Tbilisi: Ultimate Travel Guide
Why visit Tibilisi?
Tbilisi, the vibrant capital of Georgia, and one of the best places to start your trip in Georgia! Its charming Old Town has a warm charm, while the iconic sulphur baths and the ancient Narikala Fortress show its rich past. As the sun sets, Tbilisi’s nightlife comes alive, so have fun experiencing the techno scene Georgia has to offer. Admire the interesting architecture around the city which looks otherworldy like the Bridge of Peace, Holy Trinity Cathedral, and The Chronicles of Georgia.
How to get to Tbilisi?
If you are arriving at Tbilisi Airport then you should take the 337 bus to the centre of Tbilisi. You don’t need cash for this journey, you can just pay using a contactless card on the machines when you board. You do not need to pay the driver. This journey will cost you 1.5 GEL (€0.50).
You could also take a taxi from the airport. Taxis at the airport often charge around 40-50 GEL (€14-18). The cheaper option is to order a taxi using the Bolt app, this will cost around 15-20 GEL (€5-7). There is free Wi-Fi at the airport so you should be able to download the app and order a taxi using this.
If you want to arrive in Tbilisi from another location in Georgia then this is easy to do. Tbilisi is well connected via trains and buses to most destinations in Georgia so you will be able to easily travel here from wherever you are located. If you wish to arrive from countries like Armenia, Türkiye or Azerbaijan then you can take either a bus or train to travel to Tbilisi.
How to travel around Tbilisi?
Tbilisi is a relatively small city so you can travel to most places by foot. It is also a beautiful city to admire as you walk so you should definitely take some time to wander around the vibrant streets of Tbilisi.
If you wish to travel to the train station or further out of the city then you can take the metro or bus. You can purchase a metro card which costs 2 GEL (€0.70) and then each journey will cost 1 GEL (€0.35). You can top up your card either using the orange machines located all over the city or by going to the counter at one of the metro stations.
To buy the card and or to top up your card, you have to pay in cash. If you don’t wish to do this, then you can pay using a contactless card on any bus or when using the metro but this will cost 1.5 GEL (€0.50). You can use Google Maps to plan your journey and to show you what bus or metro to take.
Bolt and Uber are also available and the fare is quite low.
3-DAY ITINERARY
Day 1:
1. Georgia National Museum
Start your day by wandering round the Georgia National Museum. You can find in this museum Paleolithic artefacts, medieval treasures, and contemporary artworks. The museum focuses on Georgia’s role in the ancient Silk Road trade, as well as their unique alphabet.
There is a lot you can learn about here so make sure to give yourself enough time to wander around. It costs 30 GEL (€10.60) to visit this museum but it is well worth it.
2. Freedom Square
Freedom Square (Tavisuplebis Moedani), is a historically significant public space. Originally named Erivan Square, it was renamed in 1918 to commemorate Georgia’s independence. The statue of St. George slaying a dragon stands at the centre. The square has witnessed famous events, including the Rose Revolution in 2003.
3. Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theatre
It was founded by the famous Georgian playwrighter, artist, and puppeteer Rezo Gabriadze. This theatre has a strange architecture which makes it a famous tourist spot to grab a photo and admire how weird this structure is!
4. Anchiskhati Basilica
Anchiskhati basilica is believed to have been originally built in the 6th century. This makes it one of the oldest surviving churches in Tbilisi and the entire region. Its architectural design shows the traditional Georgian design with Byzantine influences. The name, “Anchiskhati,” refers to the Virgin Mary. She was thought to have appeared in the city of Anchi in Türkiye and was later brought to Tbilisi.
5. Old Tbilisi
End the day by exploring the Old Town in Tbilisi. Admire the interesting architecture around this area in Tbilisi. Go shopping and buy some souvenirs for yourself and your friends. Enjoy some delicious local Georgian cuisine and wine at the local restaurants.
Day 2:
1. Tbilisi Cable Car
The cable car is located in Rike Park and it’s the best way to reach Narikala Fortress. It’s used by both tourists and locals and I’d suggest taking it close to sunset time for an amazing view over the city. Tickets cost 2.5 GEL (€0.80) each way and it’s open daily between 10 am and 10 pm.
2. Mother of Kartli Monument
Once you get to the end of the cable car, go see the Mother of Kartli Monument first. It’s a statue of a 20-metre high woman made out of aluminum which I’m sure you’ve probably spotted already from the city. Mother of Kartli or “Mother of Georgia” is a symbol of a national character that holds a wine glass in one hand for guests and a sword for enemies in the other.
