Why everyone is going to Tbilisi right now
Tbilisi is one of those places that feels like it’s constantly trying to decide what it wants to be. One minute you’re looking at a crumbling 19th-century balcony that looks like it might fall over if you sneeze, and the next you’re standing in front of a giant glass mushroom that houses the Public Service Hall.
It’s a bit chaotic, the driving is terrifying, and there’s a stray dog on every corner (most of them are tagged and very chill, by the way). But the energy is addictive. It’s a city that stays up late, drinks a lot of wine, and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Figuring out the flights and the landing
Landing in a new country is always a bit stressful, especially in a place where the alphabet looks like beautiful, curly scribbles you can’t read.
When you’re looking for flights, I usually just head to Kiwi.com. They’re good because they piece together flights from different airlines that don’t usually work together. It’s a bit of a “travel hack” that can save you a decent amount of money.
Quick tip: If you’re booking for a trip between January 21 and February 28, 2026, use the code KIWI20TPWINTER. It’s a €20 discount if your booking is over €270. It’s not a fortune, but in Tbilisi, that pays for a lot of dumplings.
If Kiwi doesn’t have what you want, you can check Mytrip or Flight Network. They’re pretty standard, but worth a quick look to compare prices.
Once you land: Don’t stand in line for a local SIM card at the airport. It’s a waste of time. I use Airalo. You just download an eSIM before you leave home, and the second you land, you have data. This is vital because you need to download an app called Bolt. Do not take the taxis waiting outside the airport—they’ll charge you triple. A Bolt into the city should only cost you around 30-35 GEL (about $12).
Where to actually stay
Tbilisi is divided by the Mtkvari River, and where you stay really changes the “vibe” of your trip.
- Old Town: It’s exactly what it sounds like. Narrow streets, old churches, and the famous sulfur baths. It’s beautiful but very touristy. If you like being in the middle of everything and don’t mind a bit of noise, stay here.
- Vera: This is my favorite area. It’s leafy, quiet, and feels like a real neighborhood. There are tons of hidden cafes and wine bars tucked into old courtyards. It’s very walkable and feels much more “local.”
- Vake: This is the fancy part of town. Think wide boulevards, high-end shops, and nice parks. It’s a bit further away from the historic stuff, but it’s very polished.
- Marjanishvili: On the other side of the river. It’s home to Fabrika, which is a massive old sewing factory that’s been turned into a hostel and creative space. It’s the best place to go if you want to meet people or see some great street art.
If you’re coming from the UK, sometimes you can find decent “hotel + flight” bundles on Lastminute UK. It’s worth a look if you don’t want to book everything separately.
The food (and the wine)
You’re going to eat a lot. Like, a lot.
Khachapuri is the national dish—it’s basically cheese-filled bread. The one everyone wants is the Adjaruli, which is shaped like a boat with a raw egg and a stick of butter in the middle. You mix it all up while it’s hot and dip the bread into it. It’s heavy, but it’s amazing.
Then there’s Khinkali, which are giant dumplings. Don’t use a fork! You pick them up by the doughy top, bite a hole, suck the soup out, and then eat the rest. You’re supposed to leave the “handles” on your plate to show how many you’ve managed to eat.
And the wine. Georgians have been making wine for 8,000 years in clay jars called Qvevri. It’s often “orange” or “amber” wine. It tastes different—more earthy and bold. Even if you aren’t a big wine person, you have to try it. Go to a place like 8000 Vintages; they’re super friendly and will walk you through it without being snobbish.
Getting out of the city
Tbilisi is great, but the mountains are where Georgia really shines. If you want to see the iconic church on the hill (Gergeti Trinity) in Kazbegi, you’ll need to head north.
You can take a “marshrutka” (a shared minibus), but they’re cramped and the drivers are… intense. For a much better time, I’d suggest renting a car through GetRentacar.com. It’s a marketplace where you rent from locals. You can get a solid 4×4 for a much better price than the big international companies. Having your own car means you can stop whenever you want for photos of the mountains, which will be roughly every five minutes.
The “boring” stuff (Insurance & Cards)
There are a few specific things that make life easier.
Money: Instead of carrying heaps of cash, use a card with low fees.
- The Cards: A lot of people from India use the IndusInd Tiger Credit Card or certain SBI Credit Cards. The big perk here isn’t just the exchange rate; it’s the lounge access. If you’ve got a long layover in a place like Istanbul or Dubai, being able to sit in a lounge with free food and a shower is a lifesaver.
Insurance: You don’t want to think about it, but it’s better to have it.
- For Indians: If you already have ICICI Lombard or Acko Bike Insurance or Acko Car Insurance for your vehicles back home, check their international travel plans. It’s usually easy to manage since you’re already in their system.
- A Solid Backup: If you want something straightforward and international, AURAS Travel Insurance is a good “no-nonsense” choice. They are very clear about what they cover, which is helpful when you’re dealing with things like mountain hiking.
If things go wrong: Flights get delayed, especially with mountain weather. If you’re stuck for hours or—even worse—your luggage gets lost, use AirAdvisor. They deal with the airlines to get you compensation for delays and baggage claims. It’s much better than trying to navigate the airline’s customer service yourself.
Capturing the trip
Tbilisi is incredibly photogenic. The light in the late afternoon hitting those old wooden balconies is something else.
If you’re planning to vlog or just want better photos, you might want to check out a few classes on Skillshare. There are some short ones on “Street Photography” or “Editing on your phone” that are actually useful. For putting your videos together, Wondershare is probably the simplest way to edit high-quality reels or YouTube videos without needing a super-powerful computer.
A loose 5-day plan
Don’t overschedule yourself. Tbilisi is a city meant for wandering.
- Day 1: Walk around the Old Town. Go to the sulfur baths in the evening (Abanotubani). Get a private room and a scrub massage—it’s a bit weird being scrubbed by a stranger, but your skin will feel amazing. Dinner at a place like Shavi Lomi.
- Day 2: Visit the Dry Bridge Market. It’s a flea market where you can find old Soviet medals, cameras, and random antiques. Spend the afternoon in Vera, just drinking coffee and people-watching.
- Day 3: Grab a car from GetRentacar and drive to Kazbegi. The drive is about 3 hours. Visit the Gergeti Trinity Church and just stare at the mountains. Stay the night there if you can.
- Day 4: Drive to Sighnaghi in the wine region (Kakheti). It’s an old town with a big wall around it and incredible views. Do some wine tasting at Pheasant’s Tears.
- Day 5: Back in the city. Head up the funicular to Mtatsminda Park for a view of the whole city. Grab some last-minute Khinkali and maybe a bottle of wine to take home.
A few things to remember
- The water: The tap water is generally fine to drink in Tbilisi, which is a nice change from a lot of other places.
- The language: “Madloba” means thank you. People appreciate it if you try even a couple of words.
- The bread: You’ll see people carrying long, boat-shaped bread (Shoti). Buy one from a hole-in-the-wall bakery (Tone). It’s usually about 1 GEL (40 cents) and it’s the best thing you’ll ever eat.
Tbilisi isn’t a city that you just “visit.” It’s a city that you kind of join for a few days. It’s loud, it’s friendly, and it’s probably going to be one of the best trips you’ve ever taken.
