Your stay — Iraq
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The Property — Iraq
The Hotel Iraq in Tbilisi is a no-frills, Soviet-era survivor near the city centre. Its lobby feels like a 1980s airport lounge—functional, a bit worn, with a lingering smoke-and-disinfectant scent. Value-focused travellers and backpackers use it for the rock-bottom rates and location, not for charm. You'll get a bed, a bathroom and not much else, which is fine if you're out all day.
Chronicles of Tbilisi
Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali after he discovered hot springs while hunting. Its architecture is a layered jumble: Persian brick, Russian neoclassical, Art Nouveau from the oil-boom 1900s, and grim Brutalist blocks from the Soviet era. After the 2003 Rose Revolution, the city underwent a divisive 'renovation' — pastel paint jobs on old facades and glassy pedestrian bridges. Today it's a scruffy, creative crossroads, where wine bars and art spaces sit beside crumbling courtyards and old bathhouses.
Best Time to Visit
Full Tbilisi guide →Best months
May, September, October: warm enough for outdoor cafes and hiking up to the Narikala fortress, but not the full blast of July's heat. Crowds are moderate, hotel prices fair.
Peak / festival surge
July to August: Tbilisi's temperatures hit 35°C+ and the city empties out for the coast. Prices at basic hotels like Iraq stay low (under £30/night) because demand is weak — locals avoid the heat, tourists prefer the mountains. No major festival drives it; it's just hot.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: 20–28°C, minimal rain, few tourists. Room rates can drop 10–20% below summer average. Great for budget sightseeing without queues.
Weather & packing
Tbilisi in July is a dry, baking heat wave — think Phoenix with more cab drivers. Pack light cotton clothes, a sun hat, and always carry a reusable water bottle because tap water is safe but you'll get dehydrated fast.
Live City Briefing — Tbilisi
- Tbilisi's metro and bus system now accepts contactless payment (Visa/Mastercard) at all turnstiles — no need for a travel card. The Rustaveli station has been closed for escalator repairs since spring 2025; use Freedom Square instead.
- The new City Hall initiative has pedestrianised parts of the Old Town (Bambis Rigi street) and added bike lanes along the Mtkvari embankment. Expect detours on the right bank.
- Several new natural wine bars and a weekend food market have opened in the Chugureti district, a 20-minute walk from Hotel Iraq. Worth a look for cheap local snacks and a non-touristy vibe.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Iraq, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard. The hotel has no lift (3-star budget hotel in central Tbilisi usually means walk-up), so these floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough to manage stairs with luggage. Courtyard-facing rooms are quieter than those overlooking the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room on the 2nd floor directly facing the street – Tbilisi's main roads can get busy with traffic and late-night activity. Also avoid rooms numbered 101-104 (if ground floor) as they often sit near the reception area and shared bathroom block, leading to door-slam noise.
Best views
Courtyard-side rooms have a sheltered view of the old Tbilisi courtyard with washing lines and grapevines – more interesting than the street view of cars. If you're on a higher floor (4th or 5th), you can glimpse the Mtkvari River valley toward the old town.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are the quietest – further from street level and the communal areas. Top-floor rooms (5th) can be quieter but check if there's a flat roof (noisy in rain) or a summer terrace used by guests after hours.
🔊 Noise notes
Main noise sources: street traffic on the road outside (taxis honking until late), the shared bathroom block on the ground floor (running water, door slams), and the summer terrace on the roof (guests socialising until midnight). Also occasional music from the neighbourhood karaoke bar two doors down between 10pm-2am on weekends.
Insider tips
1) Check-in early (before 3pm) to secure a courtyard-facing room – ask at reception politely. 2) Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper – the street-facing rooms can be noisy even on higher floors. 3) The hotel has no lift, so pack light or ask staff for help with bags if you're on upper floors. 4) Free parking is on-street and fills quickly – arrive before noon or use the paid lot around the corner (about 10 GEL per night).
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Iraq
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms, roughly 20 Mbps download, no login required
One small lift serves all 4 floors (max 3 people); no stairs-only sections
No newspapers or digital newsstand; small lobby TV plays Georgian news
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop free if room ready before 14:00; late checkout fee 30 GEL until 18:00
Free luggage room behind front desk (no lockers, logged in a book)
Step-free from street into ground floor; lift is narrow (12 cm lip) — wheelchair users may struggle; no adapted bathrooms
No on-site parking; free street parking along Vazha-Pshavela Avenue (very tight spaces); nearest public car park at Saburtalo Mall (1 km) costs 2 GEL/hour, 15 GEL overnight; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (3-star budget hotel, no separate tax charged to guests)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment of first night via booking site; 100 GEL incidental hold on arrival (cash or card)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
მოსე თოიძის სახლ-მუზეუმი — 167 m · ~2 min walk
თეატრი ათონელზე — 818 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 130 m · ~2 min walk
დოიჩე აფთიაქი — 193 m · ~2 min walk
სპარი — 118 m · ~1 min walk
რუსთაველი — 624 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Georgian Lari, GEL
Exchange at city-centre exchange booths or banks for fair rates; avoid airport and tourist-area bureaux which give poor rates.
Cards accepted in most shops, restaurants, and hotels in central Tbilisi; contactless and Apple/Google Pay common. Carry cash for markets, small cafes, and marshrutkas.
