We will tell you about the features of a family vacation in Tbilisi: when to go, where to stay, as well as what children's entertainment is in the capital of Georgia.
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city in Georgia. Located on the banks of the Kura River, it offers a variety of interesting places for tourists. Find out how suitable Tbilisi is for a family vacation and what to see in this famous Georgian city.
Entertainment for Children
Tbilisi has about 60 museums and numerous other interesting places that can be visited with the whole family. Let's talk about the most important ones.
Museums
Experimentorium Children's Museum
It features about a hundred engaging exhibits that demonstrate physical and chemical reactions in action. Children will find answers to questions like "Can a child lift an adult?" or "What does it feel like to sit on needles?"
Doll Museum
This museum doesn't display toys; instead, it showcases extraordinary dolls brought from different countries around the world. Each doll reflects its own emotion and mood. The museum also has a separate collection of moving dolls.
Ethnographic Museum
This museum is an open-air exhibition. All exhibits, including architecture and household items, are related to Georgian culture. During festivals, visitors can listen to Georgian singing and try local cuisine.
Yota Royal Museum of Military Miniatures
This exhibition features 1,800 miniature soldiers, each playing its own role. Some are marching, others are preparing for battle, and some are setting up camp.
Parks and Attractions
Vake Park
The largest park in Tbilisi, featuring fountains, cafes, children's playgrounds, and an amusement park. Children can ride on carousels and enjoy picnics on the grassy areas.
Rike Park
This is a new park in the city designed to be child-friendly. It is free of corners, steps, and other elements that may be hazardous for children. Singing fountains, a cable car, and a floral clock are just some of the attractions in the park. It has a modern design and is very popular among mothers.
Important! The trees in Rike Park are newly planted and do not provide shade during hot weather, so it is better to visit the park in the evening with children.
Botanical Garden
A historic garden in Tbilisi where you can take a stroll, listen to the river, and enjoy the fresh air. Children will enjoy exploring the plants, observing the pond's inhabitants, and swimming in the lake with a waterfall. The botanical garden also has a rope course and a drinking water source.
Rodni Rechi "Dedaena" Park
There are no attractions or cafes in "Dedaena" Park, so it's not worth specifically going to this park. However, if you happen to pass by, you can enjoy the greenery and coolness in a peaceful atmosphere. The park is on a single plane, so you don't have to worry about your little one falling.
Mushtaidi Park
A historic park in Tbilisi, founded in the 19th century. It still has a functioning children's railway that was opened in the early 20th century. The park is adorned with sculptures of cartoon characters and fairy tale figures. Children can ride the train and visit other attractions.
Bombora Park on Mtatsminda
This picturesque place at the top of the funicular attracts many visitors. It is a park with coniferous trees that house attractions, shooting galleries, a water area, a Ferris wheel, carousels, and much more. The park has cafes, restaurants, and stalls offering fresh juices for children.
Zoos
Tbilisi Zoo
It has been operating since 1927 and is still open to tourists. In the zoo, you can observe zebras, hippos, elephants, deer, lions, peacocks, and many other exotic animals. The zoo also has an equatorium, a Ferris wheel, and various attractions. Sweet cotton candy and other treats are available for children.
Contact Zoo "Faunaland"
This modest but cozy zoo can be found in the "GTC" shopping complex. The exhibits are divided into domestic animals ("Farm") and wild animals ("Jungle"). The farm section is home to calves, goats, chicks, and birds. In this part of the zoo, visitors are allowed to feed, touch, and hold the animals. The "Jungle" section features terrariums with pythons, crocodiles, cockroaches, and hedgehogs.
Contact Zoo "Zootopia"
This zoo is located in "TbilisiMall," the largest shopping center in Tbilisi. It is very similar to "Faunaland" zoo but occupies a much larger area.
Children's Entertainment Centers
Focus Mokus
One of the largest entertainment centers for family outings. It offers everything from arcade games and carousels to a play area for the little ones.
Boom Boom
Here, the music is not as loud as in "Focus Mokus," and it is more suitable for young children. "Boom Boom" features mazes, playhouses, toy cars, and a ball pit. If you want to go shopping, you can leave your child at the play area for a while.
Madagascar
Due to its central location, it is very convenient for visitors. The center has slides, but they are quite steep and not suitable for children under three years old, so you won't be able to leave your child unattended at "Madagascar."
TbiliKids
Located on the outskirts of the city but still popular. This children's center is suitable for children of all ages. It has plenty of space, a cozy atmosphere, and a cafe. There are arcade games for teenagers and themed rooms for younger children to pretend play as a shopkeeper, doctor, gas station attendant, and more. There are also toy cars for the little ones. If the children are interested, they can participate in a workshop.
Theaters
Griboedov Theater
This is a Russian theater that has been in existence in Tbilisi since the early 20th century. During the New Year holidays, many Russian-speaking children gather at the theater. Throughout the year, they continue to stage internationally renowned performances such as "Scarlet Sails" and "The Scarlet Flower," among others.
Gabriadze Marionette Theater
A puppet theater created by Georgian sculptor and playwright Rezo Gabriadze in 1981. The theater has only 80 seats, but it is popular among older children. The performances are done with puppets but have deep meaning and artistic expression.
