New Year in Tbilisi: Christmas Market and Hidden Gems Tour

Tbilisi wears winter well. This three-hour walk links festive squares, food stalls, and Christmas lights with a useful introduction to central Tbilisi. I like the small group of up to 10 people, which should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. I also like the route’s mix of treats, architecture, markets, and local holiday customs rather than a simple lights-only stroll.

The price is $39 per person, with snacks included, so it offers fair value if you want an easy first look at the city during the holiday season. The main concern is the weather. You will walk about 3.5 kilometers outside, and Tbilisi can be cold, wet, or snowy in winter. The guide does not use a voice amplifier, so staying close matters.

• Liberty Square starts the walk beneath the decorated St George’s Column.
• Orbeliani Square hosts Tbilisi’s main Christmas bazaar, with mulled wine, crafts, snacks, and possible live music.
• Bazari Orbeliani turns food shopping into an attraction, with Georgian dishes, wine, lemonade, spices, and handmade goods.
• Rustaveli Avenue brings the big finish, with Christmas lights, the main New Year’s tree, and Tovlis Papa, Georgia’s Santa Claus.
• A group of no more than 10 keeps this more personal than a large city walk.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure gives you some flexibility when winter weather is uncertain.

What You Get for $39 in Tbilisi

At $39, this is not a bargain basement city walk, but it is reasonably priced for a small-group holiday outing with snacks and an English-speaking guide. You are paying less for entry tickets, since the listed stops are free, and more for the route, seasonal access, local explanation, and the ease of seeing several central areas in one go.

I think the value is strongest if you have only a short time in Tbilisi or if you arrive during the New Year period and want help finding the seasonal displays. You can certainly walk these areas alone, but a guide gives the evening more shape and can point out the cultural details you might otherwise pass without noticing.

The group discount may improve the price for larger parties, though the exact reduction is not stated. Personal spending is not included, so leave room for mulled wine, food, gifts, wine, spices, or other purchases at Orbeliani Square and Bazari Orbeliani.

Snacks are included, but that does not mean lunch or a full meal. Think of them as a small taste during the outing. If you are keen to sample Georgian food properly, carry some cash and treat the market stop as part of the experience.

Meeting at Liberty Square

The tour begins at Burberry Freedom Square on Shalva Dadiani Street in the Mtawminda area. The meeting point is central, but give yourself time to find the exact spot. The maximum wait is 10 minutes, and anyone arriving later must make a new booking.

Liberty Square is a sensible starting point because it gives you a clear sense of central Tbilisi before the holiday stops begin. The square’s St George’s Column is decorated for New Year, with lights and seasonal displays around it. You get about 15 minutes here, enough for photographs and a short orientation.

I like this opening because it is not overloaded. You are not asked to absorb a long lecture before the walk gets moving. Instead, you get a landmark, a few pictures, and a first taste of Tbilisi’s winter mood.

The square can feel busy during the holiday period, so keep close to the guide. Since there is no amplifier, it is worth standing near the front of the group if you want to catch every explanation.

Orbeliani Square and the Christmas Bazaar

The longest stop is Orbeliani Square, where you spend about 50 minutes. This is the heart of Tbilisi’s main Christmas bazaar during the festive season, with small kiosks selling hot mulled wine, handmade gifts, and local snacks.

This is the part of the walk that most clearly earns its seasonal title. You are not just looking at decorations from a distance. You can browse stalls, stop for a warm drink, and see how Tbilisi presents Christmas and New Year in a public square.

The nearby President’s Palace adds a formal backdrop to the scene. The surrounding Orbeliani district also brings in 19th-century buildings with a European architectural influence. That combination is useful: the square gives you holiday energy, while the nearby streets add older urban character.

Live music may be taking place, but it is not guaranteed. I would treat it as a pleasant bonus rather than a promised performance. The same applies to particular foods or gifts, since market stock can change from one day to the next.

Fifty minutes is a practical amount of time. It allows room for the guide’s explanation and some browsing, though you may need to choose what interests you most. If you stop at every kiosk, sample several foods, and shop for gifts, you could easily wish for longer.

Dress for standing outside. A warm drink helps, but it will not replace a proper coat, gloves, and shoes that can handle wet pavement.

Bazari Orbeliani’s Georgian Food Focus

Next comes Bazari Orbeliani, with about 45 minutes inside Tbilisi’s largest food mall. The space was once a Soviet-era bazaar and has been converted into a modern food destination. That change gives the stop a useful link between older city life and present-day dining.

You can find fast food, local specialties, Georgian wines, and traditional lemonades. Shops also sell handmade crafts, blended spices, and other local products. For me, this is one of the most useful parts of the route because it gives you options beyond a single restaurant meal.

If you are new to Georgian cuisine, the market format lets you look before you commit. You might sample a snack, ask the guide about unfamiliar ingredients, or buy spices to take home. If you already know Georgian food, the stop gives you a chance to browse at your own pace and compare products.

The 45-minute visit is enough for a first look and some tasting, but it is not a full food tour. The included snacks are a small part of the experience, and additional food or drinks cost extra. Carry cash for incidental purchases, as recommended for the walk.

This stop also breaks up the outdoor route. After Liberty Square and the Christmas bazaar, an indoor food hall gives you a warmer pause before the final stretch along Rustaveli Avenue.

