Where Europe meets Asia, the tiny country of Georgia is located at a crossroads. In a region that historically has been stuck between empires and kingdoms jockeying for power, it is no stranger to turmoil.
So it’s more than reasonable for prospective visitors to ask: is Georgia safe to travel to?
Georgia is a country that flies under the radar in Western imagination. Often described simply as a “former Soviet republic” by the media, Georgia sometimes conjures up vague images of political unrest and even violence.
Nothing could be further from the truth, in fact. This amazing country is incredibly safe, and very easy to visit almost regardless of what passport you hold.
Below we’ll go over the full spectrum of topics covering how to stay safe while traveling in Georgia. There are many sides to this eclectic country but in short, you have nothing to worry about. This is an adventurer’s paradise and it’s effortless to keep safe while exploring everything Georgia has to offer, so long as you keep a few things in mind.
A Brief Recap of Recent History in Georgia
In order to understand the current security situation in Georgia, it would be beneficial to speak about its recent history. And while historical dramas about Soviet oppression and medieval resistance are interesting to read about, we’re just going to stick to the last couple of decades.
Like many other post-Soviet nations, Georgia struggles with corruption. While events in the early 2000s, such as the pivotal Rose Revolution, seemed promising to root out systematic corruption, political progress in Georgia has been frustrating, not to mention unpredictable.
Take for example the infamous Mikheil Saakashvili: figurehead of the Rose Revolution and the first elected president after the government was overthrown. Although he stood for redistribution of wealth, a modern political system, and overall civic modernization, his political career was mired with accusations of fraud, brutality, and more corruption.
Modern Georgia has not just been threatened from within but also by outside influences. The Russo-Georgian War of 2008 is hugely significant, not only because it put Putin’s neo-imperialistic ambitions front and center on the world stage, but because of its lasting aftereffects in Georgia itself. South Ossetia and Abkhazia are still independent to this day (backed by Russian bullying) and remain an object stuck in the craw of the Georgian people.
In the aftermath of the Russo-Georgian War, domestic dissatisfaction with Saakashvili’s government grew. By 2012, the political landscape shifted dramatically (again) and the Georgian Dream coalition, led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, rose to power. This coalition won the elections, and in an uncharacteristically peaceful manner – no coups or oustings this time. Since gaining power, Georgian Dream has focused on improving relations with both Russia and the West, aiming for a balanced foreign policy while pursuing European Union and NATO aspirations.
The political scene in Georgia remains dynamic and often polarized to this day. Georgian Dream has retained power through successive elections but has faced criticism over issues such as media freedom, judicial independence, and handling of political opposition. The most recent years have seen increasing protests and demands for greater transparency and democratic reforms. Despite these challenges, Georgia continues to blaze its own trail, further integrating with Western institutions while managing complex relations with Russia and addressing internal political divisions.
So What about Political Unrest? Does It Make Georgia Dangerous to Visit?
What little news does come out of Georgia is rarely good when seen through the lens of Western media. You might be wondering about the political situation and whether you should be worried about unrest derailing your visit.
Thankfully, this isn’t something you need to worry about: regardless of where you’re from, Georgians are incredibly welcoming and hospitable to foreigners, and any instability that takes place is only going to happen far, far away from wherever you’ll be visiting.
The only places it would be wise to avoid visiting are the areas near Abkhazia and South Ossetia: these two regions have been occupied by Russia since 2008 and tensions can sporadically flare along those borders.
That being said, those flare-ups are very rare and it’s still possible to visit neighboring regions. If you want to go into Abkhazia or South Ossetia themselves, it’s unlikely that the Russian government will approve your visa.
It’s worth noting that there are occasional protests near the parliament building in downtown Tbilisi. If that’s the case all you need to do is avoid the area while the protest is happening (which usually is at night).
This is a very safe country for visitors of all stripes, and there’s no need to worry about the occasional political unrest that happens here affecting your visit.
Is Georgia Safe to Travel for Solo Female Travelers?
Traveling in Georgia as a woman is safe and isn’t going to require any special kind of preparation or extra steps beyond what you would do anywhere else.
