Personally, I really liked this town with its vibrant feel and a host of things to do. It's home to a superb citadel, overlooked by the Motherland Statue, as well as several religious buildings, cultural attractions and delicious food!
I spent five days in the capital, which I believe is what you need to fully explore the city; it's ideal for a long weekend.
It was whilst strolling through the city that I stumbled upon an unusual building. It was a small puppet theatre, which was putting on a show (subtitled in English) on the Battle of Stalingrad that very evening. It's called the Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theatre and you can consult its programme online. An atypical, cultural visit awaits!
Finally, Tbilisi boasts one of the biggest cathedrals in the Caucasus - the Holy Trinity Cathedral. As Georgia is an orthodox country, women must cover their hair and wear long skirts to enter the cathedral.
I can't tell you how much I loved wandering around Georgia's capital! Tbilisi has it all: paved streets, a river crossed by illuminated bridges, a parliament building that sits on a hill and bronze statues depicting age-old legends that are scattered around the town.
I particularly enjoyed the walk up to the Narikala Fortress and along the walls that overlook Tbilisi. The view over my favourite town in the Caucasus is quite something. There are also the baths under a series of domes on the square, the magnificent blue mosaics at the Orbeliani Baths, as well as the old town with its period houses. Even if, during a trip to Georgia, you drive around the capital, do also take the time to walk; it's perfect for touring by foot, whether you're down town or in the greener outskirts.
Like most of the the other capital cities in the neighbouring countries, Tbilisi is an explosive mixture of the old and the new, of tradition and modernity, and of wealth and poverty, all of it existing in a strongly unfamiliar and exotic setting. The first thing that comes to mind when I think back to Tbilisi is its fortress, which stands guard overlooking the city from its dominant position, much like the thousand-year-old churches perched prominently up on the city's hills, standing out clearly from the rest of the urban landscape.
The cities verdant avenues are lined with fairly run-down but attractive buildings built in the area's traditional architectural style, with balconies and red tiled roofs. Once night falls, Tbilisi's terraces fill up with its trendy young people and the city takes on a fun, lively and energetic atmosphere. It's for these very reasons, this multitude of different influences, architectural styles and people, that I strongly recommend you spend a few days in Tbilisi during your trip to Georgia.
I'll come straight out with it: I'm a huge fan of Tbilisi. That may seem a weird thing to say about a town that's either little known abroad or has a bad reputation. All the same, the town is enchanting, with its traditional wooden or wrought iron walkways, distinctive churches and dynamic feel. Its ecumenism and setting only add to its pull.
During every holiday in Georgia I spent several days in Tbilisi by choice and never once got bored. Obviously, the main tourist attractions should be seen - the old town, the Narikala Fortress, Rustaveli Avenue, the Holy Trinity Cathedral etc. - but the best experience is wandering around its streets and lanes, which will give you a real feel for life in the city. Another major selling point - Tbilisi is Georgia's culinary capital. So make the most of your time there by sampling some of its dishes!