3-Day Tbilisi Itinerary And Travel Guide: Best Places To See On A Budget
By DAN FORTEZA
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Tbilisi, the beating heart of Georgia, is a bustling city full of attractions, historical sights, great food, and cheap wine! No doubt, this city is confidently sealing its reputation as the Caucasus‘ most cosmopolitan city. If you’re already convinced and ready to jumpstart your next holiday here, I’ve put together the perfect 3-day Tbilisi itinerary and travel guide, specifically for budget travelers, which includes the city’s top attractions.
Hi there! First of all, I am Daniel – a solo backpacker from the Philippines. If you don’t know my story yet, feel free to read this article where I talked about how I quit my job in order to travel. This article was also featured on TripZilla Philippines.
DO YOU NEED A VISA?
First things first–do you need a visa to travel to Georgia? Well, depending on your nationality, you may or may not need a visa. See the information below which category you fall in.
Nationals of the following countries and territories may visit Georgia without a visa for a year (unless otherwise noted):
All citizens of the European Union
Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile (90 days per 180-day period)
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Honduras
Iceland
Iran (45 days)
Israel
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Malaysia
Mauritius
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Panama
Qatar
Russia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Thailand
Turkey
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates
Ukraine
United Kingdom British Overseas Territories citizens
United States
Uruguay (90 days)
Uzbekistan
Holders of passports of the following 66 countries and territories can obtain multiple-entry e-Visas online for a fee prior to arrival.
90 days per 180-day period:
Bolivia
Cuba
Dominica
East Timor
Grenada
Guatemala
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
North Macedonia
Palau
Paraguay
Peru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
30 days per 120-day period
Angola
Benin
Bhutan
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
China
Comoros
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Jamaica
Laos
Lesotho
Macau
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
Mongolia
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
North Korea
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Rwanda
Sao Tome and Principe
Togo
Vietnam
Zambia
Zimbabwe
NOTE: Visa exemption also applies to:
Holders of valid visas or residence permits of EU/EFTA/GCC countries, overseas territories of EU countries (except Anguilla, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha), Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or the United States – for stays of max 90 days in a 180-day period.
Technically, I would fall into the eVisa countries since I am from the Philippines. But since I have a 10-year valid US visa, I was able to enter Georgia visa-free (yay!).
WHERE IS TBILISI?
Tbilisi is the capital and largest city in Georgia. Because of its location on the crossroads between Europe and Asia, the city is an important transit route for various energy and trade projects. It is a little more than 3-hour flight away from Istanbul and roughly a 3 ½-hour flight from Dubai.
Language: Georgian and Russian
Currency: Georgian Lari (GEL)
Airport: TBS
Preferred mode of transportation: Metro Subway / Bus or Minibus
Time Zone: GMT +4
FLIGHTS TO TBILISI:
I suggest you check Kayak (click HERE) as they usually offer cheap fare rates compared to other booking sites.
Read also my Tehran itinerary and travel guide blog.
HOW TO GET AROUND?
- By Foot. You will walk to many places in Tbilisi, especially in and around the Old Town. So get your feet ready! And as I mentioned in my budget travel tips blog – “walk as much as you can!“
- By Metro Subway. The efficient Tbilisi metro operates from 6:00 AM to midnight, and the two lines reach most important parts of the city. Signage and announcements are in English as well as Georgian.
- By Bus & Marshrutka (Minibus). City buses and marshrutka provide an above-ground complement to the metro. Electronic boards at most bus stops list the destinations of approaching buses in English as well as Georgian. Buses only stop at predetermined stops, but you can get on and off marshrutka anywhere along their route.
You can check beforehand which buses you will need at the website of Tbilisi public transport company – it’s easy to navigate. If you’re in doubt, don’t be shy to ask a local!
REMINDER: Get yourself a Metromoney card. Metromoney cards, sold for 2 GEL at metro-station ticket offices, are essential for riding the metro, and also good for Tbilisi city buses and marshrutky (minibuses). You tap the card on a reader when you enter the metro or when you board buses and marshrutky. Fares are 0.50 GEL per metro or bus ride and 0.80 GEL for marshrutka.
HOW I GOT TO THE CITY:
I arrived at Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) at around 11:00 AM from a one-hour flight from Baku, Azerbaijan.
To get from Tbilisi airport to the city center, you need to take bus no. 37. It runs 24/7 from the airport to the central train station via Avlabari subway station, Liberty Square and Rustaveli. You can check the schedule of the buses here.
Using my pre-downloaded Google Maps, I got off at the Liberty Square where my hostel (Queens hostel) is a 3-minute walk.
JUST SHARING: On my way to the downtown, I met a local Georgian guy from the bus who willingly answered all my questions. Again. don’t be shy to ask the locals if you have doubts about directions! Did you know that this guy even gave me a bottle of wine? How friendly!
WHERE DID I STAY?
I actually stayed for only one night in Queens hostel which is a walking distance from the Liberty Square. Then headed to a nice hostel–Hostel Berdzeni 21 Old Tbilisi. You can get there by bus no. 50 or 71 from Liberty Square common terminal.
- Hostel Berdzeni 21 Old Tbilisi (click here to book)
- Hostel room type: Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- Hostel rate: 8 GEL (3 USD) per night
You can book a room at any hotel in Tbilisi through Agoda or Booking.com. I usually book my room accommodations through booking.com. Room accommodation ranges from cheap hostels to luxury hotels. Book hostels through booking.com as they have free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel option.
If Tbilisi hotel isn’t to your liking, try AirBnb. Airbnbs are immersed in neighborhoods, condos, and townhomes. There is a feeling you get when you stay in an Airbnb that makes you feel like you belong in that city or town. Since it is someone’s home, there is a certain amount of pride you feel while staying there. I have used Airbnb on some of my other trips and I loved it!
