New Year in Georgia 2026 – where to meet? Weather and reviews, air temperature, how to dress, prices for tours, air tickets and hotels? Features of New Year celebrations in Tbilisi and Batumi, what to do in Georgia during the New Year holidays and what to see – Eurotraveler found out.
Russians, as you know, do not need a visa to travel to Georgia! For whole year they can move around the Transcaucasian country with only a foreign passport.
Despite this, the flow of travelers leaving relax and unwind in beautiful Tbilisi and warm Batumi – especially at the end of the summer season – does not threaten to “flood the banks.”
Perhaps potential tourists are not particularly aware of the emerging opportunities. Or maybe they are not very familiar with what you can see in Georgia in winter.
And this is frankly surprising! After all, people have “tasted” the same winter Turkey, Thailand and Vietnam, lost in the foggy distances, even Sri Lanka. And they go there willingly, without hesitation to drag their infants with them.
And to celebrate the New Year in Georgia, a country located in the middle of the most picturesque Caucasus Mountains, hospitable and full of impressive traditionsthey seem to be driving reluctantly. And for Christmas, which there, just like in Russia, is celebrated in January, for some reason too…
What could be the matter: the weather, prices, any discomfort from the obviously changed attitude of Georgians themselves towards Russians after 2022 (more, however, towards relocants than tourists themselves)?
We decided to approach the study of the issue unbiased. And that’s what happened!
Weather in Georgia for the New Year
Depends significantly on location. For example, if you celebrate the New Year in Tbilisi, you can fully count on positive (sometimes up to +7-11 °C) air temperatures and a fairly large number of rainy days.
Traditionally, it is even warmer on the Black Sea coast. However, it is much damper there.
On the contrary, the mountainous regions of Georgia – primarily Svaneti – are distinguished by winter much colder (up to -10-15 °C), in some places even harsh climate.
Where to go
In subtropical Batumi you will celebrate the New Year at +12-15 degrees Celsius and absolutely not winter surroundings: literally under the palm trees and basking in the sun. Clear days, of course, will not follow in succession; it often rains (it sometimes snows).
But dampness is the price to pay for Batumi’s seaside location, and that very warmth that everyone so strives for in winter
But if you go on vacation to the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, you will probably find much drier weather. After all, according to statistics, January in this city is driest month of the year.
Average air temperatures, of course, are lower than in Batumi, but they are also very good – +3-5 °C above zero!
At the resort of Gudauri (130 km north of Tbilisi) in Georgia on New Year’s Eve, for sure It will be snowy and mostly frosty. In early January, thermometers on the slopes usually show from about to -2-5 °C, sometimes down to -6-8 °C and rarely below -10-12 °C.
That is, the weather seems to provoke from morning to evening ski.
Somewhat warmer at another famous resort, in Bakurianilocated near the famous Borjomi Valley. Stays here on New Year’s and several subsequent nights very mild weather. And the air temperature prefers to live in the range from +2 to -2-4 degrees Celsius.
Svaneti and Mestia, the resorts of Hatsvali and Tetnuldi? The local weather is not much different from that in Gudauri. And the level of technical preparation of the slopes and tourist infrastructure still leaves much to be desired.
In general, it is unlikely that anyone should go here purposefully, except freeride fans. And even then: for 1-2 days and after making sure that there is snow on the slopes (Hatsvali webcam).
By the way, keep in mind that the roads from Mestia to the resorts are ordinary primers, and they are not very well cleaned in winter!
How to dress
After looking at the above numbers, you shouldn’t get too comfortable. How to go to Georgia to celebrate the New Year in too light clothes.
Since, firstly, in mountainous areas even slight sub-zero temperatures can freeze faster and easierthan on the plain. And if you “multiply” them by gusts of wind, then it becomes no laughing matter at all.
Secondly, even in Tbilisi no central heating
Owners of guest houses and hotels often try to save money in winter by offering guests to heat their rooms with air conditioning.
So stock up multi-layered, windproof clothingtake it with you thermal underwear. Don’t skimp on space in your suitcase for sweaters and sweatshirts, hats and scarves, woolen socks and other warming (we don’t mean cognac) items.
Prices 2025
To find a real tour to Georgia from Moscow, you will have to strain and search thoroughly. Moreover, it is not a fact that your search will be successful.
Mainly because today they mostly sell only tours in Georgiaand not into it. So if you want to take part in this kind of trip (usually from 50-60 thousand rubles per person per week), first you will have to get to Tbilisi on your own.
