Georgia, or Sakartvelo, as it is known to locals, has long been a draw for Middle Eastern travellers thanks to its proximity to the region – Tbilisi is a four-hour flight from Dubai, making it prime long weekend territory. The country’s position between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea means that both climate and landscape vary dramatically depending on where – and when – you visit. So if you are thinking of planning a trip, this is the best time to visit Georgia.
Georgia’s weather
Georgia experiences the extremes of all four seasons, so you need to do your research before you travel. The east of the country experiences less year-round rainfall, but is also much colder, while in the west, temperatures are higher on average throughout the year, but so is rainfall. The north is home to the Greater Caucasus Mountains, which remain snow capped all year and are a big draw for skiers and snowboarders in the winter months.
When is the best time to visit Georgia?
Tbilisi and Eastern Georgia
The country’s capital Tbilisi is situated on the banks of the Kura River in south-eastern Georgia. The arid nature of the climate in this area means the peak summer months, July and August, are hot, with average temperatures sitting around 33°C, although it’s not uncommon for highs to reach 40°C. The months either side of summer are a good choice, with cooler temperatures and plenty of sunshine. In late spring, the city is at its prettiest, when the pink cherry, plum and magnolia blossoms come into full bloom.
March can be unpredictable but by April, temperatures settle at around 20°C, with an average of seven days of rainfall. In May, highs average 25°C, with an average of 10 days of rainfall, while in June, temperatures reach highs of 30°C, with an average of nine days of rainfall. September offers the best of the weather, with temperatures averaging 28°C and just four days of rainfall. September is also a great time to visit nearby Kakheti, the most eastern region of Georgia, as it coincides with the annual rtveli wine harvest. After September, temperatures begin to drop off quickly, and while winters are largely dry in this part of the country, you’ll need to wrap up warm if you plan to visit between November and March, when you’ll be lucky if temperatures hit double figures.
Best months: April and September
Batumi and Western Georgia
The west coast of Georgia experiences heavier rainfall than other parts of the country, and summer temperatures are also slightly cooler than to the east. In Batumi, Georgia’s second city, these months are the best time to visit to make the most of its beaches and coastal position. Between June and August, temperatures hover in the mid-twenties, with an average of nine days of rainfall each month. Winters in the west of Georgia are wet and mild, with up to 14 days of rain each month between November and January, and average temperatures of 12°C.
Best month: July
Caucasus Mountains
The Caucasus Mountains are the highest mountain range in Europe, with the tallest peak towering 400 metres above Mont Blanc in the Alps. Naturally, this area attracts snowsports enthusiasts, who flock to areas like Gudauri, Bakuriani, Svaneti and Goderdzi for skiing and snowboarding. Each winter, the mountains experience between 10 and 13cm of snowfall, with the heaviest snow falling on the southwestern slopes. If skiing is not your thing, these mountains are just as beautiful once the snow melts away in spring, when wildflowers blanket valleys.
Best months: December to February
Where to stay in Georgia?
If you are looking for a base to explore the capital, Unfound Door has become one of Tbilisi’s most talked-about hotels since opening in 2021. Not only are the nature-inspired rooms in this design hotel both comfortable and chic, it’s ideally positioned across the river, close to Marjanishvili metro station – a perfect base for exploring.
If you are heading for the slopes, the stylish Rooms Kokhta hotel offers ski-in, ski-out access to the Bakuriani slopes. With eight lifts and 23 runs accessible from right outside the door, you can zoom down the slopes and easily get back to the hotel whenever you need to refuel on cheesy khachapuri bread, steaming khinkhali dumplings and a bowl of piping hot kharcho stew. The hotel plans to open a heated indoor pool in time for the coming 2023-2024 ski season, which will be the perfect way to soothe tired muscles at the end of a ski day.