Baths, Markets and Cable Cars in Tbilisi

October 29, 2026

Advisory, as of October 2026. British FCDO guidance is to avoid all travel to the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and to make only essential trips close to their boundary lines. Demonstrations against the government have run for more than a year in the centre of Tbilisi, mainly outside the Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue, and have at times turned violent, most often on Saturday evenings and on political anniversaries. Stay away from them. Look at the current FCDO page on Georgia and at travel.state.gov before booking anything.

Most of what visitors enjoy in Tbilisi happens close to the river. A thermal bath, a short ride in a cable car, a morning at a flea market and an evening on a hill make a full programme, and the Georgian table fills in the gaps. Amounts are in lari (GEL) and come from secondary guides, so confirm them on the day.

Thermal baths

Abanotubani, the district of domed brick bathhouses, draws on natural sulphur springs. Public bathing and private rooms are both offered. A private room is charged per room and per hour, which makes it cheaper to share. Typical ranges are about 130 to 600 GEL at Chreli Abano (the same bathhouse as the Orbeliani Baths), about 150 to 300 GEL at Gulo’s, which you reserve by phone or Messenger, and about 120 to 200 GEL for a private room at Bath No. 5. Bath No. 5 also has the only walk-in public hall, around 6 to 10 GEL, split by gender and unclothed. The scrub known as kisa adds about 15 to 30 GEL. The Queen’s Bath is shut for refurbishment. Chreli Abano takes bookings at chreliabano.ge .

Rike Park cable car

The aerial cable car links Rike Park with the hill near Narikala Fortress. A one-way ticket is about 2.50 GEL, payable by bank card or Metromoney. The fortress is free to enter but uneven and steep, with missing handrails in places.

Dry Bridge market

The market near the Dry Bridge is open every day, with the best selection at weekends. Browse for Soviet-era pins, old cameras, paintings and odd antiques. It is a cash market, so bring small notes.

Mtatsminda hill

Mount Mtatsminda has two mechanical routes. The old funicular starts on Chonkadze Street, and a newer cableway from Rustaveli Avenue has run since October 2024 over 845 m in about 4 minutes. Both need a Mtatsminda Park card of about 2 GEL, then about 10 to 12 GEL for each one-way trip. The city transit card is not accepted. If you go up from the Rustaveli side, check the protest situation first.

A Georgian feast

A supra is a long meal with many toasts, shared plates and, often, group singing in several voices. Ask a guesthouse or hotel to point you to restaurants that host one, and reserve ahead for larger parties.

Moving around

Metro and bus fares are 1 GEL, the ride includes a 90-minute transfer and cash is not accepted. See this transport explainer for the card options. In the centre cards are fine, but cash is useful at markets.

You can compare guided options by searching Tbilisi tours and activities .