Coolest Neighborhoods to Stay in Tbilisi as a First Time Visitor

Trying to decide the where to stay in Tbilisi for your first visit?— the city’s neighborhoods vary a lot in vibe, layout, and accessibility, and each one offers a very different experience. If you’re visiting Tbilisi for the first time and want more than just a central hotel, this guide breaks down the best areas to stay in Tbilisi based on what matters: atmosphere, walkability, nearby cafes and restaurants, and how easy it is to explore the city from your base.

During my recent trip to Georgia, I spent time exploring the different parts of the city on foot and have put together this guide based on what actually matters when choosing where to stay — vibe, transport, walkability, and places with character.

Old Town (Kala)

Best for: First-timers · Walkable location · Historic feel & iconic views

If you’re looking for the best area to stay in Tbilisi for a first visit, you’ll likely be drawn to Kala — the Old Town. This is the postcard side of the city: winding cobbled streets, leaning wooden balconies, old caravanserais turned wine bars, and rooftop views over tiled domes and church spires.

It’s atmospheric, packed with sights, and easy to explore on foot — but it’s also the most touristy part of town, so expect crowds, especially in summer.

The neighbourhood curves from Freedom Square down to the river and back up again to the foot of Narikala Fortress. Accommodation in Tbilisi Old Town is diverse — there are boutique hotels tucked behind hidden courtyards, small guesthouses in restored homes, and a few luxury stays with panoramic terraces. You’ll be steps from the sulfur baths, Rike Park, and the cable car — but note that cars can’t reach every street here, and Bolt rides might drop you a short walk away.

Kala is ideal if you want to stay somewhere photogenic and close to the action. But if you prefer peace and quiet or are staying longer, you might find the buzz a bit much. → Check availability for hotels in Tbilisi Old Town here

Where to Stay in Old Town (Kala)

Options here range from design-forward boutiques to traditional guesthouses, many housed in old buildings with wooden balconies and garden courtyards.

Boutique Hotel → Mimino Hotel & Wine Bar – Restored old house with rustic-modern rooms, a wine-focused restaurant, and terrace views over the baths.
→ Check availability at Mimino Hotel

Mid-Range Hotel → Old Side Hotel – Polished interiors and a super central location near Meidan Square — easy to access but set just off the busy street.
→ See latest prices at Old Side Hotel

Guesthouse → Guesthouse Old Meidan – Small and locally run, with wooden balconies and a relaxed, homey vibe. Great location for walking.
→ Book Guesthouse Old Meidan

Things to Do in Old Town

• Abanotubani Sulfur Baths – A must-try local experience, even if just for the architecture. Some of the bathhouses offer private rooms.
• Narikala Fortress – Climb the hill or take the cable car for panoramic views over the city.
• Shardeni & Erekle II Streets – Lively pedestrian streets with wine bars, galleries, and small restaurants — busy but full of atmosphere.
  
• Shardeni Street & Erekle II – Lively streets full of bars, restaurants, and galleries in old merchant buildings.
  

Hidden Gems in Old Town

• Leila Café – Art-nouveau interiors and vegetarian dishes in a tiny old building near the mosque.
  
• Botanical Garden Back Entrance – A quiet access point near the baths — perfect for a peaceful stroll away from the crowds.
  
• Below the Bridge Art Space – A small underground gallery just off Rike Park that hosts experimental exhibitions and live music.
• Karvasla Museum (Tbilisi History Museum) – A small but well-curated museum inside a former caravanserai building near Sioni.

Sololaki

Best for: Walkable charm · Historic apartments · Old Town access without the noise

Sololaki sits right behind Freedom Square on the slopes of Mtatsminda — a historic neighbourhood where fading aristocratic homes and ornate balconies meet a more lived-in, local energy. It’s one of the best areas to stay in Tbilisi if you want character and convenience. The area is central and atmospheric but quieter than the main tourist drag, making it a favourite for people who want to explore on foot and still feel like they’re staying in a real part of the city.

This was once a wealthy merchant district, and it still shows — think art nouveau facades, tiled entryways, and beautiful old staircases (sometimes crumbling). Sololaki’s charm lies in the everyday details, and it suits travellers who prefer a bit of history and grit over gloss. There’s a growing mix of creative cafés and restaurants tucked between the houses — but you won’t find big hotels or busy streets. Instead, most Tbilisi accommodation here is in restored guesthouses, boutique hotels, or apartments set in old buildings with lots of personality.

→ Check availability for hotels in Sololaki here

You can walk to the Old Town in under 10 minutes, but you’ll avoid the heavy crowds and late-night noise. It’s a great middle ground between tourist access and genuine neighbourhood feel. Bolt rides to other parts of the city are cheap and fast.

