Two Days in Tbilisi: Day 2

Hi there, this is the second of a two-part article about what to see in Tbilisi in two days. If you haven’t read the previous post, you can check out what do to on your first day in Tbilisi. Should you plan to be in the city for just one day, you can use part one as a reference.

Unlike the day before, on your second day you will visit different parts of the city, so you will need to use a taxi or public transport to move around town. You can start your second day on the eastern side of the river, visiting the local market, an interesting place to see locals doing their everyday shopping and to buy some good fresh fruits.

See Also: The Top Places to Visit in Georgia

It is located near Station Square metro station. There is a huge clothes section, but the food market is definitely the most interesting part. The vendors are all in what seems to be disused train platforms and are very approachable, rarely refusing to pose for pictures.

From here you should visit the Marjanishvili area, about a one-kilometre walk from the market or a 3-minute metro journey. If you want to walk, just go to Giorgi Chubinashvili and walk straight ahead, Gogol Street, turn right when on Kote Marjanshvili, some five blocks away and keep walking towards the metro station, on Marjanishvili square.

You will notice an enormous contrast if you compare this area with the previous one. Here the buildings are all very well maintained and you will find many restaurants and cosy cafés around the square. It’s the perfect place to have a nice breakfast and get the energy you will need for the rest of the day. A good cafe I tried and enjoyed is Cafe Inn, right by the roundabout, with great atmosphere, outside seating, wifi and, most importantly, great coffee and cakes!

One of the attractions in the area is the Marjanishvili Theatre, one of the two most important theatres in the capital, along with Rustaveli Theatre, however, all spectacles are in Georgian.

Next, take a cab to the Sameba Cathedral (Holy Trinity), roughly ten minutes drive from here. Built in 2003, it is Georgia’s largest church and one of the most remarkable orthodox churches you will ever see. It rises to an impressive 101 metres high, and its interior comprises 10 churches.

The bell tower and its gates are also outstanding pieces of architecture in their own right.

Buy Your Lonely Planet Guide To Georgia Here!

Near Sameba Cathedral is the Presidential Palace, designed by the Italian architect Michele de Lucchi, and finished in 2004. Its main feature is the huge glass dome, visible from almost anywhere in the city. Keep on walking along the avenue that will also offer you stunning views of the city, and you will get to Avlabari Square, where you will see the Ejmiatsin Armenian Church. From here walk down Metekhi rise, with its renovated old houses and you will get to the historical Metekhi Church.

See Also: Best Hotels to Stay in Tbilisi

Perched on top of a cliff by Mtkvari River, it is one of Tbilisi’s most popular wedding venues. If you are here on a Saturday or Sunday, you will see many newlywed couples and a number of limousines, each one longer than the other.

Many historical facts took place here, and the church was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and was even rebuilt by the one-time Muslim king Shakhnavaz and used for gun powder storage until 1690.

As you descend Metekhi Rise, there are some nice restaurants where you can have lunch. After your meal, you will get to the modern and still-with-a-lot-come Europe Square.

The place has quirky touches aplenty, from a giant piano to a giant chessboard, besides half a mile of flowers. Peace Bridge, also the brainchild of architect Michele de Lucchi, is especially hypnotising at night, when its lights flash in a dance-like rhythm.

See Also: The Best Georgian Restaurants in London

This is also where you can board the cable car (only 1GEL per person), which was opened in 2012, to go up Narikhala again. Watching night falling over Tbilisi from up there, with the city lights slowly being lit, is quite a magical sight.

To end your night, you can go for drinks and dinner at one of the many restaurants on Chardin Street in the Old Town. One of the best choices is Hemingway Cafe, where you can also try some of the best sushi in town.

After dinner, and to close your two days in the Georgian capital in great style, you shouldn’t miss a show at the Gabriadze Marionette Theatre, just 10 minutes from here. The building itself is one of the most picturesque in Old Tbilisi, with its leaning tower and French-style cafe.

Also, check out my other post with top things to do in Tbilisi, for a slightly different insight.

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