Tbilisi: Old & New City Guided Tour with 15 Tastings & Wine

Come hungry, leave oriented. This Tbilisi tour ties the city’s main sights to Georgian food, wine, and local stories, making it a useful first-day introduction rather than a simple march from monument to monument. I especially like the mix of 15 included tastings and a walking route through both the Old and New City. The main consideration is pace: you cover a lot in two to four hours, and the moderate walking may not suit anyone with mobility limits.

I also like the personal side of the experience. Guides such as Nodar, Giorgi, Camila, Irina, Mariam, and Emma have been praised for answering questions about Georgian culture, politics, Soviet life, and daily customs, not just reciting dates. The food is generous enough that you should arrive with an empty stomach, and the final wine stop gives you a chance to linger rather than ending the tour beside the last landmark.

Key points at a glance

• Four kinds of khinkali: Try beef, mushroom, potato-cheese, and potato dumplings, with guidance on Georgian eating customs.
• A broad central Tbilisi route: Walk from Dry Bridge Market and Dedaena Park to Anchiskhati Basilica, the Bridge of Peace, Rike Park, and the Old Town.
• Wine with real variety: Taste white, dry red, semi-sweet red, and qvevri wines before trying chacha, Georgia’s local spirit.
• A strong first-day tour: Hotel pickup, central sights, food, and practical city tips help you get your bearings quickly.
• Small-group or private options: The experience is available as a private tour or in a small group, depending on the booking.
• Food tour with sightseeing: There are many tastings, but this is not a stop-at-every-café food crawl. It is a city walk with substantial food breaks.

What this Tbilisi experience is really like

At $62 per person, this is built as a compact introduction to Georgia’s capital. You are not signing up for a long museum program or a formal banquet. Instead, you walk through central Tbilisi with an English or Russian-speaking guide, stopping for food, sweets, sauces, wine, and local spirits along the way.

The route combines famous views with ordinary corners of the city. That balance matters. You see the photogenic Bridge of Peace, but you also pass through the market area around Dry Bridge and streets near the old center where the guide can explain how Tbilisi’s past and present sit side by side.

The tour takes two to four hours, so the exact feel depends on the start time, group size, and pace. A shorter outing may feel brisk. A four-hour version gives more room for conversation and tasting, though the full list of stops is still a lot to cover in one session.

I would book it early in your stay. Several people found that the route helped them feel more comfortable exploring on their own afterward, while the food advice gave them a better idea of what to order elsewhere in Georgia.

Starting with coffee and Georgian flavors

The experience begins with hotel pickup in Tbilisi and a stop at a local café. This is a useful opening because you meet your guide before the route gets busy, and the welcome refreshments ease you into the food side of the tour.

The included tastings are not all full dishes. They range from small samples to more filling portions, so you should not treat the number 15 as 15 separate restaurant courses. The four khinkali tastings, however, can add up quickly, especially if you are not used to eating Georgian dumplings.

The selection includes:

• Beef khinkali
• Mushroom khinkali
• Potato-cheese khinkali
• Potato khinkali
• Local lemonade
• Walnut and hazelnut churchkhela
• Walnut and honey gozinaki
• Tkemali sauce made with wild plum or blackberry
• Ajika, a spicy local preparation
• White wine
• Dry red wine
• Semi-sweet red wine
• Qvevri wine
• Chacha, a local spirit

This lineup works well because it shows different sides of Georgian food. You get dumplings, sweets, sauces, a soft drink, wine, and a strong spirit. It is especially helpful if you know little about Georgian cuisine and want a guided tasting rather than ordering unfamiliar items at random.

Vegetarians should mention their needs when booking or before the tour begins. Mushroom, potato-cheese, and potato khinkali are included, and the experience has accommodated vegetarian guests, but the listed beef dumpling is part of the standard tasting.

Dry Bridge Market and Dedaena Park

Dry Bridge Market is one of the route’s more characterful early stops. It gives you a look at Tbilisi beyond the polished sightseeing circuit, with time for photographs, a guided walk, and some free exploration.

Timing matters here. If you choose an evening departure, the market may be closed, as one visitor discovered. The route can still work, but you will miss the market atmosphere and browsing time. If this stop is important to you, check the starting time before booking.

