Sightseeing in Tbilisi - what to see. Complete travel guide
The capital of Georgia is not only the political and economic, but also cultural center of the country. It is an amazing city with the multifaceted culture that manages to keep up with the times and preserve its age-old traditions. Ancient town Tiflis (this is how Tbilisi had been called until 1936) was formed around the deposits of healing sulphur springs. A lot of interesting stories and legends, which tourists can learn during sightseeing tours, are connected with the city formation.
Today, the old complex of baths is one of the main symbols of the city. Many travelers successfully combine sightseeing tours with pleasant and useful procedures. The important distinctive feature of modern Tbilisi is an amazing contrast. Near picturesque old constructions, there are high beautiful modern buildings. The citizens keeping up with the times honor the traditions of their ancestors and tell their foreign guests about them.
Besides recovery procedures and walks along historical places, Tbilisi is ready to offer tourists a lot of interesting entertainments. There are wonderful restaurants where the guests can taste many types of khinkali and khachapuri, the most popular national treats. Shopping enthusiasts will be impressed by local markets, some of which have been working for many years.
The most popular souvenirs here are national costumes and incredibly beautiful (mostly decorative) daggers. In the city, there are interesting flea markets where you can but interesting pieces of art and antique items. The entertainment industry of Tbilisi is developing from year to year. Today, there are several big shopping malls in the city where you can spend the whole day with comfort. The city will definitely impress those who prefer to combine different kinds of recreation.
One of the oldest constructions in Tbilisi is the Narikala Fortress. The first written references to it date back to the 5th century. Over the hundreds of years of its existence, the fortress was repeatedly conquered by the Byzantines. It had been also under Arabs for a long time. The fortress is located in the very remote place, on the hilltop surrounded by impregnable rocks. At the beginning of the 19th century, the construction was partially destroyed by the strong earthquake. The historical monument was restored not so long ago.
In the city center, there is old Metekhi Church built in the 13th century. The first temple has not been preserved to this day. Today, the city guests can see the construction that stopped being built in the 16th century. The church is located on top of the rock and was built on the ruins of the palace that belonged to the city founder, Vakhtang I Gorgasali. Now, this old temple is a vivid example of Georgian architecture.
In Tbilisi, there is the old temple of Georgi, Church Anchishati. It was built in the 6th century upon the order of King Dachi Udjarmeli. It is a miracle that the old construction has been preserved to this day. After the Revolution of 1917, it was decided to destroy the old church but it was preserved and served as the Local Production Museum. Then, the art workshop was opened here. The church gained its religious status not so long ago. Today, it stores the collection of old icons. The concerts of the best Georgian chorus are regularly held.
You can see the collection of unique historical and art exhibits in the Georgian National Museum. It was founded not so long ago, in 2004, and has combined the collections of several museums. Today, its visitors can see here archeological artifacts that date back to the prehistoric epoch and historical exhibits of different periods. Most of the exhibits are dedicated to the cultural traditions of Georgia.
The Tbilisi Ethnographic Museum is the beautiful outdoor museum, on the territory of which you can see spectacular old constructions of different regions. The total area of the museum is over 50 hectares. On its territory, there are over 70 beautiful residential buildings and outbuildings. In many houses, the collections of historical exhibits are stored.
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City tours, excursions and tickets in Tbilisi and surroundings
Reference information
Map of all castles
Survived castles around Tbilisi
♥ Castle 'Berdavan Fortress' , 61 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Kayan Berd' , 70.4 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Lori Berd' , 85.1 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Karmir Berd' , 105 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Tavush Fortress' , 107.3 km from the center. On the map
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Map of all parks
National and city parks around Tbilisi
♥ National Park 'Dilijan' , 103.8 km from the center. On the map
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♥ National Park 'Lake Arpi' , 129.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ National Park 'Alania' , 157.4 km from the center. On the map
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Sights around Tbilisi from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'
Bridge of Peace
From the series “The Most Unusual and Strange Bridges on Earth”
Check on the map: Distance from Tbilisi center - 3.8 km.
At first glance, it may seem that the tiny lights are shimmering chaotically. In reality, they send an important message with Morse alphabet. The message contains the names of the main elements of which the human body consists. The bridge was opened in 2010. The initiator of the construction was the President of the country, Micheil Saakashvili. On the picturesque bridge you can even walk in the bad weather and enjoy the panorama on the river. The canopy protects safely from any storm. …
Read further Distance from Tbilisi center - 3.8 km.
Sightseeing in Georgia: things to see
Travellers, who like mountain rest, will enjoy their visit to the Caucasus Mountains and beautiful Mount Kazbeg (5,030m). The most famous destinations of the region are Kazbegi town, Gudauri (a popular ski resort) and the beautiful Khada Valley. Hospitality is traditional in Georgia, so travelers will feel very welcome. Tsminda Sameba is considered a true gem of Kazbegi. This ancient Georgian church is built on a hilltop, from which one can see stunning views of the mountains and the valley.
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Search touristic sites on the map of Tbilisi
All about Tbilisi, Georgia - sightseeings, attractions, touristic spots, architecture, history, culture and cuisine. Prepare your trip together with OrangeSmile.com - find out the 'must see' things in Tbilisi, which places to visit, which excursions to take, where the breathtaking views are waiting for you. Planning your trip with this travel guide will help your to get the most out of Tbilisi in few days.
