21 Best Things to Do in Tbilisi, Georgia

If you haven’t heard about Tbilisi, the buzzing capital of Georgia, then here’s the perfect guide to show you just what an amazing city it is!

Hopefully it’ll convince you to book a flight to one of the top trending cities in Europe immediately!

Because, honestly, that’s how passionately I feel about this fab capital at the very edge of the continent.

With an electric atmosphere, a charged youthful skip in its step, great wine, friendly people, a layered complex history, a great underground arts and culture scene, hidden bars and loads of parks, Tbilisi hit the spot for me in just about every travel way.

So much so, that I’ve actually been twice now.

Super safe (including for solo female travellers), incredibly cheap and still under most travel radars, Tbilisi is pretty much dream package!

And to get you all fired up about this most epic of travel spots too, here’s 21 things to do in Tbilisi, the amazing capital of Georgia…

 

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Related Posts

• Best 2 Week Georgia Itinerary
• 9 Top Places to Visit in Georgia
• How Much Does It Cost to Travel in Georgia?

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To make this article more easily navigable, I’ve decided to split my list of things to do into geographic sections of Tbilisi.

As a large sprawling city, Georgia’s capital can be hard to get your head around at first but, by ordering these top things to do in Tbilisi by local area, you can hopefully tick as many of them off your list in as short a time as possible!

Oh and at the end of this article, you’ll find a quick travel guide with all my top tips about how long to spend in Tbilisi, how to get there, how to get around and where to stay… it really is the only guide to this city you need!

 

Old Town of Tbilisi

The tourist centre of Tbilisi, the city’s Old Town is a charming mass of cobbled streets, winding lanes and places to eat or drink.

It’s quite compact, but easy to get lost in – although given how photogenic it is, this is usually less of a problem and more of a delight, as you stumble upon creaking, crumbling buildings and independent, atmospheric cafes.

 

#1 Get to Grips with the History of Old Tbilisi

One of the best things to do in Tbilisi that centres around the Old Town is a walking tour.

I always find a walking tour is a great way to get acquainted with a new city and Tbilisi is no different!

Covering the history of this city, as well as it stop cultural sights and best viewpoints, this recommended Tbilisi walking tour also includes stops dedicated to the architectural wonders that make this city so unique.

There’s also free walking tours you can look out for – ask at your accommodation for the latest info.

Dating back to the 6th century, there’s certainly a lot of ground to cover, but from Silk Road trade routes to invasions by the Ottomans, Romans, Persians, Soviets and Moguls – a Tbilisi walking tour amidst the cobblestone streets of the city’s Old Town is a fab way to get a grip on it all.

 

#2 See the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi

Georgia is a Christian Orthodox country but, situated at such an important geographical crossroads, it has always been very tolerant of other religions.

Synagogues, Catholic Churches and a Mosque can all be found in Tbilisi, as well as a good selection of Orthodox Churches too.

Top ones to see in the Old Town include Sinoi Cathedral.

One of the most important places to worship in the whole county, this church is home to the sacred cross of St Nino, who allegedly brought Christianity to Georgia from Turkey as far back as the 4th century.

Christianity was declared the official state religion in Georgia in 327AD and has remained so until this day.

Jvaris Mama Church is another must-see church within the Old Town of Tbilisi.

Set within a cute courtyard, it has some beautiful frescoes inside.

The Catholic Church along Gia Abesadze Street, the Anchiskhati Basilica and Saint George’s Cathedral are also worth a look in while here, after all, there’s no better way to get to grips with a country’s culture, than to learn a little bit about its religion first!

Outside the Old Town, the city’s flagship Cathedral – The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, locally known as Sameba – is a stunning spot to discover, and visiting in the early morning is certainly one of the best things to do in Tbilisi.

I wandered up there at 9am and no one was around, meaning I got the stunning elevated views over the city from its outdoor terrace all to myself!