Alternatively, you can also hike from Tbilisi to the monument.
3. Narikala Fortress
The Fortress was built around the 4th century when the city was founded and was built to protect the city from attacks. You can spot the fortress from all over the city and it’s especially beautiful to admire during the night when it lights up.
The fortress overlooks the Mtkvari River and I think it’s safe to say you can get the best view from here. On the other side of the fortress, you can spot the Botanical Garden which is located at the bottom of the fortress.
Entrance is free and you can visit daily between 8 am and 8 pm.
4. National Botanical Garden
At the bottom of Narikala Fortress, you can find the National Botanical Garden. Here you can enjoy a nice stroll surrounded by beautiful nature and it’s the perfect location to escape the heat if you’re visiting during the summer.
The Botanical Garden is spread over 161 hectares and has a wide range of plants from the Caucasus region, Japan, China, Turkey and even the Himalayas. There are several waterfalls you can see, beaches, ancient bridges and many more.
You can get here by hiking down from Narikala Fortress, or if you’re a bit more adventurous, there’s a zip line from the fortress that will allow you to get to the Garden in mere seconds.
Entrance costs 4 GEL (€1.40) and you can visit daily between 9 am and 5 pm
5. Mtatsminda Amusement Park
Mtatsminda Park is a very popular theme park and is probably the best way to end your day. The park has almost 100 years of history. It was built in the 1930s by the Soviet government and was the 3rd most visited public park in the USSR. In 2001 it was transformed into a 21st-century theme park.
It has a bunch of rides including carousels, water slides, a roller-coaster and a big Ferris Wheel. You can also find a variety of restaurants and cafes, plus a really nice view over the city.
To get here from the Botanical Garden you can either take a bus or a Bolt. Coming back, I’d suggest taking the funicular straight from the Park.
Entrance to the park is free, but you will need to buy a 2 GEL (€0.70) plastic card to top off with credit for the rides and the funicular. The Funicular price is 8 GEL (€2.80) and runs until midnight.
Day 3:
1. Chronicle of Georgia
The Chronicle of Georgia is massive sculpture raised on a hill next to the Tbilisi Sea. It was created by Zurba Tsereteli (if you have time check out MoMA Tbilisi to see more of his work) in 1985, but it was never fully finished.
The main part of the sculpture is 35m (115 ft) high and consist of 16 columns. It is dedicated to the 3000th anniversary of Georgia statehood and 2000th anniversary of Christianity dissemination. On the pillars you can see various important figures from Georgian history including King Mirian II, Queen Tamar, King David IV and Shota Rustaveli.
You can get to the Chronicle either by bus or by taxi/Bolt. There is no entrance fee and it’s open 24-hours a day, including public holidays.
2. Holy Trinity Cathedral
The Holy Trinity Cathedral is one of the largest Orthodox Cathedrals in the world. It was completed in 2004 and is located on the left bank of the Mtkvari River.
The foundation of the cathedral is placed directly into the hillside, which means part of the church is underground. There is a total of 9 bells inside the cathedral and all of them were cast in Germany.
Entrance to the cathedral is free.
3. Metekhi Church
The Metekhi Church was built in the XII century on the base of an older church that was built in 480 CE. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in Tbilisi and is located in the historical district.
After Georgia became part of the Russian Empire during the 18th century, a subterranean prison was established beneath Metekhi Church. It served as confinement for figures like Stalin and fellow revolutionaries.
4. Rike Park
Rike Park is located in the heart of the city, next to Metekhi Church. Here you can spend some time walking around and admiring the colourful flower gardens or even stop for a picnic.
You can find several restaurants and cafes and a few art installations. Be sure to check out the Rike Concert Hall. It’s sadly empty, but its modern architecture will surely catch your eye.
4. Bridge of Peace
The Bridge of Peace is a bow-shaped pedestrian bridge over the Mtkvari River. It connects Rike Park to the historic town and offers beautiful views over many of the city’s sights. Every panel of the bridge contains multiple LED lights that make it even more beautiful to see at night.
Where should you stay in Tbilisi?
Budget – Tbil Home Hostel – offers a comfortable and welcoming stay for travellers in the heart of the old town
Medium – Hotel Salosi – provides a luxurious and elegant experience for guests, combining modern amenities with traditional Georgian hospitality
High – MariaLuis Hotel – provides a charming and cosy atmosphere, providing guests with a convenient location to explore the city’s rich history and vibrant culture
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