Tbilisi in 5 days: old town, Mtskheta and Kazbegi
Tbilisi · Georgia · 5 days
Best time to visit Tbilisi
May to June and September to OctoberBest in May–June and September–October. The Kazbegi day depends on the Georgian Military Highway, which can close after heavy snow between December and March; in July and August Tbilisi reaches 35 °C while the mountains stay cool.
Travelling from the Gulf: Georgia is a favourite Eid and summer-break trip from the Gulf, so Tbilisi hotels and the Kazbegi tours fill in Eid weeks and from late June to August; the shoulder months above are quieter and cheaper. Ramadan changes nothing on the ground. Halal restaurants, mostly Turkish and Arabic, are easy to find around Freedom Square and Marjanishvili.
Flights, stay and entry for Tbilisi
Flight and entry details below are for travellers starting from Saudi Arabia.
Flights
About 3 hours from Riyadh; direct flights also from Jeddah and Dammam. Georgia is 1 hour ahead of Saudi Arabia.
Search RUH → TBS flightsAll flight routesWhere to stay
Old Town (Sololaki or Abanotubani) or around Rustaveli Avenue for the Metro.
Find a stay in TbilisiStay connected
A travel eSIM gives you mobile data when you land, so maps and ride apps work without waiting for a SIM card or Wi-Fi.
eSIM and travel extrasEntry rules
Saudi citizens enter Georgia visa-free. Residents of Saudi Arabia with other passports may enter visa-free only under conditions on their residence permit, and the rules changed in 2025; check the Georgian e-visa portal for your passport before booking.
Georgia e-visa portal (evisa.gov.ge) Georgia visa and entry rules Entry notes in the Tbilisi guideWhat 5 days in Tbilisi cost
| Style | Per person per day (SAR) | Per person per day (USD) | Whole trip (SAR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 150–250 | 40–67 | 750–1,250 |
| Mid-range | 350–600 | 93–160 | 1,750–3,000 |
| Luxury | 1,000–1,800 | 267–480 | 5,000–9,000 |
Per person per day, flights excluded. Georgia is cheaper than the Gulf: a sulphur bath room, a Bolt ride across town and a full meal each cost a few tens of lari. The Kazbegi and Kakheti days add a shared driver or tour. Rough estimate at October 2026 prices; USD 1 = SAR 3.75.
Day 1: Old Town Tbilisi
- Morning
Narikala Fortress
Take the cable car from Rike Park to the fortress walls, then walk down past the Mother of Georgia statue.
- Afternoon
Abanotubani
The sulphur bath district under the fortress. Book a private room at one of the bathhouses; the Legvtakhevi waterfall is a 5-minute walk behind it.
- Evening
Bridge of Peace
Cross the glass bridge at dusk, then eat on Shardeni or Erekle II streets; several restaurants in the old town serve halal Azerbaijani and Turkish food.
Day 2: Mtskheta, the old capital
- Morning
Jvari Monastery
20 km north of Tbilisi. The 6th-century church on the hilltop looks over the meeting of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers; go first, before the tour buses.
- Afternoon
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
UNESCO-listed 11th-century cathedral in the centre of Mtskheta; the lanes around it sell churchkhela and crafts.
- Evening
Rustaveli Avenue
Back in Tbilisi, walk the main avenue from Freedom Square to the Opera House; the Georgian National Museum is on the way if you have an hour.
Day 3: Kazbegi and the Georgian Military Highway
- Morning
Ananuri
Leave Tbilisi by 8 am. The fortress and churches stand above the Zhinvali reservoir, an hour north; a 30-minute stop.
- Afternoon
Gergeti Trinity Church
Above Stepantsminda at 2,170 m with Mount Kazbek behind it. A 4x4 taxi from the town takes 20 minutes; the walk up is about 1.5 hours.
- Evening
Gudauri
Stop at the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument viewpoint on the way back, then the ski resort town for an early dinner. Return to Tbilisi around 9 pm.
Day 4: Markets, Sameba and Mtatsminda
- Morning
Dry Bridge Market
Open-air flea market by the river: Soviet-era cameras, carpets, silver and paintings. Busiest at weekends; cash in lari.
- Afternoon
Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
Sameba, the largest church in Georgia, on Elia Hill across the river from the old town.
- Evening
Mtatsminda Park
Take the funicular from Chonkadze Street to the hilltop park for the city lights; the restaurant at the top has a terrace.
Day 5: Kakheti day trip or a slow city day
- Morning
Sighnaghi
Two hours east. A walled hilltop town with views over the Alazani valley to the Caucasus; walk the town wall and the main square.
- Afternoon
Bodbe Monastery
2 km from Sighnaghi, with gardens and a viewpoint over the valley. Kakheti is Georgia’s wine region; the scenery and the towns are the reason to come if you do not drink.
- Evening
Chronicle of Georgia
If you stayed in the city: the giant carved pillars above the Tbilisi Sea reservoir, 30 minutes from the centre, best at sunset.
Getting around Tbilisi
Tbilisi has two Metro lines (Freedom Square and Rustaveli stations are central) and cheap Bolt and Yandex rides. For Mtskheta, marshrutka minibuses leave from Didube station; for Kazbegi and Kakheti, a shared day tour or a private driver costs far less than in the Gulf. Pay in lari; cards work in the city, cash in the mountains.
Tbilisi questions
Is Tbilisi suitable for Muslim travellers?
Yes. Tbilisi has a central mosque in the old town and many halal restaurants, mostly Azerbaijani and Turkish. Ask before ordering in Georgian restaurants, as pork and wine are common in local dishes.
Can I do Kazbegi in one day from Tbilisi?
Yes, with an early start. It is about 3 hours each way on the Georgian Military Highway, with stops at Ananuri and Gudauri. Check the road status in winter; heavy snow closes the Jvari Pass.
What is the best time to visit Georgia?
May–June and September–October for mild weather in both the city and the mountains. Summer is hot in Tbilisi but pleasant in Kazbegi; winter brings snow and possible road closures.
Do Saudi residents need a visa for Georgia?
Saudi citizens do not. Other nationalities living in Saudi Arabia may qualify for visa-free entry on the strength of their residence permit, under conditions that changed in 2025, or may need an e-visa. Check evisa.gov.ge for your passport.