5 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

      Ride the cable car up, then walk down through the fortress and the botanical garden or the steps to Abanotubani. (1–1.5 hours, free).

   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. (30–45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Adjarian khachapuri

      Khachapuri specialists and traditional restaurants across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Anchiskhati Basilica

      Visit during a service to hear polyphonic singing, standing quietly at the back. (20 minutes, free).

   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. (30 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba)

      Visit during a Sunday morning service to hear the choir, dressing modestly. (45 minutes, free).

   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. (30 minutes, free).

   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

      Combine it with a walk along Sioni Street to Meidan Square and the sulphur baths. (20 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Tbilisi Botanical Garden

      Enter from the fortress side and exit near Abanotubani to make it part of a walking loop. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Mtsvadi

      Traditional restaurants and grill houses, especially on weekends.

   4. Afternoon

      Gabriadze Theatre clock tower

      Check the time of the puppet show locally and arrive a few minutes early; the lane is small and fills up. (20 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Fabrika

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Mtskheta

   About 30 minutes by car or minibus each way. Getting there: Marshrutka from Didube station, or taxi.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Mtskheta

      About 30 minutes by car or minibus (Marshrutka from Didube station, or taxi); about 25 km.

   2. Day

      Mtskheta

      Georgia's ancient capital and spiritual centre has the 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and, on a hill above the confluence of two rivers, the 6th-century Jvari Monastery. Best for culture, first-timers and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Tbilisi

      Dinner: try Badrijani nigvzit.

5. Day 5: Georgian National Museum and Rustaveli Avenue

   Georgian National Museum, Rustaveli Avenue and Dry Bridge Market, then Old Town (Kote Afkhazi and Shardeni streets) in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Georgian National Museum

      Start with the gold treasury in the basement, then see the Dmanisi skulls before the rooms get busy. (2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Rustaveli Avenue

      Use the underpasses to cross; traffic is heavy and pedestrian crossings are limited. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Badrijani nigvzit

      Almost every Georgian restaurant.

   4. Afternoon

      Dry Bridge Market

      Haggle politely, and check that antiques can legally be exported before buying anything old or valuable. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Old Town (Kote Afkhazi and Shardeni streets)

      Wine bars, cocktail bars and pubs in historic streets, busy until late.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Abanotubani sulphur baths before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 13–18 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Tbilisi

Questions travellers ask