Morning is the time to go for the best light here outside the church, while inside there will be acoustic religious singing going on, which is very atmospheric and moving.

At night, this church’s beautifully illuminated exterior makes it stand out even from the other side of the river.

 

#3 Peruse Gallery 27

A beautiful gallery space and cute souvenir shop that support local artists, Gallery 27 is a delightful little place that’s well worth perusing during your wanderings around the Old Town in Tbilisi.

Set in a gorgeous old building, with some stunning stained glass windows, Gallery 27 also provides a great insight into how local people live in this city, including with their shared wooden balcony spaces and open doors!

Gallery 27 is also a lovely place to buy gifts and support local artists and craft(wo)men.

 

#4 Check out the National Museum on Rustaveli Avenue

There’s a great number of small, but interesting museums within the Old Town of Tbilisi and taking the time to explore a few is definitely one of the best things to do here.

Top of my list are the Tbilisi History Museum (which is housed within an old caravanserai), the David Baazov Museum of Jewish History in Georgia, the Museum of Illusions and the Tbilisi Antique Archaeological Museum.

Just outside the Old Town, the Art Museum of Georgia, as well as the Georgian National Museum are also rumoured to be very good.

Don’t miss checking out a couple.

Entrance is either free, or costs just a few euros, so is well worth it.

 

#5 Visit the Leaning Clock Tower

The leaning clock tower is something of a Tbilisi icon and, at 12pm and 7pm every day, it puts on a short mechanical show for tourists and locals alike called “The Circle of Life”.

Built in 2010 by Rezo Gabriadze, as part of the super Gabriadze Puppet Theatre which is just next door, this is a great thing to do in Tbilisi with kids.

Head to the Wonky Clock to see its performance and afterwards enjoy a drink in one of the lovely bars and cafes around to soak up the Old Town ambience.

 

#6 Eat Traditional Georgian Food

Speaking of which, checking out some of the great restaurants in the Old Town is certainly one of the best things to do in Tbilisi.

Georgia is a foodie paradise and getting heavily involved in the amazing local cuisine is a must while you are here.

The Schuchman Wine Bar, Veliaminov, Shavi Coffe Roasters and nearby Jazz Café are all good options to eat and drink within this area, as are Machakhela and Gorgaslai.

At this last one, you can often see traditional Georgian dancing too if that’s your kinda thing!

Eating is definitely one of my top things to do in Georgia full stop, so don’t miss out on the capital’s finest selection!

I’ve heard the average traveller puts on 3kg after 2 weeks in Tbilisi though, so be prepared!

 

#7 Wander Freedom Square

Having been conquered, burnt, ransacked and then rebuilt more times than anyone cares to count, Tbilisi certainly has a defiant spirit that has endured among its community until today.

Celebrating this is the Freedom Square, which is a large modern roundabout and central meeting point, which has a huge monument of St George slaying the dragon at its heart.

Sitting at the edge of the Old Town, this place has been a commercial hub since the Medieval times and was a popular stopping spot for people journeying from the east to the west on the Silk Road trade route, carrying goods, religions and anything else they could load up on!

Several caravanserais could be found here in days gone by (a place where travellers of the Silk Road could stop for the night) and to this day, meaning this part of the  city has both a deeply layered identity and a welcoming approach to strangers.

Wander around Freedom Square (also known as Liberty Square), as well as the Old Town around sunset for the famed golden hour.

This is a wonderful time to catch some good snaps in this highly evocative part of it the city, where overgrown courtyards, twisting cobbled streets, creaking wooden balconies and crumbling, brick facades really do conjure up an atmosphere of time gone by.

 

#8 Soak in the Sulphur Baths

Hitting up some sort of hot spa / hot spring / mineral baths is always one of my favourite things to do anywhere, let alone when it’s set in the middle of one of my favourite cities!

Definitely deserving a place on this list, spending at least 1 evening soaking in some baths is certainly one of the most relaxing things to do in Tbilisi – I loved it!

