Sight guide · Tbilisi · Georgia
Visiting 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.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Alexey Komarov, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Gabriadze Theatre clock tower is an architectural landmark in Old Tbilisi, Tbilisi. Allow 20 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Architecture
- Area
- Old Tbilisi
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, kids, photo spot and off the beaten path
- Best months
- April, August and November
About 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. An angel strikes the bell on the hour, and a short mechanical puppet show plays a couple of times a day.
Tip: Check the time of the puppet show locally and arrive a few minutes early; the lane is small and fills up.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 20 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Old Tbilisi, sulphur baths, balconied houses, churches and wine bars below Narikala.
Best time to visit Gabriadze Theatre clock tower
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- April: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- August: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Tbilisi has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Tbilisi itinerary visits Gabriadze Theatre clock tower on day 3, together with Sioni Cathedral, Tbilisi Botanical Garden and Fabrika.
- No. 16 of the 18 sights in our Tbilisi things-to-do list.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Tbilisi.
- A family favourite in Tbilisi with kids.
Near Gabriadze Theatre clock tower
Also in Old Tbilisi, so you can walk between them:
- Tbilisi Botanical Garden — 1–2 hours, low cost
- Sioni Cathedral — 20 minutes, free
- Anchiskhati Basilica — 20 minutes, free
If you like Gabriadze Theatre clock tower
- Metekhi Church — Avlabari, 30 minutes
- Dry Bridge Market — Marjanishvili and Chugureti, 1 hour
- Chronicle of Georgia — Tbilisi Sea, 1 hour
Staying near Gabriadze Theatre clock tower
Stay in Old Tbilisi ($$$) to walk here: sulphur baths, balconied houses, churches and wine bars below Narikala. All areas to stay in Tbilisi.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Gabriadze Theatre clock tower?
Plan 20 minutes. With Tbilisi Botanical Garden nearby, it fits a half-day in Old Tbilisi.
+Is Gabriadze Theatre clock tower free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Gabriadze Theatre clock tower?
April, August and November, the quietest of the good months. Check the time of the puppet show locally and arrive a few minutes early; the lane is small and fills up.
+Do I need to book Gabriadze Theatre clock tower in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Gabriadze Theatre clock tower good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Tbilisi. Tbilisi suits families who like exploring on foot: cable cars, a hilltop amusement park, fortress walls and outdoor museums keep children interested, and Georgians are very welcoming to kids.