The 21 Best Things to Do in Tbilisi

👉 Jump to: Best Things | Cultural Attractions | Parks & Museums | Unique Landmarks

I’ve lived among Georgia locals for several years and in this guide, I overview the absolute best things to do in Tbilisi.

This article captures the capital city’s unique combination of culture, history, cuisine, and hospitality. I share popular activities for every interest and budget, as well as hidden gems. Be sure to bookmark my guide on where to stay in Tbilisi for even more help planning your trip!

21 Best Things to Do in Tbilisi

Liberty Square

Kick off your Georgian adventures in the bustling city center of Tbilisi, Georgia.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Suggested Tbilisi Walking Tour

Liberty Square is Tbilisi’s city center and one of the best places to start your adventure. Here, traffic swirls around a huge fountain topped by a golden statue of St. George slaying a dragon. All around the square and up and down the narrow streets, you’ll find cafes, wine bars, and restaurants. Pay them a visit to experience Georgia’s unforgettable food and good company.

These features make Liberty Square the best area to stay in Tbilisi if you’re visiting for the first time. It’s also close to many of Tbilisi’s most famous attractions, like The Leaning Clock Tower and the National Botanical Garden.

👉 Local Tip: Many flights arrive at Tbilisi International Airport late at night. Buses at Tbilisi airport start at 7 am, so you may need a ride (don’t trust the random locals waiting around; they charge way too much!). Download the Bolt or Yandex Taxi apps to get the best prices.

Georgian Cuisine

Feast upon some of the heartiest, tastiest foods that you’ve never heard of before!

👉 Book a Georgian Cooking Class & Tasting

Georgian food is as unique as it is delicious. Khachapuri, a savory cheese bread, is the go-to street food. There are several regional varieties from around the country, but most are available throughout the city. 

Khinkali is the undisputed king of Georgian cuisine and an experience unto itself. These dumplings are made with a mix of beef or lamb. There are also vegetarian and vegan varieties with mushrooms or potatoes. 

There’s an art to eating khinkali, which is one of my essential Georgia travel tips. The best way is to flip it upside down, take a bite, and suck the juices out. Careful, though — it will be hot!

Other Georgian dishes are as good to eat as they are hard to pronounce (at first)! Chakapuli, a tarragon-heavy lamb stew, is my favorite. Kharcho is a hearty beef stew perfect for cold days. On a Tbilisi food tour, you’re sure to spot churchkhela, a string of walnuts covered in a mix of grape must and flour.

Georgian Wine

Sample wines from the birthplace of viticulture at one of the many wine bars.

👉 Book a Tbilisi Wine Tasting

Georgian wines are remarkable, and you don’t need to be a learned connoisseur to appreciate them. Recent archaeological discoveries and time-honored traditions alike point to Georgia as the birthplace of wine. Over 500 varieties of indigenous grapes grow here, so there’s an endless world of wine awaiting you!

Georgia uses a different naming system for its wines but has every variety you could want. Our friends at Eat This! Tours have a handy guide to Georgian wine that covers all the details.

👉 Local Tip: Georgia also has a locally distilled spirit, chacha, made from the skins and stems leftover from the wine-making process. Its ABV is 40-52% when commercially produced, but often higher when homebrewed in the villages. Consider yourself warned!

Mtatsminda Park

Get the best views of Tbilisi from this mountain-top park.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 11 am – 9 pm daily (amusement park area) | Entrance: free | 👉 City Highlights Guided Walking Tour

Mtatsminda Park is one of the best places to visit if you’re traveling with family. There’s a cable car, a funicular train, and a trail winding up the mountain, too, (if you need to burn off that khachapuri). Amusement park games and rides are great for kids and the park is a lovely place for a walk. From time to time, various expos are held here featuring Georgian wine and more.

The Mama Daviti Monastery and the Georgian Pantheon graveyard halfway up the mountain are also worth a visit. The views here are great, and the Pantheon has the graves of some of Georgia’s greatest poets, thinkers, and cultural leaders.

Narikala Fortress

Walk the walls of a 4th-century fortress that still stands on guard over Tbilisi.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm daily | 👉 Narikala Fortress and Old Tbilisi Tour

Narikala Fortress stands atop a hill and is another one of the best places in Tbilisi for great views. A cable car connects Narikala with Rike Park on the opposite bank of the Mtkvari. The fortress is accessible on foot, too. Paths lead up from the Abanotubani neighborhood and the National Botanical Garden.