For example, female travelers can confidently walk down the street alone at 3AM and feel safe. We haven’t heard reports of any women feeling unsafe while being alone in Tbilisi or elsewhere in Georgia.
Georgia is a relatively conservative country, which means heavy emphasis is often placed on traditional values and respect. That’s not to say this is a radically segregated place – women are visible and participate fully in society whether you’re in the cities or in remote villages. This isn’t the kind of place that is disproportionately male-dominated.
Georgian men are by and large respectful to foreign women although as with anywhere, there are some exceptions. It would be wise to take the same precautions you take both at home and when you’re traveling anywhere else.
Is Georgian Safe for American Tourists?
With the USA’s long history of interventionism and international pot-stirring, it’s fair to wonder whether a nation that has been victimized by foreign interests, like Georgia, is specifically safe for Americans or not.
Luckily, the United States and Georgia are very much on the same page. The US was a key supporter of Georgia during the Russo-Georgian War in its ongoing mission to stymy Russian expansionism. Georgia has been and still is very vocal about its alignment in the Western sphere and has every intention of joining the EU and NATO if given the chance.
Want to take a walk on the wild side of Europe?
What this means is that American visitors are generally received well in Georgia. The USA is mostly seen as an ally to their own cause and one that they usually want to impress. The odds of being singled out and targeted maliciously (simply because they’re American) are generally pretty low.
That being said, that doesn’t mean you will have immunity or special protection against the usual criminal activity. No one is going to drop what they’re doing and come to save the day because an American is being accosted. You still need to be able to look out for yourself even when you’re traveling in a friendly nation.
So TLDR: it is safe for Americans to visit Georgia, just be sure to practice all of the usual safety measures that you would in any other European nation.
Is Georgia a Safe Country for Driving? Are the Roads Safe?
Driving in Georgia is a bit of a mixed bag. Most of the country’s roads are good to drive on and there are only a few you’ll see that are truly off-road tracks. Driving in Georgia can be an awesome experience so long as you’re a confident driver or have one with you.
Ultimately, we’d recommend against driving here unless you absolutely have to though. The reason for that is Georgian drivers are not risk-averse at all when it comes to minor accidents: most Georgians aren’t going to mind a collision as long as it’s not serious, and that shows in the countless number of damaged cars you’ll see driving across the country’s roads and in the fatal statistics.
Traffic here isn’t as crazy as in Pakistan or India, for example, but there’s still a relatively good chance of getting into a minor collision. Obviously, that’s something you’d like to avoid since you’d probably be renting. It’s just not worth the headache of having to explain what happened to the rental company and potentially paying for it or dealing with insurance, not to mention the sore neck which could really ruin any hiking you plan on doing.
All that to say, it’s best to avoid getting your own car or motorcycle unless you plan on going to an area that isn’t serviced by public transportation. Even then, it’s still better to hire a van to take you there instead as long as you’ve got a group to go with.
Here at Epic, we take traveling safely in Georgia very seriously. We vet and employ only professional drivers with whom we have experience or come highly recommended. We have driven on enough dangerous roads in our days to know that things can always go awry. And when things start to go that way, you want to have the best driver possible behind the wheel.
You should feel confident that when you visit Georgia with Epic, you will be in the best hands you can find. Our mission is to get you to where you’re going safely and to not end a trip prematurely due to a motor accident.
Is the Drinking Water Safe in Georgia?
Most of Georgia gets its drinking water straight from the Caucasus Mountains, so the tap water here is normally safe to drink, not to mention delicious.
Even in the heart of cities like Tbilisi and Batumi, the tap water is perfectly fine and there’s usually no need to use a filter or buy plastic water bottles at the store.
In the mountain villages, the water is often pristine and is some of the cleanest you’ll ever have. Georgia is arguably one of the easiest places to keep hydrated!
When you’re out in the wilderness, though, you’ll still need to have a water filter of some kind: water can still be contaminated, often by livestock grazing near water sources.
That’s where a Grayl Geopress comes in. Even though every village is going to have drinkable tap water, you’ll want a filter on hand to stay hydrated on those long stretches between villages or when camping.
Having a Grayl is going to save you money, help you buy less plastic, and provide easy drinkable water wherever you are.
