GeorgiaVisited Jan 2023 · 2 months
An essential destination for any remote working wine connoisseurs.
This guide was written 3 years ago
Prices, opening hours and recommendations may have changed since my visit, so double-check anything important before you book.
The city's varied architectural styles demonstrate an impressive diversity, spanning medieval, neoclassical, and increasingly modernist styles. Kakheti, a nearby region, is a testament to centuries-old winemaking, integral to the country's cultural identity.
Well worth a month-long visit if you are looking for a different experience close to Europe. Arguably too inaccessible for a weekend city break from Western Europe.
Great · #17 of 62
8.1/10
Even with the recent influx of people to the city (both Ukranians & Russians arriving as as a result of the war), Airbnb has a decent range if quality apartments at reasonable prices when compared with what is available in parts of Europe.
Great · #26 of 62
8.0/10
The city has a good number of options dotted across the city with more options constantly springing up. After visiting a few, I particularly liked The Hub which i wrote about below.
Good · #30 of 62
7.8/10
Casual dining is generally excellent value in Tbilisi with a large range of domestic and International eating options. Food delivery and taxi's are particularly good value.
As a nation famed for it's wine production, you can pick up a good quality bottle for a very reasonable price in supermarkets.
Good · #21 of 62
7.5/10
Is Tbilisi an exciting place? Compared to major European capitals, perhaps not. However, if you’re looking for something culturally different, it has an intriguing quality that makes it an enjoyable place to work from. The city boasts a strong nightlife, an excellent range of restaurants, and a unique character
I was wanting to start 2023 with a country I'd never visited before and having heard many positive things about Georgia, Tbilisi appeared to provide a great place to head for.
$772a month, before rent
Comfortable living costs, rent not included
Day-to-day spending for a month: two meals out and a coffee every day, three taxis and two nights out a week, a gym and a coworking desk. Add your rent on top.
Very AffordablePrices as of Oct 2026. Confidence: medium (gym & coworking verified; other prices restated at 2026-10-07 exchange rates). Sources: numbeo.com, expathub.ge, pbservices.ge. Always check locally before planning around them.
January was characterised by intense snowfall for several weeks with some milder days emerging from the middle of February.
The quantity of snow and short days made it difficult to properly explore the Georgian countryside and I would strongly recommend a visit later in the year where a wider selection of activities opens up.
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain mm | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 8 | 16 | |
| February | 0 | 8 | 29 | |
| March | 1 | 18 | 60 | |
| April | 7 | 25 | 49 | |
| May | 10 | 24 | 119 | wet month · peak season |
| June | 17 | 31 | 67 | peak season |
| July | 21 | 35 | 72 | wet month · peak season |
| August | 21 | 35 | 21 | peak season |
| September | 14 | 28 | 90 | wet month · peak season |
| October | 8 | 22 | 63 | peak season |
| November | 3 | 17 | 33 | |
| December | 1 | 8 | 25 |
Typical daytime highs and overnight lows, from the last two years of observations (Open-Meteo). Rain icons mark the wettest months.
Digital nomad visa available
Georgia offers several options for remote workers, including dedicated programs and a full-year tourist visa for trying out the country before obtaining an official digital nomad visa. The government recently launched the "Remotely From Georgia" campaign to attract remote workers and mitigate pandemic losses.
Although technically not a visa category, this program requires an application process similar to regular visas, hence being referred to as the Digital Nomad Visa for Georgia. Approved applicants can stay in the country for up to a year, along with accompanying family members. The program aims to permit citizens from 95 countries to live and work remotely in Georgia through this Digital Nomad Visa.
Georgia, operates with a 3-hour difference ahead of Central European Time (CET). This can make for some later evenings if tightly following European hours, but working locations are open later into the evening.
I split my time in the city between two different apartments and had two very different experiences.
Perhaps a little calmer than Rustaveli and Dzveli Tbilisi, Vake is home to an array of trendy coffee shops and great food options.
I loved staying in Rustaveli, everything you need is on your doorstep with some of the best bars and restaurants in the city all within a 5 minute walk.
Aside from it's proximity to the centre there was little positive I could say about Avlabari as a place to eat. A real lack of amenities in the immedtiate area.
The city has a good number of options dotted across the city with more options constantly springing up. After visiting a few, I particularly liked The Hub which i wrote about below.
Recently opened at the start of 2023, The Hub is a 5 minute walk from Fabrika on the East side of the city. Split over two floors, the ground floor provides a number of options for hot desking, with the lower floor providing private offices to small teams.
The working space has an abundance of natural light, large desks with comfortable chairs and an onsite cafe serving espresso. Monthly members get 24/7 access to the space.
The only negative is that there isn't a lot of choices for lunch in the immediate area making you somewhat reliant on deliveries via Bolt. Worked from there for two months and would gladly return.
12 Terenti Graneli, Tbilisi
Converted industrial setting with a range of restaurants, bars and coffee shops. A branch of Impact Hub is also inside.
Authentic Thai food, with room to sit in and also available on the major delivery apps. The Pad Ka Prao is a personal favourite.
This is now showing up as 'Permanently Closed' on Google Maps but it is a hidden cocktail bar close to Liberty Square. Very unique ambience.
Live music bar situated next to the river, great drinks and bands playing throughout the week.
Swanky, low lit interior make it a great spot for a drink or dinner date.
Super friendly guys serving a range of domestically brewed Georgian craft beers.
Chain of wine bars with locations dotted across the city, offering a vast array of regional wines, alongside sharing platters.
An ideal day trip from, this 11 century stronghold provided the location for numerous battles and sieges in the following centuries. You’ll need to take a bus to Kojori, from where it’s a 30 minute walk to the summit. Likely to be snow covered in winter.
More of a summer location, even in winter it provides an aesthetic backdrop for walks around the lake.
Hilltop amusement park accessible via steep walk from Dzveli Tbilisi. Offers great views of the surrounding area, which options for food and drink at the top. Plenty of walking route options available from there.
The river front is a perfect flat area to run in the morning, easily crossable with numerous bridges. The area south of Avlabari is particularly scenic in the dark.
Well worth a day spent exploring the area of Mtatsminda Park immediately west to the historic centre. A variety of paths can take you back around to Saburtalo or Vake.
Since the War in Ukraine began there has been a sizeable movement of people into the country both from Russia and Ukraine. There's a sizeable population from neighbouring countries in Central Asia, students from India as well as both Armenians & Turks.
I found there to be a good international mix of people in the coworking space I worked from with that number likely to rise as the weather improves across the year.
English is spoken widely in the younger generations, with it being very rare in the elders.
Partners I recommend. Some of these links give you a discount, and I may receive a referral reward.
SafetyWing
For trips exceeding 30 continuous days, seek dedicated travel insurance. Most holiday policies or credit card offerings become invalid after 30 days, despite advertising year-round protection. SafetyWing provides medical and travel coverage specifically designed for remote workers.
Having successfully claimed through their platform with impressive speed, I confidently recommend their service.
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