Things to do in

Abanotubani

Even if you only have a short time in Tbilisi, you have to spend at least a half-day exploring the Old Town. The architecture in the city’s historic district is a mixture of Georgian, Byzantine, Oriental, and Neo-Classical European styles. Among the sites you will visit are the Orthodox Anchiskhati Basilica, the city’s oldest church. You will also see the 13th-century churches of Sioni and Metekhi, the magnificent Narikala Fortress, perched on a hill with superb views of the city below, and the classic Freedom Square. You will then continue to one of Tbilisi’s newest attractions, the Bridge of Peace, which opened in 2010 over the River Mtkvari (also known as the Kura River). Tbilisi’s compact size means you can easily explore the nearby Synagogue, Armenian Church and Mosque, in addition to the Georgian Orthodox churches so fundamental to Georgian culture. This peaceful co-existence of the various religions helps emphasize modern Georgian tolerance.

Discover the best of Tbilisi's history, culture, and architecture on this walking tour. After getting picked up from your hotel, enjoy a stroll through the streets of the Old Town towards Metekhi Church and learn all about the history of Tbilisi's formation. In Shardeni Street, discover an open-air carpet market, visit Sioni Church and see the unique clock tower of the Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theater. You will also discover the fascinating story behind the Anchiskhati Church and get to sample local wine.  Next, ride a panoramic cable car up to the imposing Kartlis Deda monument, from which point you can admire panoramic views of the entire city. Pay a visit to Narikala Fortress before beginning your descent down the mountain. Head to the Sulfur Baths District, stopping to admire impressive views of the Leghvtakhevi Gorge and Vakhtang Gorgasali monument along the way. Finish your walking tour with a romantic stroll along the Bridge of Love to reach a picturesque waterfall located in the center of the city. Get dropped off back at your hotel at the end of the day.

Your guide will pick you up in the morning in a comfortable car and head first to the Tbilisi sea. You might be surprised by the existence of a sea in the Georgian capital, but in fact, the Tbilisi sea is the unofficial name of the reservoir created in 1952 to serve the city with water. The Tbilisi reservoir is located at a height of more than 500m above sea level and it is a pleasure to spend time here during the summer heat. Here, you’ll also visit a monument that amazes with its size. Known as the Georgian Stonehenge, the monument is officially titled the Chronicle of Georgia and was created by the Georgian-Russian painter, sculptor, and architect Zurab Tsereteli. The memorial was erected in order to celebrate 3,000 years of Georgian sovereignty and 2,000 years of Christianity in Georgia. The next stop will be the Jvari Monastery, the 6th-century Georgian Orthodox monastery built on a hill opposite Mtskheta at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Jvari Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Continue to the Shida Kartli region where you’ll visit Uplistsikhe, an ancient cave town and one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia. Uplistsikhe — literally “Fortress of God" — is an ancient town that played a significant role in Georgian history over a period of approximately 3,000 years. Archaeological excavations have revealed extraordinary artifacts dating from the late Bronze Age all the way up to the late Middle Ages. The next stop will be at Borjomi Central Park, home to the most remarkable virtues of Borjomi with its striking nature and unique mineral waters. One of the best places to experience this is Mineral Water Park. The park itself dates back to the 1850s and is an attractive destination throughout the year. Here you can taste the natural Borjomi mineral water and relax in a beautiful environment, or you can try riding the cable car up to the top of the park. After this last stop, your guide will drop you off in Borjomi or Bakuriani, or you can return to your accommodation Tbilisi.

Meet your guide and experience the beauty of this city's early-morning streets while the light is perfect for taking pictures. Start your exploration of the city's monuments and breathtaking viewpoints, including a visit to the Orthodox Anchiskhati Basilica, the city's oldest church. You'll also see the 13th-century churches of Sioni and Metekhi, the magnificent Narikala Fortress, perched on a hill with superb views of the city below, and the classical Freedom Square. Continue to one of Tbilisi's newest attractions, the Bridge of Peace, which opened in 2010 over the River Mtkvari (also known as the Kura River). The city's compact size means you can easily explore the nearby Synagogue, Armenian Church and Mosque, in addition to the Georgian Orthodox churches which are so fundamental to Georgian culture. Learn about the peaceful co-existence of the various religions in Georgia. Your photographer will share useful photography tips and tricks about composition, framing, settings, and some truly fascinating techniques at each site. If you choose the full-day tour, you'll visit many more places of interest outside of Tbilisi.