If you’re planning a vacation with your family to get away from the chaos of everyday life, then you should consider booking a flight and going over to Georgia. Georgia is home to some magnificent water parks and architectural brilliance.
People often cut off Georgia from the list of possible countries they should travel to while in Europe. But ask anyone who has visited Georgia, and they’ll say it was a fun and pleasant experience. After you’re done reading this article, hopefully, you won’t waste a minute in planning your next trip to the Republic of Georgia.
Geographically being located in Eurasia, you’ll get a taste of both Europe and Asia. While doing so, you won’t have to empty your pockets. Georgia is the perfect travel destination for people who are on a budget but always wanted to explore different continents.
Why Travel to Georgia?
You wouldn’t travel to a new country just for a waterpark, right? Lucky for you, there’s much more to Georgia than meets the eye. If Forrest from the classic movie Forrest Gump ever visited Georgia, he’d say the country is like a box of chocolates; you don’t know what beautiful surprise is waiting for you until you visit it for yourself.
The following are some of the attractions that should be enough in persuading you to visit this unique country.
Scenic Beauty: The Georgian nature is very diverse and unique. Even though the country is small in size, you’d see various terrains and backgrounds wherever you travel.
If you travel to the north, you’d get to see snow-covered peaks of the Great Caucasus Mountains. One of the most ancient cities of the world, Kutaisi, is a host to forests and canyons. Since the days of the Russian Empire, Borjomi’s therapeutic spring water has been seen as a blessing to the region.
Reasonable Pricing: Because of the fall in Georgian currency value, you can almost travel the whole of the country within a reasonable budget. It’s known as a budget-friendly destination for backpackers all across the world. In fact, you could buy a meal for as low as 4 US dollars.
The Weather and The people: Every destination is either a hit or a miss based on these two criteria. And Georgia hits a home run in this category. If you’re visiting in winter, you won’t have to face harsh weather. The temperature very rarely falls under 4C. But there are snowy areas within the country where you can go snowboarding and skiing.
During the summer temperature reaches about 34 Celsius but it feels less because of the low humidity.
The Georgian people are some of the most kindhearted and hospitable people you’ll find. If you ever get the opportunity to visit the localities and mix with the locals, they’ll take the responsibility of ensuring that you have the best time ever.
The Restaurants: The capital, Tbilisi, has some incredible restaurants. They serve both Georgian cuisine and International food. The sitting arrangements and the décor in some of the restaurants have such a unique vibe to it that you’ll immediately want to take a snap for your Instagram feed.
Safety: As previously stated, the Georgian people are very peace-loving. And according to reports, Georgia is the third safest country to travel behind only Singapore and Korea. So, don’t hesitate if you want to go for a late-night walk and explore the cities.
Culture: The influence of Russian and Persian culture is very evident. The houses and buildings still showcase old features like Rome and other historical old cities. The art and craft also flourish in the capital Tbilisi and the city of Batumi.
Top 3 Best Water Parks in Georgia
Waterparks include various rides and slides, which make it an ideal destination for you and your family if you’re looking to blow off some steam during the summer. Here are a few of the best water parks in Georgia:
3. Anaklia Aqua Park, Anaklia
This waterpark is located in Western Georgia. It’s one of the best attractions in that region. The park is right next to the beach. So if you’re planning to visit there, you’ll get to experience both.
The ticket price is reasonable, making it perfect for family visits. The infrastructure of the whole park is well-built. The park stays open throughout the week, and it closes at 7 PM. The locals regard the park as one of the best, but that’s for you to decide once you visit. You’ll only need to spend 15 GEL if you stay inside the park the whole day.
If you’re an adrenaline junky, you should try out their slides. It includes a tunnel and has the height of a 10 storied building. The park has all the essentials, including lockers, free-parking, and changing rooms. If you get hungry while having fun, this park has a solution for that as well. There’s a small café inside the park. You can buy snacks and drinks from there.
