Tbilisi is one of Europe’s last unsung city break destinations. It might be gritty at the outset – with brutalist architecture leftover from the long Soviet era that only ended with independence in 1991 – but scratch below the concrete and you’ll find an Old Town resplendent with colorful balconies, wooden houses, and hidden wine cellars.
This is a city I can always return to (I’ve been on three separate trips now), and I know that Tbilisi’s passionate population is screaming out for the world to visit them. Georgian hospitality is famously raucous and welcoming, and whether you’re in a chic bar or a local bakery, you’ll find the wine never stops flowing and the hearty food never ends.
Take a food tour to learn more about Georgia’s best culinary traditions, stroll to the lofty heights of Narikala Fortress, and soak up the mineral waters in the Bath District (did you know that Tbilisi was founded on natural hot springs?). With 3 days in Tbilisi, you can tick off all the sights, but you’ll be planning your return as soon as you head home!
If you’re still deciding where to stay then make sure to check out our article on the best boutique hotels in Tbilisi!
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How to Spend a Weekend in Tbilisi, Georgia
Getting Around Tbilisi
Your 3-day trip to Tbilisi will likely begin at one of two airports. Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) is located a half-hour drive (traffic dependent) from the city center, and there are direct flights to many European countries (including Turkey, Germany, Greece, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, etc.) and across the former Soviet world (to countries like Kazakhstan and Russia).
The second airport you might arrive in is Kutaisi, which is a popular destination for budget airlines, particularly Wizz Air. Flights to Kutaisi are often much cheaper than Tbilisi but you’ll need to then hop on the airport bus (a four-hour journey!) or the high-speed train (which also takes about four hours).
Much of Tbilisi is walkable, and if you’re staying in the Old Town, walking is indeed the best way to get around the cobbled streets. The city is well connected by a metro and bus system (you’ll need to buy a metro card and top it up), and there’s even an integrated cable car and funicular.
Given the cost-effective nature of Tbilisi’s ride-hailing apps, I typically get around using Bolt (anywhere in the city is just a few Georgian Lari). Never flag taxis down. While it’s totally safe to do so, you’ll almost certainly pay more than through ride-hailing apps.
Tbilisi Weekend Itinerary – Day 1
Old Town
I’d always recommend starting your weekend in Tbilisi with a walking tour of the Old Town. This is the historic heart of the Georgian capital, stretching from modern Liberty Square and Rustaveli Avenue down to the banks of the River Kura.
Overshadowed by the 11th century Narikala Fortress and the Soviet-built Mother of Georgia Statue (a towering figure with a sword in one hand and a jug of wine in the other), the Old Town is home to distinctive Georgian courtyard houses with their often colorful facades and long balconies.
Several companies, including Tbilisi Free Walking Tours, offer free walking tours of Tbilisi, where you’ll be guided through the backstreets, past famous sights like Gabriadze Theatre (with its wonky, quirky clocktower), and below ground to the Meidan Bazaar.
You’ll learn the history of Tbilisi – from its founding on hot springs in the 5th century AD – right up to independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and the turbulent times that followed.
Georgia is well known for its cuisine, and for lunch, I’d suggest digging into a hearty khachapuri (a Georgian cheese bread) and a plate of khinkali (Georgian dumplings oozing with juicy fillings). As your walking tour will end in the Old Town, why not pop into Machakhela, a cheap and cheerful restaurant in front of the “I Love Tbilisi” sign, where you can gorge on local dishes washed down with a carafe of Georgian wine?
Botanical Gardens
In the afternoon, head down to the Botanical Gardens after a quick stop at the nearby waterfall (how many capital cities can claim to have a waterfall in their Old Town?) or take a boat ride under the cliffs for a fantastic view of Tbilisi from the river. If you haven’t already (normally, walking tours take you up to Narikala Fortress), jump on the cable car and take in views from the Mother of Georgia Statue!
You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to dinner, but one of my favorite Tbilisi restaurants is Shavi Lomi, where you can order plates of grilled shashlik and fine bottles of Georgian wine without breaking the bank.
