Tbilisi: The only metropolis in the world with 8,000 years of wine culture

Oliver Gaebe
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Tbilisi's grand boulevard: Shota Rustaveli Avenue... is currently undergoing extensive reconstruction...

It's striking how green the metropolis is; there are well-maintained parks, and trees are protected even during construction work. Tbilisi has a pleasant atmosphere and, in the author's opinion, a very tourist-friendly climate…

Green capital with parks and millions of trees

Almost all of the capital's leading companies and hotels are located along this tree-lined Shota Rustaveli Avenue. There's plenty to admire; the area is teeming with historic buildings, and you really feel like you're in a special place. Step by step you feel the history of the city...

This is what the bustling Shota Rustaveli Avenue is expected to look like after the renovation

In 2030, Tbilisi seamlessly weaves futuristic green infrastructure into its historic core. Electric river shuttles glide along the Kura, while restored Art Nouveau avenues, expanded urban forests, and solar-powered cable cars connect bustling tech hubs with centuries-old wine cellars.

Tbilisi in the golden evening light: Historic old town, fortress, Kura River and modern architecture blend together.

Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is a city that doesn't hide its history away in a museum. Between ancient churches, winding alleyways, Art Nouveau facades, and modern cafes, the past is encountered at every turn.

And its history stretches far back: Georgia is considered one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world. Archaeological finds document a wine culture that is around 8,000 years old.

8000 years of wine culture ... and history

Wine is said to have been produced in Georgia thousands of years ago (KI image, authentic according to historian Giorgi Vanashvili)

Georgia is considered one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world. Archaeological finds document a wine culture that is around 8,000 years old, and whose traditions remain vibrant today. In Georgia, wine is still often produced in traditional qvevri – large clay vessels buried in the ground. Wine is far more than just a beverage…

Wine as part of life

To this day, wine in Georgia is produced using traditional methods in large clay vessels called qvevri . Here, wine is far more than just a beverage – it is an integral part of Georgian hospitality and long tables where stories, friendships, and toasts are shared...

A turbulent past

Tbilisi offers an architectural treat for history buffs thanks to the metropolis's rich history

Tbilisi itself has witnessed many rulers, cultures, and eras throughout its history. Persians, Arabs, Mongols, and later the Russian Empire all left their mark. The city was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. It is precisely this eventful past that has given Tbilisi its unique character: Oriental influences meet European architecture and Georgian traditions.

Between tradition and modernity

A blend of centuries of active life: Tbilisi and the exciting architecture of the past

Today, Tbilisi presents itself as surprisingly youthful. Around Rustaveli Avenue, the old town, and the trendy Vera and Sololaki districts, restaurants, wine bars, galleries, and small design shops line the streets. In the evenings, the streets fill up, music drifts from the bars – and somewhere, you're guaranteed to be toasting to life.

Tbilisi is still a boom town

For around €0.35 you can travel all over Tbilisi on the metro or busses

Perhaps that's precisely what makes this city so appealing: Tbilisi preserves its past without remaining stuck in it. A turbulent history and a remarkably vibrant present combine here to create a city that you don't just visit – you experience. This is also reflected in the capital's excellent infrastructure.

Numerous subways run quickly and frequently from Tbilisi Central Station to all corners of the metropolis

The city's tunnels and subways date back to the Soviet era. Public transport in this metropolis is efficient, affordable, and fast – and above all, clean.

Modern busses with aircon are reaching all parts of the capital

You won't see any graffiti or litter on the tracks or streets. The busses or subways are clean (compared with Berlin for example).

The buses in the capital are also modern and air-conditioned

More information from:

Tbilisi Tourist Information Center
Location: Alexander Pushkin Park
at Freedom Square / Liberty Square)

Hotel recommendation for Tbilisi

The Alma Boutique Hotel is housed in a neoclassical building…

The Alma Boutique Hotel is also located on Shota Rustaveli Avenue (number 28). It is just a short walk from the Telegraph Hotel (number 31) on the opposite side of the street, right next to the Georgian National Opera.

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Family room at the Alma Boutique Hotel in the heart of Tbilisi

Portrait of a charming boutique hotel in the heart of Tbilisi

The hotel's 20 cosy rooms are larger and more luxuriously furnished than comparable accommodations…

It enjoys a prominent location on the prestigious Rustaveli Boulevard in the heart of Tbilisi. The hotel's unique selling proposition (USP) combines historical elegance with a bespoke, intimate atmosphere.

Guests are not required to get up at 9:30 to eat breakfast, which is served until 10:00. At the Alma Boutique Hotel, guests can sleep as long they want .. and enjoy a leisurely start to a nice day. Plenty of charming restaurants and cafes are within easy walking distance.

Some rooms at the Alma Hotel offer a great view of the city and opera house.

Instead of anonymous mass tourism, this boutique hotel offers elegant design that blends Georgian architectural traditions with modern luxury. Guests enjoy personalized service. It's a self-catering hotel, with access to a communal kitchen, and each room includes a refrigerator, kettle, and other amenities.

Top customer satisfaction: Alma Boutique Hotel receives better reviews than most of the 'best' hotels in the capital.

Exquisite and affordable restaurants are nearby, and a supermarket just 50 meters away is open day and night. It's an ideal starting point for exploring the opera, museums, and vibrant city life of Tbilisi on foot, right on your doorstep.

After the street's renovation, Alma Boutique Hotel guests will find an atmosphere reminiscent of the charming corners of Italy or the South of France…

Would you like to know more?

Alma Boutique Hotel Tbilisi

Who visited Tbilisi in late summer 2026?

The author is impressed: 'Tbilisi is one of the most attractive capital cities in the world and always worth a visit…'

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