Tbilisi in 3 days: what to see, where to eat and how to get around
Mykyta Dzhus · Updated 2026-10-20 · 3 min read · Where to go
Tbilisi is a city of balconies, sulphur baths and wine. Three days are enough to walk the old town, climb to Narikala fortress, steam in a bathhouse and visit the ancient capital of Mtskheta. Here's the itinerary and practical tips.
Contents
In short
- Day 1: the old town. Narikala and the cable car, the Abanotubani sulphur baths, the waterfall in the gorge, the Bridge of Peace and Rike Park.
- Day 2: Rustaveli Avenue, the Dry Bridge, Fabrika, an evening on Mtatsminda.
- Day 3: Mtskheta and Jvari Monastery, a wine bar in the evening.
Getting in from the airport
Tbilisi airport is about half an hour's drive from the centre. The cheapest option is bus 337 to the centre plus the metro; the easiest is a taxi through Bolt, with the price shown upfront and the driver finding you at the exit. For Bolt you need data already at the airport, so install your eSIM at home.
Day 1: the old town and Narikala
Start with Narikala fortress above the old town: a cable car runs up from Rike Park, or you can walk up a path. Nearby stands the Mother of Georgia statue, holding a bowl of wine in one hand and a sword in the other. From the top you see all of Tbilisi and the Kura river.
Head down to Abanotubani, the domed sulphur baths where, legend says, the city began. You can rent a private room for an hour. Behind the baths hides a gorge with a waterfall. In the evening, the Bridge of Peace, a glass footbridge over the Kura, and Rike Park.
Day 2: Rustaveli, the Dry Bridge and Mtatsminda
Rustaveli Avenue is the main street, with theatres, the opera and museums, including the Georgian National Museum. By the Dry Bridge there's a flea market: Soviet odds and ends, silver, paintings, drinking horns. In the afternoon, Fabrika, a former sewing factory turned into a space with cafés, bars and street art.
In the evening take the funicular up Mtatsminda: an amusement park, restaurants and the best view of the city at night.
Day 3: Mtskheta
Georgia's ancient capital is half an hour from Tbilisi. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery on the hill above the meeting of the Aragvi and Kura are UNESCO sites. Marshrutkas leave from Didube metro station, or you can take a taxi. With an extra day, go to the Kazbegi mountains or Kakheti; see “Where to go in Georgia beyond Tbilisi: 7 places and a one-week route”.
What to try
- Khinkali: eaten by hand, holding the “tail”, sipping the broth first.
- Adjarian khachapuri: a cheese “boat” with butter and egg.
- Pkhali and badrijani: vegetable starters with walnut paste.
- Churchkhela: nuts dipped in thickened grape juice.
- Qvevri wine and Lagidze lemonades.
Getting around
Tbilisi has two metro lines and a bus network. You can pay with a contactless bank card or a transport card. Taxis are easiest through Bolt. The old town is best on foot, in comfortable shoes, as the streets are steep and cobbled.
When to go
The best times are spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October): warm but not hot, and autumn is new-wine season too. Summer in Tbilisi can go above 35 °C. Winter is cool, but the city is lively and the baths are especially pleasant.
What to book ahead
- Kazbegi in a day from Tbilisi: Ananuri, Gudauri, Gergeti church.
- Kakheti wine tour on GetYourGuide.
Links to 12Go, GetYourGuide and Klook are partner links: the price for you is the same, and a small commission helps us run this blog.
Internet in Tbilisi
Georgia isn't in the EU, so your home operator's roaming is charged separately there. A travel eSIM gives you data for Bolt, maps and bookings: Georgia starts at $2.49, 5 GB for 30 days is $7.99, a week of unlimited is $25.49.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Tbilisi?
Three days for the city and a trip to Mtskheta; a week to add the Kazbegi mountains and Kakheti.
How do I get from Tbilisi airport to the centre?
By bus 337 and the metro, or by taxi through Bolt, about half an hour.
How do I get to Narikala fortress?
By cable car from Rike Park or on foot uphill from the old town.
Can I pay by card in Tbilisi?
Yes, almost everywhere, including the metro and buses; at markets and in villages it's better to have lari in cash.
Does EU roaming work in Georgia?
No, Georgia isn't in the EU, so EU roam-like-at-home doesn't apply. A travel eSIM is the simple fix.
I got tired of overpaying for SIM cards that didn't work and of searching for where to go next. So I built this site: travel guides and an eSIM that just works.
Need data on your trip?
An eSIM for 198 countries in a minute — no roaming, no paperwork.
Pick a countryPopular destinations
More articles
What to do after landing in Hurghada: the $30 visa in 2026 and where to buy it, taxi prices to your hotel, Uber, Careem or inDrive, money, tipping and common scams.
5 min read · Read →
Getting from Dubai Airport (DXB) in 2026: taxis from AED 25, the metro from Terminals 1 and 3, the Nol card, Uber and Careem, Salik, visa rules and what to know about data and WhatsApp calls.
4 min read · Read →
Where to go in Thailand from November to March: Phuket, Krabi, the Trang islands and Lipe, Samui, Chiang Mai. Weather by month, the 30-day visa exemption from 15 September 2026, TDAC, money, and our data test on Ko Muk.
4 min read · Read →
A full passenger guide: what to do at the airport, when you are owed €250–600 under EU261, the rules in Turkey, Thailand, the UAE and the US, what the 2026 EU261 reform changes, how to claim yourself and whether paying AirHelp or Compensair 30–35% is worth it.
12 min read · Read →
A big guide to Thailand's islands: Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, the Trang islands, Koh Lipe, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Ferry and speedboat prices in baht, when boats stop running, where to buy tickets, monkeys and jellyfish, scams, food and mobile data. With our own experience on Koh Muk.
10 min read · Read →
Getting from Istanbul and Antalya airports: 2026 taxi tariff, BiTaksi, Uber or iTaksi (no Bolt rides), Havaist and the metro, card or cash, bridge tolls and common scams.
5 min read · Read →