Tbilisi is one of the few cities in the world that you want to visit regardless of the time of year, temperature, rain and other natural phenomena. It is unlikely that you will be able to fully explore the sights of Tbilisi too quickly, so it is recommended to set aside at least a few days for the excursion. Only in this way will the trip allow you to fully enjoy the ancient squares, castles, palaces and memorable places, stroll along the narrow streets, carefully and reverently preserved by local residents in their original form.
What to see in Tbilisi first
In Tbilisi, literally every district breathes history - bright, emotional, colorful. Conclusions that were made by each tourist:
- The city will be of interest to tourists of any age, even its youngest visitors.
- Walking around the city is not burdened with financial expenses - you don’t have to pay money to visit many unique places.
- International Tbilisi delights with its color, where Orthodox churches, Catholic churches, Muslim mosques and Jewish synagogues coexist peacefully.
- A must-visit is the hydrogen sulfide springs installed in the baths.
- It is better to go to the capital of Georgia in April or May, when it is not yet very hot and the number of visitors in museums, parks, squares and restaurants does not increase to prohibitive levels.
- It is better to start the tourist route and your journey on your own with a walking tour along the main avenue of Tbilisi - Rustaveli, having bought a guidebook and armed with a navigator, and if it is difficult to navigate, invite a Russian-speaking guide.
Shota Rustaveli Avenue is the place where your acquaintance with Tbilisi begins
Rustaveli Avenue is a valuable landmark of the city of Tbilisi, the central street of the capital, the link between the old city and the new. Its length is only one and a half kilometers, but even this length is enough for vacationers to wander on foot and see many interesting places around: two main city squares, various fashionable art objects depicting people of different professions, numerous architectural monuments, for example, the building of the former parliament.
A walk along Rustaveli Avenue is pleasant even in the hot summer heat - trees are planted on both sides, there are several parks and many drinking fountains that allow you to quench your thirst and not spend money on bottled water. It is optimal to visit Tbilisi in April or May, when it is not so hot and there is less concentration of visitors. The largest concentration of cafes and restaurants serving national cuisine is located along the avenue.
Beautiful and interesting places are found at every step. When you get off at the Rustaveli metro stop, you get to the Academy of Sciences. The building is of pompous architecture, ancient, decorated in the Stalinist style with an impressive tower. There are many fashionable shops with reasonable prices concentrated on the avenue.
In Tbilisi, the main attractions are concentrated in close proximity to each other. When traveling on foot, first of all you need to follow the routes marked in the guidebook, which with proper planning you can cover within one day. If it is difficult to make your way on your own, it is recommended to use the services of a guide - a specialist will give a detailed description of each object, tell you and provide comprehensive information.
On the opposite side of the street, not far from the Academy of Sciences, is the Opera and Ballet Theater. No less interesting from an architectural point of view will be the building of the Theater University.
The Drama Theatre, considered the most beautiful building located on Shota Rustaveli Avenue, is over 130 years old.
Rustaveli Avenue - each building is a unique landmark of Tbilisi
A special feature of the avenue is its impressive concentration of art objects, sculptures and buildings of architectural interest. To fully enjoy the beauty of Tbilisi City, you must take a walk and take a couple of memorable photographs, especially in the evening, when everything is surrounded by lights. What is the National Georgian Gallery worth, where two halls are constantly functioning, the other six have temporary exhibitions and exhibitions of paintings. Opening hours of exhibition halls are from 10:00 am to 16:00. Closed on Mondays and on official holidays. Ticket prices are affordable, and there are discounts for children and students.
The former building of the Georgian Parliament, erected during the reign of Beria, surprises with its architecture. Despite the fact that the building is empty (the parliament moved to Kutaisi), it is completely restored, kept clean and looks beautiful at any time of the day. In the evening, the building's façade is illuminated, making it even more majestic and mesmerizing as you walk through it. An equally striking attraction for travelers is the Kashveti Church - the only Orthodox site on the avenue. There are a lot of parishioners in the church, regardless of the day of the week. If possible, you should definitely visit the cathedral just to see the majestic, ancient, amazingly beautiful frescoes that decorate the walls of the premises.
