What to see in Tbilisi: Top attractions with descriptions and photos | The Guide Club

Tbilisi is one of the most interesting cities in the Caucasus. The capital of Georgia was founded in 455, and over the past centuries, many historical attractions have accumulated here. Ancient architectural monuments are complemented by impressive modern structures. If you love nature, you can admire the beautiful mountains, lakes and waterfalls without leaving the city. Next, we will tell you where to go in Tbilisi and which of the sights to see first. It is worth taking at least two, preferably three days to explore the city. Reveal the content

Sights of old Tbilisi

It will take at least one day to see only the most important sights of Tbilisi. Most of the historical buildings are concentrated in the Old Town. This is a small area in the south-east of Tbilisi, on both banks of the Kura River. It is called a wonderful casket — there are so many ancient buildings, brick-paved streets, cozy courtyards, stairs, monuments and cafes with Georgian cuisine. Something interesting is found at every step. Although express tours last only a couple of hours, it is easier to enjoy the charm of this place during a calm and leisurely walk. Let’s tell you in more detail what of the sights of Tbilisi you can see in the Old City.

Sulfur baths of Abanotubani

The route of the sights of the Old City in Tbilisi can be built in a circle, and it is difficult to find any main point in it. But starting with a complex of baths on sulfur springs is a good idea, because according to legend, the city was founded at these springs. It is believed that Prince Vakhtang Gorgasali discovered them while hunting. He liked the hot springs so much that he ordered to arrange baths for recreation in their place. Then the baths grew into a quarter, and the quarter became a city and received the status of the capital instead of Mtskheta. This story is reflected in the name of Tbilisi, which means “Warm spring”.

Sulfur baths are located in low old buildings with domes in Oriental style. Some of them are very beautiful, decorated with blue tiles. You can take impressive photos against their background if you come early, when there is still no flow of tourists. And in the evening, it’s good to relax in the baths after an eventful day, especially if you come in the cold season. Baths with water from deep underground springs have a beneficial effect on health. Massage and scrub services are available.

Legvtakhevi, or Fig Gorge

If you come to Tbilisi, then right in the middle of the city you can walk along the picturesque gorge with a waterfall. It is easily accessible by a path from the sulfur baths. Just five minutes from the bustling streets, you can enjoy the silence, coolness and sounds of nature. The Tsavkisis mountain river flows along the bottom of the gorge with high steep cliffs. It is quite shallow, except for the period of high water. But the 22-meter-high Legvtakhevi waterfall is beautiful in any season. It is calm and refreshing in summer, stormy in spring and autumn. In winter, the waterfall can freeze and turn into an ice column.

Narikala Fortress

This fortress on the rocky river bank is one of the attractions that you must see in the Old City of Tbilisi. It is as ancient as the capital itself, the first mention of it dates back to the time of the Byzantine Empire. In the late Middle Ages, the fortress was rebuilt and turned into an impregnable citadel with its own water supply system. No one knew where the pipes lay, even during the reconstruction in 1827 they were not found. It was only during the Soviet period that builders accidentally managed to discover them.

By now, most of the fortress complex has been destroyed, but the high walls and the church inside have been preserved. Impressive panoramas of Tbilisi can be seen from any part of Narikala.

Meydan Square, or Vakhtang Gorgasali

There was once a large market in the historical part of the Old Town. The streets radiating from it served as shopping malls. When you get to know the sights of Tbilisi, you will surely get to this square on the way. This is a convenient moment to relax and enjoy Georgian cuisine in a good cafe. There is an underground market on the square where you can buy souvenirs. Wine, cheese, churchkhela, spices, handmade products and much more are sold here.

Chardeni Pedestrian Street

In the XVII century, the famous traveler Jean Chardin visited Western Georgia and Tiflis, as Tbilisi was then called. Chardin later wrote detailed travel memoirs and published several volumes. These volumes have become reliable sources in the study of the history and culture of the Eastern states, and stories about Georgia have found a place in them. That is why, in honor of the French traveler, they decided to name a pedestrian street in Tbilisi, which is compared to the Moscow Arbat.

All the ground floors on Shardeni Street are occupied by boutiques, restaurants, cafes and bars. There is always a festive atmosphere here, live music is played in the evening. The famous local landmark is the sculpture “Tamada”. It is a 17-fold enlarged copy of the figurine found by archaeologists. The original figurine, which is almost three millennia old, can be seen in the National Museum of Georgia.

Mother Georgia Monument

The twenty-meter-high statue on top of Sololaki Hill has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Tbilisi. The monument depicts a statuesque woman who greets guests with a cup of wine. But she has a sword in her other hand, so that if necessary she can fight back against her enemies. Mother Georgia appeared at this place in 1958 on the occasion of the 1500th anniversary of the city. At first it was wooden, later it was sheathed in aluminum. In 1997, the statue was completely renovated, the design also changed a little. It is located a few minutes’ walk from the Narikala Fortress.