Tbilisi Weekend Itinerary – Day 2
Your 3-day Tbilisi itinerary continues with a niche tour of the city, allowing you to get under the surface of the Georgian capital as you explore lesser-known parts of history and culture. If you’re a foodie, I’d recommend joining a Culinary Backstreets Tour.
This excellent company really does get you off the beaten track, and their food tour takes you to underground bakeries serving fresh khachapuri and to the Dezerter Bazaar, where locals do their shopping.
Soviet Tour
If you’re already too full of khachapuri, then why not join a Soviet Tour of Tbilisi instead? You’ll hear about the positives and negatives of the Soviet era, how Georgia became an unwilling part of the Society Union, and how revolutions brought the USSR down in 1991.
You’ll also hear about the rather turbulent early years of independence when Georgia struggled with poverty, organized crime, and corruption. The Rose Revolution in 2003 brought massive change to Tbilisi, as the people decided they needed to put an end to corruption (so far, it’s been successful!).
Rustaveli Avenue
In the afternoon, take a walk along Rustaveli Avenue, the main thoroughfare in the city. Named for Georgia’s national writer (Shota Rusateveli, a medieval Georgian poet), you’ll see sights like the Georgian Parliament, the Georgian National Opera and Ballet Theater, and the National Gallery, alongside new malls and rustic booksellers alike.
Stop for coffee and cake at Prospero’s Books, a quirky bookshop hidden away in a courtyard, or if you weren’t on a food tour in the morning, stop for lunch at Pasanauri or the Wine Factory. In the afternoon, I’d suggest visiting the excellent Georgian National Museum, which delves back thousands of years into local history. Learn about the Legend of the Golden Fleece which originated here, and hear harrowing tales in the Museum of Soviet Occupation.
Orbeliani Baths
After another long day on your feet, you’re going to welcome an evening of relaxation. If you love a good spa session, then you’ll love the Orbeliani Baths. Located within Abanotubani (the Bath District), which you’ll have already seen in the Old Town, this grand Persian-style building is a modern take on Tbilisi’s centuries-old bathing culture.
Book a slot online, then enjoy the privacy of your own hot pool, fed by the thermal waters that bubble below the city. If you’re braver than me, you could also visit the public baths (which are significantly cheaper) or one of the more rustic bath houses, such as Bathhouse No.5.
Head for dinner at Cafe Leila, but don’t hang around. There’s one more stop this evening (just opposite the restaurant), and that’s the Gabriadze Theatre, which, again, you’ll have already seen wandering around the Old Town.
Gabriadze Theatre
Founded by iconic puppeteer Rezo Gabriadze, the theater hosts an unexpectedly moving selection of dramas, including “Stalingrad” and “The Autumn of My Springtime,” which are unlike any puppet shows you’ll be imagining.
Tbilisi Weekend Itinerary – Day 3
Mtskheta
Your weekend trip to Tbilisi comes to a close with one of two options. If you’re still full of energy, then I’d recommend a day trip from the capital. Your first choice is nearby Mtskheta, which is just a 45-minute drive away. This glorious UNESCO World Heritage-listed city was once the ancient capital of Georgia, and it’s home to stunning views over the confluences of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers.
Kakheti Wine Region
The other day trip option is a tour of the wine regions. Georgia has a winemaking history stretching back 8,000 years (this really is the cradle of wine production), and you can see firsthand the small wineries that produce the famed “Yellow Wines” in clay pot Qvevris as Georgians have done for millennia. Companies offer tours to the Kakheti region, where you can spend your last day indulging in the best local vintages.
If a day trip feels like too much on your last day, I’d suggest a wine tour of the city instead. You’ll be taken to wine cellars and tasting venues around Tbilisi, where you can crown off an excellent weekend by experiencing even more of Georgia’s excellent wine culture.
Fabrika
For dinner, you can make your way to Fabrika, an old textile factory that’s been transformed into a social hub. Part hostel, co-working space, and street food venue, the courtyard is packed with excellent little eateries serving everything from Georgian craft beer to pizza.
If you’re feeling a little more refined, book a table at the restaurant overlooking Tbilisi from the heights of Mtatsminda Park (Funicular Restaurant), which you’ll need to ride the funicular to. Get there for sunset, and you’ll bow out of Tbilisi with a fiery bang!
