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Tbilisi
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Tbilisi combines sulphur baths, Old Town streets, Georgian cuisine, qvevri wine and layered Caucasian history beneath a dramatic hillside skyline.

Old Streets and Sulphur Springs

Tbilisi rises along the Mtkvari River in a valley framed by wooded hills, where balconies, domes, fortress walls and modern concrete structures share the same densely layered skyline. Its historic core stretches from the riverside baths of Abanotubani up towards Narikala Fortress, with narrow lanes passing timbered houses, small courtyards, Orthodox churches, cafés and galleries. The city's name is linked to its warm sulphur springs, which helped make this a strategic settlement and a place of rest on routes crossing the Caucasus.
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A Capital Shaped by Many Civilisations

Tbilisi has been a Georgian royal centre, an Arab emirate, a contested frontier city and, from the nineteenth century, an important centre of the Russian Empire's South Caucasus administration. These successive influences remain visible in its architecture: medieval religious buildings stand near Armenian and Catholic churches, nineteenth-century façades, Soviet avenues and contemporary cultural spaces. Rustaveli Avenue provides a grand civic axis, while Sololaki and Chughureti reveal more intimate layers of urban life.

Food, Wine and Contemporary Culture

Georgian hospitality is expressed at the table through khinkali dumplings, khachapuri, herb-rich salads, walnut-based pkhali and wines traditionally matured in qvevri, large earthenware vessels. Beyond the Old Town, neighbourhoods such as Vera, Marjanishvili and Chughureti bring independent restaurants, wine bars, design shops and creative venues into former residential and industrial buildings. Tbilisi is also a base for exploring Georgia's wider landscapes, but its own pleasures lie in walking between contrasting districts, pausing for a bath or meal, and tracing how an old Caucasian capital continues to reinvent itself.

When is the best time to visit Tbilisi?

Best: May–June, September · 23–27°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January734
February932
March1435
April1853
May (best)2371
June (best)2760
July2960
August2951
September (best)2450
October1838
November1240
December835

Getting to and around Tbilisi

How to get there

Tbilisi International Airport is the city's main air gateway, located east of the centre and connected with the capital by road and public transport. International visitors may also reach Tbilisi by long-distance coach or minibus from neighbouring countries, although routes and border conditions vary. Georgian Railways links Tbilisi with other Georgian cities, including Batumi and Kutaisi, and the main railway station is served by urban transport. Road connections lead east towards Kakheti and west across Georgia, while regional marshrutkas, or shared minibuses, serve many destinations. There is no passenger ferry connection directly to Tbilisi; travellers arriving via the Black Sea must continue inland by road or rail.

Transportation

Central Tbilisi is rewarding to explore on foot, though the Old Town contains steep lanes, uneven paving and stairways. The city has a metro system, an extensive bus network and cable cars, with travel generally paid through a rechargeable Metromoney card or other accepted transport methods. Taxis are widely available through apps and street services, but agreeing the fare or checking the app price before departure is sensible. The Mtkvari and the surrounding hills create natural changes in level, so journeys between districts can take longer than the map suggests. Driving is less convenient in the historic centre because of narrow streets, congestion and limited parking.

Best attractions in Tbilisi

Tbilisi's principal sightseeing area is the Old Town, where narrow lanes lead between the sulphur baths of Abanotubani, the Metekhi Church above the river and the steep approach to Narikala Fortress. From the fortress, the city opens into a layered panorama of domes, balconies, bridges and wooded slopes. The Georgian National Museum on Rustaveli Avenue introduces the country's archaeology, art and history, while the nearby National Gallery presents Georgian artistic traditions in a grand nineteenth-century setting. Across the river, the Rike Park and the Bridge of Peace form a more recent urban counterpoint, with cable-car access towards Narikala. The Tbilisi Open Air Museum of Ethnography, on the city's western hills, presents regional Georgian houses and rural traditions in a spacious setting. For a quieter change of pace, the National Botanical Garden occupies a wooded gorge immediately behind the historic centre.

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Best landmarks in Tbilisi

Narikala Fortress is Tbilisi's defining elevated landmark, its surviving walls and church occupying a ridge above the Mtkvari and the sulphur-bath district. Below it, the Abanotubani bathhouses announce the city's relationship with its hot springs through domed brick roofs and subterranean bathing chambers. The Metekhi Church and the statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali stand on a dramatic riverside outcrop, while Sioni Cathedral preserves an important Georgian Orthodox presence in the historic centre. Anchkhati Basilica, one of the city's oldest surviving churches, represents an earlier layer of Georgian Christian architecture. Further north, the Bridge of Peace provides a conspicuously modern glass-and-steel counterpoint to the Old Town. Rustaveli Avenue gathers nineteenth- and twentieth-century civic landmarks, including the Georgian National Opera and Ballet Theater and the Georgian National Parliament, expressing Tbilisi's role as Georgia's political and cultural capital.