Clustered in a unique area of the old town (known as Abanotubani), hot springs with sulphurous water were discovered here centuries ago and marked the founding the city.

After all, the name Tbilisi actually means “warm place”.

Nowadays, these natural hot springs has been funnelled into underground bathhouses, whose roofs give the area its unique brick dome appearance.

The water here is thought to have medicinal properties and the baths are fab places to relax and socialise.

Just be prepared for a bit of a sulphur smell and some scorching temperatures, although you’ll quickly get used to both!

Similar to hammams you may have experienced in Turkey or Tunisia, there’s around 5 bathhouses where you can book experiences in Tbilisi.

Men have the option of attending public baths, while women must book a private room and, in summer especially, it’s advised you do this at least a day in advance.

One of the nicest and most tourist-friendly baths are the private rooms at Orbeliani Baths, which has a beautiful Persain-inspired facade.

I had a private room to myself here, which I booked through their website.

Gulo’s Thermal Spa is another option for those looking for a slightly cheaper and less polished, but still authentic and pleasant experience.

Here you can hire private rooms for up to 5 people for around 100€ an hour.

I visited Gulo’s on my second visit to Tbilisi, so rest assured it’s totally fit for purpose!

Book in advance via their Facebook page.

Whichever bath you go for, the set up is pretty much the same…

First step is to enter the steam room and enjoy a relaxing soaking in the hot sulphur bath.

It’s pretty warm at around 38-40 Celsius and swimmers are optional!

Then you can enjoy an additional body scrub, called a kisi, which is vigorous exfoliation treatment usually performed by a lady on a tiled bench next to the sulphur pool.

Ladies will need to remove the top half of their swimwear as a minimum at this point.

This is followed by a soapy wash, where buckets of hot water are used to clean you, and afterwards, you get a freezing cold bucket of water thrown over you – like a cold plunge!

Then you return to the sulphur bath to sweat it all out!

A kisi costs a small additional fee, but is well worth it.

Book your scrub as an extra when you make your room reservation and remember to bring cash to pay directly to the person scrubbing you.

Also needed for the baths are some flip flops, a towel and some water – it gets very hot inside.

Swimwear, as discussed, is optional.

 

@bigworldsmallpockets Top 10 Things to Do in Tbilisi 🇬🇪 1. Grab a Sunrise at the Cathedral 2. Explore the Old Town 3. Snap the Wonky Clock 4. Wander over the Peace Bridge 5. Take the Cable Car up to the Narikala Fortress 6. Soak in a Sulphur Bath 7. Eat! 8. Admire Liberty Square & the National Museum 9. Go Wine Tasting 10. Catch the Funicular up to Mtatsminda Park for Sunset #tbilisi #tbilisigeorgia #tbilisi🇬🇪 #tbilisiplaces #georgia #georgia🇬🇪 #georgiatravel #georgiatrip #tbilisitravel #uktravelblogger #femaletraveler #europetravel ♬ original sound – Big World Small Pockets

 

 

Around the Botanic Gardens in Tbilisi

Next up, I’m going to move just slightly away from the Old Town and and a bit uphill, to bring you this next section of the best things to do in Tbilisi.

Technically still part of the Old Town, as it’s within the Old City walls, the Botanic Garden area is largely set on a hill overlooking the city and offers great views and some more historical sights.

 

#9 Ride the Cable Car

The first thing to do if you’re heading to the Botanic Gardens and, in my opinion, one of the best things to do in Tbilisi anyway, is ride the cable car up there.

Personally, I don’t think you can ever have too much cable car in your life can you?!

This ride in Tbilisi costs just a nominal amount and can be paid for using your Tbilisi transport card, which means enjoying this great activity really couldn’t be easier!

The cable car leaves from Rike Park on the other side of the river from the Old Town and will drop you right by Narikala Fortress on the hill, offering stunning views on the way up.

