15 Best Photo Spots in Tbilisi, Georgia + Exact Locations on the Map

Wondering where are the best photo spots in Tbilisi? You are in the right place! I will help you discover the most beautiful places in Tbilisi for a photo shoot and make sure you have the best photo memories from Tbilisi.

Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. I would say that Tbilisi is a hidden gem of Europe and I want to show you how many beautiful places there are and why you should visit Tbilisi.

In this article, you will find exact locations, the best time to visit these places, what equipment to use, and many more photography tips. Also, we will cover hidden gems, main attractions, and some of the most Instagrammable cafes in Tbilisi.

My guide to the best photo spots in Tbilisi is going to ensure that you don’t miss a single photo opportunity during your visit!

*Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

But before we dive in…

Overview of the best photo spots in Tbilisi

Tbilisi is not a popular destination, so I’m sure you have seen a few famous photo spots, but I want you to discover beyond that. I am passionate about photography and I want to share this passion with you, so I will include a lot of practical tips to make your shooting process as easy as possible.

Now, let’s get to the best photo spots in Tbilisi! I will add the exact location on Google Maps for every location – just click on the link to find it.

RELATED: Where to eat in Tbilisi Georgia?

The Clock Tower

If you ask me, Clock Tower is hands down one of the best photo spots in Tbilisi. It is very unique, it represents Georgia and it is very easy to photograph. The Clock might look old, but it has been there since 2010, so don’t get fooled.

Here you will find the biggest and the smallest clocks in Tbilisi – will you be able to notice the smallest one? Take your photos, but don’t forget to appreciate this piece of art as well.

It starts to get busy around 9 am, because that’s when tours arrive. I advise you to come here before that. Also, there is a little puppet show at midday and at 7 pm every day, so avoid it, because that’s when the square is full of people.

The little square is big enough to use a regular lens and get creative with the angle that you like the best. I used a 24mm lens, but only because I wanted it to fit the Instagram cut. 

Location: The Clock Tower

Orbeliani Baths

This might look like a mosque, but it has been transformed into thermal baths, so it’s a local spa nowadays. I highly suggest visiting and experiencing the famous Georgian baths, but let’s talk photography now.

I have seen this spot a lot of times before visiting Tbilisi, so I was impatiently waiting to see it with my own eyes and I wasn’t disappointed.

The baths open at 8 am and that’s when the people start to arrive. I suggest you come here 15 to 20 minutes before opening time and bring your wide-angle lens because the space in front is very tiny.

There are a few bushes in front of the building and I think you can go behind those to gain a bit more space and use it to get a nice frame as well. I also think you should wear something in blue tones or maybe white or beige.

Location: Orbeliani Baths

Gallery 27 (Kaleidoscope House Tbilisi)

Gallery 27 is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Tbilisi, Georgia, but there are a few things that you should know before visiting. First of all, it’s a souvenir shop where you can buy some local goodies, but the balcony and the stairs that lead to the shop are what attract a lot of tourists.

Opening hours on Google are not very accurate, but I suggest you visit in the late afternoon. This way, you get amazing light and you are sure it will be open.

Also, keep in mind that this is a staircase of local residents and they are not happy when they see crowds arriving every day. That’s why you should be respectful, avoid noise and wait your turn in case someone is on the balcony already.

You will have a low-light situation here, so make sure you keep your ISO up and shutter speed down. And I used a 14 mm lens to capture this place.

Location: Gallery 27

Queen Darejan Palace

Also known as Sachino Palace, this place offers the best views in Tbilisi. The blue balcony will frame the old Tbilisi perfectly. It is part of a monastery, so keep that in mind when visiting.

It is a hidden gem of Tbilisi and you won’t find many guides that include this place. Also, it has been under construction for a few years, so it might gain more popularity nowadays.

Visiting hours can be tricky and from what I understand, it is only open during religious ceremonies while opening hours on Google are from 10 am until 6 pm. I personally visited at 10 am, so I advise you to do the same.

This is another spot where a wide-angle lens will be required, especially if you want to capture the balcony. If you are going there for the view, you can go behind the balcony and play with your zoom lens.

Location: Queen Darejan Palace

Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi

If you look up the opera of Tbilisi and like it from the outside, wait until you get in! I have seen a lot of operas around the world and didn’t expect to find such a beautiful gem in Tbilisi.

