Recommendations from Tbilisi Residents

BAKUR BURDULI – Musician

NARIKALA – A historical site and the remains of the old city wall, this complex is built into the wall itself. There are two ways up- on foot or by ropeway from Rike Park. You can catch a glimpse of fantastic views of Tbilisi from up there, bringing together cozy colorful small houses, café roofs, the Mtkvari River, Metechi church, Abanotubani… These are the places where the history of Tbilisi was born.

MTATSMINDA – Mtatsminda garden gives you great views over the modern city. The garden itself is a cemetery of Georgian public fi gures and a very nice place for a rest.

ARCHITECTURE OF TBILISI AND ANCIENT CHURCHES – It is diffi cult to give an overall recommendation, but my short list is: Anchiskhati, the oldest church in Tbilisi, Shardeni Street and Karvasla nearby with the Tbilisi History Museum, exhibition and trade areas; houses dating back to the XIX century on the Sololaki ridge and churches in Avlabari, including the huge Sameba Cathedral.

MTSKHETA – The ancient capital of Georgia, located several kilometers from Tbilisi, here you can enjoy local favorites Svetitskhoveli and Samtavro. On your way there, you can also drop into Salobie to taste traditional dishes, among them beans in clay pots.

THEATERS AND MUSEUMS – Don’t miss the Opera and Ballet Theater, one of the best buildings in the Caucasus, or the unique Gabriadze Puppet Theater. Of the museums I recommend a visit to the Georgian Gold Fund and the National Gallery with impressive works by the illustrious primitivist painter Niko Pirosmani.