Georgia in May: Weather, Prices, Sea and Travel Tips

May is one of the best months to visit Georgia: daytime highs in Tbilisi reach 20–25 °C (68–77 °F), mountain passes are open, and the summer crowds have not arrived yet. It is the sweet spot between spring chill and summer heat, when accommodation prices stay reasonable, landscapes peak in green, and wineries and restaurants operate without queues. Below is the practical detail you need to plan your budget and itinerary.

• Air temperature: Tbilisi sees daytime highs of 19–25 °C (66–77 °F), nights drop to 8–14 °C (46–57 °F). Batumi is slightly cooler at around 21 °C (70 °F).
• Sea temperature: the Black Sea near Batumi is 15–18 °C (59–64 °F) – too cold for comfortable swimming. Beach season starts mid-June.
• Rainfall: May is one of the wettest months, especially in Adjara. Pack an umbrella and a rain jacket.
• Mountains: the Georgian Military Highway to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) is fully open. Treks to Gergeti Trinity Church are accessible.
• Visa: citizens of 96 countries enter visa-free for up to 1 year. Check requirements for your nationality before travel.
• Prices: May is shoulder season – accommodation costs 15–30% less than July-August peak.
• Currency: Georgian Lari (GEL). International Visa and Mastercard work widely. ATMs are plentiful in cities.

Georgia is compact, but the climate differs noticeably between east and west, lowlands and highlands.

Important: Mountain weather changes within an hour. Even when Tbilisi sits at 25 °C, temperatures near Mount Kazbek can drop to 5 °C with wind. Dress in layers.

May is ideal for moderate mountain hikes. The snow line is rising, trails are drying out, and alpine meadows burst with wildflowers.

Top routes: the hike to Gergeti Trinity Church from Stepantsminda (3-4 hours round-trip), trails in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, and the approach to Chalaadi Glacier from Mestia. Svaneti (Mestia, Ushguli) is reachable, though high-altitude treks to Koruldi Lakes may still be partially snow-covered – check with locals.

Kakheti in May is green and quiet. Vines are not yet bearing fruit, but wineries are open and tastings run without crowds. Visit Alaverdi Monastery and Gremi Citadel on the road from Telavi. A typical tasting with snacks runs 15–25 $ per person. Street food in Tbilisi: khinkali from 0.30–0.50 $ each, Adjarian khachapuri – 3–5 $.

Old Tbilisi with its sulphur baths at Abanotubani, Narikala Fortress, and the Bridge of Peace is not yet packed with tourists in May. Day trips worth taking: the ancient capital Mtskheta with Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery (20 minutes from Tbilisi), and the cave town Uplistsikhe near Gori.

Heading to Batumi in May for the beach is a stretch – the sea is 15–18 °C, fine only for cold-water enthusiasts. However, Batumi Botanical Garden is at its best in May, Batumi Boulevard is crowd-free, and accommodation prices are at their lowest. For those who want both sea and mountains, Mtirala National Park – a subtropical forest with waterfalls – sits just 30 minutes from the city.

May is shoulder season. Accommodation is noticeably cheaper than peak (July-August), while restaurants charge normal rates. Georgia's currency is the Lari (GEL); all prices below are in US dollars for convenience.

(Updated: February 2026)

Book via Booking.com or Trip.com. In May you can find good options even a week before arrival, though holiday weekends fill up faster.

Georgia is excellent for road trips: roads between major cities are decent, distances are short, and the most interesting places lie beyond public transport routes.

Main gateways are Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) and Kutaisi International Airport (KUT, budget carriers). Batumi Airport handles seasonal flights.

International carriers connect Tbilisi with Istanbul, Dubai, Athens, Vienna, Warsaw, Tel Aviv and many other hubs. In May, round-trip tickets from major European cities start at roughly 150–300 $ when booked 3-4 weeks ahead.

A local SIM card with mobile data costs 5–10 $ for 5-10 GB. If you prefer not to deal with local operators, activate an eSIM before departure – through Airalo, Saily, or other providers. For a detailed comparison, see eSIM for Travel: How to Save on Roaming Charges.

Wi-Fi is available in most cafés and hotels in cities, but coverage in mountain areas is unreliable.

Travel insurance is not formally required for Georgia, but strongly recommended – especially for mountain treks. A basic 7-day policy starts from 7 $ (EKTA, START plan). Extended coverage with active leisure protection costs from 37 $. Details: Travel Insurance for Georgia.

A universal May kit: light clothing for daytime (25 °C / 77 °F), a warm layer for evenings and mountains (fleece, windbreaker), rain jacket or compact umbrella, trekking shoes if you plan hikes, sunscreen (the UV index is high in May), and a swimsuit – for sulphur baths at Abanotubani if not for the sea.

1. Can you swim in the sea in Georgia in May? Technically yes, but the Black Sea near Batumi only reaches 15–18 °C (59–64 °F). For comfortable swimming, visit from mid-June onward. In May the coast is great for walks, the Botanical Garden, and excursions into mountainous Adjara.

2. Is Georgia safe for solo travellers? Yes. Georgia consistently ranks among the safest countries for tourists in the region. Petty theft occurs in tourist spots, but overall crime is low. The only areas to avoid are the administrative boundary lines with South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

3. What budget do I need for a week in Georgia in May? Budget travellers can manage on 35–50 $ per day (hostel + street food + public transport). Mid-range comfort runs 70–100 $ per day (3★ hotel, restaurants, excursions). A couple in a hotel with breakfast and a rental car should plan around 120–160 $ per day for two.

4. Do I need a visa? Citizens of 96 countries enter Georgia visa-free for up to 1 year – one of the most generous policies worldwide. Check requirements for your specific nationality on the official portal before travelling.

5. Is May a good time to visit the mountains? May is excellent for moderate treks. Major routes like Gergeti Trinity Church and Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park are fully accessible. High-altitude routes in Svaneti may have residual snow – ask locally before setting out.

May is a golden window for Georgia: warm, green, affordable, and uncrowded. Mountain trails are open, wineries welcome guests, and cities feel fresh. The only drawback – the sea is still cold. If the beach is not your priority, it is hard to find a better time.

• What to See in Tbilisi in 1, 2, and 3 Days
• Car Rental in Georgia – Complete Guide and Hidden Pitfalls
• Travel Insurance for Georgia
• eSIM for Travel: How to Save on Roaming Charges

Georgian National Tourism Administration – official tourism portal – https://georgia.travel Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia – visa information – https://mfa.gov.ge Climate data (Tbilisi, Batumi) – historical weather statistics – https://en.climate-data.org