The Mother Georgia Statue here is a beloved national symbol. In one hand, she holds a bowl of wine to welcome friends. In the other, she wields a sword to warn would-be foes. Take in the views here before continuing on your adventure.

Old Tbilisi (Tbilisi Old Town)

Wind your way along the rambling backstreets of Old Tbilisi.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book an Old Tbilisi Tour on Viator

The Old Town area exudes Old World charm. Walking here is one of my favorite things to do when visiting Tbilisi. Modern high-rise apartments give way to apartments surrounding rustic Italian courtyards. Wooden balconies overhang narrow cobblestone streets. Art Nouveau decor adorns many of the buildings. 

Betlemi Street in Old Town hides a house with colored stained glass windows. Not-so-hidden gems include the Great Synagogue and Sioni Cathedral. There are also quite a few sophisticated (if touristy) restaurants here, such as Restaurant Hide.

Cultural Attractions

Georgian Dance and Music

Forget the idea that folk dance and music are boring, thanks to Georgia!

Entrance: varies by venue | 👉 Book a Georgian Folk Show Tour

Georgia’s traditional dance and polyphonic music must be seen and heard to be believed. Haunting melancholy; heart-stirring heroism. Flawless grace; indomitable energy. All of these characterize the diverse dances and songs of Georgia. Each region in the country has its own unique manifestation of these qualities.

The best way to see a performance is to visit one of several “dinner-and-a-show” restaurants. These include Mravalzhamieri, Ethnographer, and Ethno Tsiskvili. Ethno Tsiskvili has a business-casual dress code, so make sure to bring (or buy) something a little nicer than old travel clothes.

Each of the restaurants features song and dance performances every night, often at or after 7 pm. Check with the restaurants to confirm precise times. Reservations are recommended, and available via the restaurants’ websites, Facebook pages, or phone.

👉 Local Tip: I recommend seeing professional groups such as the Sukhishvilebis (dance) and Erisioni (singing). Keep an eye on their Facebook pages for concert dates and locations. Locals can also help you track when and where the best performances are. Tkt.ge is another great spot to see what’s on.

Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba)

Marvel at the beauty of Georgia’s unique, sacred art traditions in this massive cathedral.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 7 am – 10 pm Mon – Fri, 7 am – 9 pm Sat & Sun | 👉 Tbilisi City Highlights Tour

Holy Trinity Cathedral is the main church of the Georgian Orthodox Church. It’s also one of the newer churches in the country, completed in 2004. The courtyard features fountains and several smaller chapels. The church is busiest during services on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings. 

Visiting Sameba is a must, even if you aren’t religious. You’ll find exquisite hand-painted and enamel icons, as well as other expressions of Georgian sacred art here.

There’s a dress code prohibiting shorts and tank tops for men and women, and asking that women cover their heads. Scarves and wraps are available for anyone to use at the kiosk at the southern entrance.

Opera and Ballet Theater

Enjoy an upscale, entertaining evening at this intricately-designed venue. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+995) 032 200 44 66 | Website | Hours: box office opens at 11 am daily, performances vary | Entrance: varies by age, seat location  | 👉 Theater Ticket & Guided Tour

Georgia’s Opera Theater proves that Georgians are quite adept at other forms of music outside of their own tradition. The lavish interior of this theater rivals the famous operas of major European cities. The singers themselves are quite talented, too. I’m no opera critic, but I loved their production of La Traviata (one of the more accessible operas if you’re new to the genre).

The theater also hosts ballet performances of Swan Lake and other classics. Note that Georgians also refer to their traditional dance performances as “ballet” (most often, “national ballet”). Check twice when booking tickets! 

There isn’t a strict dress code at the Opera and Ballet Theater, but locals do like to look good when coming here. Consider hitting up local stores for something a little more spruced-up.

Dry Bridge Market

Browse the most eclectic collection of goods in town at this flea market.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 11 am – 6 pm daily

Head to the Dry Bridge Market if you’re hunting for a truly unique souvenir. Here, you’ll find Soviet military memorabilia, antique drinkware, vintage cameras, and much more! You can also find a wide assortment of traditional Georgian handicrafts and art here.

This is the best place to go antiquing in Tbilisi, hands down. The merchants here only take cash, but there are ATMs at nearby banks. Authentic rugs are another great thing to pick up at this market. They may cost a little more to transport, but you can’t match the classiness they add to any room.