Is Georgia Safe for Carrying Cash?
Georgia’s economy is very digital and modern, so you’ll be using your phone or card to pay for most things in the urban areas.
When it comes to more rural areas or shopping at bazaars, cash is still king and you will need to carry some around. Luckily, Georgia is more than safe for keeping cash on you: there’s no need to worry about robberies, and episodes of pickpocketing are extremely rare.
As long as you use common sense and don’t leave your valuables just lying around or flaunt a ton of cash when you’re buying something, the chances of theft happening in Georgia are at or near zero.
Is Georgia Safe for Trekking?
The Republic of Georgia is home to some truly spectacular locations, and visiting them is often cheaper and less crowded than what you’ll find in most of Europe and the US, especially if you’re trekking.
Stunningly beautiful ranges carve their way across the northern spine of this country, and while trekking here does have its advantages over many other countries, it also has its disadvantages that you should be aware of.
Usually, help is never too far away in a small country like this. But there are times when you might be pressed to find proper support and medical facilities nearby.
Georgia isn’t nearly as developed as a lot of European countries. Suffering a serious injury while out in the mountains is going to be a much more difficult experience than if the same thing happened in Switzerland, for example.
Take the necessary precautions you would take anywhere else in a wilderness situation, you can keep yourself safe while enjoying Georgia’s gorgeous landscapes.
Risks of Trekking in Georgia
One of the great things about trekking in Georgia is that it’s got something for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner hiker or looking to take on some longer treks, odds are that Georgia has just what you’re looking for.
With that said, there are a few things to keep in mind no matter what type of hike you’re on:
- Make sure you have enough water for your trek and a water filter, just in case. Georgian summers can get pretty hot, even at the higher altitudes, so you’ll be going through a ton of water.
- Mosquitoes can be a problem in the warmer months and will quickly turn your hike into a miserable experience. Don’t forget to bring a can of bug spray to keep them off you.
- The Caucasus tends to be a pretty wet mountain range, and thus has a lot of rain which can often make the paths muddy or even boggy. This can slow down your progress and while it may seem like a small issue, it’s surprisingly easy to get injured in a fall from not taking too much care while crossing through a muddy or slippery section. Check the best time to visit Georgia before going.
- At the higher altitudes, don’t push yourself too much and turn back if you ever start experiencing altitude-related symptoms like extreme difficulty when breathing.
- It’s usually pretty easy to get from one end of the country to another without any paperwork. Rarely, you will be required to obtain special permits to go to a certain area.
Having the Right Travel Insurance for Georgia
As great as traveling is, it’s inevitable that at some point you could get injured, sick, lose your bags, and more. When that happens, you can’t overlook having the right insurance.
You’re not likely to go above 4500 meters, unless you plan on summiting Georgia’s highest mountains, so there’s no need for the kind of hardcore insurance you’d want in a place like Pakistan or Nepal.
SafetyWing is a great go-to for traveling Georgia. For about $56 per month, you get wide-ranging coverage up to $250,000. Hikers are fully covered as long as you’re below 4500 meters, and in Georgia you will rarely, if ever, go above that altitude.
Wrap Up: Is Georgia Safe?
Without a doubt, Georgia is one of the safest places to travel to in Europe. You’ll feel at ease here in ways you’d never experience in places like Paris or London, Georgian food is both cheap and delicious, and the scenery is breathtaking.
There are of course pitfalls that you still need to be aware of: reckless drivers, undeveloped alpine communities, and combustive politics are all things that you’ll want to be aware of and (excluding the wilderness experiences) steer clear of.
This is one of the most unique and captivating countries in the world, and no matter how much you see of it, you’ll find yourself wanting to make a second trip. A one-of-a-kind cuisine, the tallest mountains in Europe, an endless list of wines to try, and more await anyone willing to explore Georgia.
If you’re interested in visiting Georgia, then reach out to us here at Epic about organizing a trip there! We recently started trekking-themed tours in Georgia, focused on exploring the legendarily beautiful Svaneti region. Trekking from village to village, you’ll get to witness some of the most incredible mountain scenery on the continent. All of course, while remaining safe and secure in the hands of professionals.