Sololaki district

At the turn of the XIX-XX centuries, this area in the heart of Tbilisi was considered elite. It was actively built up with large private houses made of wood, decorated with carvings and stained glass windows. Gradually, a real treasury of Caucasian architectural Art Nouveau was formed here. Many of the old houses have been preserved and are now being restored. Stained glass windows look especially impressive in the morning on a sunny day. The inner front doors are covered with bright colored spots, you can take extraordinary photos.

Sololaki district is a five-minute walk from Meydan Square. It is better to come with a guide so as not to miss the most beautiful houses and get acquainted with their history.

Zion Cathedral

Founded in the 7th century, the cathedral was until recently the main Orthodox church in the country. It was repeatedly destroyed, but then it was restored. The last restoration work took place in the 1980s. The main relic of the cathedral is considered to be the cross of St. Nina. According to legend, she arrived in Georgia from Rome in the IV century and brought Christianity to the country. Zion Cathedral is also interesting because Alexander Griboyedov was married here with his bride, Georgian Princess Nino Chavchavadze.

Gudiashvili Square

Gudiashvili Square, reconstructed in 2018, is another landmark on the map of Tbilisi. It is small, surrounded on all sides by tall trees and ancient Art Nouveau buildings. In the center there is a fountain with an unusual sculpture. It is cool here in the shade on a summer day, and beautiful lighting works in the evening. In this square, you can feel as if you have been transported to Europe for a short time. There is a good cafe nearby.

Bethlehem Street, or Bethlehem

Tbilisi is located in a hilly area, and there are streets almost entirely made up of stairs. A 300-meter staircase of the XIX century with 120 steps also stretches along Betlemi Street. On its top and in the middle part there are two temples, these are the Upper and Lower Bethlehem churches. A convent is now operating in the Upper Church. Climbing the stairs is steep and can be difficult on a hot day. But there is a beautiful view from the height.

Freedom Square

This square in Tbilisi has about the same importance as the Red Square in Moscow. It began to form in the 19th century, but most of the buildings around it are from the Soviet period. They are occupied by various government agencies. For example, the National Bank, which has a museum of money accessible to everyone. The exhibition includes coins from the Caucasus countries from antiquity to the present day.

The main attraction is located in the center of the square. This is a statue of George the Victorious piercing a dragon with a spear. The monument was created by Zurab Tsereteli and opened in 2006. The sparkling 5-meter figure of the horseman is made of bronze and covered with gold. A tall column serves as its pedestal. The total height of the composition is 33 meters, so the monument can be seen from afar. St. George the Victorious is considered the patron saint of Georgia.

Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theatre

10 minutes from Freedom Square, you can see the fabulous clock tower, this is another unusual sight of Tbilisi. There is a window with doors in the upper part of the tower, and every hour an angel appears from there, hitting the bell with a hammer. And at noon and at seven in the evening, a whole mini-performance with mechanical puppets takes place on the roof.

The tower appeared in 2010, it is part of the marionette theater that has been operating here for a long time. Performances take place there almost every day. Although they are in Georgian, we still recommend including them in the list of things worth seeing in Tbilisi with children. But there are many people who want to get to the theater, so you need to buy tickets online in advance — at least a week in advance, and even earlier at the height of the tourist season. Even if you don’t go to the performance, it’s worth looking at the “Theater Tower” and taking a picture against its background.

Anchiskhati Cathedral

An ascetic stone church is located near the Theater Square with a leaning tower. It was built in the VI century and is considered the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi. The name “Anchiskhati” was received in the XVII century in honor of the Anchi Cathedral. An ancient icon was moved from it to this church during the Ottoman invasion. Now the Anchi Cathedral is located in Turkey, and the original icon is kept in the Historical Museum of Georgia.

In addition to its historical value, Anchiskhati Cathedral is famous for its choir of singers. They perform ancient church chants in a unique polyphonic style that originated in Georgia in pre-Christian times. The best moment to hear the choir is the end of Sunday morning service.

The Bridge of Peace

The top attractions of Tbilisi invariably include a 156-meter pedestrian bridge connecting the Old City with modern areas. The unusual glass and metal construction is often found in photos and souvenirs of Georgia. In the evening, the Peace Bridge appears in a new light thanks to the unique illumination of 30,000 lanterns. They shimmer in different colors and use Morse code to transmit the name of one of the chemical elements every hour. These are the elements that are necessary for the structure of the human body. So the creators of the concept wanted to emphasize that people of all countries and nationalities are united and inextricably linked with the outside world.

