During our trip to Georgia, we went to Tbilisi several times. Indeed, all the country’s roads converge through the capital and it is not uncommon to have to go back there to transit from city to city. Each of these stops were a real pleasure! It is a city that I really liked, because it is very good to live there. I would have imagined myself to stay there for several weeks if I had had the time. In Tbilisi, futuristic curiosities come together with Soviet style buildings and medieval constructions. A fun mix! To enjoy the capital of Georgia, here is my guide“ What to see in Tbilisi, Georgia” with points of interest and good addresses that I have tried.
Reach Tbilisi from the airport
By taxi
Chota Roustavéli International Airport is located approximately 15 km from the city center. As in all airports around the world, taxis are waiting for you at the exit, ready to empty your pocket. We were offered the price of $ 80, to reach the center. In Geogia, for this price, you can travel more than 500 km :D, so I do not recommend this option!
At the arrivals terminal you will also find a taxi desk. Negotiation is easier. It is necessary to count at least 40 laris (approx. 10 €) to reach the old center of Tbilisi. This option which is therefore much better and quite comfortable.
However, the option I recommend is the Bolt app. There is free WiFi at the airport, which allows you to order your ride. It will cost you around 25 laris ( € 7). Keep in mind many flights land in Tbilisi at night. It was 5am when we arrived, no Bolt is available at this time. It is easier to find them during the day.
By city bus
There is also a bus that runs between the airport and the city center. It starts from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., goes every 15 minutes and costs around € 0.20. If the time of your flight matches then this is the most economical solution. Bus # 37 is located outside the Departures Hall and takes you to Liberty Square, which is the most central stop in the city. From there you can walk or take the metro.
How to get around Tbilisi
Tbilisi city center is really not that big. So you can do everything walking easily, which I find very nice. To reach more distant points, such as Didube metro station, from where the marchroutki (georgian local minibus) leave to many other cities in the country, you can choose the metro. You just need to buy a card and then put credit on it. The ticket costs around 0.20 €.
What to see in Tbilisi?
♥ Book a free tour of Tbilisi
Not to miss anything of sublime Tbilisi, I strongly recommend to have a free city tour with Civitatis. This one is totally free as it works on tips. You give the money you want, if you enjoy the visit! For my part, I loved it. It is a good way to have an overview of the city with a guide who knows it well. To book your visit, go here !
♥ Stroll through old Tbilisi
To feel the atmosphere of Tbilisi, there is nothing like strolling through the alleys of the old town. You will discover the typical Georgian buildings with wooden balconies that lean dangerously towards the street. The center is also undergoing numerous renovations but that in no way detracts from the authentic and attractive soul of the old quarter. With no particular purpose, you can admire many churches and pretty buildings. The old district is very lively and you will see that there are many terraces ready to welcome you at any time!
♥ Abanotubani, Baths district
Tbilisi’s baths district, Abanotubani , is a must-see. These are sulfur baths with healing properties for the skin and joints. It is a very pretty spot in the old quarter, whose all-brick roofs stick out of the earth. If you want to live the experience of a hot bath, you can enter it… but naked! It is possible to rent a private room for more privacy, though.
21 Abano Street – Tbilisi
♥ Take aerian tramway to visit the Narikala fortress
On the heights of Tbilisi, the Narikala fortress dominates the city from Sololaki hill . It is a fortified enclosure bordered by a botanical garden. You can also discover Karlis Deda , a statue erected for the 1500th anniversary of Tbilisi. It represents a woman in traditional costume, who holds a sword to protect the city, as well as a glass of wine, a symbol of hospitality. From there, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the city and the river that crosses it.
To go up the hill you can take the cable car, the Tbilisi aerial tramway. The drive alone is worth it, as it gives you a nice view over the rooftops of old Tbilisi. To take the cable car, go to Rike Park (10 a.m. to 8 p.m. – 2 laris / person). You can then choose to walk back down the hill (do that!) or take the cable car back down the hill.
♥ What to see in Tbilisi: futuristic buildings
As mentioned, Tbilisi is a subtle mix of old buildings and new constructions completely wacky and futuristic. Among them, you can discover the Peace Bridge . This original pedestrian bridge dating from 2010 connects the old center of Tbilisi to the new one. In the same spirit, you will also discover the Rike Park Theater , looking like a big cannelloni, dominated by the Presidential Palace with its glass dome.
♥ Walk along Rustaveli Avenue
If you are wondering what to see in Tbilisi, Rustaveli Avenue is one of the most important streets that concentrates many monuments. You can start your walk from Freedom Square , a huge square with the statue of St. George . While walking along this avenue, you will be able to discover all along the important buildings of the city. Most have typical Soviet architecture. To admire during this walk: the National Museum of Georgia (Rustaveli 3), the Parliament (Rustaveli 8), the Roustaveli Theater (Rustaveli 17), the Opera (Rustaveli 25), the Museum of Modern Art(Rustaveli 27) or the Academy of Sciences (Rustaveli 52).