Bazaars

Hunt for the best deals on fresh produce and awesome fashions at Tbilisi’s bazaars.

Hours: varies by location | 👉 Dezerter Bazaar & Street Art Tour

Tbilisi has a few open-air markets besides the one at the Dry Bridge. One is west of Station Square. Another lies outside the Didube Metro Station, and another is within the northern neighborhood of Gldani. Farmers sell their all-natural crops, and fashionable clothing goes for lower prices than you’ll find at most outlet stores. Vendors only take cash, though.

Of course, most of the fab fashion logos you see hanging here are not authentic — but hey, who’s to know? You can get some smart-looking threads at prices that won’t leave your wallet smarting. I prefer traveling light to Tbilisi and picking up nicer clothes upon arrival for that special outing at a Georgian dinner-and-dance show or night at the opera.

Parks & Museums

Georgian National Museum

Explore the age-old history of the Georgian nation.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+995) 032 299 71 76 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Tues-Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: ₾ 40 adults & students, ₾ 15 seniors & children | 👉 Get Museum Tickets

The Georgian National Museum houses artifacts from throughout Georgia’s long history. The collection of intricate gold jewelry dates from the earliest years of civilization. Traditional attire, armor, and armaments from medieval Georgia adorn the halls elsewhere in the museum.

Georgia was an important trade partner of the most famous ancient empires. One look at the intricate gold artifacts will show you why. There are many other ancient attractions here. Coins from every era, Bronze Age inscriptions, and medieval church art all await visitors to this remarkable museum.

National Botanical Garden

Wander the winding paths in this oasis of diverse flora from around the world.

📍 Google Maps | Website (in Georgian) | Hours: 9 am – 6:30 pm daily | Entrance: ₾ 4 adults, ₾ 1 seniors and students ₾ 0.50 children 5 and under | 👉 Botanical Garden & Old Town Tour

Tbilisi Botanical Garden lies in the valley behind Narikala fortress, featuring flora from around the world. Come here for a stroll if you want to get away from the urban bustle. 

A compact Japanese Garden stands near the eastern entrance to the park. The waterfall is one of the highlights of the garden and a great place to stop for a while. There is also a small, but tranquil bamboo forest in the botanical garden.  

You’re sure to notice a building that looks like a moonbase from a retro sci-fi movie as you walk through the garden. This is the home of Georgia’s eccentric (and controversial) billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili.

👉 Read Next: Best Day Trips from Tbilisi

Georgian Museum of Fine Arts

See the best works of many of Georgia’s contemporary artists.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +995 591 68 00 00 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 7 pm Tues-Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: ₾ 30 adults, ₾ 15 students 6–18 | 👉 Museum Tickets & Unique Portrait

Georgians are a very artistic people. One of the best places to see works from contemporary artists is at the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts on Rustaveli Avenue. Several floors house a vast collection of paintings depicting everything from Biblical stories to vignettes from Georgian country life.

It’s a great place to pass a rainy day. There’s a cafe on the property, but the museum is also just up the hill from a wide variety of restaurants and eateries at Orbeliani Square.

MoMA Tbilisi (Museum of Modern Art)

Another must-see for art lovers in downtown Tbilisi, featuring the works of one of Georgia’s most prolific recent artists.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +995 322 98 60 04 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 6 pm Wed-Mon, Closed Tues | Entrance: ₾ 20

MoMA makes a great follow-up to the Museum of Fine Arts, but is worth a visit on its own as well. This museum focuses mostly on the works of one of the most prolific Georgian artists in recent years: Zurab Tsereteli. 

His works range from bright, whimsical paintings of people to imposing, otherworldly monuments and statues. The Chronicle of Georgia, standing on the outskirts of Tbilisi, is a work like no other on Earth and is a must-see.

The museum also hosts special exhibitions from time to time. An opening can make for a pleasant evening outing if you happen to be in town at the right time.

Rike Park

Unwind for a spell in this park in the center of the city.

📍 Google Maps  | 👉 Book Suggested Walking Tour

Rike (pronounced ree-kay) Park is another great place to see the best of central Tbilisi. You’ll also see some of Georgia’s most prominent examples of modern architecture, such as the Rike Park Concert Hall, the Tbilisi Peace Bridge, and the Tbilisi City Hall. The lower station of the cable car to Narikala sits on the eastern edge of the park.