Rike Park and observation deck

It is worth crossing the Peace Bridge to the left bank of the Kura River, and you will find yourself in Rike Park. This coast is more gentle compared to the right one, hence the name: Rike means “Flat coast”. It is a beautiful park area with singing fountains, benches, paved paths, playgrounds and other facilities. The park was established in 2010, and the trees have not yet grown enough to provide coolness in the summer heat. But if there is no heat, this is a good place to relax both during the day and in the evening. There is an observation deck next to the park, which is worth climbing. You can also take a cable car to Narikala Fortress from here.

Cable car

One of the interesting and inexpensive attractions of Tbilisi is the cable car passing over the picturesque areas of the city. The view is especially spectacular in the evening, when numerous lights are reflected in the river water. The line connects Rike Park below and the Mother Georgia Monument on the hill. You can drive in both directions. It is convenient to pay for the trip with the same transport card that is used for the subway.

In Soviet times, a factory operated in Tbilisi, which provided cable cars to the entire USSR. At that time, there were more than 70 passenger lines operating in Georgia, most of them have already been closed. Abandoned cable car stations are becoming popular tourist attractions. Now there are two operating cable cars in Tbilisi, and they are still working on the old equipment. The second line leads to Turtle Lake.

Metekhi Temple

Connoisseurs of beautiful architecture should not miss the Metekhi Temple, which stands picturesquely on a cliff above the Kura River. It is believed that it was first built in the 5th century, and then rebuilt after destruction at the end of the 13th century. According to legend, Saint Shushanik, revered in Georgia, who also lived in the 5th century, is buried in the temple. She was a queen and became famous for maintaining her faith despite all the torments to which her husband condemned her, who renounced Christianity for the sake of an alliance with the Persians.

In the 1930s, the church was miraculously not demolished. The protests that cost some participants their lives helped to defend it. At various times, the building housed a prison camp, a museum repository, and a youth theater. In 1988, the church was returned to the church.

The Palace of Queen Darejan

Another name for this palace is Sachino, which means “noble”. It was built at the end of the XVIII century for the wife of Tsar Heraclius II. Since those times were very turbulent, the building with high stone walls can be mistaken for a fortress. But there is one difference: a beautiful round balcony made of carved wood, offering a wonderful view of the Old Town and other areas of Tbilisi. Now there is a convent in this palace complex, but tourists are allowed to visit. There is a church, a gift shop and a garden, from which nuns can be heard singing during Sunday services.

Monument to the heroes of the film Mimino

Another attraction of Tbilisi is the sculpture group created by Zurab Tsereteli. She portrays three of the most colorful characters in the film, and behind them is the figure of director George Danelia. The monument was erected in 2011. If you like the movie “Mimino”, the monument will also evoke warm feelings. Besides, it’s a great place for photos. There is a garden nearby, blooming in summer, various cafes and restaurants.

Tsminda Sameba Cathedral

Completed in 2004, the church became the tallest in Georgia, and it ranks third among all Orthodox churches in the world. Its height from the ground to the cross is 77 meters. To make the structure earthquake-resistant, a large underground floor was added, and the foundation now rests on the rock. Together with the underground floor, the height of the temple exceeds 100 meters. Since Tsminda Sameba is also located on a high hill, its golden dome can be seen from everywhere. Illumination is provided at night. The interior is decorated with marble and gold to match the luxurious appearance.

Sights of Mtatsminda Mountain

If you find yourself in the capital of Georgia in the hot summer, you can take a break from the heat on Mtatsminda Mountain. The temperature here is always a few degrees lower than below. The name means “Holy Mountain” in translation. There is an observation deck with a panoramic 360-degree view of Tbilisi. The city spread out below looks especially beautiful at dusk. Entertainment and attractions can be found on the mountain.

Mtatsminda Funicular

In addition to cable cars, there is a funicular in Tbilisi, built back in 1905 and which became the first in the Russian Empire. His path stretched for almost 730 meters. In 2013, the funicular and its stations were updated, so now it is a comfortable modern transport. During the ascent, you can admire the beautiful views from the trailer. Upstairs is the Funicular Cafe, where you can eat delicious donuts while looking at the scenery from the large windows. You can descend from the mountain in the same way or on foot along the path that leads to the central streets of Tbilisi.

Bombora Amusement Park

This is one of the best attractions in Tbilisi if you are traveling with children. The green park is located on the flat top of Mtatsminda. There are many children’s attractions, cozy cafes and places to relax. A special mention should be made of the large Ferris wheel with comfortable cabins, which have air conditioning. You can also come to Bombora in winter, when an ice rink replaces some of the attractions.

The Pantheon of Mtatsminda

Halfway to the top of Mtatsminda there is a necropolis where the most famous writers, poets, artists, artists and scientists of Georgia are buried. Among them is the Russian writer Alexander Griboyedov. He was the first to be buried in this pantheon, which was opened on the 100th anniversary of his death in 1929. Here you can see many unique tombstones created by the best sculptors of the country. These works of art look especially beautiful in combination with the natural landscapes surrounding the pantheon.

