‘Hidden gem’ holiday destination is cheaper than Budapest and Prague

Downtown Tbilisi, in Georgia (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

With trips to many European hotspots working out cheaper than getaways in the UK, it’s easy to see why travellers are jetting off instead of taking expensive staycations.

And spots don’t get much hotter than Georgia’s ancient capital Tbilisi, a cobblestoned town bursting with history since the fifth century – it’s 1,520 years old.

Dubbed the ‘new Berlin’ for its swimming pool-turned-techno nightclubs and bohemian cafes, the city of just over 1.1 million oozes eastern charm.

Built on the banks of the Kura River, Tbilisi is a blend of ancient and modern influences, full of Orthodox churches, art nouveau buildings and brutalist Soviet architecture.

But its defining feature is its remarkable value for money. A restaurant dinner in Tbilisi is likely to cost you less than £10 per person, while boutique hotel rooms start from £38 a night. However, on Airbnb you’ll find prices from just £17 per night.

You can’t argue with that view (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

If you don’t know where it is, now you do (Picture: Metro.co.uk)

It’s worth pointing out that Georgia is more than a seven-hour flight from London (that’s also not direct), a considerably longer travel time than your average European trip.

But with Tbilisi being named as one of TripAdvisor’s top places to visit in 2023, it’s clear the destination is worth the journey.

Here’s everything to know about the lesser-known spot in the Caucasus region, on the coast of the Black Sea…

Best time to visit Tbilisi

Travel experts say a good time to visit Tbilisi is the height of summer – July and August – when average temperatures hover around 33°C (with highs of up to 40°C!).

Spring, however, is widely considered the best time of year to explore the city, which sees comfortable temperatures of 19°C between March and May – plus the streets come alive with colour, as pink cherry, plum and magnolia blossoms enter into full bloom.

What to do in Tbilisi

Fortress Narikala Fortress And Church Of St. Nicholas In Tbilisi, Georgia. (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

From ornate churches to Gothic fairytale castles, there’s plenty to soak up in Georgia’s capital.

A great place to start is Tbilisi’s Old Town, where you can shop at flea markets and try some of Georgia’s famous wine.

Reviewers on TripAdvisor also rave about landmarks including the Narikala Fortress and Metekhi Church (entrance is free). A hit with TikTok travel influencers is the city’s popular cable car – and don’t forget to say hello to the Mother of Georgia (think Georgia’s equivalent of the Statue of Liberty).

The National Gallery and Georgia’s National Museum are also ranked as cultural highlights by tourist reviews.

TikTok hotspots

TikTok travel account, @rahmatalwar, touts Prospero’s coffee and bookshop as one of the Tbilisi’s ‘hidden gems’.

We can imagine ourselves perched under the outdoor fairy lights, relaxing with a cappuccino in hand.

There’s also Fabrika, a cultural centre in the capital that was used as a sewing factory during the Soviet Union, which is packed with vibrant bars and cafes that attract glowing reviews on social media.

TikToker Rahma also suggests visiting the Botanical Gardens, as well as the Medin Bazaar for shopping. Likewise, she describes Tbilisi’s leaning clock tower as ‘something out of a Disney movie’.

Christmas in Tbilisi

Travellers should remember that Georgia is an Orthodox Christian nation that observes the ‘old’ Julian Calendar. So instead of celebrating Christmas on December 25, it marks it in the first week of January, with the main event on December 31.

This means visiting in December or January is pretty magical – think glittering streets and cozy Christmas markets.

And if you’re visiting Georgia in the weeks leading up to the holiday season, you’re in for a treat, as there are plenty of festive things to do. Be prepared for fireworks and crackers going off every night around the city in the lead-up to December 31.

Cheaper than other holiday destinations

Definitely try the cable car (Picture: Getty Images)

Compared to ‘cheap’ destinations in Europe like the Balkans, Central Europe, or the Baltics, Georgia is less expensive, with an average daily cost being a fair amount lower.

For example, the cost of living in Prague – a famously affordable European holiday spot – is a staggering 71% more expensive than in Tbilisi, according to recent data.

According to BudgetYourTrip, a day on holiday is Tbilisi will cost you £24, compared to £74 in Budapest – looking at costs that take in accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment. This price goes up to £94 per day in Prague.

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Dinner in a nice restaurant will cost you less than £10.