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This is a must-see for anyone visiting the Georgian capital. The ancient fortress, located on the Holy Mountain in the very center of the city, is considered one of the main attractions of Tbilisi for a reason. It is not only the oldest monument of the city, but it has an inexpressible energy and atmosphere of centuries-old history, as well as a beautiful view of the city below from the walls of the fortress.
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The fortress can be reached on foot or by cable car (costs 2 GEL). And don't forget to bring comfortable shoes - there are no comfortable paths on the territory of the fortress, so put on sneakers and go ahead.
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All the diversity of Georgian history under one roof, or rather - the sky. Here is the real Georgia in miniature: traditional houses and farm buildings, interior items and tools collected from all regions. It is not surprising that the ethnographic museum is firmly on the list of popular tourist destinations. So if you want to get to know this wonderful country better, this is the place to go.
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The Ethnographic Museum is located in Wake Park right by Turtle Lake. So you can combine an informative tour of the museum with a walk by the lake.
Museum opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00, Monday - day off. Entrance costs 3 GEL.
The cost of the tour: GEL 10.
To get here you can take bus number 82 to the stop "Vake" and then take a cab or walk.
Where to go in Tbilisi if you want to relax and enjoy nature? To the botanical garden, of course.
The Tbilisi Botanical Garden is located in the very center of the Georgian capital and is considered one of its most beautiful places. Just kidding: there are more than 3500 rare plants in its collection, and all of them are gathered in an amazingly harmonious and fragrant ensemble. It is especially pleasant to visit the botanical garden on a hot summer day to enjoy the coolness of fountains and picturesque waterfalls, to wander along shady paths, breathing in the aromas of flowers, or to stroll across the bridge of Queen Tamara across the rocky gorge.
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Operating hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, Monday - day off.
Ticket price is 1 GEL.
The Botanical Garden is located in the Old Town, just behind the Narikala Fortress. The nearest stop to the garden is "Institute of Botany" (buses #4, 10, 90, 103, 106, 112, 124).
Georgia is not least famous for its distinctive churches, and Tbilisi's Tsminda Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral is perhaps the most famous of them all. It is considered a symbol of modern Georgia and is also its tallest temple - only 101 meters high with a complex of church and service buildings.
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You should visit this amazingly beautiful place: facades decorated with arches and several rows of unique carvings, skillful painting of the walls and, of course, the main treasure of the temple - icons painted by the hand of Patriarch Ilia II himself (in particular, the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is located at the entrance). A huge modern manuscript Bible near the altar also adds to the experience.
And the views all around! It's simply fabulous.
Opening hours: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm.
Entry is free.
To get here you can take the metro (Avlabari station) or buses #91 or 122 to Sameba stop.
Another picturesque corner of uniquely beautiful Georgian nature not far from Tbilisi. It is good to come here to relax in the heat or just walk along the embankment, sit on a bench and feed almost tame ducks, enjoying the beautiful views and fresh air full of pine scents. There is a park around the lake, a bath complex, tennis courts, boat rentals and go-karting. In summer there is a rope park for children and adults, so everyone can find something to do here.
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Address: Beritashvili street, Lake Lisi, Vake-Saburtala district.
The nearest metro station is "Delizi", but you can also take a shuttle bus from the train station in Tbilisi (just ask the driver if he is going to the lake).
If you want to know what to see in Tbilisi first, the choice is obvious. For the color and authentic atmosphere of old Tbilisi, go to the Old Town - almost any guidebook will tell you that.
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This historical district is located on the territory occupied by Tbilisi back in the 12th century. Kala, as the Old Town is also called, is divided into two parts - Zemokala ("upper town") and Kvemokala ("lower town"). Once here, take your time. Take a stroll along the narrow brick-paved streets that lead up and down, take a closer look at the brick and clay houses, which are hundreds of years old, in a word, feel the unique aura that surrounds this island of living history.
