Tbilisi

Photo © askgudmundsen

Introduction

Georgian orthodox church, Tblisi

Tbilisi (თბილისი) is the capital of Georgia and is also the largest city in the country. The city is located in the southeast of the country on the Mtkvari River and has well over 1 million inhabitants. People have been living here since over 1,500 years and nowadays the city is the cultural and economic hart of the country and for people flying in to the country, Tbilisi will be there starting point. Recent historical events which were of importance for the country, took place at the central Freedom Square, like the Rose Revolution. But there is an older form of history to be found as well, with churches, mosques and synagogues all mixed together and even standing next to each other! From Tbilisi, it is just a short ride to other interesting regions like the Caucasus Mountains, the wine region of Kakheti and also Armenia is nearby.

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Sights and Activities

Metheki Church
Freedom Square
Tbilisi Old Town
Mother Georgia (statue high above the city)
Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral, the most important one in the city
Narikala Fortress

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Events and Festivals

Tbilisoba

Tbilisoba is an annual October festival, celebrating the diversity and history of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. It was first held on October 28, 1979, and has since become an established tradition. The festival features open-air concerts of traditional music and dancing and various cultural events, centered on Old Tbilisi, the historical part of the city. Beyond celebrating the city's past and present, people from all over Georgia represent their region at the fair of the harvest.

Victory Day

March 9 marks Georgia’s Victory Day, which celebrates the country’s freedom from fascism. In Tbilisi, Victory Day takes place in Vake Park, where exciting programs are held from dancing to brass band playing, plus the laying of flowers at the foot of the park’s eternal flame and memorial. It is also a day for remembering war veterans and heroes.

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Weather

Tbilisi experiences relatively cold winters and hot summers. Because the city is bounded on most sides by mountain ranges, the close proximity to large bodies of water (Black and Caspian Seas) and the fact that the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range (further to the north) blocks the intrusion of cold air masses from Russia, Tbilisi has a relatively mild micro-climate compared to other cities that possess a similar continental climate along the same latitudes. The average annual temperature in Tbilisi is 12.7 °C. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 0.9 °C. July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 24.4 °C. The absolute minimum recorded temperature is -24 °C and the absolute maximum is 40 °C. Average annual precipitation is 568 mm. May and June are the wettest months (averaging 84 mm (3.3 in) of precipitation each) while January is the driest (averaging 20 mm of precipitation). Snow falls on average 15-25 days per year. The surrounding mountains often trap the clouds within and around the city, mainly during the Spring and Autumn months, resulting in prolonged rainy and/or cloudy weather. Northwesterly winds dominate in most parts of Tbilisi throughout the year. Southeasterly winds are common as well.

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Getting There

By Plane

Tbilisi International Airport (IATA: TBS; ICAO: UGTB) is the main gateway of the country. There are connections to most neighbouring countries and the Middle East. Direct flights from Europe can be taken from London, Warsaw, Munich, Riga, Vienna, Amsterdam, Kiev and Athens. Comming from Asia is best to connect through Dubai or Istanbul. Direct flights via Moscow and Russia at the time of writing have been suspended.
New connections are showing up though, with Georgia being more and more popular lately and more European countries and former Soviet Union republics now have flights, either directly or not, to and from Tbilisi.

From the airport there are several options to getting to the city centre. There is an infrequent rail service to the main railway station or you can take bus 37 from outside the arrivials hall which also finishes at the main railway station. The buses running this route are 'mini-buses' so if you have alot of luggage it's best to take one of the waiting taxis.

By Train

There are train international connections with both Armenia and Azerbaijan which leave Tbilisi and have their finale destination in Yerevan or Baku respectively. There are alos a multitude of local services which go to the regional centers in Georgia, although its much quicker to take a bus and usually around the same price.

By Car

Being the capital between Europe and Asia and lying on the old Silk Road, Tbiisi is easily accessed both internationaly and localy.

By Bus

There are connections to the countries of Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Greece, either by bus or by marshrutka, the Georgian minibus. Buses traveling as far as Istanbul and Athens can take up to two full days to get there.

By Boat

There are no boat connections in Tbilisi, or even ferries for that matter on the Mtkvari River.