♥ Go up to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
Tsminda Sameda (the Holy Trinity) is the country’s most iconic cathedral. A must in this article “What to see in Tbilisi”. It is a magnificent building that dominates Tbilisi with a very large forecourt. You can walk up from the city center (about 20 minutes walk), or take the metro to Avlabari station. The cathedral is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
♥ Metekhi Church
Just above the left bank of the Mtkvari, standing on a promontory, is the very pretty Church of Metekhi. From here, you can take the time to admire the beautiful view of old Tbilisi in front of you.
Before moving on to the best addresses, here are also some activities and excursions that might interest you during your trip to Tbilisi. There are many places to discover around the capital. Sometimes a private excursion is more interesting than having to book a driver or take a taxi. Do not hesitate to take a look at all the activities available to discover a more unusual side of Tbilisi.
♥ Piano (Italian restaurant)
After a good week in Georgia, following our visit to Vashlovani Park , a desire for pizza left me more. So it was at Piano, an Italian restaurant in Tbilisi that we went, and it was really up to the task. You never really know what to expect when choosing dishes from a foreign country, but Piano has everything a true Italian. I was able to revel in a good pizza (well, it wasn’t on the Naples level either, but for a Georgian pizza it was totally satisfactory, so much so that I forgot to photograph it!). The carpaccio was also very good and well marinated. If you are also eager for Italian during your trip, do not hesitate to go to Piano.
Piano Tabidze Galaqtion st. 14, Tbilisi 0105 Georgia
♥ Organic Josper Grill Bar
Last food address, but not just any: our favorite in Tbilisi. Organic Josper Grill Bar specializes in meat. The restaurant has two terraces and one floor, but reservations are recommended, as it is popular. You can eat grilled meats, such as a good prime rib, but also other dishes with meats such as salads or stews. Meat fans will therefore inevitably be won over by the quality of this address. In addition, all the staff are super friendly which even made us want to come back a second time.
Organic Josper Grill Bar Old Town | 12, Bambis Rigi 4, Shardeni Str, Tbilisi 0105 Georgia
Good places to eat in Tbilisi
We ate very well in the Georgian capital. The terraces are numerous and ready to welcome you at any time of the day. You will be spoiled for choice when it comes to dining in Tbilisi. According to your desires, here are some addresses that we appreciated.
♥ Badagoni Home
To taste typical Georgian food, perfectly executed and with very attentive service, I recommend a stop at Badagoni Home. It is at the same time a wine cellar, a hotel and a restaurant. You will therefore be able to accompany your dishes with a good Georgian wine, for our part a rosé which was delicious. It was an opportunity for us to taste some Khinkali, large ravioli stuffed with spicy meat, which can be found in almost all restaurants in the country as well as the equally famous kebab. To appreciate good local cuisine, it is indeed a safe bet in Tbilisi, very close to Liberty Square!
Badagoni Home Freedom Sq., 4, Tbilisi 0105 Georgia
♥ Piano (Italian restaurant)
A week spent in Geogia, after our visit to Vashlovani Park, I was craving for a pizza. So it was at Piano, an Italian restaurant in Tbilisi that we went to and it was really worth it. You never really know what to expect when choosing dishes from a foreign country, but Piano has everything of a true Italian. I was able to feast on a good pizza (well, it wasn’t on the Napoli level either, but for a Georgian pizza it was totally satisfactory, so much so that I forgot to photograph it!). The carpaccio was also very good and well marinated. If you are also eager for Italian during your trip, do not hesitate to go to Piano.
Piano Tabidze Galaqtion st. 14, Tbilissi 0105 Géorgie
♥ Organique Josper Grill Bar
Last food address, but not just any: our favorite in Tbilisi. Organic Josper Grill Bar specialized in meat. The restaurant has two terraces and one floor, but reservations are recommended, as it is popular. You can eat grilled meats, such as a good prime rib, but also other dishes with meats such as salads or stews. Meat fans will therefore inevitably be won over by the quality of this address. In addition, all the staff is super friendly which even made us want to come back a second time.
Organique Josper Grill Bar Old Town | 12, Bambis Rigi 4, Shardeni Str, Tbilissi 0105 Géorgie
Where to stay in Tbilisi
To stay, I recommend that you choose a hotel in old Tbilisi. You will then be ideally located to walk to all the points of interest that I listed above. We have stayed in two hotels, both of which were completely satisfied.
♥ Old Tbilisi Appart Hotel
For a very spacious room with kitchen and courtyard terrace, I recommend Old Tbilissi Appart Hotel. The price of one night is around 20 € for the largest room. The hotel is very clean and the staff extremely helpful. We loved our time at this hotel.
Abesadze st. blind alleys 13, Tbilisi 0105 Georgia
♥ Point Hotel
Equally well located, the Point Hotel is a fairly new and very comfortable establishment. Some of the rooms have a balcony, which overlooks a pleasant and rather quiet little street. In the evening, you will enjoy the view of the TV tower and the famous statue of Kartlis Deda. Count around 25 € for one night at the Point Hotel.
Anton Catholicos-Kote Abkhazi St. (Leselidze Streets’ Corner), 0105 Tbilisi, Georgia
There you have it, now you know what to see in Tbilisi. Want to escape the city for a desert area? Read on by discovering my article on Vashlovani National Park in the far east of Georgia. Also, you can pick some ideas to organize you trip in my Must see itinerary to discover Georgia.