Lovers of the history of Georgia should definitely visit the National Museum of Georgia, where the golden fund of the historical past of the Georgian people is collected, as well as exhibitions dating back to the period of Soviet occupation. The museum is open daily, except Mondays, from 11:00 to 16:00. If you wish, you can use the services of a Russian guide for a fee and visit the museum with a guided tour.
The oldest building on Rustaveli Avenue, which you should definitely visit, is the Vorontsov Palace, built in 1868. Despite the fact that the object was almost completely rebuilt and restored after destruction, it is impressive in its size, architecture and luxury. At the end of the avenue there is Freedom Square, the central element of which is the monument to St. George, the patron saint of Georgia.
National Museum of Georgia
The main museum of Georgia will delight lovers of skulls and ancient things. There is a truly impressive collection of household items and jewelry from the times of Colchis. Exhibitions are held regularly. Also, on the 4th floor there is an exhibition dedicated to the “Occupation of the USSR” - to be honest, we were not impressed, it will be more interesting in Vilnius.
The location couldn’t be more convenient, so coming here won’t be a problem.
Address: Shota Rustaveli Ave. 3/10 (5 minutes from Freedom Square, see on the map )
Table of the “main occupier” of Georgia in the anti-Soviet hall of the Georgian Museum
Freedom Square: what is important to see in Tbilisi and its surroundings
Having changed its name several times and finally returning to its current name, Freedom Square is known to many tourists and local residents of the city thanks to the rally that took place in 2003, as a result of which the then-current presidential government was overthrown.
Today it is a calm place, with a monument to St. George. Not far from the square there is Pushkin Square, a tourist information center, a bank, several cozy cafes and restaurants, and money exchange points. Even those staying in the Museum hostel can reach the square on foot, not to mention the closer hotel complexes. Several streets and alleys lead to the square itself.
How to get there: the square is located in the city center, with access to Rustaveli Avenue, Pushkin Street, Kote Abkhazi and other small streets. You can easily walk to the square from the hotel, take the metro or bus. The metro station of the same name is located at most 20-30 meters from the square. And right nearby from the “subway” is the amazingly beautiful, functioning Griboedov Theater, built in the Baroque style, where it’s nice to go immediately after visiting one of the main squares. In the evening, all the main attractions of the city are illuminated, which makes walking even more extraordinary.
Lake Lisi
If you are tired of the city, in the usual sense of the word, then you can go for a walk to Lake Lisi. This place is located literally a 10-minute drive from the Medical University metro station. One of the most modern recreational areas in Tbilisi. There is a running and cycling path around the lake. Sports facilities and playgrounds are located nearby. When you've worked up an appetite, welcome to the Hard Rock Cafe, which is located at the entrance. There is also a beach here - in hot weather you can swim!
By the way, the real estate being built around this lake is currently considered one of the most elite.
Address: see on the map
Lake Lisi is a good place for walking
...and jogging
Rike Park - a natural attraction of Tbilisi
How to get there: Avlabari metro station (exit on V. Meskhishvili street - Baratashvili descent - Vinny descent. Buses No. 31,44,50,55,71,80,102 (stop "Freedom Square".
Considering that the object is located almost in the central part of the city, you can easily reach it on foot by walking along the following route: Freedom Square - st. Kote Abkhazi – st. Anton Katalikosi – st. Irakle II – Bridge of Peace – Rike Park. An independent trip around the city is impossible without visiting the youngest park ensemble of the city and its environs, which was inaugurated in 2010, but even during this short time it managed to win love among citizens and visitors. The park, located on Europe Square, is notable for its unusual sculptural art objects, the presence of many thematic areas for recreation and games, drinking fountains and architecturally attractive benches. There are also many modern installations, interesting and unusual, in contrast to the historical objects located in the nearby alleys. If you get hungry, you can visit one of the many cafes located in close proximity to the park. They won’t take money for visiting the park, which is especially nice.
