Ultimate Tbilisi Itinerary: 3 Days in Tbilisi, Georgia

It’s no secret, Tbilisi is one of our favourite cities on Earth (and we’ve visited a few!) And because we rave about it so much people often ask us what the perfect Tbilisi itinerary would be. So we decide to write it down to share.

This is not just the best things to do in Tbilisi, we’ve already written that (read here). But a day by day plan to help you see the best of Tbilisi in three days including spots to eat that are nearby the attractions. We spent 7 weeks in Tbilisi and were still discovering new things so if you have longer you will not be bored. But for most people on holiday, three days is a great amount of time to get your bearings and see some of the best sights in Tbilisi.

Ultimate 3 days Tbilisi Itinerary, best things to see in Tbilisi, Georgia.

If you’re still wondering where to stay or how to get around we’ve got you covered there too:

Where to stay in Tbilisi - A guide to the different suburbs and best accommodation options for all budgets.

Public Transport in Tbilisi - The low down on the metro system, buses and cheap taxi options in the city.

Best Cafes in Tbilisi - We poured our heart and souls into personally trying all of the cafes in Tbilisi until we found the best. A great list to have on hand as you wander the city!

Tbilisi Itinerary: Day One

Breakfast Suggestion: Georgians aren’t big on breakfast so don’t be surprised if you can’t find places open before about 10am. But if breakfast is what you seek you really can’t miss the fabulous brunch at Fabrika. This huge converted factory is a hostel, café, bar and has a courtyard space for start-up shops and restaurants. The brunch is an impressive display of food made with local ingredients and costs just 19 GEL for all you can eat (including juice and coffee).

Times: 7am - 11am (12pm on weekends)

Dry Bridge Market

The dry bridge flee market is a must see in Tbilisi. Ultimate 3 days Tbilisi Itinerary, best things to see in Tbilisi, Georgia.

As you make your way towards the old town make sure you walk through the Dry Bridge Market which is the place to go for all kinds of old Soviet paraphernalia, trinkets, tools, clothes and books. Even if you’re not shopping there are so many interesting things to spot including KGB spy cameras, old records and ancient maps. The market runs every day but is biggest on Sunday.

Tbilisi Old town

This should be the first stop in your Tbilisi itinerary and is the perfect way to get a feel for Georgian history. The cobbled winding streets will reveal a mix of crumbling balconies and spiral staircases as well as beautifully restored buildings. There’s something new around every corner and you really can’t go wrong by just wandering and seeing what you can find. The newly renovated areas offer souvenir stalls and tourist agencies so you’ll need to go a little further out to see the buzz of local life and unique architecture.

Wandering the Tbilisi old town is a must do during your 3 days Tbilisi itinerary.

Lunch suggestion: Café Leila for gorgeous interior design, outdoor seating with excellent people watching opportunities and delicious vegetarian food.

Free Walking Tour

No doubt the look at the old town has left you intrigued by the history and influences in Tbilisi. The perfect way to learn more and see some of the hidden treasures is to book yourself in for the hidden Tbilisi walk tour.

This free tour (tips appreciated) takes you through some of the lesser known historical sights of Tbilisi and the knowledgeable guide can answer any questions along the way. We already knew Tbilisi quite well and saw lots of new things on this tour.

Dinner Suggestion: On your tour you’ll be introduced to Ezo - the perfect little dinner spot tucked away in a traditional courtyard. It sells amazing Georgian food and has a good selection of craft beer and of course, Georgia wine. The ajaphsandali (tomato, eggplant stew) here was some of the best we tried in Georgia!

Tbilisi Itinerary: Day Two

Breakfast suggestion: Brotmeister offers a great range of freshly baked pastries, sandwiches and salads as well as a breakfast menu. They open at 8am so this is perfect for early birds.

Mtsatsminda

Mtsatsminda is one of the best things to see during your ultimate 3 days Tbilisi Itinerary, best things to see in Tbilisi, Georgia.

