What To Do in Tbilisi
In this section we tried to collect interesting, out of ordinary and authentic activities and places in Tbilisi, everything outside standard tourist attractions.
Here you will find places that are especially favored by locals, are worth special interest or in our opinions are definitely worth a visit.
With this list you can experience Tbilisi in every way, like a local.
In case you have suggestions to include in the list please let us know in the comments!
Extraordinary Museums
This is the list of out of ordinary museums that are operating in Tbilisi (outside standard art and history museums)
Stalin’s Underground Printing House
The museum, which houses old printing Press in an underground hall, was used by Stalin and other Bolsheviks before revolution, in 1904 to to print revolutionary propaganda proclamations, newspapers and flyers.
The place was highly secret and hidden. The press itself was smuggled into Tbilisi in pieces by a network of Bolshevik supporters. For three years, the press released thousands of papers written in Georgian, Russian, and Armenian.
In 1906, three years after its operation, the press was destroyed when the underground room was discovered.
After Stalin came to power, 31 years later, the press was restored and the place was turned into museum and movie theatre. In 1991 the museum was abandoned.
Museum is currently run by Communist party of Georgia and is located in the party’s headquarter building. One can visit only with a local guide and only spoken languages are Georgian and Russian.
But anyway, the place is a piece of history and interesting as is.
There is no official entrance fee but the tip will be expected.
Address: Kaspi St, 7
Tbilisi Auto Museum
Museum has been created from the private collection which took the owner whole 18 years to gather.
Museum was opened in 2014. It houses unique collection of 28 vintage vehicles (cars and some motorcycles) made in USSR from the small Zaporozhets to the huge Zil and Chaikas.
Entry Price: Children under 7 – free of charge; 7-17 year olds – 3GEL; Adults – 5GEL
Working Hours: Every day except Monday 11:00-18:00
Web: automuseum.ge
Email: contact@ automuseum.ge
Phone: +995 599 54 56 28; +995 597 05 75 70
Address: 7 Automuseum st (Turn from 79a Gr. Lortkipanidze st)
Museum of Illusions
Open Air Museum of Ethnography
The Open Air Museum encompasses 14 ethnographic zones.
Each exhibit presents a certain historic-ethnographic area of Georgia. Together with architectural monuments, the museum presents ethnographic materials – different kinds of tools, textiles, and ceramics. The museum also includes the 5th-6th century basilica of Sioni, as well as a rich collection of grave stones in relief.
Visitors can explore on their own, or enjoy guided tours around the museum. The museum provides a tranquil environment for visitors to experience Georgian folk exhibitions and festivals throughout the year, and has a quaint Georgian restaurant where you can enjoy the breathtaking view of Tbilisi.
Working Hours: Every day except Monday 10:00-18:00
Web: http://museum.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=46
Email: info@museum.ge
Phone: + (99532)2729045
Address: 25, M. Berdzenishvili St (Turtle Lake Road)
Gardenia Shevardnadze
Restrictions:
· Unfortunately the place is not yet adapted to fulfill the needs of PWDS.
· Due to narrow walking paths, Baby Strollers have to stay beyond the gate.
· Pets are not allowed at Gardenia Territory
Working Hours: Every day except Monday. 10:00-18:00, café till the last guest. Closed for visitors in January and February.
Web: http://gardenia.ge/
Email: contact@gardenia.ge
Phone: +995-599181634,+99532-2246703
Address: Tbilisis, N.Khudadovi street N138
Shop Like A Local
Here is the list of interesting shopping locations in Tbilisi (not including malls and standard shops)
Dry Bridge Flea Market
Goods are laid out on the ground and stalls. Some stuff may be overpriced, especially for tourists, so don’t hesitate to bargain.
Address: Kvishketi Str 1a, dry bridge
“Barakholka” (Navtlughi) flea market near metro station Samgori
There is a lot of junk but once in a while one can find really interesting things for almost no price. Unlike dry bridge market, this one is super cheap.
Working Hours: The flea Market sellers gather on weekends. We recommend going before noon.
Studio 995
Studio 995 is located on the site of a former electric machinery plant. It’s a shop of vintage, rare and designer furniture and items. The atmosphere here is so interesting that visiting it as a museum will transport you back in time to the old Tbilisi.
Every item in the studio has been hand-picked: antique armchairs, lamps, mirrors, and decorative elements from Europe and Georgia. This place attracts designers, photographers, and anyone who appreciates the aesthetics of the past.
There are even phaetons and cars here! The collection is updated several times a year. And the studio offers restoration services as well as design and architecture.
Dezertiri Market
More details about the market you can find on this blog: https://wander-lush.org/dezerter-bazaar-tbilisi-market/
Photo Credit Wander Lush blog
Address: 2-4 Abastumani St, Tbilisi
Thematic Bars & Theatres
Tsibakha Game Club
There are games for any group size. Even if you go there alone, you will be able to join a group of other players or find a partner to play with.
Working Hours: 16:00 – 01:00
Web: https://www.facebook.com/TsibakhaGameClub/
Phone: +995 599 93 38 75
Address: Egnate Ninoshvili St., 8 (Fabrika courtyard)
Movement Theatre
The environment is very inspiring.
Working Hours: Majority of performances start at 20:00
Web: https://movementtheatre.ge/en/
https://www.facebook.com/movementtheatre/
Phone: +995 557 766626, +995 593 247478
Address: Aghmashenebeli ave 182 Mushtaidi Garden
Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theatre & Café
Based in Tbilisi, Georgia, the company is under the direction of a noted artist, writer, and director Rezo Gabriadze (whose awards include Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters of the French Republic – France’s highest recognition for cultural achievements.)
