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Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is a perfect base for getting to know the Caucasian country: at the same time, however, the list of what to see in Tbilisi in two days proves that the Georgian capital is definitely worth a visit!
The ratio of Tbilisi’s inhabitants to those of Georgia is striking. In fact, 3.7 million people live in all of Georgia: of these, as many as 1.1 live in its capital city. Tbilisi, therefore, is the most important city in Georgia, by a margin!
Tbilisi is a pleasant city to visit. Its old town is full of cobblestone and pedestrian streets, and you can find plenty of places to eat and drink excellently!
This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download the article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, visit the Walking Tours and Articles in Tbilisi section.
What to see in Tbilisi: Peace Bridge
I begin the list of what to see in Tbilisi with the Peace Bridge. This bridge, in fact, was built in 2010 by an architect from Angera, my native town (here is what to see in Angera). Architect Michele De Lucchi, in fact, built this futuristic bridge that connects the old city of Tbilisi to Rike Park. Honestly, I have found that the bridge is not much appreciated by the people of Tbilisi, who consider the construction too new.
Personally, I recommend admiring the bridge by walking around it during the day and observing it at night from the Metekhi Bridge.
What to see in Tbilisi: Maidan Square
Maidan Square is, arguably, the best known place in Tbilisi. Maidan Square is often considered the nerve center of Tbilisi and, with Rustaveli Avenue, is often the scene of Georgian protests (especially after the 2008 war with Russia). At Maidan Square you can find various bars and restaurants and, most importantly, admire downtown Tbilisi: at night it looks like an illuminated nativity scene!
Maidan Square is historically an important place for commerce: this is where the commercial activities of the famous Silk Road departed from.
What to see in Tbilisi: Metekhi and Europe Square
A stone’s throw away from Maidan Square is the Metekhi Bridge. From here visits to the Peace Bridge are sensational! To the right of the Metekhi Bridge is the church of the same name, which dates back to the 13th century. From the Metekhi church you can see the Tbilisi Fortress and the Kura River.
At the base of Metekhi Church is โEurope Squareโ. Although not beautiful, it is very interesting. In fact, this square is a symbol of Georgian desire to join the European Union. After the 2008 war, many Georgians would like to be part of Europe. In this square you can see a lot of European flags and a piece of the Berlin Wall, strongly desired by the Georgian government to remember the period of Germany being divided in two.
From Europe Square the cable car to Tbilisi Fortress departs (cost is about two euros).
What to see in Tbilisi: Holy Trinity Cathedral
Starting from โEurope Squareโ it is possible to reach, walking about twenty minutes (uphill), one of my favorite places in Tbilisi. The Holy Trinity Cathedral, in fact, is definitely worth a visit. Although it is recent (construction began in 1995) and although it is huge in size (it is the third largest Orthodox church in the world) it is, in my opinion, very interesting.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral, in fact, is surrounded by gardens that make for a very pleasant visit. The view of Tbilisi, moreover, is very interesting from here!
Short shorts and bare shoulders are not allowed in all religious monuments.
What to see in Tbilisi: churches of Sioni and Anchiskhati
In the historic center of Tbilisi there are two historically and architecturally very important churches. The origins of Sioni Cathedral date as far back as the 6th century, but it has been destroyed and remodeled several times over the centuries. Sioni Cathedral was one of the very few active religious places even during the Soviet era. It boasts two bell towers, one dating back to the 15th century and the second to the 19th century.
The Anchiskhati Basilica, on the other hand, is the oldest Orthodox church in Tbilisi. It dates back to the 6th century and was totally modified with the reconstructions that took place in the 1870s. Unlike Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati Basilica was not functional during the Soviet era: it was used as a museum of handicrafts. Admission is free to both churches.
What to see in Tbilisi: old town and clock tower
The route connecting the two churches just mentioned is the very core of Old Tbilisi. In particular, Erekle II Street is the center of Tbilisi’s tourist activities. The walk from one church to the other is really pleasant! In fact, the old town of Tbilisi is characterized by pedestrian streets and many balconies, finely built.
Near the Anchiskhati Basilica is one of the symbols of Tbilisi. The clock tower, in fact, is very distinctive. The structure of the tower is, in itself, dilapidated. Since 2010, however, there is a beautiful clock that makes the tower, which was commissioned by the artist Rezo Gabriadze, very interesting and beautiful. Near the tower there is a puppet theater, also built by Gabriadze.
At every hour you can observe an angel ringing the bells, while at 12 noon and 7 p.m. you can watch a small puppet show that makes the work even more valuable! The clock tower is definitely worth a visit: its structure is a reminder of how unpredictable and eventful life is!