At the very back of the suburb of Mtatsminda is the funicular station which leads to one of Tbilisi’s best views. At the top you’ll find a fun park, with a great ferris wheel if you want to get even higher. It’s a great place to entertain kids (young or old) but there is also a nice café with brilliant views out over the city if you’re feeling like a more sophisticated activity, grab a glass of wine and enjoy the panorama.

Rustavali

Rustavali Avenue is one of the most impressive streets in Tbilisi and should definitely feature your 3 days Tbilisi itinerary!

The bottom of the funicular is an easy downhill walk from Rustavali Avenue, the most prominent street in Tbilisi. This is a real throwback to Georgia’s USSR period and as you wander down the grand esplanade you’ll see many fine examples of Soviet architecture. Look out for the Opera and the Academy of Science. This is where you’ll find all the upmarket shopping in Tbilisi and some of the finest hotels.

Lunch suggestion: If you’re ready for a coffee/lunch break head to the amazing interior of Stamba Publishing House which has been converted into a hotel, casino, café and restaurant. It’s worth it just for a look around!

The georgian national Museum

The Georgian National Museum is a great way to learn a bit more about the history of the country including ancient history, natural history and recent political history. There are options for guided tours which are a great idea if you’re wanting more detailed information as some of the displays aren’t in English.

Cable Car, Narikala Fortress, Mother Georgia

Ultimate 3 days Tbilisi Itinerary, best things to see in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Take a walk or a taxi to Rike­­­­ Park by the river where you can find the Peace Bridge. It’s also the start of the cable car which will take you up to the Narikala Fortress (2 GEL). The Fortress is free to enter and is really only walls remaining. Continue along the walkway to the foot of the Mother Georgia statue. A huge metal statue of a woman holding a sword for enemies and a cup of wine to welcome friends.  This area is a great place to visit at night for beautiful views of the city lights.

Dinner Suggestion: Rooms Hotel (fancy) or Sofia Melnikova’s Fantastic Douqan (excellent local food)

Tbilisi Itinerary: Day Three

Breakfast Suggestion: Coffee Lab for the best coffee you’ll find in Tbilisi (they roast it themselves) along with a great breakfast menu.

Chronicle of Georgia

The chronicle of Georgia are one of the best things to see in Tbilisi and definitely need to feature in your Tbilisi itinerary for three days in Tbilisi, Georgia!

This requires a half day trip but it’s totally worth it. You can use Yandex to book a taxi or save a bit of money by taking the metro and walking for 20 minutes to the top of the hill. Here you will find the immense Chronicle of Georgia monument.

The black pillars are colossal and tell the story of Georgia’s religious past. This attraction is slowly becoming more popular but in the shoulder seasons, you can have the place to yourself. There are also great views out over the Tbilisi Sea (a lake) and some very Soviet looking apartment blocks.

Lunch Suggestion: Cafe Linville - you’ll find it by looking for its brightly coloured door which opens onto a quirkily sloped staircase (moved in a recent earthquake). The interior is decorated with eclectic wall hangings and details including fish in an old TV. There is also seating beneath the grapevines on the balcony.

Relax in the Botanic Gardens

After a busy morning take a relaxing stroll through the Tbilisi Botanic Gardens. It’s not the most amazing gardens we’ve seen (the one in Batumi has a better range) but it’s a relaxing place for a wander and there’s a lovely waterfall which doubles as a cool off spot on a hot summer’s day.

Dinner Suggestion: Le Floors is located on one of the busier tourist streets and as a result the prices are a little inflated but the food is good and you have a choice of two lovely atmospheres to eat. Either grab a table on the street and watch the foot traffic passing and enjoy the music or head upstairs where if you’re lucky you’ll be seated in the balcony or if not, inside a beautifully and eclectically decorated living room style dining room. There is often a live pianist and they have an excellent wine selection.

have a Sulphur Bath

After dinner take yourself to relax in one of Tbilisi’s famous sulphur baths. The city is built on sulphur springs and under the domed roofs in the Abanotubani district lie a variety of sulphur baths from luxurious private rooms with mosaic ceilings to public baths for 3GEL. You can also include a scrub and a massage to leave you feeling really refreshed. Everything you need to know about choosing the right bath and what it costs is here in our guide to the Tbilisi Sulphur Baths.

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