Region guide
Tbilisi
- Best time
- May–June and September–October are the most pleasant months, warm enough for walking without the heat of July and August, when afternoons often pass 30°C. Winters are mild and grey with little snow, a good season for the baths, museums and wine bars.
- How long
- 3–4 days
- Places
- 29 in our guide
- Tours
- 24 tours visit Tbilisi
Tbilisi has been Georgia's capital since the 6th century, when King Dachi moved the court here from Mtskheta. Legend says his father, Vakhtang Gorgasali, founded the city after his falcon fell into a hot spring while hunting, and the name comes from tbili, Georgian for warm. Today about 1.3 million people live along both banks of the Mtkvari river, in a city that climbs from the sulphur baths of Abanotubani to Mtatsminda at 770 metres. Carved wooden balconies, Persian-style bathhouses, Georgian and Armenian churches, a mosque, a synagogue and Soviet blocks all sit within a short walk or metro ride.
Most visitors spend their first days in the Old Town, walking from Freedom Square past Sioni Cathedral and Anchiskhati to the Bridge of Peace, then riding the cable car up to Narikala. Beyond the centre, Tbilisi rewards a little effort: the open-air ethnography museum near Turtle Lake, the flea market at the Dry Bridge, the courtyard bars of Fabrika and the giant Chronicles of Georgia above the Tbilisi Sea. The city is also the natural base for day trips to Mtskheta, Kakheti, Kazbegi and Kvemo Kartli, and most tours of the country start and end here.
Why visit Tbilisi
- Soak in a private room at the domed sulphur baths of Abanotubani
- Ride the cable car from Rike Park to Narikala for views over the Old Town
- Walk lanes of carved wooden balconies from Sioni Cathedral to the 6th-century Anchiskhati Basilica
- See the Dmanisi early human fossils and ancient gold at the National Museum
- Browse Soviet badges, cameras and paintings at the Dry Bridge flea market
- Drink qvevri wine in Old Town wine bars and eat khinkali late into the evening
- Take the funicular to Mtatsminda Park for the widest view of the city
- Explore village houses from every region at the Open Air Museum of Ethnography
Top things to do in Tbilisi
Ride the funicular and stop at the Mtatsminda Pantheon
Board the funicular on Chonkadze Street and get off at the middle station, where the graves of Ilia Chavchavadze, Vazha-Pshavela and Griboyedov line the slope around St David's Church. Then ride on to the hilltop park for the Ferris wheel and the sunset over the city.
Hunt for painted entrance halls in Sololaki
Spend a slow morning on Machabeli, Asatiani and Lermontov streets, peering into 19th-century merchants' halls with painted ceilings and carved staircases. Finish with coffee in the garden of the Art Nouveau Writers' House.
Climb the Betlemi stairs to Narikala and Kartlis Deda
Start on Kote Afkhazi Street, climb past Lower and Upper Betlemi churches and keep going to the fortress walls and the Mother of Georgia statue. The steps are steep, but every landing opens a new view over the Old Town roofs.
Soak in a private sulphur bath
Book a private room by the hour at one of the domed bathhouses of Abanotubani and add a kisi scrub from an attendant. Afterwards, walk ten minutes up the gorge to the Leghvtakhevi waterfall.
Walk Rustaveli Avenue from the museum to the opera
Begin with the gold of Colchis at the National Museum, look into Kashveti Church for Lado Gudiashvili's murals, and end at the Moorish-style Opera and Ballet Theatre. Book a ballet for the same evening if the season allows.
Watch the angel strike the bell at the Gabriadze clock tower
Arrive a few minutes before the hour on Ioane Shavteli Street, next to Anchiskhati Basilica, to see the little angel ring the bell. Book ahead if you want to see one of Rezo Gabriadze's puppet plays inside.
Cross the Bridge of Peace and ride the cable car
Walk over the glass-roofed footbridge into Rike Park, then take the cable car over the river to Narikala in a couple of minutes. Come back after dark, when the bridge and the fountains light up.
Shop where locals shop at Dezerter Bazaar and the Dry Bridge
Taste cheese, honey and churchkhela in the food halls of Dezerter Bazaar in the morning. Later, haggle for Soviet medals, film cameras and local artists' canvases among the stalls by the Dry Bridge.
Escape the summer heat in Kojori
Take a taxi 20 km up into the hills to Kojori, where the air is cooler at 1,350 metres, and climb to the ruined Azeula fortress. Strong walkers can continue on forest tracks down to the old German village of Asureti.
See village Georgia at the ethnography museum
Wander among Svan towers, Kakhetian wine cellars and darbazi houses at the open-air museum above Vake, then ride the ropeway down from Turtle Lake to Vake Park. Allow half a day and a taxi up the Turtle Lake road from Vake.
