This is one of the most unusual places in Georgia. Not only tourists, but also locals like to visit here. In this place you will relax, improve your health and have a great time.
Abanotubani Area
This is one of the most unique places in Georgia. It is frequented not only by tourists but also by locals. Here, you can relax, rejuvenate, and have a wonderful time.
In 2013, the area where the sulfur baths are located, known as Abanotubani, was renovated and beautified. The picturesque Enguri Gorge, along which the baths are situated, is adorned with a river. At the beginning of the gorge, there is a cozy little waterfall.
It is common to see photographers visiting this area to capture stunning backgrounds. The place is also popular among newlyweds.
Near the baths, there is a monument with a falcon holding a pheasant. According to legend, during a royal hunt, a pheasant was discovered boiled in a thermal spring, which led to the founding of Tbilisi.
Choosing a Bathhouse
In Abanotubani, there are ten bathhouses. They are located in semi-basement premises and are decorated in an Eastern style. You can enter any bathhouse and explore it to see if it meets your preferences and if the water temperature is suitable.
Orbeliani Bathhouse
The most beautiful bathhouse in the complex. It resembles a madrasa from the outside. The facade of the building is adorned with colorful tiles in intricate patterns. In this bathhouse, you can enjoy massages and individual cabins. It is said that Pushkin loved to visit this bathhouse, and there is a plaque on the wall to commemorate his visits.
Bathhouse No. 5
The most affordable bathhouse is called Bathhouse No. 5. It offers a great balance between price and quality. Here, you can use the communal hall and individual cabins.
VIP Bathhouse
There is also a bathhouse for true connoisseurs – the VIP Bathhouse. It is the most expensive option and has a single communal hall. Here, you may encounter local elites and celebrities.
The Oldest Bathhouses
The bathhouses known as Kazennaya, Sumbatovskaya, and Bebutovskaya are among the oldest. Finding these bathhouses can turn into a quest, as they may have multiple names and even multiple entrances on different streets.
Other Popular Bathhouses
Among the other bathhouses that tourists and locals enjoy, the following can be highlighted:
Abano
Ancient Samepe
Tsarskaya or Royal
Affordable Iraklievskaya (formerly the most expensive)
Charming Bogema or Banya No. 7 – it has a sulfur pool for women
Mirzoyev Bathhouse
Working Hours and Prices
Working hours:
Common halls – 07:00-21:00
Individual rooms – at your convenience
Prices:
How to Get There
On foot – walk to the Metekhi Church, then it's a 5-minute walk along Gorgasali Street to the baths
By car – go to Abano Street, No. 2. Parking is available
Public transport – take minibus No. 31, 44, 50, 55, 71, 80, or 102. Get off at the Abanotubani stop.
Useful Tips for Travelers
Items to bring: When going to the baths, bring a washcloth, soap, towel, and slippers with you. They may offer these for purchase at the baths, or you can use the public ones.
Jewelry: Remove your jewelry, especially silver, before visiting the baths. The sulfur water can turn silver black, and it will require extensive cleaning.
Odors: Be prepared to smell like sulfur after exiting the baths.
Duration of stay: Do not stay in the sulfur water for more than 12 minutes. The rule of "the longer, the better" does not apply here. Take no more than four dips in the water.
Water temperature: The temperature of the water in the baths is crucial. The hotter, the better. It is best to visit the baths in the morning when the water is warmest.
Cleanliness: The water in the pools is not very clean and is only changed once a week, usually on Sunday night. The pools, cabins, and halls may not shine with cleanliness. The individual cabins are usually cleaner.
Appearance: The baths may have a slightly run-down appearance from the outside, although some may have renovations inside.
What is needed for visiting sulfur baths
Payment: After choosing a bathhouse, you need to pay for the visit at the cashier. There are two separate sections for men (on the left) and women (on the right). The bathhouse attendant will show you a locker for your belongings.
Shower: Once inside the bathhouse hall, you will see a shower in the center. You should take a shower under it before proceeding to the pool. You may also have the opportunity to visit the sauna.
Additional Services: You can request the services of a bath attendant or a massage for an additional fee.
Tea Ceremony: At the end of the procedures, enjoy a cup of aromatic, fragrant, and delicious tea.
Services
Massage: The price of massages may vary in different bathhouses but usually does not exceed 15 GEL. Feel free to negotiate the price, as it is customary here.
Bath Attendant: If you hire a bath attendant, make sure the washcloth they use to wash you is new. Alternatively, you can use the public washcloths available.
Who is suitable for visiting the baths
People with heart conditions, poor blood circulation, and other vascular diseases should consult a doctor before visiting sulfur baths.
Sulfur baths can be beneficial for tourists with skin problems, central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders.
