Best time to visit Georgia

January is usually the coldest time of year in Georgia. The coldest areas are up in the Caucasus Mountains and over the eastern plains of the country. Eastern areas of Georgia experience a continental type of climate with cold and dry winters. Tbilisi enjoys short but sunny days with about three hours of sunshine and only about five days of precipitation in January. In some areas, winter temperatures can drop to -30°C (-22° F) on the coldest days. Mountains are covered with a thick snow carpet, offering excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions on a crisp winter day. Coastal areas of Georgia are warmer as the Black Sea from the west and the mountains from the north ensure the dominant subtropical climate in this part of the country. Along the coast, winters are fairly mild, with average temperatures hovering well above the freezing point. January is one of the wettest months on the Georgian coast with about 15 rainy days in Batumi and other seaside destinations.

In February you might need a winter jacket and a warm hat in any part of the country. In Tbilisi, temperatures mostly hover over freezing, so even when it snows, everything melts down quickly. Although Georgian capital is relatively warm, make sure to find well-heated accommodation as nights are cold. Mountainous areas of Georgia are covered with a thick snow carpet, so resorts like Gudauri, Bakuriani, and Khatsvali are the right place to be if you are into skiing and snowboarding. There are occasional road closures due to avalanches in this part of the country. The Black Sea coast is chilly and rainy in February, with air and water temperatures as cold as in January. Generally, February is not the best month for sightseeing, but it’s excellent for winter sports.

March brings true spring weather to the western areas of Georgia. By the end of March, spring is enters in full swing in Tbilisi and other inland cities and towns with abundant tree blossoms. The temperatures change dramatically from the winterish cold in the first days of March to almost summery in late March. Yet, nights are chilly, and the weather across the country is unstable, with significant daily temperature changes with close-to-freezing temps at night. In Kutaisi and Batumi, you might be lucky to wear a light jacket, but sudden rainstorms will make you opt for indoor activities. In the Caucasus Mountains at altitudes over 2,000 m (6,500 ft), there is still plenty of snow with occasional road closures and temperatures below freezing.

Weather in April remains unstable and unpredictable. Tbilisi, Borzhomi, and Kutaisi get warmer and register more sunshine than in previous months. Spring blossoms fill the cities and countryside. Nature awakens, landscapes are getting greener, but if you plan on hiking, account for snow up in the mountains. Coastal towns and cities tend to be chillier than the inland plains due to low sea temperatures. For about half a month, Batumi experiences rainy days, so it’s not the most pleasant time of year to spend your vacation on the Georgian coast. At higher altitudes, snow remains on the slopes through the end of the month, and temperatures crawl to above-freezing during the day and drop close to freezing at night. Pack layers of clothes so that you can be prepared for a cold, windy day on the coast and the following day enjoy a sunny day in a T-shirt somewhere in Tbilisi.

Late spring is a pleasant time for exploring Georgia as it’s not too hot or too cold. May brings more rainy days to the inland areas, including Tbilisi, so make sure to pack an umbrella. Generally, the days promise good weather for exploring Kutaisi, Kakheti, and Tbilisi, and don’t let an afternoon rainstorm ruin your trip. By the end of the month, temperatures are summerish across the country, even in Batumi. Air and sea temperatures on the Black Sea coast might be warm enough for spending a day or two at the beach, but only the brave ones swim in yet-chilly waters. When it gets warmer up in the mountains with night temperatures well above freezing, the snow melts, so May is the time to drive to Svaneti and Kazbegi regions to spot breathtakingly beautiful snow-capped mountain peaks.

One of the best months to visit Georgia weatherwise, as you can combine a beach vacation with a mountain holiday. The sea temperatures reach more swimming-friendly levels, and the first few weeks of June on the Black Sea coast are usually not too crowded. Batumi registers more than ten rainy days, but relatively high temperatures and long days make up for precipitation. Inland territories around the city of Tbilisi and Kakheti region are usually hot, so T-Shirt, hat, and sunglasses are your best apparel, but having a raincoat is a good idea. In the mountainous areas of Georgia, the temperatures increase in June, but it is better to wait until July to conquer the highest peaks like Kazbek and Tetnuld.

