Brick domes of the Abanotubani sulphur baths in Old Tbilisi

Old Tbilisi and the sulphur baths

Narikala fortress, the balconies of Sololaki, bakeries for shoti bread, and the brick domes of Abanotubani, the bath district that gave Tbilisi its name.

At a glance

Duration
3 hours3 hours on foot, starts 10:00 or 16:00
Difficulty
EasyAbout 4 km at an easy pace, with steep cobbled streets. We take the cable car up to Narikala and walk down.
Meeting point
Freedom Square, by the St George column, 10:00A second walk starts at 16:00 from April to October. Look for the guide with the dark red Kvali tote bag.
Best season
  • January: Possible, with trade-offs
  • February: Possible, with trade-offs
  • March: Good time to go
  • April: Good time to go
  • May: Good time to go
  • June: Good time to go
  • July: Possible, with trade-offs, hot
  • August: Possible, with trade-offs, hot
  • September: Good time to go
  • October: Good time to go
  • November: Good time to go
  • December: Possible, with trade-offs
All year. In July and August, take the 10:00 walk: afternoons often pass 35°C.

The day, hour by hour

  1. Start

    Sololaki balconies

    Carved wooden balconies and painted entrance halls from the 19th century. We know a few doors that are usually open.

  2. After 45 min

    Cable car to Narikala

    Up to the 4th-century fortress and the Mother of Georgia statue, with the whole city below.

  3. After 1 h 30

    Down to the waterfall

    A path down through the Leghvtakhevi gorge to a small waterfall in the middle of the old town.

  4. After 2 h

    Abanotubani bath domes

    The brick domes over the sulphur springs. Legend says King Vakhtang Gorgasali founded the city here after his falcon fell into a hot spring; tbili means warm.

  5. After 2 h 30

    Shoti bread and churchkhela

    Warm bread from a tone oven, and churchkhela, walnuts dipped in thickened grape juice. The walk ends in Meidan.

What's included

  • English-speaking guide
  • Cable car ticket
  • Shoti bread and churchkhela tasting

Not included

  • Bath entry. Private rooms start at about ₾100 an hour, and we can book one for after the walk
  • Drinks

Before you book

  • The cobbles are steep and can be slippery after rain. Wear shoes with grip.
  • The baths smell of sulphur, like boiled eggs. You get used to it in about five minutes.

Who usually runs it

  • Ana

    Walking guide, Old Tbilisi

    Architecture student who knows the stories behind Sololaki's front doors, and which bakery has bread at 16:00.

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    Duration
    1 day
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Best season
    May–Oct
    Format
    Small group

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    Duration
    1 day
    Difficulty
    Easy
    Best season
    Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
    Format
    Small group

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    Duration
    1 day
    Difficulty
    Moderate
    Best season
    Apr–Oct
    Format
    Private

    from ₾160 per person

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