Tbilisi - Gorgeous Georgian Splendour

Tbilisi Old Town: the Bridge of Love and the Orbeliani Baths

Tbilisi still holds the status of 'You're going where? Why?' Many Westerners haven't even heard of it, and those who have know very little about it.

However, trust us: this city is definitely worth a visit, especially if you take advantage of the affordable flights from EasyJet.

A blend of history, culture, religion, and culinary delights, the Caucasian nation of Georgia is where Central Asia meets Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Proudly Orthodox Christian, as evidenced by its numerous churches and grand cathedral, Georgia is unique, bordering large Turkic Muslim nations. It even boasts its own alphabet, unique to the language, which is protected by UNESCO. Georgia is the world's second oldest nation and has an archaeological claim to be the birthplace of wine, apiculture (raising bees for honey), and the Caucasian (white European) races.

The city itself is a delight to explore. Named after its natural warm sulphur baths, modern buildings contrast with ancient churches and historic structures, which can be perfectly viewed from near to the semi-ruined Narikala Fortress.

Tbilisi is a place where your knowledge, friendships, and imagination will expand, but certainly not your budget.

Our suggestion? Visit soon, before this destination becomes more popular and while it still offers exceptional value for money.

How to get there

Tbilisi Old Town

British Airways and EasyJet have direct flights to Tbilisi from London. EasyJet is currently by far the cheapest (by around 50%!). Other airlines may also have indirect flights, but are likely to be much more expensive.

Transport in Tbilisi is very cheap. The forty-five-minute-long bus ride from the airport costs 1 GEL (£0.28).

Bridge over the Kura River leading to the Old Town

How we did it

Due to timing to fit it neatly into our annual leave, we flew from Glasgow to Geneva and picked up the flight to Tbilisi the next day. On the way back, we flew via London Luton. There is quite a long layover between the flights on the way back, so you may want to book a hotel in Luton or change flights in Geneva.

Hotel: Citadel Narikala, through Expedia. This is a very unique hotel with a top-notch breakfast which we heartily recommend—except if you have mobility issues as it's on a steep hill. There are many hotels in Tbilisi. However, most of the big western chains are based in the ‘new town’ area of the city, across the river from the Old Town. The newer area is a curious hodgepodge of newer buildings and older ones that look very rundown, due to some rather lax town planning and building control. Our recommendation is that you get a hotel in the Old Town. It may be a little more expensive, but is likely to be nicer, more characterful, and closer to all the main attractions, if a little further from the airport bus stop. Hotels in Tbilisi are generally great value anyway, so paying a little more won't be too much.

Flights: EasyJet

Transport: TTC

Tours: We toured Tbilisi ourselves on foot. There is no need to take a guided tour, or for a boat trip, and definitely not for the very overpriced city bus tour. The Old Town in particular is very walkable.

Our top tips

• There is a slightly complex procedure to obtain a travel card at Tbilisi airport. You will likely not need to do it. Your downtown bus transfer can be paid using a foreign credit card and the city centre is very walkable.

• Eat in local restaurants. Not only is the food delicious, it's also outstanding value - at the time of writing, a meal at a restaurant in one of the most expensive parts of the town costs less than £10 per person! Foreign food is much more expensive.

• Shop around for tours. Some are extremely reasonably priced and will take you to wonderful places you likely did not even know existed in this incredible country.

Want to see where we visited? Click here.