Sightseeing Highlights of 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.

Sightseeing in Tbilisi is cheap and compact. Most of the famous places charge nothing, sit within a few kilometres of each other and can be reached on foot or with one short taxi ride. The notes below give the practical points for each stop. Hours and fares come from secondary sources, so check them on the day.

Narikala Fortress

High above the sulphur baths, Narikala has foundations from the 4th century AD, and later rulers rebuilt and extended it. The grounds cost nothing. Surfaces are rocky and steep, and rails are missing in places, so go slowly in wet weather. The Rike Park cable car costs about 2.50 GEL one way, or you can climb the steps from Betlemi Street. The small church of St Nicholas stands within the walls.

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Known as Sameba, it rises on Elia Hill in Avlabari. Construction ran from 1995 to 2004, and the cross tops out at around 86 m, making it the third-tallest Orthodox cathedral in the world. Admission is free. As a place of worship it expects covered shoulders and knees, and women cover their hair. Wraps are lent at the entrance. Hours vary between sources. Please keep voices low and avoid photographing worshippers.

Bridge of Peace

Italian designer Michele De Lucchi created this pedestrian bridge of glass and steel, about 150 m long, opened in May 2010. Lights come on at dusk. It joins Old Town with Rike Park and is among the best photo spots in the city.

Metekhi and its king

The 13th-century Metekhi Church overlooks the river from a rock, and in front of it a bronze rider shows Vakhtang Gorgasali, the traditional founder of the city. It is free to see, with a good outlook toward Narikala.

Chronicle of Georgia

On a hill over Tbilisi Sea, Zurab Tsereteli’s monument has sixteen tall pillars covered in carved figures of rulers and scenes from scripture. It is open around the clock. As the bus route is not confirmed, plan on a taxi or ride-hailing app, which is likely to be about 15 to 20 GEL from the centre.

Moving between sights

Buses and the metro cost 1 GEL and allow transfers for 90 minutes. They take a Metromoney card or a bank-card tap, not cash. Rustaveli Avenue is the site of the protests, so keep evening strolls to other streets. The Sameba article lists the cathedral’s facts.

A search for Tbilisi sightseeing tours lists guided versions.