 

#10 Wave at the Mother Georgia Statue

As soon as you get to the top of the hill – whether that’s by cable car or walking – I suggest you make your way a little further along the ridge to take a look at Mother Georgia.

A huge statue that can be seen from just about anywhere, Mother Georgia stands proudly over the city here offering protection (and wine – brilliant!) to locals and strangers alike!

Yes you will quickly learn in Georgia wine and hospitality is everything!

20m-tall, made of aluminium and built in 1958 to commemorate the 1500th anniversary of Tbilisi, Mother Georgia wears traditional dress and is immediately recognisable – a great way to orientate yourself from just about anywhere in this city.

 

#11 Scramble Up to Narikala Fortress

Dating back to the 4^th Century, Narikala Fortress sits on the other side of the cable car entrance to Mother Georgia, but you can easily loop back around to see it on your way down the hill.

Originally a Persian Citadel, this now ruined fortress does still provide amazing views over the whole of Tbilisi, however the best views are achieved if you scramble up right to the very top!

With a 1.5 trail to wander around too, this fortress ss free to enter and taking the time to visit here is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Tbilisi.

 

#12 Stroll the National Botanical Gardens of Georgia

Before you do head down back down the hill to the Old Town Tbilisi, make sure you take the opportunity to glimpse, or if you have more time stroll, the Botanic Gardens.

Located on the other side of the cable car, looking out over this expansive green space is quite amazing, as it feels like staring at a national park, located just metres from the capital!

With trails and waterfalls housed within it, you could easily spend a few hours wandering here and enjoying the peaceful setting.

Don’t miss the sight of the crazy-looking palace of former Georgian Prime Minister and the country’s richest man, Bidzina Ivanishvili, here either, it’s quite the spectacle!

Entrance to the Botanic Gardens is very affordable and is situated by the public baths I talked about in #8 on this list.

 

#13 View the Central Mosque & Leghvtakhevi Waterfall

And then, at the bottom of the hill that the Botanic Gardens sit on, are 2 places you’ll pass if you walk back down to the city centre.

First up is Leghvtakhevi Waterfall, which is a beautiful spot again more reminiscent of a national park setting rather than a capital.

This is a great place to people watch too, as local couples can often be found looking smitten in its surrounds.

And just a few minutes from the waterfall is Tbilisi’s Central Mosque.

Amazingly both Shia and Sunni Muslims use this building, exemplifying the tolerant religious attitudes of Tbilisi to a tee.

Non-Muslims are welcome to enter the Mosque outside of Friday prayer time too as long as they are respectfully dressed – so shoulders, chest, legs covered, plus heads covered for women.

 

 

 

Around Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi

Moving on now to the more modern area of Tbilisi, Rustaveli is the main avenue that forms the central through-line of Tbilisi’s contemporary side.

This is the area many locals hang out in and there’s plenty of bars and cafes, as well as shops and prolific buildings, like that of the country’s Parliament, to spot in this area too.

More modern and grand in its style – this is a well-heeled official district that forms the modern centre.

 

#14 Explore Mtatsminda Park

First up on my list of the best things to do in Tbilisi near Rustaveli is to visit Mtatsminda Park.

Set on a hill behind this area, with the prominent TV Tower at its helm, this place is the ceiling of the city and unsurprisingly, the panoramic view of Tbilisi from the top is superb.

Take the funicular ride up from Daniel Chonqadze Street and enjoy the views as you quickly ascend this large hill.

A ride on the funicular is very cheap, although you do have to buy a separate travel card.

The way to get around this is to share the card with other travellers and load numerous tickets onto it (staff normally let you do this).

It’s also worth asking at your accommodation as mine had a stack of these travel cards they lend out to guests for free!

If you can’t snaffle a card from anyone, then don’t worry, there is a ticket office at both the top and bottom of the funicular where you can buy them for an additional few euros.

A great time to visit Mtatsminda Park is near sunset so that the colours in the sky, reflecting down on Tbilisi, are at their best.

