Tbilisi Old Town

ძველი თბილისი

The historic heart of Georgia's capital with winding cobbled lanes, colorful balconied houses, sulphur bathhouses and ancient churches. A vibrant mix of cultures where you can wander from Persian-style bathhouses to Orthodox cathedrals and lively wine bars.

Things to do

• Soak in the Abanotubani sulphur baths — Bathe in the domed brick Persian-style bathhouses fed by naturally hot sulphuric springs that gave Tbilisi its name.
• Ride the cable car to Narikala Fortress — Take the aerial cable car from Rike Park up to the 4th-century fortress for sweeping views over the Old Town rooftops.
• Visit Metekhi Church — Stand beside the equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali at this clifftop 13th-century church overlooking the Mtkvari River.
• Wander Sharden Street — Stroll the narrow pedestrian lane packed with wine bars, cafes and courtyards in the heart of the old district.
• See the Leaning Clock Tower — Find Rezo Gabriadze's whimsically crooked tiled tower beside his marionette theatre, where an angel strikes the bell on the hour.
• Cross the Bridge of Peace — Walk the glowing glass-and-steel pedestrian bridge that arcs across the Mtkvari between the Old Town and Rike Park.
• Explore the Sioni Cathedral — Step inside this venerable Orthodox cathedral to see the revered grapevine cross of St. Nino, patron saint of Georgia.

Food to try

• Khinkali — Juicy twisted soup dumplings filled with spiced meat that you grip by the top knot and slurp without spilling the broth.
• Khachapuri Adjaruli — A boat-shaped bread filled with molten cheese, butter and a runny egg that you mix and tear into by hand.
• Mtsvadi — Georgian skewered pork or veal grilled over grapevine embers, often served with tangy tkemali plum sauce.
• Georgian wine tasting — Sample qvevri wines like amber Rkatsiteli and red Saperavi fermented in buried clay vessels at the Old Town's cellar bars.
• Churchkhela — A chewy candle-shaped sweet of nuts threaded and dipped repeatedly in thickened grape juice, sold from market stalls.
• Lobiani and lobio — Warm kidney-bean bread and spiced bean stew served in clay pots, a hearty Georgian comfort staple.

Local customs & good to know

• Learn the supra toasting ritual — At a Georgian feast the tamada (toastmaster) leads elaborate toasts, and it's polite to wait for them before drinking your wine.
• Dress modestly for churches — Women should cover their heads and shoulders and wear a skirt, while men remove hats before entering Orthodox churches like Sioni or Metekhi.
• Bring your own towel and flip-flops — Public sulphur baths provide basic facilities but you'll want your own towel, slippers and possibly a private room for comfort.
• Carry small cash — Many Old Town bakeries, market vendors and bathhouse attendants prefer small lari notes over cards.

Nearby

• Narikala Fortress — 0 km
• Tbilisi National Botanical Garden — 1 km
• Bridge of Peace — 1 km
• Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) — 1 km