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Neighbourhoods in Tbilisi

Best restaurants in Tbilisi

Tbilisi's dining culture combines home-style Georgian cooking with a growing contemporary restaurant scene. Khinkali, pleated soup-filled dumplings, are closely associated with mountain traditions, while khachapuri appears in several regional forms, including the boat-shaped Adjarian version. Menus commonly include lobio, pkhali made with vegetables and walnuts, badrijani nigvzis with aubergine and walnut, grilled mtsvadi and hearty stews. Fresh herbs, walnuts, sour plum, beans and local cheeses give the cuisine much of its character. Traditional dining rooms and family-run eateries are particularly common around the Old Town, Sololaki and Avlabari, while Chughureti, Vera and Marjanishvili offer more experimental cooking, bakeries and wine bars. Markets such as Dezerter Bazaar reveal the ingredients behind the cuisine, from seasonal produce to churchkhela, a candle-shaped confection of nuts dipped in thickened grape juice. Georgian wines, including those made in qvevri, are central to the table.

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Best bars in Tbilisi

Tbilisi's evenings range from long dinners and intimate wine bars to electronic music and late-night clubs. The Old Town and Sololaki contain compact bars in courtyards and renovated historic interiors, while Chughureti and the area around Marjanishvili have become associated with creative venues, live music and informal nightlife. Fabrika, a former Soviet sewing factory converted into a social and cultural complex, is a notable gathering point with bars and communal spaces, though individual venues and programmes change. Electronic music has an important presence in the city, with established clubs such as Bassiani forming part of Tbilisi's international nightlife identity; entry arrangements and opening schedules should be checked locally. Rustaveli Avenue and surrounding streets also offer theatres, concert halls and cultural performances, making an evening out possible without centring it on alcohol.

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Best nightclubs in Tbilisi

Tbilisi's evenings range from long dinners and intimate wine bars to electronic music and late-night clubs. The Old Town and Sololaki contain compact bars in courtyards and renovated historic interiors, while Chughureti and the area around Marjanishvili have become associated with creative venues, live music and informal nightlife. Fabrika, a former Soviet sewing factory converted into a social and cultural complex, is a notable gathering point with bars and communal spaces, though individual venues and programmes change. Electronic music has an important presence in the city, with established clubs such as Bassiani forming part of Tbilisi's international nightlife identity; entry arrangements and opening schedules should be checked locally. Rustaveli Avenue and surrounding streets also offer theatres, concert halls and cultural performances, making an evening out possible without centring it on alcohol.

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Best shops in Tbilisi

Tbilisi's shopping ranges from produce markets and antique stalls to independent design shops and contemporary retail streets. The Dry Bridge market is known for art, vintage objects, Soviet-era memorabilia and illustrations, with the selection changing from day to day and the history of individual objects not always verifiable. Dezerter Bazaar, near the railway station, is a practical place to see local food culture through fruit, spices, cheese, herbs and churchkhela. Meidan Bazaar in the Old Town is oriented towards visitors and offers packaged foods, wine, crafts and souvenirs, while shops around Shardeni Street provide a more polished central retail experience. Georgian textiles, felt goods, ceramics, enamel jewellery, woodwork and natural wines make more distinctive purchases than generic merchandise. Fabrika and neighbourhoods such as Vera and Chughureti contain small design-led shops, studios and concept stores, although opening patterns vary.

