Tbilisi Old Town & Shardeni Street

Dzveli Tbilisi, the historic core of Georgia's capital, spreads across both rocky banks of the Kura (locally Mtkvari) River and is the very place where the city was born. Legend holds that in the 5th century King Vakhtang Gorgasali, while hunting, discovered the natural hot sulphur springs here and moved his capital to the spot; the city's name itself derives from these warm waters ("tbili").

History & Significance

For centuries a Silk Road crossroads where Persian, Armenian, Azeri, Jewish and European merchants lived side by side, the quarter was largely destroyed in the devastating Persian invasion of 1795 and then rebuilt in an eclectic style during the 19th century.

Architecture & Streets

The narrow stone lanes, courtyard mansions and colourful two- and three-storey houses with open, carved wooden balconies that we see today all date from this era. The architectural fabric is crowned by the 4th-century-origin Narikala ramparts on the ridge, the brick-domed Abanotubani sulphur baths, the cliff-side Metekhi Church and the medieval Sioni Cathedral. The district's liveliest artery is the pedestrianised Shardeni Street, named after the 17th-century French traveller Jean Chardin and packed with cafés, restaurants, bars and galleries; by evening it becomes the heart of the city's nightlife.

Visiting & Access

For Turkish agencies the Old Town is the unmissable final stop of the Black Sea-Georgia extension entered from the Sarp border crossing: being compact and entirely walkable, gathering every iconic landmark within a half day, and offering shopping and gastronomy make it indispensable. The average visit is 3-4 hours for the old-town walk, or a half day with an evening Shardeni break. Guided programmes usually begin at the top via the Narikala cable car, take in the Kartlis Deda statue and panorama, then descend to the baths quarter and walk the Metekhi-Sioni-Shardeni line. Nearby stand the Bridge of Peace, Rike Park, the Sameba Cathedral and the Dry Bridge flea market. The best photo points are the Narikala ramparts, the equestrian-statue angle in front of Metekhi, the blue-tiled façade of the Orbeliani Bath and the balconied side lanes. Access is easy; the Avlabari and Liberty Square metro stations are within walking distance. Tour coaches drop off in the bays around Rike Park, Metekhi and Avlabari, where parking is concentrated. Steep slopes and cobblestones make disabled access partly difficult, though the riverside promenade, Rike Park and the Bridge of Peace are wheelchair-friendly.

Route & Best Time

The best time to visit is the mild months of April-June and September-October; July-August is both hot and the busiest period with Turkish and Gulf tourists. Recommended route: cable car to Narikala → Kartlis Deda → Abanotubani baths → Metekhi → Sioni → Shardeni → Bridge of Peace with an evening in Rike Park.