Nearby Dedaena Park adds an open-air pause after the market. The park is included as a place to walk, take photographs, and hear more about the city. These first stops help break up the food tasting and keep the tour from feeling like a series of indoor venues.

You then pass the Presidential Palace. This is mainly a photo and explanation stop rather than a formal interior visit. Keep that distinction in mind if you want palace access. The itinerary describes passing by, walking, and viewing the exterior.

Gabriadze, Anchiskhati, and old city streets

The route becomes more historic around the Rezo Gabriadze Theater, Anchiskhati Basilica, and Ioane Shavteli Street. Here, your guide connects buildings and streets with the wider story of Tbilisi.

The Rezo Gabriadze Theater is a natural photo stop, and its setting adds a playful artistic note to the older part of the city. Anchiskhati Basilica brings the focus to religious and architectural heritage. The visit is guided, with time for sightseeing, though the information provided does not promise a long interior tour or guaranteed entry conditions.

Ioane Shavteli Street links these sights into a walkable old-center sequence. This is where a guide becomes more useful than a map. You can see the main points yourself, but a local guide can explain what you are looking at, answer questions, and point out details you might otherwise pass without noticing.

The best guides appear to be conversational rather than rigid. Giorgi has been praised for discussing sensitive subjects such as the Soviet experience and current geopolitics with honesty and care. Nodar has been described as focused and direct, while Camila and Irina have received strong praise for warmth, patience, and personal local insight. Your guide will vary, but the service is clearly designed around conversation.

The Bridge of Peace and Rike Park

The Bridge of Peace marks the clearest shift between historic and modern Tbilisi. It is an easy place for photographs and a useful point for your guide to explain the city’s newer public spaces and changing identity.

From there, you walk through Rike Park and toward Europe Square. These stops are not only about ticking off landmarks. They give you changing views across the river and help you understand how the central districts connect.

You should expect photo stops and guided commentary rather than a long rest period. The walking is moderate, and the route includes streets, parks, bridges, and old-town paving. Wear shoes with good support. Large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed, which is sensible on a walking route but worth remembering if you are heading out directly from a train or airport transfer.

Weather can alter the comfort of this part of the tour. In sunny weather, bring sunscreen. If rain is possible, carry a raincoat. The experience runs outdoors for much of its sightseeing portion, and the supplied guidance specifically warns you to prepare for the forecast.

Meidan Bazar and the Old Town

Meidan Bazar brings together shopping, local products, arts, and food culture. You have time to look around, take photographs, and hear about the items on display. It is a good place to consider souvenirs, though purchases are not part of the tour price.

From here, the walk continues through Tbilisi’s Old Town. This is the heart of the experience, where narrow streets, old buildings, viewpoints, and food stops come together.

The Old Town is also where the walking can feel most demanding. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and the moderate amount of walking may be tiring if you have difficulty with uneven streets or standing for long stretches. There is no promise of a fully step-free route, so ask the operator about your specific needs before reserving.

The route gives you a useful city framework. You see where the main sights are, how the modern center meets the older districts, and which areas you may want to revisit independently. That practical orientation is one of the strongest reasons to take this tour near the start of a Tbilisi visit.

The 15 tastings, from dumplings to chacha

The food is the tour’s main reward, but it is best understood as a guided introduction rather than a series of tiny samples. The khinkali are substantial enough to fill you up, and several people have found them to be among the best food they ate during their Georgian trip.

You will taste the dumplings in four versions. The beef option shows the classic savory style, while mushroom, potato-cheese, and potato versions make the tasting more varied. The guide can explain the customs around eating khinkali, including the practical rules that make this delicious food a little messy for first-timers.

Churchkhela is another distinctly Georgian stop. These sweets are made with nuts and a fruit-based coating, and you receive both walnut and hazelnut versions. Gozinaki, made with walnut and honey, offers a different texture and sweetness.

Tkemali and ajika bring sharper flavors to the program. Tkemali is a sour fruit sauce, listed here in wild plum or blackberry versions. Ajika adds heat. These are useful tastings because they show how Georgian meals are built around strong sauces and condiments, not only the main dish.

The local lemonade provides a nonalcoholic break. That matters because the wine and chacha arrive later, and the overall tasting list contains enough alcohol to require some common sense.

