Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, known for its sulfur baths, Georgian food and wine, and day trips to Mtskheta and Kakheti.

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Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, a country in the South Caucasus with a Black Sea coast and borders with Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The city sits in a river valley on the Kura River, and the Old Town climbs the slopes below the Narikala fortress. Its older streets have wooden balconies and courtyards. In the Abanotubani district, sulfur bath houses carry on a bathing tradition that goes back centuries. Rustaveli Avenue, the wide main boulevard, runs past theaters and museums.

Khachapuri, khinkali dumplings and grilled meats are common in city restaurants and small family-run places. Georgian wine has a long history, and some producers still make it in clay qvevri vessels. Tbilisi suits a first trip that mixes history, food and short excursions, and wine lovers will want the Kakheti vineyards, a few hours by road. Mtskheta, the former capital, is a short drive away. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable months for walking the city. Three to four days covers the center and one or two day trips.

Tbilisi in five

Check protest advice before choosing a baseFCDO reports demonstrations mainly at the Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue, busiest on Saturday evenings, and advises avoiding large gatherings. Read the current advice before you book near the avenue.UK travel advice
Keep the insurance PDF ready before you fly inAirlines may ask for the policy at check-in and officers at the airport on arrival. The entry rule and the cover it needs are explained on the Georgia page and in the insurance guide.Travel insurance
Take bus 337 or a pre-booked taxi from the airportThe airport is 17 km southeast of the center, and Georgia Travel names municipal bus 337 and taxis at the entrance. FCDO advises booking taxis through an app rather than flagging one in the street.Getting around
Pay by bank card for the 90-minute 1 GEL fareMetro, buses and minibuses charge 1 GEL with 90 minutes of free transfers when you pay with a Metromoney or bank card; cash or the app loses the transfer window. The Rike to Narikala ropeway is 2.5 GEL one way.Tbilisi Transport Company fares
Choose your base before the sightsThe Old Town is steep and walkable, Rustaveli has the metro and the protests, and Vera trades walkability for calm. Settle the base first, because it decides every morning.Where to stay in Tbilisi

Things to do in Tbilisi

See all attractions in Tbilisi

a castle lit up at night with a sky background

Castle · TbilisiNarikala FortressWear shoes with good grip. Some paths are steep and uneven, and the walls have no guard rails, so watch your footing, especially with children.

Church · TbilisiAnchiskhati Basilica

a large building with a tower and a clock on it

Sight · TbilisiTsminda Sameba Cathedral

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to TbilisiPut the places you like in Tbilisi on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Tbilisi (TBS), 17 km southeast; bus 337 or taxi
Getting there: By road: Kutaisi about 3 h 30 min, Batumi 5 h 30 min
Getting around: Metro, bus and ropeways on one 1 GEL, 90-minute fare
Best base: Sololaki or the Old Town; Rustaveli for transit
Time needed: 3 days; 4 or 5 with Kakheti and Kazbegi

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh7°Low-1°Cold, low season
FebruaryPartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh9°Low0°Cold, damp
MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low4°Mild, windy
AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Blossom, showers
MayRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Green and warm
JuneClear10 rainy daysHigh30°Low18°Warm, long days
JulyClear6 rainy daysHigh33°Low21°Very hot
AugustClear5 rainy daysHigh33°Low21°Hottest
SeptemberClear9 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Harvest, wine
OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Autumn color
NovemberClear5 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Cool, wet
DecemberPartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh8°Low1°Cold, short days

Average daily high and low in Tbilisi, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Oct Tbilisoba

Right now in Tbilisi

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 14°
Humidity: 78%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 15%

Tbilisi

03:23 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+4

Today19°11°15%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 15%.
Wed19°11°7%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 7%.
Thu16°11°34%Thursday: Rain. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 34%.
Fri13°9°5%Friday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 5%.
Sat13°7°29%Saturday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 29%.
Sun10°5°3%Sunday: Clear. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 3%.
Mon11°3°1%Monday: Clear. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 1%.

Updated 02:23 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 2.595 GEL

Amount

Converted to

GEL · Georgian Lari

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Tbilisi

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

OctTbilisobaTbilisi

Day trips by train

Day trips from Tbilisi, the full guide

Before you go to Tbilisi

Hotels in Sololaki or the Old TownWalkable bases, steep lanesCheck availability

Mtskheta and Kakheti day toursWine stops without drivingCompare day trips

eSIM for TbilisiTaxi and transit apps on landingRead the guide

Insurance for TbilisiCheck-in may ask for the policyRead the guide

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Rules for Tbilisi, checked

City transport: 1 GEL a ride with 90 minutes of free transfers by bank card or Metromoney; the Rike to Narikala ropeway is 2.5 GEL one way.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source

All Tbilisi guides

A view of a city with a hill in the background

Where to stayWhere to stay in Tbilisi: five bases, from the Old Town to VeraChecked Oct 4, 2026

How toDay trips from Tbilisi: Mtskheta, Kakheti, Kazbegi or Davit GarejaChecked Oct 4, 2026

ItineraryTbilisi in 3 days: Old Town, Rustaveli Avenue and a Mtskheta half dayChecked Oct 4, 2026

Plan around Tbilisi

Sighnaghi travel guide

A walled wine town, 1 h 40 min by road

Read the guide Stepantsminda travel guide

Gergeti church and Mount Kazbek, 2 h 55 min away

Read the guide Great Caucasus planner

Svaneti, Kazbegi or Tusheti compared by drive time

Read the guide All of Georgia

Entry rules, insurance and routes beyond the capital

Read the guide

Tbilisi FAQ

How many days do you need in Tbilisi?

Three days cover the Old Town, Rustaveli Avenue, Mtatsminda and a Mtskheta half day. Two days work if you skip Mtskheta. Add one or two days for Kakheti or Kazbegi, which are separate trips.

Is Tbilisi safe for tourists?

FCDO describes crime levels as low and asks for sensible precautions against pickpocketing in crowded places. Demonstrations happen mainly around the Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue, so avoid large gatherings and read the current advice before you travel.

Which area is best to stay in Tbilisi?

Sololaki or the Old Town suit a first visit because the baths, Narikala and the cafes are walkable. Choose Rustaveli Avenue for metro access and Vera for quieter streets. The where-to-stay guide compares five bases.

How do you get from Tbilisi airport to the center?

The airport is 17 km southeast of the city. Georgia Travel lists municipal bus 337 and taxis available around the clock at the entrance. FCDO advises pre-booking taxis through an app and not flagging them in the street.

Do you need a visa to visit Tbilisi?

Most Western passports need none: the government list allows one full year. The visa checker shows your passport, and the Georgia page explains the insurance rule that applies to every tourist.