Home
Welcome to the Friends Hostel - Your home away from home!
Do You want to have fabulous time in Georgia? You have decided to visit TBILISI?? Then you are on the right way!! “Friends hostel” is party-time hostel, where you can have fun with friends, relax and enjoy your vacation even alone. We offer you special place in the centre of historical old Tbilisi. Here you can find the synthesis of modern downtown and historical buildings. Everything - cafes, bars, pubs, museums, parks, squares – are near or easily reachable from our hostel.
What's nearby?
The nearest street is Shardeni street, where you can find many souvenir shops, night clubs, bars & restaurants. It is the place where you can dance, drink and have a wonderful time.
Near hostel:
• Many shops
• Pharmacy
• Currency exchange
• ATMs
• Restaurants
About
Few friends, ideas, experience in hostel management, simple and enjoyable things mixed each other. 4 just graduated (addicted to traveling) friends decided to launch a place for tourists who are interested to visit Georgia… Tbilisi.
Our team offers you Tbilisi’s most friendly, cozy and comfortable hostel. The hostel has one of the best locations in town – it is situated on the hillside and has a great view across the town. It is a perfect place to experience Georgian hospitality. There’s something for everyone: the sleepy ones can rest in our comfortable beds, the party animals can have a drink downstairs in the bar and the travelling stories will be shared on the balcony where we have a nice chill out corner. We find luxury in simple things – if you do, too, then our hostel is your best choice!
Friends Hostel is located in the heart of old Tbilisi near the Narikhala Fortress (an ancient symbol of Tbilisi's defensive brilliance), surrounded by the old stylish houses and architecture aged to perfection which creates the atmosphere you can never forget! The building itself is a very old and historic one, with the old styled interior. Our friendly staff is always ready to provide you with any kind of information as well as directions.
Transportation and Directions :
There are two main Direction spots you can start from:
Freedom Square : From Freedom Square you just walk down to the Leselidze Str. and at the end of it there is a Meidan Palace and Machakhela, the exact point to turn left right side up to Tumaniani street is at the corner of Machakhela. And when you walk up Tumaniani Street there is another turn at N9 left up to Betlemi Street and there we are Betlemi Str. N 28-30.
Europe Square : From the Europe Square you just need to cross the Metekhi Bridge near Church Metekhi, and you are at Meidan Palace and Machakhela, the exact point to turn left right side up to Tumaniani street is at the corner of Machakhela. And when you walk up Tumaniani Street there is another turn at N9 left up to Betlemi Street and there we are Betlemi Str. N 28-30.
Guests have several ways to choose how to get from airport to our place:
• Train
• Bus
• Taxi
• Our Airport Pick-up Service
Useful Info
Everything you would like to know about Tbilisi
Tbilisi lies in the centre of eastern Georgia, in the foothills of the Trialeti mountain range. According to Georgian legends, it was founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali who, while hunting, shot a pheasant which fell into a warm spring and was either boiled or healed. Either way, the king was inspired to found a city on the site, and the name of the city derives from the Georgian word tbili meaning "warm". Although the city has been destroyed and rebuilt some 29 times, the layout of the Old Town is largely intact with narrow alleys and big crooked houses built around courtyards.
Old Tbilisi is centered in the Historic District of Tbilisi, which, due to its significant architectural and urban value, as well as the threat to its survival, was previously listed on the World Monuments Watch (1998, 2000, 2002).
The district is located on the both sides of the Mtkvari River and is dominated by Mount Mtatsminda, Narikala fortress and the Kartlis Deda monument. It chiefly represents a 19th-century urban fabric with largely eclectic architecture which includes the buildings and structures from the 5th to the 20th century. However, most of the pre-19th century city did not survive due to the devastating Persian invasion of 1795. The district houses a bulk of the tourist attractions in Tbilisi, including churches, museums, sulphur bathhouses, and peculiar wooden houses with open, carved balconies. In the 19th century, the core territory of the modern-day district of Old Tbilisi was tentatively subdivided into ethnic neighborhoods such as Avlabari with its Armenian and Georgian quarters on the left bank of the Kura River and the Persian Quarter (Said-Abad) on the right bank of the Kura River.
Getting there from the airport
There are several ways to get to the city centre from the Tbilisi International Airport.
A taxi would take you there in about 30 min, and should not cost you more than 25-30 laris. Be sure to agree on the price before getting in, meters are not used.
Bus #37 leaves from the right corner of the arrival area every 15-30 minutes, between 8:00 and 23:00 to the city center. It travels via Freedom Square, Rustaveli, Republic Square and Tamar Bridge, to the main train station (Vagzal). The trip can take up to 50 minutes. The fare is 0.50 GEL.
