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Tbilisi: 8 Places You Shouldn't Miss

Tbilisi is a city where ancient fortresses sit alongside modern landmarks, and sulfur baths are a short walk from a botanical garden. Here are eight places worth adding to your Tbilisi itinerary.

Mtatsminda Park

Mtatsminda Park is one of Tbilisi's most famous entertainment complexes, with attractions for all ages - from children's carousels to extreme slides. The main highlight is the huge Ferris wheel. You can get there by cable car or funicular, which is an adventure in itself. The park has cafes, restaurants with views, walking alleys, picnic areas, and an ancient church and Pantheon where famous Georgian figures are buried.

Mtatsminda is a great spot to relax, have fun, and enjoy nature all at once - ideal for families with children, a romantic walk, or a first-time tourist visit.

Hours: weekdays from 12:00; weekends from 11:00 to 23:00

Cable car (from the center, Rustaveli Ave.):

  • One-way trip: 12 ₾
  • Card (same as for the funicular): 2 ₾

Funicular (Mtatsminda mountain climb):

  • Plastic card (required): 2 ₾
  • Trip (lower → upper station): 10 ₾ one way

Narikala Fortress

Narikala Fortress is an ancient fortress towering over the Old Town and the Kura River, visible from almost anywhere in the city center - one of Tbilisi's main symbols. You can reach it on foot or by cable car from Rike Park. It's a popular spot for both tourists and locals, who come to sit, admire the view, or take a walk - a place where the spirit of old Tbilisi is especially felt.

Hours: open 24/7; entrance to the grounds is free.
Cable car hours: summer 10:00–00:00, winter 10:00–22:00.

Cost: 2.5 ₾ one-way by cable car. A MetroMoney card is needed (2 ₾), with the fare deducted from it.

Bridge of Peace

The Bridge of Peace is a modern pedestrian bridge of glass and steel, connecting the Old Town with Rike Park across the Kura River. Its wave-shaped roof, resembling a giant fish or a futuristic ship, has made it one of the city's most recognizable landmarks - especially striking in the evening, when hundreds of LED lights illuminate the structure.

From the bridge, you'll get beautiful views of the Old Town, Narikala Fortress, and the domes of the sulfur baths - a favorite spot for photos, sunset watching, and evening strolls.

Kura River Boat Tour

A boat trip along the Kura River (Mtkvari in Georgian) is one of the most enjoyable ways to see Tbilisi from an unusual angle. The river flows through the entire city, and beautiful views open up from the water - especially in the evening during warmer months. Boats typically launch near Rike Park or the embankment by Metekhi.

Options and schedule:

  • Catamarans: daily from 10:00 to 24:00, departing every 10–15 minutes
  • Pleasure boats: roughly 11:00 to 22:00, departing every 20–25 minutes
  • Morning mini group tours: daily around 08:30, lasting about 30 minutes

Prices depend on the type of boat and trip length.

Tbilisi Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden is a green oasis in the heart of Tbilisi, in the valley of the Tsavkisistskali River - one of Georgia's oldest botanical gardens, home to over 3,500 plant species from around the world. The garden is divided into thematic zones: Caucasus flora, exotic plants, medicinal herbs, and coniferous and deciduous trees. On the grounds, you'll find picturesque waterfalls, ponds, cozy gazebos, a bamboo grove, and a small Japanese garden. A highlight is the suspension bridge over a waterfall, with breathtaking views of the gorge and city.

Hours: open daily, no days off.

  • Oct 1 – Mar 1: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Mar 1 – Apr 1: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Apr 1 – Sep 1: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Sep 1 – Oct 1: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Turtle Lake

Turtle Lake is a cozy mountain lake on the northern slope of Mtatsminda, near the Vake district, just a few kilometers from central Tbilisi. A great place to relax - with a beach, cafes, catamarans, and motorized boats, surrounded by forest and scenic trails, plus an open-air Ethnographic Museum and a zipline nearby.

Hours:

  • Lake and embankment: open 24/7, access always free; best time is morning to sunset
  • Cable car (Vake - Turtle Lake): daily 08:00–22:00
  • Attractions and cafes: usually 10:00–11:00 to 20:00–22:00, especially in summer
  • Zipline (seasonal): April-October, 11:00–12:00 to 20:00–21:00

Prices:

  • Lake entrance: free
  • Cable car: 1 ₾ per trip (MetroMoney card ~2 ₾)
  • Catamarans/boats: 5–15 ₾ for 20–30 minutes (varies by operator)
  • Zipline: 100 ₾ for a 1,200 m descent
  • Ethnographic Museum: 3 ₾ adults, cheaper for children

Sulfur Baths

The sulfur baths are a true symbol of Tbilisi and an integral part of its history and culture, located in the Abanotubani district - literally "the place of baths" in Georgian. The historic domed buildings house hot pools filled with naturally heated sulfur water, known for its therapeutic properties for the skin, joints, and general relaxation.

Inside, cozy rooms - often decorated with mosaic or tilework - offer soaking, steam, massage, or a traditional kisa scrub. You can choose between public and private rooms; private ones are more comfortable but pricier. Some bathhouses, like the ornately tiled Orbeliani Bath, have been operating for centuries.

Hours:

  • Public halls: approx. 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM throughout Abanotubani
  • Private and VIP rooms: daily 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Opera and Ballet Theatre on Rustaveli Avenue

The Opera and Ballet Theatre (officially named after Zakaria Paliashvili) is one of Tbilisi's most beautiful and iconic buildings, built in a neo-Moorish style with a colorful façade, arches, and oriental patterns. Opened in the 19th century, it remains one of Georgia's most important cultural centers, hosting operas, ballets, concerts, and festive events - from classics like The Nutcracker and Carmen to Georgian works.

Inside, a luxurious hall with red velvet seats, gold accents, and a grand chandelier creates a truly majestic atmosphere, especially before an evening performance. Worth a visit even if you're not attending a show.

Hours: daily 11:00 AM–7:00 PM (box office break usually 2:00–3:00 PM). Tickets for evening performances are best bought in advance, at the theater or via platforms like tkt.ge.

These eight Tbilisi highlights pair well with a full Tbilisi sightseeing tour and other Georgia day tours - Kazbegi, Kakheti, or Mtskheta - for a fuller taste of the city and the country with Travel Bee.