21 Things to Do in Tbilisi (Plus Map)

Heading to Georgia and unsure of the best things to do in Tbilisi? Here are my recommendations to help you navigate this unique city, whether you have 24 hours or a full week.

With its dramatic mountains, diverse history, and legacy as the birthplace of wine, a trip to Georgia is truly irresistible. Tucked between Europe and Asia, this culturally rich nation is famous for its warm hospitality and world-class cuisine. The captivating capital, Tbilisi, is a perfect base where you could easily spend a week unwinding in historic sulphur baths, sampling local dishes, or simply wandering the streets. It’s a dynamic city that seamlessly blends centuries-old charm with striking, futuristic architecture, making it the ideal starting point for day trips.

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Map of Things to do in Tbilisi

Here’s a map I created that includes everything to see and do in this article for you to save and keep for your trip to Tbilisi.

Things to do in Old Tbilisi

Let’s start just north of Old Tbilisi at Freedom Square (Liberty Square), near the city walls. We’ll then walk down through Ioane Shavteli Street, one of Old Tbilisi’s most picturesque and iconic streets and carry on south, to the Metekhi and Abanotubani areas of the old city, ending up at Narikala Hill, which is a wonderful place to end your day, watching the sun go down over the city.

These are some of the main sights and activities along the way.

1. Start in Freedom Square

Located at the heart of the city, Freedom Square (Liberty Square) is hard to miss, with its towering column topped by a gleaming gold St George, slaying a dragon. It’s also known as Liberty Square, and it’s the connection between the historic Old Town’s grandest street, Rustaveli Avenue and the more modern parts of the city—an obvious starting point for exploring the capital.

The 1990 dismantling of a massive statue of Lenin in Lenin Square, as it was then called, marked the beginning of the end of Soviet rule in Georgia. The square continues to be the backdrop for major political gatherings and protests. When we arrived early in the morning on Georgian Independence Day, the Georgian security services were getting it ready for its annual big day, so we snapped a quick picture and moved on to the city walls.

2 Discover the old City Walls

As you head south, into Old Tbilisi, look out for the city walls. The most striking section (on Shota Nishnianidze) has curved blue-and-white wooden balconies. Added to the ancient walls in the 1870s, it gives them an unusual and distinctly Georgian feel. Part of it is now a popular hotel.

3 Find the Puppets at the Clock Tower

Once past the walls, you’ll soon find the Clock Tower. Well-known for its whimsical, fairytale-like design and charming, animated puppet shows. Attached to the renowned Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater, it looks ancient but was actually constructed in 2010 by the Georgian puppeteer and artist Rezo Gabriadze. With an intentional tilt to one side, it looks like it’s come straight out of a storybook. The tower itself is beautifully decorated with mosaics of ceramic tiles that Gabriadze designed and painted by hand.

We stayed for the ‘Circle of Life’ show, which runs at midday. Wooden doors opened just below the clock face, and characters, from different stages of life, appear for around 15 minutes. This repeats at 7 pm, and if that doesn’t work with your timings, a Golden Angel pops out of a painted door at the top of the tower, on the hour, striking the bell with a small hammer. Why not check the Gabriadze Theatre’s calendar? It hosts longer puppet shows in an 80-seater theatre, should you wish to plan this into your visit.

The area around the clock was packed, ready for the midday performance. Atlas Obscura features the clock as one of the world’s most popular architectural clock monuments. As a side note, if you want to discover another clock on the list, I’ve written about the backwards clock at the Petrovaradin fortress in Novi Sad, Belgrade.

4 Visit the Anchiskhati, the oldest church in Tbilisi

There are many churches in Tbilisi, and it’s going to take a long time to visit even a small fraction of them, so it’s time to be selective. You’ll almost certainly be passing the Anchiskhati Basilica, so for that reason, I’d recommend stepping through the archway and taking a look inside this one. Dating back to the 6th century, it’s the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi, though it has undergone significant renovations over the years.