The Gabriadze Theater stands in the heart of Tbilisi’s historic Old Town. This beautiful building of the unique marionette theatre was designed by Gabriadze himself. Among the shows in its current repertoire are: “The Autumn of My Spring”, “Stalingrad”, “Ramona”, “Diamond of Marshal de Fant’e”.
Tickets are almost always sold out so plan ahead!
In the same building one can visit a small, lovely café.
Working Hours: Check the schedule at tkt.ge
Web: http://gabriadze.com/en/
Phone: tickets + 995 32 2 98 65 90 / café + 995 32 2 98 65 94
Address: Shavteli St, 13
Parks, Lakes & Outdoors
There are several great outdoor recreational areas in the city, here we will list the ones most popular among locals
Tbilisi Botanical Garden
This is probably the best place in the center of Tbilisi to enjoy beautiful flora and landscapes. Do not hesitate to visit the park if you have some free time.
Working Hours: Every day 09:00-20:00
Web: http://nbgg.ge
Email: info@nbgg.ge
Phone: (+995) 322 72 43 06
Address: 1 Botanikuri St.
Vera Park
Vera Park is smaller than Vake Park and does not contain an amusement park. There is a small playground for children, an exercise area, tennis courts, viewpoint, chess palace, bouldering hall and some small cafes.
Address: Merab Kostava St, in front of Philarmony
Vake Park
Vake Park is good for long walks or chilling on the lawn, there is a large fountain and an impressive statue of a woman – mother of an unknown soldier, tribute to those deceased in WW2.
There is a small territory of amusement park – for children and tennis courts as well as some restaurants.
Address: Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue
Dedaena Park
Dedaena Park is popular among young adults for its skate park, trending bars (Rooster, Dedaena Bar and etc.).
There is also a nice chill café called Book Corner. The park is situated on Mtkvari River bank.
Old Hippodrome
Mtatsminda Park
It is the highest point in Tbilisi, taking more than 100 hectares. Here you can find various Cafes, popular restaurant Funicular (which has a long history) Souvenirs shops, child entertainment center, wedding house, picnic zones, a big Ferris Wheel at the edge of the mountain, offering a splendid view over the city, funicular tram and probablymost important – TV broadcasting tower – Tbilisi’s Andza.
In short, this is the most popular park among children and parents alike to spend a lovely day outdoors.
To get to Mtatsminda Park, most recommended transport is the funicular, which was first constructed in 1905, located at the bottom of the Mtatsminda hill.
At the entrance visitors can buy and charge the visitors plastic card. The card is used for payment of funicular and all attractions in the park. Other entertainment facilities in the territory of park may be used by cash payment.
Working Hours: Every day 11:00 – 22:00
Web: https://park.ge
Email: info@park.ge
Phone: +99532 249 23 23
Address of Funicular: 22 Daniel Chonqadze St.
Tbilisi Zoo
It must be mentioned that in 2015, when Tbilisi was flooded by Vere River the Zoo was the most devastated territory, many animals and some stuff members have died during the flood. June 2015 was very sad time for all Georgians, Tbilisi and Zoo residents.
Working Hours: Every day 10:00 – 20:00
Web: http://www.zoo.ge/index.php
Email: contact@zoo.ge
Phone: (+995 32) 233-29-01
Turtle Lake
This is a great place for walking, rest and sports training.
There are cozy cafes – we recommend to check out venue – Ciskari (https://www.facebook.com/ciskarikustba/), playgrounds for children, sports grounds.
You can hire a catamaran, swim (not very recommended though) and sunbathe, or go trekking over surrounding hills to the svan tower, Udzo hill or following the range down to Mtatsminda Park.
The Lake can be reached by walking from Vake Park, taxi or the most recommended, aerial tramway leading from Chavchavadze St.
Location of Tramway station: https://goo.gl/maps/xTcxdYXXA2X3myY69
Working hours of Tramway: 8:00-22:00
Lisi Lake
The landscape is rocky and arid with shrub vegetation and plots of steppe. The Lake has very interesting and diverse fauna.
Lisi area is excellent for biking, running, fishing, picnics and sunbathing (there even is a beach used for swimming in the lake, but its cleanness is questionable). At the entrance there are some lounge bars and a natural Sulphur bathhouse (like in old town).
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisiLakeRecreation/
Tbilisi Sea
The Tbilisi sea is an artificial lake (largest) in Tbilisi (20 min. drive from center) that serves as a reservoir. The lake has a length of 8.75 km and a width of 2.85 km. It was opened in 1953 and has become a popular recreation spot. In summer time it’s crowded with people enjoying the free beaches.
Around the sea area, there is a private beach, Yacht Club, restaurants, Sea Club (with private pools) and an aqua park.
Sport, Adventure & Spa
ZipLine
Shooting Range Laguna
Phone: 551 22 77 44
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shootingrangelaguna/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shootingrange.ge
Address: 8 Zviad Gamsakhurdia Named Right Bank, Tbilisi
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/992NdtisDmH5JLqA9
Horse Riding
Web: https://www.facebook.com/tbilisihippodrome/
Email: ipodromi@gmail.com
Phone: 0322153131
Address: Next to Lisi lake
📞For Booking call- 579414151
Donkey Farm Virlandia
Rock Climbing
The climbing area at Botanical Garden is open to the public and free of charge. You can reach it easily through botanical garden
The Botanical garden natural rock is a great place where local climbers train in good weather. There are several routes, some bouldering spots and a fixed station for top-roping. Expect that in good weather, on weekends, there will be someone you can join in training.
