Hotels near Abanotubani Sulphur Baths

The Abanotubani district contains a cluster of 17th-19th century brick bathhouses fed by naturally hot sulphur springs at 38-40°C. The Persian-influenced architecture features low domes embedded in the hillside; from above, the rooftops look like an ant farm. King Vakhtang Gorgasali founded Tbilisi here in 458 AD - legend says his pheasant fell into a hot spring while hunting, prompting him to build a city around it.

The most famous bathhouse is Chreli-Abano (Tiled Bathhouse) with the painted Persian facade on the riverside. Private rooms 60-120 GEL per hour include a deep stone pool, steam room, and optional kisi (rough mitt scrub) plus oil massage at 30 GEL extra. Public communal baths (gender-separated) cost 5-10 GEL. Open daily 09:00-23:00; some baths 24/7. The sulphur smell is strong but harmless.

Pro Tip: Book a private room at Bathhouse No 5 (Orbeliani Baths) for the best mix of authenticity and English-speaking staff. The kisi scrub by a traditional mekise is fierce - your skin will tingle for hours, in a good way.