Georgia in December: Weather, Best Places to Visit & Things to Do

So you’re thinking about visiting Georgia in December? 

Well, first of all, we would like to say that’s actually one of many favorite times to go — not because it’s loud or Instagram-famous spots, but because it feels like the whole country took a deep breath and turned the lights down low. 

To get an idea, imagine walking through cobblestone streets where the air smells like roasted chestnuts and woodsmoke, sipping warm wine while snowflakes land on your eyelashes, and a stranger hands you a piece of homemade cheese bread just because you smiled. 

In fact, that’s Georgia in December. 

And through this guide, we are not trying to sell you anything —  just want you to know how good it feels to be there when the world’s getting close to Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Why Visit Georgia in December?

Look, most people plan their Georgia trips for summer because of all the beaches, hiking options, and festivals. 

And sure, that’s awesome. But December is something special, as in that’s when Georgia lets you in like family. 

As a matter of fact, the tourist crowds vanish, prices drop for a considerable amount, and suddenly, you’re not just a visitor — you’re someone who gets invited to dinner. 

To be honest, it’s the only time you’ll have a whole church to yourself in Mtskheta, or an entire table of khachapuri to yourself in Tbilisi. 

Furthermore, the cold makes everything feel more alive as the lanterns glow brighter, the wine tastes warmer, and the people even become much kinder. 

Conversely, if you’re tired of crowded museums and overpriced cafes, December is your perfect month to visit this beautiful country. 

That is because you don’t need to rush. You don’t need to book ahead. In fact, you just need to show up, and Georgia meets you where you are. 

In a way, it’s the kind of trip that doesn’t feel like a trip, whereas it feels like coming home to a place you’ve never been.

Weather in Georgia in December

Okay, let’s get serious about the weather — because that’s usually the first thing people worry about. 

In this case, you might be wondering whether it is freezing. Or will I need a snowmobile? 

Well, the short answer to that question is no. 

Georgia in December isn’t Siberia. 

As a matter of fact, in Tbilisi, it’s usually between 1°C and 7°C (34°F–45°F). 

That’s chilly, sure — but not the kind of cold that makes your nose hurt. 

Speaking of which, the air is dry, so it doesn’t feel as biting as, say, Chicago in January. 

Plus, the sun still comes out around noon, and it’s actually kinda nice where you can sit outside with a coffee and not feel like you’re freezing your butt off. 

Down in Batumi, you can also experience even milder weather. 

To get an idea, you can think of 5°C to 10°C — cool, but not snowy. 

Well, then what about up in the mountains? 

Yeah, that’s where you get the real winter. 

Gudauri and Svaneti usually have snow everywhere. 

Like, “you need boots and a hat to cover yourself”. 

But here’s the thing — it’s not something that you must be worried about. 

The reason for that is the snow turns the old towers into fairy-tale castles and the ski slopes into fascinating sights. 

So really, the weather’s perfect if you like the difference. 

As in one day you’re sipping wine in a steamy bathhouse, while the next day you’re stomping through snowdrifts in a mountain village. 

And to be honest, that’s why everyone loves it. 

Because thanks to this, you get the best of both worlds without having to fly halfway across Europe.

Best 5 Places to Visit in Georgia in December

Tbilisi

First on our list is Tbilisi. 

This city is basically a place where you can find stone and wood in every corner. 

In fact, the Old Town is all crooked alleys, colorful balconies, and little cafés where the barista knows your name by day three. 

Specifically, in December, the whole place glows — not with flashy lights, but with soft, golden lanterns that make you feel like you’re walking through a dream paradise. 

Speaking of which, you can walk up to Narikala Fortress at sunset and watch the city light up below. 

Then, you can warm up with a glass of churchkhela wine and a bowl of khinkali. 

And yes, you’ll spill broth on your shirt. Whereas that’s part of the experience. 

In addition to that, don’t skip the sulfur baths either — even if they smell like boiled eggs. 

This is because once you’re in the warm water, you’ll forget the smell as the steam rises around you. 

So trust us, it’s like your body says, “Ah. This is where I belong.”

Mtskheta

Next, Mtskheta. This tiny town is Georgia’s soul. 

Whereas it’s only 30 minutes from Tbilisi, but it feels like another century. 

In fact, the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral appears to have been carved out of a dream, with its golden domes and snow-dusted arches. 

Speaking of which, you could go there and sit on the steps for an hour by listening to the wind. 

If you are lucky, a monk might come over and offer you some homemade plum jam. 

Anyway, the most important thing is that you don’t need a tour guide to visit here. Because the snow makes everything look like a painting, you can’t believe that it is real.

Gudauri

Third on our list is Gudauri. 

If you’ve ever wanted to ski without the snobby vibes or the $800 lift tickets, this is your dream. 

The reason for us to say that is it’s small and cheap. 

Whereas the slopes are perfect for beginners, and the views you can see are breathtaking. 

As a matter of fact, once you are here, you are surrounded by snow-capped peaks that look like they belong in a fantasy movie. 

And after you have your skiing session, don’t forget to head to one of the little mountain huts for khinkali and a shot of chacha. 

We swear, you’ll end up dancing to accordion music with strangers who become friends by midnight. As in, it’s just how it works here.

Svaneti

Fourth on our list is Svaneti. 

This one’s for the ones who want to feel like they’ve wanted to get rid of the modern world. 

As a matter of fact, it’s remote, wild, and honestly, a little intimidating — but in the best way. 

