GeorgiaOfficial tourism
Abanotubani

Steam rising through centuries of stone

Abanotubani

Why go

Abanotubani is Tbilisi's ancient sulfur bath quarter, where domed brick structures squat over natural hot springs that have drawn travelers since the 5th century. The district's name—'bath district'—tells its story: these waters, heated underground by volcanic activity, built a city. Persian, Ottoman, and Georgian rulers all soaked here; Pushkin claimed the baths alone were worth the journey from Russia. The brick domes with their small skylights create a subterranean world of marble, steam, and shadow. Beyond the physical experience, the baths remain social anchors—places where men debate politics across generations, where time moves to the rhythm of hot water and cold beer.

On the ground See

  • Orbeliani Baths, whose blue-tiled Persian-style facade is the district's most photographed landmark
  • The subterranean pools of a working bathhouse, where you can soak in 40°C sulfur water beneath brick vaults
  • The small mosque (now inactive) near the baths, remnant of the area's diverse Ottoman-era population

Practical Know before you go

Open year-round; individual bathhouse rooms can be booked privately or shared, with prices ranging from modest (basic facilities) to premium (private suite with massage); evening visits require advance booking.

Last reviewed 25 August 2026 · reviewed quarterly