In spring 2022 Tbilisi was one of my two bases for a trip around Georgia and Armenia. This part is about what to see: viewpoints and a cathedral on the hills, two outings into nature without leaving the city, and Fabrika with a vintage market nearby. Sulphur baths, Pirosmani and the flea market weren't on my list, so I added three places recommended by 34travel and other guides, each checked on Google: still open, rated 4.2 or higher. So far only the Azeula entry is in my own words — the rest is compiled from Google Maps reviews, and I'll add my notes over time.
Prices are Google's average spend per person, valid as of 7 October 2026. Rate: 1 ₾ ≈ $0.38.
In short
- The whole city from above: Narikala Hill by cable car; in the evening, the Ferris wheel at Mtatsminda Park.
- A half-day outing without leaving town: Azeula Fortress above Kojori — a city bus goes there.
- Sameba Cathedral: free to enter, covered clothing required, and reviews say tourists are let in after 11:00.
- The Old Town: the Chreli Abano sulphur baths in Abanotubani, about 130–160 ₾ an hour for a private room for two; Pirosmani at the National Gallery on Rustaveli.
- Flea market: the Dry Bridge market — Soviet cameras, porcelain and paintings, daily from 11:00.
- An evening in Chugureti: Fabrika, with bars and street food in a former factory courtyard, murals and vintage around it.
What to see in the city
Narikala Fortress
Old Tbilisi · fortress and viewpoint
Google Maps · 20 Orpiri Dead End
According to visitors' reviews: the hill with the remains of the ancient Narikala Fortress and one of the best panoramas of Tbilisi — a good first-day stop to get your bearings. Walk up or take the cable car (visitors mention 6 lari return), then stroll down into the Old Town. Best at sunset. Downsides: there's no shade in the heat, and one reviewer says the fortress itself is temporarily closed to visitors.
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
Avlabari · cathedral · Mon–Fri 7:00–22:00, Sat–Sun until 21:00
Google Maps · Avlabari
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 16,800+): Sameba is a huge working cathedral on a hill, with a bell tower, a courtyard of olive trees and a view over the city. It's recent but built in the traditional style, and it impresses even visitors who aren't religious. Entry is free; dress modestly, and women cover their heads (scarves are handed out at the door). Reviewers say tourists are let in after 11:00, and there's little shade in the courtyard.
Mtatsminda Park
Mtatsminda · amusement park and viewpoint · daily 11:30–23:00
Google Maps · website · top station of the funicular
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 26,600+): a 1930s amusement park on top of Mtatsminda, reached by funicular. The highlight is the Ferris wheel on the edge of the hill, with views over the whole city and the mountains; there's also a roller coaster, cafés and restaurants. Reviewers' tip: go up before sunset and come down after dark, when the city is lit up. Tickets go on a plastic card you buy at the bottom, and every ride is paid separately.
Mtatsminda Pantheon
Mtatsminda · necropolis and church
Google Maps · slope of Mtatsminda
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 970+): the necropolis by the church halfway up Mtatsminda, where famous Georgian writers, performers and national heroes are buried — plus a fine view of the city. It makes a good stop if you're walking up. The pantheon itself is small, about fifteen minutes; Sundays are very crowded and parking is scarce.
Baths and Pirosmani
Chreli Abano
Abanotubani · sulphur baths · daily 9:00–23:00
Google Maps · website · Abano St, 2
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 11,700+): historic baths with hot sulphur water — a public hall and private rooms with a pool, a shower and somewhere to rest between dips. An hour in a private room for two costs 130–160 ₾ (≈$50–62), reviewers say, and a scrub about 30 ₾ per person plus a fee for the mitt. An hour is plenty: after thirty minutes it gets very hot. Online booking doesn't work for everyone, so you can book on the spot and arrive 15 minutes early; bring towels and slippers from your hotel. Some think the money is better spent at a proper spa. 34travel recommends the sulphur baths too (article).
National Gallery
Rustaveli · art gallery · Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00, closed Mon
Google Maps · website · Shota Rustaveli Ave, 11
According to Google Maps reviews (4.3 from 1,600+): a gallery on Rustaveli that people visit above all for the permanent Pirosmani collection upstairs, alongside temporary shows. The rooms are small enough not to tire you, and there's a lovely garden behind the building. The English captions, reviewers say, could do with a rewrite. 34travel recommends it too (article) and lists the ticket at 40 ₾ (≈$15).
Hikes without leaving Tbilisi
Azeula Fortress
Kojori · fortress and viewpoint
Google Maps · Azeula St, Kojori
Right above Tbilisi, an easy half-day: Azeula Fortress, Kabeni Monastery, the Asuretiskhevi river and the Kabeni waterfalls.
According to Google Maps reviews (4.9 from 600): not much of the fortress is left, but the 360° view is worth it and entry is free. Bus 380 runs here from Freedom Square, then it's a 15–20 minute climb. The rocks get slippery in the rain, it can be very windy up top, and there are no railings. Keen hikers walk back down to the city — about 18 km via Kojori and Turtle Lake.
Lisi Ridge Trail
Lisi · hiking trail · open 24 hours
Google Maps · above Lisi Lake
According to Google Maps reviews (5.0 from 11): a ridge trail above Lisi Lake, with the lake on one side and Digomi on the other. You choose the length, from a short walk to almost 20 km, and it works for bikes too. The climb from Digomi is steep and there's no shade on the ridge — bring water and a hat.
Fabrika, vintage and the flea market
Fabrika Tbilisi
Chugureti · culture hub and hostel · open 24 hours
Google Maps · website · 8 Egnate Ninoshvili St
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 15,100+): a former factory turned hostel and one of the city's hangouts. The courtyard is full of bars, cafés and street food, it's loud and busy in the evening, and there's a photo booth in a van. You don't have to stay — come to look around and have a drink, then walk the neighbourhood for murals and vintage shops. As a hostel it gets praise for the common areas but complaints about cold water and reception.
Dezerter Vintage
Dezerter Bazaar · vintage and second-hand · daily 11:00–19:30
Google Maps · Instagram · 14 Mikheil Tsinamdzghvrishvili St
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 230+): a vintage shop inside Dezerter Bazaar where you need time to dig through the racks. Hoodies, workwear, jackets, plenty of XL and XXL; stock changes often, there's music and resident cats. It's hard to find — even locals give wrong directions. Some find it pricey for second-hand, and staff aren't always friendly.
Dry Bridge Market
Dry Bridge · flea market · daily 11:00–18:00
Google Maps · by the Dry Bridge, Old Tbilisi
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 10,300+): an open-air market by the Dry Bridge that's worth a visit even if you don't plan to buy. Soviet film cameras, porcelain and metal tableware, maps, posters, books, jewellery, paintings and souvenirs — a collector's paradise. It's open every day; weekdays are calm, weekends crowded. Prices vary, but reviewers find them fair compared with the same things online. 34travel recommends it too (article).
One last thing
Tbilisi is a city of hills: Narikala, Mtatsminda and Sameba all sit high up, with almost no shade on a hot day. Save the viewpoints for the evening — the light is better at sunset and the city is cooling down — and spend the middle of the day at Dezerter Vintage, the Dry Bridge market and the Fabrika courtyard. Note that the National Gallery is closed on Mondays.
More on Tbilisi: where to eat, coffee and breakfast, bars.