Summer in Georgia (the Country): A No-Bullshit Packing Guide

Photo by Daniel Born on Unsplash

Photo by Daniel Born on Unsplash

March 2021 update

According to the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Georgia has implemented new entry rules and Covid-19 testing requirements. These rules may vary by nationality. Please refer to the Georgian MFA's Covid-19 travel page for more information.

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and does not contain affiliate links (for now).

Wine.

Stalin.

Big-ass mountains.

These are a few things the world’s original Georgia is famous for, and plenty more awaits you upon arrival.

Situated at the juncture of Europe and Asia, Georgia is home to rich cultural traditions, hearty cuisine, a vibrant creative scene, and a history jampacked with kings, revolutionaries, and legends.

As a top emerging destination and a former Soviet country, you might have doubts about Georgia. At best, your friends will think you’re crazy when you announce your travel plans. And at worst, you might feel worried about safety. Georgia was, afterall, subject to Russian invasion in 2008 and is the setting of Do You Speak Georgian? , my serial memoir chronicling my disastrous year as an English teacher.

I’m not going to sugarcoat it – Georgia is not for the fainthearted. English is rare outside tourist hotspots and Georgia’s national language, Georgian, is challenging to learn. Georgia is a developing country with a patriarchal society, meaning you might encounter and experience uncomfortable, unsettling things.

Hell, even Georgia’s national character, Kartlis Deda (Mother Georgia), is intimidating – she holds a sword and a wine-filled chalice for enemies and friends. For visitors, this means that some might taste the wine, some might taste the sword, and others might taste both. And while you are extremely unlikely to be traumatized like I was, I can’t predict what Mama Georgia has in store for you.

What I can predict, however, is that you’ll go on an unforgettable adventure in Georgia, one that will forever change you. So go ahead, book those plane tickets, resolve any lingering questions, and start preparing with this packing guide for summer in Georgia:

 

Summer Weather: What to Expect

June through August is the best time to visit Georgia, as daylight hours are long, the mountain passes are open, and conditions are sundrenched.

With clear sunny days comes heat and humidity, and lots of it:

  • Georgia’s central, southern, and western lowlands warm up starting in late May, with warm temperatures that don’t relent until around September. Conditions generally stay dry, with occasional afternoon rain storms.

  • Tbilisi is subject to strong winds.

  • Coastal Georgia and the western plains are warm and humid, with frequent rainfall. The Black Sea is warm enough for swimming from July through September.

  • Georgia’s highlands have have an Alpine climate with cool summers, with conditions and temperatures that can fluctuate by the hour.

August is Georgia’s hottest month, and summer temperatures average between 89 °F  (32 °C) and 68 °F (20 °C).

Choosing Luggage for Georgia

Infrastructure in Georgia is improving, but still has a long way to go. Expect rough footpaths, unpaved roads, tight spaces, sharp corners, and sketchy elevators (if they’re available at all).

Due to the above, I strongly recommend packing your belongings in a durable, water-resistant backpack. Consider using packing cubes for improved organization and a TSA-compliant zipper lock for increased security. Ideal backpack size and specs depend on your personal preferences, though you should aim for carry-on (onebagging) if you can.

  • Durable, water-resistant backpack (carry-on is strongly recommended)

  • Packing cubes

  • TSA-compliant combination zipper lock

Travel Documents and Money

As you pack for Georgia, assemble your travel documents, money, and any prescription medications. Place them in a secure location in your bag. Triple check them before you head to the airport.

  • Boarding passes

  • Passport, passport copies, and if required, applicable visas

  • Purse and wallet

  • Prescription medications in their original packaging

  • USD/ EUR/ GBP 100 in cash (always check exchange rates!)

  • Bank cards

  • Valid travel insurance for your entire duration of stay

Cash Money

Always notify your bank prior to travel. Georgia’s currency is the Georgian Lari (GEL). The Lari can only be exchanged within Georgia – bring USD / EUR/ GBP 100 in cash to exchange at Tbilisi International Airport upon arrival. Credit cards are not widely accepted in Georgia – plan to withdraw bills from ATMs throughout your duration of stay. Prior to leaving Georgia, exchange any remaining Lari for your respective home country’s currency.

Tech

Georgia uses European style electric outlets; if arriving from outside Europe, you will require a power adapter (and maybe a power converter as well). Like with your travel documents, secure and triple check your electronic devices before you head to the airport. Ensure everything is fully charged. If applicable, don’t forget to download any phone apps and maps ahead of time!

  • European power adapter

  • Phone, computer, and tablet

  • Device chargers and power cords

  • Travel apps and maps

  • Camera and supporting camera gear

  • Mobile hotspot and VPN

Photo by mostafa meraji on Unsplash

Photo by mostafa meraji on Unsplash

Travel Essentials

Georgia is rough around the edges, especially if you plan to travel outside Tbilisi. Leave room in your luggage for utilitarian items, such as stomach medications (you will consume something gnarly, trust me on this), sunscreen, and a travel-sized first aid kit.

