Georgia, hidden away between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea, is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations to visit in Europe. Although small in size (with a population of just under 4 million), Georgia is big on history, wine, mountains, hiking, and food, and Tbilisi, the capital, is the go-to place to start your journey! 

In fact, you can enjoy all that Georgia has to offer just by visiting its eclectic capital city (and taking a few day trips to the nearby vineyards and mountains), where you can delve into 1,500 years of heritage in the museums, art galleries, and on walking tours. Uncover Persian and Russian influences in Old Tbilisi, soak up the sulfur in the bath district, and dip into Georgia’s famed winemaking traditions (which go back 8,000 years) at one of the city’s many, many wine bars. 

With so many things to see in the Georgian capital, you might not know where to begin. That’s why we’ve compiled our list of the absolute best things to do in Tbilisi for you. Try these fun and unique Tbilisi bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an amazing time exploring this lesser-known corner of the world!

The 15 Best Things to do in Tbilisi

1. Join a Walking Tour of Old Tbilisi

With its colorful balconies, narrow alleys, and imposing fortress, Old Tbilisi is the most historic part of the Georgian capital. Overlooking the banks of the Kura River, this is where Tbilisi’s history allegedly begins with its 5th-century founding by King Vakhtang I, and it’s the best place to start your stay in the city. 

Old Tbilisi is a unique blend of cultural and architectural influences, ranging from Persian-style bathhouses to Soviet-influenced bars. The influences represent Georgia’s location at the crossroads of East and West and the many kingdoms and empires of old that have passed through. 

Much of Old Tbilisi was refurbished in recent years to attract tourists, so we recommend joining a walking tour to learn more about the often-hidden history behind the sights and main attractions here. 

Starting in Liberty Square, at the end of Rustaveli Avenue, you’ll see the oldest house in Tbilisi, you’ll step inside the colorful courtyards hidden away from street view, and you’ll delve into local history – from Tbilisi’s earliest origins to its modern redevelopment – as you visit sights like the Clock Tower, Peace Bridge, Narikala Fortress, and the Leghvtakhevi Waterfall (yes, there is a waterfall in the middle of Old Tbilisi!). There’s even an “I Love Tbilisi” sign in the main square by the river, where you can take a selfie. 

Walking tours of Old Tbilisi depart daily, with several companies (including Tbilisi Free Walking Tours) offering a tips-based model, where you only pay what you feel the tour was worth at the end. 

2. Hike to Narikala Fortress

One of the top Tbilisi attractions, Narikala Fortress has loomed large over Old Tbilisi for centuries. This part of Tbilisi is steeped in history, but it’s steep in more than a few places, too – a fact you’ll soon discover as you walk upwards toward Narikala Fortress, which is said to be even older than the city below. 

Dating back to at least the 4th century AD (before King Vakhtang I is said to have founded Tbilisi itself), and possibly even earlier, Narikala Fortress is one of the best sights in Tbilisi. The fortress, whose walls and towers spread across the green hilltop, offering fantastic views of Tbilisi, has been fought over by Georgians, Persians, Mongols, Russians, and more. 

Make the hike to the top, and you can visit the Orthodox church inside the fortress before exploring the fortifications. Keep walking along the ridge, and you’ll come to the Mother of Georgia monument. This 23-meter-tall aluminum “mother” is holding a sword in one hand and a cup of Georgian wine in the other and was built by the Soviets in 1958 to celebrate the city’s 1,500-year anniversary. 

If you’re not feeling the walk, then you can take the cable car up or down (or both ways). The cable car starts and ends in Rike Park, on the opposite side of the river to Old Tbilisi, offering sweeping vistas on its way up and down to Narikala Fortress. 

3. Stroll Down Rustaveli Avenue

A stroll down Rustaveli Avenue is one of the must-do things in Tbilisi. This central thoroughfare is Tbilisi’s main road and arguably its most important street, as Rustaveli Avenue is home to Georgian national institutions, museums, and of course, the biggest shopping malls.

Named after Shota Rustaveli, a medieval writer who composed epic Georgian stories and is deemed to be the nation’s national poet, this long avenue stretches from Liberty Square north toward Rose Revolution Square.

