Rustaveli Avenue: Roam down Tbilisi's historic main street into the Old Town
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by Shawn Basey in Tbilisi
28 Feb 2020
60min
 2mi
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About the audio tour
Humor and history, what more can you ask for in a walking tour? Discover how Tbilisi's main street, Rustaveli, was shaped by the tsars, Stalin, and the modern era. You'll find the first new-wave coffee shop in Tbilisi, the best beer garden in town, and the building that started the renaissance of revamping worn-out Soviet edifices.
This tour is a priceless introduction to Tbilisi and is great whether you're a fresh arrival or even a long-term resident, as you'll no doubt discover something new. Some of the highlights include:
• Find out where the Soviets crushed a democratic protest
• How Stalin robbed a bank to fund the Communist revolution
• Where Stalin went to seminary
• See a modern hotel built from the gravestones of an Armenian cemetery
• Find out what the area around Freedom Square was first famous for
I've lived in Tbilisi off-and-on for 10 years, and know its ins and outs. And as a traveler myself, I know exactly what's of interest when getting to know a city.
The tour follows the street, so there's not much turning. However, there are quite a few cafes along the way, so it might take longer than the 40 minutes I've recommended.
Major Landmarks
Philharmonia, Parliament, Freedom Square, Rustaveli Theatre, Kashueti Church, Opera House
Directions to starting point
Exit Rustaveli metro, turn left until you see the big oval Philharmonia building where Rustaveli Avenue forks. If you're arriving by taxi, just tell them "Pilharmoniastan".
Tips
Places to stop along the way:
Prosperos Coffee, Vera Park beergarden, Blue Gallery, Rustaveli Theatre, Skola Coffee
Best time of day:
Morning/midday. There's some coffee shops along the way, and a couple of great museums to see.
Precautions:
There are stairs beneath the streets that are not wheelchair accessible.
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