  • Clothes line and clothes pins

  • Portable laundry bag – a spare grocery bag will also suffice

  • Travel-friendly first aid kit

  • Travel-sized detergent

  • Cotton buds

  • Cotton rounds

  • Nail clippers

  • Aspirin

  • Sunscreen

  • Imodium / activated charcoal

  • Cough drops – dusty summer air might irritate your throat

  • Portable flashlight

  • Portable towel

Water, Water Everywhere...

If you're a short-term visitor, avoid drinking Georgia's tap water (brushing your teeth and drinking boiled water is okay). While tap water is safe to drink, your body won't be used to it and you might get sick.

Toiletries

Georgian pharmacies and grocery stores carry basic toiletries, however, their branding might look different from what you’re used to at home. If your personal routine involves specialty products for skin concerns, bring them with you.

Products for African hair are non-existent in Georgia – Black travelers, bring enough haircare items!

  • Dental care (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, fluoride/ mouthwash)

  • Makeup

  • Skincare

  • Lotion

  • Deodorant

  • Haircare items

Items for Self-Care and Sensory Processing Sensitivities

Transit to Georgia can be arduous and life in Georgia can be intense and chaotic – if you have sensory processing sensitivities, bring along self-care items to help regulate anxiety and stress.

  • Noise reducing/ cancelling headphones

  • Weighted travel blanket

  • Eye mask

  • Fidget toys

Photo by Ruslan Petrov on Unsplash

Photo by Ruslan Petrov on Unsplash

Clothing (for Onebag Packing)

Georgians dress similarly to their European neighbors, though it’s not uncommon to see artsy, experimental street styles in Tbilisi.

Your physical appearance, especially if you’re anything other than white, will make you stand out so don’t worry too much about dressing like a local. As a summer visitor, your main concerns will be comfort and staying cool. Save for bougie hotels and museums, AC is not common in Georgia.

Pack light colored, breathable clothing with a relaxed fit and avoid showing tons of skin. A set of basic cotton t-shirts that can be easily washed and dried between wearings, along with long, breezy skirts and linen pants, are essential for travelling comfortably in Georgia’s high season. The sun in Georgia is also quite strong, so keep your shoulders covered if you’re prone to sunburn.

If including a trip to the mountains in your itinerary, add layering pieces for variable weather conditions.

Who Wears Short Shorts?

Georgians rarely wear shorts, and if they do, they’re children or at the beach.

  • Cotton/ linen t-shirts

  • Linen/ cotton pants

  • Midi skirts

  • Pullover sweater

  • Long sleeve cotton shirts

  • Lightweight pajamas

Footwear

When packing footwear for Georgia, remember that you’ll do a lot of walking. Though you might see Georgian women in stilettos, sturdy, flat, closed-toed shoes are a must.

Outside of tourist areas, infrastructure is in poor condition, with uneven sidewalks that are poorly lit at night. Footpaths, paved and unpaved, are no stranger to broken glass, dirt, puddles, bodily fluids (don’t ask), and potholes.

  • Sturdy, closed-toed shoes

  • Hiking shoes (if including hiking in your itinerary)

  • One extra pair of shoes

  • Flip flops (for hostel showers)

  • Cotton socks

Extras and Accessories 

If planning to visit Georgia’s Eastern Orthodox churches and monasteries (and you should), pack a summer scarf, as Eastern Orthodox custom requires women to cover their heads before entering religious sites.

Single ladies are encouraged to bring a fake wedding band, to be worn on their right hand, especially if traveling alone or to rural areas. Georgian society is conservative and with it comes false assumptions on foreign womens’ sexual mores. Asian and blonde women may be particularly vulnerable to unwanted advances from local men - a fake wedding band will help deter them.

If bringing jewelry, keep it simple. Leave overt signifiers of wealth at home. If you can’t afford to lose it, don’t bring it with you.

  • Cotton or linen scarf

  • Sunglasses

  • Jewelry of your choice

  • Hat

  • Rain jacket or water-repellent outer layer

  • Fake wedding band

Feminine Care

Due to cultural beliefs on womens’ virginity, tampons are difficult to find in Georgia. The same can be said of condoms, which require you to ask store cashiers to unlock a literal condom security box in front of the entire check out line before you can purchase them. Avoid embarrassment by bringing your own supply of tampons and contraceptives. In fact, bring more than you think you’ll need, just in case.

Birth control is available without a prescription in Georgia, however, pharmacists might not understand English or carry the brand you prefer. Bring enough birth control pills for your entire duration of stay. For American travelers, select health insurance companies may cover up to 12 months of pills at a time; contact your provider for more information.

  • Sanitary products (tampons / pads / diva cup / panty liners  – bring more than you think you’ll need)

  • Birth control with enough pills for your entire duration of stay (if applicable)

  • Condoms

  • Baby wipes

 

Intimates

Like your outwear, your underwear should be comfortable and breathable. A good rule of thumb is to bring enough pairs of underwear for one full week and launder when required.

  • Cotton underwear

  • Bras/ bralettes

 

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