Georgia offers a wide variety of activities, each requiring different clothing. In just one day, you can stroll the ultra-fashionable streets of Tbilisi, admire mountain lakes, and be enchanted by ancient temples. Therefore, your clothing should not only be comfortable but also presentable so that you can visit the tourist spots.
Today, we’ll tell you what to pack and also recommend reading some useful information for staying safe while exploring Georgia before your trip.
Clothing Essentials for Georgia’s Four Seasons
We’ve studied Georgia’s climate and found that it can be pretty varied. Sometimes, the weather can be downright unpredictable. Therefore, it’s a good idea to layer your clothing. Here’s what we recommend for different seasons:
- Summer: Lightweight T-shirts, as revealing clothing as possible, and a hat is a must. However, don’t forget a warm jacket for hiking in the mountains.
- Fall and spring: a thermal long-sleeve top, a warm hooded sweater, a windbreaker, and mittens. Be sure to pack warm socks and shoes for outdoor walks.
- Winter: thermal clothing, sweaters, windproof jackets, hats, socks, and waterproof shoes.
Tip: Don’t forget to pack a couple of extra layers that will go well with your other wardrobe.
Footwear & Gear for Hiking and Outdoor Activities
Should we mention that travellers shouldn’t pack heels on hiking trips? It is obvious. They’re only appropriate if you’re planning to go out to a restaurant or for a longer walk. Even then, you can choose smarter, more comfortable shoes, such as ballet flats, sneakers, loafers, or sandals.
In other situations, anything that feels exceptionally comfortable is appropriate. You might also find the following items helpful for hiking:
- A small 10-15 litre backpack. Trekking poles.
- Sunglasses and a hat.
- Windbreaker.
Tip: If you plan to visit the easy trails around Mtskheta and Borjomi, take suitable footwear. In the fall and spring, they should also have non-slip soles.
Health & Safety Items You Shouldn’t Leave Behind
We always recommend carefully considering the minimum first aid kit. Limit it to only the medications you need. What should you pack in your suitcase before travelling to Georgia:
- Personal medications.
- Band-aids, bandages, and antiseptics.
- Painkiller (Ibuprofen, no-spa, or paracetamol).
- UV cream (effective year-round in the mountains).
- Mosquito repellent.
- Antiseptic wipes or hand spray.
These are small and simple items that can help and should always be on hand. The rest can be easily purchased at pharmacies locally.
Tech & Navigation Tools to Make Travel Easier
Technology isn’t something you should take in excess. However, we believe there are a couple of things that are essential for any trip, not just to Georgia:
- A 10,000-20,000 mAh power bank. You can use it on a plane, and it’s also great to take with you on a mountain hike.
- A power adapter. Power outlets in Europe, Asia, and the US may vary. Universal adapters are available. You can also look for and buy a special adapter for Georgia, as it’s unclear whether the hotel will have one.
- A local SIM card. You can make calls much more cheaply. A separate benefit is reliable and fast internet for communication.
Tip: We strongly recommend installing offline and online navigation maps on your smartphone to avoid getting lost. Also, download a simple translator just in case.
Smart Packing for Food, Wine & Cultural Experiences
If you’re travelling to Georgia, you’ll probably want to bring home some local liquor, famous worldwide, or other delicacies. Therefore, we recommend the following:
- Leave room in your luggage to add some goodies on the way back.
- Eco-friendly shopping bags for the market.
- Small container for snacks.
- Protective covers for transporting wine and drinks.
- Small zip-lock bags for nuts, churchkhela, or local spices.
Tip: Travellers recommend buying all the delicious souvenirs at the winery and local shops. You can also stroll along Rustaveli Street and find everything you need.
To summarise, we recommend not overloading your suitcases and taking only the essentials. Be sure to pack a change of socks in cold weather and an extra pair of mittens.
Leave some room in your suitcases and pack some souvenirs for yourself and your family. We recommend local wines, cognac, nuts, and spices.
