History · Tbilisi · Georgia
6 historic sites to see in Tbilisi
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rikitza, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Narikala Fortress, Metekhi Church and Anchiskhati Basilica. Together the 6 picks below take roughly 6–7 hours across 4 areas; 4 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 6
- Free entry
- 4
- Time to see them all
- 6–7 hours
- Areas
- Old Tbilisi, Avlabari and Rustaveli and Mtatsminda
Historic sites in Tbilisi
Castle · Old Tbilisi
1.Narikala Fortress
From its towers there are views over the sulphur-bath domes, the river and the city. A cable car glides up from Rike Park across the river in a few minutes.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Religious site · Avlabari
2.Metekhi Church
It is one of the classic views of the city.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Religious site · Old Tbilisi
3.Anchiskhati Basilica
Its choir is known for traditional Georgian polyphonic singing during services.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Old Tbilisi
4.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.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Museum · Rustaveli and Mtatsminda
5.Georgian National Museum
Other floors cover natural history and the Soviet occupation.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Museum · Vake
6.Open Air Museum of Ethnography
On a hillside near Turtle Lake, this open-air museum gathers traditional houses, wine cellars, a church and farm buildings from regions across Georgia, giving a sense of village life and architecture.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Outdoors
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old Tbilisi | Narikala Fortress, Anchiskhati Basilica and Sioni Cathedral | 1–1.5 hours + 20 minutes + 20 minutes |
| Avlabari | Metekhi Church | 30 minutes |
| Rustaveli and Mtatsminda | Georgian National Museum | 2 hours |
| Vake | Open Air Museum of Ethnography | 1.5–2 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 6, 4 free, 2 low cost. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Georgian National Museum; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 2 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Old Tbilisi, Avlabari and Rustaveli and Mtatsminda): Narikala Fortress → Anchiskhati Basilica → Sioni Cathedral → Metekhi Church → Georgian National Museum, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Vake): Open Air Museum of Ethnography, at least 2 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- February: highs of 9°C (48°F), about 5 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Cold and quiet, with the lowest prices of the year; good for sulphur baths and indoor sights.
- January: highs of 7°C (45°F), about 4 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cold but often sunny, with occasional snow; Orthodox Christmas and New Year festivities.
- December: highs of 8°C (46°F), about 4 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cold and festive, with New Year lights and markets; New Year's Eve is celebrated with fireworks.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Old Tbilisi — Sulphur baths, balconied houses, churches and wine bars below Narikala
- Rustaveli and Mtatsminda — The grand avenue of theatres, museums and big hotels below the TV tower
- Vake — Upmarket residential area with boutiques, restaurants and a big park
- Avlabari — Hilltop district around Holy Trinity Cathedral, with good-value guesthouses
More of Tbilisi
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in 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.
+Which of these are free in Tbilisi?
Narikala Fortress, Metekhi Church, Anchiskhati Basilica and Sioni Cathedral.