Tbilisi Weekend Guide: Perfect 48-Hour Itinerary

Tbilisi — one of Europe's oldest cities — stuns with its layers of history. Persian bathhouses stand beside the avant-garde Bridge of Peace, and the scent of freshly baked shotis puri bread mingles with the sulphur of the bathhouse district.

Friday evening. Arrive at sunset. Climb the Narikala fortress — the view of the city turning orange is worth every step. Descend to Abanotubani (the sulphur bath quarter) and book a private bath for an hour. Dinner on Shardeni Street, the heart of Tbilisi's gastronomic quarter.

Saturday. Morning at the Dry Bridge flea market — Soviet antiques, jewellery, icons. Khinkali at any local café. Afternoon walking tour: Metekhi church, Sioni cathedral, Anchiskhati basilica. Take the funicular up Mtatsminda mountain for the park and panoramic views. Evening wine in one of the Old Town bars.

Getting there from Batumi: minibus 4 hours (7–8 lari), overnight train (16 lari). Best hotel districts: Old Tbilisi or Vera.