3 days in Tbilisi

Day by day

1. Day 1: Narikala Fortress and Bridge of Peace and Rike Park

   Narikala Fortress, Bridge of Peace and Rike Park and Anchiskhati Basilica, then Abanotubani sulphur baths in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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.

   2. Late morning

      Bridge of Peace and Rike Park

      Cross the bridge after dark for the lights, then ride the cable car up to Narikala for the night view.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Adjarian khachapuri

      Khachapuri specialists and traditional restaurants across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Anchiskhati Basilica

      Built in the 6th century, Anchiskhati is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi, with a dim, frescoed interior.

   5. Evening

      Abanotubani sulphur baths

      Book a private room in the evening; a scrub with a kisi mitt is worth adding, and you'll leave very relaxed.

2. Day 2: Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia) and Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba)

   Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia), Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) and Metekhi Church, then Mtatsminda Park and funicular in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia)

      Walk the ridge path from Narikala to the statue for views on both sides of the city.

   2. Late morning

      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.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Khinkali

      Khinkali houses (sakhinkle) all over the city; order by the piece, usually 5 or 10.

   4. Afternoon

      Metekhi Church

      Photograph it from the Old Town bank at sunset, when the church and cliff are lit gold.

   5. Evening

      Mtatsminda Park and funicular

      Go up an hour before sunset to see the city by day and as the lights come on.

3. Day 3: Sioni Cathedral and Tbilisi Botanical Garden

   Sioni Cathedral, Tbilisi Botanical Garden and Gabriadze Theatre clock tower, then Fabrika in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sioni Cathedral

      Sioni Cathedral, rebuilt several times since the 6th century, is traditionally believed to hold the cross of St Nino, made of grapevines bound with her hair, who brought Christianity to Georgia in the 4th century.

   2. Late morning

      Tbilisi Botanical Garden

      Enter from the fortress side and exit near Abanotubani to make it part of a walking loop.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Mtsvadi

      Traditional restaurants and grill houses, especially on weekends.

   4. Afternoon

      Gabriadze Theatre clock tower

      A whimsical, leaning clock tower beside the Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theatre, built by the puppeteer himself from old bricks and tiles.

   5. Evening

      Fabrika

      Come in the early evening and explore the surrounding streets of Aghmashenebeli Avenue afterwards.

Before you go

• Abanotubani sulphur baths: Private rooms at popular bathhouses fill up in the evenings and at weekends; reserve a day or two ahead.

If it rains

• Swap in Georgian National Museum (Rustaveli and Mtatsminda): Start with the gold treasury in the basement, then see the Dmanisi skulls before the rooms get busy.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Old Tbilisi keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Sololaki ($$) suits couples, culture, food lovers and quiet stays. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 9–14 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.2 hours in December to 15.2 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Tbilisi
• 2 days in Tbilisi
• 5 days in Tbilisi

Questions travellers ask