Gudauri Travel Guide

City Mountain resort town in Georgia

Above the Georgian military road, Gudauri pulls winter crowds for wide-open ski runs, off-piste and heli-ski options, a cable-car with Kazbek views and summer paragliding; mountain lodges serve khachapuri and stews after long days on the snow.

Costs

USD 60-200 per day (seasonal)

Ski season drives prices up; summer cheaper.

Safety

Generally safe, mountain hazards apply

Low crime; avalanches and altitude are main risks.

Best Time

December-March (skiing), June-September (hiking)

Winter for snow sports; summer for hikes and views.

In This Guide

Why Visit Gudauri?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

10,000

Infrastructure & Convenience

Accessible by car/minibus; basic English in resorts.

Popularity

Busy with Georgian and Russian skiers; growing European visitors.

Known For

Alpine skiing, freeride and heli‑skiing, ski lifts, Caucasus views, paragliding, snow parks, apres‑ski, mountain hospitality, off‑piste terrain

Gudauri sits at about 2,200 m on the Georgian Military Road, roughly 120 km north of Tbilisi.

Why Visit Gudauri? #

A high-altitude ski hub on the Georgian Military Highway, this resort draws snow-sport enthusiasts and backcountry seekers. Broad slopes and heli- or off-piste options suit freeride skiing and paragliding, and clear views toward Mount Kazbek anchor the mountain scenery. Après-ski revolves around hearty Georgian food - khachapuri and grilled meats - plus lively local hospitality that blends mountain-adventure culture with traditional supra feasting.

Top Things to Do in Gudauri

All Attractions ›

Mount Kazbek

Prominent Caucasus peak on the Georgia–Russia frontier

Mountain

Gergeti Trinity Church

Isolated mountain church beneath Mount Kazbek with panoramic views

Religious Site

Ananuri

Historic fortress complex on Aragvi River, scenic reservoir.

Castle

Mount Dzhimara

Caucasus mountain on the Russia-Georgia border, glaciated summit

Mountain

Mount Shani

Prominent Caucasus peak straddling Georgia–Russia border

Mountain

Keli Lake

Alpine lake in Greater Caucasus, scenic highland basin

Lake

Kazbegi national park

Mountain national park surrounding Mount Kazbek and glaciers

National Park

Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument

Soviet-era monument overlooking Georgian military highway

Monument

Don't Miss

Gudauri Ski Resort - Extensive slopes for skiing and freeride, with modern lifts and rental facilities.
Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument - Colorful circular monument offering panoramic views along the Georgian Military Highway.
Paragliding launch sites - Popular paragliding take-off points offering tandem flights over the Caucasus slopes.

Hidden Gems

Kobi Village - Traditional mountain village east of Gudauri with rustic inns and hiking trails.
Sadzele Plateau viewpoints - Short hikes lead to quiet viewpoints overlooking deep river gorges and cliffs.
Roadside khinkali stalls - Roadside khinkali stalls serving hot dumplings and daily local specialties.

Day Trips

Ananuri Fortress - Fortified complex on the Aragvi River with towers and small museums nearby.
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) and Gergeti Trinity Church - Dramatic mountain town with the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church above the valley.

Best Time to Visit Gudauri #

Gudauri is best in winter for skiing and in summer for cool mountain hiking. Spring and autumn are changeable but offer quieter trails and lower prices if you accept variable weather.

Winter

December - March · -12 to 0°C (10 to 32°F)

Reliable snow and cold that make Gudauri a top ski destination - expect powder, strong winds and excellent mountain conditions for winter sports.

Summer

June - August · 8 to 18°C (46 to 64°F)

Cool, crisp summer perfect for hiking, paragliding and mountain escapes - pleasantly mild compared with lowland Georgia, with long daylight hours.

Spring/Autumn

April - May, September - October · -2 to 10°C (28 to 50°F)

Unpredictable shoulder seasons with variable weather - days can be lovely for walks but nights remain chilly and some services are quieter.

Best Time to Visit Gudauri #

Climate

Gudauri's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -12°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1266 mm/year), wettest in May.

