Tbilisi – a city full of contrasts
Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and a city where almost half of its citizens live. Thanks to rich history and infrastructure it is often visited by tourists. The most frequented places are Rustavelli street, Freedom Square, Peace Bridge or overlooking the city Narikala Fortress. These places are full of street peddlers of various souvenirs and refreshments. The street between Freedom Square and Sulphur baths is lined with entrepreneurial drivers offering guided tours in Georgia. Many bars and restaurants as well as street stand remain open late into the nights.
The nickname of the city that never sleeps belongs to New York, although Tbilisi in the peak summer season could very well be called the same. If you have an evening to spare in Tbilisi I sincerely recommend taking the cable car after dark to Narikala fortress. It runs until midnight and costs 5 GEL for a round-trip. Gates work with a metro card. If you do not have one it can be bought and charged at the cash desk for extra 2 GEL and can be returned later if you keep the receipt. Of course I lost mine so I have my card as a souvenir
Once we reach the high point we can admire lit up cathedrals, monuments, bridges or tv tower. City’s light stretch in almost every direction till horizon sprawling across nearby hills. It allows to really notice the scale of this 1,5 million city. In this spectacle of lights the city looks completely different compared to its daylight visage. https://youtu.be/qze1hxFPVAQ
Tbilisi is a city full of contrasts. Century old building in the centre neighbor new, glass skyscrapers. Exclusive shops of world’s best brands, expensive hotels create an image of wealth and luxury. However all it takes is a short stroll to leave main tourist areas to see a different capital where life has a slower pace. Old, dilapidated buildings, broken pavements. Single renovated house in a sea of old ones. What remains is hard working people. Small shops, bakeries, food stands or workshops where usually older people offer their goods and services.
Which of these is the real Tbilisi? I invite you to find out yourself and visit Georgia.