What to see in Tbilisi: Freedom Square
Ten minutes away from the clock tower is another very important Tbilisi square. Freedom Square, in fact, houses the city hall and the monument of St. George slaying the dragon. The square is very beautiful, although it is definitely busy.
Freedom Square is historically very important. It owes its name to the independence gained by Georgia at the end of World War I: it was, however, a momentary success. During the Soviet period the square was renamed Lenin Square. Only in 1991 did it become Freedom Square again. From this square grew Rustaveli Avenue, famous for housing the Georgian parliament and, most importantly, the anti-Soviet uprisings of 1989 and 1991.
There are plenty of bars (spectacular breweries!) and restaurants near Freedom Square. As you read on, I will list the best places and, in addition, you can find a map of what to see in Tbilisi.
What to see in Tbilisi: the fortress and Mother Georgia
Narikala Fortress is another of Tbilisi’s symbols. Its history is strongly intertwined with that of Georgia. It was originally built in the 4th century, but was destroyed several times over the centuries. The fortress is currently (June 2024) not accessible as there are ongoing renovations of the walls. The easiest best way to reach the fortress is to take the cable car from Europe Square. I, however, preferred to walk: from Maiden Square you should calculate at least half an hour, uphill. On the way you can see the beautiful Bethlehem Church and, in addition, the monument dedicated to Mother Georgia (Kartlis Deda). This statue is as high as twenty meters and depicts a woman holding a glass of wine and a sword (thus depicting Georgian hospitality and willingness to defend their land).
Also near the fortress and the monument is the entrance to the botanical garden (cost four euros). The views from Mother Georgia are spectacular!
What to see in Tbilisi: the thermal baths
A visit to Tbilisi cannot be called complete without visiting at least one thermal bath. Once again, Georgian history intersects with a place to visit. In fact, legend says that Tbilisi was founded in the present location thanks to the hawk of King Gorgasali. This monarch was searching for hot springs, which were discovered by his ill-fated hawk. Tbilisi, in fact, means, hot place.
I personally wanted to try a thermal bath. I chose Orbeliani Baths (from the outside, the structure looks like a mosque). For the price of about 60 euros I was able to enjoy a half-hour massage (excellent) and an hour in a private room: here I had the opportunity to bathe in a tub filled with sulfur water. Great experience!
The square in front of Orbeliani, which is only a five-minute walk from Maiden Square, is very nice: the mix of water and domes of the thermal baths makes it very pleasant!
What to see in Tbilisi: Chronicles of Georgia
Outside the historic center of Tbilisi you can visit the Chronicles of Georgia monument. This work is also affectionately called the Georgian Stonehenge. The monument is meant to commemorate Georgian culture; it was built in 1985 and is more than 30 meters high.
There is an artificial lake in the vicinity of the monument, much loved by Tbilisi residents. To reach Chronicles of Georgia you can take a cab (I recommend the Bolt app) from Tbilisi: expect to pay about 15 euros round trip. Chronicles of Georgia is often part of a day tour that allows you to learn about Gori and Uplistsikhe.
USEFUL INFORMATION ON WHAT TO SEE IN TBILISI
- Tbilisi is an interesting city. It deserves in my opinion a two-day visit. You could use Tbilisi as a base to visit the most interesting places in Georgia, returning to Tbilisi in the evening.
- The center of Tbilisi is relatively small. All of the above destinations are within walking distance except Chronicles of Georgia. Mother Georgia and the fortress can be reached by cable car.
- The best seasons to visit Tbilisi are spring and autumn. In summer, temperatures easily rise above 35 degrees, while in winter the cold weather could be very harsh.
- Georgian cuisine is fantastic! In Tbilisi I ate divinely at Khinkali Bar and Khinkali House (of course I recommend trying the khinkali, a kind of giant dumpling stuffed with meat or vegetables). Sakhli #11 and Ninia’s Garden are two very good restaurants where you can try other Georgian delicacies: the meat stews and the innards sausages are divine things!
- Drinking in Georgia is paradise! I start by suggesting Modi’s wine, a stone’s throw from Maiden Square-the Georgian wine is superlative! My favorite Tbilisi breweries are Sma, Tsota Tsota, 2 Tones. I would also definitely add Envoy Hostel’s: the hostel terrace is spectacular! At Maclaren Pub, a stone’s throw from Maiden Square, you can watch soccer games and drink typical Georgian schnapps: great!
- What to see in Tbilisi. My personal podium is Maiden Square, the streets of the old city, the view from Mother Georgia. Here, instead, you can read what to visit in Georgia in five days!
- I recommend that you also visit Armenia! Here you can see a tour of Armenia, while here what to do in Yerevan.
- Here is a map of what to see in Tbilisi!
