What to do in Tbilisi: 10 best ideas

So, what to do in Tbilisi and around this magical city?

1. Breathe in the air of Old Tbilisi

Get lost in the central districts of Tbilisi for a few hours. You don't need any special itinerary made in advance here. Just walk around, look at the buildings, take photos of unusual carved balconies, look into churches and stealthily observe the life of the locals. If you are a devout person, don't miss Sioni (one of the two main temples in Georgia, where the important relic for Georgians - the cross of St. Nino - is kept).

What else is there to do in Tbilisi? You can cross the modern Peace Bridge to the other side of the Kura River and walk up to the historic Metekhi neighborhood. Here on a hill stands the Metekhi church of the Nativity of the Mother of God , built in the XIII century, and in front of it there is a sculpture of Vakhtang Gorgasal on horseback.

On the same bank of the river is the central temple of the city and one of the most important in Georgia - Tsminda Sameba. After visiting it, go down to the entrance gate and visit the small cafe on the right, where you can taste delicious lemonade (they will make it right in front of you). Also in Rike Park, near the Peace Bridge on the left bank, there is a lower station of the cable car, from where you can get to the top of the hill in a few minutes, to the ruins of Narikala Fortress (from here you can see the central districts of Tbilisi) and the monument "Mother Kartli" (Georgian "Motherland"). In general, the sights of Tbilisi are waiting for you.

2. To be born again in the waters of sulfur springs

Vacation in Tbilisi is also an opportunity to recover. In the area of Abanotubani, on the right bank of the Kura River, not far from the Embankment, are famous far beyond the country sulfur baths. Pushkin wrote that "from time immemorial I have never met anything more luxurious than Tiflis baths".

There are several complexes here, all of them are located one after another, you can walk around and see the conditions and choose the best option for yourself. The "very" bathhouse described by Pushkin is the "Blue" (aka "Orbelianovskaia"), the most photogenic of all.

The beneficial properties of sulphurous water are such that hair and skin become soft and silky after a visit to the bathhouse, and systematic visit helps even with serious skin diseases (e.g. psoriasis). When going here, don't forget to remove all silver jewelry - the sulphur contained in the water of local springs can quickly blacken them. General bath halls are open from 07.00 to 21.00.

Individual cabins are available at any time, regardless of the season. Individual rooms are charged by the hour (from €4.95 to €39.59) and shared rooms are available as long as you like (as long as your health permits). The cost of pleasure is about 1€. A VIP bath will cost €50.

If you don't need to go to the baths, stop by here to take pictures of the domes and the beautiful residential buildings around, and also to find a small waterfall hidden around the corner (to the right of the last bath).

You can book a hotel in Tbilisi with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

3. Try Georgian cuisine and forget about diets

Many people associate Georgian cuisine with meat, but in fact there are enough dishes for vegetarians (khinkali with cheese or mushrooms, numerous variants of khachapuri with cheese, bean lobio, cold appetizer of eggplants with nuts...).

Almost any restaurant will offer you a variety of Georgian wines, including homemade (on draught), and for those who like it hotter, local strong chacha or cognac.

As in any other city, Tbilisi has the main rule of a traveler: "If you want to eat delicious and inexpensive, get off the tourist route". It's worth watching where the locals eat or asking someone in Tbilisi to recommend their favorite places to dine (for example, the owner of a rented apartment or a guide).

If you don't have such an opportunity, read the recommendations of the city's guests on resources like Tripadvisor or Foursquare and go in search of the most authentic restaurants in the Georgian capital. But remember that sometimes portions are truly huge, and do not order half a menu at once - there is a risk of not being able to get enough. And also be ready to find cilantro in almost any dish - Georgians respect this greenery and add it generously. Moreover, even if you ask to cook something without cilantro, there is a risk to get a "complete set", accept it.

For those who are fond of cooking, local guides offer special master classes. In the morning you visit the market with a Georgian cook to buy products, then under his guidance you learn the basics of cooking Georgian dishes, and after - tasting your creation with a glass of wine or a shot of chacha. With such a program a trip to Tbilisi will definitely be remembered.

4. Visit Kakheti and appreciate local wines

To be in Georgia and not taste wine is an unfortunate omission. Every restaurant you visit for lunch or dinner will offer you a choice of different variants of "napitk of the gods". And every courtyard makes its own wine, often from recipes that have been handed down for generations.

If you have a chance, go to Kakheti - the most wine region of the country, where in any town or village the hospitable people will offer you to taste the noble drink.

And if you are lucky, you will get to a real Georgian feast and make sure that the stories about eloquence and hospitality of the local population are pure truth. Possible side effects are a hangover the next morning and an irresistible craving for Georgia for the rest of your life.

