There is a lot of unknowns before you travel to Tbilisi for the first time, like whether its going to be safe, where to stay and how to choose where to go. Here are few general tips that I would like to share:

• It is only a 3:00 hour flight from Dubai, which is very convenient for short holidays.
• The experience you will have once in Tbilisi is equivalent to the concept of a time machine, same as using a vehicle that allows you to travel purposely and selectively forwards or backwards in time, where you will visit building sites that can date back to the 5th century BC.
• There are  eclectic types of architecture styles such as: medieval, neoclassical, art nouveau, modern architecture…etc. And the combination of all, sometimes in one scenery, creates a powerful contrast which will leave you amazed
• There are surrounding cities that are worth arranging a tour to visit either by car/ buss such as my favorite Tbilisi Old capital – MTSKHETA

All Photos are taken by me! 🙂

Site #1: Rike Park

Walking from the Old Town across Peace Bridge or Metekhi Bridge, one would easily wander into the park where you will experience the architecture contracts I mentioned earlier, between the Peace Bridge, Concert Hall & Exhibition Center, Cable Car Station and open landscape is a great example of modern urban design.

Peace Bridge: The bridge which stretches 150 meters (490 ft) above the Kura River was ordered by the City Hall to create a contemporary design feature connecting Old Tbilisi with the new district. The bridge has a curvy steel and glass canopy top which shimmers with an interactive light display at night, generated by thousands of white LED.

Concert Hall & Exhibition Center: The Italian architecture studio FUKSAS building is composed of two sculptural tubular elements that both open up onto the adjacent green space. Connected via a shared retaining wall, the two volumes house a musical theater and an exhibition hall respectively. Its funneled form has been conceived as ‘a periscope to the city’ — framing views of the river, and the historic town beyond. Positioned to the south, the exhibition hall presents an open staircase to the public realm, welcoming visitors inside.

Site #2: Sameba – Holy Trinity Cathedral 

Holy Trinity Cathedral, commonly knows as Sameba, is the main Cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church located in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Constructed between 1995 and 2004, it is the third tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the world and one of the largest religious buildings in the world by total area.

The cathedral consists on nine chapels, five of them are situated in a large underground compartment. The overall area of the cathedral, including its large narthex, is 5,000 square meters and the volume it occupies is 137 cubic meters. Natural materials are used for construction. The floor is made of marble tiles and the altar will also be decorated with mosaic.

Site #3: Narikala Fortress

The Holy Mountain Mtatsminda hosts the fragments of ancient Narikala fortress. It is the most known and ancient monument of Tbilisi ‘s antiquity; the townspeople call it “the heart and soul of the city”. The date of construction of the fortress is the 4 th century AD.

Site #4: Sulphur Baths

Located in the old town of Tbilisi, the sulphur baths are intimately connected with the city. It is said that the hot springs are why the city was built here. High in sulphurs and other minerals, with a constant temperature of 38C to 40C, the waters have long been used as a therapeutic aid for a range of ailments including skin conditions and arthritis.

The name Tbilisi is derived from the word “warm” so there could be some element of truth to the story. However, some archaeological evidence has found Roman-style baths in the city that date as far back to the 1st century, but today’s hub of thermal baths are based on the Persian tradition. Decked out in turquoise and blue tiles and mosaics, the Orbeliani baths look like a Madrasah you’d find in Samarkand and are easily one of Tbilisi’s most beautiful buildings and undisputed queen of the baths.

Site #5: Mtskheta – Old Capital

“One of the oldest cities of Georgia, it is located approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Tbilisi at the confluence of the Aragvi river. Due to its historical significance and several cultural monuments, the “Historical Monuments of Mtskheta” became a UNESCO World heritage Site in 1994. As the birthplace and one of the most vibrant centers of Christianity in Georgia, Mtskheta was declared as the “Holy City” by the Georgian Orthodox Church in 2014.”*From Wikipedia

The Svetitskhoveli Cathedral,  literally the Cathedral of the Living Pillars, is an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral located in the historic town of Mtskheta, Georgia, to the northwest of the Georgian capital Tbilisi.  masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages, Svetitskhoveli is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is currently the second largest church building in Georgia, after the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, originally built in the 4th century, has been damaged several times during history, notably by the invasions of Arabs, Persians, and Timur and latterly during Russian subjugation and the Soviet period. The building has also been damaged by earthquakes.

Site #6: Freedom Square

The location was first named Freedom Square in 1918, during the foundation of the First Georgian Republic following the collapse of the Russian Empire. Freedom Square has also been the site of various mass demonstrations including those for Georgia’s independence (from the Soveit Union), the Rose Revolution and others.

Branching off freedom square, are six streets: Rustaveli Avenue, Pushkin Street, Leselidze Street, Shalva Dadiani Street, Galaktion Street, and Leonidze Street. My first favorite street is the one that leads to old town and the another one that leads to the museums such as Georgia National Museum and Georgian National Opera Theater were plenty of street monuments/ sculptures are randomly placed just in front of these building.

Site #7: Georgia National Museum

Georgian National Museum was established at the end of 2004 and preserving the nation’s rich, authentic content of cultural heritage provides learning experiences for everyone. In the museum are stored more than 30.000 items of contemporary Georgian art (painting, sculpture, graphics and decorative art). Among them are works of Elene Akhvlediani, David Kakabadze, Lado Gudiashvili, Sergo Kobuladze, Zurab Nizharadze, Edmund Kalandadze, Tengiz Mirzashvili, Dimitri Eristavi, Merab Berdzenishvili, Elguja Amashukeli, Irakli Parjiani, Gia Bugadze, Gia Gugushvili, Levan Lagidze, Nana Churgulia, Gogi Tsereteli, etc.

Gia Bugadze: “I am the professional artist,I am the professional teacher,I am the professional listener,I am the professional reader. As for me, the books and music are the same, that the buildings are for the city. Without them, art isn’t being created in my inward, that’s why, through my art, I have been the musician, writer, teacher and also, the artist”

Site #8: Tbilisi Funicular Railway

The Tiflis Funicular railway was constructed to develop the uninhabited Mtatsminda plateau that overlooks the city and was opened on 27 March 1905. The railway carriage accommodated up to 50 people and the journey time was 6 minutes.

The popularity of the Funicular was further increased when an entertainment and leisure park was constructed on the Mtatsminda plateau in the 1930s. In the days of the Soviet Union, Mtatsminda Park was the third most visited public park in the USSR, Gorky Park in Moscow being number one.

Site #9: DOTS Tbilisi

“Sometimes you need an area to be inspired , listen to some good music, drink coffee in a outdoor café and read craft books , totally unique vintage magazines with patterns , find some fine art paintings , stylish contemporary furniture , handmade postcards and wonders for your wardrobe for every season ! Dots Tbilisi is a place for perfectionist women.” and I couldn’t agree mOre!

 

Site #10: Carpe Diem Cafe Tbilisi

The hipster cafe of your dreams is found in old town Tbilisi called Carepe Diem Cafe.  There are trippy posters, stone carvings, delicious espresso macchiato and the view of the city was just breathtaking!

Due to its artistic features, i’d travel to Tbilisi to simply try it one more time. It transports you to another dimension with the galaxies drawn on the walls and the vintage furniture and even on a hot day the cool breeze is refreshing.