Trains from the airport to the main train station cost 2 GEL and are fast. The train runs only 6 or 7 times a day but the trips are synchronized with flight arrivals so it's worth to check the schedule.
Safety and disturbances
Tbilisi can be considered a safe city. However, we recommend not to wander the streets alone at night, especially girls. It is recommended to dress rather conservatively, as revealing clothes might draw unwanted attention to foreign girls.
Police Tel: 022 or 112 from Mobiles
Ambulance tel: 022 or 033 or 031
All the road signs in Georgia are also spelt in Latin alphabet, so you should be able to understand almost everything. English is not widely used, but in Tbilisi it is not so big of a problem. It is good to have some basic knowledge of Russian, almost everybody can speak Russian, maybe except from the young generation. Trying to learn at least a few words of Georgian and using it will bring a big smile to every Georigans face :)
What to see and do in Tbilisi?
There are quite many museums in town worth seeing.
Museum of Archeology houses monuments, discovered by the archaeological excavations in Tbilisi. The chronological frames of the collections are from the V c. B.C. up to the feudal times. In the museum is kept the earliest in the world samples of tinned bronze objects from the Delisi (Tbilisi district) dwelling, dated as 4.000 years old; bronze buckle inlayed with silver decorated with horse rider image; inventory of the Treli royal burials (XII-VIII-VII c.c. B.C.).
Museum of Fine Arts
S. Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts was established in Tbilisi in 1920 as the National Arts Gallery of Georgia. The Museum houses the best-known samples of Georgian artwork. Different collections of the Museum preserve approximately sixty thousand objects. The Museum is distinguished for its Georgian goldsmith pieces dated back to the VIII-XIX Centuries. The most significant exhibits are the icon of Zarzma Monastery, the Chalice of Bedia, Anchistkhati and Khakhuli Triptychs, Processional Liturgical Crosses etc. Also unique are the exhibits of cut-enamel, jewelry and art textiles from VIII-XV cc. The Museum stores the works of famous Georgian painters Niko Pirosmanishvili, Lado Gudiashvili, Elene Akvlediani, David Kakabadze and others. The Museum also hosts collections of Russian, Western Europe and Oriental (mainly Persian) artworks.
Open Air Museum of Ethnography
The Open Air Museum was founded in 1966 by George Chitaia, a famous Georgian ethnographer and academician, whose name it now bears. The museum is one of the most unique museums in Georgia: you can physically "visit" almost all the regions of Georgia in several hours and learn about the architecture and traditions of different regions. The Open Air Museum is located in Tbilisi, Vake district, to the west of "Turtle Lake". It occupies 65 hectares of land. The Museum features objects of traditional art and architecture from different parts of Georgia.
Tbilisi Museum of History
I. Grishahvili Museum of Tbilisi History was founded in 1910 as a City Museum. In 1943 it was renamed to the Tbilisi State Historic-Ethnographical Museum. Currently the museum is named after Georgian poet Ioseb Grishashvili. The Museum collection contains unique objects weapons and household accessories starting from the Bronze Age. The Museum has the collection of Lado Gugudiashvili, Mose Toidze, Elene Akhvlediani paintings as well as masterpieces of other renowned Georgian Painters. The Museum carries out scientific research into the old history of Tbilisi, and organizes expeditions in vicinities of the capital city.
Cinema History Museum
The museum houses mostly materials, connected with the history of cinema: photo archives, cinematographic equipment, books, brochures, periodicals, posters, puppets, archives of well-known cinematographers, as well as video collections of Georgian films, and Charlie Chaplin an Woult Disney films, collection of animated films' stamps (of Georgian as well as Disney films).
Museum of Sport
The museum was established in 1965, it houses collections of medals, cups, prizes, photographs of Georgian Olympic, World and Europe champions. Also, there are numerous and various collections: audio-video records of sportsmen voices, photo negatives, films about sport and sportsmen, personal archives of well-known sportsmen, etc.
State Museum of National Instruments
The museum houses collections of Georgian and South Caucasian people authentic musical instruments, as well as European mechanical and classical musical instruments, collection of arghans (among them items, made by well-known Czech craftsman Nechada). In the museum are kept manuscript notes of Georgian folk music, audio-video records, phono-photo materials. There are also replica of a XV-XIV c.c. B.C. swan bone flute, samples of fine and applied art, gramophone records (beginning of the XX c.) of Georgian folk songs and so called Oriental songs. The museum stores paintings of L.Gudiashvili, I.Sharlemann, J.Khutsishvili, and collection of XVIII-XIX c.c. Oriental carpets and Georgian rugs. At the moment, in the have started process of reorganization, which will end in spring, 2007.