If you want to take photos inside the opera, you have two options. You can book a guided tour with a group or see an actual opera or ballet and take your photos afterward.

Tours operate three times a week: on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 11 am to 5 pm. Tours cost 15 GEL (5.40 EUR) per person. Photos are allowed during the tour and the tour is in Georgian and English.

If you want to see an actual spectacle, click here to see upcoming shows. Prices start from 10 GEL (3.60 EUR) and yes, you read it right. I choose one of the best seats and my ticket was less than 10 euros.

So if you have enough time, this is one of the best things to do in Tbilisi. Also, during the break this room will be filled with people, stay a bit longer once the show is over and you will find it completely empty.

Location: Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi

Hidden places in Tbilisi

When doing my research about Tbilisi, I came across a lot of unique and hidden indoor palaces that will leave you speechless. I have a local Georgian friend who helped me find the exact locations of these places, so I am here to share them with you.

I have to warn you that these locations are inside residential houses, so the doors might be locked and it might be tricky, but I will share what helped me.

My favorite staircase is located on 18 Galaktion Tabidze St and that’s the one that is the hardest to access. This is the location that you see in the photo above.

You can try to ring some apartments and simply ask them to enter for a quick photo, I heard that it works. We were lucky because we met someone at the entrance and she was happy to let us in. Make sure you arrive to the last floor. You will find another surprise there.

Just around the corner there is another gem and it is located on 17 Ivane Machabeli St. This one is a bit more famous, so there are tours that can take you here and most of the time they leave the doors open for other people. I suggest you visit after midday.

Otherwise, the entrance is accessible with a code. But once again, you might meet a local, so ask them to get inside.

And if you are looking for a safe hit, visit Writers’ House of Georgia which is not far from the other two locations that I mentioned. It is an actual museum with similar interiors and it is open from midday until 7 pm on weekdays.

You might have heard about London Hotel on other guides and it was a very famous photo spot in Tbilisi, however, now it is closed for construction, so don’t waste your time here.

Location: 18 Galaktion Tabidze St, 17 Ivane Machabeli St, Writers’ House of Georgia

Wine Gallery

Well, Georgia is famous for its wine, so here you can kill two birds with one stone. Come here to take a beautiful photo with the unique architecture and retro car parked in front, and buy some Georgian wine as a souvenir to bring home. It’s more than just a wine shop, it’s an institution of local drinks.

It’s located further away from the other attractions, however, this place is empty any time of the day, so you don’t have to worry about crowds.

Also, you have a wide street, so you can try many different lenses and many different angles. Don’t forget to visit the gallery once you are done with your photos. And if you are passionate about retro cars, you might find another gem in the courtyard behind the shop.

Location: Wine Gallery

Chronicle of Georgia

Chronicle of Georgia consists of 16 massive pillars that show the history of Georgia and its rulers as well as the scenes from the life of Jesus.

When I saw this place on Instagram, I wasn’t impressed, but it is another thing when you are standing next to this massive monument. And the photos turned out amazing, so I had to include them in the list of best photo spots in Tbilisi.

Chronicle of Georgia is located 9km away from Tbilisi center, so the best way to visit is Bolt or Yandex. The price is around 3.50EUR, but it is going to be hard to book your way back from Chronicle to Tbilisi, so try to negotiate with the driver to wait for you. I paid another 3EUR for 1 hour of waiting time and another 3.50EUR to go back to the center of Tbilisi. At least the entrance is free and it’s a must-see in Tbilisi.

Get your Chronicle of Georgia with transportation here

A wide-angle lens is a must and I had to use a 14mm lens to fit this massive monument inside my photo. You might be lucky if you find the parking spot empty, then you will have more space to take your photo.

Location: Chronicle of Georgia

Instagrammable cafes in Tbilisi

Then there are a lot of unique and stylish cafes in Tbilisi that make them great for photos and food. If you are looking for the best restaurants in Tbilisi and want to know more about Georgian food, click here.

Cafe Leila offers vegetarian Georgian dishes, while Café Littera is famous for fine dining with an international touch. It is located in the garden of The Writers’ House of Georgia, so you can combine these two.

Linville has a quirky hipster vibe and is great for coffee and cake lovers. Hotel Check Point attracts visitors to the famous Frida painting and on the second floor, the owner will be there to serve you some homemade dishes. Cafe Stamba is probably the most stylish one and has a luxury touch. You can get anything from local khachapuri to ramen. 

