Annie’s guidebook

Sightseeing

Funicular Complex

Best way to go up to Mtatsminda. This tram connects the city with Mtatsminda park which has many lovely features including the best view of the city. There are three stations: - Lower: this is the starting point from Tbilisi’s center - Pantheon: is a stop in the middle, there is a church here that you can visit, but be careful if you stop here you will have to pay a full ticket price to continue your way - Top of the hill: the top has Mtatsminda park & the best view

279 locals recommend

Funicular Complex

9 ქაქუცა ჩოლოყაშვილის ქუჩა

279 locals recommend

Best way to go up to Mtatsminda. This tram connects the city with Mtatsminda park which has many lovely features including the best view of the city. There are three stations: - Lower: this is the starting point from Tbilisi’s center - Pantheon: is a stop in the middle, there is a church here that you can visit, but be careful if you stop here you will have to pay a full ticket price to continue your way - Top of the hill: the top has Mtatsminda park & the best view

Gabriadze

Incredible artistry. The mastery that puppeteers show over their marionettes is mindblowing. Try to get ticket in Gabriadze Theatre and see their amaizing performance.

144 locals recommend

Gabriadze

13 Ioane Shavteli St

144 locals recommend

Incredible artistry. The mastery that puppeteers show over their marionettes is mindblowing. Try to get ticket in Gabriadze Theatre and see their amaizing performance.

Sulfur Bath No. 5

Traditional sulfur baths available here. There multiple locations offering sulfur bath with varying price, size, design and structure. Royal sulphur bath is one of the famous. you can just walk in a find which suits you most. It is very healthy for the skin related problems.

300 locals recommend

Sulfur Bath No. 5

N 2 Abano St

300 locals recommend

Traditional sulfur baths available here. There multiple locations offering sulfur bath with varying price, size, design and structure. Royal sulphur bath is one of the famous. you can just walk in a find which suits you most. It is very healthy for the skin related problems.

Georgian National Museum

Amazing and really interesting museum, there you can see about history of Georgia. A lot expositions about national culture and clothes, nature, animal world, treasures and museum communist occupation on the 3 floor. Definitely recommend to visit to know more about Georgian nation and history.

323 locals recommend

Georgian National Museum

3 Shota Rustaveli Ave

323 locals recommend

Amazing and really interesting museum, there you can see about history of Georgia. A lot expositions about national culture and clothes, nature, animal world, treasures and museum communist occupation on the 3 floor. Definitely recommend to visit to know more about Georgian nation and history.

Dry Bridge Market

Great place if you are an antique lover. You will get many old items like currencies notes and other old camera watches and many more stuff you could imagine. To get the best deal do compare the prices they offer from different vendors and you will understand the actual rat.

198 locals recommend

Dry Bridge Market

198 locals recommend

Great place if you are an antique lover. You will get many old items like currencies notes and other old camera watches and many more stuff you could imagine. To get the best deal do compare the prices they offer from different vendors and you will understand the actual rat.

Mtatsminda Park station

Amusement park attractions apart, spectacular views of Tbilisi city from over 700 meters height vantage. The way to get there yes is unique, a funicular which is a tram ropeway. There is giant wheel as well with amazing views. Good eat and drink options available.

598 locals recommend

Mtatsminda Park station

598 locals recommend

Amusement park attractions apart, spectacular views of Tbilisi city from over 700 meters height vantage. The way to get there yes is unique, a funicular which is a tram ropeway. There is giant wheel as well with amazing views. Good eat and drink options available.

National Botanical Garden of Tbilisi city

This historic garden is awesome and worth spending an entire day at. On one side is the historic caste from 1,650 years ago, whilst on the other is a beautiful waterfall that takes your breath away. There's a little Japanese garden too, and lots of adorable bridges throughout the whole garden. Whilst you're in Georgia, this place is a must to visit, along with the castle next to it

546 locals recommend

National Botanical Garden of Tbilisi city

12 Bambis Rigi Street

546 locals recommend

This historic garden is awesome and worth spending an entire day at. On one side is the historic caste from 1,650 years ago, whilst on the other is a beautiful waterfall that takes your breath away. There's a little Japanese garden too, and lots of adorable bridges throughout the whole garden. Whilst you're in Georgia, this place is a must to visit, along with the castle next to it

Anchiskhati Basilica

The Anchiskhati Basilica of St Mary is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi, Georgia. It belongs to the Georgian Orthodox Church and dates from the sixth century. According to the old Georgian annals, the church was built by the King Dachi of Iberia . Anchiskhati Basilica is a three-span basilica, divided by two abutments forming horseshoe shaped conches, which indicates the antiquity of its construction. Originally constructed of blocks of yellow tuff stone, the 1958-1964 restoration made extensive use of brick. The structure has entrances on three sides, but today only the western entrance is in use. Aside from the altarpiece, which was painted in 1683 by order of Catholicos Nikoloz Amilakhvari, all of the remaining paintings in the church date from the 19th century.

