Old Tbilisi is the historical part of the city, the precincts and neighborhoods of which before 1936 were called Tiflis (in Georgian-Tpilisi). Old Tbilisi compiles the following precincts: Abanotubani-Kharpukhi (the­reafter Seidabad), Ka­la, Isani-Avlabari, Sololaki, Mtatsminda, Vere, Orta­cha­la, Chugureti, Didube, Nadzaladevi. The biggest part of Tbilisi landmarks is concentrated in the Old City, and accordingly it is the major drawcard for the tourists. Since 2007 Old Tbilisi has been a candidate to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

As the story goes, the foundation of the city is linked to the sulphur hot springs on its territory. This story is reflected also in the name of the city (“Tbili” means warm in Georgian). The first settlement in Tbilisi dates back to IV century AD, and in the middle of the V century AD king of Kartli, Vakhtang Gorgasali, started urban development here. His heir Dachi proclaimed Tbilisi the capital of the Kingdom of Kartli. Tbilisi is a natural center of the Caucasus region. Its strategic location has attracted big empires from the times immemorial, and the city often fell under political, economic and cultural influence of foreign nations. In VIII-XII centuries AD Tbilisi was under Muslim domination. It was the seat of Arab emir. In XVI-XVIII centuries it was under the authority of Persia and Ottoman Empire, and in XIX-XX centuries – under the rule of Russia.

In VI-VIII centuries and in XV-XVIII centuries Tbilisi was the capital of Kartli, and in XII-XV centuries – the capital of the Kingdom of Georgia. In 1801-1917 Tbilisi was the center of the region of the Caucasus in the Russian Empire (seat of the Caucasus vicegerant), and in 1918 and 1922-1936 Tbilisi was a principal city of the Trans-Caucasus Federation. In 1918-1921 it was the capital of the Georgian Democratic Republic, and from 1991 – the capital of the independent state of Georgia.