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Latest update: 22 January 2025
Tbilisi is Georgia’s fascinating capital. I only learned about the country in 2018 when a Dutch TV show was filmed there. Georgia is still far from a tourist hotspot, so you can have plenty of adventures in Tbilisi. Let me be your guide!
What’s the deal with Tbilisi?
During my trip to Georgia, I spent much time in Tbilisi. I was there for a multi-day event, and it’s just a really enjoyable city. That’s why I’ve managed to gather so many tips for you about the Georgian capital. Georgia has a population of about 3.4 million, with over 1 million living in Tbilisi. So it’s definitely a big city with proper urban vibes. Tbilisi is developing rapidly and becoming more modern by the day. Some people even call it the Berlin of Georgia.
That’s exactly how it feels to me, and I’m pleasantly surprised by the city. It breathes both history and possibilities. So definitely go exploring. These 20+ tips will help you get started. And if you’d like to learn more about the vibe, read what you can expect from Tbilisi.
Walking tours in Tbilisi
The best way to get to know a city is simply by walking around. Down this side street, around that corner. I always enjoy going on a walking tour, too. It’s a great way to get more background information about Tbilisi. And boy, are there a lot of walking tours in Tbilisi! You’re spoiled for choice. Book a free walking tour with Freetour or Guruwalk (though you’re expected to tip your guide) or choose a fun tour from GetYourGuide. There are tours for every interest. These caught my eye:
- Vintage shops & cafés
- Coffee walking tour
- Dress like a Berliner
- Hidden courtyards
- Vintage & second-hand
Pro tip: Sololaki walking tour with Baia
If you’re looking for a unique walking tour in Tbilisi, I recommend Baia’s Sololaki tour. It’s perfect if you’ll explore Tbilisi’s typical highlights by yourself but want to hear some insider stories instead. Stories about the remarkable buildings, their wealthy residents, ghosts, and legends. You won’t find these tales in your guidebook! Baia is a fantastic guide who took me to see beautiful buildings and knew exactly which ones we could enter to admire the staircases. I’ve never taken so many photos of staircases! Here’s the tour, or book it directly below.
Wander through the halls of Tbilisi State Academy of Arts
If you don’t have time for Baia’s tour, at least make a quick stop at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. You can freely walk into this school to admire the corridors. They’re richly decorated – words like grandeur and stately come to mind. You can also visit a small museum in the art academy for a small fee, but the reviews are mixed, so I skipped that.
Street art in Tbilisi
You’ll find street art everywhere in Tbilisi. From messy tags to beautiful murals – and here and there some anti-Russia slogans. You can stumble upon them by chance, or go looking for them. For the latter, check out this blog. Baia lives in Tbilisi and has created a handy map for street art in Tbilisi (this one). Or you can let a guide show you around. Check out the options on GetYourGuide.
Old town of Tbilisi
The old town of Tbilisi doesn’t have any grand, sweeping attractions. No Eiffel Tower or Big Ben-style landmarks. But it does have charming, smaller sights and things to do that let you experience both the modern and historic sides of Tbilisi.
The clock tower of Tbilisi
When I saw the clock tower of Tbilisi, I thought it was ancient, with its quirky, crooked blocks. But it was only 14 years old when I visited! It was built in 2010 by puppeteer Rezo Gabriadze, who had renovated his theater. Looking closer, that explains all the details. The clock tower is made from various materials found in the neighborhood. It’s heavily decorated, with an angel that strikes the bell every hour, and twice a day (at noon and 3 PM, I’m told), mechanical puppets come out to do a little show. Honestly, you don’t need to wait for it – it’s not that magical. But if you happen to be there around those times, why not stop and check it out.
Anchiskhati Basilica
The oldest church in Tbilisi, the Anchiskhati Basilica from the 6th century, is also in the old town. If you walk down the street from the clock tower past the displayed paintings, there’s an archway on the left that leads you to this ancient church. Over the years, the paintings have faded, but that’s part of its charm. Entry is free. Just remember the dress code for churches in Georgia!
Visit the Tbilisi Wine Museum
Georgia is famous for its wine production (and consumption). You can find wine tastings everywhere in Tbilisi. But visiting the Tbilisi Wine Museum might be worthwhile if you’re interested in diving deeper into the history of Georgian winemaking. I recommend going with a guide – you can ask about this option at the entrance. If that’s not possible, I’d honestly skip the visit because you won’t have any idea what you’re looking at.
