WINTER ACTIVITIES
While you won’t find ski slopes directly within the city limits of Tbilisi, the capital serves as an excellent base for winter sports because the world-class Gudauri Ski Resort is only a scenic two-hour drive away. Many visitors opt for a “ski safari” approach: waking up in Tbilisi, taking a morning transfer along the Georgian Military Highway to enjoy Gudauri’s 80 kilometers of powder-covered runs and high-altitude freeriding, and then returning to the city by evening. Back in Tbilisi, the winter experience shifts from adrenaline to relaxation; you can thaw out in the historic, naturally hot sulphur baths of the Abanotubani district, stroll through the dazzling Christmas markets that light up Rustaveli Avenue (especially vibrant in January for Orthodox Christmas), or simply escape the chill in a cozy cellar bar with a glass of amber wine and a platter of steaming, spicy Khinkali.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Tbilisi comes alive in the summer months from June through September, offering an exciting mix of outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and ways to beat the heat in this vibrant capital city. The warm weather transforms the city into an outdoor playground where locals and tourists flock to the famous sulfur baths in Abanotubani for a refreshing soak, then cool off with a swim at Lisi Lake or Turtle Lake, both popular spots just outside the city center with beaches, cafes, and water activities. Summer is the perfect time to explore Tbilisi’s stunning Old Town on foot, wandering through the narrow cobblestone streets, visiting the ancient Narikala Fortress which offers panoramic views of the entire city, and riding the cable car over the Mtkvari River for breathtaking sunset vistas. The city’s many parks and gardens, including Mtatsminda Park perched high above the city and Rike Park along the riverfront, become gathering spots for picnics, outdoor concerts, and evening strolls. Food lovers can enjoy dining at countless outdoor terraces and rooftop restaurants serving traditional Georgian cuisine like khachapuri and grilled meats, paired with local wines from nearby Kakheti region. Day trips from Tbilisi are incredibly popular in summer, with easy access to the ancient capital of Mtskheta, the cave monastery of David Gareja, and the wine regions where you can tour vineyards and cellars. The city also hosts numerous summer festivals including open-air concerts, art exhibitions, and the Tbilisi Open Air festival, while the famous Fabrika creative space and various wine bars along Chardin Street buzz with energy late into the warm nights. For adventure seekers, white water rafting on the Aragvi River, paragliding in nearby mountains, and hiking trails in the surrounding Caucasus foothills are all within reach, making Tbilisi the perfect summer base for exploring Georgia’s natural beauty while enjoying urban comforts.
DINING OUT
Tbilisi’s fine dining scene has experienced a remarkable transformation over the past decade, evolving from traditional Georgian cuisine into a sophisticated culinary destination that rivals major European cities while maintaining its unique Caucasian identity. The city now boasts an impressive collection of upscale restaurants where talented chefs are reimagining Georgian classics with modern techniques and international influences, creating innovative tasting menus that showcase local ingredients like Sulguni cheese, tkemali plum sauce, and herbs from the Georgian mountains. Restaurants like Shavi Lomi, Culinarium, and Barbarestan (which features recipes from a 19th-century Georgian cookbook) offer elegant atmospheres with impeccable service, creative presentations, and wine pairings featuring Georgia’s famous qvevri wines and rare indigenous grape varieties like Saperavi and Rkatsiteli. For those seeking contemporary fine dining, establishments such as Cafe Littera, set in a beautiful garden courtyard, and Azarphesha, known for its chef’s table experience, blend Georgian traditions with European culinary artistry, while places like Funicular Restaurant Complex atop Mtatsminda Mountain combine stunning panoramic city views with refined cuisine. The fine dining experience in Tbilisi often includes multiple courses featuring delicacies like foie gras with chacha reduction, lobster khinkali, deconstructed khachapuri, and Adjarian-spiced lamb, all plated with artistic flair. Many of these high-end establishments are housed in beautifully restored 19th-century mansions or contemporary spaces in the Vera and Sololaki neighborhoods, offering intimate dining rooms with exposed brick, wine cellars, and outdoor terraces. Prices remain surprisingly reasonable compared to Western European standards, with tasting menus typically ranging from 80-150 GEL (approximately $30-55 USD), making fine dining in Tbilisi an accessible luxury. The city’s sommelier culture has also flourished, with knowledgeable wine stewards guiding diners through Georgia’s 8,000-year winemaking heritage alongside international selections, creating a complete gastronomic experience that celebrates both innovation and tradition.
CULTURAL TOURS
Tbilisi offers an incredibly rich tapestry of cultural tours that bring the city’s 1,500-year history and vibrant artistic heritage to life, making it a paradise for history buffs and culture enthusiasts. Walking tours through the Old Town (Dzveli Tbilisi) are the most popular way to explore, taking visitors through the winding cobblestone streets past colorful wooden balconies, ancient churches, and hidden courtyards while guides share stories of Persian, Ottoman, Russian, and Soviet influence that shaped the city’s unique character. The historic Abanotubani sulfur bath district, with its distinctive domed brick bathhouses dating back centuries, offers both architectural beauty and the chance to experience a traditional Georgian bathing ritual that has been central to local culture since the city’s founding. Art and architecture tours showcase Tbilisi’s eclectic mix of styles, from medieval churches like the 6th-century Anchiskhati Basilica and the stunning Holy Trinity Cathedral to Art Nouveau mansions in the Sololaki district, Stalinist architecture along Rustaveli Avenue, and striking modern structures like the futuristic Bridge of Peace and the glass-and-steel Public Service Hall. Cultural experiences extend beyond sightseeing with Georgian cooking classes where participants learn to make khinkali dumplings and khachapuri bread, wine tasting tours exploring the ancient qvevri winemaking method (recognized by UNESCO), and visits to working artists’ studios in the Fabrika creative hub. The Georgian National Museum offers fascinating exhibits on the country’s archaeology, Soviet occupation, and national treasures, while the Open Air Museum of Ethnography showcases traditional houses from all regions of Georgia transported to a hillside above Turtle Lake. Evening cultural tours often include traditional Georgian polyphonic singing performances (another UNESCO treasure), folk dance shows with stunning acrobatic choreography and colorful costumes, and visits to intimate wine bars where locals gather to share stories over natural wines. Many tour operators offer specialized experiences like Soviet history tours exploring Tbilisi’s communist past with visits to the Chronicle of Georgia monument and former KGB headquarters, literary tours following in the footsteps of famous Georgian poets and writers, or Jewish heritage tours through the historic Jewish quarter and synagogues. The city’s growing number of licensed guides, many of whom are passionate historians or artists themselves, provide insider perspectives that transform simple sightseeing into deep cultural immersion, whether you’re exploring for a few hours or several days.