105 locals recommend

Anchiskhati Basilica

11 Ioane Shavteli St

105 locals recommend

The Anchiskhati Basilica of St Mary is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi, Georgia. It belongs to the Georgian Orthodox Church and dates from the sixth century. According to the old Georgian annals, the church was built by the King Dachi of Iberia . Anchiskhati Basilica is a three-span basilica, divided by two abutments forming horseshoe shaped conches, which indicates the antiquity of its construction. Originally constructed of blocks of yellow tuff stone, the 1958-1964 restoration made extensive use of brick. The structure has entrances on three sides, but today only the western entrance is in use. Aside from the altarpiece, which was painted in 1683 by order of Catholicos Nikoloz Amilakhvari, all of the remaining paintings in the church date from the 19th century.

Metekhi St. Virgin Church

The Virgin Mary Assumption Church of Metekhi, known simply as Metekhi, is a Georgian Orthodox Christian church located on the left bank of the river Kura. It sits on the Metekhi Cliff opposite the old town of Tbilisi. Much of the existing structure dates back to the Middle Ages and was built between 1278 and 1289 AD under the reign of King Demetrius II of Georgia, although oral tradition traces Metekhi's origins further to the 5th century.

202 locals recommend

Metekhi St. Virgin Church

Metekhi Street

202 locals recommend

The Virgin Mary Assumption Church of Metekhi, known simply as Metekhi, is a Georgian Orthodox Christian church located on the left bank of the river Kura. It sits on the Metekhi Cliff opposite the old town of Tbilisi. Much of the existing structure dates back to the Middle Ages and was built between 1278 and 1289 AD under the reign of King Demetrius II of Georgia, although oral tradition traces Metekhi's origins further to the 5th century.

Sameba Church

The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, commonly known as Sameba, is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church located in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Constructed between 1995 and 2004, it is the third-tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the world and one of the largest religious buildings in the world by total area. Sameba is a synthesis of traditional styles dominating the Georgian church architecture at various stages in history and has some Byzantine undertones.

99 locals recommend

Sameba Church

99 locals recommend

The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, commonly known as Sameba, is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church located in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Constructed between 1995 and 2004, it is the third-tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the world and one of the largest religious buildings in the world by total area. Sameba is a synthesis of traditional styles dominating the Georgian church architecture at various stages in history and has some Byzantine undertones.

Betlemi rise viewpoint

1.Stairs The stairs have 120 steps, follows the rock and ends at upper Betlem, from where amazing views of Tbilisi can be seen. But these stairs were designed in a different way, it should be all closed with columns and roof on it. But while building them, they decided to change the project and made open stairs. So that the beautiful views of Tbilisi will be able to be seen from the stairs as well. 2.Down Betlemi Church In this place, where the lower Church of the born of the christ of Bethlehem is now, in 1725-1727 Armenians who immigrated from Iran, St. They founded the Surf-Stephanoz nunnery named after Stephen and built a small chapel. A domed church was built in its place in 1868, which was renovated in 1910.A painting in the style of a Georgian fresco was placed on the tympanum of the altered northern entrance in June 1995 ( Painters Khidasheli and Chakvetadze) Today, there is an “inscribed cross”-type building atop a brick citadel faced with stone. The windows of the dome are inside the arch, and the entrances to the church are from the north and west. 3.Upper Betlemi church The church was named in honor of the birth of Christ. According to legend, the first church was built on this site at the end of the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasal, the founder of Tbilisi. His mother and sister were buried here. In 1225, Jalaleddin razed the Bethlehem church to the ground. In the 13th century, the Armenian population settled in these places. In the 15th century, Armenians from Tbilisi founded a monastery named after the Mother of God here, which was called Fetkhain. During the communist period, a jewelry workshop worked in the temple, and in 1991, the temple was handed over to the Patriarchate of Georgia, and since 1994, Orthodox services have been restored here. On the north facade, relief cherubim and the Virgin Mary among angels are depicted, and on the neck of the dome - the Virgin Mary and a bound lion. 4.Bell Tower To the east of the church is a 17th century two-story brick bell tower, topped by a hewn stone arch. 5.Ateshga is a cube-shaped brick building. Its dome is currently demolished. From the 20s of the 18th century, the Zoroastrian fire temple was transformed into a mosque, and then into a warehouse. In the last century, it had a residential function. In 2007-2009, when the organization ICOMOS carried out the revitalization of the Bethlehem district, the reconstruction works of Ateshga were also carried out and it was covered with a temporary roof.