The wine museum is located in historic cellars, about 26 feet (8 meters) underground. In the cellar, you’ll mainly find replicas of various wine-related items, from qvevri (the earthenware vessel used to make Georgian wine) to drinking bowls. You can also do a wine tasting at the Tbilisi Wine Museum with the sommelier from the Archive restaurant. That restaurant is actually in the museum, in these unique cellars. And of course, you can eat there too. It’s best to make a reservation, so give them a call: you can find the details here.
Meidan Bazaar
In the tunnel under the main street, you’ll find the Meidan Bazaar. It’s full of souvenirs, but most shoppers seem pretty good at the whole “look but don’t buy” thing. And looking is fun because the underground setting is quite unique. This area of Tbilisi used to be a major trading hub. Meidan was on the Silk Road. As far back as the fourth century, people gathered here to sell and buy their wares. Now it’s your turn! 😉
The sulfur baths of Tbilisi
Along Abano Street, you’ll find Tbilisi’s sulfur baths. You’ll probably smell them before you see them. Taking a sulfur bath is a quintessential Tbilisi experience. When the city was founded, this location was chosen specifically because of these sulfur baths. Of course, back then, they were more like hot springs than the beautiful bathhouses you see today. They’re not precisely spas, though. Think more of a hammam-style setting, although more luxurious treatments are increasingly being offered for tourists.
There are communal sulfur baths and private baths – whatever you’re comfortable with. I chose a private room at Chreli Abano, which is admittedly the most touristy option. Still, I found that perfect for a first experience. Plus, the building is beautiful from the outside. For 20 GEL (about $7.50), you can add a kisi treatment. It’s really part of the experience – a traditional, vigorous scrub treatment followed by a rinse with lots of water and soap. Book online in advance.
Walk across the ultra-modern Bridge of Peace
The Bridge of Peace seems a bit out of place in Tbilisi. With its white lines and glasswork, it definitely stands out. At night, the bridge is lit up in different patterns. It’s like a light show that runs on an hourly loop. People first started walking across this bridge from the old town to Rike Park in 2010.
It’s a beautiful bridge, but the experience gets a bit spoiled by tour sellers. On both sides of the Bridge of Peace, they’ll try to grab your attention to sell boat tours, walking tours, and more. And then there are people with peacocks, a monkey, and a parrot blocking the way, thinking you want to take photos with the animals. Go away and stop this animal abuse, is all I’m thinking.
Avlabari, Tbilisi
Another part of the old town lies on the other side of the Bridge of Peace. This area is called Avlabari, and you can walk straight into Rike Park from here. It’s a long green strip along the water. As parks go, I don’t find it that impressive, but there are several attractions on this side of the water worth checking out.
The Metekhi church and King Gorgasali statue
The Metekhi church is a Georgian Orthodox church, and its location on the cliff by the water is mainly what makes it interesting. From here, you get a beautiful view of the old town. The equestrian statue honors King Vakhtang Gorgasali, who made Tbilisi the capital of his kingdom in the 5th century. He built his palace and the first church here. The current church was built between 1278 and 1289. The Metekhi church is still active, and the bell is still rung by hand.
Take the cable car to Narikala fortress
Next to the ‘fixed’ hot air balloon in Rike Park, you can take the cable car up. It’s a short ride over the river and old town to the Narikala fortress and the Kartlis Deda statue (Mother of Georgia). Once at the top, you get beautiful views over the city, but you’ll have to dodge some ladies with tarot cards. At the top of the cable car, they’re totally prepared for tourists: snacks, souvenirs, and, unfortunately, more animals to take photos with.
If you want to go up, buy a Metromoney card at the counter for 2 GEL (about $0.75 USD). Then you add credit to it. I’m here in winter, and everything is running smoothly. I hear it gets much busier in summer.
Narikala fortress
The Narikala fortress is mostly impressive… from a distance. The fortress’s history goes all the way back to the fourth century. It was Persian then, but over the years various people built and added to it: Arabs, Georgians, and Turks. In 1827, the ammunition stored here exploded, and now only sections of wall remain. There’s also a tiny church, but its doors were closed when I was there.
Unfortunately, I don’t find it particularly special to see up close. However, the view over Tbilisi is fantastic.
As mentioned, you can reach the Narikala fortress by cable car, but you can also walk up. It’s quite a climb. Maybe that’s why I was a bit disappointed in the fortress—out of breath AND disappointed.
Kartlis Deda: the Mother of Georgia
I couldn’t miss her once at the top of the mountain, although honestly, I hadn’t even noticed her from the city. Kartlis Deda, or The Mother of Georgia, is a 65-foot (20-meter) high statue overlooking the city. She holds a sword in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. The statue symbolizes the hospitality of the Georgians but also their readiness to fight for what they believe in.