Start your stroll at either end. From Liberty Square, you’ll first stop at the Georgian National Museum, then walk past the Georgian Parliament Building, the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts, the National Gallery, Rustaveli Theatre, MoMA (Museum of Contemporary Georgian Art), before ending your walk at the Big Bicycle monument. Feel free to pop into the museums and galleries along the way!

4. Visit the Georgian National Museum

Let’s face it, little Georgia, with its population of just under 4 million people, isn’t the most well-known country in the world. But despite its small size and stature, Georgia is possibly one of the most historic destinations you could visit. 

The country’s strategic location in the Caucasus means that Georgia has been the scene of ancient legends, cultural exchanges, and rampaging empires throughout its history, and if you’re looking to learn more, a visit to the Georgian National Museum is one of the best things to do in Tbilisi.

This excellent museum is located on Rustaveli Avenue (officially, this branch is the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia, as the organization also looks after museums across the country), where it’s been showcasing local history since the 1850s. 

You’ll start by exploring Georgia’s ancient Bronze Age origins as you browse through artifacts and archaeological finds detailing the country’s first human inhabitants. The museum moves through the ages, delving into the origins of legendary stories like Jason and the Golden Fleece (the ancient Greeks are said to have visited Georgia in search of gold) before learning about the long history of Georgian winemaking, their distinct alphabet and language, and much more.

The top floor is home to the Museum of Soviet Occupation, which is a somewhat more harrowing and recent exhibition compared to the ancient history below. Opened in 2006, the museum tells the often brutal history of the communist era from 1921 to 1991, when Georgia was part of the Soviet Union. 

5. See the Impressive Holy Trinity Cathedral 

One of the most impressive Tbilisi attractions is the towering Holy Trinity Cathedral. Located a short walk from Rike Park, this is the center of the Georgian Orthodox faith in Tbilisi, and it’s bound to awe even the most agnostic of travelers. 

The Holy Trinity Cathedral is the largest religious building in Georgia and the third-largest Orthodox church anywhere in the world. Unlike many of Tbilisi’s other churches, though, this one is relatively new because construction only began in 1995.

Georgians have always been religious, and the country – along with neighboring Armenia – was one of the first to adopt Christianity in the 4th century AD. During the Soviet era, however, religion was outlawed and many churches were taken over for other, less religious purposes by the state. 

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the Georgians decided it was time to compensate for the last few decades. Churches reopened, and work began on the Holy Trinity Cathedral, which was built on a scale unknown before in Georgia.

6. Shop for Souvenirs at the Dry Bridge Market

If you’re looking to awe your friends and family back home with a few unusual souvenirs from your time in Georgia, then a trip to the Dry Bridge Market is one of the best Tbilisi activities. This fascinating, open-air flea market sprawls across the Dry Bridge and into both Dedaena Park and 9th March Park on either side, where hundreds of vendors sell everything from watercolor paintings of Tbilisi to old Soviet passports.

In fact, the Dry Bridge Flea Market is a real treasure trove of Soviet artifacts. The market really began after the fall of communism, when locals struggled to make ends meet after the loss of state support. Many took to selling whatever bric-a-brac they had in their homes, and they soon found a steady demand from tourists looking for Soviet memorabilia. Take a stroll through the market, and you never quite know what you’re going to find. 

7. Take a ‘Soviet Tour’ of Tbilisi

If you’re fascinated by Soviet history, which in Georgia is all too recent, then a “Soviet Tour” is one of the top things to do in Tbilisi. 

Tbilisi Free Walking Tours, and several other tour companies, offer communist-themed tours of the Georgian capital. Tours take in the major sights associated with the Soviet era, including the Georgian Parliament Building, Youth Palace, brutalist architecture, and communist apartment blocks. 

You’ll also learn about the history of Russian influence in Georgia, which led to the country becoming a Soviet Republic, and the downfall of communism in 1991. The Soviet era is still quite raw, and it’s particularly interesting to hear local views on Joseph Stalin, given that the infamous dictator was Georgian. 

