“Old buildings covered in colors, cozy balconies, and sometimes ivy-covered walls.” That’s how I describe Tbilisi. Walking through downtown means filling your eyes with buildings, cafes, and statues at every corner. The city is split by the Kura River, with Old Tbilisi on one side, where most of the life happens.

I visited Tbilisi in early September and spent 10 unforgettable days exploring it. A few things stood out to me and really caught my attention.

Tbilisi’s Colorful Buildings

My favorite thing in Tbilisi is the buildings. The architecture, the colors, and the age of them immediately catch your eye. You might stop and wonder what the inside looks like, and I can tell you, the story inside is just as fascinating as the outside.

I stayed in both Georgian hotels and apartments, but spending time in one of those colorful buildings was a unique and unforgettable experience, with details in every corner!

Wine, Wine, Wine and Wine Ice Cream

Grape vines are everywhere in Tbilisi, it’s truly the city of wine. Wine stores are on almost every street, and I thought we should do as the locals do. Trying different Georgian wines in restaurants and shops quickly became part of the fun.

We enjoyed dining at Home Kitchen, a very old restaurant run by two women and a man. They serve homemade Georgian food, and the atmosphere feels genuinely local and welcoming. What I loved most was being offered homemade wine and getting to choose our glasses from a collection of vintage-style wine glasses.

For wine lovers, visiting the Tbilisi Wine Museum is an amazing experience. It’s fascinating to learn that Georgia is the first place where wine was made in history. I’ve shared some highlights from the Wine Museum if you’d like to read more.

Wine ice cream is another Georgian treat I’ll always remember.

Graffiti

In many parts of the city, walls are covered with graffiti, and you’ll notice cats appear a lot. One neighborhood, called Fabrika, is all about graffiti, charming little stores, and of course, the buildings themselves.

Georgian Food

The Georgian menu is a complete wonder. I know I’ll be a fan of khinkali for the rest of my life! One of the friendliest places I visited in Tbilisi was Khinkali Bar N1. That night we had an amazing laugh with the staff, joking about how many khinkalis they could eat in a single meal! I was proud of finishing five khinkalis myself, some Georgians claimed they could eat 20 to 25 in one meal!

Cafes and Chacha

Cafes, bars, and pubs in Old Tbilisi serve Georgian wine and a drink called chacha, which is very close to vodka.

Tbilisi Attractions

I mostly enjoyed long walks in the “new city” vibe, but my three favorite places to visit were:

Chronicles of Georgia

The monument is enormous, with sculptures that are fascinating to see. It’s not very historical, but being there with the view of Tbilisi Lake and the city made it my favorite spot. Watching the sunset beside the lake was unforgettable.

Trinity Cathedral

The architecture is stunning, and the way it’s lit at night makes it even more impressive.

Mother of Georgia

We took the cable car from Rike Park to visit the statue. It’s huge, holding a phiale of wine in one hand and a sword in the other. The sword is for enemies and the wine is for friends. The walk up and the view of the city from there felt incredible.

Small Fun Facts About Tbilisi

Flyers for Lost Cats

I spotted a few flyers about missing cats. Tbilisi feels very friendly to cats and I saw cats in houses in neighborhoods far from the center. Seeing the flyers was just kind of cute.

The Oldest Elevator I’ve Ever Used

One of the apartments we rented in the center overlooked the Kura River on the 12th floor. The building was old, and the elevator was tiny, about 1 square meter, dark, noisy, and it only worked with coins. Luckily, our host left us coins for the stay, which made it a fun little adventure every time we used it.

Why Tbilisi Stayed With Me

Tbilisi has a lively nightlife, and it’s amazing how the old parts of the city are preserved. That mix of energy and history makes the area feel truly unique. Since we traveled with our cat and without a car, most of our adventures were on foot, which made discovering the streets and hidden corners even more special. Because of that, we didn’t explore other towns or cities in Georgia, but I can’t wait to return and see places I haven’t explored yet.

With everything I’ve shared, do you think Tbilisi should be on your bucket list?