Mid-summer in Georgia is hot with a chance of sudden downpours and thunderstorms. Generally, it rains less than in May or June in the inland areas, while the coast receives its typical half month of rainy days. Hot summer days with plenty of sunshine promise a good beach vacation in Kobuleti and Batumi, as the sea temperature reaches its peak. July is not the most pleasant time for exploring Tbilisi due to high temperatures, especially in the early afternoon. Summer heat drives the crowds of locals and tourists to the coast or up into the mountains, where temperatures are usually lower. The alpine climate at altitudes over 2,100 m (6,890 ft) promises a cooling refuge, and at elevations above 3,600 m (11,800 ft), snow and ice are present year-round.

One of the hottest periods in Georgia drives hordes of travelers and locals to the coastal regions. All along the Black Sea coast from Sukhumi to Batumi, weather conditions can be characterized by high temperatures and occasional downpours or thunderstorms. Water is as warm as in July, which makes for a pleasant beach holiday despite the rainy days. High temperatures in the inland parts of Georgia and the capital city suggest that August is not the best time for enjoying a stroll and a hike. Eastern part of Georgia in late summer experiences about 5-6 days of rain per month. Higher elevations up in the Caucasus mountains promise lower temperatures, and if you cross the altitude of 3,600 m (11,800 ft), cooling snow and ice are there for you.

One of the best months to explore Georgia in terms of weather. The temperatures are warm and comfortable. Locals claim that early autumn is a so-called fifth season labeled “Rtveli” when grape harvest takes over the country. Kakheti is the region to be at this time of year. The Black Sea coast offers excellent weather conditions for a beach vacation with warm water and pleasant air temperatures. Well, the classic Batumi rain might still try to bother you, but fruit variety on the markets will cheer you up. In Tbilisi, temperatures start decreasing, which makes it more comfortable to explore the Georgian capital. The number of rainy days and sunshine hours decreases as well. The weather in the mountains is suitable for hiking and exploring traditional villages.

By mid-autumn, Georgia cools down, giving way to excellent sightseeing conditions when temperatures are comfortable, and rain is less frequent. In some years, early October could be warm enough for swimming along the Black Sea coast, but in other years water and air temperatures might not be that beach-friendly. Nights get colder, so bringing a warm sweater and a jacket for your Batumi vacation is a good idea. October is the time of Indian summer in the Adjara region, which lies in the southwest corner of Georgia. The so-called fifth season or “Rtveli” with the massive grape harvest in the Kakheti region runs roughly through mid-October. While lowlands remain warm until the end of October, mountainous areas experience freezing temps at night. Autumn hues in Kazbegi and Svaneti regions cheer the souls of visitors throughout the month. At elevations lower than 2,000 m (6,500 ft), there is usually no snow in October, but fog and rain are frequent guests in the mountainous areas. Sightseeing in Tbilisi and nearby destinations is typically pleasant in October with warm temperatures and relatively infrequent rains comparing to spring.

Weather conditions get harsh in the mountainous regions of Georgia. Fog, rain, hail, and snow accompanied by freezing night temperatures take over higher elevations in towns and villages like Stemantsminda and Bakuriani. The landscapes are gloomy and grey. If you want to escape the biting cold, seaside destinations are a good choice. Batumi, Ureki, and Kobuleti are warm enough for hiking and walking along the beach, but beach season will have to wait until the warm summer days are back. Adjara region is still beautiful, wrapped in autumn foliage. Tbilisi is usually colder than the coastal towns, but the weather is good enough for exploring the corners of this old city.

Georgia experiences various microclimates in winter. Eastern areas of the country, including Tbilisi, usually see temperatures above freezing, even at night. However, the hours of sunshine are getting shorter, but rains are rare. Ski resorts of Bakuriani and Gudauri enter the winter season with snow and freezing temperatures, welcoming skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. Valleys at lower elevations often experience fogs and rains. Thanks to the Black Sea from the west and the Caucasus Mountains in the north, the Adjara region with Batumi and other coastal destinations are relatively warm, with temperatures stably hovering above freezing.