Tbilisi
Tbilisi, Georgia, a transcontinental nation, lying between Europe and Asia, is thriving in a different time zone and upholds an amalgam of two cultures. From the looks of it, the place looks like a country stuck in time parallel with abundance of natural wonders. But as you go deeper, you’ll come across charms that no other place possesses. Be it the volcanic waters of Borjomi Gorge, Sulphur baths or glass-stained windows of galleries reflecting centuries of art and culture, Tbilisi is just something else to mark its name amongst other top rated destinations of the world. If you’re wondering, what all you can do here, just keep reading!
Where to Stay in Tbilisi
Tbilisi’s layout is an exciting blend of old cobblestone streets and swanky neighborhoods. Worry not, in both cases you would find the most convenient and homely stays. Be it hostels, guesthouses, holiday rentals or boutique hotels, Tbilisi is just an amazing host to its guests. Amongst all the places that you stay, Old Tbilisi, Sololaki, Vake, Marjanishvili, and Avlabari are the best. Lying in close proximity to hip attractions and metro lines, these neighborhoods have both budget friendly and luxurious options to suit the budget of every kind of visitor.
Tbilisi Georgia food
What better than a luscious bowl of Russian and Georgian culinary mixed together and some flavorful glass of wine
to wash it down! In Tbilisi, you get all this and a lot more to experiment with. The lip-smacking range of cuisine is definitely meat heavy, but that doesn’t mean vegetarians don’t get to have variety. In fact, vegetarians will have their hands or rather taste buds on the most organic and local produce of the region than any other part of the world. Some of the famous dishes that you just can’t leave out while exploring Tbilisi are mentioned below:
Khinkali: Resembling the famous Chinese dumplings, Khinkali are a popular delicacy of Tbilisi. Most restaurants experiment with a wide range of fillings, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, so be assured of plenty of dining and diner options. Just a small tip, do not eat the bulge or tie on the top of the dumpling.
Lobio: Cooked with onions and served with flavors, Lobio are kidney-beans offered in pot alongside bread and pickles. Consider Lobio a fulfilling meal after an eventful day in Tbilisi.
Georgian Salad: A savory combo of tomatoes, cucumber, basil, red onion, lettuce and the secret ingredient creamy baje, the Georgian salad is a classic and you can’t leave without giving it a try.
Khachapuri: Khachapuri or cheese pie is the most loved dish of Georgia and several varieties consisting of kidney beans, potatoes and butter have also been given a shot. However, the cheese pie remains to be a classic and is served by almost every restaurant.
While these are the must have dishes of Tbilisi, Kharcho, Pkhali, and Chikhirtma are some specialities you can’t afford to miss out on. Another thing you can’t miss out on is the Borjomi Georgia mineral water, that is a sip of freshness, straight from the springs of Borjomi Gorge. This 1,500 year old volcanic water quenches thirst like no other, so opt for this rather than a carbonated drink.
Things To Do In Tbilisi
Gallery 27
Gallery 27 is a quick sneak peek into the cultural and creative side of Tbilisi. Glass stained windows and iconic interiors with stunning paintings, will all take you on an artistic roller coaster ride. To have this trip forever etched in your memory, shop from the local arts and crafts of the gallery.
Sulphur Baths
Sulphur bath district of Tbilisi is the most sought after attraction in the entire country, Apart from being the most photogenic of areas, the district offers rejuvenating 90 GEL per hour sessions in the local bathhouses available for both males and females. Not only is the dome area perfect for a warm stroll in the day, but can also be combined with other attractions.
Narikala Fortress
The moment you decide to visit Narikala Fortress, you’ll know in your heart that some magical views are coming your way. Starting with a fascinating cable car ride, Narikala Fortress is perched atop a hill and commands mesmeric views of the green terrain. To add touches of vim and vigour, how about a challenging hike ?
