Jan

11

Tbilisi Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 11, 2008 |

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.

Book Sightseeing Tours

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.


Comments

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Speak your mind