Tbilisi is the capital and largest city of Georgia, a 1,500-year-old city strung along the Mtkvari River between steep hills in the South Caucasus. Its crooked Old Town of carved wooden balconies, sulfur bathhouses, Orthodox churches and hillside fortress sits beside Art Nouveau boulevards, Soviet-era landmarks and a fast-growing café, wine-bar and club scene. Visitors come for Georgian food and natural wine, easy day trips to monasteries and mountains, and some of the lowest prices of any European capital.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Tbilisi.
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- Lakeside cafes and kiosks in summer
- Water-sports rental stands (SUP, pedal boats)
- Parking along the shore road
- Picnic areas
- No lifeguards at most informal spots
Tbilisi Sea (Tbilisi Reservoir) Shore
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- Lakeside cafes
- Walking path around the lake
- Picnic lawns
- Pedal boat rental in season
- Paid parking
Lisi Lake Shore
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- Lakeside cafes
- Boardwalk path
- Cable car from Vake Park
- Picnic lawns
- Toilets near the cafes
Turtle Lake Shore
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- Roadside cafes and wine stalls
- Parking at the fortress
- Picnic spots
- Photo viewpoints
Zhinvali Reservoir Shore at Ananuri
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- Private rooms with sulfur bath
- Shared pools in some baths
- Massage and scrub services
- Towels and sheets provided
- Cafes nearby
Abanotubani Sulfur Bath District
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- Sunbeds and umbrellas for rent
- Beachfront cafes and bars
- Water-sports rental
- Showers and toilets
- Lifeguard posts in season
Batumi Beach and Boulevard
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- Sunbeds and umbrellas for rent
- Seafront cafes and guesthouses
- Showers and changing cabins
- Playgrounds for children
Kobuleti Beach
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- Beachside guesthouses
- Cafes and snack stands
- Sunbed hire
- Showers
- Mud and sand treatments in some sanatoriums
Ureki Magnetic Sand Beach
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- Boardwalk and promenade
- Beach cafes
- Sunbed hire
- Showers
- Guesthouses within walking distance
Anaklia Sea Beach
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- Beach cafes
- Sunbed rental
- Guesthouses nearby
- Showers
Sarpi Beach
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.