So last year I finally got around to visiting Armenia and Georgia, two places that’d been on my list forever. Honestly, picking when to go was trickier than I thought. This ain’t like booking a beach holiday where any sunny month works. Mountains? Yeah, they have opinions about seasons.
Figuring Out the Mess of Weather
First thing, I grabbed my laptop and started digging. Google told me a million different things. Some sites claimed March was perfect, others screamed it was still snowed in. Useless. I ended up pestering a friend who went in October. He said autumn colors were insane, but warned about sudden chills in the evenings. Helpful, but I needed more. Found some local travel forums – not the fancy ones, just regular folks chatting. Saw tons saying July and August can bake you alive in Yerevan and Tbilisi, but are great for hiking up high… if you can handle the crowds.
Taking the Plunge & Booking
Decided to split my trip: late May for Armenia and Georgia, then go back for a short autumn hit in October. Booked flights using miles, which saved my wallet big time. Accommodation? Tried a mix: a decent hotel in Yerevan for comfort, a homestay near Lake Sevan, and a small guesthouse in Tbilisi’s old town. Read the reviews carefully, especially about heating and AC – didn’t wanna freeze or melt.
- Armenia – Late May: Landed in Yerevan. Weather? Almost perfect. Warm sun, cool breezes. Didn’t even break a sweat wandering Republic Square. Took the mashrutka (those ancient minibuses) to Dilijan. Roads were fine, no snow issues. Hiked around forests – lush green, wildflowers everywhere. Only got rained on once, hard and fast, but dried up quick. Packed a light jacket for evenings and mountain bits, used it plenty.
- Georgia – Early June: Crossed the land border – slow but okay. Tbilisi felt warmer than Yerevan. Sun was strong during the day. Did a day trip to Kazbegi. Big deal: Roads were open, Gergeti Trinity Church looked awesome against leftover snow on the peaks, but oh man, the wind! My jacket barely cut it. Needed layers I could strip off quickly hiking up and bundle up again at the top.
- October Visit: Flew into Tbilisi. Different beast! Days were crisp and golden, sunny but chillier. Absolutely stunning foliage in Sighnaghi and Kakheti vineyards. Harvest vibes were amazing. Grape-stomping felt warmer than it actually was! But after sunset? Cold. Like, “pack-thermals-under-your-jeans” cold. Heated rooms weren’t just nice, they were essential. Saw early snowflakes in Gudauri but nothing that stopped travel.
What Actually Worked (And What Didn’t)
Learned a lot by just being there. Late spring (May-June) was the sweet spot for me. Enough warmth in the cities, mountains accessible, nature showing off without the crazy summer tourist rush we saw starting. Autumn was gorgeous for scenery and food festivals, but packing felt like preparing for two different trips in one suitcase – light stuff for sunny afternoons, serious cold gear for evenings.
Summer? Saw the crowds building as we left in June. Felt sticky in Tbilisi. Can’t imagine lugging gear around temples in that mid-day heat. Winter trips seem epic for skiing, but the roads? Nope, too risky for my liking unless you’ve got serious experience or hire the right drivers. Packing tip: Always have layers. Doesn’t matter the season. I got caught without a proper rain shell once, regretted it for hours.
So yeah, if you’re flexible and don’t mind packing smart, shoot for shoulder seasons. Miss most of the big crowds, still get decent weather, prices are nicer. But if you dream of those sunny mountain hikes with wildflowers? Aim for late spring. Want cozy wine evenings and epic colors? Autumn’s your jam, just bring a warm hat. Winter? Only if snow adventures are your main goal. Happy planning, it’s totally worth the hassle!
