Georgia USA travel guide: Atlanta, Savannah, the coast and the mountains

E By Emma · Updated 21 October 2026 · 2 min read

Airports

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), direct from Heathrow in about 9 hours; Savannah (SAV) via a connection or about 3h30 by car from Atlanta

Best time to go

March-May and September-November

Type

State

Georgia, the US state, stretches from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the north to marshy sea islands on the Atlantic. Its capital, Atlanta, is a dynamic, sprawling city with deep roots in the civil rights movement, while Savannah, on the coast, is a beautifully preserved colonial port of Spanish moss and handsome squares. In between lie peach orchards, small towns and some very good Southern cooking.

Note that this guide covers the American state, not the country of Georgia in the Caucasus. For the wider picture, see our USA guide.

Things to do

1. Atlanta – the Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola. See our Atlanta guide.
2. Savannah – wander its 22 historic squares, the riverfront and Bonaventure Cemetery, and eat well. See our Savannah guide.
3. The Golden Isles – St Simons, Jekyll Island and Sea Island, with beaches, cycle paths and historic sites.
4. Cumberland Island – a wild barrier island reached by ferry, with wild horses, ruined mansions and empty beaches.
5. The Blue Ridge Mountains – hiking, waterfalls and the southern start of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain, plus the Alpine-themed town of Helen.
6. Tallulah Gorge – a dramatic canyon with suspension bridge and trails in the north-east.
7. Okefenokee Swamp – one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America, with alligators and boat trips.
8. Macon and Athens – music towns linked with the Allman Brothers, Little Richard, R.E.M. and the B-52s.

Where to stay

• Midtown and Downtown Atlanta – central for museums, restaurants and the BeltLine walking trail.
• Savannah's Historic District – boutique hotels and inns within walking distance of the squares.
• St Simons Island – relaxed beach hotels and rentals on the coast.
• Blue Ridge and Dahlonega – cabins and inns in the mountains.

Getting there

Several airlines fly direct from Heathrow to Atlanta (ATL), taking around nine hours. Atlanta is also a major hub, so connections across the US are easy. Savannah is around three and a half to four hours' drive from Atlanta, or a short connecting flight. Many visitors combine Savannah with Charleston, around two hours up the coast. A hire car is essential. UK visitors need an ESTA.

Best time to visit

Spring is glorious, with azaleas and dogwoods in bloom from March into April, and autumn is warm and settled. Summer is hot and humid, with frequent thunderstorms. Hurricane season affects the coast from June to November. Winters are mild, though the mountains can see snow.

Top attractions in Georgia

Nature

Central Park

Manhattan's 843-acre green heart, with lakes, meadows, bridges and woodland stretching for 51 blocks between Midtown…

Landmark

Statue of Liberty

The copper colossus in New York Harbor, a gift from France in 1886, visited by ferry with Ellis Island on the same trip.

Georgia on the map

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