Ready-made plans
Ready-made plan

5 days in Tbilisi for families

Rustaveli and Freedom Square 4 nights, with a full day trip to Kazbegi

I built this for families who want cool air, big mountain views and an easy city base. You get the old town by cable car, a day in the Kazbegi mountains and plenty of slow afternoons for the kids.

Cable car up to Narikala FortressGergeti Trinity Church under Mount KazbekRides and city views at Mtatsminda ParkBest in May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
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Hotels, 4 nightsShown for your dates when you make it yours
Prices are checked when you open the plan, a month ahead. They are never saved in it.

Day 1 Arrive and settle in

  1. 13:30Land at Tbilisi International Airport, transfer to RustaveliOrder a Bolt from the app outside arrivals, a Comfort or XL car fits a family with bags.Tbilisi Airport · about 30 min · 25 to 35 GEL per car
  2. 15:00Check in and restAsk for a family room or connecting rooms when you book, both are common here.Rustaveli Avenue · about 2 hrs · FreeArrive by car
  3. 17:00Evening walk down Rustaveli Avenue to Freedom SquareWide pavements, grand old buildings and ice cream stops, an easy first walk for all ages.Rustaveli Avenue · about 45 min · FreeWalk, 15 min
  4. 18:00Bridge of Peace and Rike ParkThe glass bridge lights up after dark and Rike Park across the river has open lawns and a children's play area.Old Tbilisi · about 1 hr · FreeWalk, 15 min
  5. 19:15Dinner at Machakhela / Samikitno, MeidanBusy, good value Georgian chain with a big picture menu, ideal for a tired family on day one.Meidan, Old Tbilisi · about 1 hr 15 min · 25 to 40 GEL · Order: Adjaruli khachapuri, the boat shaped cheese bread with egg and butterWalk, 10 min

Tip: Pork is common in Georgia, so for meat dishes ask for beef or lamb, or stick to cheese breads, vegetables and grilled chicken.

Day 2 Old Tbilisi by cable car

  1. 10:00Cable car from Rike Park to NarikalaA two minute ride over the river with the whole old town below you, kids love it.Rike Park · about 15 min · 2.5 GEL each way, pay with a bank card or Metromoney card
  2. 10:15Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia statueWalk the ridge from the cable car to the fortress walls and the big aluminium Mother of Georgia. Uneven stones, so wear trainers.Sololaki Ridge · about 1 hr 15 min · FreeWalk, 5 min
  3. 11:30Leghvtakhevi waterfall and the Jumah MosqueWalk down into the little gorge to the waterfall, then pass the Jumah Mosque, a working mosque where Sunni and Shia pray together.Abanotubani · about 30 min · FreeWalk downhill, 15 min
  4. 12:00Gabriadze clock tower showA crooked puppet theatre tower where a little angel comes out to ring the bell.Old Tbilisi, Shavteli Street · about 15 min · FreeWalk, 15 min
  5. 12:30Lunch at Cafe GabriadzeCosy cafe next to the tower, decorated with the puppet master's own drawings.Old Tbilisi, Shavteli Street · about 1 hr · 30 to 50 GEL · Order: Lobio bean stew in a clay pot with mchadi cornbreadNext door
  6. 14:00Rest at the hotelAfternoons get warm in July and August, so this is nap and pool time.Rustaveli Avenue · about 2 hrs 30 min · FreeBolt, 10 min
  7. 17:00Private sulphur bath at Chreli AbanoBook a private family room with its own hot sulphur pool. Keep little ones in for short spells, the water is very warm.Abanotubani · about 1 hr · 120 to 250 GEL per room per hourBolt, 10 min

Tip: Bring a Metromoney card or use a contactless bank card for the cable car, cash is not accepted at the gate.

Day 3 Mountain day in Kazbegi

  1. 08:00Drive north on the Georgian Military RoadA private driver for the day is the most comfortable choice with kids, you stop when you want. Bring jackets, it is 10 degrees cooler up there.Tbilisi to Kazbegi · about 3 hrs with stops · 300 to 400 GEL per car for the day
  2. 09:15Ananuri Fortress above the Zhinvali ReservoirA 17th century fortress with two churches right on a turquoise lake, a perfect leg stretch.Ananuri · about 45 min · FreeDrive, 1 hr 15 min
  3. 11:00Russia Georgia Friendship Monument viewpointA big curved mosaic wall on the edge of a cliff over the Devil's Valley. Hold small hands, the drop is real.Gudauri · about 30 min · FreeDrive, 1 hr
  4. 12:30Gergeti Trinity ChurchThe famous hilltop church under Mount Kazbek. Your driver can take the paved road almost to the top. Women cover hair and wear a skirt, wraps are at the gate.Stepantsminda · about 1 hr · FreeDrive, 50 min
  5. 13:45Lunch on the terrace at Rooms Hotel KazbegiThe terrace faces the church and the glacier, worth it even for a simple lunch. Reserve in summer.Stepantsminda · about 1 hr 15 min · 50 to 80 GEL · Order: Chicken mtsvadi (grilled skewers) and khachapuriDrive, 15 min
  6. 15:15Drive back to TbilisiKids usually sleep most of the way. Stop at a roadside stall in Pasanauri for churchkhela if you like.Kazbegi to Tbilisi · about 3 hrs · included in the day hireSame driver

Tip: The Kazbegi road can close for snow from December to March, so check the weather the night before and swap this with day 4 if needed.

