Old Tbilisi Walking Tour: Sulphur Baths, Narikala & Metekhi

Summary

Discover Tbilisi’s Historic Heart on Foot

You’ll wander through Tbilisi’s oldest neighborhoods, soaking up real local life—from ancient bathhouses to fortress views and lively streets full of stories. If you want to feel this city under your feet (and maybe try those famous sulphur baths), this is your tour.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the smell—kind of eggy, but not unpleasant—drifting from the Abanotubani district. That’s where we found the old sulphur bathhouses, their domed roofs poking up like little hills. Our guide, Giorgi, explained how locals have been coming here for centuries to soak and gossip. If you listen closely, you’ll hear the water bubbling under the street grates.

We crossed the Peace Bridge—a glass-and-steel curve that feels almost out of place among all the brickwork. It links the modern Rike Park to the tangled lanes of Old Tbilisi. Kids zipped by on scooters while a street musician played something soft on a duduk. I remember stopping for a minute just to watch people feed pigeons near the riverbank.

Narikala Fortress sits above it all. The climb’s steep (bring good shoes), but worth it for that view—rooftops stacked like puzzle pieces and the Mother of Georgia statue watching over everything. Giorgi pointed out how you can see both old churches and shiny new towers from up there. We also ducked into Metekhi Church across the river; it’s quieter than some spots, with candles flickering in front of faded icons.

On Shardeni Street, restaurants spill out onto cobblestones and you catch whiffs of khinkali dumplings steaming in baskets. We wandered past tiny art galleries and souvenir stalls before ending back at the baths as dusk settled in. The whole walk took about three hours, but honestly, it felt like stepping through layers of history with every turn.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Old and Modern Tbilisi

• Visit Peace Bridge
• Walk in Modern Park
• See Waterfall in Abanotubani
• Tour Narikala Fortress
• View from Mother of Georgia
• Stroll Walking Street
• Visit Iconic Cathedral
• Explore 6th Century Church
• Visit Metekhi Church
• Experience Sulfuric Bathhouses

Top questions

How much walking is involved? Is it suitable for kids or older travelers?

The route covers a few kilometers with some uphill sections—especially to Narikala Fortress—but we go at an easy pace and stop often. Kids and active older travelers usually do fine.

Can I join if I use public transport or have a service animal?

Yes! Public transportation stops are nearby and service animals are welcome throughout the tour.

Do we enter any attractions or just see them from outside?

You’ll go inside some sites like Metekhi Church and can peek into bathhouses if you want—the guide shares tips about which ones locals prefer.

What’s included

This walking tour includes a knowledgeable local guide who shares stories and history along the way. Service animals are allowed, public transport options are close by, and families with infants are welcome (just note infants need to sit on an adult’s lap). A moderate level of fitness helps for some uphill paths.