Districts · Tbilisi
Tbilisi by district
A first visit fits in a strip about 4 km long on both banks of the Mtkvari: the old town and Narikala at the south-west end, Sololaki and Freedom Square in the middle, Rustaveli Avenue running north-west, and the cathedral hill of Avlabari across the river.A first visit fits in a strip about 2.5 mi long on both banks of the Mtkvari: the old town and Narikala at the south-west end, Sololaki and Freedom Square in the middle, Rustaveli Avenue running north-west, and the cathedral hill of Avlabari across the river.
About these names
- Old Tbilisi (Abanotubani, Sioni)ძველი თბილისიseeeatSuits: Sulphur baths, cafés and balconiesCobbled, steep, touristy after 17:00; the baths are the reason to come.Cobbled, steep, touristy after 5:00 PM; the baths are the reason to come.3 sightsDistrict guide →
- Sololaki and Freedom SquareსოლოლაკიsleepeatseeSuits: First visit, 2–4 nights, wine barsFaded mansions under the fortress ridge; a good base with steps and slopes.1 sights · 4 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Rustaveli AvenueრუსთაველიsleepseeeatSuits: Museums, theatres, flat walkingWide tree-lined boulevard; the flat part of town; demonstrations sometimes gather at Parliament.2 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Avlabari and SamebaავლაბარიseeSuits: One morning at the cathedralRight bank; the big cathedral and a residential district. Not a base.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- Vera and MtatsmindaვერაeatsleepSuits: Cafés, quieter beds, the funicularLeafy streets west of Rustaveli; the Mtatsminda funicular starts here.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Vake and SaburtaloeatsleepSuits: Longer stays, familiesNewer residential areas with parks, gyms and cafés; 15–25 min by car to the old town.District guide →
- Marjanishvili and ChuguretieatSuits: Local cafés, second visitJust across the river from Rustaveli; simpler, cheaper food and less English.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Didube and Ortachalaskip as a baseSuits: Bus departuresBus stations for Kazbegi and other towns; not for sleeping.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) (30–55 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Vera and Mtatsminda, Vake and Saburtalo, Marjanishvili and Chugureti, Didube and Ortachala. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Old Tbilisi (Abanotubani, Sioni) (ძველი თბილისი): Cobbled, steep, touristy after 17:00; the baths are the reason to come.Cobbled, steep, touristy after 5:00 PM; the baths are the reason to come. Suits: Sulphur baths, cafés and balconies.
- Sololaki and Freedom Square (სოლოლაკი): Faded mansions under the fortress ridge; a good base with steps and slopes. Suits: First visit, 2–4 nights, wine bars. Price band $$.
- Rustaveli Avenue (რუსთაველი): Wide tree-lined boulevard; the flat part of town; demonstrations sometimes gather at Parliament. Suits: Museums, theatres, flat walking. Price band $$$.
- Avlabari and Sameba (ავლაბარი): Right bank; the big cathedral and a residential district. Not a base. Suits: One morning at the cathedral.
- Vera and Mtatsminda (ვერა): Leafy streets west of Rustaveli; the Mtatsminda funicular starts here. Suits: Cafés, quieter beds, the funicular.
- Vake and Saburtalo: Newer residential areas with parks, gyms and cafés; 15–25 min by car to the old town. Suits: Longer stays, families.
- Marjanishvili and Chugureti: Just across the river from Rustaveli; simpler, cheaper food and less English. Suits: Local cafés, second visit.
- Didube and Ortachala: Bus stations for Kazbegi and other towns; not for sleeping. Suits: Bus departures.
- Sleep area Rustaveli (central, flat): suits Museums, theatres, flat walking, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Sololaki (old-town edge): suits First visit, 2–4 nights, wine bars, price band $$.
- Tbilisi International Airport (TBS), 30–55 min by the usual route.