Rike Park is perfect for families with children visiting Tbilisi. There are playgrounds and other kid-friendly attractions here. Crossing the Metekhi Bridge from the Old Town area is the easiest way to get to Rike Park for most visitors.

Open Air Ethnographic Museum

Explore the world of Georgian architecture at this hillside museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+995) 032 272 90 45 | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Tues-Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: ₾ 30 adults & students, ₾ 15 seniors & children | 👉 Book A Museum Tour

The Open Air Ethnographic is one of the best Tbilisi attractions to visit if you don’t have time to explore the rest of the country. Here, you can get a glimpse at Georgia’s many sub-regions. Each has its distinctive characteristics, reflected in everything from song and dance to architecture.

Traditional houses were adapted to their unique local microclimates. The humid western regions, as well as the arid eastern ones, favored airy, wooden farm homes. Each area had its own variations. The harsh mountains of Svaneti were more suited to tall stone towers, good for keeping the elements (and feuding clans) at bay.

👉 Local Tip: Adjara is the subtropical, coastal part of Georgia. The regional capital, Batumi, is also well worth adding to your itinerary for Georgia.

Unique Landmarks

Fabrika

Chill at Tbilisi’s principal hipster haven featuring retailers, eateries, and an on-site hostel.  

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (+995) 032 202 03 99 | Website | Hours: varies by venue/shop | 👉 Fabrika & Street Art Tour

Fabrika used to be a Soviet sewing factory. Now, it functions as the hippest hangout in town. Funky street art covers the walls here. Restaurants offer an eclectic array of cuisines, Georgian wine, and more. Boutique shops sell designer clothes and vinyl records. Fabrika Hostel & Suites offers affordable lodging and great opportunities to meet travelers and locals. 

Fabrika is a stone’s throw from the Marjanishvili Metro Station. The nearby Davit Agmashenebli Avenue has tons of great Georgian and Middle Eastern restaurants, too. I recommend Old Time and Ankara Style Restaurants. Turkish bakeries here offer baklava and a whole galaxy of delectable desserts.

Chronicle of Georgia

Step off the beaten path and deep into the epic history of the Georgian nation at this haunting monument.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: open 24 hours | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book Suggested Tour

The Chronicle of Georgia near the Tbilisi Sea conveys Georgia’s “otherness” like few other places in the country. It may model itself after Stonehenge, but walking here makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a world out of a fantasy novel. 

Images from Georgia’s past stand carved in stone. Icons of kings and queens, poets and apostles, the life of Christ, and the life of the Georgian nation all emanate a gravitas that defies words. Visiting this majestic memorial to Georgia’s long, heroic history is one of the most criminally underrated experiences in Tbilisi. 

The Leaning Clock Tower

Snap a selfie or stop in for a show at one of the most unique places in an already-unique city.

📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book Suggested Walking Tour

The leaning clock tower at the Gabriadze Puppet Theater shows the more whimsical side of Georgians’ artistic penchant. The theater features plays more geared toward adults, such as avant-garde art plays and adaptations of operas. Even if you don’t want to see a play, it’s still fun to check the place out on a walking tour.

There are also several super-cozy cafes nearby plus the historical Anchiskhati Basilica, Georgia’s oldest surviving church. The temple dates from the 6th century. It’s also known for the Anchiskhati Ensemble, a famous folk group that forms the choir here when not performing at concerts or on tour.

Tbilisi Sulphur Baths

Take a dip in the hot springs that gave Tbilisi its name. 

📍 Google Maps | Hours: varies by location | Entrance: varies by location | 👉 Book A Private Sulphur Bath Suite

Tbilisi’s sulfur baths have a significant place in the history of the city. The natural hot springs that fuel them gave the city its name (coming from the word tbili, meaning “warm”). Bathhouses stand here, offering a relaxing dip in the natural, warm waters. Several also offer massage treatments and private rooms.

The traditional way to bathe is in the buff. It has become more acceptable in recent times for women to wear a bathing suit and for men, their underwear. The private rooms are a good option for anyone uncomfortable with nudity. The price is higher, of course, but it won’t break most people’s banks with Georgia’s favorable exchange rate.

👉 Local Tip: Travelers from most Western countries can visit Georgia visa-free and stay for up to 1 year! You can reset the clock by leaving the country, even if just for a day.

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Thanks for reading my guide. Although Tbilisi is one of my favorite destinations, there are many other things to do in Georgia. Leave a comment for help planning your trip!