Gino Paradise Water Park
The large area of the water park includes pools (indoor and outdoor), extreme water slides, a water playground, and a beach area. Thanks to the dome covering the children's pool, kids can swim in it in any weather. There is also a field for football, volleyball, and trampolines.
Climate
Each city has its own climate. If you're in Batumi and planning a trip to Tbilisi, don't rely on the weather outside as it may be different.
Tbilisi has a moderate continental climate. It is characterized by hot summers, warm autumns, and rainy springs. Due to low humidity, the summer heat is more bearable compared to coastal resorts.
Summer
June: In the first few days of the month, it is already quite hot. The average daytime temperature is around +28°C, and at night it drops to +16-+17°C.
July-August: These are the peak months of heat in the city. The temperature during this period is around +32°C and sometimes reaches up to +40°C.
Autumn
In autumn, the heat subsides, and by October, a comfortable temperature of around +20°C is established. It gets colder in November, and frosts begin.
Winter
Winters are not extremely cold, but the cold north wind prevents the temperature from rising above +2-+4°C. It's advisable to bring warm clothing as early as the beginning of December because winter takes hold in Tbilisi by then.
Spring
In March, it starts to get warmer, and by April, the air temperature reaches +18-+19°C. Heavy rains occur in Tbilisi in spring.
Best Time to Visit Tbilisi
Due to the climate characteristics, it's best to plan a vacation with your child in June or October. During this period, it's warm but not too hot. The only downside may be the high number of tourists in the city.
In June and October, the markets are filled with fruits. Strawberries and cherries are available in early summer, while grapes, persimmons, and pomegranates are abundant in mid-autumn. You don't have to worry about the safety of fruits when buying them since nitrates and pesticides are not used during their cultivation.
Tbilisi celebrates its City Day in October. The program is diverse and interesting for both adults and children. If you're curious to attend the festivities, plan your vacation for this month.
Transportation
The transportation system in the city is well-developed. You can get around Tbilisi using:
Metro
It is the only metro system operating in Georgia. Trains run at intervals of 2 minutes during regular hours and 10 minutes during peak hours.
All announcements in the train, signs, and instructions are in English and Georgian. The metro operates from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM. The fare for a metro ride is 0.50 GEL (lari).
Bus
There are 150 bus routes in the city, including routes to the airport and the railway station. The fare for a city bus ride is 0.50 GEL (lari).
Important! There are no discounts for children's tickets. All the necessary information about routes, bus and metro schedules is available on the city's transportation company website.
Minibuses (marshrutkas)
The fare for a minibus ride is 0.80 GEL (lari). It is convenient to pay for transportation in Tbilisi using the Metromoney card. The cost of the card is 2 GEL (lari), which is a deposit and is returned to the customer upon card return. The card can be topped up at the metro terminal or the service center.
Important! When returning the card, make sure to have your passport and purchase receipt with you.
Taxi
Taxis are relatively inexpensive and can take you to hotels on the hills or to the seaside. It is recommended to choose official taxi services. A taxi ride within the city will cost around 3 to 6 GEL (lari).
Getting to Tbilisi
If you have decided to visit Tbilisi, there are several ways to get there.
By Plane
Tbilisi International Airport, named after Shota Rustaveli, receives flights from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Armenia, and other neighboring countries. You can find detailed flight schedules on the airport's website. Upon arrival, you can take bus number 37 or the airport taxi service to reach the city center. The journey from the airport to the central part of the city will take no more than 30 minutes.
By Train
The city is connected by rail to major Georgian cities (Batumi, Borjomi) and neighboring countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan). You can find train schedules and purchase tickets on the "Georgian Railways" website.
By Bus
If you are traveling from another Georgian city, taking a bus is a convenient option. However, for international trips, it may not be the best choice as the journey can take more than 36 hours.
By Car
If you are driving your own vehicle and crossing the border into Georgia, you should follow the E117 route leading to Natakhtari, and then switch to the E60 route and continue towards Tbilisi.
Accommodation
If you are planning to stay in Tbilisi for a few days and want to explore the city's most significant attractions, it is best to stay in the central part of the city, particularly in the area of the Old Town and Mtatsminda. Here, not only will you find the main sights, but also high-class hotels.
On the opposite side of the Old Town is the Avlabari district, where you can find more affordable accommodation.
You can also consider staying in the Vera district, although reaching the hotels there may require a taxi. The advantage is that this area is well-equipped with hotels and entertainment options for children.
Important! When traveling with a child to Tbilisi, try to find accommodation in the city center. If your choice is between hotels in remote areas, choose one that is close to a metro station.
Choosing the Right Accommodation
Choosing suitable accommodation in Tbilisi is not difficult. It is important to carefully review all the information to determine the best place to stay with your child. One option is to read reviews from those who have already visited Tbilisi.
The most reliable option is to stay in one of the internationally renowned hotels that have established a good reputation. These include Holiday Inn Tbilisi, Radisson Blu Iveria, Tbilisi Marriott, and Sheraton Metechi Palace Hotel. The service in such hotels is always of a high standard, although they may not offer specific amenities for families with children. The most they can provide is a baby cot and a children's menu.
If you prefer an independent stay in Tbilisi, you can rent an apartment or flat. This way, you can cook food for your child and maintain a routine that is familiar to you.
Tbilisi is ready to welcome young tourists, and there are plenty of places to visit. However, if your goal is to improve your child's health, it may be better to choose a mountain or seaside resort.
