Ultimate Travel Guide to Tbilisi, Georgia: 15 Top Things to Do

Tbilisi is an incredible city that blends the old with the new, offering a diverse array of activities. The food scene is exceptional, with numerous outstanding restaurants and cafés to choose from. After living in Tbilisi for over three months, we’ve put together some of our top tips for your visit.

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15 Top things to do in Tbilisi

Tbilisi is such an interesting city. Just strolling around, you’ll discover plenty of cool corners, little shops, and restaurants. The city is also packed with beautiful street art in lots of spots. We highly recommend taking a day off with no plans and just strolling around the city at your own pace, with no specific destination.

Here are some of the top things to check out and see in Tbilisi:

1. Take a stroll through the Old Town

Start your trip by exploring Tbilisi’s charming Old Town. Filled with narrow cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and traditional architecture, it’s a must-visit for anyone visiting the city. The old town is a fantastic spot to wander around without any specific plans—you’ll stumble upon interesting places and awesome restaurants and cafés.

A must-visit spot in the old town is the Leaning Clock Tower, one of Tbilisi’s most photographed landmarks.

2. Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba)

This stunning cathedral is one of the most iconic landmarks in Tbilisi. The cathedral is a must-visit for its impressive architecture and beautiful views of the city. We recommend visiting at sunset or sunrise to experience the breathtaking views.

If you find yourself in Tbilisi during Easter, consider attending the Easter Mass that begins at 11 PM to experience an authentic Orthodox Easter tradition.

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3. Visit the Mother of Georgia Statue for Stunning City Views

The Mother of Georgia Statue, located in the Sololaki district, is an iconic landmark and a symbol of Tbilisi. The statue holds a bowl of wine in one hand, representing hospitality, while the other hand holds a sword for protection.

You can take a cable car to the statue from Rike Park for just 2.5 GEL. Alternatively, visit the Botanical Garden first and hike up to the statue from there, or enjoy a 20-minute uphill walk from Sololaki via the Betlemi Street Stairs. Once you reach the statue, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the city.

4. Relax at One of Tbilisi’s Famous Sulphur Baths

A trip to Tbilisi wouldn’t be complete without experiencing one of its famous sulphur baths. Located in the historic district of Abanotubani, these baths have been used for centuries for their healing properties. You can choose from a variety of bathhouses, each with its own unique decor and atmosphere.

5. Visit Narikala Fortress for a Glimpse of Tbilisi’s Past

Located on a hill with a view of the city, Narikala Fortress is one of the oldest and most iconic spots in Tbilisi. Dating back to the 4th century AD, it has been crucial to the city’s history. Come explore the fortress and take in the amazing views from the top.

6. Stroll Across the Peace Bridge to Rike Park

The pedestrian Peace Bridge is a modern addition to Tbilisi’s architecture. This unique bridge connects the old town with the new Rike Park and offers stunning views of the city, especially at night when it’s lit up in colorful LED lights.

Rike Park is a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city, with beautifully landscaped gardens, fountains, and even a musical fountain show in the evenings. It’s a great place to relax and take a break from sightseeing.

7. Ride the Cable Car to Turtle Lake

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city by taking a cable car ride to Turtle Lake. This tranquil spot, nestled in the mountains, is a popular destination for locals looking to relax and enjoy nature.

8. Explore the flea market at Dry Bridge

Every day, locals set up a market on the Dry Bridge selling a variety of items, from antiques to handmade crafts. It’s the perfect place to find unique souvenirs.

9. Explore The Chronicles of Georgia Monument

This massive monument is just outside the city on a hill with awesome views. The best time to visit is during sunset. If you stick around until dark, it gets more peaceful, and you can see the monuments all lit up, which I think is even more beautiful. The best way to get there is by Bolt.

10. When it gets hot in Tbilisi, head over to Tbilisi sea

Located just outside the city center, Tbilisi Sea is a popular spot for locals to cool off during the hot summers. Whether you want to swim, rent a sup board, or enjoy a picnic by the sea, this is the perfect place to beat the heat.

Tbilisi Sea Club has a pool, restaurant, and lots of activities. You can rent a sun bed at one of the restaurants, with prices varying. We checked out the Fibonacci restaurant, where sunbeds with towels cost 15 GEL on weekdays and 20 GEL on weekends. Renting a SUP board was 30 GEL for 30 minutes and 50 GEL for an hour.

11. Grab a drink at one of the rooftop terraces

After a long day exploring the city, one of the best ways to unwind is to hit up a rooftop bar, enjoy the sunset, and have a drink or two.

A great spot with awesome 360 sunset views is the Sky 7 terrace and lounge bar on top of the Mercure hotel in old town.

12. Have fun at Mtatsminda Park

Located on the top of Mtatsminda Mountain, this amusement park offers panoramic views of Tbilisi and a range of rides and attractions for all ages.

