Travel guide · Georgia
Tbilisi travel guide
Sulphur baths, balconied old streets, qvevri wine and a fortress above the river
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Alexey Komarov, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, sits in the valley of the Mtkvari River beneath the walls of Narikala Fortress. Its Old Town packs domed sulphur baths, carved wooden balconies, Orthodox churches, a mosque and a synagogue into a few hilly blocks, while 19th-century Sololaki and Rustaveli Avenue add grand mansions, theatres and museums. The city is known for its food and wine culture — khachapuri, khinkali and amber wine fermented in clay qvevri — and for good value compared with most European capitals. Mtskheta, the Kakheti wine region and the Greater Caucasus at Kazbegi are within day-trip range. Plan 5 days for a first visit; the best months are May–June and September–October.
Key facts
- Country
- Georgia
- Best time to visit
- May–June and September–October
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Main airports
- TBS, KUT
- Mid-range daily budget
- $70–$140 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Sulphur baths, Narikala Fortress, Qvevri wine and Khachapuri and khinkali
Why visit Tbilisi
- Georgian food and wine — khachapuri, khinkali, walnut-based dishes and qvevri wine from an 8,000-year-old tradition — is a reason to visit on its own.
- The Old Town mixes sulphur bathhouses, carved balconies, churches and a cable car up to Narikala Fortress within a short walk.
- Prices for hotels, restaurants and transport are low compared with most European capitals.
- Mtskheta's UNESCO-listed churches are 30 minutes away, and the mountains of Kazbegi and the vineyards of Kakheti make full-day trips.
- The city has a strong creative scene, from converted Soviet factories such as Fabrika to internationally known techno clubs.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Castle · Old Tbilisi
Narikala Fortress
The ruined fortress walls of Narikala, first built in the 4th century and expanded by later rulers, run along the ridge above the Old Town.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
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Experience · Old Tbilisi
Abanotubani sulphur baths
Tbilisi's name comes from the Georgian word for 'warm', after the sulphur springs that feed the domed brick bathhouses of Abanotubani.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Couples
- Rainy day
- After dark
Landmark · Sololaki
Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia)
A 20-metre aluminium statue on the Sololaki ridge, holding a bowl of wine for guests and a sword for enemies, symbolising Georgian character.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
Religious site · Avlabari
Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba)
Completed in 2004, Sameba is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church and one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, with a gilded cross visible across the city.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Iconic
Architecture · Old Tbilisi
Bridge of Peace and Rike Park
A glass-and-steel footbridge opened in 2010, designed by Michele De Lucchi, links the Old Town with Rike Park on the left bank.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Kids
- Photo spot
Religious site · Avlabari
Metekhi Church
A 13th-century church on a cliff above the Mtkvari River, facing the Old Town, with an equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali, founder of Tbilisi, beside it.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Where to stay
Old Tbilisi is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, culture and nightlife
Old Tbilisi
Sulphur baths, balconied houses, churches and wine bars below Narikala
$$ · Best for couples, culture, food lovers and quiet stays
Sololaki
Grand 19th-century houses with painted entrance halls and quiet wine bars
$$$ · Best for first-timers, luxury, shopping and culture
Rustaveli and Mtatsminda
The grand avenue of theatres, museums and big hotels below the TV tower
$$ · Best for solo travellers, quiet stays and food lovers
Vera
Leafy residential district of cafés, galleries and old houses
What to eat
- Adjarian khachapuri — A boat-shaped bread filled with melted cheese, topped with a raw egg yolk and a knob of butter; stir them into the cheese and tear off the crust to dip.
- Khinkali — Large twisted dumplings filled with spiced meat and broth (or mushrooms, cheese or potato).
- Mtsvadi — Pork or veal grilled on skewers over vine cuttings, served with raw onion and pomegranate seeds.
- Badrijani nigvzit — Fried aubergine slices rolled around walnut paste flavoured with garlic and spices, topped with pomegranate seeds.
- Pkhali — Patties of finely chopped spinach, beetroot or other vegetables blended with walnuts and herbs.
- Lobio — Kidney beans stewed with herbs and spices and served in a clay pot, often with mchadi cornbread and pickles.
When to go
The best times to visit Tbilisi are May to June and September to October, when the weather is warm but not hot, and the mountains and wine regions are at their best. July and August are hot in the city but ideal for the mountains. Winter is cold and quiet, but good for sulphur baths and low prices.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Blossom and green hills, with changeable weather and showers; Orthodox Easter and Independence Day fall in this season. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot in the city, with long evenings and mountain roads open; good for combining Tbilisi with Kazbegi or Svaneti. |
| Autumn | September–November | Warm, settled days, the grape harvest and Tbilisoba; cooler and quieter by November. |
| Winter | December–February | Cold, with occasional snow, festive celebrations and low prices; mountain roads may close. |
Getting there and around
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) is about 17 km south-east of the centre. Bus 337 runs to the city centre and railway station, and a taxi or Bolt ride takes about 25–30 minutes. Kutaisi (KUT), about 230 km west, is served by low-cost airlines, with shuttle buses to Tbilisi taking about 4 hours.
Tbilisi's centre is walkable but hilly, and a two-line metro, buses, minibuses, cable cars and a funicular fill the gaps. Ride-hailing apps make taxis easy and inexpensive.
Plan your days
Three days covers the Old Town, Narikala, the sulphur baths, Rustaveli Avenue and a day trip to Mtskheta. Five days adds Kazbegi or Kakheti; with a week you can do both and spend more time on wine and food.
Practical information
- Currency
- GEL
- Language
- Georgian
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water in Tbilisi is treated and widely drunk by locals; bottled mineral waters such as Borjomi are sold everywhere.
- Emergency number
- 112 (general emergency number)
- Tipping
- Many restaurants add a 10–18% service charge; if not, leaving about 10% is customary.
Tbilisi is generally relaxed for visitors. The main risks are fast, unpredictable traffic, uneven pavements and steep cobbles, and occasional overcharging in bars or by unlicensed taxis. Stray dogs are common; most are tagged and vaccinated, but keep your distance.
Flights to Tbilisi
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Tbilisi?
Three days covers the Old Town, Narikala, the sulphur baths, Rustaveli Avenue and a day trip to Mtskheta. Five days adds Kazbegi or Kakheti; with a week you can do both and spend more time on wine and food. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Tbilisi?
The best times to visit Tbilisi are May to June and September to October, when the weather is warm but not hot, and the mountains and wine regions are at their best. July and August are hot in the city but ideal for the mountains. Winter is cold and quiet, but good for sulphur baths and low prices.
+What is Tbilisi known for?
Sulphur baths, Narikala Fortress, Qvevri wine, Khachapuri and khinkali, Carved wooden balconies, Supra feasts and Techno clubs. Georgian food and wine — khachapuri, khinkali, walnut-based dishes and qvevri wine from an 8,000-year-old tradition — is a reason to visit on its own.
+Is Tbilisi expensive?
Tbilisi is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $70–$140 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Tbilisi?
No for the city; public transport and ride-hailing cover everything. For day trips, use marshrutkas, shared tours or a driver; Georgian driving can be fast and unpredictable.