Georgia packing list for women

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Georgia is located in the Caucasus Mountains, locked between the Black Sea, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia and Turkey, and at the crossroads between Europe and Asia.

Deciding what to pack and wear in Georgia will depend on the time of year you are visiting and the type of holiday you plan to have, since the country’s landscapes, and therefore weather, change a lot from the mountains to the sea.

This packing list will focus on traveling to Georgia in the summer and beginning of autumn, since this is when our women-only Georgia tour takes place.

What to expect in the summer months in Georgia

Georgian weather varies significantly across the various regions. 

Even though the country is pretty small, the topography and geography of the country means that the parts closer to the Black Sea enjoy balmy, more humid coastal weather that is moderate in nature, while the continental parts enjoy a more arid and extreme climate, with hotter summers and colder winters. 

Weather in Georgia in the summer

Summers can be quite long in Georgia, with high day temperatures starting in May and running until September, and can change quickly when autumn arrives.

The weather in June, July and August in Georgia

In the summer months, Georgian weather can be very hot, and heat waves aren’t uncommon in the capital, with temperature reaching 40 C or 104 F.

The coastal areas enjoy typical summer weather, with warm temperatures that are a bit milder thanks to the sea breeze, high humidity, and long days.

The mountain parts of Georgia are ideal in the summer, as temperatures are warm but not too hot, and snowfall is rare.

Most of the country sees the driest months of the year in the summer, and long, sunny days, although showers are always a possibility.

Here are the daily maximum and minimum temperatures and the days with rainfall in the main cities in Georgia during the summer months:

  • Kutaisi: 18 to 21 C (64 to 70 F) minimum and 28 to 30 C (82 to 88 F) maximum. 13 days of rain in June and 11 days in July and August.
  • Tbilisi: 18 to 21 C (64 to 70 F) minimum and 29 to 32 C (84 to 90 F) maximum. 11 days of rainfall in June, 9 days of rain in July and August.
  • Sighnaghi: 17 to 20 C (63 to 68 F) minimum and 29 to 32 C (84 to 90 F) maximum. 11 days of rainfall in June and 7 in July and August.
  • Batumi: 17 to 20 C (63 to 68 F) minimum and 29 to 32 C (73 to 78 F) maximum. 10 days of rain per month (rainfall is constant all year round).

The weather in September in Georgia

In September, the weather starts to change; Temperatures and rainfall drop a bit so the weather is more pleasant for sightseeing.

Even though this is a relatively dry month, random downpours are common and unexpected and can happen at any time. Here are the average temperatures in September:

  • Kutaisi: Temperatures ranging from 15 to 26 C (59 to 77 F). 11 days of rain.
  • Tbilisi: Temperatures ranging from 13 to 25 C (55 to 77 F). 9 days of rain.
  • Sighnaghi: Temperatures ranging from 16 to 27 C (60 to 80 F) and 7 days of rainfall.
  • Batumi: Temperatures ranging from 18 to 24 C (68 to 75 F). 13 days of rain, but this is the wettest month on the coast.

How to dress for summer in Georgia

It’s important to remember that the summer months in Georgia are warm, can be humid by the coast, and can see occasional downpours as no month is completely dry, not even summertime.

In the more continental and mountainous regions, temperatures at night can drop, even if daytime temperatures are hot, as I mentioned in the previous section, and this includes Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Sighnaghi.

Here are other considerations when packing for a trip to Georgia.

Comfortable footwear

Most trips to Georgia will include a lot of walking, a necessary way to explore the main cities, especially Tbilisi, so bringing the right footwear is a must.

Old Tbilisi is old and that means cobblestones that are not easy to walk on if you are wearing flip flops or heels.

Given the chance of rain on any given day, all weather sneakers, sandals or other kinds of shoes that are strapped on, are best.

AC is not widely available

Although hotels and restaurants may have AC, summertime is mostly enjoyed outdoors and terraces and open air spaces are most common. This means that you are unlikely to be in ACed spaces, although fans are available.

Temperatures vary a lot from day to night

As mentioned, the temperatures can vary a lot from the heat of the day to the evening, so even if you are visiting in the summer, you should pack a light jacket, especially considering the previous point, as most restaurants will have terraces and open spaces that can chill down at night.

No rainy season, but there is always the risk of showers

There isn’t really a dry or rainy season in Georgia, except for in the coastal region, that means that there isn’t really a time of year when rain takes over, but it also means that there isn’t a time when rain doesn’t make an appearance.

As you have seen in the previous section, every month has a third of the days with some rainfall, and summer downpours can happen unexpectedly, so you should have a raincoat or umbrella handy at all times, and wear footwear that can get wet.

Rural vs. urban

The difference between urban and rural dress code is more obvious in Georgia than in other countries.

In urban areas such as Tbilisi and Kutaisi, you will find women dressing just like in any other European city, but in the countryside, women tend to dress more conservatively, with ankle-long skirts and short sleeves.