You can get there by Bolt or take the funicular train, which also offers some nice views along the way. The funicular ride costs 10 GEL. Depending on where you’re coming from in Tbilisi, a Bolt ride might be cheaper. The views from the funicular are nice, but if you’d rather save some money, Bolt might be the better option.

13. Indulge in Georgian Cuisine

Georgian food is some of the best in the world, if you ask us. We never had a bad meal in Georgia—everything is simple but packed with flavor. No trip to Tbilisi is complete without trying some delicious Georgian food. From khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) to khinkali (dumplings) and of course, the famous Georgian wine, your taste buds will thank you.

14. Experience Wine Tasting

Georgia is a wine country with a rich history of winemaking that spans thousands of years. You can’t leave without trying some Georgian wine! You can do a wine tasting in Tbilisi, but if you have the time, we recommend a trip to Kakheti. Kakheti is Georgia’s famous wine region, known for its delicious wines and stunning countryside. It’s just a few hours from Tbilisi, making it perfect for a day trip.

15. Do a day trip from Tbilisi to Kazbegi

Located in the Caucasus mountains, Kazbegi (also known as Stepantsminda) offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in Georgia. You can do a day trip from Tbilisi to Kazbegi and back, or spend a night there if you have more time. Either way, make sure to visit the Gergeti Trinity Church for breathtaking views.

If you’re visiting in winter, we definitely suggest spending a few days in Gudauri, especially if you enjoy skiing.

Where to stay in Tbilisi ?

Tbilisi offers a variety of accommodations to suit every budget and preference. From luxury hotels to cozy guesthouses and even unique homestays.

If you’re in Tbilisi for a short visit, I’d suggest staying in Sololaki or the Vera area. It’s easy to get around and see most of the sights, plus there are plenty of great restaurants nearby. Bolt (taxi app) is super cheap and user-friendly, making it a breeze to get around no matter where you stay.

We lived in Tbilisi for almost 4 months, splitting our time between Vera and Saburtalo. Both areas were great, but Vera was definitely nicer and more interesting, with lots of cool cafés and restaurants. Plus, you can easily walk to Freedom Square and the Vake area. I’d love to stay in the same area again when I go back.

Where to eat in Tbilisi?

Tbilisi has a diverse food scene, offering both traditional Georgian dishes and international cuisine. Tbilisi has so many great restaurants, and we’ve never had bad food. So, finding a good spot is easy, but deciding where to go is the tough part.

Here are some of our recommendations for places to eat in Tbilisi:

Breakfast/brunch/lunch:

Cafe Stories (Vake area, close to Vera)

Hello Breakfast (Vera)

Chika (near by Rustaveli metro)

Pinky Pan -for pancakes lovers (Vake)

Erti kava (Saburtalo & Rustaveli)

Dinner:

Otsy (old town)

Salobie Bia (Rustaveli)

Barbarestan (Marjanishvili)

ATI restaurant (Rooftop of Sheraton hotel)

Suliko (Vera)

When should I visit Tbilisi?

Tbilisi has something to offer all year round, but the best time to visit is during spring (March-May) or autumn (September-November). The weather is mild and pleasant, making it ideal for exploring the city on foot.

Summers can be quite hot in Tbilisi, with temperatures reaching up to 40°C. However, if you don’t mind the heat, summer is a great time to experience outdoor events and festivals in Tbilisi.

How long to stay in Tbilisi?

We recommend staying in Tbilisi for at least 3-4 days to immerse yourself in the city’s charm and explore its top attractions. However, if you have more time, we suggest extending your stay to a week or even longer. There are plenty of day trips and excursions from Tbilisi that you can take to nearby destinations like Kazbegi and Kakheti. We stayed for almost 4 months (working & traveling) and there was always something new and interesting to do and see.

How to get to Tbilisi?

Tbilisi is easily accessible by air, train, or bus. The city’s international airport, Tbilisi International Airport (TBS), is located about 20 km from the city center and serves flights from major cities around the world. You can also take a train to Tbilisi from other cities in Georgia or neighboring countries like Armenia and Azerbaijan.

How to get around in Tbilisi?

The best way to explore Tbilisi is on foot. The city is pedestrian-friendly, and you can easily walk from one attraction to another.

You can also take taxis or use ride-sharing apps like Bolt. Bolt is super affordable, and you can usually expect to pay about 5-10 GEL for a ride.

Bolt is also the best way to get from the airport to the city center. A ride from the airport usually costs around 30 GEL.

Tbilisi also has a metro system with two lines that cover most of the city. It’s really cheap and efficient way to get around, but it can get crowded during peak hours.

Is it safe to travel to Tbilisi?

Yes, Tbilisi is generally a safe city for tourists. However, as with any destination, it’s important to take precautions like avoiding dark alleys at night and keeping an eye on your belongings. However, we actually felt safer in Tbilisi than in Finland these days and never felt unsafe at any point.

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