A kind of “cherry on the cake” of Rike Park is the Peace Bridge, created by the famous Italian architect Michele de Luca. The curved glass and metal bridge, which takes your breath away when you look at it, looks breathtaking in the evening when the light illumination starts.
Directly from the park you can go to the Presidential Palace, created by the same talented Italian architect. The object is located on a hill in the historical district of Avlabari, clearly visible from all sides.
From Rike Park you can look at the outskirts of Tbilisi from above by riding the cable car leading to the Narikala fortress. Delight from the views of the city that open at your fingertips will be guaranteed.
Monument to the heroes of the film "Mimino"
The sculptural group, consisting of four heroes of the cult comedy, is one of the masterpieces of the outstanding sculptor Tsereteli. The monument, opened in 2011, is located in the Avlabari district of the historical center of Tbilisi. It immortalizes the legendary director Georgy Danelia and famous actors Vakhtang Kikabidze, Frunzik Mkrtchyan, Evgeny Leonov. The purpose of this monument, which was first planned to be erected in Moscow, is to demonstrate friendly relations between the Georgian, Armenian and Russian peoples.
Puppet Theater Rezo Gabriadze
There are interesting places in Tbilisi that you should definitely visit, at least during a short excursion tour. Especially when going on a trip with children around Georgia. One such place worth visiting or taking a walking tour is the Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theater. The theater, whose capacity is at most 80 seats, is located in the Old Town. Built in 1981 next to the Anchiskhati Basilica, the theater is still incredibly popular among visitors. The legendary Rezo Gabriadze is personally involved in the creation of each puppet, writes scripts and directs each play that adults and children attend. Over the course of more than thirty years of existence, the theater has toured many countries around the world with its productions, including Germany, France, Italy and England. If desired, a visit to the puppet theater is possible on the day of the performance, with a ticket purchased in advance, with a choice of the closest row.
Dry Bridge
This is simply a street decay that has taken root so much that it has become one of the symbols of Tbilisi. Here you can mentally immerse yourself in the Soviet era, look at paintings by local artists, smoke “Stewardess” and, if desired, purchase something from centuries-old utensils and antiques.
Our story about the “Dry Bridge”
Briefly about the atmosphere on the Dry Bridge
Tbilisi Botanical Garden near Narikala Fortress
In the historical center of the city, near the Legvta-Hevi River, there is a Botanical Garden, founded in 1845, ideal for recreation for children and adults. Previously, this place was occupied by majestic royal gardens, which appeared in the mid-17th century. You should already visit the garden because only here you can find almost the entire flora of Georgia, walk along three bridges spanning the river and see the famous, unusually beautiful waterfall, near which you can take bright, colorful photos. An arched bridge was built over the waterfall, and in the garden itself there are more than 3,500 types of plants. The garden is located right next to the Narikala fortress, at the foot of the mountain. It is most pleasant to walk through the park in mid-spring - early summer, when active flowering is in progress. It’s nice to take walks around Tbilisi even in the rain - a wonderful atmosphere, a lot of green spaces are unlikely to spoil your holiday impressions.
Mtskheta
The most ancient city in this country is Mtskheta, and all tourists should definitely visit it. It appeared in the 5th century BC. If you want to learn and see the history of this city, then come here. Here you can experience a truly deep culture.
There are 3 temples on the territory. By visiting this place, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful view of the intercourse of 2 rivers.
Those wishing to visit this place should be aware that men should wear trousers, and women walk here with their heads covered. At the end of the entire tour, guests are invited to taste national dishes and drinks.
Tbilisi cable car: an unforgettable two-minute journey around the city
It is recommended to see the sights in Tbilisi using the cable car, which is impressively popular among tourists. The cable car, which is an extreme entertainment and an opportunity to get from Rike Park to the ancient Narikala fortress located on the top of a hill, operates all year round and is suitable for excursions even for those who are afraid of heights - from a cabin closed on all sides and completely safe for tourists, You can enjoy the outlines of ancient Tiflis – the ancient part of Tbilisi – all the way along the way and take vivid photos. The drive is only 600 meters; you can reach the Narikala fortress from Rike Park in just over two minutes. Each cabin, fully glazed and equipped with windows for ventilation, can accommodate up to eight people. Inside there are benches, automatic doors that open only upon arrival at the place. The booths move continuously, so there are usually no queues as such. Tbilisi will be beautiful in the evening, when the city is literally buried in lights.
