Rustaveli Avenue

რუსთაველის გამზირი

Tbilisi's grand central boulevard lined with grand 19th-century buildings, theatres, museums and cafes. The cultural and political spine of the city, ideal for a stroll past the Parliament, Opera House and Georgian National Museum.

Things to do

• Georgian National Museum — Explore the sobering Museum of Soviet Occupation and the dazzling Archaeological Treasury of ancient Colchian gold.
• Rustaveli Theatre — Admire the ornate Rococo facade of Georgia's most famous drama theatre and catch a performance if timing allows.
• Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre — Marvel at the Moorish-style architecture of this restored 19th-century opera house named after Zakaria Paliashvili.
• Parliament of Georgia — Stand before the grand columned building, a key site of the nation's independence protests and modern political life.
• Kashveti Church of St George — Step into this early 20th-century stone church built in the style of the medieval Samtavisi cathedral.
• Rustaveli Metro Station — Descend into one of Tbilisi's deep Soviet-era stations, a convenient hub for exploring the avenue.
• Stroll to Freedom Square — Walk the length of the avenue down to Tavisuplebis Moedani, crowned by the golden St George statue.
• Georgian National Gallery — View works by Niko Pirosmani and other Georgian masters in the elegant Blue Gallery beside the park.

Food to try

• Khachapuri — Seek out the cheese-filled bread, especially the boat-shaped Adjaruli topped with butter and a runny egg.
• Khinkali — Order these juicy soup dumplings twisted at the top, gripping the doughy knot and never eating the stem.
• Churchkhela — Buy strings of nuts dipped in thickened grape juice, a chewy candle-shaped traditional Georgian sweet.
• Lobiani and lobio — Try the bean-stuffed bread or a clay pot of spiced kidney bean stew served with cornbread mchadi.
• Georgian wine — Sample qvevri-fermented amber and red wines from Kakheti at cafes and wine bars along the avenue.
• Coffee house culture — Pause at a grand cafe like those near the Opera for Turkish-style coffee and Georgian pastries.

Local customs & good to know

• Toasting is sacred — At any meal a tamada leads elaborate toasts, so wait for the leader before drinking your wine.
• Dress modestly for churches — Cover shoulders and knees to enter Kashveti Church, and women should carry a scarf for their heads.
• Watch for protests — Rustaveli is Georgia's protest epicenter, so avenues near Parliament may be closed during demonstrations.
• Cash and marshrutkas — Carry some lari for small vendors, and note the avenue is best explored on foot given traffic.

Nearby

• Bridge of Peace — 1 km
• Narikala Fortress — 1 km
• Tbilisi Old Town — 1 km
• Tbilisi National Botanical Garden — 1 km