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About Tbilisi
Tbilisi lies at about 400-600 m above sea level in a valley along the Mtkvari River, with Narikala Fortress and the Kartlis Deda statue watching over the Old Town from the ridge. The city was founded in the 5th century, according to legend after King Vakhtang Gorgasali found hot springs on the site, and the sulfur baths of Abanotubani are still in use today. The compact historic core around Sololaki, Kala, Avlabari and Betlemi can be walked in a day, while Rustaveli Avenue connects Freedom Square to the Opera House, museums and the Rustaveli Theatre. Across the river, the modern Bridge of Peace, Rike Park and the Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral show the city's newer face, and creative neighbourhoods such as Vera, Vake, Fabrika and Chugureti fill with cafés, galleries and natural-wine bars. Georgian food, including khachapuri, khinkali, mtsvadi and pkhali, is the other main draw, as are easy day trips to Mtskheta, Kakheti wine country, Kazbegi and the cave city of Uplistsikhe.
- Capital
- Tbilisi
- Largest city
- Tbilisi
- Population
- ~1.2 million
- Languages
- Georgian (official), English (common among younger people and in tourism), Russian (widely understood by older residents)
- Currency
- Georgian Lari (GEL)
- Time zone
- Georgia Standard Time (UTC+4, no daylight saving)
Explore Tbilisi by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Tbilisi
The 21 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Mother of Georgia (Kartlis Deda)
Tbilisi Cable Car (Rike Park to Narikala)
Abanotubani Sulfur Baths (Chreli Abano and Orbeliani Baths)
Bridge of Peace (Mshvidobis Khidi)
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (Sameba)
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Tbilisi Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Tbilisi, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Tbilisi
- Days 1-2Tbilisi city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Tbilisi
- Days 1-3Tbilisi comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Tbilisi, departure
Where to stay in Tbilisi
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget GEL 90-130 (~$35-50)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range GEL 260-370 (~$100-140)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury GEL 650+ (~$250+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Rooms Hotel Tbilisi
Rooms Hotel Tbilisi occupies a converted Soviet-era publishing house in the Vera district and is one of the city's best-known design hotels. Leather headboards, writing desks and chandeliers fill the guest rooms, while The Kitchen restaurant, Bar Room and Garden Bar make the building a social hub. It holds a Michelin Key and Design Hotels membership.
Check rates on Booking.comStamba Hotel
Stamba Hotel shares a Brutalist former printing house with Rooms Hotel Tbilisi in Vera and is often named among Georgia's most stylish places to stay. Rooms combine leather headboards, brass fixtures and deliberately aged textures, and the building wraps around a garden. Cafe Stamba and a bar are on site, and the metro is a short walk away.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi
The Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi stands on Rustaveli Avenue in the former IMELI building, close to Parliament, the Rustaveli Theatre and the Georgian National Museum. It has around 214 rooms, a rooftop pool, a spa and a fitness centre, and won the 2025 World Travel Awards title for Georgia's Leading Luxury Hotel.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Telegraph Hotel
The Telegraph Hotel fills Tbilisi's former central post and telegraph office on Rustaveli Avenue, a Soviet-era Brutalist building whose original architecture was largely kept. It has around 239 rooms, a rooftop pool and bar, a destination spa, Grand Cafe and the basement Tatusa Jazz Club. It holds two Michelin Keys and joined The Leading Hotels of the World in 2025.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Tbilisi
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Shavi Lomi
Barbarestan
Azarpesha
Cafe Stamba
Keto & Kote
Iasamani
Book a food tour in Tbilisi We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Tbilisi
Tbilisi is a long, narrow city stretched along the Mtkvari River, and its transport is cheap and straightforward: a two-line metro, buses, marshrutkas, and cable cars on one flat 1 GEL fare, plus very affordable Bolt and Yandex Go rides. Most visitors base themselves in the Old Town, Sololaki, or Rustaveli area and walk between the main sights. Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport sits about 17 km east of the center. Long-distance travel uses Tbilisi Central railway station for the Stadler trains to Batumi and Kutaisi and the Didube, Samgori, and Ortachala bus stations for marshrutkas and coaches. Since January 2026, foreign visitors also need valid health and accident insurance for the whole stay.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in GEL, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | GEL 35-60 (~$13-23) for a hostel dorm or simple guesthouse | GEL 130-210 (~$50-80) | GEL 420+ (~$160+) |
| Food (per day) | GEL 30-45 (~$11-17) | GEL 70-110 (~$27-42) | GEL 160+ (~$60+) |
| Transportation | GEL 5-10 (~$2-4) | GEL 20-40 (~$8-15) | GEL 60+ (~$23+) |
| Activities | GEL 10-20 (~$4-8) | GEL 40-80 (~$15-30) | GEL 130+ (~$50+) |
| Daily total | GEL 90-130 (~$35-50) | GEL 260-370 (~$100-140) | GEL 650+ (~$250+) |
Best time to visit Tbilisi
Weather through the year in Tbilisi
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Late spring and early autumn bring warm, dry days around 20-27°C (68-81°F), comfortable sightseeing and the October grape harvest (Rtveli) in nearby Kakheti.
