Tbilisi is a wonderful city with an indescribable atmosphere that will stay in your memory forever. Narrow ancient streets and winding lanes of the old city, a huge number of attractions, cathedrals and monuments, beautiful nature, incredibly delicious cuisine, very hospitable people — that’s what the capital of Georgia is like.

The most widely accepted variant of the legend of Tbilisi’s founding says that in the mid-5th century AD, King Vakhtang I Gorgasali was hunting in the heavily wooded region with a falcon. The King’s falcon allegedly caught or injured a pheasant during the hunt, after which both birds fell into a nearby hot spring and died from burns. King Vakhtang became so impressed with the hot springs that he decided to cut down the forest and build a city. The name Tbilisi derives from the Old Georgian word “tbili”, meaning warm.Nowadays in the center of the capital sulfuric-alkaline baths are available for everybody, and promise to return strength and calm.

The Old Town, at the narrowest part of the valley, is still redolent of an ancient Eurasian crossroads, with its balconied houses, leafy squares and handsome churches, all overlooked by the 17-centuries-old Narikala Fortress. Neighbourhoods not far from the centre still retain a village-like feel with their narrow streets, small shops and community atmosphere. Small traders still clog up the pavements around metro stations selling fruit, vegetables, cheese and nuts fresh from the countryside. It’s the most attractive place for tourists, who are looking for local sights.

Tbilisi deserves visiting, and coming back here again and again. Warm memories about the capital of Georgia will not leave for a long time the one who have visited it once.