Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and a historical gem mostly influenced by the Persian Empire and the Soviet Union. The city is small enough to make everything almost walking distance. Spend a minimum of three days in this beautiful city to discover everything the new capital of Georgia has to offer!
1. Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (also called Sameba) is an Orthodox Church and the main cathedral of Georgia. The cathedral is actually a complex of 9 chapels (chapels of the Archangels, John the Baptist, Saint Nino, Saint George, Saint Nicholas, the Twelve Apostles, and All Saints). The construction started in 1995 and was completed in 2004, making it the third tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the world and one of the largest religious building in the world. The cathedral’s architect was awarded the project after a large contest organized in the country from 1989. Architect Archil Mindiashvili designed the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi according to the traditional Georgian architecture mixed with Byzantine influences.
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
Address: Avlabari, 0103 Tbilisi
2. Visit the Old Town center
Wander around the old town of Tbilisi, at the foot of the Narikala Fortress. The old town is eclectic, with cafes nestled in the narrowed streets, art galleries in Chardini Street or even the modern art lining Sioni Street. Head to Sololaki with its modern architecture and refined restaurants next to the sulfur baths and old churches. The best way to discover this beautiful historic center is to get lost in it! Just put on your sneakers on and wander around town, discovering magnificent narrow streets architecturally influenced by the Arabia, Eastern Europe, and the classic Soviet Union.
Old Town
Address: Old Tbilisi, 0105 Tbilisi
3. Go to the clock tower
The clock tower, attached to the Gabriadze theater, was designed by Georgian artist Rezo Gabriadze. Gabriadze designed himself thousands of tiles that he used to decorate the tower. The tower is one of the most emblematic signs of the cultural part of Tbilisi and a major touristic attraction. Make sure to visit on the hour to witness the window opening at the top and an angel striking the bell! A small puppet theater inside the tower makes a representation of “The Circle of Life” twice a day at noon and 7 p.m.
Rezo Gabriadze Theater
Address: Shavteli, 13, Tbilisi, Georgia 0105
Website: Rezo Gabriadze Theater
Tip from Content Creator
Aayushi
You must have heard of the leaning tower of Pisa but did you know about this charmingly disheveled clock tower of Tbilisi's puppet theater?
It’s hard not to fall in love with the playful, naive architecture of the tower. This is especially true when on the hour, a window opens at the small balcony at the top, and a mannequin of an angel strikes the bell. Below the clock, a screen opens and shows the circle of life: boy meets girl, marriage, childbirth, and funeral.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Go to the Sulfur Baths
The name Tbilisi comes from the Georgian word for warm ‘თბილი—tbili’ referring to the heat of the baths where the city was originally built. Sulfur baths have been a tradition for hundreds of years in Tbilisi and there are numerous sulfur baths in the city. The baths were used by poets, politicians, and artists to meet, relax and gossip! Going to the sulfur bath is part of the Tbilisi life and it is a must try for any visitor.
The baths are typically built in bricks and look like sprouts coming out from the ground. You can easily spot them however with the strong smell of sulfur. Probably the most renowned is the Orbeliani Baths with its blue mosaic exterior.
Orbeliani Baths
Address: 31 Abano St, Tbilisi, Georgia
5. Go to Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress is a 4th-century fortress built on top of the hill. You can easily access it with the funicular from the city center (close to the Bridge of Peace). The fortress overlooks the whole city and is close to the “Mother of Georgia.” You can easily pair both visits in the day. Insider tip: Take the funicular to go up to the fortress but walk down with the stairs to the old town.
Narikala Fortress
Address: Narikala Hill, Tbilisi, Georgia
6. Take A Picture Of The Kartlis Deda
Kartlis Deda is commonly called “The Mother of Georgia” is a 12-meter (40-foot) statue, designed by Elguja Amashukeli and erected in 1958. The statue represents a woman with a sword in her right hand and a bowl of wine in the left. She symbolizes the Georgian national character: welcoming friends with wine but ready to fight enemies with a sword!