At the top of the cable car there is an observation deck with stunning views of the city districts. Directly from the observation area you can go to the Narikala fortress or to the statue of Mother of Kartli, located on the other side of the “cable car” - a twenty-meter-high monument that is a symbol of the capital. The best way to return is on foot, strolling through the narrow streets of the city, where you can see a lot of interesting things and dive deeper into Georgian history.
Opening hours: 11.00-23.00. No breaks or days off. The cost of a one-way ticket is 2.5 GEL. Discounts are available for students and pensioners.
Attention! Payment for the cable car in Tbilisi is made through a single public transport ticket - Metromoney, which can be purchased at any metro station or directly at the cable car ticket office. There are special terminals for replenishing your Metromoney travel card. It’s a good idea to have a travel ticket in hand - this way city travelers won’t have to stand in long lines at the cable car ticket office.
Tsminda Sameba Temple - a magnificent architectural landmark of Tbilisi
The Tsminda Sameba Temple is majestic, relatively young, and one of the main attractions of the city. Built on a hill and already large in size, the temple looks powerful and unusually beautiful, visible from almost anywhere in the city, and attractive for its architecture. This is the main Orthodox cathedral of Georgia, which, together with all the buildings, occupies more than five thousand square meters. For those who are especially curious, it takes one or two days to explore the entire territory and enjoy its beauty.
The huge temple inside amazes with its majesty and seems like a real work of spiritual art: cozy, harmonious, calm. Numerous steps lead to the central entrance to the cathedral, from which a magnificent view of Tbilisi opens. Most of the icons decorating the columns and walls were painted personally by Patriarch-Catholicos Ilia II. The decoration of the temple is completely customized for visitors - almost every icon has a detailed description, which allows you to get to know history and religion even more deeply. The internal territory of the temple is divided into above-ground and underground parts: underground there are two levels, which you can go down by stairs or enter directly from the street. On one of the lower floors there are sarcophagi in which it is planned to rebury the remains of the Georgian kings, currently buried in Astrakhan. The deserted lower tiers look due to the emptying sarcophagi and numerous marble columns, a little strange, magical and unusual.
On an area of 50 hectares there is a residence of the Patriarch, a belfry, a monastery, a Theological Academy, a Theological Seminary, a hotel for parishioners-pilgrims and other objects. The cathedral is surrounded by a park surrounded by greenery, flower beds, with installed benches and fountains with drinking water for visitors. A discovery for many is a cozy restaurant in the depths of the park, offering dishes of national cuisine.
You should definitely visit the bell tower, housed in a separate building - as majestic as the cathedral itself. Entrance to the bell tower is free, the only restriction is that access to the largest eight-ton bell is closed to tourists, but even the other eight bells are impressive in their size. The bell tower has an observation deck with incredibly beautiful views.
Opening hours: the temple is open at any time of the year, regardless of the day of the week. The optimal time to visit it is in the morning, when there are no crowds of tourists and excessive heat.
How to get there: minibuses No. 91, 122 (Sameba stop), metro – exit at Avlabari station. For those traveling by private car, there is ample parking right at the temple gates.
Metekhi: interesting to see its ancient district in Tbilisi
The oldest district in Tbilisi is Metekhi. It was here, according to historical documents, that the first human settlement appeared on Georgian territory. In the central part of the region, Metekhi Castle stands majestically - the former residence of the kings of Georgia, which gave its name to the entire region. On the ridge of the rock is the Church of the Assumption, built in the 13th century during the reign of Demeter II. In the 17th century, the area adjacent to the church was protected by Metekhi Castle. And on the other side of the Kura River, the Shah Abbas Mosque was built. In the 30-40s of the last century, an exposition of the Georgian State Museum of Art was placed in the castle. At the end of the 50s, a bridge was built across the river.