The botanical garden is on the other side of the statue, but it’s not worth visiting in winter. When it’s in full bloom, you can walk back down to the city through here. I’m going down at the riverside and walking through the Betlemi park area and various staircases past back streets and colorful houses back towards the city.
Mtatsminda park with the funicular
There’s another cable car in Tbilisi: this one takes you to Mtatsminda Park. You catch this cable car here, in a beautiful classic building, although the cable car itself is more like a modern train. When it opened in 1905, it was probably something much older and been updated since. The train takes you to the viewing platform where you’ll also find a restaurant. On a clear day, you get amazing views over Tbilisi. If you didn’t bring your own binoculars, you can always pop a coin in the standing viewfinders.
But there’s more to do in Mtatsminda Park. It’s actually an amusement park. The park opened in 1938 but was only transformed into what it is now in 2007. I have to say it’s pretty deserted in winter, but I can imagine this is a super fun place for kids. There’s a haunted house, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, and more attractions. The park is free to enter; you pay per ride. In the evening, you can see the Ferris wheel and TV tower lit up cheerfully on the mountain from almost anywhere in the city.
Tsaminda Sameba Cathedral
‘Too much is never enough’ must have been the thought of the designers of the Tsaminda Sameba Cathedral (or Holy Trinity Cathedral). After years of construction, this cathedral opened in 2004. And it’s immense. The size is completely over the top. Well, not for the Georgian Orthodox Church, of course. And it was built after the fall of the Soviet Union, so Georgia had something to prove.
It makes for a beautiful sight though. Its golden roof gleams, but strangely enough, the interior is very plain. I can feel and see in everything that it’s still new, and that history is yet to be written.
The Sameba Cathedral is quite far from the center, so I’d recommend taking a Bolt (ride-hailing app) if you want to go there. They’re super cheap in Tbilisi.
Walk along Rustaveli Avenue
In Georgian, it’s called Rustaveli Gamziri, but most people just call the avenue Rustaveli. Rustaveli was a Georgian poet from the twelfth century. This is the main street where you’ll find all sorts of impressive buildings, like the Opera House, the Parliament building, and various museums. In some places, there are even stars like the ones we know from Hollywood – though I can’t read the names, let alone recognize them.
Traffic races through the city here, with wide sidewalks on both sides of the road. If you want to cross, you either have to run for your life or, better yet, walk a bit further to find an underground passage. Much safer.
The legend of the Kashveti church
On the busy Rustaveli Avenue stands the Kashveti church, first built in the sixth century in honor of Davit Gareja. You might recognize that name if you’ve been to Georgia before or if you’ve been doing some research. Along with other apostles, he spread Christianity in Georgia. Davit Gareja also founded the monastery of the same name in eastern Georgia, bordering Azerbaijan.
Spreading religion isn’t always appreciated, and Davit Gareja’s enemies bribed a woman who then claimed she was pregnant by Davit. If that’s true, Gareja said, she’ll have a baby; if not, she’ll give birth to a stone. And that’s exactly what happened. Kashveti actually means “giving birth to a stone” in Georgian. Is the story true? Who knows… Now this remarkable place is home to the Kashveti church. The ancient church was rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century.
Georgian Museum of Fine Art
The Georgian Museum of Fine Art is a must-visit if you love colorful paintings. I think it’s a beautiful museum: spacious layout, local artists, and lots of color. I even visit twice during my time in Tbilisi. And I get super lucky because there’s a Banksy exhibition going on. There are images of Banksy’s work; through an app, I can read about how the works came to be. Super interesting. You also get a free ‘skywalk’ experience in this museum. The stairs are made entirely of glass, which triggers my fear of heights!
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA Tbilisi) & Apple of Love
The Museum of Modern Art might as well have been called the Zurab Tsereteli Museum. He’s the founder of the museum and almost all works are his. The permanent collection consists of his sculptures and paintings. I’m pretty enthusiastic about his style: colorful, thick brush strokes and lots of relief. Fun fact: Zurab Tsereteli is also responsible for the Chronicles of Georgia monument. Past the ticket counter, there’s a nice modern museum café. I didn’t have a drink there, but it looked very inviting.
If you walk around the back of the museum outside, you’ll find a huge apple – also by Tsereteli. A 30-foot (9-meter) high bronze sculpture. This is the Apple of Love. Innocent on the outside, but inside it’s full of graphic erotic images. It symbolizes the origin of life.
