Living in Tbilisi, Georgia for a month was an experience I will never forget. From the stunning natural landscapes to the vibrant city culture, there was never a dull moment during my stay. Here are some of the highlights of my time in Tbilisi the capital of Georgia.
Table of Contents
Accommodation
I stayed in a cozy one-bedroom apartment that was just a 15-minute walk from my coworking space, Impact Hub located at Fabrika. The apartment had everything I needed to feel at home for the month, including a limited kitchen, bedroom, living room, and bathroom.
Coworking Space
Impact Hub at Fabrika was the perfect place to work from during my stay in Tbilisi. The space had fast wifi, plenty of seating, and phone booths for taking private calls. Plus, the location was perfect with a hostel and courtyard with numerous restaurants and bars right outside.
Getting Around
Bolt was my main mode of transportation during my stay in Tbilisi. It was cheap and convenient, with most rides costing less than $2. While the public transportation system wasn’t extensive, it was still possible to take the buses and metro around the city to save even more money.
Throughout my month in Tbilisi, I felt very safe the whole time. Walking around late at night was very safe and never once did I feel uncomfortable walking alone.
Things to Do
Mtatsaminda Park
Located atop a mountain overlooking the city, Mtatsaminda Park is an amusement park that offers breathtaking views of the surroundings. The quickest way to reach the park is by taking the funicular up the side of the mountain.
Tickets for the funicular are 8 GEL for one way (about 3 USD). You also have to purchase the reloadable 2 GEL card.
Visiting Mtatsaminda Park was an unforgettable experience. The park had a wide range of amusement rides that catered to all tastes, and the panoramic view of the city from the top was simply breathtaking. I personally enjoyed riding the rollercoaster, exploring the ghost castle, and experiencing the thrill of the bumper cars.
If you are a fan of amusement parks and are curious about what a Georgian one looks like, then a trip to Mtatsaminda Park is an absolute must.
Sulfur Baths
Orbeliani Baths is a historic bathhouse located in the heart of Tbilisi’s Old Town that offers traditional sulfur baths. The sulfur baths are a staple of Georgian culture, with a history dating back centuries. These baths are believed to have therapeutic properties and are thought to be beneficial for various health conditions such as skin problems, arthritis, and respiratory issues.
At Orbeliani Sulphur Baths, the sulfur water is heated naturally by underground volcanic activity and mixed with cold water to achieve the perfect temperature. The water is rich in minerals and has a distinct sulfur smell that might take some getting used to, but it’s well worth it for the benefits it provides.
One of the main highlights of the Orbeliani Sulphur Baths is a kisi. This is a traditional Georgian bath experience where you lie down on a slab of marble and get scrubbed with a special type of soap made from natural ingredients. The kisi experience is believed to have various health benefits, including improving circulation and reducing stress. It’s an incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating experience that’s not to be missed.
The sulfur baths at Orbeliani Spa are a must-try experience for anyone visiting Tbilisi. They provide a unique and authentic way to relax and rejuvenate in the city, and the health benefits are an added bonus. With professional staff and a serene environment, Orbeliani Sulphur Baths is the perfect place to unwind and treat yourself in Tbilisi.
Just around the corner is Gulo’s Thermal Spa which is another sulfur bathhouse. This room was very similar but in addition to the sulfur bath, marble table, and showers, there was a cold plunge pool and a sauna.
To cool off after the hot baths, you could jump in the cold plunge pool, which provided an invigorating and refreshing experience. The contrast between the hot sulfur baths and the cold plunge pool is believed to have various health benefits, including improving blood circulation and boosting the immune system.
Gulo’s Thermal Spa also offers a traditional sauna experience, which is a perfect way to relax and unwind after the other spa treatments. The sauna experience helps to detoxify the body, improve skin health, and promote relaxation.
I really enjoyed moving from the hot sulfur bath to the cold pool to the sauna. That is what made Gulo’s better in my opinion. Orbeliani also had saunas and cold pools, but they were more expensive.
Sam Raan Spa
If you like high-end spa experiences but don’t want to pay US spa prices, then you will love this spa in Tbilisi. Sam Raan is a day spa with a jetted pool, numerous saunas, a steam room, a float tank, and any massage type you can think of.
I spent 7 hours at this spa and got an hour-and-a-half massage for only $100. A spa day like this in the US would have cost hundreds. I highly recommend this spa to anyone and everyone. I enjoyed it so much that I went twice in the one month I was there!
Lisi Lake
Lake Lisi is a beautiful lake near Tbilisi that makes for a perfect day trip. I was lucky enough to go with some locals and they took us to the best swimming spot and even barbecued for us. It was such a nice relaxing day eating good food and swimming in the lake.
Narikala Fortress/cable car
Taking the cable car up to the Narikala fortress is a must. You get the best views of the city and there is a great place to sit, watch the sunset, and eat honey cake which is popular in the region.
For the fortress itself, you will need a bit of time, and make sure you go well before sunset because it closes in the evening.
Peace Bridge
The Peace Bridge is located between the old city and the new city. It is a very modern bridge that lights up at night. It didn’t take long to walk across the bridge, but it is still something worth seeing.
Holy Trinity Cathedral
One of the main cathedrals in the city is The Holy Trinity Cathedral. There is a massive courtyard surrounding the cathedral and it is a nice place to walk around and admire the beauty of the building.
Chronicles of Georgia
The Chronicles of Georgia is a little bit outside of the main part of the city but definitely worth the trek. This monument depicts both life of Christ and the past kings and queens of Georgia. It is an impressive monument that was never finished. You also get a view of the city and the Tbilisi Sea, which are both stunning.
Vake Park
Vake Park is located on the western side of the city. It is a beautiful park with lots of walkable pathways, trees, grassy areas, and really cute cafés and restaurants. I recommend spending some time here before taking the cable car to Turtle Lake.
Turtle Lake
Turtle Lake is another lake in Tbilisi and has many amenities. You can either take a cable car from Vake Park or you can take a car up. They have a zipline, restaurants, ice cream stands, an outdoor gym, bars, and a swimming area. The walk around the lake is relatively short and is made even better with kiwi ice cream.
If you want more travel content check out this post here about Barcelona, Spain.