Walking tours in Tbilisi: 11 routes from free to gastronomic

Tbilisi is more compact than it looks on the map. The Old Town, the embankment, and Narikala Fortress are within a half-hour walk of each other, so a walking tour gives you more than a bus with stops. The problem is different: there are dozens of offers, and you can't tell in advance which one will show you the city in two hours and which one will drag you through souvenir shops.

Tbilisi has free overview tours, paid themed routes, and audio guides for self-guided walks. A free Old Town tour starts every day at noon at Pushkin Square and runs about three hours (as of 09/2026, official website).

Below are 11 vetted tours: from free walks to food and architecture tours. You can compare them by theme, duration, and starting point, and pick the format that fits your trip.

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How to choose a walking tour in Tbilisi

💡 In short:

• Take an overview tour on your first day: it gives you your bearings and saves time later.
• Choose a themed route based on your interest: food, Soviet architecture, photography.
• An audio guide works well if you want to walk without a group and at your own pace.
• Prices and start times: 09/2026, verified on the operator's official website.

The first decision depends on how much time you have in the city. Tbilisi is usually the first stop on a Georgia itinerary, and an overview walk through the Old Town gives you your bearings for all the days that follow.

Paid routes differ by theme and depth. A food tour takes you through restaurants and the market, an architecture tour shows Soviet concrete and the outskirts, a photo tour is built around views and morning light.

If you only have one day, take an overview tour and don't spread yourself thin trying to do everything at once. With two or three days, add a theme you care about: food, architecture, or photography. That way you get to know the city and get what you came for.

In practice, one overview tour at the start of the trip and one themed tour on the second day give you a complete picture. Three or more is overkill: your legs get tired and the details start to blur.

For a quick comparison, see the table below.

How to book a tour in Tbilisi

The easiest way to book is through platforms that aggregate tours from different companies. GetYourGuide shows the route, price, and provider name on one screen, which makes comparing options convenient.

Some companies take bookings directly on their own website, while other tours can be arranged once you're in the city. In summer and during holidays, book in advance, because popular dates and guides go fast.

Free tours almost always require registration, even though they don't charge money. Sign up on the operator's website and show up at the meeting point ten minutes before the start, so you don't have to search for the group across the square.

Canceling and rescheduling is easier through the platform: you see the refund terms before you pay. When choosing between two similar tours, also look at the meeting point. It determines how much time you'll spend getting to the start.

How much to tip your guide

Tipping in Georgia is not mandatory, but it has become a habit among tourists. In restaurants and taxis, people usually add a small amount to the bill if they liked the service. The same logic applies to tours.

Free tours work differently. The guide doesn't get a salary and lives entirely on tips, so the amount at the end of the walk becomes their income. Base it on the tour length, group size, and how engaging the storytelling was.

There is no fixed rate. If the tour took half a day and you came away with a dozen food recommendations, the tip will be larger than after a short walk around the block.

1. Old Tbilisi free tour

© Andrew Milligan sumo · CC BYPhoto: Andrew Milligan sumo, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

An overview walk from Tbilisi Free Walking Tours, a company that has operated in the city since 2015 (company website). Put it at the start of your trip: in one go, you get a mental map of the Old Town.

The route covers the center and the main landmarks: Freedom Square, Old Town courtyards, the Bridge of Peace, Rike Park, Narikala Fortress, and the sulfur baths in Abanotubani.

English-speaking groups start every day at noon from Pushkin Square on Freedom Square and run in any weather (as of 09/2026, official website).

• Cost: free, you only leave a tip.
• Schedule: every day at noon.
• Duration: about three hours.
• Booking required: yes, spots are limited.
• What you'll see: Freedom Square, Old Town courtyards, the Bridge of Peace, Rike Park, Narikala Fortress, the sulfur baths.
• The catch: the walk runs in any weather, so you'll need an umbrella in the rain.

similar overview walks on GetYourGuide

2. Hidden Tbilisi (free tour)

© Andrew Milligan sumo · CC BYPhoto: Andrew Milligan sumo, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The same company's second free route, for those who have already seen the main sights. This one shows what usually stays behind the scenes: courtyards, entrance halls, and 19th-century residential buildings.

The walk is designed for fans of architecture, design, and street photography. Part of the route goes through narrow alleys, where you talk with locals and get a feel for how the city works.

This route shows the city from an everyday perspective: where people live, how courtyards are arranged, and why balconies overhang the street. If you have already walked through the main squares, here you will see a completely different Tbilisi.

Groups go out on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, at 5:00 PM in summer and 3:00 PM in winter (as of 09/2026, tour schedule).

• Cost: free.
• Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
• Duration: two to three hours, about four kilometers on foot.
• Reservation required: yes.
• What you will see: 19th-century residential buildings, closed courtyards, staircases, local workshops.
• The catch: part of the route goes through residential entrance halls, so you need to keep quiet.

hidden courtyards in other GetYourGuide tours

3. Backstreets of Tbilisi (free tour)

© Jelger Groeneveld · CC BYPhoto: Jelger Groeneveld, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Another free route from Tbilisi Free Walking Tours, this time together with the Fabrika hostel. The tour is run for hostel guests, but anyone can join.

