As exotic as the name "Tbilisi" sounds, the capital city of Georgia's name can be roughly translated to "warm place". Legend has it that when the area was first settled, the founder was pleasantly surprised by the amount of sulfur hot springs coursing through the area, particularly since sulfuric baths are said have major health benefits and properties unlike the potentially carcinogenic crude oil baths we took in Naftalan, Azerbaijan.
In the 21st century, the springs are still thriving as much as ever and the sulfuric baths of Tbilisi have become quite world-famous much like the hammams in Turkey. Albeit a little smelly, paired with a kisa scrub, these baths are a fantastic way to spend and afternoon or evening in Tbilisi.
We went to quite a few of them in our time in Tbilisi and one thing we wish we had prior to our first bath was a little more of an understanding of what we were getting ourselves into.
If you are not from Georgia, bath etiquette and culture will inevitably look a bit different from what you might have back home. The iconic mosque-esque exterior of Chreli-Abano baths in Tbilisi. In this post, we will write about our experience at two different bathhouses one public and one private to give you a glimpse at Tbilisi sulfur bathhouse life.
Additionally, we will make sure to list some of the best sulfur baths in Tbilisi, so you can make an informed decision before going and also pass over some tips. Our friend Pierre had come all the way from Lyon to visit us, and we were determined to give him the full Tbilisi experience before heading to Sighnaghi the next day.