Signs at the entrance explicitly prohibit taking pictures inside to protect the highly sensitive, centuries-old frescoes from light damage and to maintain a quiet, prayerful atmosphere. Still, you can certainly take your photos outside.

5 Explore Ioane Shavteli Street

As you carry on heading south, you’ll see more of this charming pedestrianised street, named after a prominent 12th-century Georgian philosopher and hymn writer.

The street is a rich blend of old-world architecture and lively café culture, including a balcony bar and boutique hotel in the traditional blue-balconied building. With plenty of shops aimed at tourists, it would be one of the best places to buy that fridge magnet or a piece of artwork to remember your stay in the Georgian capital.

As you leave this street, you can either head east away from Old Tbilisi, over the Bridge of Peace to Rike Park and the cable car or continue through Old Tbilisi.

6 Have a drink in Erekle II Street

If you keep going, Ioane Shavteli Street blends seamlessly into Erekle II Street, a bustling commercial dining and drinking strip that gets busier later in the day. We walked through, fairly early in the morning, and it had a touch of the ‘morning after the night before’ about it.

It’s also here where I noticed just how many dogs there were wandering the city. Strays, tagged and vaccinated, fed by locals, and treated as community dogs, are common throughout Georgia. The dogs ranged from friendly to disinterested. Don’t be surprised if they decide to tag along. It reminded me of the street dogs in Skopje.

A word of warning, though, if you are walking in more isolated areas, especially after dark, you may encounter more territorial behavior. We met dogs on the outskirts of Batumi, late at night, after leaving the train station. These dogs were in a pack, barking, and clearly unhappy about our being there. I’m nervous of dogs anyway; they smell my fear, and I was genuinely terrified. For the return trip to catch the coach to Kutaisi, we used Bolt to the door of the neighbouring coach station.

7 Learn about the Tolerance Quarter

If you continue south through more of Old Tbilisi, you’ll be struck by the contrasts within such a small space. The cafés and bars on King Erekle II Street continue into the Tolerance Quarter. Here, the Georgian Orthodox Sion Cathedral, the Great Synagogue, the Armenian Cathedral of St. George’s and the Central Mosque (Juma) are all close by. The four faiths coexist within a few hundred metres of each other – and have done for centuries.

8 Go underground at Meidan

Continue to Vakhtang Gorgasali Square (also known as Meidan Square). A focal point and a perfect photo spot to capture the Old Town of Tbilisi, with Narikala fortress in the background. Take in the views to Metekhi and beyond. Stroll through the snaking lanes that crisscross among traditional houses with wooden balconies and enjoy the streets lined with souvenir shops and local restaurants.

Look out for a stairway down to the underground shopping area of Meidan Bazaar. It’s a place to purchase Georgian wine, cheese, and other traditional souvenirs. Spot churchkhela, the popular Georgian candy made of nuts covered in fruit syrup, hanging in colourful, sausage-like strings. Meidan has been a popular meeting point for traders on the Silk Road for centuries. This bazaar is thought to date back to the 4th or 5th century, so it’s a real step back in time.

We made another stop underground, in Meidan. Khinkali Pub is also on the square and built into an underground cellar. Our first introduction to the Georgian staple, Khinkali (dumplings), did not disappoint. Choose your filling when you order. I rate the cheese.

9 Check Out Metekhi: The birthplace of the city

On the opposite bank of the river lies Metekhi, one of the oldest and most historic neighborhoods in Tbilisi. Perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the Mtkvari River, it’s widely considered to be the birthplace of the city. Look out for King Vakhtang Gorgasali on horseback, on the Metekhi bridge.

You’ll easily spot Metekhi Church of the Assumption, a large 13th-century church at the top of the riverbank, alongside other remnants of the ancient city, including sections of the old walls and a small chapel.

And, if you’re wondering why the Mtkvari runs brown and looks so dirty, it’s carrying sediment down from the Caucasus mountains; it flows east into Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea.