If you’re lucky (if it’s open, that is), you’ll even be able to visit Stalin’s Underground Printing House Museum, where a young Stalin printed communist pamphlets and manifestos. 

8. Take a Bath in the ‘Bath District’

Make your way to the Abanotubani district, below Narikala Fortress in Old Tbilisi, and you’ll find a strange collection of domes emanating a faint smell of sulfur by the river. The domes, built in a Persian style of old, hide the many baths that lie beneath Tbilisi. 

Legend has it that King Vakhtung I founded Tbilisi on this spot, where the bathhouses are today, because he noticed the hot, thermal waters springing from the ground. The story goes that the king was out hunting, and the pheasant he chased drowned an untimely death in the hot water. The king decided that, of course, these hot springs would make the foundations of a great city. 

Over the centuries, Tbilisi’s location on busy trading routes ensured that bathhouses flourished. Weary travelers would rest and wash in Tbilisi’s hot springs, a tradition that continues to this day. Abanotubani (which means the “Bath district”) is home to an extensive collection of bathhouses, ranging from rustic public bathhouses to elegant tourist spas, and taking a bath is easily one of the best things to do in Tbilisi! 

Take your pick from the public or private bathhouses (go private if you’re wary of the local bathing etiquette!). Bathhouse Number 5 is an old Soviet-era bathing house (there’s even a hammer and sickle outside) with budget private rooms, while Orbeliani Baths is a historic bathhouse (allegedly, Alexander Pushkin once bathed here), remodeled to evoke a sense of Persian charm, and is certainly the most luxurious (and expensive) option.

9. Swim in Turtle Lake

On a scorching hot summer day, taking a swim in the ice-cold waters of Turtle Lake is one of the most fun Tbilisi activities. Located on the Mtatsminda Ridge above Vake, an affluent district to the north of the east of the city center, Turtle Lake is surrounded by bars, cafes, and walking trails, and when it’s hot, it’s packed with locals.

You can drive to the top of Turtle Lake, or you can hike up from Vake Park below, where you can start at the large Soviet memorial dedicated to fallen soldiers. The hike is steep, and in summer, it’s hot, sweaty, and difficult, but you’ll be rewarded with a refreshing dip in the lake. 

There aren’t any turtles in the lake these days, but you can stop off at the Tbilisi Open-Air Museum of Ethnography on the way up, where you can find examples of Georgian homesteads and houses through the ages. 

10. Take the Funicular to Mtatsminda Park 

Located at an altitude of 727 meters above sea level, Mtatsminda Park is the highest point in Tbilisi. The pinnacle of the Mtatsminda Range, below which Tbilisi is built, atop the mountain, you’ll find an amusement park, several restaurants, and bars, all offering fantastic views of the city. 

Don’t worry, because this time you won’t have to walk up the ridge. Instead, hop on the Tbilisi Funicular, a spectacular railway that takes you some 300 meters upwards to Mtatsminda Park from Chonkadze Street. 

Hop off at the upper station, take in the panoramic view, then explore the amusement park. Originally built by the Soviets, Mtatsminda Park is home to bumper cars, haunted houses, and the Giant Wheel, which offers even higher views of Tbilisi! 

11. See a Show at the Rezo Gabriadze Theatre

In Old Tbilisi, you’ll find one of the city’s most unusual buildings, the Rezo Gabriadze Theatre. Designed by Georgian artists and screenwriter Rezo Gabriadze, you’ll love the quirky, leaning clock tower and its hourly theatrics. 

The clock tower entertains countless tourists every day, but step inside the theater, and you’ll find a deeper level of performance art. During the Soviet era, Gabriadze worked as a scriptwriter for film and television, but he was ever frustrated by the state’s restrictions. He decided to subtly escape the rules by staging elaborate puppet shows, instead. 

Now, his puppets continue to enthrall audiences with their timeless tales and historic biopics. These shows are like nothing you’ll have seen staged with puppets before, with Stalingrad telling the woeful story of the infamous battle that changed the course of the Second World War and The Autumn of My Springtime telling a tale of love and loss in post-war Georgia. 

