Oh the Caucasus!
A delightful hidden region on the cusp of Europe and Asia, little did I realise the delights that lay in store for me before I travelled here on my first trip!
But pretty much as soon as I got to this part of the world I fell in love with it, so much so that I’ve even made second trip here… and am planning a third!
Which means I’m well-versed when it comes to packing for Georgia and Armenia because, from mountain hiking to city swinging, wine tasting wanders to beach time bliss and even skiing sojourns, this region certainly packs in a good chuck of diversity.
So if you’re planning a trip there soon too, then read on to discover my complete packing list for Georgia and Armenia so you can be prepared to travel to, and fall in love with, these countries just as much as I did…
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Packing for the Climate in Georgia and Armenia
Before I launch into this packing list for Georgia and Armenia, it’s worth taking the time to discuss the weather in these 2 countries for a minute.
And the reason for this is, that both Georgia and Armenia have incredible wide-ranging climates.
With snow blanketing much of them during the wintertime, through to the scorching summers during the months of June to August, what you need to pack when you travel here will very much depend on when in the year you are planning to visit.
Because travelling to the Caucasus between the winter months of November and March might limit your plans somewhat – unless you’re a skier that is – I’m going to base this packing list for Georgia and Armenia around travelling here in the spring, summer and autumn months – namely from April to October.
Not only is this the best time to visit these countries in my opinion, but it’s also the time when you can visit most of what they have to offer too.
However, I have also visited during the winter months. and if you’re a keen winter sports fan you might too, which is why I’ve included an additional winter packing list section for cold weather within this article too.
But in general, sticking with the idea you’ll be visiting during the warmer, more pleasant months instead – which I’d actually advise FYI – here’s my complete packing list for Georgia and Armenia.
Oh, and sorry, one more point, just be aware of the main summer months of July and August here too.
Average temperature rises mean it will be seriously warm in the low-lying parts of Georgia and Armenia at this time.
Personally, this is fine for me, I am, after all, the person who once fall asleep in a sauna, but I know for many people it’s way too hot then, so you have been warned!
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Clothes to Pack For Georgia & Armenia in Summer
Rain Jacket
Georgia and Armenia experience some serious swings in temperature throughout the year, as we’ve discussed.
But even during the Spring and Autumn months, it can get a little cold, cloudy and wet up in the mountain areas of both countries.
As such, I highly recommend taking a rain jacket with you no matter what month you visit.
Something thin, compact and windproof would be ideal and this North Face Venture 2 is perfect.
Great for hiking and sightseeing, this is a good, lightweight option that’s great for travellers.
Hoodies / Sweaters
As well as a rain jacket, you’ll also want some warm layers for those altitude areas in Georgia and Armenia, which means bringing a couple of thicker sweaters with you is definitely a good idea when it comes to this packing list.
Even in the summer, when it’s roasting in the lower-lying capitals, it can get nippy up in the highlands at night and if you’re hiking out here, in say the Kazbegi region, you’ll definitely you want to make sure you’ll be warm enough.
Check out this cosy merino number from Minus 33, which is brilliant when on the move thanks to its non-smelling, compact and quick-dry qualities.
Thin Long-Sleeved Tops
Great for layering if you’re hiking anywhere, going up to the mountains or travelling in the Caucasus during the changeable shoulder seasons of spring and autumn, a couple of thin long-sleeved tops are ideal items on your Armenia and Georgia packing list.
I always bat for natural fibres if I can, because they make you sweat less, so check out these bamboo options from Boody, that I own, wear and love!
Personally I think they are ideal items for any travellers and wouldn’t be without mine now!
Cardigan / Denim Shirt
Helpful in the evening and /or if you want something a bit smarter during the day, a cardigan or denim shirt, which you can through over jeans or a dress, will perfect be if you want to head out for a glass of wine in either Tbilisi or Yerevan.
Which you def should FYI!
I love this Levi one.
Singlets / T-Shirts
Choose a range of colours and styles that match the trousers / shorts you’ve selected, including t-shirts that cover your shoulders when hiking and singlets that give more ventilation!
7 is a good number I think, as it means you have enough to survive without doing laundry for a week!
