With its dome-shaped roofs and tiled facades, no neighborhood is more representative of the Georgian capital than Abanotubani, where legend says that Tbilisi was born.
In the 5th century, King Vakhtang Gorgasali found his hunting falcon being poached in the same sulfuric waters that feed today’s bathhouses. Dazzled by the waters, the king ordered his capital moved to the spot, which he named Tbilisi, based on the Georgian word “tbili,” (warm in English)

Since then this place has never lost its charm, importance and popularity. After the capital was moved here the importance of sulfur baths increased rapidly. With time, local baths changed the shape and style, but have never lost their cultural and social importance. It was the place, where people from different countries, with different religions and culture, met each-other, discussed various issues, learned more about common problems and experiences. In the 19^th century Tbilisi sulfured baths turned into the visiting card of the city. Different Europeans, Russian and Asian writers, travelers and historians who visited these baths explained it as one of the best rejuvenating and relaxing places. The bathhouses are located below ground level with only beehive-like domes visible on the surface.

Chreli Bath house

It’s not hard to find the Abonotubani area of Tbilisi where the bathhouses are located, just use your nose to follow the smell of rotten eggs emanating from the sulfur of the bathhouses and it’s very easy to recognize the historic domed brick roofs of the bathhouses in Abonotubani

The Abanotubani baths are built along Persian traditions, but unlike the water in Persian baths, which are manually heated, the water in Tbilisi comes from the earth from between 75 and 107 degrees Fahrenheit

Gulo’s Thermal Spa

Benefits of A Sulfur Bath

Other than being squeaky clean, feeling relaxed, and getting warm on a cold day, the sulfur baths of Tbilisi is said to have some healing properties. Taking a sulfur bath is believed to treat eczema, a dry scalp, and other skin problems such as acne. It’s also believed that the baths can relieve problems of arthritic joints, digestive problems, and insomnia.

How Much Do Sulphur Baths in Tbilisi Cost?

            The Bathhouses vary in costs and the private rooms vary as well according to their size and facilities inside. The more expensive rooms are much more spacious and comfortable with complete facilities such as a sauna, hot and cold baths, stone massage table, and a shower

Luxury room for one hour: 100-120GEL
Mid-range room for one hour: 60-80 GEL
Budget room for one hour: 30-55 GEL
Towel, shampoo, soap, slippers: 1-3GEL
Massage and scrub: 20GEL