Visiting Rustaveli Avenue

About Rustaveli Avenue

Tbilisi's main avenue runs about 1.5 km from Freedom Square past the Parliament building, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Rustaveli Theatre, Kashveti Church and the National Museum. Its 19th-century façades and plane trees make it the city's grand promenade.

Tip: Use the underpasses to cross; traffic is heavy and pedestrian crossings are limited.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 1 hour.
• Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Rustaveli and Mtatsminda, the grand avenue of theatres, museums and big hotels below the TV tower.

Best time to visit Rustaveli Avenue

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

Rustaveli Avenue is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Narikala Fortress and Abanotubani sulphur baths.

• No. 10 of the 18 sights in our Tbilisi things-to-do list.
• Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
• Listed in free things to do in Tbilisi.

Near Rustaveli Avenue

Also in Rustaveli and Mtatsminda, so you can walk between them:

• Georgian National Museum — 2 hours, low cost
• Mtatsminda Park and funicular — 2–3 hours, low cost

If you like Rustaveli Avenue

• Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) — Avlabari, 45 minutes
• Sioni Cathedral — Old Tbilisi, 20 minutes
• Dry Bridge Market — Marjanishvili and Chugureti, 1 hour
• Dezerter Bazaar — Marjanishvili and Chugureti, 1 hour

Staying near Rustaveli Avenue

Stay in Rustaveli and Mtatsminda ($$$) to walk here: the grand avenue of theatres, museums and big hotels below the TV tower. All areas to stay in Tbilisi.

Questions travellers ask