All these places are unique in their own way, so choose your preference and grab your camera as you eat your way through Tbilisi. Don’t miss these instagrammable cafes in Tbilisi.

Location: Cafe Leila, Café Littera, Linville, Hotel Check Point, Cafe Stamba

Mtatsminda Park

Mtatsminda Park is actually an amusement park, so great for families with kids. But there is a unique photo spot with colorful tilted houses. You can get up to Mtatsminda Park with a funicular, take the Ferris wheel and see Tbilisi from the top. Snap your photo and reward yourself with a nice meal at the famous restaurant called Funicular.

I would suggest avoiding weekends as it gets busy, but overall, it’s not a crowded place and you can take a photo any time of the day. Also, quite a lot of space, so a 35mm lens will do the best job.

Location: Mtatsminda Park

Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi

Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi is a typical Georgian church. You will find similar copies all over Tbilisi and Georgia, however, this one is massive. In fact, it is one of the largest religious buildings in the world. As soon as you enter, you will notice the massive ceiling and the great acoustics that come with it.

It is open every day from 8 am until 10 pm and it can get pretty crowded as it is one of the main attractions of Tbilisi.

I suggest visiting this place for the sunset and I have to warn you about the wind as it is on the top of the hill. You might be lucky, but be prepared… A flowey dress won’t be the best choice here. This photo is taken with a zoom lens.

Location: Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi

Narikala Fortress

Narikala Fortress offers one of the best views in Tbilisi. I highly suggest using a taxi to get up here and you can easily book it via Bolt or Yandex. Another alternative is the cable car. This fortress is here since the 4th century and I believe you should add it to your Tbilisi itinerary. Views are just the cherry on the cake.

I personally loved playing with my zoom lens here, so if you have one, bring it with you. There are stairs on the top of the fortress and you can create some beautiful pictures of Tbilisi.

Also, you don’t need to pay an entrance fee and it is open all day long. I suggest sunset or sunrise simply because lights can get pretty aggressive, especially if you want to capture some panoramic views.

Location: Narikala Fortress

Fabrika

Not far from Wine Gallery, you will find another hip location – Fabrika. I will be honest and say that this is not my style, but so many people love it that I had to include it in this list of the best photo spots in Tbilisi.

From a Soviet sewing factory to a modern hotel. Or to be precise, it is something between a hotel, co-working space, restaurant, and party place.

I would suggest sticking to nice portraits and capturing some unique photos with colorful backdrops. And get some nice coffee drinks once you are done with your photos. Or a meal!

Location: Fabrika

Equipment that I use for my photos

• Nikon D850 FX-Format Digital SLR
• Nikon Nikkor AF-S 14-24 mm f/2.8G ED
• Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G
• Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D
• Tamron SP 70 – 200 mm f/2.8 di VC G2 

Where to stay in Tbilisi to have the easiest access to the best photo spots and main attractions?

Now that we are done with the best photo spots, I want to share my tips on where to stay in Tbilisi. When I travel, I like to stay close to the main attractions, so I can walk most of the time and avoid using public transport or a taxi. Usually, accommodations in these popular areas are more expensive, but it pays back. Also, Tbilisi is a very affordable destination, so it won’t break your budget.

So what is the best area to stay in Tbilisi? Most of these photo spots are located in Dzveli Tbilisi or old Tbilisi, but that’s a large area. I personally stayed near Freedom Square, but anywhere between Freedom Square and Sulfur Baths is a great choice. Just make sure you check the reviews, because some places require a bit of climbing and stairs. If you are on the budget, there are plenty of affordable accommodations on Booking.

In conclusion…

This is the end of the best photo spots in Tbilisi and I’m sure that after reading this article you will have beautiful pictures of Tbilisi to bring back home and cherish these memories forever.

There are a lot of pretty places in Tbilisi, starting with historical sights and ending with hip cafes, so get lost and you might find some hidden places in Tbilisi that I missed. The old town is filled with charming courtyards and colorful balconies, so use those to capture the magic of Tbilisi as well.

As you can see, photography is my passion. Food is another one. And if you are a foodie like me, make sure you read about the best restaurants in Tbilisi. Or check my other articles about Georgia.

I would love to hear your thoughts, so if you have any feedback or additional tips, leave a comment below. Also, check out my Instagram for regular travel videos and travel inspiration. Or explore other destinations on this travel blog.

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