Betlemi rise viewpoint

1.Stairs The stairs have 120 steps, follows the rock and ends at upper Betlem, from where amazing views of Tbilisi can be seen. But these stairs were designed in a different way, it should be all closed with columns and roof on it. But while building them, they decided to change the project and made open stairs. So that the beautiful views of Tbilisi will be able to be seen from the stairs as well. 2.Down Betlemi Church In this place, where the lower Church of the born of the christ of Bethlehem is now, in 1725-1727 Armenians who immigrated from Iran, St. They founded the Surf-Stephanoz nunnery named after Stephen and built a small chapel. A domed church was built in its place in 1868, which was renovated in 1910.A painting in the style of a Georgian fresco was placed on the tympanum of the altered northern entrance in June 1995 ( Painters Khidasheli and Chakvetadze) Today, there is an “inscribed cross”-type building atop a brick citadel faced with stone. The windows of the dome are inside the arch, and the entrances to the church are from the north and west. 3.Upper Betlemi church The church was named in honor of the birth of Christ. According to legend, the first church was built on this site at the end of the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasal, the founder of Tbilisi. His mother and sister were buried here. In 1225, Jalaleddin razed the Bethlehem church to the ground. In the 13th century, the Armenian population settled in these places. In the 15th century, Armenians from Tbilisi founded a monastery named after the Mother of God here, which was called Fetkhain. During the communist period, a jewelry workshop worked in the temple, and in 1991, the temple was handed over to the Patriarchate of Georgia, and since 1994, Orthodox services have been restored here. On the north facade, relief cherubim and the Virgin Mary among angels are depicted, and on the neck of the dome - the Virgin Mary and a bound lion. 4.Bell Tower To the east of the church is a 17th century two-story brick bell tower, topped by a hewn stone arch. 5.Ateshga is a cube-shaped brick building. Its dome is currently demolished. From the 20s of the 18th century, the Zoroastrian fire temple was transformed into a mosque, and then into a warehouse. In the last century, it had a residential function. In 2007-2009, when the organization ICOMOS carried out the revitalization of the Bethlehem district, the reconstruction works of Ateshga were also carried out and it was covered with a temporary roof.

