Tbilisi

From eTripTips Wiki

Sameba Church

Tbilisi (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 350 km² (135 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 very modern airport terminal has been inaugurated on February 7, 2007.

Airlines include:

• Aeroflot (all flights suspended)
• airBaltic
• Airzena Georgian Airways
• Austrian
• Azerbaijan Airlines
• British Airways
• Georgian National Airways
• Lufthansa
• Turkish Airlines
• Germania Express

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

[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 awful. Smelly, hot, hours at each border crossing, and don't forget the harassment from the Azerbaijani border guards. The Georgian railway workers are much nicer, perhaps making up for their 4 hour wait at the border compared with Azerbaijan's 1 hour.The Georgian customs officers do not know their duties properly. I have not seen anywere such incompetence. I had taken my own digital camera to take pictures. The Georgian customs officer told me I must pay customs duty. If Georgian diplomat did not intervene I would have to pay duty. Honestly, bring USD for getting out of Azerbaijan. Just in case.

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

From Black Sea to rest europe using ferry.

From Russia Via Kazbegy, other borders are closed by Georgia.

Azerbayjan and Armenia 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 you find at Didube. Ceratinly busses 21 and 46 lead there from the city center. It's rather large, and you'll find minibusses 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 metro are in Georgian only (no Russian, no English) -- and stations are announced in Georgian only. Take a bi-lingual map with you if you are not proficient with the alphabet / pronunciation.

[edit] See

[edit] 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.

Others

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,

Java-Is closed at the moment as of Conflict area.

[edit] Learn

[edit] Work

Unemployment rate is pretty high

[edit] 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 exellent wines.
• Cognac. Georgian cognac is unique as it's made from Georgian wine. Recommended: 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] Eat

[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.
• Dzveli Saxli (Old House): One of the best restraint 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
• Lotus: on Freedom Square, tucked away behind the bus turnoff (directly across from City Hall) is this tiny, inexpensive, vegetarian diner.

[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: on Erekle st.
• Zandukeli 40: Located on 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 on Perovskaya street.
• Make sure you check out the local bars. They usually serve traditnal meals for a very fair price

[edit] Italian Cuisine

• Il Garage: located on 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.
• Pizzeria "UNO": Located on 30 Abashidze street.

[edit] American Fast Food

McDonald's: Rustaveli street, city center, 1 Dzmebi Kakabadzeebi street, 20 Kote Marjanishvili street.

[edit] Ice Cream

Baskin-Robbins: Located on 142 David Aghmashenebeli Ave.

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

Beau Monde is a beautiful bed/breakfast and 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 number is 986-003. 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 I believe some English.

[edit] Splurge

[edit] 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 with 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, Website: http://www.cafe-rustaveli.ge/eng/index.html 2-4 USD

[edit] Night Clubs

• Night Office - at 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 Botanic 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] Sleep

[edit] Hotels

• Tbilisi Hotels: Hotel Reservation in Tbilisi

[edit] Budget

• Hotel Georgian House, : 38 Vakhtang VI street, : +995 (32) 791919, : info@exotour.ge, Website: http://www.exotour.ge/en/hotel/hotel.php. Check in:12:00. Check out:12:00 € 30+ per night
• Hotel Ata, : 17, Leselidze Street, : +995 (32) 987715, : info@hotelata.com, Website: http://www.hotelata.com. Check in:12:00. Check out:12:00 € 60-80 per night

[edit] Mid-range

• Courtyard Marriott Tbilisi, : 4 Freedom Square, : +995 (32) 779200, Website: http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/TBSCY. Check in:15:00. Check out:12:00 € 180+ per night

[edit] Splurge

• Tbilisi Marriott Hotel, : 13 Rustaweli Prospekt, : +995 (32) 779200, Website: http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/TBSCY. Check in:15:00. Check out:12:00 € 212+ per night

• Sheraton Metechi Palace Hotel, : Issani, : +995 (32) 772020, Website: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=132&localeoverwrite= US $225+ er night

• Hotels in Tbilisi - web catalogue, : Tbilisi, Website: http://www.hotels.ltd.ge/ US $55 - $120 per night

• 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 revolution. Take taxis home at night, but as a petite woman in Tbilisi alone, I never had a problem. 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.

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

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

[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.

[edit] Get out

• Tbilisi-Baku via night train

WikiPedia:Tbilisi

Dmoz:Asia/Georgia/Localities/Tbilisi/ World66:europe/georgia/tbilisi