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Getting Around

By Car

Parking is widespread, but the ubiquitous informal parking attendants will help you reverse out into the traffic; it's all part of the service they offer in return for the usual tip.

By Public Transport

Metro
Tbilisi, like most ex Soviet capitals, has a Metro (Subway) system. Although the maps shoes 3 lines there are only two with a third "under construction". The red line "Akhmeteli-Varketili" as well as the green line "Saburtalo" both connect with the main railway station, with the former running in roughly a north-south direction while the Saburtalo running east-west. Fairs are very cheap and most stations have the line map in both Georgian and Latin alphabets.

By Foot

Getting around Tbilisi by foot is quite easy. Walking from the Old Town to Rustaveli through Freedom Square take roughly 45 minutes. Be aware that motorists here rarely give way to pedestrians and if trying to cross a busy road stick with what the locals are doing.

By Bike

Riding by bicycle around Tbilisi is only for the very brave. With the Georgian 'style' of driving and that fact that motorists arn't use to cyclists can make it very dangerous. That been said, the hills surrounding Tbilisi are frequented by many mountain bikers. Many take the cable car from the district of Vake up to Turtle Lake and cycle down through the forest or over to the neighbouring mountains.

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Eat

Street side stalls selling Georgian "fast food" are located all over the city. Some kind of hot snack will cost between 0.70-2.50 L.

Georgian traditional cuisine is delicious, cheap, and universal. Just wandering into the likeliest looking local joint in any neighborhood whatsoever, even just a block or two from the main tourist streets, will inevitably provide an excellent dining experience at bargain prices - and quite possibly any amount of proud attention and invitations to drink wine from staff and regulars delighted that a foreigner has discovered their haunt. Beyond the classics of khinkali and khachapuri, meat-eaters could begin with "satsivi" (chicken in walnut sauce) or "chakhapuli" (lamb or beef with tarragon and other herbs), and vegetarians or vegans some of the dishes with "lobio" (beans), "badrijani" (eggplant), or "pkhali" (greens) - or simply pick by random off the menu and let the unique tastes of Georgia surprise you.

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Drink

One is never far from a corner store opening late selling the bare essentials of life late into the night, which always include booze and bread. Georgia is known as the cradle of wine. Georgian wine was and still is the best in post-Soviet culture. Georgia produces wine, and Georgians respect wine culture. Try one of the famous wines. The region which is popular for its wine production is Kakheti. This place has a great history of wine.

Unless you would like to forget you are in Tbilisi and drink in fancy expensive places where only tourists and expats may be found, Chardini and its connecting streets should be avoided as the most blatant tourist trap in the country. The best pubs and cafes in Tbilisi are tucked in unlikely looking side streets of the Old City, often underground or sometimes without even a sign to mark their presence. Keep your eyes and ears open.

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Sleep

Mid-Range

Hotel Georgian House Tbilisi, rooms from €45, Phone: +99532 791919.

Upscale

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Learn

Tbilisi State University

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Keep Connected

Internet

Internet cafés, locally called "internet clubs", are common and cheap in Tbilisi and Batumi but scarce in Kutaisi. Some places offer free WLAN to their customers. At least in Tbilisi, all hostels have free fast WLAN.

There is free Wi-Fi network all over the Tbilisi. Other places might have some hotels, restaurants etc. with (free) wifi.

Phone

Post

Georgian Post offers a range of services, but don't count on it being very reliable or quick. On top of that they are relatively expensive. It is advisable to post letters in central post offices rather than using the post boxes in the street. Opening hours are usually from 10:00am to 6:00pm from Monday to Friday, some larger ones at Saturday and most are closed on Sunday.

"Georgian International Express Mail Service" is a member of the World Network of "Express Mail Services". It sends letters and parcels to 200 countries and delivers inbound items received by EMS network to all Georgian regions. EMS has branches in Kutaisi, Batumi, Poti, Gori, Marneuli. All items are insured by insurance company "IC Group". Nevertheless, you might use international courier companies lik TNT, UPS, DHL or FedEx, as they are reliable, fast and comptitively priced as well.

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