Zion Cathedral

Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a monument of Georgian architecture, cross-domed temple, located on the lower right bank of the Mtkvari in Tbilisi, Zemo Kala, Old Tbilisi, Tbilisi Cathedral (Episcopal) from the 5th century to the present, and since 1920 the Patriarchal Cathedral. Sioni Complex includes a fence, the Cathedral of the Assumption, two bell towers. The name Sioni is derived from the name of a sacred mountain in Jerusalem. It is a Hebrew word meaning sunny. There are many churches named after Sioni in Georgia and all of them are named after the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of which the Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi is of special historical significance. The largest sanctuary of the Georgian Orthodox Church - St. Nino's cross is located here. First St Nino’s cross was kept in Mtskheta, than it was brought to Stepantsminda during chaos , after it was brought to the family of King Vakhtang VI by metropolitan Romanoz. At last Russian imperator gave it back to Tbilisi in 1802. The temple also houses a miraculous stone of grace brought from Jerusalem by St. David of Gareja. In the Temple of Sion, south of the iconostasis, in the wall, is the skull of the Apostle St. Thomas. In the sanctuary, under the altar, is buried the martyr who was martyred in the 6th century. Parts of Evstati of Mtskheta. The remains of Bishop John Mangleli (1666-1751) are buried in the White Stone cave of the southern walls in front of the door of the sacristy. In front of the altar and under the domed towers are burried the Catholicos-Patriarchs of Georgia: Kirion II (1855-1918), Leonidas (1861-1921), Ambrose (1861-1927), Christopher (1873-1932), Callistratus (1863-1952), Melchizedek III (1872-1960), the tombs of Ephrem II (1896-1972) and David V (1903-1977), in the western arm - the poet Vakhtang Orbeliani (1812-1890). Several distinctive icons of the Georgian Church are resting in Sioni: the icon of the Savior, the icons of the All-Holy Mother of God of Iveria and the Blessed Virgin Mary of Sioni, St. Barbara, St. Nino, St. George, St. Nicholas, "Glory of the Georgian Church", St. Seraphim of Sarov. History The first church on the site of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sioni must have been built here during the reign of Vakhtang Gorgasali as the Episcopal Cathedral, as evidenced by the fact that one of the participants in the Dvina ecclesiastical assembly was Bishop Isaac (Saak) of Tbilisi. The temple was based on the plan of the temple erected in the Garden of Gethsemane at the place of the Assumption. Construction continued during the reign of the heir to the throne Dachi (499-514) and the chief of Kartli Guaram Kurapalat (514-599). Construction, which involved both Eristavi and the city dwellers, was completed during the reign of Eristavar Adarnase (619-639) in the 620s. A wealthy widow, whose identity is unknown, also contributed to the construction of the temple. In 1226, Jalal ad-Din, the Shah of Khwarazm, captured Tbilisi. At his command, Sion's dome was removed and his throne was erected there. Sitting on this throne, he watched the martyrs who did not insult the icons of the Savior and the Virgin Mary, taken from the Temple of Sioni and resting on the Metekhi Bridge. The dome seems to have been restored soon after. In 1386, Temurleng demolished the building of the Temple of Sioni, which was rebuilt by Alexander I. In 1522, Shah Ismail looted an icon adorned with the precious stones of the Virgin of Sion and then gave it into the Mtkvari. In 1556 the temple was again destroyed by Shah Tamaz and in 1616 by Shahabaz. In 1668 an earthquake damaged the temple again. In 1710, King Vakhtang VI rebuilt the dome of the temple, paved the roof, and covered the roof with Bolnisi tuff stone. In 1723, Constantine II the King of Kakheti, defeated Vakhtang VI with the help of the Lek army and took Tbilisi .Today, the icon called "Mother of God of Sioni" is a copy of the old one, made in 1764 in Moscow by order of George, son of Vakhtang VI. The shirt of the icon was lost in the twentieth century. The last major damage to the building was during the 1795 invasion of the governor of Iran, Agha Mohammad Khan, by a fire in the Sioni Cathedral that destroyed a seventeenth-century wall painting and iconostasis. In 1804, after the unification of Georgia with Russia, the ruling prince Tsitsianov repainted the Temple of Sioni. After the establishment of the Soviet government, the churches of Tbilisi were deprived of their property, including the bells of the Sioni Cathedral, which last rang on January 27, 1931. In 1978-1979, the western part of the temple was re-painted by L. By Tsutskiridze. The temple was last renovated in 1983. The iconostasis was made according to the old Georgian patterns. In 2001-2003, the gate to the west of Sioni Temple was built. Two bell Towers - One is the representation of Russian Classicism and was built in 19th Century, the ancient one is build 15th century by Aleksandr I and then was restored in 18th century.