Winter is cheap and quiet and suits sulfur baths and ski trips to Gudauri, but some mountain roads can close in heavy snow.
Essential travel tips
- Download Bolt and Yandex Go for fair, fixed-price taxi rides
- Get a Metromoney card (GEL 2) or use a contactless bank card for GEL 1 metro and bus rides
- Cover shoulders and knees for church visits, and women should carry a scarf
- Try khinkali by hand: hold the knot, bite, sip the broth, and leave the knot on the plate
- Book sulfur bath private rooms in advance in peak season, as popular baths fill up
- Tip about 10% in restaurants if a service charge is not already added
Safety information
Tbilisi has low violent crime for visitors; the most common problems are overcharging by unmarked airport taxis, bill padding at a few Old Town venues, and occasional pickpocketing on crowded metro trains and at the Dry Bridge market
Since 1 January 2026, foreign visitors must carry valid health and accident insurance for the whole stay, with cover of at least 30,000 GEL / approx $11,450; keep a printed or digital copy of the policy ready for border officers
Political demonstrations have been regular on Rustaveli Avenue near Parliament since late 2024; they are usually concentrated in the evenings, so visitors should avoid the area during rallies, follow local news, and expect traffic and metro closures around Freedom Square and Rustaveli
Use Bolt or Yandex Go, which show the price before the ride; an unmarked white car offering a flat airport fare has been reported charging around 100 GEL / approx $38 for a trip that costs about 25 GEL / approx $9.50 in the app
Cross streets with care: drivers in Tbilisi rarely yield at crossings, pavements are uneven and sometimes blocked by parked cars, and many Old Town streets are steep and cobbled
Tap water is generally safe in Tbilisi, but visitors with sensitive stomachs often use bottled water, which costs 1-2 GEL / approx $0.38-0.76 per bottle; mineral waters such as Borjomi and Nabeghlavi are widely sold
Stray dogs are common and usually calm, but avoid petting or feeding strays at night in parks, and keep distance from packs on the outskirts and around Turtle Lake and Mtatsminda
Do not travel to the occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and avoid the administrative boundary lines, where detention and landmine risks exist; day trips from Tbilisi to Gori should stay on main roads
Summer heat from late June to August regularly exceeds 35 C / 95 F, so carry water, wear a hat, and schedule outdoor sightseeing for the morning or evening
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Tbilisi?
Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan and about 90 other countries can enter Georgia visa-free for up to 1 year. Other nationalities can apply for an e-visa at evisa.gov.ge. Requirements vary by nationality, so check the official site before travel.
What currency is used in Tbilisi and how much does it cost?
Georgia uses the Georgian lari (GEL), at about 2.62 GEL to 1 USD in late 2026. Cards are widely accepted in Tbilisi, but cash is useful for markets and minibuses. A budget day costs about GEL 90-130 (~$35-50).
How do I get from Tbilisi airport to the city centre?
Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport (TBS) is about 17 km east of the centre. Bolt taxis take 25-40 minutes and cost about GEL 20-35 (~$8-13), and bus 337 runs to Station Square for GEL 1 (~$0.40).
Is Tbilisi safe for tourists?
Tbilisi is generally safe, including for solo travellers. The main risks are taxi overcharging, aggressive driving, petty theft and demonstrations around Rustaveli Avenue. The emergency number is 112.
What are the top attractions in Tbilisi?
The top attractions include the Abanotubani sulfur baths, Narikala Fortress, Sameba Cathedral, Rustaveli Avenue, the Dry Bridge Market, the Bridge of Peace and Mtatsminda Park.
What food is Tbilisi famous for?
Tbilisi is famous for khachapuri (cheese bread), khinkali (soup dumplings), mtsvadi (grilled meat), pkhali and natural qvevri wine.