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Georgia: The Soul of the Caucasus

By eSIMVu Team •
February 04, 2026 • 5 min read • Destination Insights

Georgia

Red tile roofed buildings on a large hill in Georgia

Source: Georgian National Tourism Administration

Let’s clarify the geography first: We are not talking about the Peach State. We are talking about Sakartvelo—the ancient nation wedged between the Black Sea and the soaring Caucasus Mountains.

Georgia is a place where mythology meets modernity. It is the land where Prometheus was chained to a mountain, where Jason sought the Golden Fleece. Today, it is arguably the most exciting travel destination in Eurasia—a chaotic, beautiful, and overwhelmingly hospitable mix of Soviet remnants, European aspirations, and ancient Asian traditions.

If you are ready to gain a few pounds from cheese bread and lose your heart to the mountains, here is your factual guide to Georgia.

1. Tbilisi: The Bohemian Capital

Your journey begins in Tbilisi. It is a city that defies simple description.

  • The Architecture: Imagine a city where Persian-style balconies hang over Soviet-era concrete, sitting next to futuristic glass bridges and 4th-century stone fortresses. It is a visual history book.
  • The Old Town (Dzveli Tbilisi): Lose yourself in the maze of crooked streets. Look for the famous "leaning clock tower" built by puppeteer Rezo Gabriadze. It looks like something out of a fairytale.
  • Abanotubani: This is the sulfur bath district. The city was literally founded on these hot springs (Tbilisi derives from the word tbili, meaning warm). You can—and should—rent a private room for an hour to get scrubbed down by a mekise (masseur) until your skin glows.
  • Fabrika: For a look at the "New Georgia," head to Fabrika. It is a massive Soviet sewing factory turned into a hostel and creative hub. This is where the cool kids hang out, working on laptops.

2. The Feast (Supra): Khinkali and Khachapuri

In Georgia, food is important. You will not go hungry here.

  • Khachapuri: The national dish. It is cheese-filled bread, but that description doesn't do it justice. The most famous version is the Adjaruli Khachapuri—a boat-shaped bread filled with molten cheese and butter, topped with a raw egg yolk. You mix it all together and tear off the crust to dip. It is a heart attack on a plate, and it is glorious.
  • Khinkali: These are giant soup dumplings. There is a technique to eating them: hold the "knob" (the dough handle), bite a small hole, suck out the hot broth, and then eat the rest. Rule: Don't eat the knob. Leave it on your plate to show how many you’ve conquered.
  • The Toastmaster (Tamada): If you are invited to a Supra (feast), there will be a designated toastmaster. Toasts are long, poetic, and mandatory.

3. The Connectivity Reality: Why You Need an eSIM

Here is a logistical reality check. While Tbilisi is modern and connected, Georgia is a rugged country where digital tools are essential for survival.

The "App" Economy

  • Taxis: You should never hail a taxi off the street (you will be overcharged). You need to use apps like Bolt or Yandex Go. They are incredibly cheap (often $3–$5 across the city), but they require data to work.
  • Language: Georgian is a unique language with its own script (it looks like Elvish). It is beautiful but indecipherable to outsiders. You will need Google Lens to translate menus and Google Translate to communicate in rural guesthouses where Russian is the second language, not English.

The Navigation Factor

  • The Mountains: If you are hiking in Kazbegi or driving the Georgian Military Highway, road signs can be sparse. You need live GPS to navigate the winding mountain passes.

The Solution: The eSIM Roaming charges for US, UK, and EU carriers in Georgia can be shockingly high (it is often excluded from standard "Europe" roaming packs).

  • The Fix: Purchase a Georgia-compatible eSIM data plan before you fly.
  • Why? Buying a SIM card at Tbilisi airport is possible, but the queues can be long and the "tourist packs" are often overpriced compared to city rates.
  • The Benefit: An eSIM connects you to local networks the moment you land. It ensures you can order your Bolt taxi from the arrivals hall and avoid the aggressive taxi mob outside.

4. Stepantsminda: The Church in the Clouds

You have seen the photo. A lonely, ancient stone church sitting on a green hill, with a massive jagged glacier towering behind it. That is the Gergeti Trinity Church in Stepantsminda (often called Kazbegi).

  • The Drive: Getting there involves driving the Georgian Military Highway, one of the most scenic roads in the world. You pass the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument, a massive Soviet mosaic perched on the edge of a terrifyingly deep gorge.
  • The Hike: You can hike up to the church in about 1–2 hours, or rent a Delica (a 4x4 van) to take you up. The view from the top, looking up at Mount Kazbek (5,054 meters), is humbling.
  • Stepantsminda Mountains
  • Source- Georgian National Tourism Administration

5. Ushguli: Europe’s Highest Village

If you have time, venture to the Svaneti region in the northwest.

  • The Towers: The landscape is dotted with Koshki—medieval stone defensive towers. Every family had one to protect themselves from invaders and blood feuds.
  • Ushguli: This collection of villages is a UNESCO World Heritage site and claims to be one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. It is remote, difficult to reach (you need a 4x4), and feels medieval. Cows roam the mud streets between the ancient towers.

6. Practical Survival Tips

  • Stray Dogs: You will see big stray dogs everywhere. Don't be afraid. Most have a plastic tag on their ear. This means they are vaccinated, neutered, and harmless. The locals treat them well, and they are often friendly guardians to tourists.
  • Currency: The Georgian Lari (GEL). Cash is still king outside of Tbilisi.
  • Religion: Georgia is deeply Orthodox Christian. If you plan to enter churches (and you will), men need long pants, and women need a headscarf (usually provided at the door) and a skirt (wrap-around skirts are also usually provided).

Why Go Now?

Georgia is currently in a sweet spot. It is safe and developed enough to be comfortable, but it hasn't lost its raw, chaotic edge. It is a place where a stranger might invite you into their home for dinner just because you walked past their gate. It is a country that doesn't just host you; it embraces you.