In my big guide to Georgia, I described my adventures in this remarkable country. Now I aim to share my experiences of staying in the Georgian capital, highlight its main attractions, and suggest places where you can try delicious food and good Georgian wine.
ATTRACTIONS
Tbilisi is full of fascinating architecture. You’ll find Soviet-era buildings, modern designs, and buildings of 19th cent. Walking the streets, I was looking at the columns, decorative details, beautiful balconies, and elegant forms of Georgian churches. It’s best to explore Tbilisi by walking, wandering into small streets, and looking into courtyards. Here are some most interesting attractions.
The Sameba Cathedral, or Holy Trinity Cathedral, although built recently in the early 2000s, is a good representation of traditional Georgian architecture. The church is situated on a hill, so you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the city.
The Narikala is a fortress built around the 4th century. If you decide to visit it, be cautious and wear comfortable shoes — the fortress is not well-suited for walking. However, the view from the top of the fortress is breathtaking.
The Mother of Georgia, or Kartlis Deda, is a monument made in the mid-20th century. In one hand, the statue holds a sword for protection against enemies, and in the other, a bowl of wine for those who come as guests. You can reach the monument by a cable car (payment by bank card is possible), and the fare is 3 lari (about $1).
The Biltmore Hotel building, previously it was a main building of the Marxism-Leninism Institute built in 1938, is a good example of Soviet-era architecture.
School №58 is a beautiful building in the Gothic style.
The Old Tbilisi district, located near the historic sulphur baths: narrow streets along old buildings create a unique atmosphere. I wanted to visit the park behind the baths, but unfortunately, it was closed during my visit.
The Bridge of Peace is a good example of modern architecture in Tbilisi. Don’t forget to visit the Concert Hall, which is uniquely shaped like two tubes, and the House of Justice.
The Liberty Square with the monument of Saint George slaying the dragon is one of the most famous landmarks of Tbilisi.
Walking along Shota Rustaveli Avenue is definitely worth your time, as it is has many beautiful spots. But my favourite place in the city is Kote Abkhazi Street . It goes from the Liberty Square to the old districts of Tbilisi and has a lot of vibrant souvenir shops and cafes on it.
I recommend visiting every church you see on your way. Remember that women need to cover their heads; usually, there is a box with scarves at the entrance. In Georgian churches, you won’t see a lot of decorations or wall paintings, but this allows you to better appreciate interesting shapes and architectural features of the buildings. If you happen to be in Tbilisi on a Sunday, make sure to attend the morning service to enjoy the amazing church singing. It’s an unforgettable experience that will immerse you in the atmosphere of Georgia’s spiritual heritage and cultural richness.”
SOME SPECIAL THINGS ABOUT TBILISI
Dogs in Tbilisi are the first thing that catches your eye. You can see them everywhere, most often simply sleeping or wandering. The authorities take care of them: they catch, vaccinate against rabies, and sterilize them, then return them to the streets. Often, you can see a colored clip on their ears — a sign that the dog has undergone all the necessary procedures. They are peaceful and not aggressive at all.
In Tbilisi, you can notice a huge amount of graffiti. However, in most cases, these are not beautiful murals or drawings, but rather tags or political inscriptions.
Tbilisi has an amazing architecture, however, many buildings are in need of restoration. Some of them look like abandoned. Despite it may be a sign of economic problems, it contributes a unique atmosphere to the urban landscape.
Tbilisi is a city of books. It looks like people are bringing out old books from their homes and selling them everywhere on the streets.
WHERE TO EAT
Tbilisi has a lot of vibrant places where everyone can try delisious Georgian cuisine. However, be prepared that the level of service can be less than ideal. Below, I discuss several restaurants in Tbilisi that are worth your attention.
Bernard (5 Galaktion Tabidze Street). This restaurant in Tbilisi is my favorite. It offers a wide selection of dishes, both Georgian and European cuisines. There is also their Asian cuisine restaurant nearby. The restaurant is located in the city center, just a 3-minute walk from the Liberty Square. The prices are reasonable; they ask only 15 lari (about $5.5) for 1 liter of good white wine.
Khinkali House (1 Vladimir Machishvili Street). A decent restaurant near the Avlabari metro station. It’s a bit away from the main tourist spots, so the prices here are slightly lower than in the center.
Old Time (106 David Agmashenebeli Avenue). I have a complicated story with this restaurant. When I first came to Tbilisi, I lived nearby and often came here for dinner. The food is tasty, but the service wasn’t good. I felt like an uninvited guest at the waiters’ home. Once, they even forgot to bring my change. The restaurant is located near the Marjanishvili metro station.
Please recommend more places in Tbilisi, and I will visit them and add them to the guide. Read my extensive text about Georgia.
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