Uplistsikhe Cave Town
The oldest cave town to be unearthed in the country of Georgia, has to be on the top things to do in Tbilisi. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Uplistsikhe cave town is amongst the most precious historical cities of the world. The town is believed to have been of utmost importance during the Bronze age when it was founded and continued to be occupied until 13th century AD. To substantiate the presence of older religious ideologies, temples and artifacts pertaining to the sun goddess, have been excavated. While the city lost its importance after the advent of Christianity in Georgia, Uplistsikhe was revived once again during the Arab conquest.
Spread over an area of 40,000 square kilometers/24,845 square miles, this historical wonder is divided into 3 parts, namely a lower, central and an upper area. With the central area containing rock-hewn structures, there are several parts that were deciphered into a hall called Tamaris Darbazi, pharmacy, bakery, prison, amphitheater and houses. What makes the cave town extra-ordinary are the intricately connected tunnels, some of which also served as secret escape routes during moments of crisis. It would be all the more interesting to see, what all did the civilization leave behind, so don’t even think about skipping the National Museum of Tbilisi.
Kazbegi
Covering more than 8,700 hectares of land, the Kazbegi National is perched atop the northern slants of the strong Caucasus range. Known for its rich collection of folktales and religious customs, the Kazbegi mountain rises to a height of 5,047 meters commanding spectacular views and massive admirers, dying for just one gaze from over the mountain. But this isn’t the only enticing factor governing its craze amongst travelers. The ancient Greek folklore according to which Titan Prometheus was confined to the mountains of Caucasus for teaching mankind how to light fire, remains one of the biggest crowd-pullers for the region. It is believed that Prometheus was limited to a cave located 4,000 meters high, now known as Betlemi, that was later opened to customary priests and believed to have housed relics like Abrahams tent and Christs trough.
Mountaineer’s favorite spot, Kazbegi is surrounded by lakes, glaciers and 135 kms of ice sheet. Even though the region falls in an earthquake prone zone, the area’s snow-capped hills and misty valleys just make up for all the risk that one takes. If you find yourself asking for more, then the town of Stepantsminda is just a few steps away delight, suitable for families, friends and solo travelers alike. And how can you miss the Gergeti Trinity Church and the road leading to it!
Chateau Mukhrani
Tucked away in the outskirts of Tbilisi, Chateau Mukhrani was established in the late 19th century by Prince Ivane Mukhranbatoni. A winery and castle located in the heart of Mukhrani village, the wines from here are widely recognized for their supreme quality and as an exclusive supplier to the Russian Imperial Court. The castle was a former cultural center for the Russian royalty and Georgian nobility. The chateau underwent a tough phase during the Soviet times, when it was almost destroyed, but 2002 was aimed at reviving the estate and bringing it back to its flourishing stature it had created overtime.
After 2007, Chateau Mukhrani was back on track and started the production of its top-notch wine from its vineyards. Today, there are more than 60,000 barrels of wine in the vineyard, and no tourists would want to return home without a tour of the evergreen castle, gardens and wine cellar. While on this tour, tourists are offered a sip of this finely-aged wines and Georgian cuisines.
Shopping in Tbilisi
Who wouldn’t want to take sweet souvenirs home, and as far as tourists are concerned conventional options like malls are just out of this list. So, flea markets are an absolute savior for those in-depth explorations and quick retail therapy. One such place in Tbilisi is the Dry Bridge Flea Market. If you have a thing for antiques, consider this place your jackpot. Showpieces ranging from handmade jewelry to home decor, wooden handicrafts to vintage collectibles are all on sale here. Keep your eyes open and practice some bargaining, but most importantly, do not forget having enough cash, as other forms of payment are only goint to increase the hassle.
Ending Notes
For a sip of fantastic wine, you can travel to the overcrowded European destinations. But for more than just wine, you can definitely consider Tbilisi your go to spot. Sulphur baths, flea markets, wineries, volcanic waters, and spectacular landscapes adorned with age-old edifices, all come packed together, to deliver on a never experienced before vacation to globe-trotters. If this isn’t enough reason for your inner explorer to be curious, then you might consider reading this post again!