Major Attractions:
- Stays open throughout the week
- Cheap ticket price
- Family-friendly
2. Mtatsminda Amusement Park, Tbilisi
Mtatsminda Park is one of the oldest amusement parks in Georgia. The initial foundation of the park was built by the former Soviet government in 1930, and in that era, it was the most visited park in that region.
With time, the park has been modernized; there isn’t much resemblance to its older version anymore. The park sits on top of a mountain, and it overlooks the capital Tbilisi. You’ll get an amazing view of the city from the park.
The amusement park includes all the usual rides that can be found in other parks, like the roller coaster, Ferris wheel, and so on. But what makes it stand out is the water slide. The waterslide is on the very top, and it goes downhill. With the downhill trajectory of the slide combined with gravity, you get the experience worth cherishing forever.
The Ferris wheel gives you a complete view of the city. When you’re at the very top, you’d wish you could stay there for a bit longer and take in the mesmerizing beauty.
To reach the park, you’ll need to ride the bus or funicular. We recommend you use the funicular while traveling to the park. You’ll get an amazing view of the city, and, on top of that, the ride is very relaxing.
Even the entrance to the park is unique. It’s built to look like there are vines growing in and around the rocks of the entrance. The dripping water from the rocks makes it look completely natural. The insides paths of the park are built using paved rocks. Following the trail will lead you to a fountain and in the middle stands a tree. The tree signifies life and hope for the people of Georgia. Other necessities like restaurants, snack bars, video game zones are all inside the park.
Overall, this amusement park can be the ideal getaway destination for you and your family. You’ll get to relax and untangle your thoughts while enjoying the view of Tbilisi.
Major Attractions:
- Ferris wheel
- Roller coaster
- Mountain top water slide
- View of the Capital Tbilisi
1. GINO Paradise Water Park, Tbilisi
The Gino Paradise Waterpark is the biggest project of its kind to be completed. It’s located near the Tbilisi water storage dam. This waterpark has everything you need and much more.
It has 12 indoor and outdoor pools. Each of the pools is different from the other. There’s an assigned children’s pool, two lifeguards to ensure round-the-clock supervision for your kids. Besides, there’s a wave pool that creates artificial waves too. It’ll give you a feel of the ocean without endangering your safety.
The leisure pool and the relaxation pool are designed for you to chill and maybe even take a nap while resting on the floaters. That’s not all, though. You’ll even get to enjoy a normal swimming pool and a seawater swimming pool. The state-of-the-art 10 filtration circuits ensure the maximum amount of cleanliness and purification of the water. So, leave your worries outside before jumping into one of these pools.
The pools are only the beginning. This waterpark includes some fun and exciting rides and slides. One such ride is the pirate ship. It goes through a wild river that also has a whirlpool. How fun does that sound!
The tower in the northern section of the park has six waterslides wrapped around it, making the slides exhilarating yet safe. There’s also a kid slide section so that your whole family can get to have the time of their life. After all, why should only the adults have all the fun?
If you prefer a much more chilled experience, the waterpark has that facility as well. The leisure complex beside the slides has an artificial sandy beach. You can relax or play volleyball in the sand. The scenic beauty that can be experienced from the complex is truly breathtaking.
Major Attractions:
- 12 Indoor and Outdoor Pools including pools for kids with lifeguards
- The wave pool and seawater pool
- 6 water slides
- Leisure Complex with sandy beach
- Slides for kids
- Restaurants
- Cafes
- Bars
What Else to Do While in Georgia?
The options are endless if you have time. Apart from visiting the waterparks and enjoying the rides, you can do so much more. The Republic of Georgia has a diverse landscape. So if you’re someone who likes natural settings, then you can rent a car and drive your way through various cities of Georgia. There are other possibilities as well. Some of them include:
Exploring Abandoned Places: Because Georgia is a safe country, you can go and explore abandoned places. But it’s better to explore in a group. Try taking one or two locals so that you don’t get lost.
Because of the weak economy of Georgia, some previously glorified buildings and areas are now abandoned. One such place is Tskaltubo. This is a spa town near Kutaisi. Back in the Soviet era, even Stalin used to visit this town to get away from the heat of politics, but this small town is now abandoned and home to many internally displaced people (IDP).
