The truth nowadays is that no matter if we are professional content creators or not, we all want to come back from a trip having beautiful pictures saved on our camera rolls. When hunting for the most Instagrammable places in Tbilisi, it is worth knowing few insider tips. Not all of the places listed below are open for public, but you can still enter these hidden gems with a little help of a professional guide. Find out how to find all the Insta worthy places in Tbilisi and what is the best time to plan your visit to avoid all the crowds. You may also want to read The Complete Guide to Tbilisi and Best Restaurants in Tbilisi recommended by locals.

1. Orbeliani Baths

My top place to visit in Tbilisi and definitely one of the most Instagrammable. The baths are truly beautiful and worth visiting and photographing from the outside and inside. It’s a great opportunity not only to admire this historical interior but also to relax in sulfur baths. You can find all the information on how to book your visit at Orbeliani Baths and how much does it cost in my other blog post here.

Secondly, the building of Ornelani Baths is absolutely stunning, with eye catchy, blue tiled facade. During the day time it can be crowded and it is not easy to take a good picture of it. To avoid crowds you need to come early in the morning. The baths are open from 8 am and we have been there at 7:30. This gave us 30 minutes of good light time span with basically no people around. Bear in mind there is not much space in the front of the building to get a wide perspective. For the best result you need to have a wide angle camera lenses and take pictures from the bottom angle.

2. Abanotubani baths area

Abanotubani is located at the eastern bank of the Mtkvari River and this is the area where Orbeliani Baths House is placed. This ancient district of Tbilisi is known for few more baths houses which chimneys create a picture perfect scenery. The area offers numerous of picturesque spots to photograph around. Coming before 10 am is crucial as this district can be full of both, locals and visitors. You can try to walk between baths chimneys to find your favorite angle as all sides of it are worth photographing. My personal favorite was the view of chimneys with a church in the background.

3. Kaleidoscope House

One of the most Instagrammable places in Tbilisi. This 19th century old wooden house located on Betlemi Street, is a real architectural jewel of Tbilisi. I was literally dazzled by all its colors and unique style. It’s the only building in Tbilisi with the colorful stained glass décor and it’s very well preserved. Kaleidoscope House is inhabited, but there is an art gallery placed on the first floor so you can freely enter it during the day time. At the time of our visit this place was open from 10 am and before that hour the main door were closed so there is no point to come very early in the morning. The best option is to visit it during the day, when the light is good and plays with reflections of the colorful glass. You will surely meet other people taking pictures so just patiently wait for your turn.

4. London Hotel

The interior of former London Hotel is definitely among most photogenic locations in Tbilisi. A bit dusted and unpolished staircase is a perfect backdrop for a nostalgic photography style. The light coming from the ceiling glass adds a special charm and gives you the feeling of turning back in time. This place is inhabited and it’s not officially open to visitors. If you want to freely enter it and take pictures the best option is to book a tour with Tbilisi Free Walking Tours. Their guides have an access to most of Tbilisi’s historical buildings including this legendary plce.

5. Hidden courtyards and balconies

One of the great ways to experience Tbilisi it to get lost in Tbilisi Old Town and explore its hidden courtyards and balconies. Keep your head up as many gems is placed on the top floor facades. While exploring this unpolished part of town you have two options. First is to do it on your own and search for photography spots with appropriate regard to people leaving in most of the buildings. Respect that not everyone wants to be photographed or gets his house photographed.

Second option is to book a guided tour with Tbilisi Free Walking Tours. Remember, that even when having the exact address in your hand you will not be allowed to enter most of the hidden courtyards and staircases, as they are closed to wider public. Having a guide guarantee you to legally enter these spots and take pictures.

6. Narikala Fortress

My favorite spot to photograph spectacular city view of the Old Tbilisi town. To get there, you can simply climb the narrow streets starting from Abanotubani area or take a cable car from Rike Park, which is close to the Bridge of Peace. You pass over the river and then go right to the top of one of the old areas. As a bonus you will get a great view into all of the old houses. Once you reach the top part of the fortress you will be truly amazed with spectacular city view. Choose late afternoon hours to get the best soft light exposing all the colors of the Tbilisi’s panorama.

7. Legvtakhevi area and waterfall

Did you know that there is a beautiful waterfall basically in the middle of Tbilisi city? It’s located close to the Abanotubani area so you can combine those two when visiting this part of town. Legvtakhevi waterfall is beautiful at all seasons. Sometimes it get frozen during wintertime, and in summer you can escape there hot days as the temperature around is much cooler. The best time to visit will be early morning as during the day time this area may get really crowded and hard to photograph.

8. Clock Tower

You can find this picturesque leaning tower in the Tbilisi’s center, right next to the famous puppet theatre. Interesting fact is that the clock tower locates in fact two clocks. The biggest and the smallest clock in town. As the biggest one is pretty obvious you may play and search for the smallest one. If you want to take a nice photograph of the place without people around you need to come early in the morning, preferably before 8 am. Also, it’s good to be there at the hour to see when a window opens at the small balcony at the top, and a mannequin of an angel strikes the bell.

9. Holy Trinity Cathedral

Holy Trinity Cathedral, known also as Sameba, is a spectacular example of religious architecture. The building itself is a combination of traditional styles of Georgian church architecture from different periods. It even features some Byzantine connotations. The construction phase took almost 10 years and the cathedral is considered to be the third highest Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in the world. To take the best possible picture you need to come early in the morning as this place is full of visitors during the day time.

10. The Chronicle of Georgia

This place is not known to many tourists as it’s not located in the city center. There is no public transportation around so the best option to get there is to rent a car or come by taxi. The effort will pay you off as the place itself leaves its visitors speechless. This 30 meters high statue is made of columns and describes Georgia’s history. The top part of the statue features the kings and queens of Georgia, the lower part portrays the life of a Christ. It’s almost never crowded so you can come any time of the day when the light is good. Pictures you can see above were taken after lunch hours and it was not hard to get a free time span of no people around.

11. Mtatsminda Park

Another picture perfect viewing platform that you cannot miss in Tbilisi. Mtatsminda is the highest park in town and you can reach it by bus or car, but the most fun way will be a funicular ride up to the top of the hill. In the late afternoon hours the light gets much softer and exposes the beautiful panorama with picture perfect colors. Take wide angle lenses to get the best possible panoramic shoot.

12. Fabrika

Fabrika is a colorful hip place located in the old sewing factory. This old buildings has been adapted to become one of the coolest spots in town to hang out, have coffee, lunch or drinks. Colorfully painted brick walls are a great photography backdrop, especially if you are a fan of street art. You will find something cool to photograph here no matter what day time you arrive. During warmer season it’s a pleasant location for outdoor pictures during colder days you can shoot vintage inspired interior.

13. Tbilisi Street art

However the street art scene of Tbilisi is a relatively new trend, you can find many inspiring and fascinating examples of it all around the city. As part of a modern urban culture, Street Art in Georgia made its start in 2005 and developed really fast. Tbilisi city hides beautiful and captivating art in its backstreets and underground passages. One of the coolest places with street art you may want to photograph is a passage at Baratashvili bridge.

With love,

Betty