This budget guide to Tbilisi will help you figure out how to enjoy the city on the cheap because travelling low budget doesn’t mean you need out miss out!
Tbilisi is still under-the-Radar
Despite being a capital, Tbilisi and Georgia as a whole are still relatively unknown destinations for travellers. I think it’s partly down to Georgia not being on the budget airline flight path. Although, to be fair, Kutaisi (Georgia’s less-known city) has a few Wizzair flights operating out of it (we caught a flight from Poland to there for €39.99!).
As a destination, it exceeded my expectations. We initially planned to stay for a week there and stayed for almost a month. While we splurged on Airbnb, we managed to keep everything else low-budget.
Before I jump into it the best budget things to do in Tbilisi, here are a few facts to help you get to know the city a little more:
Did you know...?
- Tbilisi can aptly be described as a hodgepodge! And I bloody love it. Architecturally, you’ll find various styles reflecting its long history of influences from the Persian, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Soviet periods.
- Georgian currency is the lari; as of Feb 2024, 2.87 lari = 1 euro.
- Getting around the city is easy as the Tbilisi metro costs 1 lari a tap (which gives you 90 minutes of free transfers). The first thing you should do when you arrive in Tbilisi is buy a Metro Card called “MetroMoney”. The card is 2 lari, and you can buy it from the machine at any metro station.
- The Georgian language is seriously cool. It is the oldest in the world, and its alphabet is unlike any other. Georgians really appreciate it when you make an effort to speak, so be sure to learn at least “madloba” – thank you.
- You’ll need to adjust to Tbilisi time. By this, I mean everything opens a little later. Mornings are slow, so don’t expect to find a breakfast place open before 9 am.
- It won’t take you long to realise that Tbilisi is hilly asf, so be ready!
Okay, let’s do it; here’s how you can experience the best Tbilisi has to offer on a budget.
1. Walk up to the Mother of Georgia Statue
Named Kartlis Deda, the Mother of Georgia is a 66-foot tall statue standing guard over the city, sword in one hand, a bowl of wine in the other (wine or die, baby). Despite its Soviet connotations, the Mother of Georgia is the emblem of Georgia’s independence.
Ofc, you can ride the cable car from this spot for only 2.5 lari, but I think there’s something more satisfying than a good climb to a viewpoint. If your legs are up to, climb up to the Mother of Georgia from Betlemi Stairs next to Bliss Cafe. Alternatively, you can ride the cable car up, and come down this way.
2. Go thrift shopping
All the blogs say, “Go to dry bridge”, but in all honesty, I thought it was s***. If you like vintage bits (old coins, photographs, etc), it may be your thing, but if you’re looking for second-hand clothes, I’d recommend heading to Dezerter Vintage and the second-hand shops around it. You’ll find it hidden inside Dezerter Bazaar near Station Square.
Dezerter Bazaar is also a good spot to visit for vegetables, fruit and any other market-related bits and bobs. If you’re into photography, its also a great place to visit in the morning to take some snaps of locals doing their thang.
3. Go to fabrika, yes its hipster but its nice
I’m gonna jump on the bandwagon and tell you to visit Fabrika. It’s EXTREMELY edgy but also has a good vibe, and the beers aren’t expensive. We paid 6 lira for a pint and sat in the courtyard people-watching.
In Fabrika, you’ll find lots of LAMB’s work, a young Georgian graffiti artist called Mishiko Sulakauri. His work and other Tbilisi based artists can be found all around Fabrika and in the underpass at Baratashvili Bridge.
4. See an opera or ballet for €4
So our friend told us she’d booked tickets to see an opera at Tbilisi Opera and Ballet House for only 12 GEL | €4, so we jumped on it too. We booked our tickets on TKT.GE which is a fab website to book concerts, train tickets, events (basically anything you need a ticket in the city!).
Even if you’re not interested in the performance, it’s definitely worth going inside for the incredible architecture.
5. Eat all the food
Georgian food is so damn good and you can’t miss any opportunity to eat out as much as possible while you’re in Tbilisi.
◊ To try the famous Khinkali, head to Cafe Daphna or Klike’s Khinkali.
◊ For Khachapuri, go to Gunda.
◊ For an all-round affordable, unpretentious, delicious meal, try Mapshalia.
6. Get wine drunk
Yes, its true. Georgian wine is sensational. There are lots of places you can enjoy wine if your budget allows, like Wine Not or Wine Factory N1. Or if you’re limited on funds, go to the supermarket and get yourself a bottle and sit down in the many parks. I like Dedaena Park and 9 April Park (both in the centre with a busy vibe).
If you wanna educate yourself a little more about Georgia’s wine culture, and the budget allows, I’d recommend Tbilisi Wine Museum.
If you’re lucky, you might stumble upon a wine festival. One Saturday in the first weekend of September, we were on our way to get some khinkali for lunch when we stumbled across a wine festival in 9 April Park in the centre of Tbilisi. I’m talking about 30 stalls all serving free wine samples and complimentary snacks. We were in heaven.
7. Go to stand up comedy night at the worlds end BAr
Every other Sunday, there’s an English-speaking stand-up comedy night in a basement bar called World’s End in Old Town. If you fancy your hand at stand-up comedy, you can message the organisers in advance. To be in the audience, its donation-based (any paper note accepted) and you can reserve your spot here.
We were in two minds about going as we had spent a long weekend hiking in Kazbegi but we were so glad we did. It’s such a good vibe and I found it so inspirational watching people get up and perform. So brave!
8. Do the Tbilisi Free Walking Tour
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I LOVE free walking tours, and I’ll back them until the cows come home. The Tbilisi Free Walking Tour was particularly good; the guide was super passionate about the city, and gave a really good insight into Tbilisi local life. It’s tip based so you can give as you feel deserved!
9. Go court yard hunting
Ask any Tbilisi local and they’ll tell you the city’s much-loved architectural treasures are its charming “Italian” courtyards.
If you opt for the Tbilisi Free Walking Tour, you’ll likely be shown one, but you can also go courtyard hunting around the city.
During Georgia’s time as a Soviet Republic, lots of private homes were divided up to make room for thousands of families entering the city. External staircases were added to create new entrances, and many families lived in a house that once belonged to one family. Privacy went out the window, really!
Just a heads up: While the courtyards are beautiful and worth taking photos of, we stayed in an Airbnb with a shared courtyard and felt there wasn’t enough privacy. So keep this mind when you’re accommodation hunting.
10. Get the cable car up to Mtatsminda Park
But check the weather first – the view is everything about this recommendation, and I don’t want you to get all the way up there and it is foggy!
To reach Mtatsminda Park, jump on the Tbilisi Funicular; you can use your “Metro Money” card. Each trip will cost you 8 lira each way.
11. Go clubbing at Bassiani
Phew, we’re done! Remember, this isn’t an exhaustive list of all the sightseeing spots in Tbilisi; rather, it’s about how you can experience the best the city has to offer on the cheap.
Want to see more of Georgia than just its capital city? Read next: Mestia to Ushguli | Everything You Need to Know.