Jeans / Trousers
Great for going out in the evening or when heading out on day trips to see monasteries, where anything above the knee is not allowed, a couple of pairs of good travel trousers is a must on this packing list for Georgia and Armenia.
Personally I’d take 1 pair of jeans that you can wear during city day and nights and one pair of looser, thinner trousers you can wear when sightseeing.
These khaki, ankle-cropped ones are perfect for the job in my opinion.
Pair Leggings / Hiking Pants
One of my travel essentials, especially ideal when you’re exploring out in the beautiful nature of Georgia and Armenia.
Leggings are ideal for active adventures or long bus rides as well as doubling up as PJs during frosty nights.
Leggings are also good under a casual dress in the evenings and can be worn under other trousers if double layers are required.
Excuse me if I’m banging on about this too much (and FYI, it’s not sponsored!) but I literally can’t get enough of my new-ish bamboo leggings from Boody.
Thin, breathable, made of natural fibre, quick-dry, compact and light.
Seriously people, what’s not to love!
Shorts
Well you’re going to need something for those warm days right?
Not to mention if you’re heading to the coast in Georgia.
Armenia felt slightly more conservative than Georgia to me and I’d probably only wear shorts in this country when I was chilling at a hostel, but in Georgia, I even wore shorts when walking around Tbilisi.
Indeed it was totally fine to stroll around with legs on show pretty much anywhere in Georgia… apart from if you want to enter monasteries!
Never forget this golden rule in either Georgia or Armenia, because in all religious buildings, legs, arms, chests and heads need to be covered.
Luckily, most monasteries have headscarves you can borrow at the entrance, but trousers and long-sleeved tops may be a little harder to come by!
Summer Dress / Jumpsuit
A great item for Georgian beach days or Armenia lakeside chills.
Easy to pair with leggings for a casual evening look, a summer dress is a versatile little number I never travel without.
Just make sure it matches the tops and leggings you’ve already packed.
Sarong
You can’t take enough sarongs travelling in my opinion and, as they are so light, but with space running low at this point, you may have to limit yourself to just 1!
Perfect for using as a beach towel, a headscarf, a bathrobe, a sheet, a laundry bag … the list goes on.
Check out my post about the 20 reasons why you should always take a sarong travelling for more ideas, but whatever you do, just pack one!
Travel Scarf & Head Scarf
This is another top travel item I literally wouldn’t travel anywhere without.
I love my travel scarf when I’m hiking or in cities, as I can keep all my valuables safe and to hand in the clever secret pocket.
This is also good for keeping your neck warm… obvs… as well as throwing over your head when you want to enter a monastery.
Complete game changer having this with me now!
Women will also want to take ahead scarf with them as local customs dictate they must be worn when visiting any monasteries.
Sun Hat / Cap and Sunglasses
Whether you want to bring a cap or a floppy, large designer number, the choice is yours.
Just make sure you bring a sun hat of some description because walking all day in towns, mountains or monasteries during the Caucasus’ summer months can be tough!
I personally love this simple cap from Nike, which keeps the sun off my face and head when out and about in nature.
Underwear
Small and compact, 7 pairs is a good number to save you a lot of washing duties!
Bras + Sports Bra
Compact and quick to dry, a sports bra is a must when it comes to this packing list for Georgia and Armenia.
There’s so much hiking to do round here you’ll certainly make good use of it.
I love this black one from Nike.
Bikini / Swimwear
Well you need something to enjoy those sunny days with at the coast or by the 3G’s camping pool!
Socks
2x hiking pairs for outdoor days, 3x ankle-length pair for sightseeing days.
Nightwear
You can always double up on your daywear here to save room if needs be!
Shoes to Pack for Summer
Trainers / Runners
Versatile, comfortable and essential if you want to see all the sights in these epic countries.
I highly recommend New Balance who create stylish city runners that you can still wear when doing your outdoors stuff too.
Sandals
Personally, I love my Arizona Birkenstocks, which I basically lived in during my time in Georgia and Armenia when I wasn’t scaling mountains!
The support they offer means you can sightsee to your heart’s content in them and never get sore soles.
And the black, plain look of them means they go with everything.