Casual wins

Georgians dress pretty casually, and I would define Tbilisi’s fancier spaces as creatively fashionable and dress-down stylish, rather than the more traditionally white cloth / elegant dress code you may find in the higher end spaces of cities like New York, London or Paris.  

Women dress with modern outfits and you are unlikely to see men in suits and ties. A pair of high end sneakers would easily fit at one of the wine bars or fashionable restaurants in the capital.

Layers

As we have discussed, the temperatures range a lot from day to night, so it pays to wear layers you can put on in the morning and take off as the day gets warmer.

What to pack for Georgia in the summer

With all of the tips about the weather and considerations to think about when packing for Georgia, this section focuses on things to bring.

Dresses

I like to wear dresses in the summer because they are easy to pack, they make a full outfit and they can be pretty comfy and stylish. 

I pack a mix of long and short, mini and maxi, in a solid color and patterned, but generally, I prefer them loose and not tight.

Think wrap-around dresses, spaghetti strap dresses, florals, etc. if they are below the knee you’ll be church-ready, and I prefer long sleeves ones so I don’t have to put sunscreen on my arms. Dresses with a collar will also limit the amount of exposed neck / back skin to protect from the sun.

For the night, a cute long dress in a solid color paired with a nice accessory and light jacket will be perfect. Some inspiration:

Skirts

Skirts, of all lengths, are my second go-to item for summer travel. 

Long ones with a cute top, three quarter length ones with a blouse, tule ones, lace skirts, plated, etc. Skirts are a girl’s best friend and all the skirts from ChicWish are the PERFECT chic style for the evening. I have three of them, two in solid colors and one with a floral pattern. 

Here is more inspiration:

Leggings or skinny jeans

Leggings or skinny jeans are another great comfortable outfit to pack. They cover your legs and knees for any religious building and can pair up with lots of tops. They are light and comfy and locals wear them too. Bonus points because they do not crease when packed. 

On the other hand, sports leggings (eg. Lululemon style) are not something Georgians wear. Athleisure is not a trend followed outside of gyms and sports facilities, so leave them at home if you want to blend in. 

Crop pants

I am a big fan of crop pants because they can be really cute, come in a variety of materials and are fun yet conservative and cover me from the sun, plus they fit my silhouette. 

A pair of light crop denims like these ones in aqua or linen pants will come in handy. You could also opt for jumpsuits or rompers. This cute romper would fit right in.

Linen shirts and slacks

Linen is a great material for the hot summer weather and I love to wear it, especially in loose fitting shirts over leggings or as a pair of long trousers. 

The main issue with linen clothing is that it requires ironing and I don’t like to iron when I am on holidays. To minimize creasing, check out our packing hacks and roll the clothes, or bring a travel clothes steamer. This is an Amazon best seller.

A light jacket

Although it is quite warm in the summer in Georgia during the day, evenings get chilly so a light jacket is a must. 

Think structured jacket, a cute denim jacket, a leather jacket (especially for late September) or a knitted cardigan, anything that is light to carry if you will be out and about all day.

Some inspiration:

Swimwear and wet bag

Swimwear will come in handy at Tbilisi’s sulphur baths, and it is useful to bring a wet bag to put it in after you take it off, so you don’t carry a wet swimsuit. Towels are available for rental, or you can bring your own quick-dry towel.

Our hotel in Sighnaghi also has a wonderful indoor swimming pool with incredible Caucasus Mountains views you need to enjoy.

Cute t-shirts and tops

I like to wear comfy but cute tshirts, sleeveless tops and blouses that may be floral, with a design or have details that make them a bit more than just a white tshirt. They need to pair with your cropped pants, your skirts and your jeans. 

Materials such as cotton and silk can dress you up and are light and fresh, linen works great in the summer (remember the travel steamer). 

Crop tops, spaghetti strap tops and other clothes that show a lot of skin are certainly worn by teenagers in Tbilisi (like everywhere else) but not in the more rural areas, plus remember the need to cover in religious buildings.

I prefer very lithe short- and long-sleeved tops because they protect me from the sun and mosquitoes.

Comfortable shoes

Even if you choose not to wear sneakers for the rest of the trip, we will spend a lot of time in the countryside, in farms and wineries and especially, in the vineyards, and in some archeological sites, so you should at least bring a pair of sneakers or closed toe shoes for those days. 

Alternatively, I love wearing my Another Sole shoes which I have converted Meg and many of our guests to. I wear them straight every day on all our summer tours. They are cute and extremely comfortable, and contrary to their looks, they are made for walking. 

Besides the original model which is the one I have in gold and can go from day to night, from dress to trousers, they now have a range of sandals, sneakers and other types of shoes all of which share the same comfort principle.

A scarf

We will visit many Orthodox churches, convents and monasteries during our trip and covering up shoulders and knees, and women’s hair, is expected. A scarf will come in handy for that, but also if you feel cold in the evening.

