Free things to do · Tbilisi · Georgia
13 free things to do in Tbilisi
Tbilisi without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ako-aleko, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Tbilisi without paying an entry fee: Narikala Fortress, Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia), Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) and Bridge of Peace and Rike Park are all free. Use Bolt rather than street taxis to avoid overcharging.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 13
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- February
Free sights and experiences
Castle · Old Tbilisi
1.Narikala Fortress
Ride the cable car up, then walk down through the fortress and the botanical garden or the steps to Abanotubani.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Landmark · Sololaki
2.Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia)
Walk the ridge path from Narikala to the statue for views on both sides of the city.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
Religious site · Avlabari
3.Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba)
Visit during a Sunday morning service to hear the choir, dressing modestly.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Iconic
Architecture · Old Tbilisi
4.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.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Kids
- Photo spot
Religious site · Avlabari
5.Metekhi Church
Photograph it from the Old Town bank at sunset, when the church and cliff are lit gold.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Religious site · Old Tbilisi
6.Anchiskhati Basilica
Visit during a service to hear polyphonic singing, standing quietly at the back.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Old Tbilisi
7.Sioni Cathedral
Combine it with a walk along Sioni Street to Meidan Square and the sulphur baths.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Street · Rustaveli and Mtatsminda
8.Rustaveli Avenue
Use the underpasses to cross; traffic is heavy and pedestrian crossings are limited.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Shopping
Market · Marjanishvili and Chugureti
9.Dry Bridge Market
Haggle politely, and check that antiques can legally be exported before buying anything old or valuable.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
Neighbourhood · Marjanishvili and Chugureti
10.Fabrika
Come in the early evening and explore the surrounding streets of Aghmashenebeli Avenue afterwards.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Art
- Food
Landmark · Tbilisi Sea
11.Chronicle of Georgia
Go late in the afternoon by taxi and combine it with a walk by the Tbilisi Sea.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Off the beaten path
- Art
Architecture · Old Tbilisi
12.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.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Market · Marjanishvili and Chugureti
13.Dezerter Bazaar
Ask to taste cheeses and spices before buying, and keep an eye on belongings in the crowded aisles.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old Tbilisi | Narikala Fortress, Bridge of Peace and Rike Park, Anchiskhati Basilica, Sioni Cathedral and Gabriadze Theatre clock tower | 1–1.5 hours + 30–45 minutes + 20 minutes + 20 minutes + 20 minutes |
| Sololaki | Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia) | 30 minutes |
| Avlabari | Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) and Metekhi Church | 45 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Rustaveli and Mtatsminda | Rustaveli Avenue | 1 hour |
| Marjanishvili and Chugureti | Dry Bridge Market, Fabrika and Dezerter Bazaar | 1 hour + 1–2 hours + 1 hour |
| Tbilisi Sea | Chronicle of Georgia | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Museum · Rustaveli and Mtatsminda
Georgian National Museum
Start with the gold treasury in the basement, then see the Dmanisi skulls before the rooms get busy.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Theme park · Rustaveli and Mtatsminda
Mtatsminda Park and funicular
Go up an hour before sunset to see the city by day and as the lights come on.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- After dark
Garden · Old Tbilisi
Tbilisi Botanical Garden
Enter from the fortress side and exit near Abanotubani to make it part of a walking loop.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
Museum · Vake
Open Air Museum of Ethnography
Take the cable car up to Turtle Lake and walk to the museum, then have lunch by the lake.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Outdoors
More ways to save
- Use Bolt rather than street taxis to avoid overcharging.
- Eat in local canteens and khinkali houses for very low-cost meals.
- Share day trips with other travellers through hostels or shared tours.
- Buy wine from specialist shops or directly from producers rather than in tourist areas.
- Check bills for service charges before tipping.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Tbilisi expensive to visit?
Tbilisi is affordable for most visitors, but 13 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Tbilisi?
Narikala Fortress: Ride the cable car up, then walk down through the fortress and the botanical garden or the steps to Abanotubani.