There’s also a few bars / cafes / restaurants up here, so you can enjoy a sundowner drink too or, if you’re feeling brave, take a ride on one of the amusement park attractions including a ferris wheel!

 

#15 Discover Delicious Cafes

Another reason I like the Rustaveli area around Tbilisi is because I think it has some of the best food in the city and is where many locals go to enjoy dinner or a drink – getting involved in this is certainly one of the best things to do in Tbilisi.

My favourites include Otakhi Café, Erti Kava Coffee Room and the Hummusbar located very near Rustaveli Metro Station.

An amazing café come restaurant that you have to find as well is Sofia Melnikovas Fantastiuri Duqani.

Set just off Revaz Tabukashvili Street, discovering this secret spot is just half the fun – wait until you try the amazing food and see the great prices!

If you’re a vegan, the one plant-based café I found in Tbilisi is located just off Liberty Square along Ivane Machabeli Street, it’s called the Kiwi Vegan Café and was fab!

 

#16 Unearth Hidden Wine Bars

As I may have mentioned, Georgian wine is basically a national drink here – a bit like tea for the English – so you definitely should get involved!

With a strong viticulture that dates back centuries, the traditional way of making Georgian wine is actually UNESCO-listed for its intangible cultural heritage properties.

And if it’s good enough for UNESCO, it’s good enough for me!

The traditional way to make wine here is basically put the whole grape (seeds, skins, stalks and all) in a large ceramic urn, known as a qveri, which is buried underground.

This is left to ferment for a few months, before being dug up, usually around Easter, bottled and enjoyed!

The modern European method of wine-making is now also used in Georgia, so just make sure you know which type you are ordering!

Discovering the hidden bars that lie along and around Ivane Machabeli Street in Tbilisi is a great place to try local wine, and there’s also many hidden spots along Alexander Griboedev Street too – just peek into the alleys between buildings and you’ll find them.

Their crumbling facades, wooden furniture, excellent local selection and blackboard menus are typical of this city and so full of character.

A popular favourite of mine is Keria, because it has a nice outside area.

Gribo House is a fun relaxed place as well.

And if you still want to learn more about Georgian wine making, then this wine region day trip from Tbilisi to Georgia’s Kakheti region (it’s main wine area) comes highly recommended!

The Georgians are also partial to a beer (there’s plenty of passable local ones to choose from) and chacha.

Another local drink, chacha is much stronger than wine and is consumed like a shot.

It is essentially a grape-based, clear spirit, like Italain grappa and many local people still make it in their homes.

It’s pretty lethal though, so you have been warned!

 

#17 Shop at the Dry Bridge Flea Market

And finally, last on my list of the best things to do in Tbilisi around Rustaveli is to shop at the great flea market that happens in the park near the Saarbruecken Bridge.

Kicking off around 12pm and running until 5pm daily, this is a fascinating place to shop for local artisan products, as well as see some crazy antiques, soviet memorabilia and assorted bits of Georgian history.

I got an amazing leather bag here, but from paintings to kitchen appliances, historic treasures to quirky artefacts, it’s all on offer!

 

 

Other Side of the River in Tbilisi

And now we move across the river, away from the centre of Tbilisi, to an area known for its more local feel.

Indeed wandering around this part of Tbilisi can often feel like walking through a lot of small villages crammed together, as shared balconies and streetside cafes become important meeting points for neighbours, and sellers hustle past shouting out the joys of their local fruits, breads and nuts.

 

#18 Get Local at the Dezerter Market

And sticking with the market theme from #17, #18 of the top things to do in Tbilisi is to visit the Dezerter Market – another must-see shopping spot in the city.

The largest fresh produce market in the capital, and therefore probably the country, this huge spread of stalls runs from the main undercover area into all the surrounding streets for several blocks.

Come hungry, because you won’t be able to turn down the delicious cheese, nuts, dried fruits, fresh fruits, vegetables, breads and pastries on offer here – and that’s without taking into account all the bargain electrical and clothes shops in this area too!

