Tbilisi, Georgia: travel guide
Georgia's capital on the Mtkvari River, famed for its Old Town, sulphur bath district (Abanotubani), Narikala Fortress, cobbled lanes, wine bars and a lively arts and nightlife scene.
- Country
- Georgia
- Currency
- GEL
- Time zone
- Asia/Tbilisi
- Nearest airport
- TBS
Top places to visit in Tbilisi
Chronicle of Georgia
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h
Monumental hilltop complex by Zurab Tsereteli north of the city — colossal pillars carved with kings, queens and scenes from the life of Christ, overlooking the Tbilisi Sea.
Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba)
Church · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h
The vast Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (Sameba), consecrated in 2004, is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church and one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, crowning Elia Hill.
Bridge of Peace
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.3 h
A curved glass-and-steel pedestrian bridge over the Mtkvari River linking Rike Park with Old Town, illuminated at night. Designed by Michele De Lucchi, it opened in 2010.
Sioni Cathedral
Church · 4.9 rating · about 0.5 h
Medieval Georgian Orthodox cathedral in Old Tbilisi, long the seat of the Catholicos-Patriarch. It houses the venerated grapevine cross of St Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity.
Rustaveli Avenue
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
Tbilisi's grand central boulevard, lined with 19th-century mansions, the Parliament, opera house, museums, theatres and cafes — the spine of city life.
Anchiskhati Basilica
Church · 4.7 rating · about 0.4 h
Tbilisi's oldest surviving church, a 6th-century three-nave basilica in the heart of Old Town, still used for services and famed for its polyphonic choir.
Metekhi Church
Church · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h
The 13th-century Metekhi Church of the Assumption perches on a cliff above the Mtkvari, beside the equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali, founder of Tbilisi.
Mtatsminda Park
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
Hilltop amusement park and viewpoint on Mtatsminda (Holy Mountain), reached by a historic funicular. Ferris wheel, gardens and sweeping views over the whole city.
Georgian National Museum
Museum · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · entry GEL 15
The Simon Janashia Museum on Rustaveli holds Georgia's archaeological treasures — pre-Christian gold from Colchis, and the sobering Museum of Soviet Occupation.
Abanotubani Sulphur Baths
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h
Tbilisi's historic bath quarter, where domed brick bathhouses sit over natural hot sulphur springs. The city takes its name (tbili = warm) from these waters; the Chreli (Orbeliani) Bath has an ornate blue-tiled Persian facade.
Dry Bridge Market
Market · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h
Open-air flea market by the Mtkvari where vendors sell Soviet memorabilia, antiques, jewellery, old cameras, paintings and bric-a-brac. A collector's and browser's paradise.
Narikala Fortress
Fort · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
Ancient hilltop citadel above Old Tbilisi, first built in the 4th century. Reached by the aerial cable car from Rike Park, it offers the city's best panorama over the sulphur-bath district and the Mtkvari River.
Things to do
- Old Tbilisi Walking Tour Walking Tour · 3 h · from GEL 60 per person
- Abanotubani Sulphur Bath Experience Activity · 1 h · from GEL 70 per person
- Tbilisi Food & Wine Tasting Tour Food Tour · 3.5 h · from GEL 130 per person
- Kakheti Wine Region Day Trip Day Trip · 9 h · from GEL 190 per person
- Narikala Cable Car & Ridge Walk Sightseeing · 2 h · from GEL 40 per person
Day trips and tours
- Kakheti Wine Country Day Tour 9 h · from GEL 190
- Mtskheta, Jvari & Gori Day Tour 9 h · from GEL 170
- Kazbegi & Gudauri Day Tour 12 h · from GEL 200
Where to stay in Tbilisi
- Old Town (Dzveli Tbilisi) about GEL 260 per night
Atmospheric cobbled heart of the city — best for first-timers who want to walk to the sights, baths, wine bars and restaurants.
- Rustaveli & City Centre about GEL 220 per night
Central and well-connected along the main avenue, close to museums, theatres and the metro — good mid-range base.
- Vera & Vake about GEL 300 per night
Leafier, upscale residential districts with design hotels, cafes and parks, a short ride from the centre.
Hotels
- Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center 3-star · GEL 150 to GEL 300 per night
- Betsy's Hotel 4-star · GEL 220 to GEL 500 per night
- Fabrika Hostel & Suites 2-star · GEL 40 to GEL 220 per night
- Stamba Hotel 5-star · GEL 450 to GEL 1,200 per night
- Rooms Hotel Tbilisi 5-star · GEL 380 to GEL 900 per night
Where to eat
- Barbarestan Georgian · about GEL 90 per person
- Cafe Littera Georgian, Modern European · about GEL 85 per person
- Shavi Lomi Georgian · about GEL 55 per person
- Pur Pur Georgian, European · about GEL 50 per person
- Machakhela Rustaveli Georgian · about GEL 30 per person
- Salobie Bia Georgian · about GEL 40 per person
- Keto and Kote Georgian · about GEL 60 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Cable Car main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Metro main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Unmetered taxi overcharging
Airport, Old Town, tourist ranks
Street taxis without meters quote inflated flat fares to tourists, often several times the fair price.
How to avoid it: Use the Bolt or Yandex Go app instead of hailing street taxis; agree the price before getting in if you must.
Old Town restaurant tout markups
Old Town, Shardeni & Erekle II streets
Touts lure tourists into bars/restaurants where drinks or 'traditional shows' carry surprise service charges.
How to avoid it: Check prices on the menu before ordering and ask if any cover/service charge applies.