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Tbilisi essentials

Currency and Payment
Georgia uses the Georgian lari, abbreviated as GEL and commonly written as ლარი. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, established restaurants and many cafés in central Tbilisi, but cash remains useful at markets, small bakeries, neighbourhood shops and some taxis. ATMs are common in central districts and generally dispense lari; visitors should check their bank's fees and select the local-currency option when offered by a payment terminal. Keep smaller notes for modest purchases, as small businesses may not be able to change large denominations. Foreign currencies are not a substitute for lari in ordinary daily transactions.
Safety
Tbilisi is generally manageable for visitors who take ordinary urban precautions. Keep phones, wallets and bags secure in crowded transport, busy squares and popular nightlife areas, and use marked crossings where possible because traffic can be unpredictable. Old Town surfaces become slippery in rain and some stairways are poorly lit, so care is needed after dark. Taxis arranged through a recognised app can reduce uncertainty about fares. Georgia's political demonstrations are usually concentrated in particular central locations; avoid gatherings and follow local news if demonstrations are taking place. In the hills and around the outskirts, wear suitable footwear and take care near unfenced drops.
Emergency Situations
The national emergency number in Georgia is 112, which connects callers with police, fire and medical emergency services. Give the operator the exact location, explain the nature of the incident and state whether an interpreter is needed; assistance in English may be available, but this should not be assumed. International visitors should carry identification and keep travel-insurance details accessible. For urgent medical problems, call 112 or ask hotel staff, a host or a local companion to help communicate with emergency services. Pharmacies are widespread, but they are not a replacement for emergency medical care. In a serious incident, contact the relevant embassy or consulate after immediate assistance has been requested.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress respectfully when entering Georgian Orthodox churches, covering shoulders and knees where requested, and follow local instructions about photography and worship. Remove hats in churches and avoid treating religious buildings as casual photo backdrops. A toast made by a tamada, or ceremonial toastmaster, is central to many Georgian feasts, but visitors may politely decline alcohol or choose a non-alcoholic drink. Tipping is not governed by one universal rule, though rounding up or leaving a modest amount for good service is customary in many restaurants. Avoid loud behaviour around churches and memorials, and ask before photographing people, private courtyards or market stalls.
Local Tips
Use the Old Town as an orientation point, then explore beyond it: Sololaki offers nineteenth-century streets and courtyards, while Chughureti and Marjanishvili combine older residential fabric with cafés and creative spaces. The Dry Bridge area is useful for browsing antiques, art and second-hand objects, although provenance should not be assumed for every item. Rustaveli Avenue is best understood as a cultural corridor rather than simply a shopping street, with museums, theatres and public institutions along its length. Tbilisi's hills create excellent viewpoints, but routes can be steep; combine walking with the metro, buses or cable cars rather than attempting every district on foot.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
Helloგამარჯობა[gamarjoba]
Goodbyeნახვამდის[nakhvamdis]
Yesკი[ki]
Noარა[ara]
Please/You're welcomeგთხოვთ[gtkhovot]
Thank youმადლობა[madloba]
Excuse me/Sorryშენიშვნა[shenishvna]
How are you?როგორ ხარ?[rogor khar?]
Fine. And you?კარგად. შენ?[kargad. shen?]
Do you speak English?იცით ინგლისურს?[itsit inglisurs?]
I don't understandარ ვართ გაიგეთ[ar vart gaiget]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseგთხოვთ მენიუს ნახოთ[gtkhovot menuis nakhoto]
I don't eat meatარ ჭირდება ხორი[ar chird'eba khori]
Cheers!გაუმარჯოს[gaumarjos]
I would like to pay, pleaseგთხოვთ გადავახდოთ[gtkhovot gadavakhdot]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!დახმარება![dakhmareba!]
Go away!წადი ინგე![tsadi inge!]
Call the Police!დააუყე პოლიცია![daayue politsia!]
Call a doctor!დააუყე ექიმი![daayue ekhimi!]
I'm lostშემიზღარდა[shemizgharda]
I'm illვავსები[vavsebi]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...გთხოვთ შეიძინოთ...[gtkhovot sheidzinot]
I'm just lookingვინც ვხედავ[vints vkhedav]
How much is it?რამდენი არის?[ramdeni aris?]
That's too expensiveეს ძალიან არის მაღალი[es dzalian aris magali]
Can you lower the price?შეიძინოთ დაბალი ფასი?[sheidzinot dabali fasi?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?რა დროა?[ra droa?]
It's one o'clockერთი საათია[erti saatia]
Half past (10)ათის ნახვა[at'is nakhva]
Morningდილი[dili]
Afternoonსაღამო[saghamo]
Eveningსაღამოსთავი[saghamosTavi]
Yesterdayგუშინ[gushin]
Todayდღეს[dges]
Tomorrowხვალ[khval]
1ერთი[erti]
2ორი[ori]
3სამი[sami]
4ოთხი[otkhi]
5ხუთი[khuti]
6ექვსი[ekvsi]
7შვიდი[shvidi]
8რვა[rva]
9ცხრა[tskhra]
10ათი[ati]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?სადაა...?[sadAa...?]
What's the address?რა არის მისამართი?[ra aris mismart'i?]
Can you show me (on the map)?შეიძინოთ (რუკაზე)?[sheidzinot (ruk'aze)?]
When's the next (bus)?როდის არის შემდეგი (ავტობუსი)?[rodis aris shemdegi (avtobusi)?]
A ticket (to ....)ბილეთი (სადაცთანაც)[bil'eti (sadats'Tanats)]

History of Tbilisi

Early Settlements and Iberian Tbilisi

The Tbilisi area has been inhabited since antiquity, benefiting from fertile river terraces and its position between routes crossing the Caucasus. The settlement belonged to the ancient Georgian kingdom of Kartli, known to classical writers as Iberia, although the precise circumstances of its early urban development are complex. Georgian tradition credits King Vakhtang I Gorgasali, who ruled in the fifth century, with recognising the strategic value of the sulphur springs and establishing Tbilisi as a royal centre. The springs themselves are the source of the city's name, derived from a Georgian word associated with warmth. Archaeological evidence and surviving topography point to a settlement that grew through trade, administration and its defensible position beside the Mtkvari River.