Hiking Boots
If you plan on doing an serious hiking, such as treks in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kazbegi (perhaps to the Gergeti Holy Trinity Church), or multi-day treks in the Svaneti or Tusheti regions, then I highly recommend a pair of hiking boots with goos ankle support.
I love my North Face Hedgehogs.
Additional Clothes & Shoes to Pack For Georgia & Armenia in Winter
I’ve also visited Georgia during the winter and, as I alluded to above, the climate is pretty different then!
During January and February, when I went, weather conditions often mean snow is at its thickest.
Although thin on the ground in lower-lying areas such as Tbilisi (especially thanks to global warming), in any of the mountain areas of the region, you’ll need to come prepared for thick snow and sub-zero temperatures.
Even in major cities like Tbilisi and Yerevan it can drop to below freezing, so insulated layers are a good idea.
In addition to the summer clothes and shoes sections above, you’ll definitely want to pack the following items for travelling across Georgia and Armenia in the winter, especially if you are heading to any mountain area like Kazbegi or Svaneti, or plan to enjoy any winter sports activities in spots like Gudauri or Hatsvali.
- Snow boots with good grip
- Winter boots like fur-lined Doc Martins
- Ski / wool socks
- Base layer leggings
- Base layer long sleeved tops
- Thermal fleeces or jumpers
- Winter hats, scarves, gloves
- Ski Jacket
- Down Jacket
Toiletries / Medical to Pack
Thin Toiletries Bag
This one is a great, cheap option.
Shampoo & Conditioner Bars
I now always go for shampoo and conditioner bars when I travel to save the plastic and keep the space down!
Although they are a bit pricey, they last for ages.
Say goodbye to mid-travel spillages and bulky bottles people, this is the eco-friendly future!
Deodorant
I always pack a natural crystal deodorant as they last forever and are free from many nasty chemicals.
Soap
Keep it in a ziplock bag to prevent from getting soap slime on everything you own!
Sunscreen
Choose a 30 SPF or higher for those hell-strong summer rays in Georgia and Armenia and go natural if you can to keep the chemicals out of your skin.
Aloe Vera
A great natural soother and aftersun option.
SPF Lip Salve
Very important for those UV conditions and dry altitude air.
Burt Bees are always my go-to as they never dry out my lips.
Natural Insect Repellent
Mosquitoes can be an annoying problem in low-lying areas, so why suffer!
Tiger Balm
An ideal remedy for headaches, sore muscles and insect bites, tiger balm is super versatile.
Tea-Tree Essential Oil
A powerful antiseptic, anti-mould, anti-fungal treatment.
Also great to throw in a few drops with your washing and ideal for freshening up smelly bags / laundry etc.
Get an organic tea-tree oil if you can.
Paracetamol, Anti-Septic Cream, Anti-Histamine & Band Aids
The only first aid kit you hopefully need to take!
Menstrual Cup
The best way to deal with your time of the month when travelling ladies.
Check out the best prices for them here.
Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss
Facial Cleanser, Serum, Toner & Moisturiser
Body Moisturiser
Razor & Spare Blades
Nail Scissors & Nail File
Tweezers & Safety Pins
Cotton Buds / Pads
Hair Bands & Hair Brush
Glasses / Contact Lenses if you wear them
Prescription Medications if you take them
Electronics to Pack
Smartphone & Bluetooth Headphones
Taking your smartphone to stay in touch with those at home, checking maps and uploading some pics while you’re in Georgia and Armenia is a great idea.
Also download some audiobooks and music onto your phone before you leave home – a great idea for travel days.
I recommend Amazon Audible and Spotify Premium for these purposes and wouldn’t travel without either these days.
eSIM
Forget having to buy a local SIM card for your cell phone – eSIMs are the way forward when you travel.
I used aloSIM during my second trip to Georgia and found it worked really well across the country.
Portable Charger
Portable chargers are great when travelling without a solidly reliable charging source, like in Armenia and Georgia, where power cuts can happen!
I recommend the Anker Powercore which is light and charges devised in lighting speed – my iPhone about 3 times over!
Camera, Lens, Spare Battery & Charger
I love my Sony A600 mirrorless camera, which I’ve used across these Caucasus countries and beyond.
