Tbilisi is undoubtedly the best place for digital nomads in the Caucasus region. Thanks to its low cost of living, fascinating culture, and rich cuisine, it’s a haven for remote workers. On this basis, here is a complete Tbilisi digital nomad guide.
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Welcome to Tbilisi: The Cool Capital of Georgia
Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and is home to around 1.5 million people.
Founded in AD 455, Tbilisi has always been a historic city with stunning medieval architecture. In this context, the Georgian nation, culture, and language are among the oldest in the region and survived many conquests by its more powerful neighbors.
Between 1921 and 1991, Georgia was a Soviet republic. After independence, the country orientated itself more toward the West, leading to the Russian invasion of 2008. Since then, Georgia has lost control of 20% of its legally recognized territory.
The situation between Georgia and Russia is problematic, leading the former to seek even closer ties to the European Union and the US.
Today, Georgia is reinventing itself as a proud and modern nation in the Caucasus. The locals celebrate Georgian culture and language, and their capital is becoming more and more livable.
The city has a fascinating mix of medieval, Soviet, and modern architecture, and its lively bar and restaurant scene is consistently growing.
Tbilisi is an excellent place for digital nomads thanks to the following strong points:
- low cost of living by Western standards;
- satisfactory infrastructure and Wifi speeds;
- liberal visa policies for most nationalities;
- friendly and welcoming locals;
- a unique culture and lots of fun activities.
Here is a complete Tbilisi digital nomad guide covering all the bases for your stay.
Where to stay in Tbilisi as a Digital Nomad
If you plan to work remotely in Tbilisi, the best area to stay is undoubtedly the center.
You have the Old City (close to Freedom Square) or the modern center around Rustaveli Metro. Both areas have top-notch connections and a great selection of food and nightlife.
Alternatively, the area around Fabrika Tbilisi (a cultural center with bars, hostels, restaurants, and coffee shops) is another recommendable spot.
You’ll find apartments and hotels for every taste and budget in central Tbilisi, both on Airbnb and Booking.com.
During my first week in Tbilisi, I had an Airbnb close to Rustaveli Avenue.
I then spent a few nights at the Old Meidan Hotel in the Old City and would recommend it thanks to its location and excellent price/quality ratio.
Find more places to stay in Tbilisi here.
Cost of Living in Tbilisi for Digital Nomads
Here is a breakdown of monthly living expenses in Tbilisi, Georgia.
- Airbnb close to Rustaveli Metro: €700;
- Food and Drinks: €400;
- Transport: €50;
- Tours and Activities: €50;
- Miscellaneous like Tbilisi Coworking, Hairdresser, and Gym: €60.
Total Tbilisi digital nomad budget: €1,260 (~1,360 USD)
You could get that budget down by going through a local rental agency. Overall, the cost of living in Tbilisi is low by Western standards, so 1.5k USD should be enough for a digital nomad.
The Best Tbilisi Coworking Spaces and Coffee Shops
If you’re living in Tbilisi, Georgia as a digital nomad, you’ll want to get some work done in some of the best Tbilisi coworking spaces and coffee shops. Here is a list of my top picks:
- Terminal Coworking Tbilisi: one of the best coworking chains in Tbilisi with competitive prices and five locations across the Georgian capital;
- Impact Hub Tbilisi Coworking: a young and trendy coworking space inside Fabrika;
- LOKAL: an excellent location that offers hot desks on a daily or monthly basis and also rooms to stay in;
- SpaceZ Coworking Space Tbilisi: a budget-friendly coworking space outside of the city’s main core;
- Kvarts Coffee: a chain with several locations in central Tbilisi. They have fast Wifi, decent coffee, and a chill environment for remote workers;
- Coffee Lab: delicious coffee and a superb environment for digital nomads;
- Erti Kava: a trendy health-focused coffee shop close to Rustaveli Avenue;
- Pulp: a Berlin-style coffee shop where locals and nomads gather to enjoy a coffee or work on their laptops.
Tbilisi: Places to Visit and Top Activities
Whether you’re staying in the city long-term or just visiting, here are some of the top places and fun things to do in Tbilisi.
Bridge of Peace
The Bridge of Peace is the most iconic modern landmark in Tbilisi. Finished in 2010, it’s a quirky bridge that connects the Old Town with the newer parts. It’s an excellent place for a walk and one of the most photogenic spots.
Old Tbilisi
Old Tbilisi is the part where you’ll find stunning medieval architecture, little churches, and cobbled alleyways. The area is the tourist hotspot in Tbilisi and is home to various attractions.
Fabrika
Fabrika is a multi-purpose cultural center and one of the coolest places to hang out in Tbilisi. You’ll find bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and a hostel here. Better still, the center also regularly organizes art and cultural events.