Best visited in the morning, and within easy walking distance from Station Square Metro station, this place is seriously huge, so get here early and allow a few hours to soak it all in!

 

#19 Wine & Dine Along Davit Aghmashenebeli Avenue

It’s a posh street, it’s overpriced (for Georgia) and it can feel very touristy, but heading to Davit Aghmashenebeli Avenue is still one of the best things to do in Tbilisi.

For a start, it’s probably the prettiest street in the city – decked out with fairy lights and brightly coloured buildings – and the atmosphere here during the summer, among all the outdoor seating areas, is hard to beat in the evening.

Filled with trendy bars and even trendier folk, this is also one of the key people-watching spots in Tbilisi.

 

#20 Wander the Peace Bridge & Rike Park

Tbilisi is such a mesh of architectural styles (indicative of its layered and complex history) and never was this typified more than from the view along the Bridge of Peace.

A very modern structure, this bridge links the Medieval old town with Rike Park, from which can be seen the grand Presidential Palace (another sort of architectural style) and the crazy, contemporary concert hall tubes, which sadly aren’t in use.

As such, wandering this pedestrian bridge is definitely one of the best things to do in Tbilisi, especially if you’re looking to get a feel for how truly eclectic this city is.

And if you wish to explore that a bit further, the amazing old buildings along Mikheili Tsinamdzghvrishvili Street and the surrounding lanes, are some of the most gorgeous historic structures in Tbilisi.

Not yet regenerated, there is a very alternative vibe that surrounds this whole area, with a lot of street art and artists living and working among these atmospheric old buildings.

 

#21 Head to the Stalin Underground Printing Press

And if we’re talking about alternative vibes, then it probably doesn’t get weirder than heading to the Joseph Stalin Underground Printing Press.

I won’t say much more, but it’s quite the experience (largely thanks to the guy that runs this place!) and has to be visited to be believed!

The last entry on my list of the best things to do in Tbilisi, this is a slice of history we may not agree with, but it makes for a fascinating insight nonetheless.

 

 

Mini Travel Guide to Tbilisi

When to Visit Tbilisi?

Winters in Tbilisi can be fiercely cold with snow and freezing temperatures not uncommon.

That said, I did visit once in January and get blue skies, so you just never know!

However I would definitely visit Tbilisi during their summer months if possible, when the climate is wonderfully warm and sunny.

Running from May to September, the summer here is long, however July and August can be super hot in Tbilisi (like 40 degrees hot), so do bear this in mind!

I’ve also visited Tbilisi in June and the weather was perfect – very warm and clear days.

Learn more in the post about when to visit Georgia in this post about the 21 things you need to know before you go.

 

How Long to Spend There?

I’d suggest at least 3 days in Tbilisi to ensure you have the chance to see all the top things to do on this list.

If you plan to take some great day trips from the capital (which you definitely should FYI), then allow 5-8 days.

Check out these great day trip picks from Tbilisi – I’ve done loads of them and high recommend!

 

Where to Stay in Tbilisi?

During my 2nd visit to this county, I stayed in 2 amazing hotels in Tbilisi.

The Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers is a stunning property with amazing spa located in the west of the city.

It’s a little away from the main attractions, but has amazing views and incredibly spacious rooms – not least because it’s located in the city’s tallest building!

Amazing restaurants and bars complete the picture here.

If, however, you’d rather stay in the historic centre, then the Mercure Tbilisi Old Town is the place!

Minutes from the sulphur baths I listed as a top thing to do in Tbilisi above, this lovely hotel has comfortable rooms, some with amazing views of the Narikala Fortress, plus a fab rooftop bar.

And now you can get up to 20% off stays at both these hotels when you sign up to the ALL Plus Voyageur Card for free!

With loads of other benefits also included, learn more about this fantastic hotel membership here.

 

How to Get To Tbilisi?