12. Visit the Chronicle of Georgia

The Chronicle of Georgia is one of the most unique Tbilisi attractions to add to your travel itinerary.  This unusual monument was designed and built during the Soviet era (although it was never fully completed) and is today a lasting tribute to the brutalist architecture of the day. 

The Chronicle of Georgia was intended to tell the story of Georgia from the country’s earliest human beginnings. The 16 stone pillars each depict a different stage of history, a poet or legend, or a story from the country’s Christian Orthodox Faith. 

The monument’s size and detail are impressive, as is the location. You’ll find the Chronicle of Georgia located on a hilltop by the Tbilisi Sea (an artificial reservoir on the edge of the city which is itself a sight worthy of seeing), where you’ll have glorious views of the capital. 

13. Gorge on Khachapuri

One of the best things about Georgia is the food, and you’ll love eating your way around Tbilisi’s best restaurants during your stay in the city. First on your list simply has to be the khachapuri, a local staple that is typically described by tourists as “Georgian cheese bread.”

Khachapuri comes in all shapes and sizes, with all manner of toppings and fillings. The only staple filling is cheese, and the type of cheese can vary from Guda to Imeruli. 

Each region has a distinct type of khachapuri, but as you’re in the nation’s capital, you’ll be able to gorge on khachapuri from all over Georgia. The most famous is the Adjarian Khachapuri, otherwise known as a “Georgian cheese boat.” The dough is shaped like a boat and then filled with cheese and eggs. 

Imeretian Khachapuri is prepared with a salty, Imeretian cheese filling, Megrelian Khachapuri has a cheesy filling and topping, and Gurian Khachapuri is like an eggy calzone. You’ll find khachapuri for sale in all restaurants, cafes, and takeaways in Tbilisi (visit Sakhachapure No.1 if you want to try them all). In fact, khachapuri is so ubiquitous that the government uses the changing prices to measure inflation!

14. Feast on Khinkali

While you’re eating your way around the city, you have to add khinkali to your Tbilisi bucket list. Another Georgian staple, khinkali are dumpling-like parcels of delectable joy, which you’ll love feasting on!

Khinkali are packed with different fillings. The most common fillings include either minced beef or minced lamb mixed with garlic, cilantro, pepper, and other herbs and spices. Vegetarians will love the mushroom or potato fillings, while cheese is always a popular choice too. 

There are many great khinkali restaurants to visit in Tbilisi, including Pasanauri, the Khinkali Factory, and the Khinkali House. If you want to learn how to make khinkali, or any other Georgian dishes like khachapuri, for that matter, then booking a class at Chakandrila cookery school or Nana’s Kitchen is one of the most fun Tbilisi activities. 

For the ultimate local experience, try and get yourself invited to a “supra,” or a Georgian feast, where you’ll likely find yourself overwhelmed by drinking and khinkali eating competitions (top tip: never eat khinkali with a knife and fork, you need to bite into the dumpling so you don’t lose all the juices!).

15. Taste the Best Georgian Wines

Georgia claims to be the birthplace of wine. It’s hard to argue (although neighboring Armenia claims the same), given that the earliest evidence of grape cultivation and winemaking has been dated to 6000 BC. 

That means that Georgians have had 8,000 years to perfect their winemaking traditions, so you can expect to try some of the best (and best value) wines in the world when you’re in Tbilisi. Georgia is known for its “orange” wine, an organic style that simply doesn’t filter the “white” wine (all white wine should actually be orange), as well as grapes like Saperavi and Mtsavane.

Pop into any Georgian supermarket or wine shop, and you can taste before you buy. For one of the best Tbilisi activities, countless tour companies and wineries run tasting experiences in the city (try Wine Factory No.1, 8000 Vintages, or the Wine Library). 

If you fancy a day trip from Tbilisi, then you can even visit a few of the winemaking regions and vineyards in person. Head to Telavi, Sighnaghi, or Khaketi to sample the best wines in Georgia. 

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Tbilisi. What’s your favorite thing to do in Tbilisi?

Planning to go to Georgia? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

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