Arab Rule and the Medieval Kingdom

Arab forces captured Tbilisi in the eighth century, and the city subsequently became the seat of an Arab emirate whose influence extended across eastern Georgia. Despite political subordination, Tbilisi remained an important commercial and cultural centre, connecting the Islamic world with the Georgian lands and wider Caucasus. Georgian power expanded during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and King David IV, known as David the Builder, captured Tbilisi in 1122 and made it the capital of a strengthened Georgian kingdom. Under David and his successors, especially Queen Tamar, the city prospered within a period often described as Georgia's medieval golden age. Churches, civic structures and trade networks developed as Tbilisi became a principal centre of Georgian political life.

Invasions and Imperial Rivalries

Tbilisi's position made it prosperous but exposed. Mongol rule in the thirteenth century weakened the Georgian kingdom, and in the following centuries the city was repeatedly caught between the ambitions of Persian and Ottoman powers. It was sacked several times, including by the forces of Shah Abbas I of Persia in 1616, and its population and political institutions were repeatedly disrupted. Georgian kings restored elements of the city, but Tbilisi remained part of a contested frontier where military pressure, commerce and cultural exchange overlapped. The Old Town's churches, baths, caravan routes and varied religious heritage reflect this long interaction between Georgian, Armenian, Persian, Ottoman and other communities.

Russian Annexation and Nineteenth-Century Growth

The Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1801, bringing Tbilisi into a new imperial administrative system. During the nineteenth century, the city grew as the centre of Russian power in the South Caucasus and as a meeting point for merchants, intellectuals and communities from across the region. New roads, public institutions and European-influenced buildings extended the city beyond its older quarters. Rustaveli Avenue and the districts around Sololaki preserve much of this period's urban character, with grand façades, civic buildings and residential houses featuring elaborate balconies and courtyards. Tbilisi also became an important setting for Georgian literary and national movements, as modern ideas of Georgian cultural and political identity developed.

The First Republic and Soviet Transformation

Following the Russian Revolution, Georgia declared independence in 1918 and Tbilisi served as the capital of the Democratic Republic of Georgia until the Red Army invasion in 1921. Soviet rule then reshaped the city through centralised planning, industrial development and new housing, while preserving and adapting older districts for changing administrative and social uses. Tbilisi became the capital of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic and a major educational and cultural centre. Soviet architecture, broad avenues and public institutions were added to an urban fabric already marked by medieval, imperial and local traditions. The city also remained a focus of Georgian cultural expression, including the public demonstrations of 1978 against proposed changes to the status of the Georgian language.

Independence and Contemporary Tbilisi

Georgia restored its independence in 1991, with Tbilisi again serving as the national capital during a difficult period of political and economic transition. The city experienced conflict, infrastructure problems and rapid social change, followed by major urban renewal and increasing international links. The Rose Revolution of 2003, centred in Tbilisi, marked a decisive political turning point, while later decades brought new investment, restored heritage buildings, creative industries and a growing visitor economy. Contemporary Tbilisi continues to negotiate between preservation and redevelopment: historic courtyards, churches and bathhouses coexist with renovated factories, modern cultural venues and changing residential districts. Its present identity is therefore not a single historical style but the visible result of successive Georgian, regional, imperial and global influences.

Tbilisi in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Tbilisi, Georgia

Discover Tbilisi like never before with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more, all in one place.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details for each location
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Unlock the secrets of Tbilisi with Evendo, your comprehensive, free travel guide app. Plan, explore, and book your entire trip effortlessly. Download now!

  • Comprehensive travel essentials and history of Tbilisi
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Imagine stepping into the charming streets of Tbilisi, Georgia, with a personal guide at your fingertips. Evendo, an app-based travel guide, transforms your journey into an unforgettable adventure. Dive into Tbilisi's rich history by visiting iconic landmarks like the Narikala Fortress and the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Discover hidden gems and popular hotspots such as the bustling Rustaveli Avenue or the serene Mtatsminda Park. Savor authentic Georgian cuisine at renowned restaurants like Funicular and Shavi Lomi, ensuring your taste buds are as delighted as your eyes.

Evendo is designed to be your all-in-one travel companion. This 100% free app offers detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities. Each location comes with rich descriptions, captivating images, local tips, maps, and contact details, making your trip planning seamless. The app also allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly, eliminating the need for multiple searches and facilitating an effortless travel experience.

With Evendo, you also gain access to essential travel information, including the history of Tbilisi and practical travel tips. Navigate the city easily with the 'Near me' feature, which shows you nearby attractions and amenities. Curated local advice ensures you experience Tbilisi like a native, uncovering the best spots and avoiding tourist traps. Plus, the app's global coverage means you can explore over 7,000 other destinations worldwide, all from the convenience of your smartphone. Download Evendo today and make your Tbilisi adventure truly special!

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