History of the Tbilisi Sulfur Baths
According to Georgian legend, the city of Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century precisely because of its sulfur springs. King Vakhtang Gorgasali was hunting in the area when his falcon fell into a hot spring and was healed. The king decided to build a city on the spot — "Tbili" means "warm" in Georgian. That is the origin of Tbilisi.
The sulfur baths have existed here since at least the 6th century. During the Persian period (16th–18th centuries), the Abanotubani district was a true city within a city: dozens of domed bathhouses, markets all around, and caravansaries. Alexander Dumas and Alexander Pushkin both visited the Tbilisi baths and left glowing accounts. Pushkin wrote: "I have seen nothing more magnificent than the Tiflis baths."
Today around 25 bathhouses operate in Abanotubani — from modest neighbourhood establishments to tourist-oriented ones with mosaic facades. The water still flows from natural sulfur springs at a temperature of 37–42 °C.
Where They Are: the Abanotubani District
Abanotubani is the historic bathhouse district in Old Tbilisi. It sits at the foot of the Narikala Fortress, along the Leghvtakhevi River. It is easy to recognise by the characteristic domes of the bathhouses that rise directly from the ground like upturned bowls, releasing clouds of steam.
Getting there: from Avlabari metro station it is a 15–20 minute walk through Metekhi, or a taxi to "Abanotubani" costs 5–8 GEL. The main street of the district is Abano Street. Most bathhouses open directly onto it.
Strolling through the district (without going inside) is free. You can come just to walk around: the domed rooftops, clouds of steam rising over the street, views of Narikala and Metekhi — it is all very photogenic. The best time for a walk is in the evening, when the steam is especially visible in the lamplight.
How to Visit: Private Cabin or Public Hall
Public Hall
The cheapest option — 3–5 GEL. Men's and women's sections are separate. In the public hall you bathe in a large shared pool filled with sulfur water. The atmosphere is unpretentious — local men of all ages sit around, chat, soak, and drink tea. No frills, but genuinely Tbilisian.
Downside: little privacy, minimal facilities, and you need to bring everything yourself.
Private Cabin — Recommended
A private cabin is a separate room with a bathtub or small pool filled with sulfur water. You can come as a couple, a group of four, or even a small party. There is a locker, a clothes hook, and sometimes a mirror and hair dryer. No strangers.
Price: from 15 to 80 GEL per hour depending on the bathhouse. Book for at least one hour — forty minutes is barely enough to get into the swing of it.
Table: Best Tbilisi Bathhouses with Prices
| Bathhouse | Address | Private Cabin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbeliani (Gay Bath) | Abano St., 2 | 50–80 ₾/hr | Most famous, mosaic facade, popular with tourists |
| Gulripshi | Abano St., 4 | 20–35 ₾/hr | Best value for money — our top recommendation |
| Baraka | Abano St., 12 | 25–40 ₾/hr | Good cabins, open 24 hours |
| Leghvtakhevi | Betlemi St. | 15–25 ₾/hr | Less touristy, authentic local atmosphere |
| Unnamed baths on Abano St. | Abano St., various | 15–20 ₾/hr | Cheapest option, basic comfort |
| Public hall (any bath) | any | 3–5 ₾ | For those who want a genuinely local experience |
Prices as of April 2026. May vary depending on the day of the week and occupancy.
Want to visit the baths with a guide?
The sulfur baths are part of the "Hidden Tbilisi" tour route. Timur will choose the right bathhouse and explain everything on the spot.
What Is Kese: the Georgian Scrub
Kese (Georgian: კესე) is the traditional exfoliation treatment in a Georgian sulfur bath. The attendant puts on a special mitt made from coarse natural fibre (silk or hemp) and vigorously scrubs your body after you have soaked. Dead skin rolls off in little cylinders — it looks alarming but is completely normal.
The procedure takes 15–20 minutes. It is slightly painful, especially on the shoulders and legs. Afterwards your skin feels genuinely new: soft, bright, and free of any flaking. Many people say it is the best scrub they have ever had.
Kese cost: 5–15 GEL on top of the cabin rental. You can order it when you arrive or ask the attendant during your session. The service is available at all bathhouses with private cabins.
Timur recommended a specific bathhouse and a specific time — we arrived at 9 in the morning and had the place almost to ourselves. The kese was unforgettable; our skin felt like silk for three days afterwards. The sulfur water smells odd at first, but after ten minutes you stop noticing. We were so relaxed when we came out that we had to sit in the café across the road — we couldn't face walking anywhere. Thank you for the tip!
Tips: When to Go and What to Bring
Best Time to Go
- Weekdays — significantly fewer people. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are ideal.
- Morning (9:00–12:00) — the quietest time. Cabins are freshly cleaned after the night shift.
- After 20:00 — tourists have left, only locals and late-night guests remain.
- Avoid weekends in peak season — July–August: queues at Orbeliani can last up to an hour.