Money Museum
The museum is situated in the Georgian National Bank building. The museum houses materials describing the history of money from VI c. up to XX c.: Colchian tetri, Alexander the Great stater, antique coins, Sasanian drahmas, Arab dirhems, coins of Georgian kings and Queens Demetre I, Giorgi III, Tamar, Lasha-Giorgi, Rusudan, as well as Venetian ducat, Turkish altun, Iranian abazi, Austrian and Polish tallers, contemporary money of various countries; also there are special literature and multimedia publication of money (on CD).
There are many other great sites in the capital of Georgia:
Narikala fortress is an ancient symbol of Tbilisi's defensive brilliance. It is situated on the hills overlooking Tbilisi and river Mtkvari. The fortress was established in the 4th century as Shuris-tsikhe (i.e., "Invidious Fort"). It was considerably expanded by the Umayyads in the 7th century and later, by king David the Builder (1089-1125). The Mongols renamed it "Narin Qala" (i.e., "Little Fortress"). Most of extant fortifications date from the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1827, parts of the fortress were damaged by an earthquake and demolished.
From the fortress you can follow the walk round to the statue of Kartlis Deda (Mother Georgia). Erected in the early 1960s, this symbol of the city holds a sword in one hand and a cup of wine in the other - a perfect metaphor for the Georgian character, warmly welcoming guests and passionately fighting off enemies. Nearby you can also find the Botanical gardens. You can reach the gardens by taking Botanikuris kucha to the end. In the 17th and 18th centuries this was the site of the king's gardens. A physic garde was laid out here at the beginning of the following century, and in 1845 the Botanical Gardens were opened.
You definitely cannot miss the old part of Tbilisi with its old-style balconies and narrow, winding streets. There are many beautiful old churches in the town worth seeing, such as the Armenian Cathedral of St George near Gorgasalis moedani.
Tbilisi Sulphur Baths are located just a 5-minute walk away from our hostel. You can enjoy a nice bath, massage and peeling at a relatively affordable price.
Public transport in Tbilisi
Bus – Price 0.50 Gel (The main stations: Vagzals / Didube “Okriba” Station / Samgori / Ortachala !!!Payable by coins or Bus Coupons!!! No english discriptions available)
Metro – Price 0.50 Gel (2 Main Lines , that spreads the stations through the whole City, easily accessed to any location + discriptions in ENGLISH !!!Payable by coins or Metro Coupons!!!)
Train – Price (depends on distance) (Main Station: Vagzals)
“Marshutka” (mini bus) – Price 0.50 Gel (Marshutkas are numbered by directions as buses, easily accessed to any locations !!!Payable only by cash!!! No english discriptions available)
Details :
The Vagzals – Marshutka / Bus / Train >> From Vagzals you can travel to Some of the regions of West and East Georgia.
Didube “Okriba” Station – Marshutka >> From Okriba Station you can travel to Western Georgian Regions.
Samgori Station – Marshutka >> From Samgori you can travel to Eastern Georgian Regions.
Ortachala Station – Marshutka / Bus >> From Ortachala you can travel to Nearby Countries (Yerevan , Baku , Istanbul (Price dimensions between 40 Gel – 100 Gel)
Travelling around
Minibuses to other regions of Georgia go from Didube.
Travelling by train is fairly comfortable and popular in Georgia. You can take nighttrains to Batumi for as cheap price as 5.50 laris. Trains also go to nearby capitals Yerevan and Baku.
Hitchhiking in Georgia is quite easy and enjoyable, local drivers will be more than happy to help you and have a chat with you. Girls should not hitcchike alone and definitely wear descent clothes to avoid any kind of misunderstandings.
Our hostel will provide guests with maps of Georgia as well as maps of every region. Be sure to ask for some more travel tips! :)
Facilities
 |
• 24-hour reception • Free Internet (Wi-Fi) • Bar • Alcohol • Beer • Wine • Vodka (chacha) • Juice • Snacks • FREE tourist information and 24-hour assistance! • Hot Water • Bar / Lounge / Chillout Area • Free coffee and tea • Backpack-sized lockers (included in the price) • Bed linen / Towels (included in the price) • Taxes Included in the price • Day-storage of luggage after check out • Washing and drying machine • BBQ area • FREE kitchen • Breakfast (extra charge) • Tickets and tour bookings • Iron and ironing board • Airport shuttle transfers • Female only room • Tour Desk / Maps • Free Hair Dryer • Free Iron and Ironing facilities • Washing Machine / Dryer • Air Conditioning • Free Computer • Airport Transfer ( extra charge 12.70 Eur / 30 Gel) |
