Georgia’s capital city of Tbilisi has all the required ingredients for a fantastic city break. Firstly, it occupies a spectacular location, set amongst dramatic hills with the Mtkvari River running through the center. Secondly, the city and Georgia as a whole are steeped in history, meaning there are plenty of fine old buildings, churches, and castles to explore. Finally, Tbilisi has a great bar and restaurant scene, serving international and excellent local cuisine accompanied by its highly regarded locally-produced wine. So whether you’re visiting just Tbilisi or including a visit as part of a more comprehensive trip, there’s plenty to keep you entertained in Tbilisi for more than a few days. In this article, we’ll look at the very best things to do in Tbilisi to ensure you make the most of your visit and have a truly memorable trip.
Tbilisi’s Old Town is the area of the city where you’re likely to spend most of your time. This historic area is full of traditional Georgian architecture, spread across many narrow streets and lanes. Wandering through the streets is an enjoyable and atmospheric experience, particularly during the early evening in the twilight of the day. The Old Town area also incorporates Abanotubani, the bathhouse district, the Narikala Fortress and Kartlis Deda. The district is also home to many bars and restaurants, making it a social hub during the evenings.
The Abanotubani district in Tbilisi is part of the picturesque Old Town. Its name directly translates into “bath district” in English, precisely what this splendid area is. There are around ten bathhouses in the area, many located in subterranean buildings with ornate facia. Some also offer particularly ornate surroundings inside but at a cost. The different bathhouses vary in price and quality, but all provide an option of a private or public bath. However, all the bathhouses use the same natural sulphuric hot springs (~38-40c) that run below the city, so the experience is essentially the same regardless of the bathhouse. It’s an absolute must-do activity in Tbilisi.
The Narikala Fortress sits imposingly above the Old Town of Tbilisi. Located on a steep hill, what remains today is just the substantial walls of the original site, which now surround the recently rebuilt Church of St Nicholas. It’s believed that a fortress has been on the site since the 4th century, although this early fortress underwent significant enhancements during both the 7th and 11th centuries. When exploring the site, you’ll have the perfect vantage point to see the city below. The views from the fortress are spectacular and worth the admission fee alone.
A short walk west from the Narikala Fortress is the Kartlis Deda, or Mother of Georgia. This towering aluminum statue dates back to 1958 and was built to commemorate the 1500th anniversary of the founding of Tbilisi.
Freedom Square is located at the very heart of Tbilisi. It’s a historic location with several previous names and functions. It’s now a major traffic intersection, although it still retains a good deal of its charm. From here, it’s straightforward to get to most areas of interest in the city, so you’ll likely pass through it at least a few times. The center piece is the 35 meter high Freedom Monument, a large granite column topped with a gold statue of St. George. It was unveiled in 2006 and is dedicated to the independence of the Georgian nation.
The Metekhi Church and Bridge is another of the oldest parts of Tbilisi. It’s believed the site dates back to the 5th century, although the current church dates back to the 13th century. Like much of Tbilisi, the earlier church was raised by the Mongol invaders in 1235 and wasn’t reconstructed until over 50 years later. While there has also been a bridge on the site for over a millennium, the current incarnation only dates back to 1951. It is an excellent vantage point to view the city, particularly at night, with the lights reflecting off the Metekhi River.
Another of Tbilisi’s historic religious buildings is the superb Sioni Cathedral. Located on the west bank of the river between the Bridge of Peace and Metekhi Beach, it is believed to date back to the Middle Ages. Most of the current structure dates back to the 13th century, although there’s been a church on the site since the 6th century. The main reason to visit the cathedral is the impressive murals and frescoes. They vary in age, reflecting the cathedral’s turbulent past, but some date back almost 400 years.
The imposing Mount Mtatsminda, with its colossal television tower, stands high above the city below. Accessible via a brisk 45-minute hike or a far more relaxing funicular ride, the views from the summit are spectacular, particularly at sunrise and sunset. If you arrive by funicular, you exit to an area with a café and a surprisingly good restaurant, which allows you to take in the views with some good food and fine wine. If you head straight ahead from the funicular, you enter Mtatsminda Park, a quirky theme park featuring a rollercoaster, Ferris Wheel, and many other attractions. It’s a fun afternoon out, particularly if you have kids.
Most of Tbilisi’s restaurants, bars, and cafes are in the Old Town district. Several roads in this area have been pedestrianized to accommodate them, and most amenities are along these roads. It’s a beautiful setting to explore and to sample Georgia’s excellent cuisine and fine wines. During the weekends and summer months, the party extends late into the night. There are also some good restaurants and bars in the Metekhi district on the other side of the river.
The Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theatre is located in Old Town Tbilisi and is directed by the acclaimed Georgian director Rezo Gabriadze. One of the pre-eminent mature puppet performances in the world, attending a performance comes highly recommended. The quirky theatre is next to an even more bizarre leaning clock tower known as the Leaning Tower of Tbilisi. Both the theatre and the clock tower have been designed and built by Gabriadze, some suggesting it is a rebuttal to Tbilisi’s constant drive for modernization. Whatever the reason, it’s a fascinating addition to the Old Town, and the clock tower draws comparison with Prague’s Astronomical Clock.
A far more modern addition to Tbilisi’s church scene and skyline is the Tsminda Sameba Cathedral. Completed in 2004, this elegant and beautiful cathedral sits atop Elia Hill and towers over the surrounding buildings on the east bank of the Mtkvari River. At 84 meters high, it can be seen from most points in the city, particularly at night when it’s spectacularly illuminated. The church draws positive reviews from visitors for its fine traditional architecture and the beautifully manicured gardens surrounding it.
Another relatively new addition to the city is the Tbilisi Aerial Tramway. Built in 2012, the cable cars take you on a scenic trip across part of the city. The Aerial Tramway links Rike Park with the Kartlis Deda and provides fine views across the city, particularly over the Old Town below. While the journey only takes around 6 minutes, it gives enough opportunity to take in the view.
Located next to the Metekhi Bridge on the west bank of the river, the underground Median Bazaar is the place to shop for visitors. The tunnel-style bazaar is home to many shops selling various goods. You’ll find souvenirs, wine, locally produced handcrafts, and even antiques for sale here. While it’s primarily a location for tourists rather than locals, it’s still a fun and interesting experience. This is especially true if you’ve not visited another bazaar in the Caucasus or Middle East before. Prices aren’t fixed, so be sure to negotiate or haggle before buying.
The attractive and architecturally innovative Bridge of Peace has become an iconic part of central Tbilisi. Built in 2010, the bridge links the Old Town on the west bank with Rike Park on the east bank. It’s become an important pedestrian crossing, and its unique curved steel and glass structure makes it one of the most photographed structures in Tbilisi. This is especially true at night when it is illuminated by over 1000 LED’s. Its location and design have been divisive, with some arguing it devalues the nearby Old Town. Please take a look for yourself and let us know what you think.
Most of Tbilisi’s attractions are located centrally and close to the Mtkvari River, which runs through the city center. It’s possible to walk between all of the attractions listed over several days of sightseeing.
Tbilisi enjoys a pleasant climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot, while the spring and autumn enjoy much milder temperatures. The winters are cool, but given the city is at a much lower altitude than much of Georgia, winter temperatures rarely drop below 0°C. Snow is also uncommon in Tbilisi.
All in all, it means that there’s no bad time to visit Tbilisi. If you’re visiting as part of a more comprehensive Georgia trip, you’ll likely visit during the summer months to make the most of the excellent weather across the Black Sea Coast and Caspian Mountains. These summer months are the peak season, so expect prices to be higher and for there to be less availability in hotels and popular restaurants.
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