This beautiful one is very similar to the “manton de Manila” shawls worn by flamenco dancers and adds a touch to your outfit.

Note: Most religious places that require covering will likely provide coverups you can borrow, but they may not be the most hygienic (or stylish!).

A cute evening outfit

We will enjoy many evening meals at “fancy” restaurants and you may want to dress up extra nicely. That could mean some easy accessories to glam up a base look for a nice dress. 

This is not necessary, as even the most popular restaurants in Tbilisi are casual affairs and there isn’t really a dress code, but these are opportunities for those who like to change from the more casual and comfortable day outfits.

Other things to pack for Georgia

Besides clothing, there are a few other things worth packing for your trip to Georgia in the summer.

  • A sun hat: The sun is likely to show most of the day in the summer months so a hat is a great way to protect eyes and face from the sun exposure. I always travel with a wide brim hat that saves me from putting lots of sunscreen on my face. Check out this wide brim one.
  • A strapless bra: For all those tops and dresses, or if your outfit demands it, a stick-on one so you look perfect.
  • A travel umbrella: We discussed the weather in the summer months earlier and you know that there is a 30% chance of showers at this time of year. We will be spending a lot of time outdoors and if showers show up, a travel umbrella will come in handy. This one weighs less than 500 gr / 2 pounds. And is wind-resistant. Or you can also pack a rainjacket. Ponchos scream tourist.
  • Universal plug adaptor: Georgia uses standard two-prong European plugs. I love this one because it has USB ports for all the electronics I carry.
  • Power bank: Because the days will be long and we will spend some time in the bus,, a power bank will ensure you can continue taking photos. I use the incredible Anker 30,000 AMP which is the real deal and can even charge your laptop, but you don’t need something this big, a power bank that can recharge your phone twice is enough.
  • Sunglasses: I expect lots of sunshine, so a pair of sunglasses is an essential travel item in Georgia in the summer. I like and have been using Oakley sunglasses for the last 25 years as they are polarized and protect my eyes from any damaging sun rays. I always wear them. Yes, they are not fashionable, but I have sensitive eyes that don’t like bright days, so they are a lifesaver for me. 
  • Water bottle: Single use plastic bottles are terrible for the environment so I recommend you bring your own reusable bottle as part of our efforts towards zero-waste and responsible travel. Tap water in Tbilisi is safe to drink and you don’t need to bring a water filter. If you are worried that a different type of water may upset your stomach because you aren’t used to it, I have been traveling with my Grayl water purifier bottle for the last year, so I can fill it with tap water, filter it and have drinkable water anywhere, even in the Amazon.
  • Sunscreen: Perhaps the most important item in this packing list for Georgia in the summer is sunscreen. The sun is very strong in the and we will be under its powerful rays for many hours, protecting your skin is key. I also go around with Sun Bum’s face stick in my bag every day in the summer, even at home, so I can top up anytime.
  • Lip balm: The sun makes it particularly tough for the skin and lips so you should bring a lip balm to stay moisturized. We find these are essential to not end up with completely ruined lips or even blisters. We like Neutrogena for their Nordic formula that tends to heal battered lips overnight and comes with SPF.
  • Repellent: We will spend many evenings enjoying meals in terraces and patios and mosquitoes love to take evening strolls to feed. A handy spray-on bottle will come in handy. I have used products from OFF for a long time.
  • Wine skins: You are likely going to want to buy some bottles. Most of the wineries we visit are very small and don’t ship. I have 6 Wine skins that I pack when I travel to wine destinations so I can pack some bottles safely home.
  • Sleep mask: Although hotels have proper blinds, you will be sharing the room with another traveler who may be a late owl. Bring a sleep mask like this one to block the light.
  • Pajamas: As mentioned, you will most likely be sharing a room so don’t forget to pack your pajamas! Meg has a pair like this.
  • Ear plugs: It is never a bad idea to have a pair of earplugs handy, for the flight, a noisy neighbor or an antsy roommate. Modable silicone ones are made for sleeping.
  • First aid kit and medication: Available medications, brands and products in Georgia may not be the same back home so it’s always best to bring everything you are used to and of course, all prescription medication or vitamins you take. I also recommend packing a basic first aid kit with items such as plasters, an antiseptic ointment, eye drops, hydration powder, etc. We’ll spend time in a bus so motion sickness medication is a good idea if you are prone to getting it. Have a look at our suggested first aid kit here.

What not to pack for summer in Georgia

There are also a few things we do not recommend you bring to Georgia if you are coming in the summer, mainly, because you won’t need them.

  • Hair dryer: Most hotels have them and if yours is old, you’ll also need to carry a converter or make sure it works with double voltage so that it does not get fried by the European 220V.
  • Hand bags that don’t close: You know the ones, the basket-style ones that don’t have a zipper to close them are a big no-no in most popular tourist sights, unless you want to make pickpockets happy.