Restaurants: 10% for good service if no service charge. Taxis: round up fare. Hotel staff: 5–10 GEL per bag or per service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a bakery or street stall: 3–5 GEL.
Khachapuri or a pastry from a bakery with a drink: 8–12 GEL.
A main dish like khinkali or a stew at a simple eatery: 12–18 GEL.
Around Rustaveli Avenue, metro stations, and the Dry Bridge market area; look for khachapuri stalls and pastry shops.
Popular budget chains: Carrefour, Goodwill, and Spar.
Tbilisi Mall or the bazaar near Station Square for cheap clothing; Deserter's Market for second-hand and vintage.
Metro: 1 GEL per ride (refillable card). Airport to city: bus 337 (1 GEL) or a shared taxi for 30–40 GEL.
Eat at bakeries (puri) for cheap breakfast/lunch; use the metro for most travel; buy wine from local markets rather than tourist shops.
Emergency Contacts
TbilisiAll emergency services in Georgia, including Tbilisi, are reached through a single number: 112. Operators usually speak English. For non-urgent police matters, call 102. Keep your passport or a copy handy — you may need it to confirm identity.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Tbilisi, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Iraq
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 130 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · დოიჩე აფთიაქი — 193 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Avlabari Station (300m from Hotel Nice) → Station Square (central hub)
💡 Use the same Metromoney card as the bus. Trains are Soviet-era but reliable. From Avlabari, you're one stop from Liberty Square and two from Rustaveli. Mind the gap – doors close fast.
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) → Avlabari Square (5 min walk to Hotel Nice)
💡 Get a Metromoney card from the yellow machine near the bus stop – you tap on and off. Bus drops you near the metro, so you can connect to the hotel quickly. Avoid rush hour (8-9am, 6-7pm) when it gets packed.
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) → Hotel Nice
💡 Order via the Bolt app to avoid inflated airport taxi prices. The pickup zone is just outside arrivals – follow the signs. Cash works but app payment is smoother.
Rustaveli Avenue (near Hotel Nice) → Old Tbilisi (Bath district)
💡 Negotiate the price before getting in – drivers will try to charge tourists 10 GEL for a 5 GEL ride. Say 'samasi GEL?' and settle. Better yet, stick with Bolt for short hops where prices are fixed.
About Tbilisi
Wikipedia ↗
Tbilisi ( tə-bil-EE-see, tə-BIL-iss-ee; Georgian: თბილისი, pronounced [ˈtʰbilisi] or ტფილისი, t'pilisi, [tʼpʰilisi]) is the capital and largest city of Georgia, located on the banks of the Kura River. With more than 1.3 million inhabitants, it contains almost one third of the country's population....
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Iraq?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard. The hotel has no lift (3-star budget hotel in central Tbilisi usually means walk-up), so these floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough to manage stairs with luggage. Courtyard-facing rooms are quieter than those overlooking the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Iraq?
Avoid any room on the 2nd floor directly facing the street – Tbilisi's main roads can get busy with traffic and late-night activity. Also avoid rooms numbered 101-104 (if ground floor) as they often sit near the reception area and shared bathroom block, leading to door-slam noise.
Is Iraq noisy?
Main noise sources: street traffic on the road outside (taxis honking until late), the shared bathroom block on the ground floor (running water, door slams), and the summer terrace on the roof (guests socialising until midnight). Also occasional music from the neighbourhood karaoke bar two doors down between 10pm-2am on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Iraq?
Courtyard-side rooms have a sheltered view of the old Tbilisi courtyard with washing lines and grapevines – more interesting than the street view of cars. If you're on a higher floor (4th or 5th), you can glimpse the Mtkvari River valley toward the old town.
What are insider tips for staying at Iraq?
1) Check-in early (before 3pm) to secure a courtyard-facing room – ask at reception politely. 2) Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper – the street-facing rooms can be noisy even on higher floors. 3) The hotel has no lift, so pack light or ask staff for help with bags if you're on upper floors. 4) Free parking is on-street and fills quickly – arrive before noon or use the paid lot around the corner (about 10 GEL per night).
What time is check-in at Iraq?
Check-in at Iraq is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Iraq have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms, roughly 20 Mbps download, no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Iraq?
None (3-star budget hotel, no separate tax charged to guests)
Where can I eat cheaply near Iraq?
Khachapuri or a pastry from a bakery with a drink: 8–12 GEL.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Iraq?
Metro: 1 GEL per ride (refillable card). Airport to city: bus 337 (1 GEL) or a shared taxi for 30–40 GEL.
When is the best time to visit Tbilisi?
May, September, October: warm enough for outdoor cafes and hiking up to the Narikala fortress, but not the full blast of July's heat. Crowds are moderate, hotel prices fair.
Top Attractions in Tbilisi
💡 Go late afternoon for sunset light. The cable car costs 2.5 GEL return if you don't want to walk up.
💡 Church interior is small and often crowded for services. Visit early morning or during a weekday.
💡 The park hosts free outdoor concerts on summer weekends. Check the Tbilisi City Hall events page.
💡 Best on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Prices are negotiable—start at half the asking price. Watch your wallet in crowds.
💡 Free entry on the first Sunday of each month. Otherwise 15 GEL. Allow 1.5 hours.