Cities, towns & villages
Places to see in Tbilisi
Suggested itineraries
Tbilisi in one day
- Morning: Old Town churches and the clock tower
Start at Freedom Square and walk down to Sioni Cathedral and up Ioane Shavteli Street to Anchiskhati and the Gabriadze clock tower, timing your arrival for the hour. Allow about 2 hours on foot, with coffee on Erekle II Street.
- Midday: cable car, Narikala and Betlemi
Walk over the river on the Bridge of Peace, then take the Rike Park cable car up to Narikala. Walk the ridge to Kartlis Deda, then come down the Betlemi stairs into the Old Town; allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Afternoon: sulphur baths and the waterfall
Book a private bath room in Abanotubani for an hour, and before or after your soak follow the stream behind the domes to the Leghvtakhevi waterfall.
- Evening: Sololaki or the opera
Walk 10 minutes west to Sololaki for dinner and a glass of qvevri wine in a small bar, or take a taxi up Rustaveli Avenue for a performance at the Opera and Ballet Theatre.
Three days in Tbilisi
- Day 1: Old Tbilisi from top to bottom
Follow the one-day plan: Old Town churches in the morning, the cable car and Narikala at midday, the Betlemi stairs on the way down and the baths in the late afternoon. Everything is within walking distance, so leave the car behind.
- Day 2: Rustaveli Avenue, Sololaki and Mtatsminda
Spend the morning at the National Museum and Kashveti, have lunch in Sololaki, then walk 10 minutes to the funicular. Stop at the Mtatsminda Pantheon on the way up and stay on the hilltop for sunset.
- Day 3: markets, hills and Fabrika
Shop at Dezerter Bazaar in the morning, then take a taxi to Kojori, about 40 minutes, for the Azeula fortress and lunch in the cool hills. Back in the city, end the trip in the courtyard bars of Fabrika.
Tbilisi at a glance
Most visitors fly straight into Tbilisi International Airport, a 25 to 40 minute taxi or bus 337 ride from the centre, while low-cost flyers landing at Kutaisi take a timed shuttle coach east for about 4 hours.
Getting here: routes
TbilisiPhoto: Alexey Komarov, CC BY-SA 4.0Kutaisi Airport (KUT) → Tbilisi
About 245 km from David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport to the capital. Shuttle coaches timed to flights take 3 to 4 hours; a private car takes about the same and can turn the transfer into a day of sightseeing.
- CheapestBus · about $7
- FastestBus · 3-4 h
BatumiPhoto: Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, Public domainTbilisi → Batumi
About 370 km by road from the capital to the Black Sea. The fast train is now the easiest way, at about 4 hours on the quickest services; a private car takes 5 to 6 hours but lets you see Uplistsikhe, Kutaisi and the Guria coast on the way.
- CheapestBus · about $11
- FastestTrain · About 4-5 h
BorjomiPhoto: Sergey Sebelev, CC BY-SA 4.0Tbilisi → Borjomi
About 160 km west on the motorway to Khashuri, then south into the wooded Mtkvari gorge. Two and a half to three hours by car, with Samtavisi, Uplistsikhe and Surami as natural breaks.
- CheapestMarshrutka · about $4.5
- FastestPrivate car · 2.5-3 h driving, 6 h with stops
KutaisiPhoto: Kober, CC BY-SA 3.0Tbilisi → Kutaisi
About 230 km west on the E60 motorway, through Shida Kartli and the new Rikoti tunnels into Imereti. Three hours of driving with plenty of easy stops: Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Gori and Surami.
- CheapestBus · about $7
- FastestTrain · About 3 h
MestiaPhoto: Q-lieb-in, CC BY-SA 4.0Tbilisi → Mestia
About 460 km across the whole country, west on the main highway to Zugdidi and then 135 km up the Enguri gorge into Svaneti. It is a long day by road, a slow day by train and minibus, or one hour in a small plane when the weather allows.
- CheapestTrain · about $6
- FastestFlight · About 1 h in the air
OmaloPhoto: Abramia Giorgi, CC BY-SA 4.0Tbilisi → Omalo (Tusheti)
About 200 km, of which the last 72 km is a narrow dirt road climbing to roughly 2,850 m at Abano. 4x4 only, usually open from June to early October, weather permitting. Allow a full day.
- CheapestShared taxi · about $37
- FastestShared taxi · 4-5 h from Alvani
SighnaghiPhoto: Levan Gokadze, CC BY-SA 2.0Tbilisi → Sighnaghi
About 113 km east on the Kakheti highway through Sagarejo, ending with a short climb to the old walled town on its ridge over the vineyards. Two hours of driving, easily combined with a cathedral, a bakery stop and Bodbe Monastery.
- CheapestMarshrutka · about $6
- FastestPrivate car · 2 h driving, 5-6 h with stops
Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote, CC BY 4.0Tbilisi → Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
About 155 km north along the Georgian Military Road, climbing from the Aragvi valley over the Jvari Pass (2,379 m) to the foot of Mount Kazbek. Allow 3 hours without stops and a full day if you want to see the fortresses and viewpoints on the way.
