Tbilisi
The minimum setup tasks newcomers should complete in week one.
Pick up a local SIM at the airport arrivals kiosk - a Magti card gives you 30GB for 15GEL ($5.50) and solid city coverage, with Geocell as a rural alternative. On Day1, walk Rustaveli Avenue from Freedom Square to the Rustaveli Metro station (about 25minutes) to spot the Opera House, Parliament and other key landmarks. Open a Georgian bank account within the first week by visiting any TBC Bank or Bank of Georgia branch on Rustaveli Avenue; you only need your passport. Verify that your travel or private health insurance covers Georgia (EHIC does not) and note the emergency number112 so you can register for care if needed. The most common surprise is taxi pricing - always agree on the fare before you hop into a yellow or white cab, otherwise you may be overcharged. Your next step today: head to the airport SIM kiosk, buy the Magti card, and activate it so you can arrange transport, banking and health registration right away.
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Airport · Experience date Mar 30, 2026
Got Magti SIM at the airport kiosk in arrivals. 30GB for 15 GEL ($5.50). Coverage is great in Tbilisi but drops in some mountain areas. Geocell (Silknet) is the alternative with slightly better rural coverage.
Freedom Square · Experience date Mar 18, 2026
Tbilisi is very manageable without Bolt or digital tools — though a smartphone makes it easier. Taxis: hail yellow/white taxis on major streets (always agree price before entering — say your destination, driver will quote a price; 10–20 GEL for most city trips). Metro: buy a Metromoney card at any Metro station for 2 GEL (card fee) and load credit — tap on the reader (1 GEL per journey). Marshrutka (minibus): 0.50 GEL, wave down on major roads, shout destination name. Food without apps: walk any central street — restaurants and cafés are abundant. Tbilisi is compact enough that its central areas are very walkable — Old Town to Vake on foot is about 45 minutes.
Vake · Experience date Feb 23, 2026
Best way to orientate in your first week: Day 1 — Walk Rustaveli Avenue end-to-end (from Freedom Square to Rustaveli Metro — 25 minutes), see the Opera House, Parliament, and main cultural institutions. Day 2 — Old Town: Narikala fortress walk (30 minutes uphill from Abanotubani), Metekhi church, Leghvtakhevi waterfall canyon. Day 3 — Fabrika complex (Chugureti district, 10-minute walk from Old Town): cafés, co-working, street art, local community. Day 4 — Vake Park (take Metro to Delisi, 15-minute walk): green space, expat community, morning runners. By day 5: you'll have a solid mental map and feel oriented.
Old Town · Experience date Nov 18, 2025
Address registration in Georgia (deregistration) for foreigners: technically required within 90 days if staying longer than 90 days (register at the Civil Registry Agency or House of Justice). In practice: lightly enforced for short-to-medium stays. For digital nomads on a 365-day visa-free: many don't formally register an address and encounter no issues. For visa-free stays under 90 days: no registration required. For those applying for a Georgian residence permit: address registration is required as part of the application. If you want to register: visit the House of Justice (Public Service Hall) with your passport and lease contract — 30-minute process, free.
Vake · Experience date Dec 16, 2025
Emergency numbers in Georgia: 112 (unified emergency number — police, ambulance, fire brigade — works from any phone including without SIM credit). Tourist helpline: 1505 (English, works 24/7, provides information and can connect to services). Medical emergency hospitals: Aversi Clinic emergency ($70–100 initial consultation), GeoHospitals 24/7 emergency department. Police: 112 (also 022 for Tbilisi city police). Tourist police (speak English): stationed in Old Town and Rustaveli area. Embassy emergency contacts: save your home country embassy's emergency number before arriving — you'll find it on your government's travel advice website.
Freedom Square · Experience date Feb 22, 2026
The Georgian supra is a traditional feast with a tamada (toastmaster) who leads elaborate toasts. Georgians are extraordinarily hospitable — you will almost certainly be invited to a supra by Georgian friends, neighbours, or colleagues within your first month. What to expect: long table laden with food (cold appetisers, then hot dishes, ending with desserts and churchkhela), wine poured continuously, toasts every 10–15 minutes. How to behave: drink the toast (or acknowledge with a sip), bring a small gift if invited to someone's home (wine or sweets), compliment the food effusively (Georgian hosts are proud of their cooking). One of the most memorable cultural experiences in Tbilisi.
Vera · Experience date Jan 26, 2026
Dry Bridge (Mshrali Xidi) Sunday market on the Kura riverbank between Old Town and Vera is one of Tbilisi's best experiences. Every Sunday (also some Saturdays), dozens of vendors sell: Soviet-era antiques, Georgian handicrafts, vintage jewellery, oil paintings, books, coins, ceramics. Prices: negotiable — start at 50–60% of asking price. Best finds: hand-painted icons, Soviet enamelware, pre-1991 Georgian stamps and coins, traditional Caucasian jewellery. Hours: 10am–5pm. Location: on the bridge and banks near Rike Park Metro area. Free to browse. One of the most authentic Tbilisi experiences that expats consistently recommend.
Rustaveli · Experience date Feb 5, 2026
Key Georgian social norms for expats: Hospitality is paramount — Georgians may offer you food, drink, or accommodation with apparent insistence. This is genuine. Accept graciously. Toasting at meals: takes longer than you'd expect, wait for the tamada to lead. Table manners: don't start eating before the host. Religion: the Orthodox Church is important to many Georgians — respectful behaviour near churches (modesty in dress). LGBTQ+ culture: Tbilisi has a significant underground LGBTQ+ scene (Bassiani, Café Gallery) but public displays of same-sex affection should be low-key outside specific venues. Georgian men may be very physically affectionate with each other (hugging, arm around shoulders) — this is normal friendliness, not a cultural signal.
Fabrika · Experience date Mar 21, 2026
Georgia's tax identification number (PIK — Pirovnebis Identifikaciis Kodi) is issued to registered businesses. If you plan to work as an Individual Entrepreneur (IE): register at the Revenue Service (gerevenue.ge) or House of Justice. Required: passport only. Process: 30 minutes, fee 20 GEL. Your personal identification number (passport number/national ID) serves as your tax reference for non-business purposes. Unlike many countries, Georgia doesn't issue a separate tax ID to individuals who don't register a business — if you're just living as a tourist, your passport number is your de-facto identifier for most purposes.