10 Soak in a Sulphur Bath in Abanotubani

At the foot of Narikala Hill lies Abanotubani, the district known for its natural hot springs, distinctive domed brick roofs, and therapeutic, mineral-rich waters. According to legend, Tbilisi’s natural hot sulfur springs were discovered in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali while he was out hunting. The king’s falcon chased down a pheasant, and both birds fell into a hidden hot spring. Amazed by his find, he decided to clear the forest and build his new capital city right there. Tbilisi means ‘warm location’, in old Georgian, so it’s likely the city got its name from these thermal springs.

I’ll admit I was happy with the hotel bath, so I didn’t partake, but if you like spas and traditional treatments, a visit to a traditional bathhouse in Old Tbilisi is a must.

The best-known and oldest are the Orbeliani Baths (also known as Chreli Albano). This visually iconic bathhouse has a striking blue, Persian-style mosaic facade. The arched entrance resembles that of a grand mosque, and it’s sometimes mistaken for the Juma Mosque. Book a private room to soak in the natural, warm sulfur waters and enjoy a traditional scrub and massage treatment (locally called a kisi). There are more baths in the area, including Gulo’s Thermal Spa, Bathhouse No. 5, and Royal Bath, if you want to try another.

I’ve also marked the Bridge of Love on the map as it’s located here too; it’s a picturesque footbridge spanning the Abanotubani gorge, and yes, you guessed it, it’s full of padlocks. You’ll also spot a small waterfall at the aptly named Waterfall Square, where you can see the waters rushing through the gorge.

11 Take in the views from Narikala Hill

If you look upwards from Vakhtang Gorgasali Square, you’ll spot all the houses on the hillside with their traditional balconies clinging to the hillside and beyond to Narikala Fortress. There’s a steep path to the fortress (currently closed), but a great view if you make it. Once at the fortress, you can walk along the ridge to the Mother of Georgia statue and the cable car.

We stayed at the Citadel Narikala Hotel, a little way up the hill. I highly recommend this hotel for its location, views across the city, breakfast, and everything else. But I was grateful, I was carrying just my one small bag, as other hotel visitors were struggling to make it to the entrance with large suitcases. Definitely worth it when you get there.

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Things to do in Modern Tbilisi

While Old Tbilisi is relatively compact, the rest of the city sprawls for miles beyond this area. The population is 1.33 million, a third of the country’s total, so unless you are spending a long time in Tbilisi, it would be hard to cover the modern city comprehensively. I’ll start with some of the popular places to visit, and the ones we managed to visit ourselves. There’s much we ran out of time for.

Let’s start with the Bridge of Peace, which bridges Old Tbilisi with the newer parts of the city.

12 Cross the Bridge of Peace

This bow-shaped glass-and-steel pedestrian bridge stretches 150 meters across the Kura (Mtkvari) River, connecting the historic Old Town with the modern Rike Park. Designed by Italian architect Michele De Lucchi and French lighting designer Philippe Martineau, it opened in May 2010.

The bridge is high-tech, fitted with solar panels and over 10,000 LED lightbulbs. The displays utilise Morse code to broadcast the chemical elements of the human body (such as Calcium, Hydrogen, and Carbon). This is to make the point that all human beings are made of the same fundamental matter, regardless of nationality or faith. On a lighter note, the locals have nicknamed this bridge ‘Always Ultra!’.

Expect to find buskers, hawkers and peacocks on the bridge. The peacocks are there to extract money from tourists. This peacock kindly posed for me, without its owner spotting me.

13 Wander through Rike Park

The Bridge of Peace connects Old Tbilisi to Rike Park. Well cared for and with beautiful landscaping, plenty was going on. People of all ages are out and about. including groups of girls singing and practicing their dance routines. Cafés and ice cream stalls are dotted about, giving people reason to stay longer.

Look out for the futuristic Fuksas Tubes. Two large metallic tubular structures were intended as a concert hall, but were left unfinished as a statement piece of modern art. There’s also a massive piano and a chessboard. and a musical fountain with dancing lights. The huge white hot air balloon is hard to miss, and yes, you can ride in it over the city. The park is also an entertainment space, with an amphitheatre and the popular October Tbilisioba Festival is held here annually.

