Even though the city has a modern and young vibe to it, it has quite a long and complicated history. Due to the city’s favorable location between important trade and travel routes, Tbilisi is known in Eastern Europe as the Rome of the Caucasus.
Throughout the 19th century, Tbilisi was the center of important cultural, political and economic affairs in Caucasus, so much so that at one point it even ruled both Southern and Northern Caucasus. Tbilisi is currently home to a mix of cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds - the majority of which are Eastern Orthodox Christian.
The architecture in Tbilisi is composed of buildings that date back to when the city came to be, in nearly 500 BC. Because of its crossroads location between Europe and Asia, the city impressive architecture is a tribute to many of the cultures that have passed through it.
Its downtown area is a combination of ancient architecture and modern and futuristic looking buildings, the city primarily consists of medieval classical structures and soviet architecture.
What to See in Tbilisi
Its complex history and its architectural treasures are not the only reasons to visit in Tbilisi. Along with its old-world charm, the picturesque Caucasian mountains surrounding this busy city make it a beautiful landscape no matter where you look at it from.
If you wish to stay in the downtown area and enjoy magnificent views, from the Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel, Tbilisi, you can enjoy stunning mountain views from the comfort and convenience of the city center. By staying in a downtown location, a variety of superb dining, shopping and nightlife options and have some of Tbilisi’s most visited sites, like the Old Town and the Narikala Fortress, will be within reach.
Other important sites to visit while in Tbilisi, within walking distance from the heart of the city, are the Kura river and the pedestrians-only Peace Bridge - these are both unique landmarks with a rich history very true to Tbilisi aesthetic. Similarly, there are also the underground natural hot springs visited in masses and beloved by locals and visitors alike.
The bath district in Tbilisi is now a popular tourist attraction known as the Royal Baths, the historic bathhouses with hot pools of sulfur-rich water.
Fun fact: The name Tbilisi derives from the Georgian word Tfili, which means warm location. Because Tbilisi was built atop thermal springs, it was given the name Tbilisi when founded.
As the largest and most diverse city in Georgia, Tbilisi is filled with a creative crowd of well-read and fashionable individuals. All over town, there are quaint streets filled with small markets, trendy boutiques and bazaars, like the Dry Bridge Market, where you can spot antique and unique items you can only find in Tbilisi.
What to Eat in Tbilisi
Georgian food may be described as Italian meets Turkic. Colorful, varied, tasty, relatively simple. Georgian food is a combination of European and Middle Eastern cuisine and getting acquainted with Georgian cuisine and culture is one of the most impressive things to experience while visiting. The Georgian Supra, which is approximately a 5-hour meal, where you indulge in lots of drinking and eating.
It is one of the main pillars of Georgian traditions and many consider it the national pastime. Besides its delicious food, it is also worth noting that Georgia is considered among wine connoisseurs - the cradle of wine, it is one of the oldest wine regions and one of the pioneers of grapevine cultivation in the world. Although many people may know it, the English word for wine is thought to derive from the Georgian ghvino.
Because of its distinctive eating and drinking traditions, Georgia is becoming increasingly touristic and Tbilisi is once again becoming a point of contention in South Caucasus. There are trendy new restaurants and burgeoning art cafes emerging throughout the city and they are quickly becoming preferred hang out spots for many Georgians.
The city's hipster fashion and culture, its eclectic architecture and warmhearted natives are progressively putting Tbilisi on the map. Now as a major ‘must-visit’ location Eurasia, Tbilisi is gaining back its historic reputation as the region’s most cosmopolitan city.