Tbilisi has a small, but well-appointed international airport that is an easy taxi or bus ride from the city centre. You can also get Bolts.

The cheapest flights generally arrive here from across Europe, including cities such as Munich and Warsaw, so check out Turkish Airlines, Air France and Baltic Air via Skyscanner if you’re looking to score a well-priced ticket.

Otherwise, many people take a budget flight to Kutaisi in Georgia, and from here head to Tbilisi via a local bus.

Wizz Air flies to Kutaisi from many European cities offering some great deals.

Again, check Skyscanner for the top deals.

 

How to Get Around Tbilisi?

Walking around Tbilisi is very easy and a great way to discover a lot of this city’s hidden gems – just be careful when it comes to the traffic!

Otherwise moving between different suburbs is easiest and cheapest via the metro.

Travel cards, which you can top up at any of the orange phone-style boxes dotted around the city, are incredibly cheap and the metro is quick and efficient.

With 2 lines operating, you just tap in at your point of entry and descend the long Soviet escalator to find the platforms.

There’s no requirement to tap out.

You can also use or Bolt in Tbilisi, which helps you navigate the language barrier and get to places not serviced by the metro.

I recommend setting up your Bolt account with card payment option before you get to Tbilisi to make life easier.

Otherwise, local minivans also ply the streets within Tbilisi and can be used to get around the city on short distance journeys for next to nothing.

If you are travelling out of Tbilisi to other destinations around Georgia such as Kazbegi or Telavi, then find out which metro station the Marshrutka (shared minivan taxi) you need leaves from and, on exiting that stop, listen for people shouting the name of your destination – you’ll likely be whisked straight to the next departing vehicle – simples!

 

Recommended Tours in Georgia

Check out these fantastic tours of Georgia, which will help you see the best of this country with a guide and a group.

 

4 Packing Essentials for Tbilisi

#1 Good Camera – From the mountain landscapes to the village life, you’ll want a good travel camera to capture the best of Georgia and the Sony A6000 mirrorless ticks my box every time!

#2 Headscarf – If you’re heading to see any monasteries in Georgia, ladies will need to come prepared with a headscarf to enter, as well as a long skirt or pair of pants and a long-sleeved top.

#3 Hiking Shoes – No trip to Georgia would be complete without spending at least a day or two hiking in this country’s untouched rural landscape. Coming prepared with a pair of good walking shoes is essential therefore and Keen Targhee’s II always get my vote!

#4 Rain Jacket – I visited Georgia in June, technically the start of summer and the high season, but was amazed how storms suddenly blew in across this high altitude country. Having my North Face lightweight, windproof and waterproof jacket therefore saved my life!

Learn more in this complete packing guide to Georgia I wrote.

 

Travel Insurance for Tbilisi

World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

 

Travel Money in Tbilisi

When it comes to paying for things in Georgia, it’s great to know that accommodation and tours can generally be paid for by card.

ATMs are also available in most major towns.

Whether you use ATMs or pay by card however, you’ll want to ensure you’re not being charged overseas transaction fees or getting poor exchange rates, which is why I always take my Wise card away with me wherever I travel.

The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups and no sneaky transaction fees, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card here, and it links easily with Google and Apple pay. Get yours here.

 

SIM Cards in Georgia

I highly recommend buying a SIM card before you get to Georgia – it will make your life a lot easier and even mean you can order a Bolt from the airport!

aloSIM are a great eSIM option for the job.

You can easily order your aloSIM online in minutes, and then activate it when you arrive in Georgia, making life so easy!

I used an aloSIM eSIM during my second trip to Georgia and it worked brilliantly – literally a travel game changer!

 

PIN IT TO PINTEREST!

 

So there you have it, my list of 21 amazing things to do in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Is this city on your list yet?

Have any questions about it?

Don’t hesitate to drop them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer…

 

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This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.

My stay at the Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers and the Mercure Tbilisi Old Town were kindly gifted but, as always, all views are my own.

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