Location: Tbilisi
Day 1 - 1 Sep 2021
Tbilisi International Airport
Content: Arrive to Tbilisi international airport from your destination
Location: T'bilisi
Day 1 - 1 Sep 2021
სასტუმრო გრაფიკა თბილისი
Content: Check-in at the Hotel in Tbilisi before exploring the xity
Shota Rustaveli Avenue
Content: Start your day from exploring Rustaveli avenue. This 1.5 km long road houses the most significant buildings of the town. Named after Shota Rustaveli, a medieval poet and one of the significant contributors to Georgian literature, the Avenue utterly tells the splendor of capital.
Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi
Content: The building was designed and constructed by an Italian architect Giovani Scudueri in 1851. Sources say that it was one of the most beautiful Opera Houses in Europe and even in Imperial Russia. Unfortunately, in 1874 a fire destroyed the building, and not many pictures remain to see how it looked. An architect of Baltic German origin, Victor Johann Gottlieb Schroter, assembled the current opera house in 1896. Even though both inside and outside are of Oriental style, the foyers, layout, and the main hall are typically European.
Zodiako
Content: Stop for a lunch to try some delicious Georgian food. So here are the staples of Georgian cuisine: Khinkali (meat dumplings), Phali (spinach with walnuts), Mtsvadi (BBQ meat), and Khachapuri (pizza-like cheese pie). However, there is much more!
The National Gallery
Content: Art lovers should visit the National Gallery to see the masterpieces of Georgian fine art of the early 20th century, including paintings of Niko Pirosmani, David Kakabadze, and Lado Gudiashvili.
Georgian National Museum
Content: The Museum of Georgia displays a unique collection of human and natural history, with animal remnants dating back 40 million years. Make sure to visit Soviet Occupation Hall and Archeological Treasury.
Freedom Square
Content: One of the places to visit in Tbilisi is Freedom Square, also known as Liberty Square. In its 200-year history, the area has undergone several name changes. Neoclassical style square was called Pashkevich-Erivanskaya, Beria, and Lenin Square. In the past two decades, the square has been the epicenter of various demonstrations and celebrations. Today, St. George's partly golden statue adorns the center dedicated to the freedom and independence of the Georgian nation.
Nikoloz Baratashvili Street
Content: Tbilisi used to be a walled town, and when it became part of the Russian Empire in the late 18th century, it started to expand outside of its walls, right at today's Freedom Square. So one of the places to visit in Tbilisi is the remains of its old wall at Pushkin Street. The walls have several layers - evidence of Tbilisi being repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt.
Clock Tower
Content: A relatively new edition to Tbilisi's landmarks, the leaning clock tower is a masterpiece of Rezo Gabriadze, famous Georgian theater, filmmaker, playwright, painter, and sculptor. Every hour an angel comes out with a small hammer to ring the bell. At noon and 7 pm, you can watch a puppet show – "The Circle of Life." You will notice beautiful tiles adorning the tower. Rezo himself designed hundreds of them.
Shavi Lomi
Content: Translated as Black Lion in English, the restaurant is famous among locals and foreigners visiting the country. Their modern twist to local traditional Georgian cuisine is a key to their success and popularity. I have visited this place several times, and I must say they never lower their standards and service. Everything here is finger-licking good. One of my favorite Georgian food here is Gobi, a wooden bowl filled with various vegetable appetizers such as spinach, eggplant, beans, carrot, beetroot and cornbread, and cheese. You can’t find the meal on the menu, you just need to tell the waitress for it. Do note that the feeling might vary seasonally.
Location: T'bilisi
Day 2 - 2 Sep 2021
Metekhi St. Virgin Church
Content: Continue your trip to Tbilisi, visiting Metekhi Church on your way to Abanotubani, the old part of the city. Once done visiting the church inside, have a gorgeous view of typical Tbilisi houses on the other side of the river.
Europe Square
Content: Even though part of the Berlin Wall is very well located and visible to everyone, it remains a bit of a hidden gem among other things to do in Tbilisi. I assume that's because the wall is not quite attractive and pleasing to an eye; therefore, not many people pay attention.
Location: Tbilisi
Day 2 - 2 Sep 2021
Abanotubani
Content: Abanotubani, translates as "bath district" and refers to the fact that sulfur hot waters some naturally in this area of the town. Due to this, there are dozens of bath houses you can visit.
Chreli Abano
Content: One of the must-do things to do in Tbilisi is to visit a bathhouse. No trip to Tbilisi is complete without it. It's believed that sulfur baths are beneficial for your skin and general well-being of the body. Try either Orbeliani Colorful bathhouse that many mistakes it for a mosque, Gulo's Abano, or Queen's Sulfur Bath at Abano II Dead End. I would advise reserving a room for mornings, as I have heard that the water needs at least three hours to self-filter itself. Advance booking is recommended.
Location: T'bilisi
Day 2 - 2 Sep 2021
Leghvtakhevi Waterfall
Content: Passed Abanotubani, there is a ravine called Lagvtakhevi, leading to a small waterfall. With the unique scenery, it's a great place to sit on a banch and explore the remains of old Tbilisi.
Location: Tbilisi
Day 2 - 2 Sep 2021
Pasanauri
Content: Grab a lunch and try some other Georgian local meals you haven't tried the day before.
Narikala Fortress
Content: Overlooking the historic area, Narikala Fortress is one of the most iconic places to visit in Tbilisi. The fortress dates back to the 4th century when it initially was a seat of Persian rulers. Enjoy panoramic views of Rike Park, Metechi Church, and domed bathhouses. The best way to get to Narikala is to take a cable car and then climb down steep cobblestone streets back to Gorgasali (Meidan) Square.
