Tbilisi is beautiful, and I really don’t recommend going because once you go, you won’t want to come back
Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is nestled between the Caucasus Mountains and the Kura River. It is an ancient mountain city that blends European charm with Asian influences. It is famous for its sulfur baths, colorful balconies, ancient churches, and fusion culinary culture. Here is a carefully prepared travel guide for Tbilisi.
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1. Core Highlights and Must-Visit Attractions
1. Old Town Center
· Freedom Square & Rustaveli Avenue: The city’s starting point and main thoroughfare, feel the pulse of a modern metropolis.
· Holy Trinity Cathedral: The tallest church in Georgia, majestic and a city landmark, especially sacred under the night lights.
· Narikala Fortress: An excellent spot overlooking the entire city of Tbilisi, accessible by foot or cable car. The sunset view is the most beautiful.
· “Mother of Georgia” Statue: Located next to the fortress, symbolizing the Georgian national spirit.
· Bridge of Peace: A modern glass and steel pedestrian bridge connecting the Old Town and the New District, enchanting at night.
2. Sulfur Bath District
· Abanotubani District: The heart of the Old Town, famous for its domed sulfur baths. The architecture itself is distinctive, a great place to experience traditional sulfur baths (reservation required) and take photos.
3. Culture and Art District
· Dry Bridge Market: A weekend flea market offering everything from Soviet-era items to handicrafts, perfect for treasure hunting.
· Puppet Theater & Clock Tower: A charmingly crooked clock tower where little puppets come out on the hour, full of childlike fun.
· Georgian National Museum: Learn about Georgia’s long history, especially artifacts from the Soviet era.
4. Surrounding Hilltops and Communities
· Mtatsminda Mountain (Holy Mountain): Accessible by vintage cable car, the mountaintop park has playgrounds and restaurants with excellent views.
· Mtatsminda Saint David Church: A church and writers’ cemetery on the hillside, peaceful and often visited by locals.
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2. Recommended Unique Experiences
1. Take a sulfur bath: Choose between traditional underground baths or private rooms to experience the unique sulfur hot spring water, which helps relieve fatigue.
2. Ride the cable cars/gondolas: Narikala Fortress cable car and Mtatsminda cable car offer aerial views of the city.
3. Taste authentic Georgian cuisine: Don’t miss:
· Khinkali (large soup dumplings): Similar to xiaolongbao, eat by biting the skin first to drink the soup.
· Khachapuri (cheese bread): The Adjarian boat-shaped version is the most famous, with a runny egg and cheese in the center.
· Churchkhela (nut candy string): A common street sweet that looks like a candle.
· Georgian wine: One of the birthplaces of wine, be sure to experience it in a traditional wine house (Supra).
4. Visit local markets: Besides Dry Bridge Market, Dezerter Bazaar is a great place to feel the local atmosphere and buy spices and specialties.
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3. Itinerary Suggestions
Classic 3-day Tour
· Day 1: Old Town Highlights: Freedom Square → Walk to Bridge of Peace → Sulfur Bath District (exterior) → Cable car to Narikala Fortress (watch sunset) → Descend to visit Puppet Theater Clock Tower → Dinner in Old Town.
· Day 2: Culture and Panoramas: Holy Trinity Cathedral → Georgian National Museum → Cable car to Mtatsminda Mountain (Holy Mountain) → Evening stroll on Rustaveli Avenue.
· Day 3: Markets and In-depth Experience: Morning at Dry Bridge Market or Dezerter Bazaar → Afternoon sulfur bath experience → Evening feast at a traditional restaurant (Supra).
Extended 5-7 Day Tour
Based on Tbilisi, easily arrange day trips to nearby places:
· Mtskheta (20 minutes from Tbilisi): Ancient capital of Georgia, with the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
· Gori (1 hour from Tbilisi): Stalin’s hometown, visit the Stalin Museum.
· Sighnaghi (2 hours from Tbilisi): The town of love, located in the wine region, perfect for wine tasting and enjoying the walled town scenery.
· Kazbegi (3 hours from Tbilisi): A symbol of the Caucasus Mountains, visit the Holy Trinity Church, passing Ananuri Fortress and the Russian-Georgian Friendship Monument along the way, with magnificent scenery.
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4. Transportation and Accommodation
· Airport: Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport, reachable by bus No. 37 or taxi (using Bolt/Yandex.Taxi costs about 15-25 GEL) to the city center.
· City Transport: Metro (requires a transport card), buses, taxis. Strongly recommend using ride-hailing apps Bolt or Yandex.Taxi for transparent pricing and to avoid disputes.
· Accommodation Recommendations:
· Old Town: Most convenient, full of historic charm, ideal for exploring on foot.
· Near Rustaveli Avenue: Business center, convenient transport, many hotel options.
· Near Sulfur Bath District: Quiet at night, unique experience.
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5. Practical Information and Tips
1. Visa: Chinese ordinary passport holders can stay visa-free for up to 30 days. Please check the latest policy before traveling.
2. Currency: Georgian Lari (GEL). Most places accept cards, but markets and small shops require cash. Exchange rate about 1 CNY ≈ 0.4 GEL (subject to real-time rates).
3. Language: Georgian is primary, Russian is common. English is generally understood in tourist areas but less widespread than in Western Europe. Learning a few simple Georgian phrases (e.g., Gamarjoba = Hello, Madloba = Thank you) is appreciated.
4. Best Travel Time: April to June (spring) and September to October (autumn) with pleasant weather. Summer is hot, winter is wet and cold but has its own charm.
5. Safety: Overall safe, but keep an eye on your belongings and beware of unofficial currency exchanges and overly “friendly” strangers in the Old Town.
6. Internet: Buy a local SIM card (such as Magti, Geocell, Beeline), affordable and with good signal.
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6. Special Reminders
· Georgia is an Orthodox Christian country. When entering churches, women should cover their hair with a scarf and wear skirts or pants that cover the knees; shoulders should not be exposed. Scarves are usually provided at church entrances.
· Locals are warm and hospitable, with a strong toasting culture at the dining table. If invited to a family feast (Supra), be prepared for a long time enjoying food, wine, and toasts.
· Tbilisi’s terrain is hilly, so bring comfortable walking shoes.
Tbilisi is a city to be savored slowly. Have a cup of rich coffee, sit by the Kura River, and watch the ancient and modern intertwine among the hills and waters—this is the best way to experience it. Wishing you a pleasant journey!