landscapes in Adjara, on the coast, in late October, along with the warmest weather in the country for this time period.

If you love winter, snow and snow sports, you will absolutely love December through March in Georgia! Almost 85% of the country bears mountainous terrain, so little mountain villages and small cities turn into enchanting winter fairylands, with some receiving heavy snows, while others see only a romantic dusting.

Tbilisi and Batumi generally have mild winter weather, with only occasional snow. Although these cities see sunny days, you might have cloudy weather, perfect for taking a sulphur bath in Tbilisi, for meandering through Batumi’s large casinos, or visiting one of the town’s unique cultural museums. 

Skiing and other winter sports commence from late December and continue through April. Take to the slopes in the popular mountain areas such as Bakuriani or Borjormi, or simply enjoy a cozy winter environment in magical Stepantsminda in Kazbegi.

Winter is a great time to visit all Georgian cities and towns, because the country’s Orthodox Christian Christmas period extends from December 25 (less fanfare) through Orthodox Christmas day on January 7, through stupendous New Year’s festivities and culminating on January 13-14 when Orthodox New Year is celebrated by all. 

Holiday supra dinners abound, complete with glint wine and celebratory foods throughout the festive season. If you love fireworks, don’t miss New Year's (December 31st). 

We attended a supra in Batumi, where the new year was ushered in at midnight with the most stupendous organically-occurring city-wide fireworks display we’ve seen anywhere in the world.

Rather than an organized program, Georgians fire off random fireworks from wherever they are in the city. It made for a sky filled with dazzling colours that completely surrounded us all at once. It continued for 20-30 minutes – truly an experience like no other!

Hint: best seen from no higher than a 6th-floor terrace, if you can manage it...

With wintry weather finally easing off, springtime, between March-May is a great time to visit Georgia. Depending on where you are, you’ll still have random periods of rain, but the air becomes fresh and flowers start to emerge.

Spring is perfect for driving around the country, visiting picturesque villages, and taking leisurely hikes through valleys and blooming meadows and enjoying the start of birdwatching season.

Springtime also brings the celebration of Orthodox Easter in Georgia, one of the country’s main holidays. Because so many visitors from the region come to Georgia for Easter, prices in April could be higher – book well in advance! 

If you stay with a family at a cozy guesthouse, you can experience the Easter festivities (which are charming and numerous) as they unfold over the period preceding Easter Sunday.

Most Georgian cities host seasonal festivals for their area, featuring local music, dance, cuisine, beer, wine, and fun. These are named with the suffix “-oba” added to the city name, or the topic name, indicating “the day of” as in:

• Tbilisoba –Tbilisi, last weekend in October 

• Kutaisoba – Kutaisi, usually in beginning of May

• Alaverdoba – Kakheti, September

• Svanetoba -  Mestia, Svaneti region, late September

• Tushetoba - remote Tusheti village, August  

Other popular festivals are:

• Rtveli Wine Festival - September-October, depending on the weather for the grape harvest, celebrating Georgian winemaking, grape-stamping, and local cuisine.

• Black Sea Jazz Festival – Batumi, and other seaside locations in July, featuringjazz plus other music. 

• Adjika Festival - Zugdidi, Samegrelo region - summer or autumn, dedicated to enjoying the fiery Georgian culinary spice mix, adjika. 

• Borjomi Balneological Festival, Borjomi town – August, celebrating over 130 years of pure Borjomi mineral water in cool Borjomi at 1,100 meters elevation.

• Tbilisi Cheese Festival – Tbilisi, April & Summer, celebrating artisanal cheeses from all over Georgia, plus Georgian cuisine. 

• Tsinandali Music Festival - Kakheti, at Tsinandali Estates, end of August,  promoting the language of music in the Caucasus region, via youth performers.