It starts at Fabrika, then the group walks along Marjanishvili, a former German settlement with a mix of old, Soviet, and brutalist architecture. Along the way you see street art, a flea market, and the futuristic Public Service Hall building.

The route takes you out of the tourist center, so there are fewer souvenir shops and more ordinary city life. Tours run on Tuesdays and Sundays, starting at noon (as of 09/2026, Tbilisi Free Walking Tours).

• Cost: free.
• Schedule: Tuesday and Sunday, at noon.
• Duration: two to three hours.
• Reservation required: yes.
• What you will see: Marjanishvili, street art, a flea market, Soviet architecture, Public Service Hall.
• The catch: the area is away from the center, so you will need to get to the starting point.

Marjanishvili routes on GetYourGuide

4. Tbilisi Traditions

A paid route for those who want to understand what Tbilisi looked like a century and a half ago. It starts at Freedom Square, then the group heads through Sololaki to Betlemi Street, one of the most beautiful parts of the city.

Here, ornate facades sit next to dilapidated houses, and those details capture the essence of the neighborhood. The guide explains how the city changed and why the center looks the way it does.

The route is unhurried but relaxed: the group often stops at old houses to examine the stucco work and balconies. If you enjoy reading a city through its small details, this walk will appeal to you.

The tour is run by the international company Urban Adventures, and bookings go through the Airbnb Experiences platform. Check the price when booking, as it depends on the date and group size.

• Cost: paid, confirm when booking.
• Schedule: daily.
• Duration: about three hours.
• Booking required: yes.
• What you will see: Freedom Square, Sololaki, Betlemi Street, the sulfur baths, Metekhi Bridge.

other historical walks on GetYourGuide

5. Tbilisi's soviet concrete walking tour

© Mostafameraji · CC BY-SAPhoto: Mostafameraji, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

A route for anyone interested in Soviet architecture and brutalism. Tbilisi is better suited to this than most cities: both monumental buildings and concrete sculptures survive in the center and on the outskirts.

The tour is run by Brutal Tours. The price includes a private guide and all transport along the route; food and personal expenses are paid separately. The price is 49 € per person (as of 09/2026, Brutal Tours).

It starts at Freedom Square, then the group travels by public transport and on foot. Tours are offered in English, German, Dutch, and French, so choose your language when booking.

If you have been curious about the Soviet period, this walk covers the topic completely: in one day you will see both the grand buildings of the center and neighborhoods on the outskirts.

• Cost: 49 € per person, food and drinks not included (as of 09/2026, Brutal Tours).
• Schedule: daily.
• Duration: full day.
• Booking required: yes.
• What you will see: Bank of Georgia, Chronicles of Georgia, brutalist and modernist buildings.
• The catch: part of the route uses public transport, so the pace is faster than a typical walking tour.

architecture tours on GetYourGuide

6. Food & wine walking tour

A food-focused route through Sololaki, the city's main restaurant district. You sample khachapuri, khinkali, and local wines, while the guide shares the history of Georgian cuisine between tastings.

The program includes dinner and wine, so the tour is not a quick bite on the go but a full evening with several stops. One of the restaurants is among the oldest in the city.

The tour ends at Narikala Fortress, where you get a view of evening Tbilisi. Check the price when booking, as it depends on the number of guests.

• Cost: paid, food and wine included.
• Schedule: daily, daytime or evening.
• Duration: about three and a half hours.
• Booking required: yes.
• What you will see: Sololaki, the city's oldest restaurant, tastings, views of nighttime Tbilisi.

food tour of Sololaki on GetYourGuide

7. Tbilisi Market Walk

© David1010 · CC BY-SAPhoto: David1010, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

A full day at Dezerter Bazaar, the largest open-air market in Tbilisi. The route is led by Culinary Backstreets, an agency that specializes in food tours in cities around the world.

You walk through the market with a local guide in a small group, sample cheeses, spices, and sweets, and learn to make churchkhela. The day ends with dinner at a family restaurant with a menu that is not available to the general public.

The group is small, so booking is required: the tour runs Tuesday through Saturday and only with a minimum of two people (as of Culinary Backstreets).

• Cost: paid, food included in the price.
• Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday, morning start.
• Duration: full day.
• Booking required: yes, minimum two people.
• What you will see: Dezerter Bazaar, tastings, dinner at a family restaurant.
• The catch: the tour takes the whole day, so there will be no time left for other plans.

Tbilisi food tours on GetYourGuide

8. Night Walking Tour

© Shalika Malintha · CC BYPhoto: Shalika Malintha, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

An evening walk through the old town, when the lights come on and the heat subsides. The group first climbs to viewpoints for the panorama, then descends and walks through the streets of one of the oldest districts.

At the end, the guide suggests where to have dinner and which bars to check out next. A good option for your first evening, because you immediately get a sense of where city life happens.

Starts daily in the evening; check the exact time and meeting point on the tour page when booking.