Where to Stay in Sololaki

Sololaki mostly offers boutique guesthouses, converted apartments, and a few tasteful hotels tucked into older buildings. Many have beautiful balconies, quirky interiors, or hidden courtyards.

Boutique Hotel → Hotel Aivani
A charming hotel with wooden balconies and views of the sulphur baths. Rooms are traditional yet polished. Right in the heart of Abanotubani.
→ Check availability at Hotel Aivani

Mid-Range Hotel → Hotel Kalasi
Reliable, good-value option just off Freedom Square. Clean, spacious rooms and walking distance to all the main Old Town sights.
→ See latest prices at Hotel Kalasi

Luxury Hotel → Ambassadori Tbilisi
A refined, well-established hotel blending classic design with modern touches. Spacious rooms, indoor pool, and riverside location steps from the Old Town gates.
→ Check availability at Ambassadori Tbilisi

Things to Do in Sololaki

• Lado Asatiani Street – One of the prettiest residential streets in the city. Great for a stroll with its mix of balconies, old houses, and street cats.
  
• Gabriadze Theatre & Clock Tower – Just nearby, this whimsical spot is both a photo stop and a cultural landmark.
  
• Freedom Square & Rustaveli Avenue – Sololaki borders both, giving you quick access to major museums, shopping, and restaurants.
  

Hidden Gems in Sololaki

• Ezo by Lisi – Tucked in a courtyard, this cozy café serves fresh, local meals in a leafy garden setting.
  
• 91° Wine Bar – Intimate and informal wine bar known for small-batch Georgian labels.
  
• Kikodze Stairs – A hidden passage leading down to the lower town — quiet, shaded, and full of charm.
  

Chugureti

Best for: Cool cafés · Young, creative crowd · Central but a bit rough-around-the-edges

Chugureti (sometimes called Marjanishvili after the main square) sits just over the river from the Old Town and has a completely different energy. It’s a bit scruffier than the other side — not in a bad way, just more lived-in and less polished — and it’s home to a mix of old factories, street art, and some of the best cafés in the city.

The area’s had a bit of a revival in recent years. Aghmashenebeli Avenue has been spruced up with pastel facades and wide footpaths, but once you wander off the main road, things get a lot more local. You’ll find traditional bakeries, old brick apartment blocks, and places like Fabrika — an old Soviet sewing factory that’s now a hostel, bar and creative hangout.

It’s a good option if you want to be close to the centre without being right in the thick of tourist crowds. You can walk to the Old Town in about 15 minutes, and the metro makes it easy to get around. It’s the kind of neighbourhood that doesn’t try too hard, which is what makes it appealing.

Chugureti – Industrial Charm, Creative Energy & Great Local Food

Best for: Trendy cafés · Creative crowd · Central but not touristy

Chugureti, often called Marjanishvili after its main square and metro station, sits just north of the river and feels like a world apart from the postcard side of Tbilisi. This neighbourhood blends old industrial bones — think brick warehouses, faded facades, and tram lines — with an emerging creative scene. If you’re looking for the coolest neighbourhoods to stay in Tbilisi with a local feel, Chugureti is right up there.

It’s central, well-connected, and packed with third-wave coffee shops, natural wine bars, and restaurants that spill onto the pavements. The restored section of Aghmashenebeli Avenue brings wide sidewalks and pastel buildings, while the backstreets are full of street art, vintage signage, and a more raw, lived-in energy. It attracts a mix of remote workers, creatives, and younger travellers — especially those staying a bit longer or looking for Tbilisi accommodation that’s outside the tourist zones but still close to everything.

From here, it’s 15–20 minutes on foot to the Old Town, or a few stops on the metro. Bolt rides to other parts of the city are quick and cheap. If you want to explore both sides of the river but prefer to sleep somewhere with more grit and charm than glitz, this is a great area to base yourself. → [Browse the best hotels in Chugureti here]

Where to Stay in Chugureti

You’ll find stylish boutique hotels, industrial-chic lofts, and good-value guesthouses in Chugureti — many converted from old buildings and full of personality.

Boutique Hotel → Fabrika Hostel & Suites – Set inside a repurposed Soviet sewing factory, this creative hub blends dorms and private rooms with Tbilisi’s most vibrant courtyard full of bars, cafes, and studios. Ideal if you want atmosphere and connection. I stayed here for the first part of my stay in Tbilsi and absolutely loved the creative and casual vibe here.
→ Check availability at Fabrika Tbilisi

Mid-Range Hotel → Graphica Hotel – Contemporary design with clean rooms and friendly service. Walkable to metro, Aghmashenebeli, and all the main cafés.
→ See latest prices at Graphica Hotel

Things to Do in Chugureti

• Aghmashenebeli Avenue – Fully pedestrianised in sections, this long boulevard is lined with restaurants, wine bars, and cafes in restored 19th-century buildings.
  