Google Maps location museum
Google Maps location Apple of Love
Opera and ballet building of Tbilisi
It’s really amazing how many large, beautiful buildings line Rustaveli Avenue. The opera building is one such example. The details on the outside are already impressive, so I expect it’s stunning inside too. Maybe you’ll have time to catch a show? You can find the schedule here.
Freedom Square
A huge pillar with a golden statue stands in the middle of Freedom Square. While traffic rushes by in large numbers, look up. During Soviet times, the last Lenin statue in Georgia stood here, and it was called Lenin Square then. Now, Saint George is immortalized in gold. He sits on a horse and drives his spear into a dragon. This event symbolizes the country’s conversion to Christianity.
Covered food court: Bazari Orbeliani
I always enjoy walking through markets and market halls. Even when I’m not hungry, just to see what’s being sold. Bazari Orbeliani is a modern food court with lots of restaurants, but you can also just come for a drink or get something to go. The coffee from Coffee Lab is good or try Lagidze. That’s a Georgian soft drink. The syrup is mixed with sparkling water and comes in many different flavors. You can’t miss it because it’s displayed in eye-catching dispensers.
Antiques and odds and ends at the Dry Bridge Market
The vendors spread their blankets or set up tables on and around the Saarbrucken Bridge. Locals call it the Dry Bridge. There’s a daily flea market, although it’s bigger on weekends. At the start of the bridge, you’ll mostly find a jumble sale, and paintings and souvenirs are sold in the lower section. Looking for a traditional drinking horn for wine? A Georgian carpet? You’ll find it all here.
This market is also where the antique cookbook that now inspires the Barbarestan restaurant was found. If you want to try ‘forgotten’ Georgian cuisine, you should make a reservation here. For more information, check out my tips for restaurants in Tbilisi.
Discover Chugureti
Don’t just focus on the old center and Rustaveli; cross the Kura river, too. On the map, the old town is on the river’s left, and the Chugureti district is on the right. Chugureti is an up-and-coming neighborhood with Berlin vibes. It’s raw and developing rapidly. The main street here is Davit Aghmashenebeli Avenue.
Many tourist restaurants offer hookah pipes where staff tries to talk you into coming inside but try to look past that. Because the buildings are beautiful, you’ll find nice spots if you wander a bit further like the Slink café and the Unfound Door Restaurant.
Creative hub Fabrika
Fabrika Hostel & Suites was my first place to stay in Tbilisi. Because just look at it… what a fantastic building! But even if you’re not staying here, you should come look. During Soviet times, it was a sewing factory. I imagine a large hall full of sewing machines. The industrial vibe has remained. Inside, there’s lots of concrete, but with character. From the stairs to the counter and the elevator to the dormitories, apartments, and hotel rooms. And in the colorful space on the ground floor, people are drinking and working.
Outside, you might think you’re in Berlin. Above the entrance hangs a stone with images of animals and dancers, and every possible spot of the building is decorated (or ruined) with graffiti.
The courtyard comes alive in the evening for drinks, a hot bowl of ramen at Shio Ramen, or a pizza slice at Popolo. During the day, you can score creative items from local artists here. Here’s an overview of all the bars, shops, and more.
The Chronicles of Georgia
Far outside central Tbilisi, you’ll find a massive monument celebrating Georgia’s 3000th birthday and Christianity’s 2000th anniversary. The Chronicles of Georgia consists of 16 mega-large pillars decorated with bronze and copper. On these pillars, different stories are depicted: biblical stories, Georgian history, and Georgian traditions. I’ve written a detailed article about how to visit The Chronicles of Georgia and what to expect.
More Georgia travel inspiration?
Useful links for your Georgia trip
- Accommodation. Favorite remains Booking.com. Would you rather stay in a hostel? Check Hostelworld.
- Activities. Book the best tours and activities at GetYourGuide, Klook, and Viator. ‘Free’ walking tours can be booked at Freetour.com or GuruWalk.
- Car rental. If you want to compare prices and insurance coverage, try Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com. In Georgia, a private transfer or tour with a private driver is often very affordable. Use GoTrip for this.
- Reading tip. If you like reading, I recommend buying this fantastic book: The Eighth Life (for Brilka). It is about generations of women living and suffering in Georgia. More than 1000 pages, so get cozy and comfortable!
- Travel guides. I like paper travel guides to browse through, for sale at Amazon, among others.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high phone and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Train and Bus Travel by train or bus through Georgia with Busbud, 12Go, or Omio.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Be sure to check out Skyscanner and Kiwi.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? Start your search at Expedia or CheapOair.
- Yoga retreat. Or treat yourself to a yoga retreat in Georgia.
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