Is skiing in Georgia really that great?
We set out for you at Christmas 2025 to test whether skiing in Georgia is really as good as they say. We flew directly from Katowice to Kutaisi, where a car was waiting for us at the airport.
Our SOS TIP: Always make a video the entire rental car, ideally with the rental company staff! If you would like advice on contacting a proven and trustworthy rental company, write to us.
The journey to Gudauri takes about 4 hours and follows the main road to Russia, so there is no shortage of experiences. But Gudauri is a destination that is worth it. It is one of the best freeride areas - those endless plains with powder are simply an experience! If you prefer the slopes, a ski pass costs a modest 430 CZK and the equipment in the rental shops is top-notch right on the slopes. Like true Czechs, we left our backpacks with a thermos at the top and headed down the slope. For lunch, we couldn't miss the classics: honest Charčo and excellent Boršč.
Apart from skiing and the endless slopes of Gudauri, we definitely recommend:
The iconic Trinity Church:
A trip to the Holy Trinity Church at the foot of Mount Kazbek is an absolute must. This isolated 14th-century building at an altitude of 2,170 meters offers one of the most beautiful views and is a true symbol of Georgia. Did you know that in times of danger and foreign invasions (for example, during the Persian raids on Tbilisi), this high-altitude church served as an impregnable treasury. It was here that the most precious Georgian relics and national treasures, including the Cross of St. Christina, were secretly brought from all over the interior, because it was believed that the mountains were the safest place under the protection of heaven.
Russian banyas right in the mountains:
The Russian bath is an absolute blessing for tired muscles after a day of skiing, as it combines intense hot steam with the traditional ritual of whipping with birch twigs, called "venik". Our "Banshchik" used oak twigs for us, which immediately start regeneration in the body, flush out toxins and, thanks to the subsequent cooling in the snow, give you an incredible kick.
The Sulfur Baths of Tbilisi
When you pass through the capital on your way back, don't miss the historic district of Abanotubani. The sulfur baths are the heart of the entire city – literally, as they are the very reason the capital was founded. The city's name itself is derived from the Georgian word "tbili," which means "warm." While the history of Tbilisi's sulfur baths dates back to the city's origins in the 5th century, most of the buildings you see in Abanotubani today date from the 17th to the 19th century. A bath in the natural sulfur water beneath the brick domes is the perfect conclusion to your Georgian adventure and a balm for both body and soul. Historically, the baths in Tbilisi were a place of gathering and inspiration. In 1829, the poet Alexander Pushkin declared: "I have never seen anything, either in Russia or in Turkey, that surpassed the luxury of these Tbilisi baths." In addition to him, Alexandre Dumas and Leo Tolstoy also enjoyed the local waters. Tolstoy visited Tbilisi in 1851 and fell absolutely in love with the baths. He wrote in his diary at the time: "I spent two hours in the baths and it was like a fairy tale. It is the best thing I have experienced in Tbilisi."
Public vs. private SPA: What to choose?
When visiting the baths, you essentially have two options, which differ significantly in both experience and price:
Public Baths: These are inexpensive, authentic, and separated for men and women. It is essentially a large communal pool with hot sulfur water where you can meet the locals. It's an experience for those who want to soak up the atmosphere of old Tbilisi without any frills.
Private Baths: We decided on this option and we definitely recommend it. For an extra fee, you can rent a private room with its own small pool, sauna, and shower. You get absolute privacy, so you can go as a couple or with a whole group of friends and relax in peace.
Georgian cuisine:
The food in Georgia is hearty, incredibly fragrant and very friendly to us Czechs. What do you have to try?
Khachapuri: The legendary Georgian flatbread filled with cheese. It comes in many varieties – from the classic round version filled with salty cheese to the famous "boat-shaped" version topped with an egg and butter.
Churchkhela: You will see these on every corner in Georgia, and they look a bit like long sausages. In reality, they are walnuts (or hazelnuts) threaded onto a string and repeatedly dipped in a thick mixture of grape juice and flour.
Kvevri Wine: Did you know that Georgia is the cradle of wine? The local winemaking tradition is one of the oldest in the world, and to this day, a unique method of aging wine in giant clay vessels buried underground is still used. This technique gives the wine an unmistakable character and flavor that you won't taste anywhere else in the world.
Chakhokhbili: A thick and fragrant stew that was originally made with pheasant, but today you will most often find it made with chicken. It contains plenty of tomatoes, onions, and fresh herbs like cilantro and basil.
Lobio: If you like legumes, this is a must-try. It is a hearty red bean dish served in a clay pot, seasoned with garlic, walnuts, and herbs. It is often served with mchadi (a traditional cornbread).
SOS TIP: When sitting in one of the local taverns, don't forget to try "Tkemali sauce." It is a tart sauce made from wild plums, and Georgians serve it with practically everything – meat, potatoes, and bread. It's their healthier and much tastier version of ketchup.