110 locals recommend

Zion Cathedral

3 Sioni St

110 locals recommend

Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a monument of Georgian architecture, cross-domed temple, located on the lower right bank of the Mtkvari in Tbilisi, Zemo Kala, Old Tbilisi, Tbilisi Cathedral (Episcopal) from the 5th century to the present, and since 1920 the Patriarchal Cathedral. Sioni Complex includes a fence, the Cathedral of the Assumption, two bell towers. The name Sioni is derived from the name of a sacred mountain in Jerusalem. It is a Hebrew word meaning sunny. There are many churches named after Sioni in Georgia and all of them are named after the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of which the Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi is of special historical significance. The largest sanctuary of the Georgian Orthodox Church - St. Nino's cross is located here. First St Nino’s cross was kept in Mtskheta, than it was brought to Stepantsminda during chaos , after it was brought to the family of King Vakhtang VI by metropolitan Romanoz. At last Russian imperator gave it back to Tbilisi in 1802. The temple also houses a miraculous stone of grace brought from Jerusalem by St. David of Gareja. In the Temple of Sion, south of the iconostasis, in the wall, is the skull of the Apostle St. Thomas. In the sanctuary, under the altar, is buried the martyr who was martyred in the 6th century. Parts of Evstati of Mtskheta. The remains of Bishop John Mangleli (1666-1751) are buried in the White Stone cave of the southern walls in front of the door of the sacristy. In front of the altar and under the domed towers are burried the Catholicos-Patriarchs of Georgia: Kirion II (1855-1918), Leonidas (1861-1921), Ambrose (1861-1927), Christopher (1873-1932), Callistratus (1863-1952), Melchizedek III (1872-1960), the tombs of Ephrem II (1896-1972) and David V (1903-1977), in the western arm - the poet Vakhtang Orbeliani (1812-1890). Several distinctive icons of the Georgian Church are resting in Sioni: the icon of the Savior, the icons of the All-Holy Mother of God of Iveria and the Blessed Virgin Mary of Sioni, St. Barbara, St. Nino, St. George, St. Nicholas, "Glory of the Georgian Church", St. Seraphim of Sarov. History The first church on the site of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sioni must have been built here during the reign of Vakhtang Gorgasali as the Episcopal Cathedral, as evidenced by the fact that one of the participants in the Dvina ecclesiastical assembly was Bishop Isaac (Saak) of Tbilisi. The temple was based on the plan of the temple erected in the Garden of Gethsemane at the place of the Assumption. Construction continued during the reign of the heir to the throne Dachi (499-514) and the chief of Kartli Guaram Kurapalat (514-599). Construction, which involved both Eristavi and the city dwellers, was completed during the reign of Eristavar Adarnase (619-639) in the 620s. A wealthy widow, whose identity is unknown, also contributed to the construction of the temple. In 1226, Jalal ad-Din, the Shah of Khwarazm, captured Tbilisi. At his command, Sion's dome was removed and his throne was erected there. Sitting on this throne, he watched the martyrs who did not insult the icons of the Savior and the Virgin Mary, taken from the Temple of Sioni and resting on the Metekhi Bridge. The dome seems to have been restored soon after. In 1386, Temurleng demolished the building of the Temple of Sioni, which was rebuilt by Alexander I. In 1522, Shah Ismail looted an icon adorned with the precious stones of the Virgin of Sion and then gave it into the Mtkvari. In 1556 the temple was again destroyed by Shah Tamaz and in 1616 by Shahabaz. In 1668 an earthquake damaged the temple again. In 1710, King Vakhtang VI rebuilt the dome of the temple, paved the roof, and covered the roof with Bolnisi tuff stone. In 1723, Constantine II the King of Kakheti, defeated Vakhtang VI with the help of the Lek army and took Tbilisi .Today, the icon called "Mother of God of Sioni" is a copy of the old one, made in 1764 in Moscow by order of George, son of Vakhtang VI. The shirt of the icon was lost in the twentieth century. The last major damage to the building was during the 1795 invasion of the governor of Iran, Agha Mohammad Khan, by a fire in the Sioni Cathedral that destroyed a seventeenth-century wall painting and iconostasis. In 1804, after the unification of Georgia with Russia, the ruling prince Tsitsianov repainted the Temple of Sioni. After the establishment of the Soviet government, the churches of Tbilisi were deprived of their property, including the bells of the Sioni Cathedral, which last rang on January 27, 1931. In 1978-1979, the western part of the temple was re-painted by L. By Tsutskiridze. The temple was last renovated in 1983. The iconostasis was made according to the old Georgian patterns. In 2001-2003, the gate to the west of Sioni Temple was built. Two bell Towers - One is the representation of Russian Classicism and was built in 19th Century, the ancient one is build 15th century by Aleksandr I and then was restored in 18th century.

Annie’s guidebook

Food scene

Linville

Shavi Lomi

Moulin Électrique

Pasanauri

Sightseeing

Funicular Complex

Gabriadze

Sulfur Bath No. 5

Georgian National Museum

Dry Bridge Market

Mtatsminda Park station

National Botanical Garden of Tbilisi city

Anchiskhati Basilica

Metekhi St. Virgin Church

Sameba Church

Betlemi rise viewpoint

Zion Cathedral

Shopping

Galleria Tbilisi

Merani Mall

Meidan Bazaar

The Dezerter Bazaar

Traveler advice

Buses and metro stations are the cheapest ways to get around

Take a walk in Old Tbilisi streets

How to say some Georgian Phrases