Sulfur Baths
Tbilisi is famous for its sulfur baths that apparently cure skin diseases and are generally healthy.
The city is built on top of thermal springs containing sulfur. The water is around 40°-50°C.
You’ll find the baths in the Abanotubani area. There are ten different bathhouses, each with different styles and prices, so it’s best to ask around. I went to the Chreli-Abano Bathhouse and loved it.
Narikala Fortress & Cable Car
Built in the 4th century, Narikala Fortress overlooks the city of Tbilisi. As such, it’s one of the best viewpoints and a great place for photographers. You can take the cable car close to the Bridge of Peace or hike up.
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Built between 1995 and 2004, the Holy Trinity Cathedral towers over central Tbilisi and is today the main Orthodox cathedral in the city. With its capacity of 10,000 people, it has become a symbol of the Georgian capital.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral
Marionette Theater & Tbilisi Clock Tower
Tbilisi Clock Tower (or the “Leaning Tower of Tbilisi”) is a quirky structure in Old Tbilisi that was added to the marionette theater in 2011. The old tower succumbed to an earthquake, so they build a newer version that resembles the previous one.
If you’re in the area, check whether you can make it to a puppet show in the theater.
Tbilisi Clock Tower / Unsplash
Georgian National Museum
If you want to learn more about the history of Georgia and Tbilisi, the Georgian National Museum is the place to go.
Located on Rustaveli Avenue, the museum explains the natural, political, and cultural history of Georgia and its ancient traditions.
The Best Day Trips From Tbilisi
There are many great day trips from Tbilisi. Many tourists explore the nearby towns of Mtskheta or Gori. Other popular options are the wine regions.
Personally, heading into the Caucasus Mountains was a bucket list item of mine. As such, I booked a tour and headed to Kazbegi on the Russian border via the Georgian Military Highway. It was a fantastic day trip and I fully recommend the company that I used.
Tbilisi Digital Nomad Guide: Know Before You Go
To complete our digital nomad Tbilisi guide, here are some FAQs and useful things to know before traveling to Georgia.
SIM Cards and Connectivity
Getting a SIM Card in Georgia is super easy. You can find various options at the airport or in the city center. The airport SIM Cards are more expensive, so it’s best to buy one in the city center.
Bring your passport and a working phone, and you’re good to go. I went for the company Magti and paid around 13 USD for 20 GB of data during a 30-day period.
How to Get Around Tbilisi
The center is quite walkable, and the metro and bus network are the best ways to get further out. You can pay on the bus with your international credit card, no extra tickets are needed.
If you need a ride, Bolt is the best taxi app in the city.
Language
English levels are getting better every year, showcasing the country’s orientation toward the West.
Most people, in fact, speak Georgian, some English, and some Russian. The older generations predominantly speak Russian as a second language, but many are now also learning English.
Georgian is one of the hardest languages to learn, and you won’t pick it up. Learning a few basic phrases is, nevertheless, a great way to impress the locals.
Is Tbilisi Safe?
Overall, Tbilisi is as safe as any other Eastern European city. Use common sense, have your wits about you, and you won’t encounter any trouble here.
Is There a Georgia Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes. Georgia has one of the most flexible visa policies in the entire world. As a tourist, you can stay for up to one year without having to leave. If that wasn’t enough, there is also a bespoke Georgia remote work visa.
To qualify, you need to make 2,000 USD per month or have 24k USD in savings. You then need to prove that you are a freelancer or foreign employee and have health insurance.
One of the primary benefits of using the Georgia digital nomad visa is that you will be taxed no more than 1% on everything under 150k USD. You can apply for the Georgia digital nomad visa online (Note: the government website is currently down, I will link it here once it’s fixed.)
Are There Many Fellow Nomads in Tbilisi?
I visited Tbilisi in winter, and the city wasn’t as popular among nomads as I expected. I am sure that in summer, the numbers are high.
There is also a significant number of Russians fleeing mobilization who now live in Georgia. It’s a controversial topic in both countries.
Tbilisi Digital Nomad Guide: Bottom Line
I loved my time in Tbilisi. The city and the country have a unique culture you won’t find everywhere else.
Better still, the infrastructure is consistently improving, and there is a buzzing food and nightlife scene. I also found the people super welcoming and even though Georgia has experienced a bit of a tourism boom, it’s still an authentic place.
The primary disadvantages are that Tbilisi is relatively small and not as well-connected as other Eastern European cities. Nevertheless, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
As such, I would 100% recommend Tbilisi for people who want to spend a few weeks or months working remotely in the region.