• Cost: paid, see the price at checkout.
• Schedule: daily, evening start.
• Duration: about three and a half hours.
• Booking required: yes.
• What you will see: viewpoints, illuminated churches, the old town.

old town night tour on GetYourGuide

9. Tbilisi Instagram Tour

© This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote . Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author an · CC BYPhoto: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote . Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author an, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

A route for photographers and anyone who wants to bring home strong shots. The guide works as a professional photographer, shows you spots with good light, and works through composition and framing with you.

The program includes churches, colorful facades, and murals, so the tour is not only about pictures: you will also get some of the city's history. It is better to shoot in the morning, when the light is softer and the streets are less crowded.

During the day the route runs from three to six hours; choose the exact program when booking.

Photo tour groups are small, so the guide has enough time for your questions, and at each stop you can calmly take shot after shot.

• Cost: paid, confirm when booking.
• Schedule: daily during the day.
• Duration: three to six hours, depending on the program.
• Booking required: yes.
• What you will see: viewpoints, churches, colorful facades, murals.

Tbilisi photo tours on GetYourGuide

10. Self-guided Wine Walk

© ::ErWin · CC BY-SAPhoto: ::ErWin, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

An option for those who do not want to go with a group. The GPSmyCity app has put together self-guided routes in cities around the world, and in Tbilisi one of them leads through wine bars.

The Self-guided Wine Walk route takes you through five bars selected by Daria, a Georgian wine expert. The maps work offline, so you do not use mobile data and are not tied to a group schedule.

Access is available through an annual subscription to the app. Besides wine, the selection includes routes for breakfasts and restaurants, and even a search for the best lemonade.

• Cost: included in the annual GPSmyCity subscription.
• Schedule: at any convenient time.
• Duration: flexible, allow at least four hours.
• Booking required: no.
• What you will see: five wine bars in the city center.
• The catch: without a guide, you will have to figure out the wine list and the route yourself.

Georgia wine tours on GetYourGuide

11. DIY immersive audio tour

© Tiia Monto · CC BY-SAPhoto: Tiia Monto, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The most flexible format in this selection: an audio tour from Past Perfect Tbilisi. You pick up headphones in Rike Park and then walk through the historic center at your own pace.

The recording was put together by the project's founders, Manana and Oleg. Besides the route through the center, it includes many stories and city details, and the audio is available in English and Russian.

The route is not long, so it is easy to combine it with another walk on the same day.

• Cost: paid, confirm when booking.
• Schedule: daily.
• Duration: about an hour and a half, roughly four kilometers.
• Booking required: yes.
• What you will see: the main monuments of the center and lesser-known spots.
• The catch: you need headphones and a charged phone, and there is no live guide with you.

audio guides for Tbilisi on GetYourGuide

Tours in Tbilisi should be booked in advance, especially on weekends and during high season. If you haven't chosen a route yet, check out the selection below: it is compiled based on the text of this article.

Useful for a trip to Georgia

Insurance. Starting January 1, 2026, Georgia requires all incoming tourists to have a valid health insurance policy (as of: 09/2026, U.S. Embassy in Georgia). Get your policy before departure and keep a printed copy handy, as they may ask for it at the border.

Airport transfer. Flights to Tbilisi often arrive at night, and taxis at the exit charge inflated prices. A private transfer is more convenient to book in advance, so the driver waits for you with a sign.

Bus and metro in Tbilisi are cheaper than a taxi, but with a suitcase after a night flight they are inconvenient. If you take a taxi, confirm the price before getting in.

SIM card. Local operator Magti sells weekly internet packages, so navigation and translation apps work without roaming. Bring your passport to make the purchase.

Accommodation. Tbilisi has many family guesthouses and apartments, so it is better to book in advance.

Car rental. If you plan trips to fortresses and Kakheti, a car will come in handy.

Full-day excursions. Beyond the walking tours in this article, Tbilisi has wine regions, mountains, and monasteries.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a walking tour of Tbilisi cost?

Free sightseeing tours cost nothing, you only leave a tip for the guide. Paid themed routes have their own pricing, and the price is always visible when booking. The most expensive option is a gastronomic tour with dinner, wine, and tastings.

Do I need to book a free tour in advance?

Yes, almost all free tours require registration, even though they do not charge money. The guide relies on the number of sign-ups and plans the route for the group.

How much should I tip the guide?

There is no fixed rate. On a free tour, tips replace the guide's salary, so you decide the amount yourself.

What language are the tours in?

The most popular sightseeing routes are in English. The architecture tour from Brutal Tours is also offered in German, Dutch, and French. The audio tour from Past Perfect Tbilisi is available in English and Russian, so choose the language when booking.

Can I explore Tbilisi on my own, without a guide?

Yes, there is an audio guide and a wine bar route in the app for that. The maps work offline, and you walk at your own pace without a group. The catch: there is no live guide with you, so you will have to look up details and history on your own.

In short: what to book

If this is your first time in Tbilisi, take a free sightseeing tour and add an evening walk with viewpoints.

If you are into food, choose the gastronomic route through Sololaki or a full day at Dezerter Bazaar.

If you love architecture, go see Soviet concrete with Brutal Tours, and for photos, join a photo tour.

If you want to walk without a group, get an audio guide or the self-guided wine bar route.

view all tours on GetYourGuide

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