Day 4 Mtskheta and Mtatsminda Park

  1. 09:30Jvari MonasteryA 6th century church on a hill where two rivers meet, with the old capital spread out below.Mtskheta · about 45 min · Free
  2. 10:30Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and old MtskhetaGeorgia's most important cathedral inside fortress walls, with a lane of souvenir and churchkhela stalls outside.Mtskheta · about 1 hr 30 min · FreeTaxi, 15 min
  3. 13:00Lunch in the garden at Cafe LitteraModern Georgian cooking in the leafy garden of a 1900s mansion, calm and pretty.Sololaki, Writers' House · about 1 hr 15 min · 60 to 100 GEL · Order: Chakapuli, lamb stewed with tarragon and plumsBolt, 35 min
  4. 14:30Rest at the hotelA long afternoon break so everyone is fresh for the park tonight.Rustaveli Avenue · about 2 hrs 30 min · FreeWalk or Bolt, 10 min
  5. 17:00Funicular up to Mtatsminda ParkA hilltop amusement park with a Ferris wheel, small rollercoaster and kids' rides, plus the best view of the city.Mtatsminda · about 2 hrs · Funicular about 3 GEL each way, rides 3 to 10 GEL each on a park cardBolt to the lower funicular station, 10 min
  6. 19:00Dinner at Funicular RestaurantNext to the top funicular station with big windows over the city. The cafe downstairs is famous for its warm ponchiki.Mtatsminda · about 1 hr 30 min · 40 to 70 GEL · Order: Ponchiki (cream filled doughnuts) after imeruli khachapuriWalk, 5 min

Tip: Buy the Mtatsminda park card at the entrance kiosk and load it once, every ride and the funicular use it.

Day 5 Cathedral, market and home

  1. 09:30Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba)One of the biggest Orthodox cathedrals in the world, with gardens and ponds that kids enjoy. Dress modestly.Avlabari · about 45 min · Free
  2. 10:45Dry Bridge MarketAn open air flea market of paintings, old Soviet badges, enamel jewellery and handmade gifts. Bargain gently.Dry Bridge · about 1 hr 15 min · free to browseBolt, 10 min
  3. 12:30Lunch at Shavi LomiA much loved modern Georgian restaurant in an old house, a nice last lunch.Sololaki · about 1 hr 15 min · 60 to 100 GEL · Order: Badrijani nigvzit, aubergine rolls with walnut pasteBolt, 10 min
  4. 14:00Back to the hotel to collect bagsAsk the hotel to hold your bags after check out so you are not rushing in the morning.Rustaveli Avenue · about 45 min · FreeBolt, 10 min
  5. 15:00Transfer to Tbilisi International AirportAllow extra time on Friday evenings when traffic out of the city is slow.Tbilisi Airport · about 30 min · 25 to 35 GEL per carBolt, 30 min

Tip: Change leftover lari back at the city exchange booths before you leave, airport rates are worse.

Where to stay

Tbilisi, Rustaveli and Freedom Square · nights 1 to 5Central, flat and safe, with easy Bolt rides to the old town and quick exits for day trips.
  • The Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi luxury · about 600 to 1,000 GEL a night Big rooms, an indoor pool and suites that suit larger families.
  • Courtyard by Marriott Tbilisi mid · about 350 to 550 GEL a night Right on Freedom Square with reliable service and a pool.
  • Mercure Tbilisi Old Town budget · about 220 to 350 GEL a night Walk to the baths and the cable car, good breakfast.

Hotel prices are typical. Make it yours to see today's prices for your dates.

What to eat

  • Adjaruli khachapuri at Machakhela / Samikitno, Meidan The famous cheese boat with egg and butter, kids treat it like pizza.
  • Chakapuli lamb stew at Cafe Littera, Sololaki A spring and summer lamb dish with tarragon, a good choice when you want meat without pork.
  • Badrijani nigvzit at Shavi Lomi, Sololaki Aubergine rolled around walnut paste, the classic Georgian starter.
  • Lobio with mchadi at Cafe Gabriadze, Old Tbilisi Warm spiced beans in a clay pot with cornbread, simple and filling.
  • Ponchiki at Funicular Restaurant, Mtatsminda Warm cream doughnuts that every Tbilisi child grows up on.
  • Churchkhela at Stalls outside Svetitskhoveli in Mtskheta and on the Kazbegi road Walnuts dipped in thick grape juice, a natural sweet and an easy gift to carry home.

Evenings are relaxed and family friendly, with people strolling Rustaveli and the old town until late. Restaurants serve wine, but you will not feel out of place at an early family dinner.

Why it is planned this way

  • I put the cable car first thing on day 2, the queue at Rike Park gets long by late morning.
  • I kept Kazbegi as a full day with a private driver, so you can stop for photos and toilet breaks with the kids.
  • I put Gergeti around midday because clouds usually roll over Mount Kazbek in the afternoon.
  • I noted the Jumah Mosque in Abanotubani so you can pray in the old town, and I flagged that pork is common so you can order beef, lamb or chicken.

Other plans for Tbilisi

Opening times and prices change. Tomo checks them again for your dates when you make the plan yours.

Your dates, your hotel, your pace