Last year we jetted off to Tbilisi for a wedding, which was originally meant to be in 2020 but the pandemic thwarted that. Here's what else we got up to in Georgia's capital city:
When we went last year there were no direct flights to Tbilisi, so we flew to Baku and spent a few days there first. It's 5.5 hours from Heathrow to Baku, then one hour to Tbilisi (both flights with Azerbaijan Airlines). Heading home we flew to Paris with Georgian Airways, then back to Heathrow with Air France. Luckily, if you're thinking of going to Tbilisi, direct flights have resumed to the Georgian capital. Bolts are best if you're taking a cab - they'll cost a few quid - but the city is pretty walkable.
What to do:
Zurab Tsereteli was born in Tbilisi and you'll find two fab examples of his work there. (There's more, obviously, but these two stand out.) First up is his gigantic Chronicle of Georgia, which is located slightly outside of Tbilisi. We took a Bolt there, which seemed the easiest way to get there, but it did take an hour because of traffic. It's worth it though to see this, literally, massive tribute to both Georgia and Christianity. (We also saw it from the air as we flew out of the city.) It's located above the Tbilisi Sea, which is actually an artificial lake. Be warned, it's super windy up there! Entry is free.
The next Zurab Tsereteli piece you need to see is his Apple of Love, which you need to buy a ticket for as it sits in the courtyard of, funnily enough, the Zurab Tsereteli Museum of Modern Art. You can sort of see it from the street but given tickets cost 20 Lari (about a fiver) - and the museum has other works by Tsereteli, as well as other artists - you should really just pony up.
Once you've finished there, walk a bit further down Shota Rustaveli Avenue to see the Gigantic Bicycle Monument, plus spot the other art on Shota Rustaveli Avenue. You'll find lots of small bronze statues by Levan Bujiashvili and, it's not by him, but there's also a really cool saxophonist statue emerging out of the wall. Georgia's parliament building is also on this street, and if you keep walking along it, you'll get to Liberty Square.
If you want to see the city from above, you could take the funicular up to Mtatsminda Park, a small amusement park with a cracking view. The fare one way is 10 Lari, plus you'll need to pay 2 Lari for a transport card. After a quick mooch around the park, we headed down the hill to Mtatsminda Pantheon, which is about halfway down. Some of the most famous Georgians are buried here.
Zurab Tsereteli was born in Tbilisi and you'll find two fab examples of his work there. (There's more, obviously, but these two stand out.) First up is his gigantic Chronicle of Georgia, which is located slightly outside of Tbilisi. We took a Bolt there, which seemed the easiest way to get there, but it did take an hour because of traffic. It's worth it though to see this, literally, massive tribute to both Georgia and Christianity. (We also saw it from the air as we flew out of the city.) It's located above the Tbilisi Sea, which is actually an artificial lake. Be warned, it's super windy up there! Entry is free.
Finally, if you go up to the Mother of Georgia (Kartlis Deda), from there you can head down the hill and make your way through the Old Town. The Mother of Georgia is a huge aluminium statue that you can't miss - the city's artists certainly know how to do BIG pieces. You'll find some fun street art in the Old Town, the Orbeliani Baths, and a quirky, leaning clock tower.
Where to eat:
We had lunches at Ratto Bistro (delicious pizza), Margalita (we had Khachapuri here, the Georgian cheese boat bread, pictured below) and Kilke's Khinkali (yum Georgian dumplings). Drinks at The Creek, Vinissimo wine bar (Georgia is said to be the birthplace of wine, and this was a fab spot in the Old Town to sample some) and Terrace 21. Ice cream from The Cine Culture Ice Cream. And dinners at Balcony No7 (decent for local dishes) and OtsY (yum modern Georgian food but on the pricier side for Tbilisi).
We had lunches at Ratto Bistro (delicious pizza), Margalita (we had Khachapuri here, the Georgian cheese boat bread, pictured below) and Kilke's Khinkali (yum Georgian dumplings). Drinks at The Creek, Vinissimo wine bar (Georgia is said to be the birthplace of wine, and this was a fab spot in the Old Town to sample some) and Terrace 21. Ice cream from The Cine Culture Ice Cream. And dinners at Balcony No7 (decent for local dishes) and OtsY (yum modern Georgian food but on the pricier side for Tbilisi).
Anything else?
There's no need to take cash out as everywhere takes cards. And we stayed at Zorba & Bond which is a cute boutique hotel with a fab view, close to the Old Town. x
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