That is because the ancient stone towers, dusted in snow, look like something out of Game of Thrones. 

Moreover, the villages here are quiet, even though the people are slow to speak, but quick to smile. 

Anyway, once you are here, you’ll drive through an icy mountain, and when you get there, someone will invite you in for stew, and you’ll eat it with your fingers because no one uses forks here. 

Trust us, the silence is so deep that you’ll hear your own heartbeat. And yeah — you’ll cry a little when you leave.

Batumi

And finally — Batumi. 

Yeah, we know. A beach city in December? 

But hear us out. The Black Sea is cold, sure, but the promenade is still alive. 

In fact, locals walk their dogs, sip coffee, and munch on roasted almonds. 

Conversely, the Ali and Nino statue — that giant kissing couple on a rotating base looks even more magical under the winter lights. 

And the architecture is something we must talk about when it comes to this. 

Whereas you can see Soviet blocks next to futuristic glass towers. 

Plus, the food here is insane. Where you can try the Adjarian khachapuri — it’s like a cheese boat with a raw egg in the middle. Which you just need to stir it before eating.

Best 5 Things to Do in Georgia in December

Wine Tasting

The first thing you must do is to drink wine. 

Like, really drink it. 

As a matter of fact, Georgia invented wine. 

In detail, eight thousand years ago. In December, most wineries are open for private tastings. 

As of now, you can sit in a stone cellar, sip from clay pots called qvevri, and the guy pouring it will tell you how his grandfather made it the same way. 

Moreover, you’ll also taste something so deep and rich that you’ll wonder why you ever drank anything else. 

And you’ll pay maybe $15 for the whole thing. No tour group. Just you, a bottle, and a man who’s been making wine since he was six.

Trying out Traditional Cuisines

The second thing that you can do is to eat everything that you can, seriously. 

In fact, khinkali — those giant dumplings are the highlight, which you’ll mess up the first time. Anyway, that’s fine. That’s the point. 

Then there’s khachapuri — cheese bread in a million shapes. 

Speaking of which, the Adjarian one is in a boat shape. With cheese and an egg. Where you need to stir it before eating. 

Also, try churchkhela — it’s like a candle made of nuts and grape juice. And the dried fruits are the main highlight in this case, as they’re cheaper than candy and taste like something you’ve never tried before. 

As a matter of fact, once you try these, you’ll come home with a suitcase full of snacks and a new favorite food that you’ll spend the next year trying to recreate.

Sulfur Baths

As for the third activity, you can soak in the sulfur baths. 

We know that we said this already, but we mean it. 

In fact, these baths are ancient in a way. 

The reason for that is people have been coming here for over a thousand years. 

Anyway, what is special is that the water’s warm, the steam rises, and yeah, it smells like eggs. 

But once you’re in, you forget everything. 

Fun Fact: The gruff lady in the apron will rub you with salt and honey, yell at you to breathe, and you’ll realize — you haven’t relaxed like this in years. 

Explore

As for the fourth activity, we recommend you to walk around. 

Just… walk. There’s no agenda or a must-see list. 

Whereas you could:

• Walk the alleys of Tbilisi’s Old Town. 
• Peek into courtyards where grandmas are knitting. 
• Listen to someone play the panduri outside a café. 
• Pop into a tiny bookstore that sells only Georgian poetry. 
• Sit on a bench and watch the snow fall on a 1,000-year-old church. 

Trust us, you won’t know why you’re doing it — but you’ll feel it. 

That is because of the joy you can get from here.

Christmas Market

As for our final point, go to a Christmas market. 

In this case, we are not asking you to visit any glittery ones you know. 

In fact, there are small and local markets that you can find in December. 

Specifically, in Tbilisi, there’s one near the Bridge of Peace. 

Once you’re roaming, you’ll find wool hats made by grandmas, wooden spoons carved by hand, jars of wildflower honey, and ornaments made from dried fruit. 

Moreover, they serve hot wine — called “gvino” — in ceramic mugs, which you must try, obviously.

December Events & Festivals in Georgia

Georgia doesn’t do big, flashy festivals in December — and honestly, that’s what makes it better. 

To be honest, the real magic happens quietly. 

Whereas the big one is Christmas Eve, which is on January 6th. Yeah, Georgia follows the Orthodox calendar, so Christmas is on the 7th. 

But the night before is also fantastic, as in that’s when everything comes alive. 

There’s also the Svaneti Winter Festival — a tiny, local thing in late December. 

Where you’ll see men in fur hats carrying sheep on their shoulders. 

Meanwhile, you’ll hear traditional songs played on the panduri. 

With all that, what about New Year’s Eve? Oh, this one’s huge. 

Truth to be told, in Georgia, New Year’s is bigger than Christmas. 

That is because families gather, fireworks light up the sky, and everyone toasts with chacha. 

As a matter of fact, in Tbilisi, the whole city comes alive with streets full of laughter, music, and people singing songs that they don’t even know the words to.

Conclusion

So, Georgia in December is not about ticking boxes or snapping the perfect photo. 

It’s about warmth — the kind that comes from a shared meal, a stranger’s kindness, a hot drink on a cold street, and the quiet beauty of snow on ancient stone. 

In fact, this country is the kind of place that doesn’t feel like a trip — it feels like you’ve found a piece of yourself that you didn’t know was missing. 

That is because Georgia doesn’t just welcome travelers — it welcomes hearts. And once you’ve been there in December, you’ll come back. We know that for sure.

Contact Travelco Holidays to book Georgia tours.

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