The Best Time to Visit the Republic of Georgia

Why Visit Georgia in the Summer?

Summer in Georgia: June, July & August

The Tusheti road typically opens by mid-June, allowing travel to resume to villages throughout the region even as high alpine trails remain obscured by snow. You can expect those trails to open in Tusheti and Kazbegi National Parks by mid-summer, which is when travel here is at its most reliable and most popular. 

By July, fully receded snow reveals alpine trails and travel is back in business in the remote regions around Tusheti National Park. Tbilisi becomes intensely hot, and the city’s daily rhythms shift to later hours to accommodate the conditions; dinners are a late evening affair, and afternoons are for retiring indoors. Many Georgians escape to the Black Sea in the summer, where rocky beaches separate Mediterranean-like waters from steep, lush hillsides in places like Mtsvane Kontskhi and Kvariati.

While Tbilisi may be boiling, the high-altitude meadows, shaded valleys, and pine forests of the Caucasus Mountains are at their best in July and August. This is also the best time to experience the unique culture, architectural heritage, and traditions in remote villages like Omalo, Dartlo, Diklo, and Shenako.

What to Expect on Our Summer Tours

On our Hiking Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains trips, we’ll hike to remote villages near Tusheti where you’ll be welcomed with nightly Georgian feasts at family-run lodgings. Following our round-trip itinerary from Tbilisi, we’ll hike across the stunning Nakaicho Pass, past rushing rivers, stone towns, and snow-capped peaks as we cross between valleys, and enjoy wine tastings in Georgia’s famous Kakheti wine region along the way.

On a Caspian Odyssey summer departure, you’ll explore the historical sites of Tbilisi’s Old Town, marvel at the famous 6th century cave city of Uplistsikhe, and immerse yourself in Georgian cultural heritage at the old capital of Mtskheta on this rail journey crossing four countries en route to the Caspian Sea.

Why Visit Georgia in the Fall?

Fall in Georgia: September & October

September brings mild days and pleasantly cool evenings to Georgia, providing some relief in Tbilisi after a scorching summer. Black Sea beaches empty out as crowds head home, but mountain trails in the Caucasus remain alive and lush. Occasional fall rains and cooler temperatures warrant packing light layers. Rain becomes heavier and more frequent as the fall progresses, and you might even see snow at higher altitudes toward the end of the season. 

The window between peak summer season and unpredictable fall weather lands squarely in September, when the air is crisp, skies are mostly clear, and nights remain warm enough for enjoyable hiking trips through the mountains. On the coast, it’s a similar story; early September provides a brief window where waters are still warm, beaches are a little more quiet, and shops haven’t yet closed down for the season.

October brings beautiful foliage to the forests, the wine harvest (Rtveli) to Kakheti, and fewer travelers to Tbilisi—that is, with the exception of the city’s annual

Tbilisoba festival, held for two days near the end of the month. This is the time to take in Tbilisi’s stunning architecture, maze of old streets, and historical sites, armed with a jacket for the inevitable chill. Hiking plans are best limited to nearby lowland trails, as snow can fall early at even moderate altitudes; by November, Tusheti is impassable.

What to Expect on Our Fall Tours

Hiking Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains departures in early September let you experience the best of the fall season. You’ll see the bounty of the harvest season with traditional Georgian feasts serving up roasted lamb and local wines, along with tastings at an Eka vineyard. Hikes in the Kazbegi Mountains and through Tusheti National Park are quieter and cooler, letting us enjoy the benefits of shoulder season travel.

Caspian Odyssey Rail Tours in September enjoy historic sites like Tbilisi’s 5th century Sioni Cathedral, the otherworldly Uplistsikhe cave city, and the ancient capital of Mtskheta without the tourist crowds of summertime.

Why Visit Georgia in the Winter?

Winter in Georgia: November, December, January & February

Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures usher in the ski season in the mountains and effectively cut off remote villages and alpine trails near Tusheti. On the Black Sea coast, winters are mild but quiet, as some businesses in resort towns close for the season.

Tbilisi has a festive atmosphere in December, with the country’s largest Christmas market popping up in Orbeliani Square and remaining there until after Orthodox Christmas on January 7. On New Year’s Eve, Georgians celebrate in bars and outdoors with live music and fireworks.

Ski resort towns like Bakuriani and Gudauri become Georgia’s main winter attraction. Elsewhere, the Georgian winter is mild, wet, and quiet.

Those visiting Tbilisi in the winter may enjoy a trip to the city’s sulphur baths—traditional bath houses rather than luxury spas—which have a special place in the city’s history.

What to Expect on Our Winter Tours

We pause our Georgia trips during the winter—our expert local Trip Leaders start leading tours again in July.

Why Visit Georgia in the Spring?

Spring in Georgia: March, April & May

Spring is the rainy season in most of Georgia, with the exception of the humid Black Sea coast. Further inland, longer days and receding snow welcome hiking back to the foothills, though conditions can be muddy and unpredictable. Still, spring is a vibrant season in the Caucasus: verdant hillsides and alpine meadows in bloom against the backdrop of still-snowy peaks. In cities and towns, the streets and markets likewise come to life as Georgians take to the outdoors. 

Early spring in Georgia is predominantly cold, with unpredictable weather that can hinder hiking plans. Hiking trails near Tbilisi typically open around mid-April, followed by those in the foothills in mid-May. Even for those planning to stick to the cities, visiting Georgia in March or April requires packing for all weather; early spring snows aren’t unheard of.

May visitors can anticipate some rain and perhaps a few chilly days, but this is a great time to visit for those looking to enjoy city life in Tbilisi, sample wines in the Kakheti region, or take in the sites that earned Mtskheta its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to Expect on Our Spring Tours

We don’t run Georgia trips in spring—we resume our Georgia tours in July, when clear skies and higher temperatures lead to reliable hiking conditions in the Caucasus.