The older parts of Tbilisi still have structures from older generations. These buildings mostly follow the soviet style of architecture. Even though they’re being renovated and modernized, you’ll still find some buildings that signify Georgia’s past.
Tasting the Wine: Not many people know about the wine culture of Georgia. It goes way back to the 6th Century BC. You’ll get to indulge yourself in the variations of these Georgian wines. Prepare your taste buds to taste the best wine you’ve ever had.
The best place to taste Georgian wine is Kakheti which is located in the eastern part of the country. If you’re not up for traveling, you can find homemade wines almost everywhere in the capital. Don’t forget to be responsible while drinking, though.
Visit a Non-Existing Country: If you’re feeling adventurous and you have time on your side, then you can visit Abkhazia, the region that tried to get independence.
All you have to do is contact the local authorities and notify them a week earlier about your visit. The region has a critically acclaimed movie about it named ‘Tangerines’. This is a fine opportunity to travel to such a place within Georgia where most Georgians can’t enter.
Exploring The Capital: Tbilisi is one of the funkiest cities in Europe. A lot of people claim Tbilisi to be a hipster destination. The area named Fabrika is the soul of Tbilisi. Old factories are now converted into cafés, restaurants, and bars.
You’ll find such places throughout the capital. Even the young generation of Georgians are trendy and stylish. The best way to experience the local culture is by mixing with the locals. Try making new friends and get to know their culture from the inside out.
Visit Monasteries and Churches: Georgian churches and monasteries have a distinct architectural quality that can’t be found anywhere else. The shape of these structures makes them stand out. You’ll find such churches all over the country.
A few of the churches were built in the 6th century. There are a few notable similarities with Georgian Churches and Armenian Churches. If you’re into such details, be sure to visit these places.
Essential Information on Georgia
How to Reach Georgia
Georgia has three international airports in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi. The cheapest flights arrive at Kutaisi. You can take a bus from there and arrive at Tbilisi. A company named Georgian Bus provides shuttle services from Tbilisi to Kutaisi.
You can buy the tickets for the shuttles either online or after arriving, as the counter is nearby. If you arrive in Tbilisi, there are local buses that travel on all routes of the city, or you can use a ride-sharing app like Uber.
Spending the Money
The Georgian currency is Lari. It’s also known as GEL. You can exchange your money to the local currency using any of the credible money exchange outlets.
Traveling Inside Georgia
You can use the trains to travel from Tbilisi to Zugdidi or Batumi. The train service isn’t that frequent, so be sure to check the local schedule of trains. The local buses known as marshrutkas are your only viable option.
Although the transports aren’t comfortable by any means, they’re cheap, and they’ll get you almost anywhere. If you feel uncomfortable traveling in local transports, then you can contact travel groups and visit different destinations with them. This is a safer option since you’re probably unaware of the Georgian culture and norms.
Where to Stay in Georgia
Georgia hasn’t flourished yet in the tourism sector. That’s why you’ll get the most accommodations at a cheap rate. There are certain boutique hotels and guest houses that will charge you extra for the extra benefits you’ll be getting.
A word of advice: don’t expect too much from the cheaper options. Sure, these places might not be photogenic, but you’ll be safe and sound.
Another viable option is using Airbnb. You might find a bargain deal that otherwise would’ve cost you every single penny in your pocket.
Language in the Region
Georgia has its language and alphabet. The Georgian writings are a work of art itself, but you won’t understand a single word if you’re not accustomed to the language. You’ll be able to navigate through the tourist spots with your English.
If you’re planning to explore deeper into the country, you should learn a bit of Russian or Georgian to convey basic emotions and messages. Learning a new language never harmed anyone.
Final Thoughts
Georgia as a country will truly surprise you, for the right reasons. The water parks, the landscapes, and the culture – everything is beautiful in its unique way. If you decide to travel to Georgia, don’t forget to be respectful of their culture.
Georgians are some of the most hospitable people in the world. We have no doubt that you’ll have an amazing time there!
