Lying on the banks of the Kura River, Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is an ancient city that currently has over 1 million inhabitants. The city is located at a crossroads between Europe and Asia along the historic Silk Road routes, and has been an industrial, social and cultural center since the 6th century. With a diverse makeup of people from all cultures, religions and ethnicities, Tbilisi is a fascinating place to visit with many great must do activities, including:

Narikhala Fortress
Hike up the hill this fortress is located on for some stunning views and to walk around the fortress and the Orthodox church located inside. Be sure to wear hiking shoes, as much of the trail is in disrepair, but it is an adventurous climb w0rth the great scenery when you reach the summit.

Sulfur Baths of Abanotubani
This bath district is easy to find on the south side of the Metekhi Bridge and offers several small baths with different comfort levels. These baths, over 1500 years old, are also a great place to get a massage while relaxing to really experience the true package of the baths here.

Old Town
Walk the city’s old town in an afternoon to get a sense of the winding streets of the city and peer into courtyards and daily life of regular Tbilisi natives. There is much stunning iron detail work all over the place on balconies and buildings and the crumbling old city area is full of character and makes for an interesting stroll.

Rustaveli Avenue
The main street in the new town, Rustaveli Avenue, is a stark contrast from the old town. Its wide streets are elegant and filled with shops, cafes, museums and vendors of all kinds. This is a great place to get a bearing on the city and find your way everywhere else from this centralized location.

Paliashvili Opera House
This popular theater has been in operation since 1851 and is still one of the city’s most important cultural centers. The building itself is impressive and you will definitely take note of it on a stroll down Rustaveli Avenue. Hosting a series of dance and opera performances throughout the year, this is a great place to enjoy a show and experience a night of culture in Georgia.

There is a significant nightlife to go along with the cultural activities listed here. Explore a bit of both and get a true taste of Tbilisi’s character.