The Old Town & Narikala

★★★ Old Town (Dzveli Tbilisi)

The Old Town of Tbilisi is an architectural wonderland. Here, Persian houses with carved wooden balconies stand next to Georgian stone houses, Art Nouveau facades, and Soviet structures. Many buildings are dilapidated — but that's precisely what adds to the charm. In the courtyards, laundry dries next to grapevines, the scent of fresh bread wafts from the cellars, and a new wine bar opens on every corner.

The main streets: Shardeni Street (bars and restaurants), Erekle II Street (main axis of the Old Town), Leselidze Street (souvenir shops and galleries).

★★★ Narikala Fortress

The Narikala Fortress has perched on a rocky ridge above the Old Town since the 4th century. The current walls date from the Arab (7th century) and Mongol periods (13th century). From here, you have the best panoramic view over all of Tbilisi — the Old Town at your feet, the Kura below, the Sameba Cathedral opposite, and Mtatsminda Mountain in the background.

Within the walls stands the Nikoloz Church (rebuilt in 1996) with frescoes of Georgian saints. Below it: the gigantic Kartlis Deda statue (Mother of Georgia) — 20 meters high, with a sword in one hand (for enemies) and a wine goblet in the other (for friends). This perfectly sums up Georgia.

Accessible on foot (steep, 20 min. from the Old Town) or by cable car from Rike Park (2.50 GEL, 2 min.). The cable car itself offers a fantastic view. Free access, 24/7.

★★★ Bridge of Peace

The futuristic pedestrian bridge by Italian architect Michele De Lucchi (2010) spans the Kura like a glass wave. At night, it is illuminated in changing LED colors — a symbol of the new Georgia. Connects the Old Town with Rike Park and Europe Square.

★★ Sioni Cathedral

The main cathedral of Tbilisi (6th–7th century, repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt) houses one of Georgia's holiest relics: the Cross of Saint Nino, the apostle who Christianized Georgia in the 4th century. The cross is made of two entwined grapevines, bound with Nino's hair.

★★ Anchiskhati Basilica

The oldest surviving church in Tbilisi (6th century). Small, simple, but of enormous historical significance. The 17th-century iconostasis is a masterpiece of goldsmithing.