Not far from the Metekhi temple there is a monument to Vakhtang Gorgasali, the founder of the Georgian capital. The location of the monument was chosen for a reason - the founder of the city did a lot for his people, stood to the last in defense of the built monasteries and temples.
Pantheon
On the way up Mount Mtatsminda, the funicular makes only one stop near the Pantheon. Tourists come here to honor the memory of famous creative and public figures of the past. As an object, the Pantheon appeared in 1929 in honor of the 100th anniversary of A. S. Griboedov, although the graveyard around the Church of St. David existed since the time of the Russian Empire. The most famous burial is the grave in the grotto of the author of the comedy “Woe from Wit”, who died during the defeat of the Russian diplomatic mission in Tehran. Next to him lies his wife Nino Chavchavadze. Famous Georgian writers Ilya Chavchavadze and Akaki Tsereteli are also buried here.
Sulfur springs of Abanotubani - a natural attraction of Tbilisi
How to get there: by public transport by bus numbers: 31.44, 50.55, 71.80, 102. The stop is called “Abanotubani”. You can take a walk, focusing on the Metekhi Temple, located almost next to the baths. Travelers with personal cars do not need to worry - there are full parking spaces and parking lots near the bathhouse complexes.
The Abanotubani area is famous for its natural sulfur springs, which appeared in the 16th century and are still a favorite place for most tourists who will happily try the miraculous powers of sulfur baths. This is a unique attraction of Tbilisi, to which every guide has routes. The area is located in the very center of Tbilisi and looks like low dome-shaped buildings, in the center of which there are sulfur springs.
The sulfur baths are located in a very convenient location, in close proximity to Heydar Aliyev Square, Abanotubani district. They are definitely worth a visit for those who want to improve their health a little. In total, there are more than 10 buildings on the territory, with different furnishings, area, range of services provided and cost of visiting. Many tourists may be confused by the smell of sulfur, which you quickly get used to without feeling any discomfort. Additional services include massage for a fee and the opportunity to swim in sulfur springs, both in a private room and in a common room. The cost of an individual bath starts from 30 GEL for 1 hour. Directly behind the baths there is a waterfall, the passage to which lies through a fig gorge, landscaped and beautiful. Not only tourists coming to Tbilisi, but also local residents gather near the waterfall. It is especially pleasant to be near a body of water on hot days. Most of the baths are located in semi-basement buildings in oriental style. Their similarity is in the principle of operation. You can go into absolutely any bathhouse to look around and assess the temperature of the water at the source. Not every bathhouse has common rooms. The most popular complex is bathhouse No. 5. It is the ideal one in terms of price-quality ratio. Here you can order a massage, take a private swim in fenced cabins, or visit the common room, which costs less.
Best excursions
Why the best? Because they have been tested by hundreds of tourists!
Seriously, you shouldn’t trust the first bomber you come across, who in Russian only knows “hello”, “how are you” and “we’re going on an excursion” =)
As a rule, we travel everywhere on our own and only in rare cases resort to the help of guides (when we have problems finding information or need special equipment/transport). However, when you are limited in time and do not want to waste your nerves on planning and implementing the route, then a quality excursion will be the best choice.
You can choose the excursion you are interested in on the Tripster aggregator website, they have a decent selection in Georgia, and each guide has a rating with reviews and ratings, which is convenient.
How to properly visit sulfur baths
The cost of a massage can vary significantly, but usually does not exceed 15 GEL. You can easily bargain on the price. With good bargaining, a discount is guaranteed. Each establishment offers bath accessories for a fee, but it is best to take a washcloth, towel and slippers with you. The latter are required if you do not want to get a fungal infection of the feet. Before visiting the bathhouse, you must remove jewelry, especially silver jewelry - sulfur water changes the color of silver, which is very difficult to restore. The baths have a rather specific sulfuric smell that is absorbed into the skin and hair. It is not recommended to stay in the sulfur spring for more than 15 minutes. First of all, it is harmful to health. The maximum number of immersions in sulfur-rich water should not exceed four times. It is better to choose a bathhouse with the warmest water possible - this way you can achieve good effects for health and skin.