• Marjanishvili Theatre – A beautiful Soviet-era building still used for plays and performances — worth seeing even from the outside.
  
• Mshrali Bridge – Cross over for a great sunset view of the Old Town rooftops and Narikala in the distance.
  

Hidden Gems in Chugureti

• Shavi Lomi (Black Lion) – One of Tbilisi’s best restaurants for modern Georgian cuisine in a courtyard setting.
  
• Churi Wine Bar – Small, warm, and packed with character. Specialises in natural and qvevri wines.
  
• Fabrika Courtyard – This converted sewing factory is now a cultural hub with street food, events, shops, and a cool communal vibe.
  

Mtatsminda

Best for: Classic vibe · Hill views · Culture and convenience

Mtatsminda is one of the most central and historic areas to stay in Tbilisi, perched just above Rustaveli Avenue and stretching up the lower slopes of Mtatsminda Mountain. If you’re searching for the best area to stay in Tbilisi for first-time visitors, this neighbourhood ticks a lot of boxes — it’s close to museums, theatres, and major landmarks, yet still has that lived-in, slightly faded charm that defines the city.

The atmosphere here is classic and a bit more old-school. Streets wind past 19th-century buildings with decorative balconies and heavy wooden doors. Some parts feel grand and stately, others quiet and residential. It’s easy to walk down into the city centre, and Bolt rides up the hill are quick and cheap if you don’t feel like walking back up. You’ll find Tbilisi hotels here that cater to all budgets, especially around Liberty Square and Rustaveli.

Mtatsminda is a good middle-ground: more polished than Chugureti, less touristy than the Old Town, and with some of the city’s best views. It suits visitors who want to be close to cultural sites and good restaurants, with a calm place to retreat to at the end of the day.

→ Explore top-rated places to stay in Mtatsminda here

Where to Stay in Mtatsminda

The area is dotted with traditional guesthouses, compact apartments, and mid-range hotels — many tucked away on quiet uphill lanes just behind Rustaveli.

Boutique Hotel → Castor & Pollux Hotel – Stylish with a luxurious touch, this boutique hotel in tucked in the slopes of Mtatsminda just above Rustaveli. It feels tucked-away yet central — perfect if you want a peaceful stay within walking distance of cafes, museums, and the funicular.
→ Check availability at Castor & Pollux Hotel

Mid-Range Hotel → Badagoni Rustaveli Boutique Hotel – A reliable pick with big rooms and balconies facing the avenue. Great for anyone wanting to stay central without the crowds.
→ See latest prices at Badagoni Rustaveli Boutique Hotel

Historic Hotel → Hotel Museum – Inside a restored townhouse just off Liberty Square, is convenient, easy walking distance to Mtatsminda highlights, with calm, comfortable rooms and a relaxed pace. Their beautiful front terrace is a nice bonus too!
→ See availability at Hotel Museum

Things to Do in Mtatsminda

• Mtatsminda Park & Funicular – Ride the funicular to the top of the mountain for some of the best city views. There’s also a small amusement park and a handful of restaurants.
  
• Rustaveli Avenue – Tbilisi’s cultural spine, lined with museums, galleries, and iconic buildings like the Parliament and Opera House.
  
• Kashveti Church & the National Gallery – Right on Rustaveli, this small gold-domed church sits next to one of the city’s best-curated art spaces.
  

Hidden Gems in Mtatsminda

• Amodi – A rooftop bar perched halfway up the mountain with sweeping sunset views. A quiet spot even locals sometimes miss.
  
• Prospero’s Books & Café – Part English-language bookshop, part café — a cosy stop for coffee and a good read near Rustaveli.
  
• Elene Akhvlediani House Museum – A tucked-away artist’s home that’s easy to miss but full of charm and history.
  

Vera

Best for: Chill neighbourhood close to the centre · Boutique hotels with a local feel · Fewer tourists, more lived-in charm

Just uphill from Rustaveli Avenue, Vera is a quieter, more residential part of central Tbilisi with a slightly old-school charm. Tree-lined streets, ageing apartment blocks, and early 20th-century homes give the area a settled feel. It’s the kind of place where neighbours stop to chat, kids play in the courtyards, and the pace is a little more relaxed.

Vera doesn’t have major sights, but that’s part of the appeal. It’s well connected — Rustaveli metro is a short walk downhill, and Bolt rides to anywhere in the city take 10 minutes or less. If you’re looking for the best area to stay in Tbilisi that feels calm but still central, Vera is a solid pick, especially for longer stays or working remotely.

