How to Visit the Chreli-Abano Sulfur Baths, Tbilisi, Georgia

How to visit the Chreli-Abano Sulfur Baths, Tbilisi, Georgia. Sulphur baths are an integral part of Georgian culture, and no visit to the capital city, Tbilisi, is really complete without having a good soak in this mineral-rich water! In fact, the name of the city itself comes from “tbili” meaning “warm” in the Georgian language. This is a nod to the fact that Tbilisi is built right over natural hot springs. Throughout history, Tbilisi was a famous stop for weary travellers on the Silk Road route. Wealthy merchants and traders would rub shoulders with locals and tourists.

So, if you’re planning a visit to Tbilisi, make sure that you include a visit to the sulfur baths on your itinerary! The most famous of all the sulfur baths in Tbilisi are the beautiful Chreli-Abano Sulfur Baths, right in the centre of the historical old town. Read on for how to visit the Chreli-Abano Sulfur Baths, Tbilisi, Georgia.

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What are Tbilisi’s Sulfur Baths Exactly?

Sulfur-rich water bubbles up naturally from the hot springs running underneath the city of Tbilisi. This steaming water is then piped into bath houses where people can go and bathe in it. There are a number of different types of sulfur baths available in Tbilisi. These range from shared public baths to luxurious private rooms. Add-ons such as scrubs and massages are also available. There’s something to suit everyone and every budget.

Where are the Tbilisi Sulfur Baths Located?

The Tbilisi Sulfur Baths are all located around the Abanotubani district. “Abano” means “bath” and “ubani” means “district”. This area is right in the middle of the historic old town Tbilisi. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the brick domes sticking out of the ground. These are essentially chimneys to let excess heat escape.

Which is the Most Famous Tbilisi Sulfur Bath?

The most famous of all the Tbilisi sulfur baths are the Chreli-Abano Sulfur Baths. This traditional bathhouse has such a beautiful facade that you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s a mosque or some other place of worship. The distinctive blue-tiled building is located right in the centre of the historic old town. It’s such a stunning place that it tops most lists of places to visit in Tbilisi even if you’re not looking for a bath. Whether you just go to admire the outside, or opt to take a dip in the steamy sulphuric water (renowned for its healing properties), Chreli-Abano is definitely worth a visit.

How do I Book to Visit Chreli-Abano Sulfur Baths?

It’s best to book in advance to visit the Chreli-Abano Sulfur Baths. This is especially true during the peak tourist season. This is easy to do via their website’s online booking system. This particular bathhouse is a more luxurious option, so it’s only possible to book private rooms. This is a very relaxing way to experience the sulfur baths for the first time. I booked room N1 for 1 hour. This cost GEL 250. The room contained a central tiled hot pool and also a cold plunge pool. There was also a sauna. Plus it had a dry changing room to get changed in private. The website lists out the different rooms with the price and the number of people allowed to book as a group.

Book your slot here: Chreli-Abano Sulfur Baths online booking system

Practical Guidance for Tbilisi, Georgia

Hopefully you have found this guide on How to Visit the Chreli-Abano Sulfur Baths, Tbilisi, Georgia useful. I have also included some practical guidance below so that you can get the boring stuff sorted and make the most of your trip!

Transport in Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi is a very easy city to get around. I personally enjoy walking, especially in the old town area. The city wakes up very late (around 10-11am), so if you go for a walk in the early morning you’ll have the place almost to yourself! There’s also a good metro / subway system. This was built in the Soviet era and some of the metro stations are stunning.

The easiest way to get around Tbilisi is to use Bolt. Bolt is an Estonian-headquartered rideshare app (like Uber) that operates in a number of countries in Europe. I recommend downloading the app in advance before your trip so that you can set up the payment card etc. The best card to link in order to avoid high FX exchange fees is a WISE card (see below).

Withdrawing Cash in Georgia in Georgian Lari (GEL)

To withdraw cash at the best rates, I highly recommend getting a WISE card before you go. This allows you to convert money into Georgian Lari (or any other currency!) at the best rates and then withdraw cash in Georgia without hidden fees. Wise is a UK-based financial services company (available in most countries worldwide) and is highly regulated in the various regions it operates in (in the UK it is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority).

Get your WISE card here.

Travel Insurance

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