Get to know Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi

Tbilisi proudly lives up to its reputation as Georgia’s warm and welcoming capital. Known for its indulgent cuisine and legendary hospitality, visitors can count on being wined and dined by friendly locals. The name “Tbilisi” even translates to “warm place”, a fitting description for the city’s vibrant spirit. Bustling yet still relatively undiscovered, Georgia’s capital offers a rich blend of culture, flavor, and charm. This Tbilisi travel guide is your key to experiencing it all.

Get to know Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi

Tbilisi is rising in popularity with travelers, and rightly so. Located at the crossroads between East and West, the city has a fascinating mix of influences, most notably apparent in its collage of diverse architecture and a glorious food culture.  Read on as we unpack the eternal charms of this Caucasus gem.

Step back in time

Founded in the 4th century, Tbilisi boasts a long and storied history, one it wears proudly. The winding streets of the Old Town are lined with colorful, timeworn houses, their balconies draped in grapevines and doors opening into charming courtyards. It’s a fantastic place to wander for a few hours, admiring the architecture and chatting with street vendors who gather daily to sell fresh fruits and vegetables from the surrounding countryside—an essential stop in any Tbilisi travel guide.

To catch a glimpse of the city’s ancient past, just look up. Sitting on a hill above the city, and accessible by cable car or a scenic footpath, is the Narikala Fortress. At over 1,700 years old, the fortress was expanded by Arab rulers in the 7th century and later by David the Builder, Georgia’s most revered monarch, in the 11th century. Though partially in ruins today, its ramparts offer stunning panoramic views of the city. Just a short walk along the ridge leads you to the iconic Mother of Georgia statue, an essential stop for any visitor.

Back in the heart of the city, Tbilisi offers a variety of excellent museums. The Museum of Georgia provides a comprehensive look at the nation’s history, while several smaller museums focus on specific aspects of Georgian culture. The Tbilisi Wine Museum is a must for wine lovers, and the Underground Printing House offers a fascinating glimpse into the country’s revolutionary past. Don’t miss the State Silk Museum either, housed in one of the city’s most beautiful historic buildings and dating back to the late 1800s.

Eat like a local in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi

With its cobbled streets shaded by sprawling grapevines and delicious, inviting aromas following you pretty much everywhere you go, it’s no wonder that Tbilisi is considered one of the best cities for foodie travelers. There’s no shortage of quaint cafes and charming restaurants, all serving up traditional Georgian cuisine. Don’t miss adjaruli khachapuri (a bread boat filled with melted cheese and topped with a soft fried egg), khinkali (traditional dumplings in meat or mushroom variety) and lobio (refried beans in a chili and cilantro sauce). 

To get a good look at the raw ingredients of Georgian cuisine, head to the rough and ready Deserter’s Market. This is where the city’s chefs and households shop for fresh herbs and spices, seasonal fruits and veg, nuts, dairy and meat. You’ll likely see piles of walnuts and pomegranates, big bunches of dill, tubs of creamy yoghurt and cuts of lamb. These ingredients point to the strong Persian influence on many of the classic dishes of Georgia. 

The Old Town is generally considered the best district for sampling Georgian food; Kafe Leila is a great lunchtime spot while Abajuri’s balcony and wine terrace is the perfect place to while away the evening. Barbarestan is particularly interesting for culinary historians, with its main menu based on a classic Georgian cookbook. For a modern twist on traditional dishes, try Maema or Shavi Lomi. To get really stuck in, consider including a food tour and/or cooking class in your trip – our local Tblisi experts will know just the right place.

Afterdark in Tbilisi

For music lovers, Tbilisi has a wonderful selection of cafes and bars where you can watch local performers. Amqari and The Movement Theatre are both good options, offering a mix of traditional Georgian music and popular jazz. If you’re looking for some post-dinner entertainment, Cafe Kala is a musical hotbed which attracts jazz lovers from all over the city.

For a taste of Georgian folk music and dance, it’s often best combined with dinner at one of the city’s traditional restaurants. There are many options for a night out celebrating Georgia’s cuisine and cultural heritage in tandem. Have a chat with a local expert to ask for up-to-date recommendations or a reservation. 

At the other end of the musical scale, Tbilisi is a top destination for techno enthusiasts. The club scene here is exuberant and inclusive with many LGBTQ+ nights in the mix. Some of the top clubs are Left Bank, the internationally renowned Bassiani and the cavernous Khidi club.

Take it easy in Tbilisi’s healing baths

Land of food, wine and bubbling hot springs, Tbilisi cannot and will not be rushed. It’s a perfect place to wander, stopping in cafes and wine bars as you go to watch the world go by. The botanical gardens are worth a stroll and, of course, no trip would be complete without a visit to the famous sulphur baths. These waters, widely believed to have healing properties, are also rumored to be the prime reason settlers chose Tbilisi in the first place. If you want to experience them for yourself, there are five public bathhouses clustered in the Abanotubani district.

Discover an ancient wine culture

In keeping with this relaxed pace of life, Tbilisi residents love to round off their evenings (or afternoons) with a glass of local wine. And they’ve been doing so in this region for over 8,000 years—that’s how far back Georgia’s wine heritage stretches. This is one of the world’s first centers for wine-making, and many of the vineyards here specialize in natural wines created using traditional methods, something you’ll often find highlighted in any good Tbilisi travel guide.

With such a dizzying array of choice on offer, your best bet is to bar-hop on a wine-tasting tour. For a great experience, head to Vino Underground; an organic wine bar which showcases the best of local produce. To delve deeper into the world of wine, discuss a vineyard tour with your local expert, many of Georgia’s top wineries are within easy reach of the city. 

Read more: Discover why Georgia is the birthplace of wine

Follow the art trail

Despite its recent turbulent history, or perhaps even because of it, Tbilisi boasts a vibrant and engaging art scene. There’s no shortage of galleries that are well worth visiting, including MoMA Tbilisi, the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts and CCA Tbilisi. For a smaller, independent gallery experience visit The Why Not Gallery, Gallery 4710 or Gallery Artbeat.

One destination in particular has become a more grassroots hotspot for local artists – The Dry Bridge Flea Market. The market itself is home to a dizzying array of Soviet memorabilia, musical instruments, ceremonial weapons and pretty much anything else you can imagine. Open 10am to 5pm every day, it’s a unique and wonderful place to while away an hour or two. But it has also become a makeshift gallery for local artists; the fences of the market’s neighboring park now awash with colorful paintings and icons. 

Make it happen

If our Tbilisi travel guide has got you ready to wander Tbilisi’s cobblestone streets and experience its rich history and vibrant culture for yourself, then get in touch with our local experts and start customizing your next grand adventure.