Things to do in Tbilisi for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Tbilisi
All self-guided activities
This self-guided audio walk introduces first-time visitors to the heart of Old Tbilisi through markets, churches, riverside landmarks, and hidden gorge scenery. It will appeal to travelers who want a vivid, easy-to-follow route that mixes local culture, architecture, and famous city views. Your route starts at Meidan Bazar, where brick vaults, wine bottles, spice stalls, and handmade souvenirs set the mood of the old city. From there, you continue to Jan Shardeni Street with its café tables and gallery fronts, then meet the bronze Tamada, a symbol of Georgia’s long tradition of ceremonial toasts. The walk carries you on to Sioni Cathedral, then across the glass-and-steel Bridge of Peace to the open lawns and modern sculptures of Rike Park. Next, you reach the Berlin Wall Memorial, climb to the cliffside Metekhi Church, and continue toward the Bridge of Love. The tour ends at Leghvtakhevi Waterfall, where rock walls, damp air, and falling water create a surprising pocket of nature in the middle of the city. Along the way, the most memorable moments include browsing the tunnel market, seeing old stone churches beside bold modern design, standing above the Mtkvari River, and finishing in a quiet gorge beneath a waterfall.
Delve into the architectural treasures of Tbilisi with this in-app audio tour aimed at history enthusiasts and culture seekers. This audio-guided expedition shines a spotlight on the lesser-known edifices of 19th and 20th century Tbilisi, guiding you through the opulent district of Sololaki, once the domain of influential merchants and notable figures. Your audio companion unravels the fascinating backgrounds of the grand mansions and monumental buildings that have been witnesses to the city's transformation from a traditional haven to a burgeoning European metropolis. The journey begins at Pushkin Square, weaving through the historic thoroughfares and culminating at the laudable National Assembly building, formerly the City Municipal Council. Along Leonidze Street, Kikodze Street, and beyond, your route threads together an embroidered tapestry of Neo-Moorish and Art Nouveau designs, where the lavishness of Tbilisi's golden age still echoes. Prepare to be mesmerized by painted hallways, stone balconies, and formidable facades. The stories embedded within these structures paint a vivid picture of the city's past grandeur, and the visual splendor of architectural details – from engraved initials to mythological sculptures – promises a truly memorable and enriching exploration of Tbilisi's hidden gems.
About Tbilisi
The best walking tours to do in Tbilisi are:
The best tours in Tbilisi are:
The best indoor tours in Tbilisi for rainy days are:
The best tours to do in Tbilisi with kids are:
The must-see attractions in Tbilisi for a first visit are:
Insider tips for visiting Tbilisi
Anna S2024When I visit Tbilisi, I always start with khinkali in the older taverns around Sololaki, where locals know to add black pepper and eat them by hand so the broth doesn’t spill. Tbilisi is also wonderful for adjaruli khachapuri, though I usually save it for lunch because it’s rich and best straight from the oven. In any travel guide Tbilisi deserves praise for pkhali, lobio in clay pots, and churchkhela from neighborhood markets. If you visit Tbilisi, don’t miss a simple supra-style dinner with tarragon lemonade or amber wine—it’s one of my favorite things to do in Tbilisi.
On my first days in Tbilisi, I like to walk from Freedom Square into the old lanes of Kala and Abanotubani, then take the cable car up to Narikala for the best early-evening light over Tbilisi. One of my favorite things to do in Tbilisi is stop at a bakery for hot lobiani before crossing the Dry Bridge market, where the real charm is in the small Soviet-era finds and paintings. For what to see in Tbilisi, I always recommend a bathhouse soak after sunset and a slow climb up Mtatsminda for city views. Among the main attractions in Tbilisi, these feel more personal than most tours in Tbilisi.
When I’m in Tbilisi, I usually split my time between Sololaki, Vera, and Avlabari because each shows a different side of the city. Sololaki has some of the most elegant attractions in Tbilisi for me: faded Art Nouveau facades, hidden courtyards, and old staircases with painted ceilings. For what to see in Tbilisi beyond the obvious, I love Vera for its café culture, wine bars, and side streets around Stamba and the Philharmonic area. Avlabari gives you old Tbilisi balconies, Armenian heritage, and quieter viewpoints. Even people who book tours in Tbilisi often miss these neighborhood details, which locals notice immediately.
When I help friends choose where to stay in Tbilisi, I usually suggest Sololaki first. It feels central without being as noisy as Rustaveli, and from there you can walk to old courtyards, wine bars, the sulfur baths, and many of the best things to do in Tbilisi. For a first travel guide Tbilisi tip, I’d say Vera is ideal if you want cafés, leafy streets, and a more local evening atmosphere. If you visit Tbilisi for a slower pace, Avlabari has great views and easier access to the old city. In Tbilisi, the right neighborhood really shapes the whole stay.
When I visit Tbilisi, I shop very differently depending on what I want. For vintage finds, books, old cameras, and Soviet-era pieces, I always browse around Dry Bridge and the nearby streets early in the day, before the best items disappear. In Tbilisi, Vera is where I go for local designers, small concept stores, and better-quality ceramics or textiles. Sololaki is lovely for artisan chocolate, wine shops, and tucked-away studios inside old buildings. If you visit Tbilisi, shopping in these neighborhoods is one of the more rewarding things to do in Tbilisi, and any honest travel guide Tbilisi should tell you to wander slowly and look upstairs too.
When I’m in Tbilisi with family, I usually head to Mtatsminda Park. It’s one of the easiest things to do in Tbilisi because the funicular ride already feels like part of the outing, and the views over Tbilisi keep adults happy too. Locals know to go later in the afternoon, when it’s cooler and the lights start to come on. For what to see in Tbilisi with children, I’d pair it with a walk in the nearby Mtatsminda woods or a stop for ponchiki on the way back. Among the classic attractions in Tbilisi, this feels more relaxed than most tours in Tbilisi.
When I want a break from central Tbilisi, I usually go up to Turtle Lake for an easy half-day escape, especially in warm weather when locals sit by the water and the air feels cooler than downtown Tbilisi. Another favorite is the Chronicle of Georgia, which is one of the more dramatic attractions in Tbilisi but still feels surprisingly quiet in the morning. For what to see in Tbilisi beyond the old town, I also like Lisi Lake and the Ethnographic Museum, where the open-air houses give real context to Georgian life. These spots show a calmer side of the city than most tours in Tbilisi.
In my experience, Tbilisi deserves at least three full days, though I’m happiest with four or five. Tbilisi reveals itself slowly: one day for the old city and sulfur bath district, another for Sololaki, Vera, and slower meals, and a third for places like Dry Bridge or Mtatsminda. Any honest travel guide Tbilisi should say that rushing through misses the courtyards, balconies, and evening wine bars that make the city memorable. If you visit Tbilisi for only 48 hours, you’ll still see plenty, but some of the best things to do in Tbilisi are simply wandering at different times of day.