Natural sights of Tbilisi

There are many natural sites among the sights of Tbilisi and its surroundings. These are parks, mountains, lakes and rivers. They bring special joy on summer days when you want silence and coolness. We will tell you where to go if you have already walked through the streets with architectural monuments and want to get some fresh air.

The Botanical Garden

Right in the middle of Tbilisi there is an ancient botanical garden, built back in 1845. But in fact, the gardens at this place appeared even earlier, apparently in the XVII century. Jean Chardin’s memoirs already have a description of them. On an area of 128 Hectares, 3,500 species of plants from different parts of the earth are collected. Here you will see many trees, fragrant flowers, mountain grasses, streams and ponds with frogs. The garden also has its own waterfall, even more impressive than in the Legvtakhevi gorge.

You can go on a picnic to the Botanical Garden and spend half a day or even the whole day here. But you need to take food and everything you need with you, there is no cafe here. There are only benches and vending machines with drinks.

Vake Park and Turtle Lake

The park, which covers an area of 200 hectares, was founded in 1946. It fell into disrepair in the 1990s, but in recent years has begun to revive. On its territory there is Turtle Lake, a popular place to relax in summer. If you want to swim, sunbathe on the beach or go on a catamaran, this is the right place. Many people come here with children. The park has fountains, playgrounds and cafes. The lake is located at a distance of 800 meters from the entrance, but you can get directly to the shore by cable car from Chavchavadze Avenue.

Lake Lisi

About 15 km west of the city is one of the most beautiful natural attractions of Tbilisi. It is a picturesque lake surrounded by fragrant pine trees. The Mediterranean climate reigns on its shores, and it is a favorite place for family holidays among residents of Tbilisi. Wild ducks and other waterfowl live in the lake, they can be fed. There are conditions for outdoor activities and boating. A cafe with live music, its own sauna complex with sulfur baths, a children’s and adult rope camp — there is something for everyone here.

Tbilisi Sea

In 1952, a large reservoir was created in the northeast of Tbilisi, which was nicknamed the Tbilisi Sea. Its maximum depth reaches 45 meters. The main task of the reservoir is to provide the capital with water, but it is also a popular recreation area in the summer months. There are equipped and wild beaches on the shore, there is a water park with pools, attractions and a SPA complex. Fishing enthusiasts will also appreciate this place.

Other attractions

There are so many interesting things in the capital of Georgia that it is impossible to tell about everything in one article. Let’s briefly list a few more sights of Tbilisi with a name and description.

• Memorial complex “Chronicle of Georgia”. This monumental monument is located on the shore of the Tbilisi Sea. Zurab Tsereteli has been working on it for almost two decades. Although the complex remained unfinished, the composition of sixteen 35-meter columns with bas-reliefs looks impressive.
• David Agmashenebeli Avenue. This avenue began to be actively built up in the 19th century with European-style mansions and acquired similarities with Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg. Now the beautiful old houses have been restored. You can admire them while walking along the pedestrian part of the avenue.
• Rustaveli Avenue. There are numerous “ceremonial” buildings on the main city highway: theaters, hotels, museums, temples, parliament and the Academy of Sciences. This is a good place for shopping and exploring the sights of the center of Tbilisi.
• Georgian National Museum. There are countless exhibits related to the history of the country — from the oldest fossils to the period of the USSR. Of particular interest is the gold fund: coins, jewelry and Bronze Age cups from the Trialet mounds.
• The Ethnographic Museum. In terms of the number of nationalities and languages, the Caucasus region is considered the second in the world after Papua New Guinea. You can get an idea of the culture of the peoples of Georgia in the open-air museum. Traditional houses from different parts of the country and thousands of household items are collected here.
• Tabori Monastery. A small monastery rises high above the surrounding areas, but few people get to this landmark of the city of Tbilisi. There is a beautiful view from the observation deck at the temple, and you can enjoy it almost in solitude.
• The Dry Bridge flea Market. If you like vintage items, antiques and unusual souvenirs, come to this market for them. Here you can find antique coins, books, maps, medals, vinyl records, Christmas tree toys and much more.
• The deserter market. In the 1920s, a spontaneous market was formed at this place, where soldiers who returned from the Civil War sold uniforms and other things. Then the market became a farmer’s market, and now it is a popular place for shopping, where you can buy anything.

If you are staying in Tbilisi, you can see the sights of other Georgian cities, leaving in the morning and returning in the evening. Day trips to Mtskheta, Borjomi, Stepantsminda and other places are possible. The most convenient way to get to know the main sights of Tbilisi and the surrounding area is to book an appropriate tour. There are many such offers on the Guide Club’s website. Choose the right one among them, and you will have a wonderful vacation in Georgia!

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