The US state of Georgia still has a whiff of the Old South: peach and peanut orchards, magnificent mansions and sultry heat in the swamps. But there is also a very different Georgia that symbolizes the modern, successful southern states of the USA.
From the Appalachian Mountains in the north to the Atlantic coast, Georgia is an absolute dream destination. This is mainly due to the versatility of the US state. The "Peach State", as Georgia is called because of its excellent peaches, consists equally of vibrant metropolises, historic places and beautiful, wild nature.
| Capital: | Atlanta |
| Area: | 153,909 km² |
| Population: | about 10.5 million |
| Location: | South-East USA |
| Nickname: | Peach State |
| State animal: | Green tree frog, white-tailed deer, gopher tortoise |
| Time zone: | UTC−5 (EST) |
The US state of Georgia stretches from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the 161 km long Atlantic coast in the southeast. It borders the southern states of Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama.
More than one million immigrants from all corners of the world live in Georgia, and the number is growing steadily. Immigrants from Germany, Eastern Europe, China, India, West Africa, Mexico and the Caribbean are strongly represented.
Between mountains, beaches and farmland, vibrant cities also rise into the sky of Georgia. The pace of urban growth has increased sharply in recent years, as Georgia is considered to be an attractive business location.
The biggest cities in Georgia are:
| City | Population |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | 507,000 |
| Augusta | 198,000 |
| Columbus | 196,000 |
| Macon | 153,000 |
| Savannah | 145,000 |
| Athens | 127,000 |
In total, nearly 11 million people live in Georgia, over 10% of them were born outside the United States.
Georgia has a mostly subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures of over 30°C. The southern plains of the Peach State are particularly warm.
Winters are warmer than 10°C in most places in Georgia, but sub-zero temperatures and snow can occur in the far north. So if you miss the four seasons in other southern states like Texas and Florida, you'll find them here in Georgia.
It also rains quite a bit, and severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are not uncommon.
In the Peach State, you'll find almost every type of landscape your traveler's heart desires: steep mountains, flowering plains, gorgeous coastlines, canyons, waterfalls and rustic swamps. The wildlife in Georgia is just as diverse: here you can meet alligators, dolphins, sea turtles, wild horses, bears and deer, among others.
In spring and fall, temperatures can reach up to 25 °C, which is why the most popular time to travel to Georgia is between the end of March and October. The very hot and humid summer months are often spurned by travelers.
Springtime in Georgia is glorious! If you want to experience the magnificent blossoms on the plantations and in the old avenues, travel to the Peach State between April and June.
The International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon starts in late March. At the same time, the Savannah Music Festival takes place.
The Georgia Peach Festival is held at the end of June and extensively celebrates the state fruit.
If you like cool evenings and therefore prefer to travel to Georgia in the fall, don't miss the golden October and come in time for the pecan harvest.
Non-stop flights to the US state of Georgia are available, for example, with Delta Airlines. The most important airports in Georgia are:
According to travel search engine Momondo, flights to Atlanta are cheapest in February.
If you do not have a Green Card and are not a US citizen, you will need to apply for an ESTA or US Visa for your trip to Georgia.
With an ESTA, you can stay 90 days visa-free in the USA. Apply online now!
Once in Georgia, you'll likely need a transfer to your first accommodation. Your options are:
You should not underestimate the distances to be driven in Georgia. From Atlanta airport to the city, you pay only about 30 $, but to Columbus, you can get rid of 200 $. Rideshares and shuttles are cheaper. Get a cab calculator for your smartphone to estimate the costs better.
The major shuttle services that run from the airport to specific staging areas around the state are usually cheap and convenient. For example, a bus tour from Atlanta to Columbus will cost you around $35.
With trains, streetcars, and buses, MARTA will get you where you want to go, at least within Atlanta. However, if you need to travel longer distances in Georgia, it's best to take a shuttle, Greyhound, or AMTRAK.
Georgia is perfect for a road trip, so a rental car is always a good idea. You can get one directly at the airport, or you can ask for special offers from your airline (e.g., fly & ride) to save some money.
Although an international driver's license is not usually required, we recommend that you apply for one in time, as the Georgia Department of Transportation occasionally spontaneously introduces new rules for visitors.
Attention: When it rains in Georgia, you must drive with your lights on!
In Georgia's national parks, you can dive into the history of the Americans. In the Peach State, everything seems to revolve around the past. However, you don't have to miss out on wilderness, beaches, whitewater courses and canyons.
The Ocmulgee Mounds National Monument impressively portrays Native American life around Macon. On the third weekend in September, one of the largest gatherings of Native Americans in the Southeast is also held here. From the mounds you have a beautiful view over Macon and the surrounding countryside. Watch out for snakes!
Put on your backpack and head into the forest! The Chattahoochee National Forest with its white water and canyons is beautiful and exciting. Hike the Panther Creek Falls Trail through the Cohutta Mountains. This is also the start of the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the Blue Ridge Mountains and across six other states to Maine.
Not far from the Tennessee border is the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. The sprawling open-air museum gives you an overwhelming impression of what happened in the American Civil War 160 years ago. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park north of Atlanta is also a great place to learn history.
