Georgia is a true hidden gem country with so much to offer visitors. From spectacular mountain scenery to vineyards and vibrant cities, Georgia should be on every traveller’s bucket list. Tbilisi is Georgia’s enchanting capital city and is full of unique architecture, delicious cuisine, fascinating history and a wide variety of things to see and do. Whether its ancient ruins and churches you seek or a young, buzzing city centre full of quirky cafés and cosy wine bars, Tbilisi has got you covered!
While you could easily spend a few weeks in Tbilisi, there is a lot that you can fit into 24 hours. Expat Explore has put together a guide to Tbilisi to help you make the most of your time in the capital!
Here are some of the top things to do in Tbilisi, Georgia:
Feel tiny at the Holy Trinity Cathedral
Tbilisi is home to many Georgian Orthodox churches as well as a number of Apostolic and Catholic churches. It would be impossible to visit all of Tbilisi’s churches in one day. However, there is one that stands out among the rest! Georgia’s largest church, and the third tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the world, is the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. This towering structure stands over 80m tall and is perched on top of Elia Hill. It was built between 1995 and 2004 and symbolises Georgia’s revival after the fall of the USSR.
Did you know? Tbilisi boasts a mix of religions and cultures! In addition to the Orthodox Christians, the city is also home to sizeable Jewish and Muslim communities which have been in Georgia for centuries. You can visit Georgian Orthodox, Armenian Gregorian, and Roman Catholic churches, a synagogue, a mosque, and a Zoroastrian temple all within a 5-minute walk of each other!
Wander around Old Tbilisi
The buildings in Old Tbilisi truly transport you back in time. As the former capital of Iberia, Tbilisi is one of the oldest cities in the world. This historical part of Tbilisi comprises a few different neighbourhoods and features architectural delights, charming restaurants and cafés, quirky sculptures and green spaces. Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding, many of the beautiful buildings in Old Tbilisi are not in the best condition. However, you can still clearly see the classical architectural styles and the dilapidated buildings somehow add to the charm.
While the best thing to do in Old Tbilisi is to simply wander around and get a bit lost, there are some top sights which should not be missed. The Gabriadze Clock Tower appears to be straight out of Alice in Wonderland, the dome-roofed sulphur baths are an ideal spot for a bit of relaxation and the views from Mtatsminda Park are unbeatable!
Explore the Narikala Fortress
The Narikala Fortress is an icon of the city. First built in the 4th century, the ruins of Narikala Fortress sit right atop the central part of Old Tbilisi. The best way to reach the fortress is by climbing the winding cobblestone streets to the top. There is so much to see tucked away in these little streets, from quaint souvenir shops to carts selling wine ice cream (yes, wine ice cream!). However, these streets are a tad steep, so for an easier way up, take the cable car! The cable car costs 2.5GEL (less than €1) and offers views all the way up.
Travel tip: The currency of Georgia is the Georgian Lari (GEL). 1GEL is about €0.35 or $0.37 making Georgia a very affordable destination!
Once at the top, you can get up close with the crumbling fortress walls and admire truly spectacular panoramic views of the city! Also at the top is the Mother of Georgia sculpture. This impressive sculpture watches over Tbilisi. She holds a bowl in one hand (for visitors) and a sword in the other (for enemies). She was first built in 1958 to celebrate the city’s 1500th anniversary. The original wooden sculpture was replaced with the current aluminium sculpture in 1997.
Pet a dog
Many visitors to Georgia might be surprised by the number of stray dogs around. Sadly, as a result of economic turndown and political turmoil, many dogs were left out on the street during the fall of the Soviet Union. However, these dogs are very well taken care of by locals. You might notice that most of the dogs have a little chip on their ear. This means that they have been spayed, neutered and given their necessary inoculations.
Restaurants will often give leftover food to the stray dogs and many of the dogs become important fixtures of the neighbourhoods they frequent. Most of the dogs are very tame and friendly and will gladly accept a pet or belly rub!
Taste local cuisine
Georgian food offers a wide range of culinary delights! Walking down literally any street in Tbilisi, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants to choose from. Georgia’s national dish is khachapuri, an indulgent, cheese-filled, boat-shaped bread. This is comfort food like no other! Another beloved Georgian staple is khinkali, a soup dumpling usually filled with spiced minced meat. This is one of the most affordable dishes in Georgia with most restaurants selling a portion of six for under 2 GEL (under €2)!
There are plenty of vegetarian options when eating at a local Georgian restaurant. Lobio is a flavourful dish of generously spiced kidney beans, pkhali are kind of like vegetable patés and ajapsandali are a spicy blend of eggplant, peppers and tomato. However, meat-eaters will also be pleased to know that Georgians love beef, lamb and pork in the form of kebabs, skewers and stews!
Related: Along with khachapuri, these are the top 10 vegetarian dishes around the world!
Visit a museum or gallery
Georgia is so rich in history yet very little is known about it in other parts of the world. For a deeper insight into this fascinating history, a visit to the Museum of Georgia is highly recommended. Be sure to visit the Archeological Treasury which displays priceless jewellery, ornaments and weaponry dating back to the Middle Bronze Age. On the top floor is the Soviet Occupation Exhibition Hall which documents Georgia’s years as a Soviet Republic. Another unique Tbilisi museum to visit is the Tbilisi Wine Museum. Here, a knowledgeable guide will take you underground and through the history of Georgian winemaking.
Throughout restaurants and souvenir shops in Tbilisi you’re bound to see the work of two famous Georgian artists, Niko Pirosmani and Irakli Parjiani. The National Gallery is almost completely dedicated to these two primitivist painters. The Art Palace is another beautiful museum dedicated to the arts with exhibitions on Georgian theatre, cinema, ballet, music and more.
Travel tip: When wandering around Tbilisi, keep your eyes peeled for street art! From powerful political art and large-scale pieces on the side of buildings to quirky and romantic artworks hidden in corners, Tbilisi’s streets are a gallery in themselves!
Try Georgian wine
Did you know that Georgia is the oldest wine-producing region in the world? In fact, winemaking in Georgia dates back at least 8,000 years! From Tbilisi, a day trip to the winemaking region of Kakheti is one of the best ways to learn about Georgian wine – and to taste it! However, you can get plenty of delicious Georgian wine right in Tbilisi. Wine bars are all over the city and many offer free tastings.
Unlike other old-world winemaking methods, Georgian wine is made using Kveri clay pots. These pots are stored underground – some of which for up to 50 years! This unique method was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2013. You won’t find any Sauvignon Blanc or Merlot in Georgia, they have their own grape varieties. Instead, try Saperavi, a deep red, or Rkatsiteli, Georgia’s most popular white. If you’re feeling adventurous, give Chacha, a Georgian pomace Brandy which ranges between 50-85% alcohol, a try!
Related: Keen to learn more about Georgia? Take a look at these fun facts!
Excited to hit those Tbilisi streets and start exploring? Join our Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia tour and spend three nights in Georgia’s capital city! Look forward to an unforgettable adventure complete with spectacular nature, fascinating history, unique cultures and much more.