The Unique Charm of Tbilisi: A Journey Through Time and Culture

Discovering Tbilisi: A City of Wonders

Everything you read about Tbilisi in travel guides is absolutely true. The ancient churches and rich museums are real. The unique atmosphere of the Old Town is genuine. The excellent service and hospitality of the locals are authentic. The delicious food is a fact. The affordable prices are also true. The conclusion is simple: book your tickets and fly to Tbilisi at any time. This city offers an interesting and comfortable experience for everyone, whether you’re a couple in love, a family with curious children, or a group of friends. Even solo travelers will find plenty to do in Tbilisi.

Exploring the Heart of Tbilisi

The center of Tbilisi is perfect for strolls at any time of day or night—it’s always well-lit and safe. While Tbilisi is rooted in the Caucasus with its cuisine, traditions, and distinctive architecture, it also embraces European freedom. Young people from Baku often visit Tbilisi on weekends to enjoy this freedom (and for shopping, as the price difference is noticeable). In Tbilisi, people dress fashionably, speak English, smoke almost everywhere, chat with strangers on the streets, and sing in trolleybuses if they feel like it.

Top Walking Routes

The two main walking routes are Rustaveli Avenue and the Old Town. Rustaveli Avenue is the city’s central street, poetically compared to an artery through which the lifeblood of Tbilisi flows. Here, you’ll find theaters, museums, monuments, churches, the parliament, parks, shops, and restaurants. It’s a gathering place for both tourists and locals.

The Old Town

The Old Town is home to the city’s main historical attractions. Its narrow streets and traditional two-story houses with carved balconies transport you back in time. Terraces covered in ivy, wrought-iron spiral staircases, inner courtyards, and amazing entrances with paintings and stained glass windows add to the charm.

Hidden Gems

The world of Tbilisi’s courtyards and entrances is hidden from casual view. You’ll never guess which door hides wonders behind it. You need a local guide to show you around—fortunately, Georgian friendliness and hospitality are well-deserved.

Cultural Highlights

Don’t miss the National Library. Anyone can get a free, permanent electronic library card quickly and easily. The interiors of the main buildings are worth admiring. The library hosts foreign delegations and exhibitions of paintings, photographs, and sculptures.

Bridge of Peace and Dry Bridge

Your walking route should include the Bridge of Peace and the Dry Bridge. The Bridge of Peace is one of the newest attractions in the capital, featuring a light system with 30,000 lamps. Every hour, a message in Morse code is transmitted to the parapets.

One of the elements from the periodic table, present in every body, shines, reminding us that people of all nationalities and religions are united. The Bridge of Peace connects the Old Town with the new.

The Dry Bridge is a famous flea market where you can find not only paintings by local artists but also antiques, old books, records, and other unique items.

Scenic Views

If you’re not afraid of heights, try two unusual modes of transport: the funicular and the cable car. The cable car with suspended carriages for 6-8 people leads to the oldest monument in the city. Narikala Fortress, built in the 4th century, has survived numerous wars and remains impregnable.

From the fortress, you can walk to the monument “Mother of Georgia.” Then, descend into the Tbilisi Botanical Garden, where plants bloom all year round.

The funicular, also known as a diagonal rail tram, is itself an attraction—built in the early 20th century by Belgian engineers. It leads to Mount Mtatsminda (which translates to “Holy Mountain”), where, in addition to observation decks, there is an amusement park with a Ferris wheel. All the cabins are enclosed, but the height ensures an exciting experience. On the way to Mtatsminda, the funicular stops so that everyone can visit the Pantheon—the necropolis near the church of St. David. Here lie the most significant writers, artists, scientists, and national heroes of Georgia, including Griboyedov and Dumbadze. There is also the grave of an ordinary woman—the mother of Stalin. The tombstones in the Pantheon are works of art in themselves.

Open-Air Museum

Statistics show that the most visited museum in Georgia is not the national or art museum, but the open-air ethnographic museum. This Georgian village features houses from different regions and eras, starting from the Bronze Age. Inside each house, the interior is recreated, and guides enthusiastically tell stories about the furniture and household items. In the working workshops, you can see how weapons were made and how clay dishes were crafted. You can even try dishes cooked in a traditional hearth.

Near the museum are the Fox Lake and Turtle Lake—popular spots for sunbathing and swimming in the summer.

Ancient Churches

Georgia is a predominantly monoreligious country, with over 90% of the population practicing Christianity, mainly Orthodoxy. Christianity became the state religion here in the 4th century, so it’s no surprise that Tbilisi is home to dozens of ancient churches.

Metehi Temple

Many sightseeing tours of the city begin at the viewing platform on the Metehi Cliff, as this is where Tbilisi began in the 5th century. According to legend, it was from this point that the founder of the city, King Vakhtang Gorgasali, admired the beauty of the landscape (his equestrian statue stands in front of the temple and serves as an excellent meeting point for guides).

The Metehi Temple, built in the 12th century, has been destroyed and rebuilt many times—most recently in the 17th century after Tatar-Mongol and Persian invasions.

Sioni Cathedral

The main temple of the city, built in the 6th century but destroyed and rebuilt many times. It houses the main shrine of the country—the cross of St. Nino, made of grapevine and, according to legend, intertwined with the hair of the saint who brought Christianity to Georgia.

Anchiskhati Church

The oldest church in the country, built in 522. It’s worth visiting to hear the singing—it’s considered to have the best church choir. This church also has a cross created by St. Nino, which adorns the doors.

Holy Trinity Cathedral

One of the largest Christian churches in the world, a massive construction project of the early 21st century. On an area of 5,000 square meters, in addition to the main building, there are chapels, bell towers, a monastery, academies, and seminaries. The temple itself, with 13 altars, is divided into upper and lower churches, with services held in both.

Nor Echmiadzin

This church was built in the 18th century by Armenians who came from Echmiadzin, a sacred city, practically the Armenian Vatican. At the entrance stands a traditional khachkar—a stone cross.

Betania Monastery

Strictly speaking, this ancient monastery is not part of Tbilisi, as it is located 20 kilometers from the city. However, since the 12th century, it has never ceased to function, despite wars. Perhaps its location has saved it from invaders—tourists still have to take a bus and then walk several kilometers on foot to the mountain gorge. The effort is worth it—the temple has preserved medieval frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible and Georgian kings. According to legend, Queen Tamara liked to stay in Betania during her travels—it’s hard to say how true this is, as the monastery has always been male.

Theatrical Life

The glory of the “Tiflis Opera” began in the 19th century, and now Tbilisi has more than ten large theaters.

Tbilisi State Opera and Ballet Theater named after Z. Paliashvili

Founded in 1851, it was considered one of the most beautiful theaters in the world. After a long reconstruction, it solemnly reopened in 2016. The exotic style of the interior

For more information, visit the official Georgia Travel website.