And on the way you can stop by Narikala Fortress, Metekhi and Norashen temples, see the palace of Queen Darijan "Sachino", Sioni Cathedral and much more, because this is where all the most important sights of the city are concentrated.
The Old Town can be reached by metro (Liberty Square station) or by buses #4, 10, 90. 103, 106, 124.
When you're in the Old Town, don't miss one of the most curious places, Abanotubani. This is where you can relax both body and spirit! These sulfur baths are not just a relic of the past, but a fully functioning "exhibit": here you can try the healing effects of natural sulfur springs, for which Georgia is so famous, and generally have a good time.
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All the baths are built in oriental style - they are squat buildings with semicircular domes, with large glass windows in the center that illuminate the interior, as the baths themselves are below ground level. But apart from their purely practical usefulness, the baths are also very beautiful, especially the Orbelianovskaia, with its minarets and lancet façade trimmed with blue tiles.
Buses #31, 44, 50, 55, 71, 80, 102 (stop "Abanotubani").
When in Tbilisi, be sure to visit the active male monastery of Betania, which is 16 kilometers from the capital. It is one of the best examples of Georgian temple architecture, built back in the XI century. But the stone church will be interesting not only for lovers of ancient architecture: ancient frescoes depicting the royal Georgian family, icons with scenes from the Bible, and the altar is richly decorated with floral ornament, in the patterns of which are inscribed prayers and verses from the Psalms.
The monastery is located in a very picturesque place, surrounded by green mountains. There are plenty of cozy corners where you can take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this holy place.
The most convenient way to get here is by car, but it's best to think about the route in advance and use a map.
Metekhi is another pearl of Tbilisi. Built on the rock of the same name on the banks of the Kura River, the Metekhi neighborhood is one of the oldest places in Georgia where people have ever lived. Be sure to see Metekhi Castle, an ancient citadel and former residence of Georgian kings. It is a wonderfully beautiful fortress, from the walls of which you can enjoy a wonderful view of the river and the city. And in the courtyard there are benches and drinking fountains, where it is so pleasant to relax in summer.
Metekhi Castle and Shrine of the Mother of God are open from 09:00 to 17:00, admission is free.
To get here you can take the metro (Avlabari station) or bus (stop "European Square", bus numbers 31, 44, 50, 55, 55, 71, 80, 102).
This impressive glass structure, spanning the Mtkvari River, connects the Old City and modern Tbilisi. The bridge offers a great panorama of many of the city's sights, so don't miss the chance to take a couple or three great photos! In the evening, the bridge looks even more futuristic with its 30 thousand lights shimmering in different colors.
The distinctive "feature" of the Peace Bridge, which is why it got its name, is the interactive light system on its parapets, which, using Morse code, every hour depicts one of the elements of the Mendeleev table that exist in the human body. In this way, the creators of the bridge wanted to portray the idea of universal unity.
The bridge can be reached by bus to the European Square stop (Nos. 31, 44, 50, 55, 71, 80, 102, you will have to pass through Rike Park) or to the Sioni Temple stop (Nos. 31, 44, 50, 55, 71, 80, 102). You can also see the Peace Bridge on evening tours of Tbilisi.
Tbilisi's main temple on the banks of the Kura River in the Old City. Zion Cathedral (or Sioni) strikes with its quiet grandeur and monumentality. It houses the most treasured relic for every Georgian - the cross of St. Nina, who, according to legend, brought Christianity to the country.
Address: 6, Sioni Street. Entrance is free. To get here, you need to go to the metro station "Freedom Square", and then walk along Kote Abkhazi Street and, before reaching the church building (on the right side), turn left into the alley.
Definitely go for a walk on this chic, spacious avenue! Sprawling plane trees provide coolness and shade, and the magnificent buildings - the Parliament, National Museum, Academy of Sciences, Opera and Ballet Theater - along with bustling cafes and colorful souvenir stores create an uplifting, festive atmosphere. You can even organize a familiarization express-tour. To do this, walk from Freedom Square to the end of the avenue, on your way to the National Museum and Art Gallery, admire the Rustaveli Theater, and be sure to stop by the Borjomi store.
