10 Things To Do In Tbilisi

Quick answer: The top 10 things to do in Tbilisi are staying around Rustaveli Avenue, strolling the Old Town, visiting Metekhi Church, crossing the Friendship (Peace) Bridge, seeing the Holy Trinity Cathedral, climbing Sololaki Hill to Kartlis Deda, relaxing in the sulphur baths, tasting Georgian wine, eating traditional Georgian food and taking a day trip to Mtskheta.

Georgia, the former Soviet republic of Caucasus mountain villages and Black Sea beaches, has a capital with its own charming slogan: Tbilisi – the city that loves you. That is exactly what I experienced on my two visits to this winsome country. Georgians made me feel like a local, and summed up Georgia to me in one phrase: the balcony of Europe.

Here are the 10 things to do in Tbilisi to make the most of your trip.

1. Stay in Rustaveli

Rustaveli Avenue is the central part of the city, and almost all the attractions can be covered on foot from here. It’s home to both plush hotels and backpacker pods, and Freedom Square, the Georgian National Museum and the Opera House are just a stone’s throw away.

If you are travelling on a budget, I recommend staying at boombully hostel. It’s economical, centrally located and reviewed as one of the best hostels in the city.

Rustaveli is easy to reach from Tbilisi Airport: just take the bus on route number 37, which costs 0.50 GEL (0.22 USD).

2. Stroll Around Tbilisi Old Town

One of the best things to do in Tbilisi is spending a day exploring the Old Town. Its stone-hedged streets, old-fashioned houses and historic churches take you straight back to “once upon a time”. You’ll find charming sights here, from traditional art museums to abandoned tram cars.

3. Visit Metekhi Church

Metekhi is a church perched on top of a cliff overlooking the Kura River. This cross-cupola church has its own distinctive medieval architecture.

4. Cross the Friendship Bridge

Known as the Friendship Bridge or the Peace Bridge, this monumental attraction is more than just a crossing. The 150-metre bridge connects the Old Town and the New Town, stretching over the Kura River with a unique view of Metekhi Church.

On one side you’ll see Narikala Fortress and the statue of the city’s founder, Vakhtang Gorgasali; on the other, Baratashvili Bridge and the Presidential Office.

5. Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral

Locally known as Sameba, the Holy Trinity Cathedral is described as one of the tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world and dominates the city’s church architecture. Although it sits on Elia Hill, the climb isn’t really tiring, and Sameba is one of the most prominent places in Tbilisi.

6. Climb Sololaki Hill

The climb can be somewhat arduous, but the view from the top is worth the effort. The iconic statue of Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia) stands on the hill and has become the symbol of Tbilisi. It is a 23-metre aluminium statue of a woman dressed in Georgian national costume.

She is said to represent the national character: she holds a bowl of wine in one hand to greet those who come as friends, and a sword in the other for those who come as enemies.

7. Experience the Sulphur Baths

Tbilisi’s famous baths should be on your must-do list. As you explore the winding streets of the Old Town, the strong smell of sulphur will draw you towards one of the five bathhouses. They offer public and private rooms, with prices ranging from 20 to 100 GEL (9 to 45 USD). The unique hive-shaped bathhouses are easy to spot along the Kura River.

8. Try Georgian Wine

Georgian wines have a distinctive taste. During one of my visits to Tbilisi, a bartender told me that archaeology has traced the roots of Georgian viticulture back to when the peoples of the South Caucasus discovered that wild grape juice turned into wine when left buried through the winter in a shallow pit.

Much like French wines, Georgian wines carry the name of their source region, district or village. They are usually blended from two or more grapes, and the semi-sweet wines are the most famous.

9. Savour Traditional Georgian Food

One of my favourite things to do in Georgia is eating khachapuri, a popular traditional bread filled with cheese, a bit like a pizza. Pkhali is another delicious dish: a vegetable paste topped with pomegranate seeds.

10. Explore Mtskheta

Mtskheta, a former capital of Georgia, is one of the most popular day trips from Tbilisi. It’s easy to reach by minibus for 1 GEL (0.44 USD). To get to the bus station, take the metro to Didube; the market is just a 5-minute walk from Didube station, and the bus station is inside the market. Walk up to one of the counters to buy your ticket to Mtskheta.

Mtskheta is a small ancient town and the site of Georgia’s adoption of Christianity, making it a must for anyone interested in Georgian history or Orthodox Christianity. It’s easiest to see the whole town on foot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I stay in Tbilisi?

Rustaveli Avenue is the most central area, with options from plush hotels to backpacker pods, and most attractions within walking distance.

How do I get from Tbilisi Airport to the city centre?

Take the bus on route 37 to Rustaveli; it costs 0.50 GEL (0.22 USD).

How much do the Tbilisi sulphur baths cost?

Prices range from 20 to 100 GEL (9 to 45 USD), with public and private rooms available.

How do I get to Mtskheta from Tbilisi?

Take the metro to Didube, walk 5 minutes to the market bus station and catch a minibus for 1 GEL.

Conclusion

From the Old Town, Metekhi and the sulphur baths to Georgian wine, khachapuri and a day trip to Mtskheta, these 10 things to do in Tbilisi show why it truly is the city that loves you.