Four wines and one fiery finish

The wine section takes place at a local bar. You taste white wine, dry red wine, semi-sweet red wine, and qvevri wine, followed by chacha.

Qvevri wine is particularly important for understanding Georgian wine culture. The tour does not simply give you one generic glass and send you on your way. You can compare different styles and ask your guide what to look for during the rest of your visit.

Chacha is a local spirit, and it can be potent. It is a small tasting, not a reason to drink quickly. If you do not drink alcohol, the included list does not specify a replacement for every alcoholic tasting, so tell the operator about your preference in advance.

The final bar stop is a smart ending. You receive wine, and you may be able to stay and mingle or order more wine if you wish, although additional purchases are not included. It leaves the tour on a relaxed note rather than ending immediately after a landmark photograph.

Guide quality and the value of local conversation

The strongest part of this experience is the guide. Names frequently associated with excellent outings include Camila, Nodar, Giorgi, George, Irina, Mariam, and Emma. The guide assigned to you may differ, but the repeated strengths are clear: strong English, patience, humor, local pride, and a willingness to discuss more than the standard sightseeing script.

Personal stories can make the city easier to understand. A guide who explains family experiences, modern Georgian life, or the effects of the Soviet period gives you context that a plaque cannot provide. This is also a good setting for practical questions about restaurants, neighborhoods, wine, and what to see next.

Private tours offer the most flexibility. A private guide can adjust the conversation and respond to dietary needs or interests more easily. Small groups should provide a more social format while keeping the experience more personal than a large coach tour.

There is some variation in the details. Stops may change with weather, opening hours, local events, or safety concerns. One private tour used an alternate route after protests in the city, a sensible adjustment that kept the experience going without ignoring conditions on the ground.

Is $62 per person good value?

For $62, you receive hotel pickup and drop-off, an English or Russian-speaking professional guide, a guided Old and New City tour, and the 15 listed tastings. You also avoid spending time arranging separate food stops and a wine tasting.

The value is strongest if you are new to Tbilisi, enjoy walking, and want a meal-sized amount of food alongside sightseeing. It is also good value for a short stay because you cover many central areas in one outing and finish with a better sense of where to return.

The value is weaker if you want a long, slow food crawl with many restaurant visits. One person found there were fewer food stops than on other food tours, although the portions were large. That is the fair description: this is a food and city tour combination, not a dedicated culinary marathon.

Extra food, drinks, shopping, and any additional wine at the final bar are not included. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your schedule is still shifting.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors, couples with different interests, and anyone who wants history explained while eating. It works particularly well for a first full day in Tbilisi, when you need orientation, local advice, and a broad look at the center.

Food lovers will enjoy the range, especially the khinkali and wine. History fans will appreciate the chance to ask questions about Georgia’s past and present while moving through real streets rather than sitting in a lecture hall.

I would choose another format if you cannot manage moderate walking, need wheelchair access, dislike shared food stops, or want a highly specialized wine tour. You should also avoid arriving after a large meal. The dumpling portions and sweets can turn a casual afternoon into a very full one.

FAQ

How much does the Tbilisi Old and New City tour cost?

The price is $62 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is two to four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi are included.

What languages does the guide speak?

Live guides are available in English and Russian.

Is this a private tour?

Private and small-group options are available.

How many tastings are included?

Fifteen tastings are included, covering khinkali, lemonade, sweets, sauces, four wine styles, and chacha.

Are all food and drinks included?

Only the listed tastings are included. Additional food and drinks are not included.

Is wine tasting part of the experience?

Yes. You taste white wine, dry red wine, semi-sweet red wine, and qvevri wine at a local bar.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable walking shoes. You should also check the weather and carry sunscreen or a raincoat as needed. Oversize luggage and large bags are not allowed.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a strong first look at Tbilisi, with food doing as much explanatory work as the monuments. The route is broad, the tastings are generous, and the guides bring enough warmth and local perspective to make the city feel approachable.

My main advice is simple: book it near the beginning of your stay, arrive hungry, wear practical shoes, and choose a daytime start if Dry Bridge Market matters to you. If those conditions fit your plans, $62 buys a useful city orientation, a filling introduction to Georgian cuisine, and a well-paced first taste of the country’s wine culture.