Located in the Trialeti Mountains' foothills, Tbilisi has served
as Georgia's capital for more than a thousand years. The city has
been destroyed and rebuilt nearly 30 times since King Vakhtang
Gorgalasi founded it in the 5th century, though it has retained its
old-world charm. Visitors will love strolling through the narrow
alleyways of Old Tbilisi, and admiring the destination's
architectural mix of medieval, neo-classical, Soviet and modernist
styles.
Getting around Tbilisi is relatively easy, thanks to a good
public transport system. Travellers will find comprehensive bus and
minibus networks, and a metro system that runs daily until about
midnight. Most major tourist attractions in Tbilisi are located
close to the city centre and are easily reached on foot. These
include the Janashia Museum, the Museum of Art, the Anchiskhati
Church, and the Saturday flea market.
Old Tbilisi offers its own attractions, including the Royal
Baths and Sulfur Baths, the Narikala Fortress, and the art
galleries of Chardin Street. It's also home to some attractive
neighbourhoods, including Sololaki, Betelmi, and Mtsasminda.
They're worth exploring.
Several stunning lakes lie just outside the city and are popular
for weekend excursions from Tbilisi. Turtle Lake offers paddle
boats, mountain and city views, and some good hikes, and is near
the Giorgi Chitaia Ethnographical Open-Air Museum. Another popular
option is Lake Lisi, a larger lake that is better for swimming.