Rike Park is also home to the lower Aerial Tramway station, which will take you to the Mother of Georgia statue and the fortress. Our next stop.

14 Ride or hike to Mother of Georgia (Karlis Deda)

Perched atop Sololakis Hill, the Mother of Georgia (Kartlis Deda) overlooks the capital and is visible across Tbilisi. This 20-meter aluminium statue holds a bowl of wine symbolising hospitality, and a sword representing resistance to invaders. Originally crafted from wood in 1958, she later received a full-body aluminium makeover.

At the top cable car station, browse local stalls selling Georgian crafts, souvenirs, and snacks while taking in panoramic views of the city. Follow the scenic ridge path to walk between the statue and Narikala Fortress (currently closed). From the fortress, a path and steps lead to the National Botanical Garden, which is open daily (closes 6 pm) and also down Narikala Hill.

15 Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba)

Dominating the skyline from Avlabari hill, the largest Georgian Orthodox cathedral is one of Tbilisi’s most recognisable landmarks, and its scale is staggering. This huge honey-toned church, topped with a gold dome, is new, not ancient. Built in the 1990s during a period of civil war, construction progressed erratically for over a decade, with intense debates over its lavish scale during an economic crisis.

Take time to wander the grounds to enjoy the views of Tbilisi from this elevated position, and look out for the monastery and the huge bell tower.

Inside Sameba, the scale hits you first. What surprised me was the restraint – whitewashed walls and relatively understated decoration create a very different atmosphere than you might expect from a cathedral of this ambition. If you’ve visited the great Orthodox cathedrals like Saint Sava in Belgrade or Alexander Nevsky in Sofia, you’ll notice the difference immediately. Those interiors dazzle with gold and heavily decorated iconostases. The ancient Georgian Orthodox tradition maintains its own distinct character, separate from the Russian-influenced Byzantine Revival style that shapes so many of its neighbours.

16 Discover Dry Bridge, Market

This open-air bazaar is best known for its chaotic and eclectic mix of antiques, Soviet-era relics, and handmade Georgian crafts. Vendors lay their wares on blankets along the sidewalk and bridge and into the adjacent Dedaena and 9 March parks. Expect to find everything from century-old artifacts to retro trinkets. It’s a place for locals as much as tourists. And you won’t be wondering why the bridge is called Dry Bridge (Mshrali Khidi) for long. The Mtkvari River does not run under it; instead, it’s diverted to protect the city from flooding.

Honestly, we aren’t really shoppers, so while we found the displays interesting, we found the area around Dry Bridge more compelling. The adjacent Giorgi Leonidze Park is delightful, and the neighbourhood is well served with coffee shops and restaurants. Look out for Café Daphna, Plus One Restaurant, Wine Bridge Cocktail bar, and Coffee 22—a less touristy and more authentic side of Tbilisi than Davit Agmashenebeli Avenue or Old Tbilisi.

17 Walk down Rustaveli Avenue

Rustaveli Avenue is named after the medieval Georgian poet, Shota Rustaveli. We walked its length from Freedom Square for 1.5 Km up to Rustaveli Metro station. A tree-lined boulevard, known for its grand European architecture, bustling cafés, and significant landmarks, including the National Opera House, theatre, and the Parliament of Georgia.

I loved the small bronze statues of old Georgian characters that line both sides of the avenue for much of its length, as well as the Giant Bike Monument, which reminds Tbilisi residents of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. With two sets of handlebars, though, it’s also a reminder that sometimes in life, we can be pedalling hard, but not actually getting anywhere!

Once you’ve passed the Giant Bike monument and reached the end of Rustaveli Avenue at Rustaveli Metro, you’ll be in the right place to find the cable car to take you to Mtatsminda Park or head into Chugureti District.

