From Wikitravel

Tbilisi (Georgian: თბილისი) [1] is the capital city of the country of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Kura (Mtkvari) river. The city covers an area of 726 km² (280.3 square miles) and has more than 1.345 million inhabitants.

[edit] Understand

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Tbilisi International Airport (IATA: TBS) (ICAO: UGTB), [2] opened in November 2006 and is about 20 km from the city centre. A new and modern airport terminal has been inaugurated on February 7, 2007.

Airlines include:

• Aeroflot
• airBaltic
• flyLAL from Vilnius
• Airzena Georgian Airways
• Austrian
• Azerbaijan Airlines
• [3] bmi (direct from London Heathrow)
• Georgian National Airways
• Lufthansa
• Turkish Airlines
• Germania Express (currently - March 2008 - no flights)

Old terminal services of local flights to Batumi, Kutaisi, and Mestia.

To get from the airport to the city: bus route 37 leaves from the right corner of the arrival area every 15-30 minutes, between 8:00 and 23:00. It travels via Freedom Square, Rustaveli, Republic Square and Tamar Bridge, all the way to the main train station (Vagzal). The trip can take up to 50 minutes, the buses are crowded and the fare is 40 tetri. Taxis are available at 25 Lari to the city, 20 to the airport. There is a newly built train connection from the airport to the main train station with modern station and old railway. Runs only 6 or 7 times a day but the trips are synchronized with flight arrivals so it's worth to check the schedule as it's rather cheap (2 laris) and fast.

[edit] By train

Trains from Yerevan, Baku to Tbilisi;

There are no trains to Moscow unless you go to Baku. Highly unrecommended. 3 days on train to Baku then overnight to Tbilisi.

The train from Baku to Tbilisi is not very nice and is pretty hot.The train will have to wait for a pretty long time at the border crossing and you will have to pay fee for everything that you bring mostly if it is for sale or in big quantities.

Local ones. Batumi, Gori, Kutaisi, Satskhe Javakheti, marneuli, Poti, Zugdidi.

Fast Express Trains To Batumi During high season in Summer, every second day, Service by Hight class and economy carrige. Buy as far in advance as possible, might be sold out. Overnight A class service is also available daily.

Yerevan - Batumi is in service during High Season.

[edit] By car

From Turkey via sarpi border, or Posof border (a lot less used).

From Black Sea to rest europe using ferry.

From Russia Via Kazbegy, other border crossings are closed by Georgia.

Azerbaijan and Armenian borders are open, for cars.

[edit] By bus

There is a daily bus from Turkey, costing about 40 euro. Bus services from Russia have been suspended. There are also buses criss-crossing the country and going into Armenia and Azerbaijan, where you can probably connect to Iran.

The main Marshutka station can be found at Didube. Certainly buses 21 and 46 lead there from the city center. It's rather large, and you'll find minibuses to almost anywhere.

[edit] By boat

Black sea ports in Poti, Batumi, Boat service and cruise available.

[edit] Get around

Main transport outside or inside the Tbilisi city is Taxi or Cars, Bus and some places TrollyBus or Trumps.

[edit] By metro

Tbilisi has a metro system; only two lines.

All signs inside the metro are in Georgian and train routes on stations are in Georgian and English -- and stations are announced in Georgian only. Take a bilingual map with you if you are not proficient with the alphabet / pronunciation.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

• Take a bath at the Sulfur Baths Near Metekhi bridge there's a Sulfur Bath area. You can choose between at least three baths.

Prices: 2 Lari for public pool, 15 Lari to ??? Lari per hour for private pools. Massage is offered which is actually a washing but a great experience (5...15 Lari).

• Sunny holidays in summer Black sea coast - The only Sub Tropical Area in Region with palm trees and orenge, lemon and banana trees.

• tea plantation

• winter: spring ski resorts in Gudauri, and Bakuriani

• Hiking in any grand National Park of Georgia including Mestia-Svaneti, Borjomi-Haragaili, Tevali-Gurjaani,

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Gold & Other Jewelry - Gold, silver, handmade & other misc. jewelry, precious stones are very cheap in Georgia and quality of the precious stones, gold and silver is superb. Many foreigners visit Georgia to buy jewelry, because of its cost and quality.
• Art & Paintings – Georgian artists, such as Pirosmani, Gigo Gabashvili, David Kakabadze, Lado Gudiashvili, Korneli Sanadze, Elene Akhvlediani, Sergo Kobuladze, Simon Virsaladze, Ekaterine Baghdavadze and others, are famous for their work. In Georgia you will find many various art shops, paintings and painters who sell their works on the streets. Their work is amazing and prices are very reasonable as well.
• Antiques & Other Misc. Gifts – in Georgia you will able to find many antiques not only from Georgia, but Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Russian and European as well.
• Georgian wine, as much as you can. Georgia is the cradle of wine making, and with 521 original varieties of grape you will be sure to find excellent wines.
• Cognac. Georgian cognac is unique as it's made from Georgian wine. Try Saradjishvili 'Tbilisi' cognac. Avoid "Tbilisuri" cognac.
• When heading outside the cities, you might find an original hand-made carpet for sale.
• Georgians love to drink, so the country has an seemingly infinite amount of beers, wines, liquors and distilled drinks. To take home, buy a bottle of chacha, a sort of Georgian tequila.

