By Nino Gelashvili, Travel News Editor · 20/10/2026
- Expect ongoing construction disruption along Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi through late 2026.
- Some shops, cafes and restaurants on the avenue may be temporarily closed or hard to access.
- Use parallel streets such as Lado Gudiashvili or Pushkin Street if Rustaveli pavements are obstructed.
Renovation works on Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi’s main thoroughfare, are causing significant disruption to pedestrian movement and access to shops and businesses in the city centre, according to local reports. The avenue, lined with theatres, shops, cafes and historic buildings, is a key route for both residents and visitors.
Business owners along the avenue report that construction has made it difficult for customers to reach their premises, with some describing severe losses in trade. The scale and duration of the works have drawn criticism locally, though no official completion date has been announced.
Rustaveli Avenue connects Freedom Square with Rustaveli metro station and the Parliament building, and is normally one of the busiest pedestrian corridors in Tbilisi, popular with tourists for its architecture, museums and shopping.
What it means for travellers
Visitors walking through central Tbilisi should expect barriers, uneven surfaces or partial closures along Rustaveli Avenue. Some cafes, restaurants and shops may have restricted access or reduced hours. Travellers can use nearby streets such as Lado Gudiashvili or Pushkin Street as alternative routes, and should allow extra time when heading to the Opera House, Parliament or Freedom Square area.
Photo: Anastasiya Lvova / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Source: OC Media (media tip-off). Reported by the GTour desk; updated 20 October 2026, 17:52 (Tbilisi).