Rustaveli Avenue and Tovlis Papa

The final stop lasts about 35 minutes on Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi’s main street. During the holiday season, historic facades are lit with Christmas decorations, creating the most polished visual section of the route.

Near the parliament building, the main New Year’s tree provides a major photo opportunity. You can also look for Tovlis Papa, Georgia’s Santa Claus. The local name is a small but worthwhile detail, especially if you want to understand how the holiday is presented in Georgia rather than simply seeing imported Christmas imagery.

Rustaveli Avenue is also where the tour ends, at 2 Merab Kostava Street. This makes the route practical if you plan to continue exploring central Tbilisi afterward. The end point is not the same as the start, so plan your return route before you set out.

The avenue may be crowded and noisy during the holiday period. Again, the lack of a voice amplifier matters. Stay close enough to hear the guide, especially near the tree and parliament building, where people may gather for photographs.

A Small Group Makes a Difference

The maximum group size is 10 people. That is a real advantage on a walking route with market stops. A guide can usually answer more questions, keep the group together, and adjust slightly when someone needs a moment for a photograph or purchase.

The English-language format suits visitors who want context without arranging a private guide. The tour does not promise a private pace, however. You will still follow a set route and shared schedule.

For a more flexible outing, a private tour is available. That may make sense if you want longer food stops, more time for shopping, or a pace suited to children or older family members. The group walk is likely the better value if you simply want a compact introduction to festive Tbilisi.

One past booking had guide Oksana, who was praised for her patience, cheerful manner, and care during a period when protests were taking place. She stayed with the group until the participants had caught a taxi back to their hotel. That is a particularly useful sign of attentive guiding, though guide assignments can vary, so Oksana should not be assumed for every departure.

The Winter Walking Practicalities

The route covers about 3.5 kilometers, or 2.2 miles, with stops along the way. Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. It is still an outdoor walk, not a vehicle-based sightseeing trip, so comfortable footwear is important.

Winter conditions deserve serious attention. Cold weather, rain, and snow are all possible. Wear layers, bring a coat with some weather protection, and carry gloves if your hands get cold while taking photographs.

A small bottle of water is recommended, even though the tour includes snacks. Cash is also useful for food, drinks, gifts, and personal expenses. The tour price does not cover those purchases.

The tour is offered in English, and the guide does not use a microphone or voice amplifier. In a group of 10, this should be manageable, but noise from the streets and market can make it harder to hear. Position yourself near the guide and avoid wandering too far ahead at busy stops.

Service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, and most people can take part, though the route’s distance and winter conditions should be considered before booking for anyone with limited mobility.

Safety, Timing, and Flexibility

The scheduled stops total roughly 145 minutes, while the full experience lasts about three hours. The remaining time allows for walking between squares, streets, the food hall, and Rustaveli Avenue. The pace should feel steady rather than rushed, but this is not a long, slow café crawl.

The tour’s safety record is helped by the small group format and the guide’s responsibility for keeping everyone together. Conditions in the city can change, especially during public events or protests, so follow local guidance and stay with the group.

You receive booking confirmation at the time of purchase. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made later are not accepted for a refund, which is worth remembering when winter forecasts are unsettled.

Who Will Get the Most From This Walk

I would recommend this tour to first-time visitors who want a simple introduction to Tbilisi during the New Year period. It is also a good fit for couples, families, and small groups who prefer a planned route to working out the city’s holiday displays alone.

Food lovers will get extra value from Bazari Orbeliani. The stop is not long enough for a full culinary education, but it gives you a useful list of Georgian foods, drinks, spices, and ingredients to explore later.

Photographers should enjoy Liberty Square, Orbeliani Square, and Rustaveli Avenue, particularly after dark when the decorations are lit. Keep in mind that crowds, weather, and lighting conditions can affect the experience.

You may want something else if you dislike cold-weather walks, prefer private guiding, or want extensive time for shopping and eating. A private booking would give you more control, while an indoor food experience might suit you better in poor weather.

Should You Book the Tbilisi New Year Tour?

Book it if you want a compact festive walk with food, markets, local holiday details, and a small group. The route covers four distinct stops, includes snacks, and ends near major central sights. At $39, it is a fair way to get your bearings during a busy season without spending half a day planning the route yourself.

Skip it if winter weather will keep you indoors or if you expect a full meal, extensive tastings, or a private pace. For the best experience, arrive early at the Freedom Square meeting point, wear warm waterproof clothing, carry cash, and stay close enough to hear the guide.

FAQ

How long does the New Year in Tbilisi tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours. The walking route covers about 3.5 kilometers, or 2.2 miles, with stops along the way.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English. The guide does not use a voice amplifier, so you should remain close to the guide, especially in busy outdoor areas.

What is included in the $39 price?

Snacks are included. Personal expenses, such as additional food, drinks, gifts, and other purchases, are not included.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The meeting point is Burberry Freedom Square on Shalva Dadiani Street in Mtawminda. The tour ends at Rustaveli, 2 Merab Kostava Street, Tbilisi.

What happens if I arrive late?

The maximum waiting time before the tour starts is 10 minutes. If you arrive later than that, you will need to make a new booking.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the local start time are not accepted for a refund.