7 Things to Do in Tbilisi, Georgia
Winter, spring, summer or fall. There’s no such thing as a perfect season to visit Tbilisi, Georgia since the city experiences perfectly balanced seasons, making visits pleasant all year round. This is good news for anyone who’s either into sunny summers or colder climate.
Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and is also known by its former name, Tiflis. This city is surrounded by mountains and is known for its ancient structures, giving it a very charming vibe. Most people who visit often fall in love with its unique architecture and overall and superb views from all over.
If you want to get to know more about what’s in store for you once you travel to Tbilisi, read on and you’ll find 7 of the most interesting things you can ever do during your trip.
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1. Walk around the Old Town
It’s safe to say that Old Town has become Tbilisi’s image to the world. Here, you’ll find yourself walking on cobblestone roads as you take in the surrounding century-old structures and churches. Most of these buildings are patterned after different architectural designs as Georgia has been influenced by different cultures itself. You’ll also find a lot of good restaurants and cafes where you can stop by to grab a quick meal or a cup of drink.
Suggested Tour: Walk around these old streets as well as other key landmarks around the area by joining a day tour.
2. Check out the Narikala Fortress
Since you’re already in Old Town, you’ll definitely run into the Narikala Fortress as well. This structure is what you’ll most likely see when you check out the Old Town skyline as it is the city’s highest point. The fortress was built centuries ago as part of ancient civilizations that took over the city. Although it has faced a lot of adversities throughout its history, the structure still stands tall overlooking Tbilisi.
Suggested Tour: Get on a tour where you can ride a cable car all the way up to the fortress and watch the town below.
3. Learn How to Cook Khinkali
One of Georgia’s representative dishes is the khinkali, their version of dumplings. It’s something slightly similar to xiao long bao, with meat, spices, and broth inside. It’s typically eaten with a sprinkle of black pepper to help enhance the flavor.
Instead of just visiting a restaurant serving this yummy dish, why not try your hand at making one? Include a private cooking class stopover to your tour to learn more about this dish.
Suggested Tour: Book a slot at a private cooking class and learn how to make both the Khinkali and Khachapuri, a type of cheese bread.
4. Go Skiing at Gudauri
This is what it means when we say Tbilisi is perfect for year-round travels. Even when it’s snowing, you’ll still get to enjoy the country by going skiing!
The skiing season in Gudauri starts around early November and can go on until around April. If you’re planning to visit within these months, try your hand at skiing and other snow-related activities for an interesting stay in the country.
Suggested Tour: Not only does this private Gudauri tour bring their visitors on a skiing adventure, but it also offers stopovers to several cultural sites along the way.
5. Have a glass (or two… and more) of wine
Packing several activities into one short tour can be tiring, so why not take a relaxing day off your visit and have some wine?
Kakheti, a region just outside Tbilisi, is known for its winemaking industry. Plan a quick visit to any of its expansive grape plantations and learn the art of creating wine using the traditional Georgian method. Come down and enjoy glasses of wine with the Caucasus mountains as your background.
Suggested Tour: This winery tour will not only introduce you to local wine, you’ll also get to taste local cheese and cuisine as well.
6. Take a Historic Tour
Georgia is full of historical places that you should not miss when in the country. Some of them are even listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Mtskheta which was known as the former capital of the country lots of centuries ago. Here, you’ll find ancient structures like monasteries, cathedrals and more that have stood the test of time.
Suggested Tour: Visit the towns of Mtskheta, Jvari Gori and Uplistsikhe all in one day and get to know more about Georgian history.
7. Explore Georgian Nature
Aside from its magnificent buildings and ancient sites, there’s also an abundance of natural wonders inside the country.
Get to experience more of Georgia’s beauty by visiting the treasures of Imereti, a region around 3 hours away from Tbilisi. Here, you’ll be able to explore beautiful caves such as the Sataplia and Prometheus caves. There’s also the wondrous Okatse and Martvili canyons with its crystalline waters cascading into a pool of bright blue.
Suggested Tour: Get onboard a tour that will take you to all these beautiful places and see another side of Georgia that you didn’t know exists.
8. Find accommodation in Tbilisi, Georgia
Where to Stay in Tbilisi, Georgia
Where to stay in Tbilisi, Georgia if you’re a Backpacker
Parallax Hostel and Apartments
Price: Check the nightly rates here
Hours: Check-in from 12:00
Style: Modern
Star: 4 star
Location: 29/36 Vakhtang Orbeliani St, Tbilisi 0105, Georgia
Booking: Booking.com, Agoda
Get to know more about Parallax Hostel and Apartments through reviews.
Where to stay in Tbilisi, Georgia for Families or Couples
Price: Check the nightly rates here
Hours: Check-in from 13:00
Style: Modern
Star: 4.5 star
Location: 114 David Agmashenebeli Ave, Tbilisi 0102, Georgia
Booking: Booking.com, Agoda
Get to know more about Old Key Hotel through reviews.
Where to stay in Tbilisi, Georgia if you want Luxury
Price: Check the nightly rates here
Hours: Check-in from 14:00
Style: Modern
Star: 4.5 star
Location: 1 Gomi St, Tbilisi 0105, Georgia
Booking: Booking.com, Agoda
Get to know more about Amante Narikala Hotel through reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I get a tourist visa to Georgia?
If you’re from the Philippines, you are required to apply for an e-visa prior to your visit to Georgia. This e-visa will allow you to stay in the country for 90 days within a 180-day period.
When applying for an e-visa to Georgia, you must have your valid passport, roundtrip tickets, confirmation of your accommodation, proof of financial capacity to sustain your stay in Georgia, and proof of health insurance.
Another way to enter is by getting a visa-on-arrival which is applicable to anyone with a valid tourist visa with any OECD countries and a valid residency in any of the GCC countries.
2. Is it safe to travel to Tbilisi, Georgia?
Yes! Lots of online forums are talking about how safe Tbilisi is for travelers, even for solo female travelers. Although of course, you still need to stay vigilant all the time.
3. Is it expensive to visit Tbilisi, Georgia?
Surprisingly, Tbilisi and Georgia, in general, is an affordable place to visit. You can rent a bed at a dormitory to crash in at night for around $10 and ride public transportation for around $5-7 for one way. Food can also be affordable, too, with local staples like khachapuri costing about $2 and meals at restaurants costing around $10.
4. How do I get to a flight to Tbilisi, Georgia from the Philippines?
There are currently no direct flights from Manila all the way to Tbilisi. Your best bet is to get on connecting flights bound to Tbilisi either via Dubai, Doha or Istanbul. In total, a one-way ride to Tbilisi lasts for about 15 hours.
5. When is the best time for me to visit Tbilisi?
As mentioned earlier, there really is no best time or off-peak season when it comes to visiting Georgia. There’s always something for visitors to enjoy, no matter what time of the year it is. You can go skiing during winter, enjoy the lovely weather and blooming of flowers in spring, soak up the sun during summer, and even join harvesting season at its peak in the fall.
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