According to itypetravel, Georgia (Georgian: საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is located on the border of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, thus forming a transcontinental state (a country located on two continents). Politically, Georgia is a European country. Georgia has been independent from the former Soviet Union since 1991. Georgia borders Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. The disputed areas of Abkhazia and South Ossetia also fall under Georgian territory. The capital of Georgia is Tbilisi (Tiflis). A number of major cities in Georgia are: Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi and Poti.
According to countryvv, Georgia is known for the war with Abkhazia and South Ossetia in which it has been embroiled for years. Both areas claim to be independent, while few international countries support them. These border areas are often the scene of outbursts of violence. The country is a major producer of tea and oil. Tourists who visit Georgia often come for the old towns, the Black Sea, spas and winter sports. Georgia is also known for its beautiful mountain landscapes. In recent years, Georgia has been on the rise as a holiday destination.
Where is Georgia?
Travel information of Georgia
Official name: Georgia
Continent: Europe and Asia
Area: 69,700 km²
Capital: Tbilisi (Tiflis)
Country code: GE, GEO
Population: 3,728,600 inhabitants (2021)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 5,193 m (Shkhara)
Distance (Amsterdam – Tbilisi): 3,203 km
Flight time: approximately 4 hours
Travel advice
Current status: All travel to certain areas in Georgia is discouraged.
Current color code: Yellow and red. Due to this status, a partial negative travel advice
is in effect for Georgia.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be (temporary) measures in Georgia that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Georgia, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Georgia. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (car rental, hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compose your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Georgia?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay in Georgia at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
Georgia has a subtropical climate. The temperatures are around freezing point in the winter months and between 20 and 30 degrees in the summer months. In the mountain areas, temperatures are around -5 and 15 degrees respectively.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Georgia can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Georgia can be found at Climate info.
Best time
April, May and September are the best months to travel to Georgia. This avoids the most rainfall and you have the most pleasant temperatures.
Language
Georgian is the official language in Georgia. In addition, Mingrelian, Svanetic and Lazian are spoken.
Would you like to translate from or into Georgian for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon departure from Georgia.
A visa is not necessary if you stay in Georgia for less than 360 days.
Important: The Georgian authorities are launching criminal prosecutions, which could lead to severe penalties against anyone who enters separatist areas without crossing a Georgian border post. The presence in a passport of an accession stamp issued by the authorities of Abkhazia or South Ossetia is sufficient for prosecutions to take effect.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Georgia: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Georgian Embassy and Consulate in the Netherlands: netherlands.mfa.gov.ge.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
Before visiting Georgia, it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Malaria
Malaria occurs in Georgia (with the exception of Tbilisi). Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by malaria mosquitoes. This infectious disease can lead to death if not treated in time and/or incorrectly.
For prevention and control of malaria, please visit our malaria page.
Money and Currency
In Georgia, payment is made with the Georgian lari (GEL).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in Georgia can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices in Georgia are much lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -58% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (63% cheaper), food (55% cheaper), imported beer in catering (62% cheaper), cigarettes (81% cheaper) and public transport (93% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In Georgia it is not customary to tip. Service charges are automatically calculated in some tourist areas.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 2 hours later in Georgia.
During our winter time it is 3 hours later in Georgia.
Georgia has no difference in winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone for Georgia can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Georgia you have to drive on the right.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Georgia.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Georgia.
Electricity
In Georgia the same plugs and sockets are used as in the Netherlands.
More information about electricity in Georgia can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 911
– Fire: 911
– Ambulance: 911
Tap water
Outside the big cities it is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Georgia can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Georgia can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Georgia end in.ge.
Georgia’s official website: georgia.travel.
Telephony
The country code (international prefix) to call someone in Georgia is 00995 or +995.
If you want to call the Netherlands from Georgia, first dial 8 (wait for dial tone) and then dial 1031.
(If you use a country code, you must omit the first 0 of the number to be called.)
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of Georgia.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Georgia.
Public holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Georgia can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in Georgia, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Georgia?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Georgia. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Georgia can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in Georgia can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Georgia? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol and money, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business in or do business with Georgia, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Georgia, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Georgia.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 16.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.3.
– Tobacco: Buy from the age of 18, smoking at all ages.
– Smoking ban: Unknown
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know that…
…Georgia is a small part of Europe?
…Georgia is an excellent winter sports destination?
…One can find the oldest cave in the world (Voronya) in Georgia?
…Inhabitants of Georgia call their country Sakartvelo?
…The first Europeans lived in Georgia?
Our verdict on Georgia as a travel destination
Hospitable Georgia is a relatively short flight from the Netherlands. The country has not yet been discovered by the general public and is therefore still relatively cheap. Impressive mountain landscapes, historic towns and a beautiful coast, in combination with the pleasant climate, provide a very varied and pleasant travel experience. Georgia is ideal for the active and adventurous traveler who goes on a (group) tour through the country. After Georgia formed the backdrop for the popular “Who is the mole?” in 2018. series, the country has aroused the interest of many Dutch people.