Light, compact and sturdy, it’s perfect for travelling, especially in stunning areas like Khor Virap.
I also took my Go Pro Hero to Georgia and Armenia as it was great for capturing the more active parts of adventuring here.
Memory Cards
Take a large memory card if possible – like a 64GB one.
Also not a bad idea to double up in case you lose it or fill it up either.
High-speed memory cards are also good for better processing times.
Adapter
How are you going to charge otherwise?
Georgia and Armenia have the same type of plugs as mainland Europe, so get a good adapter like this one that won’t fail you!
Headlamp & Spare Batteries
Never travel without a headlamp and try to choose a product that uses commonly found batteries and has a red night light function.
I love my Black Diamond Storm, which served me well on all my travels – it’s virtually indestructible.
VPN
A VPN service is a must for me when I travel, especially in higher-risk countries.
I love NORD VPN who offer a great service and more global servers for a truly quick and seamless connection.
It’s so simple, quick and easy to use, bringing great peace of mind at the same time!
And Don’t Forget…
Travel Towel
I recommend Latrek, because they are cheap, compact, soft and don’t smell.
Love, love, love mine.
Day Pack
Good for hiking and beach days, this one from Ospery is perfect as it will fit your guidebook, towel, water, camera and some snacks in!
Combination Padlock
Very useful for locking up bags and valuables when staying in hostels, these don’t have to be expensive, just reliable!
One that’s been TSA-approved is a good idea.
Eye Mask & Earplugs
Key for sleeping on long bus journeys and in hostels.
This natural, silk eye mask from Alaska Bear is super comfy.
Multi-Tool
Lots of people say you don’t need this, but I find it very helpful.
Choose a light, inexpensive one and make sure it has a bottle opener, corkscrew and knife – like this.
Trust me, you won’t want to be in Georgia or Armenia and not be able to get into a bottle of wine!
Travel Handwash
Great for doing emergency washing, such as underwear in a sink, travel handwash is always a must when I pack for anywhere.
Water Bottle
Try to get a metal one by a brand like Kleen Kanteen and steer any from those nasty plastics.
In both Georgia and Armenia, there’s clean water that is drinkable from the taps, so fill up for free everywhere you go and avoid having to buy plastic bottles of water.
In Armenia, they even have delicious, free drinking water straight from the mountains – pouring out of continually running drinking fountains throughout every town and city in the country – winning!
Passport & Photocopies
Of all the important documents, your passport is key!
Definitely take a colour copy of your passport with you to Georgia and Armenia and keep it with you at all times, especially if you’re heading near any border or disputed territorial zones.
There are multiple checkpoints in these regions and it’s necessary to have at least a paper copy of your passport with you at all times if you get stopped.
Visa Documentation
You probably won’t need a visa to enter either Georgia or Armenia, but best to check and carry with you!
Immunisation Documentation
Always good to have with you wherever you travel.
Make sure you check any compulsory vaccinations list before you visit.
Travel Insurance
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.
Credit Cards and Debit Cards
When it comes to paying for things in Georgia and Armenia, you want to ensure you’re not being charged overseas transaction fees or getting poor exchange rates when using your card abroad, which is why I always take my Wise card away with me wherever I travel.
The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups and no sneaky ATM fees, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card here, and it links easily with Google and Apple pay. Grab yours here.
Second Store of Cash in Small Thin Purse
The local currency is the Georgia Lari (GEL) and the Armenian Dram (AMD).
Neither are readily available to buy outside the Caucasus countries, so I recommend bringing either some USD or EUR cash with you and then exchanging after arrival.
Flight Tickets
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Best Bag for Your Georgia and Armenia Packing List
The whole packing list should fit into a 50l Osprey Atmos backpack – I never travel with anything bigger and find Osprey a great, reliable brand.
Otherwise, if you prefer to travel with a wheeled light suitcase, check out the new Minima, which is a top compact choice ideal for short-term travels.
In fact, I named it the best carry-on suitcase of the year!
PIN IT TO PINTEREST!
So that’s it, my complete packing list for Georgia and Armenia.
Have you been to either of these amazing countries yet?
Or perhaps you’re planning on it?
Let me know any questions you may have around gear, or what to bring, in the comment section below…
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