Tbilisi Sulfur Baths: Are They Worth it?
The sulfur baths in Tbilisi often get mixed reviews from travelers. People either seem to love their stinky bath experience, or feel a sting of disappointment after it. Legend has it that these sulfur baths helped establish and move the capitol of Georgia to Tbilisi. I’ll share my honest experience: from being marinated in some boiling rotten egg water, being doused with old wine water, and finally, getting scrubbed down naked on a tiled slab.
Here’s what to expect at the Tbilisi sulfur baths.
Table of Contents
- Legend Has It…
- Where to Soak in the Tbilisi Sulfur Baths
- The Sulfur Bath Experience
- So, Was it Worth it?
Legend Has It…
In Tbilisi, the sulfur baths are conveniently located in the center of Old Town. The warm natural springs may have helped to give Tbilisi its name. The legend goes that King Vakhtang Gorgasali was hunting for pheasants with his falcon. The pheasant fell into the “hot sulfuric” water and his falcon followed, causing both to perish. Shortly after this, the King moved the capitol here and renamed the city Tbilisi, which loosely translates from Georgian to “warm.”
So, these warm sulfuric waters helped to establish Tbilisi. These healing waters inspired a King, and the legend is even depicted in the form of a statue. Find it in the center of Tbilisi, next to the popular sulfur baths.
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Where to Soak in the Tbilisi Sulfur Baths
Locals absolutely love Gulo’s Thermal Spa and will point you here if “you want to feel cared for by the mama.” Don’t expect a lavish ambiance, Gulo’s is all about keeping true to the authenticity of the bathing experience. For a genuine time, choose a sulfur bath with a middle to lower price range. Go in with little to no expectations and an open mind.
Gulo’s takes walk-ins, which is another huge bonus.
Practical Info About Gulo’s Thermal Spa
Sulfur bath packages vary in price. There are add-ons like saunas and scrubs. The price also varies on how long and how much time you wish to spend in the sulfur baths. Keep in mind, the prices are usually dependent on how many people are in the room.
The more people sharing the room, the cheaper the cost!
Basic Pacakge @ Gulo’s
- Private Room/30 minutes: 40 GEL ($12.50 USD)
- What’s Included: Soaking tub, shower, squat toilet, tiled table (for scrub), sheet, towel, and a changing room.
- Optional Scrub: 10 GEL ($3.00 USD)
- Scrub time was 15 minutes
- Find them here: Abano Street 2
- Daily: 7:30- 3:30
- Check them out Gulo’s Thermal Spa on Facebook here!
The Sulfur Bath Experience
Here’s how I can best explain my time experience at Gulo’s!
The smell of rotten eggs tingles at my nose as I open the door to my private room. I am quite fond of the tiles on the bathhouse’s walls, the simple decor transports one to Turkey. I undress. The room is as bare as I am.
Next, I make my way to the tub. It is steaming and overflowing with the healing sulfur waters. The water in the tub is so hot, so hot it was hard to sit all the way in the tub. I am feeling flush, but now there is a soft tapping at the door.
Tbilisi Sulfur Baths: To Scrub or Not to Scrub?
A woman comes in and moves me to the uninviting tiled table. Next, she has me lay face down. I feel pretty vulnerable, but she smiles and reaches for her “tools” to scrub me down.
First, she pulls out a a large sponge and begins the “scrub down.” Everyone warned me it could be rough, but I’m really quite enjoying it. I see a bottle and it smells of vinegar. She explains it’s really old wine, which justifies the scent. She dumps the contents on me and continues to scrub away. One side done.
Next, she dips her bucket into the scolding hot water. A few hot splashes and it’s time to turn. She repeats on my front side. Even though I know what was coming, that scorching bucket of water still came as a shock.
After an abrupt rinse, she uses a soapy towel to lather me up and lather the foam. Here come a few more sloshes of boiling water from the bucket.
I’m feeling real squeaky clean. Finally, I rinse off with a shockingly cold shower. She instructs me to dip into the tub, but I can’t go past my lower half. The water is turning my skin a new shade of “lobster red.”
This experience at the Tbilisi sulfur baths is one I will never forget.
So, Was it Worth it?
Absolutely, yes! Don’t miss the chance to try out a sulfur bath and the scrub. This experience is unique to Tbilisi and showcases examples of a culture where east meets west.
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For a truly genuine experience in Tbilisi, choose a sulfur bath that caters to locals and tourists. To cut down on costs, include your friends in the experience. Go in with an open mind and few expectations. Without a doubt, get the scrub and marinate in a tub that smells of pungent eggs.
On a final note, I left feeling so relaxed. As soon as I left my tranquil bubble, that was the sulfur bath; I am brought back to where I am. I am greeted by the chaos and bustle that is Tbilisi. It has become a most welcomed hum and a place I will always hold dear to my heart.
Have you visited the sulfur baths in Tbilisi? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclaimer: There’s a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love.