[edit][add listing] Eat

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[edit] Georgian Cuisine

Georgian cuisine is very delicious. There are plenty of cheap restaurants and cafes almost at every corner. Here is the list of a bit more expensive but very good places.

• Tamada Ethnographic Restaurant in Tbilisi. Evenings Georgian music and dances. [4]
• Dzveli Saxli (Old House): One of the best restaurants in Tbilisi. Live traditional Georgian music and singing starts at around 6 PM every day.
• Tsisqvili (Windmill): The best Georgian restaurant in Tbilisi, amazing menu & food, superb customer service and great design.
• Dzveli Sakhli "Old House", high quality Georgian restaurant, with live Georgian music in the main hall.
• Kala. Hip restaurant with live Jazz most evenings
• Khinkali House (Khinklis Sakhli): all Khinkali, all the time
• Kopala. amazing view from the top of the hotel of the same name, in Avlabari

[edit] Asian Cuisine

• Korean Restaurant - Located next to Avlabari train station
• Chinese Restaurant - off Perovskaya St.
• New AsiaRestaurant - up the street (up the hill) from Rustaveli at the corner where Nikala restaurant is. Recommended.
• Japanese Restaurants "[Tokyo]]" and "Sushi" - One in Vake, on Abashidze Street, the other ionn Perovskaya Street. The management and menu is the same. A bit pricey but dependable sushi. Service is usually nice.
• Qalaquri - Sushi + night club + Middle Eastern atmosphere, 4 floors...

[edit] European/American

• Steak Place, Erekle st.
• Zandukeli 40, Zandukeli Street straight up the hill from the Philharmony. European bistro with an emphasis on German food. Food and service are among the best in town, prices are very reasonable. Run by one of the longest-lasting expats in Tbilisi, Rainer Kaufmann.
• Graz Austrian Restaurant. Great pepper steaks, soups and bread rolls. Located behind City Hall off Freedom Square (go to the left of City Hall, back 1 block; restaurant is on your right at the first intersection, down the stairs).
• Steak Hall, Perovskaya street.
• Make sure you check out the local bars. They usually serve traditnal meals for a very fair price
• Restaurant Mediterranean, 5, Irakli Abashidze str. ph: 22-10-15 [5]. Lunch, dinner. Since its opening this has become the popular European Restaurant in Tbilisi. The lively atmosphere, authentic décor and creative cuisine all reflect the region that inspired the restaurant. The extensive menu boasts Italian, French, Greek and Spanish influences. Unique dishes, fresh salads and seafood, pasta & risotto, grilled specialties and exclusive desserts have earned “Med” an impeccable reputation. The menu is complimented by an impressive wine list with a large “by-the-glass” selection and a full bar.

[edit] Italian Cuisine

• Il Garage, UN Circle in Vake, has decent versions of risotto, linguini, lasagna, and an excellent, huge antipasti misto. Pleasant outdoor seating in the summer and affordable prices year round. Run by Alberto - a real Italian.
• Prego Three locations (Saburtalo, intersection of Vazha-Pshavela and Gamsakhurdia; Vake, on Paliashvili, just below the round (UN) garden and the third in the old town, Erekle II st.) The best Italian food in Tbilisi. Prices are reasonable and service is usually good. Look out for the daily specials - usually a bit pricier, but worth it.

[edit] Budget

• Baskin-Robbins, 142 David Aghmashenebeli Ave.
• Lotus, on Freedom Square, tucked away behind the bus turnoff (directly across from City Hall) is this tiny, inexpensive, vegetarian diner.
• McDonald's, Rustaveli street, city center, 1 Dzmebi Kakabadzeebi street, 20 Kote Marjanishvili street.
• Pizzeria "UNO" Located on 30 Abashidze street.

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Splurge

[edit][add listing] Drink

Georgia is well 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.

[edit] Cafés

There is a good selection of cafés dispersed throughout Tbilisi.

