Top places to visit in Tbilisi

• Chronicle of Georgia

  monument · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Monumental hilltop complex by Zurab Tsereteli north of the city — colossal pillars carved with kings, queens and scenes from the life of Christ, overlooking the Tbilisi Sea.

• Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba)

  cathedral · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The vast Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (Sameba), consecrated in 2004, is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church and one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, crowning Elia Hill.

• Bridge of Peace

  landmark · 4.7 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A curved glass-and-steel pedestrian bridge over the Mtkvari River linking Rike Park with Old Town, illuminated at night. Designed by Michele De Lucchi, it opened in 2010.

• Sioni Cathedral

  cathedral · 4.9 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Medieval Georgian Orthodox cathedral in Old Tbilisi, long the seat of the Catholicos-Patriarch. It houses the venerated grapevine cross of St Nino, who converted Georgia to Christianity.

• Rustaveli Avenue

  boulevard · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Tbilisi's grand central boulevard, lined with 19th-century mansions, the Parliament, opera house, museums, theatres and cafes — the spine of city life.

• Anchiskhati Basilica

  basilica · 4.7 rating · about 0.4 h · check the fee at the gate

  Tbilisi's oldest surviving church, a 6th-century three-nave basilica in the heart of Old Town, still used for services and famed for its polyphonic choir.

• Metekhi Church

  orthodox · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The 13th-century Metekhi Church of the Assumption perches on a cliff above the Mtkvari, beside the equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali, founder of Tbilisi.

• Mtatsminda Park

  amusement_park · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Hilltop amusement park and viewpoint on Mtatsminda (Holy Mountain), reached by a historic funicular. Ferris wheel, gardens and sweeping views over the whole city.

• Georgian National Museum

  history_museum · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₾15 (≈ ₹550)

  The Simon Janashia Museum on Rustaveli holds Georgia's archaeological treasures — pre-Christian gold from Colchis, and the sobering Museum of Soviet Occupation.

• Abanotubani Sulphur Baths

  thermal_baths · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Tbilisi's historic bath quarter, where domed brick bathhouses sit over natural hot sulphur springs. The city takes its name (tbili = warm) from these waters; the Chreli (Orbeliani) Bath has an ornate blue-tiled Persian facade.

• Dry Bridge Market

  flea_market · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Open-air flea market by the Mtkvari where vendors sell Soviet memorabilia, antiques, jewellery, old cameras, paintings and bric-a-brac. A collector's and browser's paradise.

• Narikala Fortress

  citadel · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Ancient hilltop citadel above Old Tbilisi, first built in the 4th century. Reached by the aerial cable car from Rike Park, it offers the city's best panorama over the sulphur-bath district and the Mtkvari River.

Things to do

• Old Tbilisi Walking Tour Walking Tour · 3 h · from GEL 60 per person
• Abanotubani Sulphur Bath Experience Activity · 1 h · from GEL 70 per person
• Tbilisi Food & Wine Tasting Tour Food Tour · 3.5 h · from GEL 130 per person
• Kakheti Wine Region Day Trip Day Trip · 9 h · from GEL 190 per person
• Narikala Cable Car & Ridge Walk Sightseeing · 2 h · from GEL 40 per person

Day trips and tours

• Kakheti Wine Country Day Tour 9 h · from GEL 190
• Mtskheta, Jvari & Gori Day Tour 9 h · from GEL 170
• Kazbegi & Gudauri Day Tour 12 h · from GEL 200

Where to stay in Tbilisi

• Old Town (Dzveli Tbilisi) about GEL 260 per night

  Atmospheric cobbled heart of the city — best for first-timers who want to walk to the sights, baths, wine bars and restaurants.

• Rustaveli & City Centre about GEL 220 per night

  Central and well-connected along the main avenue, close to museums, theatres and the metro — good mid-range base.

• Vera & Vake about GEL 300 per night

  Leafier, upscale residential districts with design hotels, cafes and parks, a short ride from the centre.

