Tbilisi has a lot of accommodation offers. These are modern hotels, guesthouses and apartments. I will tell you about the neighborhoods and give you an example of average prices for accommodation in them. Prices per day for guesthouses are per person, for apartments — for the whole accommodation.
Mtatsminda
The neighborhood is named after the mountain on which it is located. At the foot of the «Sacred Mountain» are the central Shota Rustaveli Avenue and Liberty Square. Shota Rustaveli Avenue and Freedom Square. From here it is a short walk to the Old Town and the main sights of the capital. There are many expensive hotels here, such as the Radisson Iveria, Tbilisi Merriot, Biltmore, as well as a large number of apartments and hostels.
This area has its own disadvantage: there is almost no public transportation on the streets going up from the avenue, apart from a couple of shuttle buses. If you find it difficult to walk, you should not take apartments that are on the slopes of the mountain. You will have to walk uphill.
It is more convenient to rent accommodation on the streets below the avenue, Kostava or Tabukashvili. The last one faces expensive hotels and Rose Square, and many apartments overlook the Kura. The average price per night in apartments in this area is $30—35, gesthouses — $10—15.
Another weak point of the neighborhood: the houses here are mostly old, built back in the middle of the last century. There are a lot of Italian courtyards with a lot of neighbors. Although, if you want to plunge into the Tbilisi flavor for a while, this is just what you need.
Sololaki
The central district, located above Freedom Square. There are many apartments and guesthouses in buildings of Stalinist architecture, good cafes and restaurants, stores and banks. From here there is a road to Mtatsminda Park and the former Komsomol Alley, where the sculpture of the Mother of Georgia stands.
Although the neighborhood is densely populated, it is peaceful. The proximity of government facilities ensures frequent police patrols. Prices start from $30, in guesthouses from $12—15.
Wake and Saburtalo
Homeowners say that tourists in Tbilisi should stay in the Vake or Saburtalo districts. There are many offers of comfortable housing in new buildings with fresh renovation. There are banks, cafes, stores and confectioneries at every step.
Housing here is more expensive, but it is more suitable for permanent residence than for vacation: the windows overlook other high-rise buildings. The exception is the top floors of the Holiday Inn or accommodation in the green, ecologically clean side of Vake-Bagebi. From here it is relatively far from popular tourist routes and there are no attractions for which tourists come to Tbilisi.
The proximity of Wake Park provides a green area around. Prices for a day in apartments — from 40—60 $.
Varketili and Vazisubani
These neighborhoods are built in the neighborhood. The owners of Varketil housing represent the main attraction of the neighborhood by its proximity to the airport and relatively low prices.
It is useful for tourists to know that the airport is 17 km away from the city center. Bus #37 goes there, and a cab will take you there for 20 GEL ($7.5). Therefore, the proximity of the airport in the scale of Tbilisi ceases to be a relevant factor for the choice of vacation accommodation. Varketili and Vazisubani are dormitory districts, and you can get to the center by public transport. There is a grocery and clothing market nearby, as well as the large East Point shopping center. Prices for housing in this neighborhood are from $20.
Old Tbilisi
The Old Town begins below Liberty Square. It includes Abanotubani (the Sulphur Baths area), the area around Europe Square and part of the adjacent Avlabari neighborhood.
The main sights of Tbilisi are within walking distance:
- Chardin’s favorite pedestrian street;
- Monument to the founder of the city Vakhtang Gorgasali and the church on the Metekh Bridge;
- the Cathedral of Sioni, which he founded;
- the glass Peace Bridge;
- Narikala Fortress;
- road to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, the largest church in Georgia and the third largest in the world.
And many restored houses characteristic of the old town.
It is ideal for a tourist to live in the old Tbilisi neighborhood. Buses with excursion routes start from here, a cable car takes you up to the Narikala Fortress, stores offer souvenirs and local delicacies, Georgian cuisine restaurants beckon with the aromas of shashlik and khachapuri. The ferry takes guests of the capital on the Kura River. Beautiful views of colorful city landscapes and proximity of all sights. Prices for accommodation — from 35—50 $, in gesthouses — from 10 $.
One last piece of advice. Tbilisi is a safe city, but petty thieves are often out hunting. Try not to carry the whole amount or keep your money and documents with you, in a safe place.