• Cafe Rustaveli, 30 Rustaveli Ave, ☎ 032 98-58-800 (info@cafe-rustaveli.ge, fax: 032 93-58-80), [6]. 2-4 USD.  edit

[edit] Night Clubs

• Zen, Also called "Zen Klub". Located on a narrow pedestrian street in one of the nicest part of the old town, not very far down the river from 'Night office' - see below. Ask for its precise location among young people, since most taxi drivers don't know about this place yet (May 2008). It's a relatively small but currently perhaps the most popular club in the city among the hip crowd. Two floors. 20-30 laris to enter (per person). There are a couple of more or less outdoor clubs close nearby where you can get some fresh air before returning to Zen.
• Night Office, Baratashvili Street, under Baratashvili bridge. Best House, Trance, Dance, Club music, finest Georgian and foreign DJs in Tbilisi. 30 laris to enter (per person) drinks are a bit expensive, but it is worth it. Open on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Tunnel Club, Near Botanical Garden, good House, Trance, Dance, Club music, good Djs. Open on Fridays and Saturdays. Entry - 15 laris for males, 10 laris for females.
• KalaKuri Restaurant/Club Good night club, pop, 90s and modern music.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Hotel Georgian House, 38 Vakhtang VI street, ☎ +995 (32) 791919 (info@exotour.ge, fax: +995 (32) 791920), [7]. Check in: 12:00; Check out: 12:00. € 30+ per night.  edit

• Hotel Ata, 17, Leselidze Street, ☎ +995 (32) 987715 (info@hotelata.com, fax: +995 (32) 986026), [8]. Check in: 12:00; Check out: 12:00. € 60-80 per night.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• Beau Monde, 986-003. A beautiful bed/breakfast with dinner. It costs 90 dollars a night. It is next to Rustaveli Avenue, the main avenue of Tbilisi. There are balconies and a roof deck. The breakfast and dinner are very filling. There is free internet. The family that runs the hotel is very warm and welcoming. They speak Georgian and Russian and some English.
• Courtyard Marriott Tbilisi, 4 Freedom Square, ☎ +995 (32) 779200 (fax: +995 (32) 779210), [9]. Check in: 15:00; Check out: 12:00. € 180+ per night.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Tbilisi Marriott Hotel, 13 Rustaweli Prospekt, ☎ +995 (32) 779200 (fax: +995 (32) 779210), [10]. Check in: 15:00; Check out: 12:00. € 212+ per night.  edit

• Sheraton Metechi Palace Hotel, Issani, ☎ +995 (32) 772020 (fax: +995 (32) 772120), [11]. US $225+ er night.  edit

• Hotels in Tbilisi - web catalogue, Tbilisi, [12]. US $55 - $120 per night.  edit

• It is already agreed that alongside with Sheraton and Marriott, by the end of 2008, there will be 4 more new hotels constructed in Tbilisi, namely: Intercontinental, Hayat, Kempinski,RadissonSAS. (constructions some of the new projects are already launched).

[edit] Contact

Mobile Network dominates as any other place in Europe. 3 GSM Mobile Network providers (Magticom, Geocell, Beeline), 1 of them provides 3G (MAGTICOM). Geocell Covers the whole Georgia.

[edit] Stay safe

Tbilisi is very safe after the Rose Revolution. The police system was reformed completely and the recent polls show that public's trust in police shifted from nearly 10% to 88%. The police is quick to respond, usually.

Take taxis home at night. Common sense and big-city awareness. Night time at the clubs and bars are safe, and taxi service is safe as long as it's a company taxi like "009" or others. If you know the place well and lived there for a while, you can also take a public bus. They are usually clean and safe.

• Police Tel: 022. or 112 from Mobiles.
• Ambulance tel: 022 or 03.

• Do not carry really large sums of money with you, someone might "accidently" put his/her hand in your pocket and steal a wallet or purse.

• If you are using ATM machines(in Georgia as in most parts of eastern Europe they are known as "Bancomat"s) look around and make sure that there are no suspecious people around. Most bank offices have bancomats in the entrance controlled by camera and when it gets dark the door can be opened only from the inside.That means no one can come from the outside and take money away. One this kind of ATM machine is available at the Bank of Georgia office on the Freedom Square.

[edit] Cope

When all you want is to order food in English and not be bothered, head to the Marriott Courtyard, though the food does tend to be quite expensive. Head to Prospero's bookstore on Rustaveli 34 to be only slightly overchargerd for a delicious chicken salad sandwich and great coffee in every variety. Good selection of books and a nice calm place to escape, just a little.

Note: Be careful about renting DVDs from Prospero's bookstore - there is quite a selection, but as most of them are pirated, almost half of all their DVD stock is of a poor quality. For your peace of mind, you can check any DVD on a player in the cafe before you rent it.

[edit] Get out

• Tbilisi-Baku via night train
• Tbilisi-Ozurgeti via night train

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