Zion Cathedral
Zion Cathedral is located on the banks of the Kura River in Old Tbilisi. Historically considered the main church building of the city, which is named after the Assumption Church on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. The history of the cathedral dates back to the end of the 6th century. After the destruction by the Arabs, a new cathedral was erected by David the Builder in the 12th century. But even after this, the structure was destroyed more than once and then restored. This object is interesting not only for its architectural features, but also because several relics are kept here, including a cross made of vines and the hair of the Great Martyr St. Nino, who brought the Christian faith to Georgia.
Favorite attractions for Tbilisi locals
Mount Mtatsminda
What amazes you in Tbilisi are the mountains and the churches and fortresses built on them. The visiting card of Georgia is Mount Mtatsminda (from Georgian translation into Russian meaning “Holy Mountain”). At the very top of the hill there is a fantasy-style amusement park with attractions. You should definitely visit this place to see an incredible amount of interesting things. Even tourists from Russia traveling without children.
What you can definitely see in Tbilisi is Mtatsminda Park, where it is important to definitely go: bright, unusual and interesting, surprising with unusual sculptures. To pay, you should purchase a special magnetic card and top it up with the required amount that you plan to spend. The balance on the card is not written off back to the tourist’s payment card, so it’s better not to top up a large amount at once. Entrance to the park area is free, payment (from one to five lari) is charged only for riding the attractions.
The outlandish figures and installations will not leave you indifferent, among which it is very pleasant to walk. Even the cafes located on the territory of the amusement park have unusual designs. During the warm season, the park has water slides and water attractions that anyone will be happy to ride. There are a variety of swings and slides for children of all ages. The territory is surrounded by greenery, so regardless of the time of year it will be comfortable and cozy.
The heart of the city, a famous ancient architectural monument rising on Mount Mtatsminda, is the Narikala fortress, built in the 14th century and almost completely destroyed as a result of the earthquake that occurred in 1827. The ridge offers a majestic view of the beauty of Tbilisi and its surrounding areas.
Turtle Lake
Many people are interested in the question of what to see in Tbilisi, in addition to parks, fortresses and architectural sites. It is recommended to visit Turtle Lake, located on the northern side of Mount Mtatsminda, a five-minute walk from it. The reservoir got its name due to the large number of turtles that lived there. Today this is one of the popular holiday destinations for visitors from Russia and local residents, where they can not only relax, but also walk along pedestrian paths and ride catamarans. You can get to the lake by cable car.
Dry Bridge
In Tbilisi, you should definitely visit the Mtatsminda and Chugureti districts, connected by the Dry Bridge, which was part of the bridge crossing the Kura River in the past, and now by Zviad Gamsakhurdia Street. The river bed was dried up in the thirties of the last century, and a street was built in its place. Despite the lack of water, the bridge was not dismantled, but was only given the name Sukhoi. Today there is a market of the same name nearby, where rare interior items, books, and furniture are sold.
Tourism in the city of Tbilisi does not stand in one place. The capital is constantly being updated and improved in anticipation of the next tourist season. I am glad that most of the ancient buildings are gradually being put in order, restored and restored, which makes the objects even more attractive and well-maintained. Entertainment in Tbilisi can be found for every taste, from visits to historically significant places to an amusement park, restaurants and cafes with national cuisine full of flavor.
Route around Tbilisi for 3 days on the map
- The most expensive hotels in the Maldives
- Bansko hotels near ski lifts
- 25 best ski resorts in Russia
- 15 best things to do in Krasnaya Polyana for children
- Travelat promotional codes for August-September 2021
- All inclusive holidays in Cyprus
- 15 best resorts in Turkey
- Navy Day 2022 in St. Petersburg: program for July 25, 2021.
- What to see in Istanbul in 5 days - 30 most interesting places
- Alushta in December
- 25 best excursions in Sochi
- St. Petersburg in December
