Tbilisi is one of my favourite cities. I may be biased, because I am from there, although I have never lived in Tbilisi. However, having lived outside Georgia all my life has made me look at the country through an outsider’s eyes. And since then, I have fallen in love with it even more than ever. In the past couple years I have seen more and more tourists flock to see what all the fuss is about, and come back wanting more. There is a charm that Georgia has, and Tbilisi plays a big part in establishing it. Here is a Tbilisi guide of all the things you must do when visiting to make the most of your visit.
1. Visit the Tbilisi Old Town
The first thing that you will find in every Tbilisi guide is to visit the Old Town. The Old Town in Tbilisi is different from the rest of the city. You can walk around and discover the cute streets, check out the cafes and take pictures by colourful balconies. It is also the best place to buy some souvenirs, such as khachapuri or khinkali socks.
Photo tip: the most instagrammable place in Old Tbilisi is the clock tower and the Chreli Abano (Thermal Baths). These are incredibly beautiful and not many people still know about them as photo destinations. Make sure to go there for a photo if you get the chance!
2. Discover the new city
The new city is not as historically interesting as the Old Town, but it is still full of beautiful buildings and very nice cafes.
The Peace Bridge connects the old town with the new. It is worth crossing the bridge during sunset, to enjoy the views of Tbilisi over the river Mtkvari (Kura) and take some pictures.
You will also eventually find yourself at Liberty Square, one of the cities’ busiest roundabouts. The Liberty Square is the perfect place to start your explorations of the new city.
3. Take the cable car to the top
One of the best things you can do in Tbilisi is to take a cable car to the top to see views of the city from the top. You can do this during the day or during the night, as the cable car operates until midnight.
When you take the cable car, you will also have the chance to visit the Mtatsminda amusement park, located at the top – it can be a lot of fun if you enjoy amusement parks!
I would also recommend going here to have a bite – the restaurant Funicular at the top has some of the best Adjarian Khachapuri (the cheeseboat) in the city. If you find that you still have space for dessert, you can follow this up with their famous ponchiki (donuts) filled with cream or jam.
4. Take a trip to Mtskheta see the churches
If you are visiting Tbilisi, you really must see the churches because it is such an integral part of our culture. The churches are also tied in very closely with the history of Georgia.
Some of the most impressive churches you must see include the Narikala Fortress and the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, and the Jvari Monastery and Svetitsxoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta. Mtskheta is located only 40 minutes drive from the center, so a trip there is definitely worth your time.
If you take a taxi, it will only cost you between 15 and 20 GEL (= $5-7). Entrance to most of the monasteries if free. For women, it is important to be covered up, so make sure that you bring a headscarf and wear a dress or a skirt if possible. If you forget, it is not the end of the world – they are usually provided at the entrance for most monasteries.
5. Party with the locals
Tbilisi is becoming very popular with the party scene. There is not a lack of techno clubs where you can dance all night and enjoy the music of some very talented DJs. In fact, Tbilisi was even compared to Berlin in Forbes magazine in an article back in 2018. It was called “this year’s most exciting city”, which I am sure still applies now!
Some of the most popular clubs include Bassiani, Fabrika and many more. Bassiani is by far the best known one, as it has been compared to Berlin’s Berghain many times. With its underground techno mood and the huge derelict setting, the club can really transport you into a different world.
6. Have a feast!
This would not be a Tbilisi guide if it did not mention food. If you are going to Georgia, you must be prepared to eat a lot. This is not a place to be on a diet!
Georgia is known for its food, and if you go there, you are guaranteed to come back a little bit chubbier. However, this means that you will be happier too!
Here are some restaurants in Tbilisi which you must visit to experience the authentic Georgian cuisine:
- Sominee – for the best views
- Stamba – best taste of sophisticated side of Tbilisi
- Barbarestan = if you want to feel homely vibes
- Lolita = for the best brunch and cocktails
- Kakhelebi = for the best mtsvadi
7. Check out the street art
Perhaps Tbilisi is not know for its street art, however, you will find many cool wall art on the walls if you wander around the city. The best place to find this would be in the new city near Fabrika, which is a pretty arty place in itself.
Did you enjoy my Tbilisi guide? Have you been to Tbilisi? What did you like visiting the most?
If you are looking to explore the more off beat side of Georgia, check out my guide of Hidden Gems in Georgia.
Wow what a gorgeous town! I love how it sits right on the edge of a cliff!
Thank you so much! Yes old Tbilisi is a really beautiful and historical place!
Thank you for the guide, will definitely save this for later. Now is the time to dream about traveling, but soon we can all start making plans again. And this destination is high on my list!
Thank you so much! Yes exactly – now we can only dream and hopefully plan ahead! I hope you get to visit Georgia one day!
Georgia has been on my bucket list since I started travelling in Central Asia and Russia and kept dinning in Georgian restaurants. What a feast for the taste buds!
Ohh then you must know all about the Georgian cuisine! You really must visit Georgia then – it really does taste so much better there!
What a beautiful town! I would love to go to Georgia one day. Not sure what khinkali are but I need them!
Thank you so much! Khinkali is the best thing ever you need to try them!
Tblisi looks so dreamy and magical. I really hope to make my way to Georgia at some point in the near future. This is a great guide. ๐
Thank you so much!! I hope you get to go one day!
The city looks awesome! I would love to visit one day! Hopefully I can go there soon!
Thank you! I hope you go one day!
Beautiful, but so steep. That building on the edge of the cliff is cool and terrifying at the same time.
So true! It is very fascinating to see how it was built back in the day.
I would love to visit Tbilisi! My grandma used to visit all the time (she had a good friend there) so I have heard so many stories about how friendly people are there. I love the idea of taking the cable car, and hiking in the beautiful mountains nearby.
And I would LOVE to try all that food! ๐
No way, that is so cool!! It is such a special place and I think it is still relatively unexplored – you really must visit! And donโt get me started on the food, it is the best thing ever!
The street art, the food and the overall vibe of the city all make this SUCH a great place to add to our travel bucket list! Thank you for sharing and introducing us to this great find.
Thank you so much for reading Sophia! It is definitely one of the less known and very interesting destinations to visit!