18 Ride the Cable Car to Mtatsminda Park

With two cable cars in Tbilisi, there’s a choice. Take the relatively new one up to the Mother of Georgia, or try the more historic one that connects the city centre with Mtatsminda Park, or you could do both. We only had time for one cable car, so we skipped Mtatsminda Park, but it looks like a great thing to do in Tbilisi, if you have time. The lower cable car station is close to the Rustaveli Metro station, making it an obvious place to go after walking along Rustaveli Avenue.

At the top, expect to find an amusement park complete with a giant Ferris wheel. There’s the Funicular Restaurant, which is famous for serving the best ponchiki (traditional cream-filled donuts) in the city. Beyond the amusement park, Turtle Lake is a popular summer spot and just below it sits the Open Air Museum of Ethnography, featuring traditional wooden houses and watchtowers transported from every region of Georgia.

19 Be Creative in Chugureti District

If you are at the Rustaveli metro station, cross over the river onto the Eastern side to explore the Chugureti district. This city neighbourhood might not contain the major landmarks and ‘must-sees’ of Old Tbilisi, but if you have time in your schedule, I’d recommend it.

Davit Aghmashenebeli Avenue is the district’s grand thoroughfare, featuring beautifully restored 19th-century classic European facades and a highly popular, vibrant pedestrian zone packed with open-air cafés. It’s a very different feel to Old Tbilisi. On the surface, the traditional Georgian styling is gone, although if you look, you will find backstreets and passages with the traditional wooden balconies and communal courtyards. Davit Aghmashenebeli Avenue may not be unique; it feels like being in any number of Eastern European cities, but it would be easy to while away a few hours here very enjoyably.

Head to Fabrika, the centre of Tbilisi’s indie youth culture. It’s a massive, multifunctional creative zone built inside an abandoned Soviet sewing factory and is a popular part of the city to stay in.

We passed through Dezerter Bazaar (Dezerterebi) on our way to the Tbilisi railway station for our train to Batumi. A huge sprawling, chaotic, open-air marketplace and one in which I managed to lose my phone! The memory of hastily trying to retrace my steps through endless stalls and second-hand phone shops is still raw, but the kindness of strangers led to my phone being found. In a world full of stories of bad people and bad news, the generosity of so many across the world is truly humbling. My phone now lives on a lanyard. If you are scatty like me, just buy one!

20 Visit the Chronicles of Georgia

Sometimes called Georgia’s Stonehenge, these towering pillars, arranged at the top of the hillside on the edge of Tbilisi, are a highlight of any trip to Georgia. While you can visit the Chronicles of Georgia by public transport or taxi from central Tbilisi, I’d recommend combining a tour with a trip to the ancient city of Mtskheta, the Jvari Bazaar and Georgian wine tasting. With a late flight leaving Tbilisi, this half-day trip worked well for us on our last day.

21 Take a Day Trip

With plenty of great day-trip options close to the city, allow plenty of time for your stay in Tbilisi. Here are some ideas to make the most of your trip.

The Cave City and the underground monastery of Vardzia

For me, this was always going to be top of my list. I was blown away by the underground cities in Cappadocia when I visited many years ago, before the hot air balloons arrived and it became an Insta favourite. Since then, I’ve made a point of discovering more jaw-dropping places like this across Europe, including Meteora in Greece and Old Orhei in Moldova. I was very happy to add Vardzia to the list, with all expectations exceeded.

You could hire a car to get there, but if you would prefer not to, taking a tour is essential, as you can’t really get there and back in a day on public transport. The tours are exceptional value too,

Tours to Vardzia are usually combined with a visit to Rabati Castle and the spa town of Borjomi—a long but rewarding day.

I’ve also written separate articles on my experience at Vardzia and Rabati Castle.

Kazbegi: A trip into the Caucasus

Visit the mountains. Enjoy Ananuri Fortress, views from Gudauri, Gergeti church and experience traditional Georgian honey tasting on this popular day tour from Tbilisi.

Kakheti: Discover Georgia’s wine country

Spend the day discovering Georgia’s wineries and tasting the best of Georgian wine.

Day Trip to Armenia

If you are keen to tick off another country, this one is for you. We resisted, as we wanted to spend time in Armenia as a separate trip (trip reports coming up), but it’s one of the most popular trips from Tbilisi.

