Tbilisi, Georgia

The Georgian capital Tbilisi is a hospitable and full of joy city. It is located on the banks of the Kura River, at the crossroads of the main trade routes between Europe and Asia. Previously, Tbilisi was called Tiflis, and the current name was given due to the hot sulfur springs: “tbili” in Georgian means “warm”.

Everyone who enters the local streets inevitably feels the spirit of ancient history: the city was founded in the 5th century. Over the centuries of its existence, Tbilisi has repeatedly been subjected to raids, arson and devastation, but each time again returned to life. Today, the city continues to develop rapidly, carefully preserving its unique culture. See BRIDGAT for climate and weather information of Georgia.

Modern Tbilisi is the economic, political and industrial center of Georgia. Its appearance is a bright mixture of majestic ancient cathedrals and dilapidated fortresses, old quarters and colorful courtyards with openwork balconies, Soviet buildings and ultramodern business centers. Travelers come here to enjoy the magnificent nature, wander through historical places, meet temperamental locals, try authentic cuisine – in other words, get unforgettable emotions from relaxing in an ancient city with a big heart.

Districts of Tbilisi

The Kura River flows through the whole of Tbilisi, dividing the city into two halves. The most interesting areas for tourists are the Old City, Avlabari and Mtatsminda, where the main attractions and the most expensive hotels with restaurants are located. The remaining parts of the city are being actively built up with new houses and do not represent significant historical value.

The heart of Tbilisi is the Old City, or, as it is also called, Kala, which has existed since the 5th century. This is the area between the coast of the Kura and the fortress of Narikala, in ancient times protected by impregnable fortress walls.

In Calais, medieval houses made of brick and mud are everywhere, between which narrow cobbled streets meander.

It is in the Old City that the main attractions of the Georgian capital are concentrated: Zion Cathedral, Anchiskhati Temple, Narikala Fortress with well-preserved towers and the Church of St. Nicholas. There are also the legendary sulfur baths and Baratashvili Avenue with unusual sculptural compositions, the most famous of which depicts folk dances “berikaoba”.

There are many interesting places in the Mtatsminda region, built on the mountain of the same name. The central artery of the city is Rustaveli Avenue with the Parliament, the National Museum, all kinds of theaters, hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Both the Pantheon and the Kashveti temple are located in Mtatsminda.

Avlabar is the area from where, presumably, the construction of the Georgian capital began. Here, too, there are unique monuments of culture and architecture: Sameba Cathedral, the palace of Queen Darejan, the ruins of the Armenian Cathedral of Avetaran.

The Metekhi region on the rock of the same name is one of the oldest settlements in Georgia. Its symbol is the Assumption Church of the 12th century, picturesquely towering over the Kura. In the high-mountainous Didgori region, attached to the capital at the beginning of the new millennium, it is cool even at the height of summer. Tourists come here to relax in first-class restaurants and enjoy the views of the Betania Monastery and the Kojori Fortress. The Chugureti region is notable for the fact that temples of various confessions peacefully coexist here. And there are many inexpensive hotels, hostels and cozy cafes.

In order to better understand the intricacies of Tbilisi streets, we recommend this material – ” Districts of Tbilisi: where to stay.”

Tbilisi Hotels

There are many comfortable hotels in Tbilisi, different in price and star level. The most expensive are located in the center, near Freedom Square and the Opera House. The cost of living in five-star hotels such as Coral or Tbilisi Marriott is from 300 GEL per night.

The price is significantly affected not only by the location of the hotel and the quality of the room stock, but also by the view from the window: rooms with windows overlooking the courtyard can be almost half the price.

Cheap hotels are the most popular among travelers. Rooms in small 2 * hotels – from 55 GEL. An even more affordable option for accommodation is hostels located throughout the city (from 20 GEL per night). There are many of them, for example, in the Chugureti region. Do not be afraid to settle away from the center: a well-developed transport infrastructure makes it easy to get to the main attractions, and prices in regional hotels are much lower.

Many vacationers prefer to stay in rented apartments or rooms in the private sector. The first option is more convenient: the tenants have their own kitchen and all other conditions for a comfortable stay. Apartments for rent – from 85 GEL per day: the price depends on the location, general condition and number of rooms. Private accommodation is a great solution for those who want to truly immerse themselves in the amazing atmosphere of the Georgian quarter. The cost of such pleasure is from 27 GEL per day.