Hotels

• Ibis Styles Tbilisi Center 3-star · GEL 150 to GEL 300 per night
• Betsy's Hotel 4-star · GEL 220 to GEL 500 per night
• Fabrika Hostel & Suites 2-star · GEL 40 to GEL 220 per night
• Stamba Hotel 5-star · GEL 450 to GEL 1,200 per night
• Rooms Hotel Tbilisi 5-star · GEL 380 to GEL 900 per night

Where to eat

• Barbarestan Georgian · about GEL 90 per person
• Cafe Littera Georgian, Modern European · about GEL 85 per person
• Shavi Lomi Georgian · about GEL 55 per person
• Pur Pur Georgian, European · about GEL 50 per person
• Machakhela Rustaveli Georgian · about GEL 30 per person
• Salobie Bia Georgian · about GEL 40 per person
• Keto and Kote Georgian · about GEL 60 per person

Getting to Tbilisi

Airport: Tbilisi (TBS)

How visitors arrive in Tbilisi

• Fly into Tbilisi By air · common

  Most visitors fly in; Tbilisi is the main of Georgia's three international airports, with Batumi and Kutaisi the others. Source: farawayworlds.com

• Bus or car from neighbouring countries By road from Armenia, Turkey · possible

  Buses and cars cross from Armenia and Turkey; the Azerbaijan crossing was closed at the time of the guide. Source: farawayworlds.com

• Overnight train from Yerevan By train from Yerevan · possible

  An overnight train links Yerevan with Tbilisi; the Baku service was suspended. Source: farawayworlds.com

From the airport to the centre

• Bus 337 to Tbilisi Central Station

  Bus 337 leaves from the arrivals area for the main train station and does not run overnight. Source: tbilisiairport.com

• Bolt or Yandex Go from the airport

  Ride apps such as Bolt and Yandex Go show the fare up front before you book. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Official airport taxi

  Official taxis are listed on a board at the taxi rank; avoid drivers who approach you unasked. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• The airport rail link is not operating, and the station opposite the terminal is closed. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
• Be wary of unsolicited airport drivers and of withdrawing cash at airport ATMs. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Metro from Tbilisi Central Station

  The main station sits on Station Square beside the Station Square metro stop, with tickets and platforms upstairs. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bus

  City buses run alongside the metro, and privately run marshrutka minibuses serve side streets; route signs are often in Georgian only.

  Tbilisi Transport Company

• Cable Car

  A cable car runs from Rike Park up to Narikala Fortress, offering a panoramic view over the old and new parts of the city.

  Tbilisi Transport Company

• Metro

  The metro lines meet at Station Square, where there is also an interchange with the mainline railway.

  Tbilisi Transport Company

• Ride Hail

  Ride-hailing apps such as Bolt, Maxim and Yandex work in Tbilisi, and the driver receives your destination through the app.

  Get Bolt in Tbilisi

• Taxi

  Street taxis are mostly privately owned and unmetered, so the fare is normally settled with the driver before the ride starts.

• Walking

Paying

• Metro and buses use a Metromoney card; contactless bank cards also work at turnstiles and on buses. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Unmetered taxi overcharging

  Airport, Old Town, tourist ranks

  Street taxis without meters quote inflated flat fares to tourists, often several times the fair price.

  How to avoid it: Use the Bolt or Yandex Go app instead of hailing street taxis; agree the price before getting in if you must.

• Old Town restaurant tout markups

  Old Town, Shardeni & Erekle II streets

  Touts lure tourists into bars/restaurants where drinks or 'traditional shows' carry surprise service charges.

  How to avoid it: Check prices on the menu before ordering and ask if any cover/service charge applies.

Best time to visit Tbilisi

• Jan 7°C
• Feb 8°C
• Mar 13°C
• Apr 19°C
• May 24°C
• Jun 29°C
• Jul 32°C
• Aug 32°C
• Sep 26°C
• Oct 20°C
• Nov 13°C
• Dec 8°C

More in Georgia

• Batumi
• Kutaisi
• Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
• Mtskheta
• Sighnaghi
• Borjomi

Frequently asked questions about Tbilisi

How many days do you need in Tbilisi?

A typical trip to Tbilisi is 2-3 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Tbilisi?

The highest-rated places in our Tbilisi guide are Sioni Cathedral, Chronicle of Georgia, Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba), Bridge of Peace, Rustaveli Avenue.

Where should I stay in Tbilisi?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Tbilisi: Old Town (Dzveli Tbilisi), Rustaveli & City Centre, Vera & Vake.

How do I get around Tbilisi?

Ways to get around Tbilisi covered in our guide: City bus, Cable car, Metro, Ride-hailing app.

What scams should I watch out for in Tbilisi?

Scams reported to us for Tbilisi include Unmetered taxi overcharging; Old Town restaurant tout markups. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Tbilisi?

Average daytime highs in Tbilisi run from 7°C in Jan to 32°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Tbilisi?

The nearest airport to Tbilisi has the code TBS.