What to Bring
- Towel (ideally two: one for your body, one to sit on)
- Flip-flops or sandals (the floors are slippery)
- Shampoo and soap (available to buy on site, but more expensive)
- A change of underwear
- 0.5–1 litre of water (you sweat a lot in the bath)
- Cash in GEL (not all places accept cards)
- Leave your phone in the locker — moisture is hard on electronics
How Much Time to Plan For
A minimum of one hour in a private cabin. An hour and a half to two hours is better. The optimal sequence: 20–30 minutes soaking, kese (20 min), another 15 minutes in the water, a shower, then rest. Don't rush — this is not a quick procedure.
After the Bath
After sulfur water your skin is very sensitive to the sun — it's best to avoid direct sunlight for the first few hours. Drink plenty of water. Alcohol immediately after is not recommended. The feeling of lightness can last until the next day.
Sulfur Baths and Your Health: What Medicine Says
Sulfur water is not marketing — it is real physiology. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) at the concentrations found in Tbilisi's springs acts on several body systems simultaneously. It penetrates through the skin and mucous membranes, dilates blood vessels, and increases blood flow to peripheral tissues. This explains the characteristic reddening of the skin that appears within 10 minutes of entering the bath.
Conditions for which the sulfur baths are particularly beneficial:
- Joint and muscle pain — hydrogen sulfide reduces pain sensitivity while the heat relaxes tense muscles. Many people with chronic back pain report relief lasting 2–3 days after a session.
- Skin conditions — in cases of psoriasis and eczema, sulfur water often brings remission, although the exact mechanism is not fully understood. Note: in acute stages, consult a dermatologist first.
- Stress and the nervous system — the parasympathetic (relaxation) effect can last up to 48 hours. Some people in Tbilisi go to the baths once a week specifically for this reason.
- Respiratory tract — sulfur steam acts as a gentle inhaler. Locals say that after a bath they "breathe to the full."
Absolute contraindications: acute cardiovascular conditions, oncology, open wounds, and acute skin inflammation. Relative contraindications: pregnancy (the first trimester is strictly off-limits), hypertension (only if blood pressure is controlled). When in doubt, consult a doctor.
The optimal water temperature is 37–40 °C. Above 42 °C it puts a strain on the heart. Good bathhouses monitor the temperature. If it feels too hot, tell the attendant — they will add cold water.
Abanotubani: What to See Nearby
The sulfur baths are just one layer of Abanotubani. The district itself deserves 2–3 hours of unhurried exploration. Here is what is definitely worth seeing:
Leghvtakhevi Gorge and Waterfall
Walk five minutes from the baths up the Leghvtakhevi river gorge and you reach a waterfall about 20 metres tall. In the centre of a two-million-person city, five minutes from the tourist shops. Georgians don't consider it anything special — which is why there are almost no tourists here even at the height of the season. Enter through the Botanical Garden — 1 GEL.
Juma Mosque
The only active mosque in Tbilisi stands right in the heart of Abanotubani, 200 metres from the sulfur baths. It is unique in that it is shared by both Sunni and Shia Muslims. Entry is free. Inside — quiet, carpets, the smell of wood. A good place to sit and rest after the bath.
Metekhi Viewpoint
Metekhi Bridge, near Abanotubani, opens up a view of the entire district from the other side of the Kura river. The best time is evening: the domes of the sulfur baths steaming at sunset is the quintessential postcard image of Tbilisi. It is a 10–12 minute walk from the bathhouses.
Leghvtakhevi Fountain Square
A small square with a fountain right at the entrance to the bathhouse district. In the evenings, locals gather here. There are several cafes with views of the domes nearby — a great spot for coffee or wine after the bath.
Sulfur Bath Etiquette: What You Should Know
The Tbilisi baths are not a spa complex or a tourist attraction. They are a place with their own culture and unwritten rules. Knowing them will give you a much better experience.
- In the public hall — wear swimming trunks. A towel wrapped around the waist is also acceptable. Going fully naked is not the norm, even in the men's section.
- Keep your voice down. The public hall is usually quiet — men sit, soak, and think. Tourists who arrive in a loud group tend to draw puzzled looks.
- Phone goes in the locker. Photographing other people in the bath is absolutely not done. Filming the public hall is even more so.
- You can book a private cabin in advance at popular bathhouses — especially on weekends. The best baths are sometimes fully booked 2–3 hours ahead.
- Pay the attendant separately. Standard tips for kese: 5–10 GEL on top of the service price. This is their main income.
- After kese — don't rush. Many bathhouses give you 15–20 minutes of rest after the treatment. Use it — your body needs time to settle.
- Going straight out into cold air is a bad idea in cool weather. Most bathhouses have a rest room — sit there for about 20 minutes before heading outside.
One last thing: don't be surprised if the attendant offers you a massage right in the bathtub — this is part of the traditional service. You can decline (just shake your head), but it is a pleasant treatment for 15–20 GEL that many visitors forget to ask about.