Best Time to Visit

AugustJulySeptember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

29°

Warmest Month

-28°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -5°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

29 Poor

Comfort

-8°

Feels Like Freezing

-8°C

Temperature

-12° – -5°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

77 mm

Rainfall

3.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.3h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -12°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

28 Poor

Comfort

-8°

Feels Like Freezing

-8°C

Temperature

-12° – -4°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

81 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.4

UV Index

Low

10.4h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

30 Poor

Comfort

-5°

Feels Like Freezing

-5°C

Temperature

-10° – -1°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

91 mm

Rainfall

2.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (128 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

1°

Feels Like Cold

1°C

Temperature

-4° – 5°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

128 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.1

UV Index

High

13.2h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (157 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

1° – 10°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

157 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

Very High

14.4h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (145 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

4° – 14°

73%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

145 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

15.1h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

8° – 17°

70%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

127 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.9

UV Index

Very High

14.8h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

8° – 16°

67%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

106 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

13.7h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

5° – 13°

73%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

91 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.2

UV Index

High

12.3h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

0° – 8°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

82 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

10.9h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -5°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

-1°

Feels Like Freezing

-1°C

Temperature

-5° – 2°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

86 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.3

UV Index

Low

9.6h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-6°

Feels Like Freezing

-6°C

Temperature

-10° – -3°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

95 mm

Rainfall

4.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.0h daylight

How to Get to Gudauri

Gudauri is an alpine ski town on the Georgian Military Road, easiest reached by road from Tbilisi International Airport (TBS). Most visitors fly into Tbilisi then take a shuttle, marshrutka or private taxi northbound to Gudauri.

By Air

Tbilisi International Airport (TBS): Tbilisi is the main international gateway for visitors to Gudauri. From TBS you can reach Gudauri by road: private car or taxi takes about 2-2.5 hours (roughly 120-140 km) and typically costs 120-200 GEL for a private transfer. Some shared transfers are cheaper (about 15-25 GEL per person) when available.

Kutaisi International Airport (KUT): Kutaisi is farther away (approx. 220-260 km) and not recommended for same‑day transfers to Gudauri unless you plan a long drive; travel times are 4-5+ hours by car.

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no direct passenger rail service to Gudauri; rail travel can get you to Tbilisi, then onward by road.

Bus / Marshrutka: Marshrutkas and minibuses leave from Tbilisi (Didube Terminal) to Kazbegi and some to Gudauri in winter/ski season. Expect 2-3 hour journeys from Tbilisi depending on traffic and stops. Prices for marshrutkas are commonly around 10-25 GEL per person; seasonal private shuttles to ski resorts run at higher fares.

How to Get Around Gudauri #

Gudauri is a mountain resort where movement within the resort is mostly on foot or by short local transfers; ski lifts and gondolas are the main way to access slopes in winter. The resort is reached by road from Tbilisi by shared minibuses or private transfers. During ski season expect seasonal shuttles and ski-bus services; outside the season private transport is the easiest option. Bring warm clothing and be prepared for mountain road conditions.

Where to Stay in Gudauri #

Budget

Lower Gudauri - $20-60/night

Budget guesthouses and small hotels near the slopes; good for snowboarders on a budget.

Gudauri Lodge - Basic skiers' rooms.
Arte Hotel Gudauri - Budget-friendly slope access.

Mid-Range

Central Gudauri - $60-150/night

Several boutique and ski hotels offer reliable mid-range comfort and lift access.

Marco Polo Hotel (Gudauri) - Popular mountain hotel with services.
Brass Hotel Gudauri - Comfortable, near lifts.

Luxury

Top lifts area - $150+/night

Luxury options exist with spa and ski-in/out amenities - book early in peak season.

Rooms Hotel Gudauri - Design hotel with ski facilities.
Gudauri Resort & Spa - Upscale rooms and spa services.

Where to Eat in Gudauri #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Gudauri's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Georgian

Bagel

Donut

Pizza

Burger

Indian

Hot Dog

Regional

Arab

Breakfast

International

Italian Pizza

Nightlife in Gudauri #

Nightlife is seasonal and geared to the ski crowd - hotel bars, apres-ski spots and a handful of small clubs/restaurants stay open late during peak season. Outside the high season options are sparse.

Shopping in Gudauri #

Shopping in Gudauri focuses on ski and outdoor rental shops, equipment stores and small souvenir stalls. There are few specialist boutiques; larger purchases are best done in Tbilisi.