→ Browse available hotels in Vera here

Where to Stay in Vera

Most accommodation in Vera is boutique-style or guesthouse format, with a few standout hotels that locals actually go to for coffee and events. Options here tend to be stylish but low-key, and it’s one of the most walkable places to stay in Tbilisi.

Boutique Hotel → Rooms Hotel Tbilisi – Design-forward and full of atmosphere, with an industrial vibe, oversized rooms, and a courtyard café popular with locals.
→ Check availability at Rooms Hotel

Mid-Range Hotel → Hotel City Tbilisi – Bright, modern rooms and a rooftop terrace with sweeping city views. A reliable, well-rated option tucked on the edge of Vera and Rustaveli — perfect if you want comfort with easy access to the metro and Old Town.
→ Check availability at Hotel City Tbilisi

Guesthouse → Guesthouse Otar – Family-run, tucked on a peaceful side street. Great if you want something modest and personal.
→ Book Guesthouse Otar

Things to Do in Vera

• Zurab Tsereteli Museum of Modern Art
  Located just down the hill, this compact gallery highlights work by the Georgian-Russian artist and his contemporaries. The building itself is worth a look.
  
• Rustaveli Avenue
  One of Tbilisi’s main cultural corridors is right nearby — home to the Opera and Ballet Theatre, major museums, and big-name shops.
  
• Vera Park
  A modest neighbourhood park with a few benches and a playground. Surrounded by cafés and residential streets, it’s a nice place to sit and take a break.
  

Hidden Gems in Vera

• Coffee LAB – Widely regarded as one of the city’s best coffee spots. Known for pour-overs and a minimalist vibe.
  
• Art House Tbilisi – A hybrid gallery-bar tucked inside an old house on Makashvili Street. Often used for pop-ups and exhibitions.
  
• Stamba Courtyard – An open garden space behind Stamba and Rooms Hotel. Public, quiet, and surprisingly overlooked.

Avlabari – Hilltop Views, History, and a Quieter Local Feel

Best for: Local vibe · Walkable to Old Town · Hilltop views & peaceful streets

Just across the river from Old Town, Avlabari offers a quieter, more residential base with easy access to the city’s main sights. It’s one of the oldest parts of Tbilisi, and while not as polished as the tourist centre, it still carries a strong sense of place — old brick homes, wide streets, and locals gathering on doorsteps. From here, you can look back across the river to the golden rooftops of the sulfur baths and the silhouette of Narikala Fortress.

It’s a mix of new and old: boutique guesthouses sit beside half-renovated buildings, and one street over you’ll find sweeping views from Sameba Cathedral, Georgia’s largest religious building. The atmosphere is slower, but you’re still within 15–20 minutes’ walk of Freedom Square — or a quick Bolt ride if the hills aren’t for you. For first-time visitors looking for a more local-feeling place to stay in Tbilisi without being too far removed, Avlabari strikes a good balance.

→ Check availability for hotels in Avlabari here

Where to Stay in Avlabari

Most accommodation in Avlabari is in guesthouses or mid-range hotels, with a few modern apartments available for longer stays. Prices are often more affordable than Old Town.

Boutique Hotel → Hotel Tato Avlabari – Bright, modern interiors and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the city. A relaxed but refined vibe.
→ Check availability at Hotel Tato

Mid-Range Hotel → Atlant Hotel – New-build stay with tidy rooms and great city outlooks. Good comfort at a reasonable price.
→ See latest prices at Atlant Hotel

Guesthouse → Mariam R Guesthouse – Family-run and centrally located, this low-key spot is ideal if you want something simple and welcoming.
→ Book Mariam R Guesthouse

Things to Do in Avlabari

• Sameba Cathedral (Holy Trinity) – A modern landmark visible from almost anywhere in the city. Peaceful gardens and sweeping views make it worth the walk.
  
• Metekhi Church & Park – Set on a rocky cliff overlooking the river — great for photos and a gentle stroll.
  
• Queen Darejan Palace (Sachino) – A lesser-known royal residence with balconies, views and a slightly timeworn charm.
  
• Easy walks to Meidan or Rike Park – You’re just across the bridge from the Peace Bridge and cable car up to Narikala.
  

Hidden Gems in Avlabari

• Wine Buffet – Friendly, affordable wine bar with a rotating selection of Georgian natural wines. Relaxed and unpretentious.
  
• The stairways behind Sameba – These quiet paths weave between old homes and gardens — great for a glimpse of local life.
  
• Machakhela Bakery – Tiny, no-frills spot where you can grab khachapuri fresh from the oven. Popular with locals.
  

Are you planning a trip to Georgia? Check out our useful guides below –