You'll find untouched nature on the beach of the Golden Isles of Georgia. On these three beauties, you can watch wild horses on the beach, walk for miles in the fine sand, and visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, where injured sea turtles are nursed back to health. Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island is especially worth seeing for its large driftwood from old trees.
Beware of reptiles! You might hear this warning more often in the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia. But don't worry: you can still take a paddle through the fabulous woods! By the way, the beautiful blackwater swamp is mentioned in several of Stephen King's books. We wonder if that's because of the more than 15,000 alligators that live here?
The following places in Georgia are a must-see and should definitely be on your travel list:
Georgia is a US state full of surprises. Here are the top city highlights for your city break in Georgia:
Atlanta is the fast-growing capital city in the middle of Georgia. Companies such as Coca-Cola are headquartered here and there is a wealth of leisure activities on offer. But even in the urban jungle, you can't miss a bit of American history.
These are the places you should see in Atlanta:
A trip to Columbus is perfect for learning history. In the National Historic District, you will see many Victorian houses and the Riverwalk invites you to a long walk along the Chattahoochee River. Countless museums and historic sites related to the American Civil War line your path.
These are the places you should see in Columbus:
Savannah is romantic, historic and stunningly beautiful. Be enchanted by old houses, magnificent fountains and quaint avenues and visit the lighthouse on Tybee Island. But beware: Savannah is said to be haunted - especially around Bonaventure Cemetery!
These are the places you should see in Savannah:
In Augusta, you will find typical southern flair and a lot of history and culture. If you're a golf fan, stop by in April during the legendary Masters Tournament.
These are some of the places you should see in Augusta:
Georgia is so packed with beauty, history, and wilderness that a road trip across the state is the best way to explore. Whether by car or RV, a road trip through Georgia is simply unforgettable!
You'll see native American sites, antebellum mansions, and coastal forts.
Be prepared to sense the chronology of the United States' slavery and civil rights movements in many places, and linger in places that Martin Luther King Jr. and Franklin D. Roosevelt walked.
Time and again, you'll pass buildings so beautiful you won't believe it. Ancient train stations, antique movie palaces, Victorian mansions - often, you'll feel like the main character in a novel.
The Antebellum Trail's magnificent scenic road takes you past gorgeous mansions and enchanted small towns from Athens to Macon and shows you the "southern states in a nutshell."
You'll pass through the small towns of Watkinsville, Madison, Eatonton, Milledgeville, and Clinton, and often have the chance to stay in a charming old bed & breakfast or just stop for a tasty southern snack.
If you want to visit beautiful Savannah, then we recommend a tour from the Golden Isles to the north. The coast of Georgia is full of small islands and has wide, flat sandy beaches, some of which are of bizarre beauty.
High in northern Georgia, you'll find a Bavarian village called Helen, which, with its half-timbered houses, flower boxes, shutters and German street names like "Tannenweg" and "Edelweißstraße," attracts millions of visitors each year.
Helen is a perfect base for whitewater rafting, mountain hiking, a relaxing day on the Chattahoochee River or a Wine Tasting tour in the Georgia Mountains. But please park your car for and after the wine tasting!
Along the Florida border, you'll drive through seemingly endless greenery. You can even drive into the wetlands around the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. At some point, however, the road ends abruptly and you have to change to a boat.
How beautiful it is here in Georgia! You absolutely have to show this to your friends! Here are our top 5 Instagram hotspots in Georgia:
The state of Georgia is famous for its tasty peaches, but peanuts, pecans, watermelon and seafood are also part of the "home cooking" here.
You should definitely try these dishes on your Georgia vacation:
Did you know that you could meet tons of movie stars in Georgia? In fact, in recent years, the US southern state has developed strongly in the direction of a nicer, more affordable Hollywood.
Over 700 films and series have already been made in the "Hollywood of the south." These include:
Georgia also served as a scenery for the film "Gone with the Wind." However, it was shot almost entirely in Los Angeles.
Unuseful knowledge about your vacation destination is the best conversation starter. You probably don't know these funny things about Georgia:
Georgia is one of the most beautiful US states to live in, and it's not that hard to build a new life here. We'll tell you how.
There are four ports and many large international companies in Georgia. Kia, The Home Depot, UPS, Randstad, and Delta Air Lines, for example, are headquartered here.
You'll have great opportunities in the following industries in up-and-coming Georgia:
However, like everywhere else in the US, trade experts, developers, lawyers and financial professionals are also in demand.
Housing costs and taxes in Georgia are lower than in many other US states, resulting in an overall very high quality of life.
Another advantage of Georgia is the pleasant climate. Fans of the south who find it too hot in Florida therefore like to move to the neighboring state.
The sales tax in Georgia is 4%, which is lower than in most other US states.
A Green Card allows you to live and work in the USA indefinitely. However, getting the desired US immigrant visa through a job is not that easy.
That's why we recommend you try your luck in the Green Card Lottery. Every year, the US government gives away 55,000 Green Cards. Sign up now - it's just a few clicks!