If you’re new to AirBnB, then you can get up to 42 USD free travel credit by signing up via this link.
MY 3-DAY TBILISI ITINERARY
DAY 1:
1st Stop: Liberty Square
Also known as the Freedom Square, the Liberty Square is located in the center of Tbilisi at the eastern end of Rustaveli Avenue. What better way to start your first day than discovering this historical place.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 1-2 hours
- Nearest train station: Liberty Square subway station
2nd Stop: Old Town Tbilisi
Definitely a nice and ambient part of Tbilisi even if a bit touristy. From Liberty Square, you can walk through this old city which has many uphill roads with many cafes, restaurants, and bars along the way. Its all an old-world charm.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 2-3 hours
3rd Stop: Narikala Fortress
Narikala Fortress offers magnificent city views. You can reach it by Aerial Tramway from Rike Park or on foot from Abanotubani. But I suggest you walk and hike up there from the old town. At the top of the Narikala Fortress, you can wander the ruins of the fortress or admire great view of the old city and of course, go down in Botanical Garden.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 2 hours
4th Stop: National Botanical Garden
For 2.5 GEL, you can actually spend your whole day walking through the botanical garden. This place is adjacent to the Narikala fortress so it is very easy to reach by going on foot. Beside the numerous species of plants that you can find inside, the botanical garden also hosts a river and a beautiful waterfall.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 2-3 hours
DAY 2:
5th Stop: The Bridge of Peace
With its modern architecture, this bridge is stunningly beautiful especially at night when LED lamps light up the entire bridge and it looks gorgeous. If you’re coming from the Liberty Square, you can basically go on foot towards this bridge for about 12-15 minutes.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
- Nearest train station: Liberty Square subway station
6th Stop: Metekhi Church
Located on the hill facing the river with the statue of Georgian king. This view is an icon of Georgia. The church itself is historical. From the Bridge of Peace, you can walk due south for about 6-8 minutes.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
7th Stop: Aerial Tramway
For a very reasonable price (2 GEL from your moneycard), you can experience the cable car ride to the top of the mountain where you can then see Mother of Georgia up close along with the other wonderful views. The cable car is located at the Rike Park (just in between Metekhi Church and the Bridge Peace.)
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
8th Stop: Mother Georgia
Now you can get a closer look at the Mother Georgia statue once you get to the top. Also known as Kartlis Deda, Mother Georgia stands on the top of the old town Tbilisi. Then you can just elect to take the long walk down to the side and into parts of the old Tbilisi.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 1-2 hours
DAY 3:
10th Stop: Tsminda Sameba Cathedral
Also known as Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, Tsminda Sameda Cathedral is the main cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church and is the biggest church in Georgia. This is an impressive building from the outside and inside with its golden dome is really eye-catching. The cathedral is a 15-minute walk from Avlabari metro station.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 2 hours
- Nearest train station: Avlabari subway station.
11th Stop: Monument to Characters of Movie Mimino
Located near to Avlabari Metro station, this monument commemorates one of the first movies in Europe. In case you have seen the movie Mimino, you will love it! There is something nostalgic about this monument.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
12th Stop: “I Heart Tbilisi” sign
The ‘I Heart Tbilisi’ sign is located at Samikitno restaurant. I did not come here for the restaurant though, just stopped here to take a photo with the beautiful and colorful signage: ‘I Heart Tbilisi’ which is made from flowers. It’s also a perfect photo souvenir from Tbilisi! It is about 12 minutes by foot from Avlabari subway station.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 1 hour
13th Stop: Mtatsminda Pantheon
The Pantheon on Mtatsminda might be compared to Paris’ Pere Lachaise in its significance. Mtatsminda (Holy Mountain) is where the 6th century Saint David of Gareji founded an Orthodox Monastic complex.
For me, it is another place offering a splendid view of the city. How to get there: From Liberty Square, you can just walk and go uphill by following the roads leading to Mama Daviti Rise road. There is also minibus #83 that go up there.
- Duration (getting there + visiting): 2 hours
What do you think of this 3-day TBILISI itinerary?
I hope that you find this 3-DAY TBILISI ITINERARY useful!
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comment section below.
RECOMMENDED PACKAGE TOURS
In case you’re also looking for package tours to simply jumpstart your actual Tbilisi itinerary, I highly recommend booking tours through Viator which is perfect for your Tbilisi itinerary. See tours and packages I personally handpicked for you:
BOOKING ESSENTIALS
- Hotel / Hostel
- Booking.com. I usually book my hostel accommodation at booking.com. Thus, I recommend you guys trying it for your Tbilisi itinerary. Room accommodation ranges from cheap hostels to luxury hotels. Book hostels through booking.com as they have free cancellation or pay-at-the-hotel option.
- Airbnb. Try Airbnb in finding comfy and cozy rooms for your Tbilisi itinerary! I have used Airbnb on some of my other trips and I loved it!
Have you tried Airbnb? Sign up with my link and you will get up to 42 USD (2,200 Php) off your first stay. Click this link to get that discount.
- Flights
- KAYAK. All of my flight bookings are all from KAYAK. Kayak is one of the world’s leading travel search engines and searches hundreds of travel sites.
I suggest you check Kayak (click HERE) as they usually offer cheap fare rates compared to other booking sites.
- Tbilisi Package tours
- Viator. Viator is the world’s leading resource for researching, finding and booking the best travel experiences worldwide.
Click here to find the best Viator deals in Tbilisi!
Hello, flying to Georgia from the Philippines via a connecting flight from Dubai. Any suggestion or recommendation for a good travel insurance that covers Georgia or is accredited/honored by Georgia? Thanks in advance!