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Jan
11
A trip to Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital as well as the largest city in Georgia. An ethnically and religiously diverse city famous for its hot springs, Tbilisi is a popular vacation destination for locals and visitors alike. Nick-named the ‘City of Legend and Romance’, Tbilisi exudes the beauty of a medieval city. Arrival is via Tbilisi International Airport, the main transportation hub in Georgia.
Flights to Tbilisi
Having been completely renovated in 2007, Tbilisi International Airport is Georgia’s main airport. This small but efficient airport provides connections to major European cities, as well as links to other major cities in the region. Major European airlines such as Austrian Airlines, British Airways and Swissair fly to Tbilisi. Hiring a car or a taxi are the two best ways to get from the airport to the city centre of Tbilisi.
Tbilisi
Getting around Tbilisi is easy. The old town can easily be explored on foot, while the rest of the city is well-served by yellow-coloured public buses as well as a metro network. Most visitors find the local taxis are the most convenient way to get between sites. You can easily negotiate a day or hourly rate with a taxi driver. The metro can be dangerous, especially at night and during the many electrical black-outs the city experiences. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Tbilisi try Expedia.
Sightseeing to Tbilisi
The old town is the main highlight in Tbilisi. Here visitors can enjoy the medieval feel of the city, with its cobblestone streets and historic buildings. The Metekhi Church is an important landmark in Tbilisi. The sulphur baths are as old the city itself and are fed by naturally hot thermal waters. Overlooking the river is Narikala Fortress, built in the 4th century. Here, visitors have a great view the city.
A stroll along Rustaveli avenue is a must. This street makes up the core of modern Tbilisi and is named after one of the great Georgian poets. Here you can visit the Moorish style opera house and theatre, the Parliament buildings or the Russian Viceroy’s Palace, not to mention the many cafes, restaurants and shops that line the street.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Nightlife is unfortunately not Tbilisi’s forte, and the scene is even less vibrant when the university students are away on vacation. There are only a handful of clubs and bars in the city. The larger hotels with their own bars and nightclubs are the main night-time haunts, with the Sheraton Metechi Hotel popular with the local jet-set and expats. If you feel brave, try the local chacha, the Georgian version of vodka. Much better are the Georgian wines and especially good is vranchkara, a sweet red wine.
Georgian cuisine is more about quantity than quality, and will fill you up and keep you warm. A typical local dish is khachapuri, flat bread filled with cheese. Other local delicacies are mzwadi (grilled meat with pomegranate seeds) and chinkali (like tortellini).
Fun by day - shopping and activities
If you are an art and antique lover, then Tbilisi is the place for you to go shopping. Head to the many art galleries on Chardin street, where the best of local art is on show. For souvenirs, head to Rustaveli Prospekt. There is only one shopping mall in Tbilisi, Babylon. If you’re looking for a western-style shopping extravaganza, you will likely leave disappointed.
Daytrips
Situated 20kms northeast of Tbilisi is the equally historic town of Mtskheta, one of the oldest cities in Georgia. Venturing to Mtskheta will be well worth your while, if only to take in the magnificence of the 11th century Svetitskhoveli, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Deemed as the holiest place in Georgia, David Gareja, situated 75kms away from the city of Tbilisi and overlooking the border with Azerbaijan, is a collection of fascinating churches cut from the area’s rock, along with a still operating monastery.
While you don’t need to go far for this daytrip in Tbilisi, it’s worthwhile leaving a whole day for the excursion. Located in the heart of the city in the Abanotubani district of the old town, visitors will find a myriad of hot sulphur bathhouses which welcome both male and female bathers (unlike most hammams).
Must-see attractions
There are numerous must-see attractions in the city of Tbilisi, including many historic buildings whose architectural features comprise a rare mix of Russian neo-Classic and Middle Eastern designs. Top of the list are the State Chancellery buildings of Georgia and the Supreme Court of Georgia. Other important sites can be found at the Tbilisi State Conservatoire and the Rustaveli State Academic Theatre.
Another must-see attraction is the Tbilisi State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. Even if you are not a fan of opera or ballet, this magnificent building, which was restored in 1990, is well worth a visit. Further structural magnificence can be viewed at the site of the modern Holy Trinity Cathedral. Built between 1995 and 2004, the church is the biggest cathedral in the South Caucasus region.
Located in the heart of the city, on the impressive Rustavelis Gamziri Street, visitors on a trip to Tbilisi cannot miss the attractions at Freedom Square. With multiple name changes that display the city’s political history, Freedom Square is steeped in historical significance and is now the home of the elaborate Tbilisi City Hall.
Best time to go
Tbilisi sees its best weather from June to September, when temperatures range from around 25˚C to highs of 30˚C, mainly in July and August. Rainfall levels peak at the beginning of this period and then reduce through the months from July to September.
The month which receives the least rain in Tbilisi is January, but this is also the coldest month of the year, when temperatures often drop to below freezing. The best month of the year to travel to Tbilisi is September, when there is less rain and temperatures are moderate.
Rainy day suggestions
There are a wide variety of indoor museums in Tbilisi, which means a rainy day doesn’t have to be a wasted day. Top of the list of Tbilisi’s most interesting museums is the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia which displays a whole host of Georgia’s premiere archeological finds.
Art lovers will not want to miss the Art Museum of Georgia, where 140,000 items are on display. Tour the Georgian artworks or take in the European, Russian and Oriental art spanning centuries. The Persian art here is a highlight.
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