What To Do In Tbilisi
Georgia’s capital is well known for its beautiful old town. The maze of narrow lanes, decadent, yet crumbling buildings and gorgeous churches make it a wonderful place to wander. Taking a walk and exploring the city is one of the best things to do in Tbilisi. These two walks take in some of Tbilisi’s most interesting sights, taking you from the old town, into the surrounding hills and through the cities back streets.
Walk 1
This route starts on the edge of the old town as it takes in some of Tbilisi’s best sights. It takes around 4 hours, but photo stops will naturally add more time. It starts and ends in Liberty Square.
Start: Liberty Square
Finish: Liberty Square
Liberty Square to Sioni Cathedral
From Liberty square head south east down Kote-Abkhazi street. A street littered with souvenir shops and restaurants and tour operators offering a range of trips across the country. The road will bend round to the right and as the road straightens take a left heading towards the Steizehaus restaurant. As you approach this restaurant take a right and you will soon see the stunning Sioni Cathedral on your left.
Sioni Cathedral to the Nikala Fortress
Just beyond the cathedral to the right there is a cute little park that makes a nice place to take a break for 5 minutes or so. Head through this park and you will be opposite the Norashen Armenian Church and the Jvaris Mama. There are plenty of side streets and alleyways that you can jump into and explore before carrying on with the rest of the walk.
These two monasteries bring you back onto Kote-Abkhazi street. Keep on follow the road past the “I love Tbilisi” sign and you will be close to your first major destination. Cross the bridge and walk towards the cable car station. From here you can take the cable car up to the Nikala Fortress. Do be aware that the cable car does not run when its windy. However you can still walk up in the event of a cable car closure.
Nikala Fortress to Meteki Church
From the cable car station head right and check out the mother of Georgia statue offering beautiful views over Tbilisi. Take the path you just came along and carry on back past the cable car terminus. Follow the path that runs downhill alongside the fortress walls. You will need to double back on yourself to enter the Nikala fortress itself. Inside, check out the Nikala Monastery before climbing around the fortress walls.
From the Nikala fortress head out past the sulphur baths and back across the road. At the roundabout, take a right almost looping back on yourself as you head up the hill towards Meteki Church. From here you can carry on down the road to a great viewpoint back towards the Nikala Fortress.
Meteki Church to Sameba Cathedral
Take the road back down the hill and cross the roundabout head up the winding hill with your back facing the Nikala fortress. Head up the steep hill passing a couple of small shops and old lada’s struggling with the gradient. Follow the road round to the right passing the Armenian Apostolic church on the other side of the road.
Soon after this cross to the opposite side of the road using the underpass. Head straight down the road keeping Ablavari subway and bus station on your tight. As you pass a bunch of cute but decaying houses and small neighbourhood bakeries keep following the road and soon you will see signs for the Sameba Cathedral. One of Tbilisi’s most recognisable sights, its golden roofs make it a breathtaking structure from near and far.
Sameba Cathedral to Liberty Square
Take your time strolling in and around the cathedral before head straight down Samreklo street. You’ll pop out of this narrow lane close to the river. From here follow the river down towards the peace bridge and the music theatre and exhibition hall.
After crossing the peace bridge work you way through the narrow winding streets to Kote Abkhazi street and follow it all the way up to Liberty Square. Find a place to rest your weary legs with a cheeky beer and khachapuri. Check our article on what to eat in Georgia to guide you through the some of the best things to eat in Georgia.
Walk 2
This second walk is a shorter taking in the areas around Rustaveli Avenue and Mtatsminda. Expect this one to take around 2 hours.
Start: Liberty Square
Finish: National Museum of Georgia
Liberty Square to Mtatsminda Church
From Liberty square head south down Galaktion Street and take a right at the very end. The streets here are quiet, the patter of footsteps of the old town are replaced by the gentle hum of Soviet era Ladas. This area is home to some of Tbilisi’s most interesting residential architecture. Expect to see plenty old buildings that, in spite of huge cracks and dilapidated walls are somehow still standing.
After taking the right hand turn keep following the road, Lado Asatiani Street slightly uphill and then take a right another right just before the back dog bar onto Geronti Kikodze Street. Follow this road until you reach a T-junction then take a right followed by an immediate left which will bring you onto Pavle Ingorokva Street. Keep following this road past some dilapidated buildings on the left and some newer constructions on the right.
As this road begins to flatten you will reach a crossroad. Straight in front is a 24 hour supermarket, to you right is the Georgian Intelligence Services building, usually guarded by a couple of uniformed army officers. Take a left here and follow the road uphill as it bends round to the right.
Eventually you will reach a crossroad, take a left which takes up a steep road that eventually leads to the stunning Mtatsminda Church. From here the views over Tbilisi are sublime, so good in fact that they may even be able to give the views from Nikala fortress a run for their money.
Mtatsminda to the Museum of Georgia
After you have enjoyed the views and given your legs a sufficient rest you can either carry on uphill for more great views. Alternatively, you can do as we did and head down. Take the same road as you came up and branch left onto Besiki Street. From here follow this same path as it winds down onto Rustavelli Avenue. There are numerous small avenues and alleyways to explore if you wish.
When you get back onto Rustavelli Avenue, turn right and head for the first underpass you can find. From here carry on to the Kshveti Church and neighbouring park. From here its a 5 minutes stroll down to the National Museum of Georgia.
Restaurant Recommendations
For some lunch or dinner ideas check out our post on “What to eat in Georgia” for some recommendations!
You can adapt either of the walks quite easily to include some of Tbilisi’s other highlights. Alternatively you can even join the two of them together. It’s likely the first walk will be busier than the second, when we headed up to Matsminda we encountered only 4 or 5 other people. In conclusion, a very different experience from Nikala and Sameba. Hopefully these walks can give you a taste of one of the most charismatic capitals in the former Soviet Union.