5. Enjoy the cultural life of Tbilisi

When planning a vacation in Tbilisi, do not forget about the cultural program. Georgians sing and dance (as well as cook) with all their heart. It is impossible to sit still under their music, your feet are begging to dance. Every year Tbilisi hosts a jazz festival, a festival of modern dance, literary readings, a film festival ...

If you don't manage to visit these events, don't get upset, just drop by one of the national cuisine restaurants in the evening. Many of the restaurants host guest bands, but often local visitors themselves organize impromptu concerts.

There are also theaters in the capital of Georgia: Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater named after Paliashvili (pictured), Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater, Georgian Musical Comedy Theater named after V. Abashidze, New Georgian Ballet and others. V. Abashidze, New Georgian Ballet and others.

6. Learn to bargain and understand spices

Even if you don't plan to buy anything (although it is still very difficult to leave here empty-handed), take a look at one of the local markets. The most famous of the food markets is the so-called "Deserter's Market" (or "Desertirka") near Station Square subway station. Here you can get delicious cheeses, nuts, meat, fruits and vegetables, and spices.

For souvenirs, including antique souvenirs, welcome to the famous Dry Bridge flea market, which is a 5-10 minute walk from Rustaveli Avenue.

Local artists who sell their paintings, handmade woolen goods, toys and other souvenirs gather here. And if you are lucky, you will meet an elderly Georgian woman with a cart where she will brew delicious coffee on the sand right in front of you.

7. Purify yourself spiritually in Mtskheta

Seen all the sights in Tbilisi? Go outside the city. 20 km from the capital, at the confluence of the rivers Kura and Aragvi, is a small, quiet Mtskheta - the first capital of the country, a sacred place for every Georgian. It is often called the "Second Jerusalem".

According to legend, Nino of Cappadocia brought good news here, and one of the most important relics of the Christian world, the Lord's Chiton, is kept here. It is worth visiting Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari ("cross") Monastery located on the hill. Enterprising local cab drivers drive to the monastery, but I recommend going up there on foot. It's not a long way and not very easy, but the silence, lack of people and beautiful views make up for it.

You can get to Mtskheta by shuttle bus, which leaves regularly from the bus station at Didube metro station. Even if you are not a believer, it is worth visiting the city - there are many beautiful things to see here. By the way, Mtskheta is protected by UNESCO and is included in the list of World Heritage Sites.

8. Learn what the "neutral strip" looks like and see Azerbaijan

60 km from Tbilisi there is an absolutely amazing place - the monastery complex "David-Gareji". It stands on the border of Georgia and Azerbaijan and for many years has been a subject of dispute between the two countries. Now the border divides the monastery into two parts.

There are no crowds of tourists here - you will be surprised by the local silence and will definitely fall in love with the Martian landscapes around. It is inconvenient to get there from Tbilisi by public transportation, so it is better to rent a car for this purpose.

After climbing the crest of the mountain, talk about life with smiling bored Georgian border guards, admire the view of Azerbaijan and see the preserved ancient frescoes in the caves (you can check the direction with the same border guards).

9. Paraglide in the mountains

A few hours drive from Tbilisi, in the area of Stepantsminda (former Kazbegi) and Gudauri, you can fulfill the dream of many and learn to fly. The cost of a tandem paragliding flight is about €150 for 20 minutes.

Usually there is an extreme camera video shooting in the air to capture your emotions forever. You can get to the place from Tbilisi by public transportation or by renting a car with a driver.

If you will be in Kazbegi early in the morning, there is a chance to see the majestic peak of Kazbek, which closer to 11:00 is usually already hidden in the clouds. There is another remarkable object in the mountains - the Church of the Holy Trinity. You can go up to it by off-road vehicle, below on the square usually stand locals with their cars, offering services to tourists. The climb on foot will take about an hour, depending on your preparation.

10. Raise the adrenaline level in your blood during a jeep tour

Numerous travel companies and private guides offer both short-term (for a couple of days) and long-term jeep tours in Georgia. Such a trip is a great chance to see high-mountainous regions that are difficult to reach on your own, unless you are an avid tourist with excellent training and special equipment.

As a rule, overnight stays are made in small mountain settlements, where you can get acquainted with the life of local people, taste their treats and wines (they are special in each region of Georgia) and, finally, just enjoy the fresh clean air, which is very problematic in our cities.

It is possible to rent only a jeep, without a driver, and go off-roading yourself (if you are confident in your driving skills and ability to navigate by GPS). Renting a car will cost from $50 per day, a full tour (car, driver and guide services, accommodation and meals along the route) - about $1200 per person for 6-8 days, about $200 for a two-day tour with accommodation but no meals.

Plan your trip to Tbilisi now! Discounted accommodation can be booked here.