Capital city, transport hub, and the starting point for any Georgia itinerary
Tbilisi sits in the Kura River valley, flanked by hills on both sides. Population is about 1.2 million. The Old Town (Kala) is compact: Narikala Fortress, the Abanotubani sulfur baths, the Bridge of Peace, and Metekhi Church can all be covered on foot in half a day. Across the river lies Avlabari with Sameba Cathedral. Further west – Sololaki, Vera, Vake: quieter, greener, more cafés. TBS airport is 17 km from the center; bus #337 costs 1 GEL, a Bolt taxi runs 15–20 GEL.
Allow at least 2 full days for Tbilisi: one for the Old Town and Mtatsminda Mountain, another for the Deserter Bazaar, Fabrika, and Agmashenebeli Avenue. The city works as a hub: marshrutkas from Didube station go to Mtskheta (1 GEL, 30 min), Kazbegi (15–20 GEL, 3.5 hrs), Gori, and Kutaisi. Trains from the railway station reach Batumi (35 GEL, 5 hrs). For mountain trips, it's more convenient to rent a car.
What you should not miss in the city and around it.
5th-century historic core – winding streets, sulfur baths, and views over the Kura River
4th-century defensive citadel on Sololaki Ridge – Tbilisi's top panoramic viewpoint
Historic sulfur bathhouse district from the 5th century – the place where Tbilisi began
A 2010 steel-and-glass pedestrian bridge linking Old Tbilisi with the modern left bank
A 13th-century church perched on a cliff above the Kura – one of Tbilisi's defining silhouettes
Tbilisi's highest point (770 m) with an amusement park and a funicular railway dating to 1905
An 80-seat puppet theater and 2010 clock tower – a defining landmark of Old Tbilisi
A former Soviet sewing factory turned into Tbilisi's main creative hub since 2016
Georgia's main Orthodox cathedral – 101 m tall, built 1995–2004 on Elia Hill in Tbilisi
Key sights and surroundings — to plan your walk and gauge distances.
Everything you need — connectivity, transport, stay and tours.
A curated selection with fair prices, amenities and direct booking.
9.6★★★★€€€A Paragraph Golf & Spa hotel on Tabori hill above Tbilisi, with panoramic city and mountain views. A spa and wellness centre, sauna, outdoor hot tub, a fitness centre and spacious rooms with balconies.
9.5★★★★★€€€A boutique hotel in a historic caravanserai building in Tbilisi's Old Town, 400 m from the centre and 250 m from the Bridge of Peace. Rooms and suites with private entrances and terraces, a restaurant with local and European cuisine and a fitness centre.
9.4★★★★€A boutique hotel in Tbilisi's Old Town (Sololaki), 400 m from the centre and 550 m from Freedom Square. Spacious rooms and suites with city views, a European restaurant and a terrace.
9.3★★★★€€A design hotel in a historic mansion on Davit Aghmashenebeli Avenue in Chugureti, 450 m from Marjanishvili metro. A spa and wellness centre, a restaurant with local and European cuisine, a garden and a terrace.
9.2★★★★€A design hotel in the Chugureti district, 450 m from Tbilisi's Central Train Station. Stylish rooms with high ceilings and a projector, plus the Brod restaurant-bakery with a bar and DJ sets.
9.2★★★★★€€€A design hotel in a former publishing house in central Tbilisi, 250 m from Rustaveli metro. Spacious, uniquely designed rooms, a five-storey atrium, gardens and the Café Stamba restaurant.
Tours and activities from trusted platforms — book directly with the operator.
Answers about seasonality, routes, neighbourhoods and basic trip planning.
Budget travelers spend 80–120 GEL/day (hostel + food + metro). Mid-range is 200–400 GEL: a 3-star hotel, restaurant lunch for two at 40–60 GEL, taxis around town 5–15 GEL.
Sololaki offers the best balance: close to the Old Town but quieter and cheaper. Kala (Old Town) is the tourist zone – pricier and noisier. Vake is for those wanting parks and quiet, but it's 15–20 minutes by metro to the center. Avoid Gldani.
Tbilisi is generally safe. Gldani is best avoided at night. Occasional protests take place near the Parliament building – check local news. Pickpocketing happens on Rustaveli Avenue and Freedom Square – take standard precautions.
Bus #337 to the center costs 1 GEL, running 7:00 AM–11:00 PM. A Bolt taxi costs 15–25 GEL (15–30 min depending on traffic). There is no metro to the airport.
The metro (2 lines, 23 stations) and buses cost 1 GEL per ride. You need a Metromoney card (2 GEL deposit, sold at metro stations). One card = one passenger in the metro. Google Maps accurately shows bus schedules. Bolt taxi rides around the city cost 3–15 GEL.
Magti and Geocell SIM cards are sold at the airport (~15 GEL for 10 GB). Easier option – install an eSIM in advance. Wi-Fi is available in most cafés. A VPN is recommended for accessing certain services.
Yes. Since January 1, 2026, health insurance is mandatory for all tourists. Minimum coverage is 30,000 GEL (~$11,000). The policy must be in English or Georgian. You may be denied entry without it. The fine for not having it inside the country is 300 GEL.
Exchange offices are everywhere in the center with competitive rates. ATMs dispense GEL; fees depend on your bank. Cards are accepted in most restaurants and shops, but marshrutkas and markets are cash only.
Mtskheta is 30 min by marshrutka, half a day. Kazbegi is 3.5 hrs but better with an overnight stay. Gori + Uplistsikhe fills a full day. Sighnaghi (Kakheti) is 2 hrs and pairs well with wineries. For combined trips, booking a tour with a driver is convenient.
May and September are ideal: warm but without the heat and crowds. Summer (June–August) gets hot, up to 38°C. Winter is cheap but grey; the sulfur baths in Abanotubani are especially enjoyable then. January–February offers the lowest accommodation prices (up to −50%).
Towns nearby — easy to add to your route for a day trip.
