Visiting Tbilisi
Don't just visit Tbilisi. Know someone here.
Smileys brings together local recommendations, real events and a community of people who live here — so you can find the parts of Tbilisi you'll love, see what's on during your stay, and meet a few people before you land.
Real people Local connections No awkward cold introductions
Before you go
Know where you're staying?
Discover your neighborhood before you arrive.
Old Town
Kala and Abanotubani — the sulphur baths, the crooked balconies and the fortress above them
Explore Old Town →Sololaki
Art-nouveau stairwells, painted hallways and courtyard cafés on the hill behind Freedom Square
Explore Sololaki →Mtatsminda
The funicular, the pantheon and the park on the ridge — the whole city from above
Explore Mtatsminda →Avlabari
The cathedral hill on the left bank, Armenian Tbilisi, and the cable car down to the river
Explore Avlabari →When you’re here
Your first 48 hours
Four things to do once you land, in roughly this order.
Arrive and get connected
A local SIM or eSIM, so maps, messages and ride apps work from the start.
No Tbilisi guide for this yet.
Learn the transport basics
How to pay for buses, metro and ferries, and what to buy on day one.
No Tbilisi guide for this yet.
Pick a first local experience
Browse the Tbilisi Guide for somewhere to start.
First-time picksJoin a friendly event or coffee
Pick any event that suits you, or say hello to a local who is open to meeting visitors.
See events
Meet people
Tell the community you're coming
Post your dates and a short intro, and members in Tbilisi can see you're on your way.
Meet a Local
Grab a coffee, drink or meal with someone already living in Tbilisi.
Get Local Tips
Ask real people about neighborhoods, transport, restaurants and everyday life.
Make Connections
Start meeting people before your flight even lands.
Find Plans
Discover Smileys events and activities happening while you're here.
How it works
- You need a Smileys account
- Posting your dates, messaging members and joining events are for approved members. Applying is free and every application is reviewed by a person.
- Who sees your visit
- Only signed-in members, unless you choose to list it publicly. Even then, people who aren’t signed in see only your first name and the month — never your exact dates, neighborhood or contact details.
- What to expect
- A member who’d like to meet sends you a connection request with a note — a coffee, a tip, an event they’re going to — and can only message you once you accept. (Smileys staff and club hosts can message members directly.) Some visitors hear from several people and some from nobody; it depends on your dates and who’s around, so events are the surest way to meet people.
- Staying safe
- Never post where you’re staying or anything you wouldn’t tell a stranger — a neighborhood is plenty. Meet in public places. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, block or report them from their profile or your message thread, and our team will review it.
Who's coming to Tbilisi?
Meet people arriving soon and help them feel at home.
No upcoming visitors yet
Be the first to post. Tell members when you're in town and they'll reach out.
Meet some locals
Marjanishvili
Arriving soon? Read the Handbook.
Residence permits, banking, transport — practical guides from the Smileys team.
What’s on during your stay
Nothing on the Tbilisi calendar in the next two months yet — add your dates and check back closer to your trip.
What a first Smileys event is like
- Events marked First-timer friendly are picked by the team as easy ones to come to on your own.
- Every event names its host and shows how many people are going before you RSVP.
- Many are free; when there is a price, it is shown up front.
- Plans change? Cancel as early as you can, so someone on the waitlist gets your spot.
Already in Tbilisi?
Someone is about to experience your city for the first time. Help make their arrival a little easier.
Invite someone for coffee
Share a local tip
Make an introduction
Where you can use Smileys today
Smileys isn’t active in Tbilisi yet — there are no events or members to meet there for now.
Arrive knowing someone.
Tell the community you're coming and start making connections before you arrive.