Tbilisi: when to go and what to pack, Mtskheta and Kakheti

Tbilisi suits almost any season, but in each month the city has its own character. Summer is hot, in spring and autumn it is easy to walk the hills, and in winter the city is quieter and cheaper. Here is how to choose the time, where to go from the capital for one day and what to bring. For the areas and sights of the city itself, see Tbilisi: where to stay and what to see.

How to choose a season

• Spring and autumn. The best time for walks: the climbs to Narikala Fortress and around the Old Town are not tiring, and cafe terraces stay open until evening. Autumn is also tied to winemaking, which is concentrated in Kakheti.
• Summer. Hot, so it is better to put active plans in the morning and evening, and spend the middle of the day in museums, sulfur baths or the shade of parks.
• Winter. There are fewer tourists and museums are calmer. The climbs up the Old Town lanes can be slippery, so you need shoes with a grooved sole.

Check exact temperatures by month in the forecast before you fly, and when choosing dates go by your goals: walks, wine or a short city break. If you are choosing between the capital and the sea, compare with how the season works on the coast in Batumi: when to go and what to see.

Getting around the city

The data in this section comes from the Wikivoyage guide.

• The metro. Two lines, running roughly from 6 am to midnight. The stations closest to the center are Freedom Square on Rustaveli Avenue and Avlabari. A transport card is bought for travel and can be used on buses, minibuses and cable cars.
• Cable cars. Between Rike Park and Narikala Fortress the cabins run roughly from 10 to 22. There is a line from the Rustaveli metro to Mtatsminda Park, which opened after reconstruction in 2024.
• Didube bus station. It has a metro station of the same name, and minibuses to neighboring towns leave from here.

Mtskheta in half a day

Mtskheta lies about 15 km north of Tbilisi. In 1994 it became the first Georgian site on the UNESCO list. The main things here are Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Samtavro Monastery and Jvari Monastery on the hill above the town.

Getting there. Minibuses leave from Didube bus station, with about half an hour on the road. A ticket is bought at the ticket office and, according to Wikivoyage for 2023, cost 2 lari. For the return it is convenient to board at the stop near Samtavro Monastery. The Tbilisi to Kutaisi train stops in Mtskheta once a day, and the timetable does not suit everyone.

Jvari. In a straight line it is under 2 km from the center of Mtskheta, but the road goes uphill and around the river, so on foot the way is noticeably longer. The simplest option is to agree a trip by taxi or to rent a car.

Kakheti in one day or with an overnight stay

Kakheti in eastern Georgia is known for its weather and is considered the center of Georgian winemaking. A convenient base for trips to wineries, castles and monasteries is Telavi. Among other places worth noting are Sighnaghi with its town walls, Tsinandali with the estate of Alexander Chavchavadze and a historic winery, and Gurjaani with the Church of the Dormition. David Gareja Monastery stands on a rock and is hard to reach on your own. If you want an overnight stay, take it in Telavi or Sighnaghi and allow at least two days. Read more in Kakheti: Telavi, Sighnaghi, wine and monasteries.

What to bring

1. Comfortable shoes with a good sole: the streets of the Old Town are steep and in places slippery.
2. A light jacket or sweater for the evening even in the warm season, especially for trips to the mountains and on cable cars.
3. Cash in lari for minibuses and small cafes, and a bank card for the metro and cable cars.
4. A charger and a power bank for long walks with a map.
5. An insurance policy: you can arrange it in advance.

Getting to Tbilisi

Compare fares in the HotTrip flight search: it shows which days are cheaper. If after Tbilisi you want to go to western Georgia, see Kutaisi: what to see and how to get there and Batumi: areas, beaches and where to stay.

Frequently asked questions

Which season is best for Tbilisi?

Spring and autumn are more convenient for walking, and autumn suits wine trips to Kakheti.

How long does it take to get from Tbilisi to Mtskheta?

By minibus from Didube bus station, about half an hour.

Where do I buy a metro ticket?

At the station from the cashier you buy a transport card, which is also accepted on buses, minibuses and cable cars.

Which town is the most convenient base for Kakheti?

Telavi is considered a convenient base for trips to the wineries, castles and monasteries of the region.

How many days do I need for Tbilisi and the surroundings?

The city itself takes 3-4 days, plus half a day for Mtskheta and 1-2 days for Kakheti.

Cover: photo by Artem Yellow on Pexels