Rainbow Mountain & David Gareja Monastery

This tour takes you close to the border with Azerbaijan, explores cave monasteries and cave homes, plus a hike to Georgia’s Rainbow Mountain.

Kutaisi and Caves

A tour of western Georgia, if you don’t have time to visit Kutaisi independently.

How Long Should I spend in Tbilisi

Can you “do” Tbilisi in a day? No, not really. I’d recommend at least two nights in the city itself, and longer if you want to use Tbilisi as a base for day trips. Here’s my suggestion as to how to use your time.

I’ll be covering an itinerary, exploring more of Georgia on public transport, separately.

Tbilisi in One Day: Suggested Itinerary

OK, so as I said, one day is not long enough, but I also know sometimes needs must. If this is all the time you’ve got, I’d suggest taking a city tour so you can efficiently pass through some of the main sites in about 4 hours with someone who knows the city.

I’d also recommend a traditional Georgian meal. Zodiaqo, just off Rustaveli Avenue, was the best place we ate in Tbilisi, if this isn’t too much out of your way.

If you still have time in the evening, a taxi to the Chronicles of Georgia for sunset would finish the day off perfectly, though you will want to leave before nightfall. Alternatively, you could visit Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Tbilisi in Two Days: Suggested Itinerary

For your first day, I’d suggest spending your time in Old Tbilisi, as I’ve described—also, a good time to enjoy your first Georgian meal. If you still have time left, you could visit Holy Trinity Cathedral.

For the second day, I’d book a half-day tour to Mtskheta and the Chronicles of Georgia. Then spend the rest of the day exploring Rike Park and the Bridge of Peace, and visiting the Mother of Georgia, either hiking or taking the cable car.

Tbilisi in Three Days or More: Suggested Itinerary

If you have three days or more, I would follow my suggestions for two days in Georgia. Then, for the extra days, you could explore districts such as Rustaveli Avenue, Dry Bridge Market, Mtatsminda Park, and Chugureti, or take a day trip. Here’s my top choice for a day trip:

Visiting Tbilisi: Practical Information

Where to stay in Tbilisi

We chose to stay at Citadel Narikala Hotel, which deserved its reputation for great rooms with fabulous views over the city and an excellent breakfast. Well located in Old Tbilisi, just a few minutes from the Sulphur baths and Meidan, but its location a few minutes up the hill meant it was peaceful too. The hill was steep, though, so I was glad I packed light with my one small bag and didn’t have to drag a suitcase up the last few metres from the taxi drop-off.

Here’s some more live booking information and recommendations below:

How to get to Tbilisi

We arrived in Tbilisi on the UK budget airline EasyJet, direct from London Luton. We also travelled on the Tbilisi-Batumi train, connecting the capital with the Black Sea Coast resort, which took around 5 hours and took the Tbilisi-Kutaisi coach to reach the old capital of Georgia. Here are some other options for reaching Tbilisi, depending on your starting point:

How to get around Tbilisi

There’s a metro and bus service, as well as the cable cars to Mother of Georgia and Mtatsminda Park. You can swipe your card / mobile wallet for metro and bus services, although if you are planning more than a handful of journeys, it pays to get a 2GEL metrocard available from metro stations. Your tickets will be a little cheaper if you use this instead, and you can get a refund of the MetroCard if you hand it in at the end of your trip (within 30 days).

Bolt and Yandex Go are also operational. With Yandex Go, you can order a car and pay in cash, just as you would with a traditional taxi. If you are not of a nervous disposition, you can also hire a car.

Tbilisi Connectivity & Digital Security

Getting connected and staying secure in Georgia’s SIM card desks can be daunting and expensive. And relying entirely on public hotel or café Wi-Fi exposes your personal data to unsecured networks. Here are the two simple digital utilities I recommend setting up before you fly.

Where to next

If you’ve found this guide to Tbilisi useful, you can be the first to receive it as part of my mailing list. In the meantime, here are links to help you plan your stay.

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