Kartlis Deda
Address: DNarikala Hill, Tbilisi, Georgia
7. Go to the museum(s)
Tbilisi is home to numerous museums, from classic art to contemporary art passing by history museums. We recommend to visit the following museums - Please note all those museums are managed under the “Georgia National Museum” institution:
Located in the Freedom Square, the Art Museum of Georgia possesses more than 140,000 items of Georgian, Oriental, Russian, and other European art. The main exhibition is a vast collection from Georgian artists showing the evolution of art in Georgia within the past centuries.
The National Gallery has a vast collection of fine art from Georgia, Russian and other European countries. The Gallery is one of the central exhibition spaces of the National Museum, where one can find temporary exhibitions such as “Georgian fine art masterpieces of the early 20th Century.”
Founded in 1910, the museum’s collection over fifty thousand artifacts reflecting Tbilisi’s history from the end of the 4 millennium BCE until today. The museum presents archeological, ethnological and archival materials as well as a rich photo-collection.
Art Museum of Georgia
Address: 2/4 Aleksandr Pushkin St, T'bilisi, Georgia
Website: Art Museum of Georgia
National Gallery
Address: 11 Shota Rustaveli Ave, T'bilisi, Georgia
Website: National Gallery
Tbilisi History Museum
Address: 8 Sioni St, T'bilisi, Georgia
Website: Tbilisi History Museum
8. Visit the Freedom Square
The Freedom Square is located in the center of Tbilisi at the eastern end of Rustaveli Avenue. Originally named after Ivan Paskevich, a Ukrainian general for the Russian Imperial Army, as a recognition for his bravery and the battles he won. The Freedom Square history is intrinsically linked to Tbilisi history and has been used for many mass demonstrations and various political speeches.
Freedom Square
Address: Freedom Square, Tbilisi
9. Go to the Dry Bridge Market
The eclectic outdoor flea market is a paradise for antique lovers. Wander around the market, right next to the Dry Bridge and search for this vintage item you have been dying to have or buy some traditional jewelry. From paintings, antique furniture, vintage vinyl to religious idols or even jewelry, you are sure to find something to purchase! Make sure to negotiate prices before buying anything as tourists usually get offered higher prices than locals.
Dry Bridge Market
Address: Dry Bridge, Khidi Street, Tbilisi
10. Discover the multiple parks the city has to offer
During spring and summer, Tbilisi is a very green city and offers a lot of parks for residents and tourists to unwind in the beautiful scenery. Make sure to check the three biggest and most interesting parks of the city! Go for a walk in the National Botanical Garden, with its thousands of flowers and a beautiful waterfall. The park covers 161 hectares (400 acres) and possesses a collection of over 4,500 taxonomic groups.
Mtatsminda Park is located at the top of Mount Mtatsminda and overlooks the Georgian capital Tbilisi. The park has carrousel, water slides, a roller-coaster, and a big Ferris Wheel. This is a perfect place to spend a nice day with the family in a stunning environment. Vake Park is a very popular place for residents and tourists with its cafes and restaurants. A memorial to the WWII is nested on top of the hill.
National Botanical Garden
Address: Botanikuris#1, 0105 Tbilisi
Website: National Botanical Garden
Mtatsminda Park
Address: Mtatsminda Alley, Tbilisi, Georgia
Website: Mtatsminda Park
Vake Park
Address: 76 Chavchavadze Ave, Tbilisi
Website: Vake Park
11. Visit the Anchiskhati Basilica
Anchiskhati Basilica is the oldest church of Tbilisi and was built in the 6th century by the King Dachi of Iberia (circa 522 to 534) who had made Tbilisi his capital. The basilica was destructed and built again a countless number of times from the 15th to the 17th century due to wars between Georgia and the Persians and Turks. All religious ceremonies were suspended during the Soviet Union and the Basicila was used as a museum and art studio. The Basilica is now the world’s leading exponent of Georgian polyphonic choral music.
Anchiskhati Basilica
Address: 11 Ioane Shavteli St, Tbilisi, Georgia
Website: Anchiskhati Basilica
What are you waiting for?!
No matter if you are a business or leisure traveler; if you are traveling solo, with friends or with your family; you will find plenty to do in the capital of Georgia. For a complete immersion, make sure to visit some of the best restaurants in the country and discover the delicious Georgian specialties.
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