A little hint: the avenue can be conveniently used to shorten the walking route from the Old City to other parts of Tbilisi, instead of going down to the subway.
Don't be deterred by the austere appearance of the museum building. Inside, it's a real treasure trove worth exploring. In addition to the expositions devoted to the Soviet period in the history of Georgia, you should pay special attention to the gold fund of the museum: coins, medieval coinage and ancient jewelry from the mound of Trialeti (II century BC) amaze with the amazing finesse of work.
Museum opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, Monday - day off.
The entrance costs 3-5 GEL, for children 6-18 years old - 0,5 GEL, children under 6 years old - free of charge.
The cost of excursions: 10-25 GEL.
And this attraction of the Georgian capital has even "shone" in the movies - the funicular is mentioned in the well-known "12 Chairs" by Ilf and Petrov. Built in 1905, the funicular still takes passengers from the city center to the upper park on Mtatsminda (St. David's Mountain).
The carriage makes three stops along the way: the final stop (on a mountain plateau) is an amusement park. A one-way fare costs 1 GEL.
In Tbilisi, at 26 Shavteli Street, there is a real kingdom of magic and fairy tales - the Tbilisi Marionette Theater of Rezo Gabriadze. If time and budget allow you, be sure to attend one of their performances - lyrical, subtle and very kind. It's a great option for visiting with children (check the playbill beforehand and choose a suitable performance).
Ticket office phone numbers: + 995 32 2 98 65 90, + 995 591 02 44 02
If you're tired of wandering around Tbilisi, but you still have a lot to see, we advice you to take a ride on the cable car. The new cable car will take you from Rike Park to Narikala Fortress and back, and you'll find such evening views of Tbilisi: the city shimmering with lights, reflected in the mirror-like surface of the river - the picture is simply mesmerizing!
The canal road is open from 11:00 to 23:00, the ticket costs 1 GEL.
The typical, at first glance, "flea market" is notable for the fact that it looks more like an open-air museum than a bazaar: here you can find anything from souvenir trifles to real antiques of all times and peoples. Even if you are not going to start a collection of antiques, come here to sit on a bench or walk between the stalls of traders and immerse yourself in the inexpressible atmosphere of the living, real Tbilisi in all its glory. Don’t forget to buy a couple of original souvenirs to remember.
The market is open on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 to 17:00. You can get there by buses № 20, 23, 95 (stop "Dry Bridge").
Although it's not exactly a Georgian attraction, the Juma Mosque is worth a look, because it's so beautiful.
The mosque is located near Abanotubani, more precisely behind the Orbelian bath. It is an old red brick building with a minaret and a domed roof decorated with tiles. It is hardly possible to go inside, but you can walk to the mountain river with a waterfall nearby, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the mosque from above. It's a very peaceful place.
Address: Botanicheskaya Street 32, Tbilisi, Georgia. The nearest bus stop is "Abanotubani" (#31, 44, 50, 55, 55, 71, 80 and 102).
One of the most beautiful places in Tbilisi, as beautiful as Rustaveli Avenue. Unlike its more modern counterpart, Agmashenebeli Avenue is surrounded by houses built in the XVII-XIX centuries: branching streets and cozy Tbilisi courtyards fill the place with a special, unique color and atmosphere.
A little trick from experienced tourists: if you're going shopping, you'll find it cheaper here than on Rustaveli or in the Old Town.
You can get here by metro (Marjanishvili station) or on foot from Rustaveli Avenue.
This monumental ensemble of 64 figures resembles Stonehenge: huge stone sculptures depicting various events of Georgian history and its figures, and massive columns stand on a mountain by the sea - the impression is very strong! On top of it all - a breathtaking view of the city and the sea. Definitely worth a visit.
The easiest way to get there is by car. You can try public transportation - buses № 111 and № 60 to the stop "Military School".
