We traveled in Georgia and Armenia three weeks. Tbilisi was our first and last destination at the voyage. The following hostel were our accommodation:
- Fouches Hostel, double room without bathroom. It cost 45 lari. The conditions and location were very good.
- Rati Apartments is located next to Fouches Hostel. There were bathroom, living room, bedroom and small kitchen in the apartment. It cost 50 lari.
Public transport is very well organized in Tbilisi. Underground, bus, marshrutka provide transport service in the city. You need to buy metromoney cards to pay for public transport service. It costs 2 lari and it can be bought at metro-station ticket offices. You need to top up the card to pay for transport. Fares are 0.50 lari per metro or bus ride and 0.80 lari for marshrutka.
It is very convenient to travel by public transport in Tbilisi but I recommend to walk down Shota Rustaveli Avenue and explore beautiful old city on foot.
Modern Bridge of Peace is one of a noticeable symbol of the capitol city. Pedestrian bridge is one of the most popular tourist attraction in the city. Critics says it looks like huge ‘always ultra’. The bridge is illuminated by led installation and looks great in the night. Narikala fortress is the best view point. It is located on the hill. Take cable car to go to the fortress. The station is next to the Bridge of Peace. It cost 2.5 lari – one way and you can use metromoney card to pay for it. The cable car works until midnight in the summer.
There are many attractions in Tbilisi. Most of the churches were founded at the beginning of the medieval period. I recommend the following churches located at the old city or walking distance from the old city:
- Metekhi – beautifully located on the banks of the Kura River
- Armenian Cathedral
- Sioni Cathedral
- Anchiskhati Basilica
Mtatsminda Pantheon and modern Holy Trinity Cathedral are not located in the center but are recommended to visit, as well.
Abanotubani is called ‘bath district’. You can visit old baths and take a sulfur hot (40-60 Celsius degrees) bath. Pushkin bathed in one of Abanotubani bath and said ‘it was the best bath I’d ever had’. Do you need better recommendation? 😉 Small private bath (for 2-3 people) cost 40-70 lari per hour. Massage is extra paid 20-40 lari.
There are some museums in Tbilisi. You may buy combo ticket – 20 lari to visit 5 museums. We visited Georgian National Museum, famous of Niko Pirosmani’s paintings.
Leave a Reply