Location: T'bilisi
Day 2 - 2 Sep 2021
Mother of Georgia
Content: Right next to Narikala Fortress, you'll notice a massive figure of a woman with a cup and a sword in her hands. That's Mother of Georgia - a symbol of Georgian hospitality and strength. The bowl is for those who come as friends to Georgia, offering a glass of wine. The sword, in her other hand, is to defend against enemies.
Betlemi Street
Content: Betlemi street is home to one of the most beautiful stained glass houses locals call a Kaleidoscope House. It is one of the most famous photo-spots that should be on your list of things to do in Tbilisi. The building is partly residential, party commercial with Gallery 27 shop showcasing the handmade items of Georgian artists. The best time for photoshoots is the Golden Hour, the time when the stained glass is perfectly illuminated with warm colors and creates vibrant shadows and reflections.
Puri Guliani
Content: Puri Guliani is another restaurant in Tbilisi to try contemporary and traditional Georgian food. Their menu mostly focuses on doughy meals, therefore, they have all the different types of Khachapuri including Adjarian (the boat-shaped one), Achma (imagine cheesy lasagna but with dough), and Mkhlovani (beetroot or spinach leaves with cheese) to name a few. Apart from the pasty meals, you can try their colorful tomato salad topped with Nadughi cheese wrapped in Sulguni cheese. The flavors of tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and cheese are very well balanced. Make sure you order Laghidze water, a local lemonade of different flavors. My favorite is the vanilla and chocolate mixture.
Location: Tbilisi
Day 3 - 3 Sep 2021
Dry Bridge Market
Content: Dry Bridge Flea Market features vintage junk, including old Soviet medals, second-hand cameras, porcelain china, old vinyl, paintings, furniture, various decor items, utensils, and even Stallone movies on VHS cassettes. It's a heaven for vintage lovers. You can find anything here! And even if you are not looking for anything to buy, it still is a marvelous experience.
Location: T'bilisi
Day 3 - 3 Sep 2021
Fabrika
Content: Fabrika Tbilisi, a former sewing factory turned into a multi-functional space, is a go-to destination to meet friends, mingle, or just enjoy a glass of beer in a vibrant environment. The complex incorporates a hostel, co-working space, shops, and cafes. When the weather gets warm in Tbilisi, Fabrika's courtyard becomes the most popular spot to hang out, especially on Friday evenings and the weekend.
Mtatsminda Park
Content: Mount Mtatsminda is home to Mtatsminda Park and a TV Tower that dominates Tbilisi skyline. Here you can find water slides, carousels, a roller-coaster, and a big Ferris Wheel. The best way to get to the park is via the funicular, a historical ropeway at Chonkadze street. You will need to purchase a special Mtatsminda Park card that is valid for the funicular and the attractions within the park.
Location: Tbilisi
Day 3 - 3 Sep 2021
Chronicles of Georgia
Content: Because of its location far away from the city center, tourists or locals rarely visit the Chronicles of Georgia. A monument with panoramic views over Tbilisi has a 30-meter tall pillar depicting kings, heroes, and queens of Georgia. The bottom part portrays biblical scenes and the life of Christ.
Location: T'bilisi
Day 3 - 3 Sep 2021
Wine Factory N1
Content: Wine Factory N1 is a restaurant and a bar complex with various eateries and drink places. Come here for a dinner and then head to its bars for a drink or two.
Location: Mtskheta
Day 4 - 4 Sep 2021
Mtskheta
Content: Located only 40 minutes from Tbilisi, Mtskheta is a former capital of Georgia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town itself is small, and the main landmarks to see here is the fabulous 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the masterpiece of medieval Georgian architecture.
Jvari Monastery
Content: Once here, make sure to visit Jvari Monastery, sitting on top of a hill overlooking Mtskheta and the confluence Georgia's two main rivers. Come here at sunset for even better views
Location: Gori
Day 5 - 5 Sep 2021
Gori
Content: Gori is a small town close to Tbilisi, making it a great day-trip option form the capital. The birthplace of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, Gori is home to his house-museum displaying his memorabilia, photographs, documents, death masks and personal train carriage he used to travel by. You can also see his actual house where he grew up.
Stalin Museum
Content: Visiting his house-museum is the number one reason why travelers include the city in their Georgia itinerary. The complex includes a memorial house where he was born, an exposition building, and his personal train carriage by which he used to travel to Yalta, Potsdam, and Tehran. The exhibition building showcases his personal memorabilia, his study room and office furniture sent from Kremlin, gifts from the world’s delegations visiting him, manuscripts, his death mask, and the maquette of the mausoleum. More importantly, there are plenty of portraits, photographs, and busts of Stalin anywhere you look around.
Location: Kvakhvreli
Day 5 - 5 Sep 2021
Uplistsikhe City Caves
Content: Uplistsikhe is one of the cave towns in Georgia, apart from Vardzia and David Gareji. The name of the cave town literally translates into English as ‘the lord’s fortress’ and is located 14 km from Gori. The complex dates back to the first half of the 1st Millenium BC. This rock-hewn town is characterized by a unique combination of different rock-cut cultures of Iran and Anatolia that co-exists along with Christian and pagan architecture.
Location: Tbilisi
Day 5 - 5 Sep 2021
Tbilisi
Content: Time to go back to Tbilisi for a flight back home. Tbilisi is truly a magical city we hope to come back to soon.