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Best Budget-Friendly Museums in Tbilisi

Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is a city full of history and culture. It’s home to numerous museums, galleries, and exhibitions that showcase the country’s rich heritage. But visiting museums can be expensive, especially if you’re on a budget. Luckily, there are several budget-friendly museums in Tbilisi that offer a fascinating glimpse into Georgian history and culture without breaking the bank.

Georgian National Museum

The Georgian National Museum is the largest museum in Georgia, with several branches across the country. The main branch is located in Tbilisi, in a beautiful 19th-century building that used to be a military barracks. The museum houses a vast collection of artifacts, ranging from prehistoric times to the Soviet era.

The museum’s highlights include the Treasury, which contains a stunning collection of gold and silver artifacts, and the Archaeological Treasury, which showcases ancient Georgian jewelry, pottery, and weapons. The museum also has a large collection of paintings and sculptures, including works by Georgian artists from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The entrance fee for the Georgian National Museum is 10 GEL (approximately $3), making it one of the most affordable museums in Tbilisi.

Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts is located in the heart of Tbilisi, near the famous Rustaveli Avenue. The museum’s collection includes works by Georgian artists from the 18th to the 20th centuries, as well as European and Russian paintings and sculptures.

The museum’s highlights include the works of Niko Pirosmani, a self-taught Georgian artist who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Pirosmani’s paintings are known for their bright colors and naive style, and they depict everyday life in Georgia in a charming and whimsical way.

The entrance fee for the Museum of Fine Arts is 7 GEL (approximately $2), making it one of the most affordable museums in Tbilisi.

Open Air Museum of Ethnography

The Open Air Museum of Ethnography is located on the outskirts of Tbilisi, in a beautiful park overlooking the city. The museum is a collection of traditional Georgian houses and buildings from different regions of the country, showcasing the diversity of Georgian architecture and culture.

Visitors can explore the houses and learn about the daily life, customs, and traditions of different Georgian regions. The museum also hosts workshops and events, such as traditional Georgian dance performances and bread-making demonstrations.

The entrance fee for the Open Air Museum of Ethnography is 5 GEL (approximately $1.50), making it one of the most affordable museums in Tbilisi.

Tbilisi History Museum

The Tbilisi History Museum is located in the heart of the Old Town, in a beautiful 18th-century building that used to be a caravanserai. The museum’s collection includes artifacts and documents that trace the history of Tbilisi from ancient times to the present day.

The museum’s highlights include the exhibition on the Soviet Occupation of Georgia, which showcases the harsh realities of life under Soviet rule, and the exhibition on the history of Tbilisi’s baths, which have been an important part of Georgian culture for centuries.

The entrance fee for the Tbilisi History Museum is 8 GEL (approximately $2.50), making it one of the most affordable museums in Tbilisi.

The National Gallery is located in the same building as the Georgian National Museum, but it deserves a separate mention. The gallery houses a collection of Georgian and European paintings and sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The gallery’s highlights include the works of Lado Gudiashvili, one of the most prominent Georgian artists of the 20th century. Gudiashvili’s paintings are known for their vibrant colors and bold, expressive style.

The entrance fee for the National Gallery is 7 GEL (approximately $2), making it one of the most affordable museums in Tbilisi.

The Georgian Museum of Natural History

The Georgian Museum of Natural History is located in the Saburtalo district of Tbilisi. The museum is home to a vast collection of specimens, including fossils, minerals, and animal specimens.

Visitors can explore the museum’s various sections, including the Paleontology section, which showcases fossils from the ancient seas that once covered Georgia, and the Zoology section, which features a collection of animals from Georgia and around the world.

The entrance fee for the Georgian Museum of Natural History is 3 GEL (approximately $1), making it one of the most affordable museums in Tbilisi.

The Museum of Soviet Occupation

The Museum of Soviet Occupation is located in the center of Tbilisi, near the Parliament building. The museum’s collection tells the story of Georgia’s occupation by the Soviet Union, which lasted from 1921 to 1991.

The museum’s exhibits include photographs, documents, and artifacts that showcase the harsh realities of life under Soviet rule, including political repression and censorship. The museum also has a section dedicated to the victims of Soviet repression, including those who were executed or sent to labor camps.

The entrance fee for the Museum of Soviet Occupation is 8 GEL (approximately $2.50), making it one of the most affordable museums in Tbilisi.

The Museum of Illusions

The Museum of Illusions is located in the heart of Tbilisi, near the famous sulfur baths. The museum’s exhibits include a variety of optical illusions and interactive exhibits that challenge visitors’ perceptions and senses.

Visitors can take photos with 3D paintings, walk through a vortex tunnel, and experience other mind-bending illusions. The museum is a fun and unique way to spend an afternoon in Tbilisi.

The entrance fee for the Museum of Illusions is 15 GEL (approximately $5), making it one of the more expensive museums on this list, but still affordable compared to other museums in Tbilisi.

Conclusion

Tbilisi is a city full of museums and cultural attractions, but visiting them can be expensive. Luckily, there are several budget-friendly museums in Tbilisi that offer a fascinating glimpse into Georgian history and culture without breaking the bank. From the Georgian National Museum to the Museum of Illusions, these museums are a must-visit for anyone interested in Georgian culture and history.


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