In general, this is not very convenient – it is much easier (and more profitable!) to plan the trip yourself
It is worth considering that driving to Georgia in winter is a not the safest idea. You will almost certainly encounter icy roads and snow-covered tracks along the way.
And the Georgian Military Road may even “stop” – after particularly heavy snowfalls or when there is a threat of avalanches, it is simply closed.
A flight from Moscow (for example) to Tbilisi lasts just over 3 hours (if with a transfer in Minsk, then from 6.5 to 8). And such a pleasure will cost at least 20-25 thousand rubles for one passenger and his luggage. You can fly there and back for 38-45 thousand.
Hotels
They should be booked in advance – places in inexpensive, but well located ones tend to ends in September. Inexpensive in this case are those that are ready to accommodate a couple of tourists on New Year’s dates for a maximum of 50-60 € per day.
If you don’t have time to secure a room at the (our much loved) Betlemi Old Town Hotel, located right in the old town, then pay attention to also inexpensive and wonderfully located (The clock tower of the puppet theater and the ancient Anchiskhati church are nearby) family guest house Babilina B&B.
With an even more pleasant (without discount – 40 € per day for two) price tag for accommodation and “good” homemade breakfasts!
If you want to visit Batumi, the best thing to do (and often cheaper) is to rent a brand new apartment on the embankment. The price is approximately the same as in Tbilisi – for 40-50 € (for two, taxes included) per day you can stay in the well-kept My Batumi Apartments.
They are located at quite a distance from the city center. But they offer guests so many nice bonusesthat they quickly put up with this circumstance.
- Cheap flights to Tbilisi
Excursions
The prices for excursions in Tbilisi will amaze you. And it’s nice – for a wonderful long walk through the ancient quarters with a guide you will pay 15-20 €. If you’re lucky, it’s only 10-12 €!
Equals inexpensive trips to Mtskheta, Kazbegi and even Kakheti. This kind of entertainment lasting a whole day will ruin you by only 25-35 €.
Things to do
If you are traveling to Georgia for the purpose of unwind and just change the scenery and not to a ski resort, it is worth spending 2 to 3 days exploring the sights of its capital. We wrote in more detail about possible routes in the material what to visit in Tbilisi and nearby in 3 days.
Even before that, we will advise you to visit Tbilisi Christmas marketwhich starts working on Orbeliani Square long before the significant hour. And, perhaps, at least take a peek at the festive concert on Republic Square – it is traditionally given on the evening of December 31st.
By the way, the Georgian Santa Claus is called Toblis Babua. And he keeps his residence in the village of Ushguli in Svaneti
Where to go
Visit ancient Mtskhetaa trip to the world famous Borjomi for its mineral water should be included in your excursion schedule. But we make an attempt to explore the beauties and remarkable places of the Georgian Military Road (Zhinvali Reservoir, Ananuri Fortress) in winter only after carefully weighing all the pros and cons.
As the majestic panoramas will almost certainly drown in a foggy hazelimiting the view. And the road trip itself on winter roads at altitudes of more than 2 km is fraught with considerable risk.
However, excursions with local guides still receive extremely rave reviews
What else
Even in January, you can try to get (we wrote about slow-moving mountain roads above) to an extremely unique corner of Georgia, Svaneti. The region, famous for its towers, is located in the northwestern corner of the country, on the border of the Elbrus region.
The journey from Tbilisi to the capital of Svaneti, Mestia, even in summer will take about 9 hours. And, I must admit, this is very tedious task
Even if as a reward you will get acquainted with a very original region and its recognizable symbols – the Svan Towers. Fans of alpine skiing and snowboarding will certainly want to evaluate the skiing conditions in Khatsvali and Tetnuldi.
Choosing Batumi as your New Year’s destination is good because you will have the opportunity to spend a few days in a warm climate. Walk along the embankments, breathe the sea, admire the sunsets.
I am surprised to admit to myself that Batumi (in many places) looks like a typical European city with beautiful houses and well-groomed squares.
If you want snow – a hundred kilometers from Batumi there are Goderdzi ski slopes. A resort where professionals will especially enjoy skiing. And, including in terms of freeriding.
You shouldn’t skimp on visiting Kakheti during the New Year holidays. Since the main wine-growing region of Georgia is undoubtedly interesting in winter too.
And it is stationed only 85 kilometers from Tbilisi. And this is less than 2 hours away by car!
The ancient monastery of Bodbe, where the relics of St. Nino rest, the atmospheric city of Sighnaghi, overlooking the foothills of the valley – their worth seeing at least once in my life. As well as the Chavchavadze estate in Tsinandali, the royal castle of Gremi in the Alazani Valley…
© Eurotraveler