- CheapestMarshrutka · about $6
- FastestPrivate car · 3 h driving, 6-8 h with stops
TelaviPhoto: Jelger Groeneveld, CC BY 2.0Tbilisi → Telavi
About 96 km over the Gombori Pass, a forested mountain road, or about 156 km on the longer, flatter road through Sagarejo and Gurjaani. Two to 2.5 hours either way, with monasteries and fortresses along both.
- CheapestMarshrutka · about $6
- FastestPrivate car · 2-2.5 h driving, 5-6 h with stops
VardziaPhoto: Alexkom000, CC BY 4.0Tbilisi → Vardzia
About 265 km via Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe, ending in the canyon of the upper Mtkvari below the 12th-century cave monastery. Around 4 to 4.5 hours of driving, best done with a night in Borjomi or Akhaltsikhe.
- CheapestMarshrutka · about $6
- FastestPrivate car · 4-4.5 h driving, best over 2 days
Festivals in Tbilisi
A one-day tasting in Mtatsminda Park where small producers pour the first wines from the previous autumn's harvest.
Jul 2027 (day to be announced)Art-Gene Folk FestivalA folk music, craft and food festival held among the historic houses of Tbilisi's open-air ethnographic museum.
Jul 2027 (day to be announced)Tbilisi Open AirGeorgia's largest rock and alternative music festival, held over two days by Lisi Lake on the edge of Tbilisi.
2–3 Oct 2027 (expected)TbilisobaTbilisi's city festival: two free days of food, wine, music and crafts across the Old Town.
Mid-December to mid-JanuaryNew Year Lights and Markets in TbilisiFestive lights, a big tree and holiday markets that keep central Tbilisi busy through the winter holidays.
Dec 2027 (day to be announced)Tbilisi International Film FestivalGeorgia's main film festival, a week of Georgian and international cinema in Tbilisi each December.
Plan your visit
Getting there
Tbilisi International Airport is about 18 km south-east of the centre, roughly 25–40 minutes by taxi depending on traffic, and bus 337 runs into the city. Kutaisi airport, used by many low-cost airlines, is about 240 km west, around 3.5–4 hours by road, with shuttle buses timed to flights. Trains link Tbilisi Central Station with Batumi in about 4 hours on the fastest services, and an overnight train runs to Yerevan. Marshrutkas to most of the country leave from Didube (west and north Georgia), Samgori (Kakheti) and Ortachala (international routes).
Getting around
The centre is compact and best explored on foot, though Old Tbilisi's streets are steep and cobbled. The two-line metro is quick and cheap, and buses cover the rest; pay with a contactless bank card or a Metromoney card. Taxis booked through Bolt or similar apps are inexpensive and save haggling. Cable cars run from Rike Park to Narikala and from Vake Park to Turtle Lake, and the funicular climbs to Mtatsminda Park. City traffic is hectic, so hire a car only for trips out of town.
Best time to visit
May–June and September–October are the most pleasant months, warm enough for walking without the heat of July and August, when afternoons often pass 30°C. Winters are mild and grey with little snow, a good season for the baths, museums and wine bars.
Where to stay
Food & wine in Tbilisi
Tbilisi has no vineyards of its own, but it has the widest choice of Georgian wine in one place: Old Town and Sololaki wine bars pour qvevri wines from small producers in Kakheti, Kartli and Imereti.
Tbilisi: frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Tbilisi?
Three to four days covers the Old Town, Narikala, the baths, the National Museum and a market or two at an easy pace. Add a day for Mtatsminda, Turtle Lake and the ethnography museum. Allow more if you use Tbilisi as a base for day trips.
Is Tbilisi safe for tourists?
Tbilisi is generally considered a safe city, including for walking in the centre at night. The main hazards are fast traffic, uneven pavements and overcharging by some street taxis, so use a ride-hailing app. Watch your belongings in crowded places as you would in any capital.
How do I get from Tbilisi airport to the city centre?
It lies roughly 18 km south-east of central Tbilisi. A taxi booked through an app takes roughly 25–40 minutes, and bus 337 runs into the city. Avoid unofficial drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall.
What is the best area to stay in Tbilisi?
First-time visitors usually stay in Old Tbilisi or Sololaki to walk to the main sights. Vera and Vake are quieter and leafier, while Marjanishvili near Fabrika is good value with fast metro links.
What are the best day trips from Tbilisi?
Mtskheta, Georgia's old capital, is about 25 km away and takes half a day. Kakheti's wine villages and Sighnaghi, Kazbegi and Gergeti Trinity Church, the cave town of Uplistsikhe and David Gareja are all full-day trips. In Kvemo Kartli, Dmanisi, Bolnisi Sioni and Dashbashi Canyon make a good day out.
Tours that visit Tbilisi
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