Very Friendly Tbilisi Walking Tour (wine tasting & cable car)

Tbilisi reveals itself one street at a time. This four-hour outing links the old city’s churches, fortress ruins, sulfur baths, river views, and modern landmarks, giving you a useful first look at Georgia’s capital. I especially like the long list of sights and the chance to hear local context from a guide instead of simply walking past the buildings. I also like the small-group format, advertised at up to 15 people, which should make it easier to ask questions and keep a personal pace.

The main point to check before booking is the wine tasting. It appears in the tour title, but the included items list only bottled water and a local guide, with food and drinks excluded. Hotel pickup also needs clarification: it is described as available in the tour highlights, while the meeting information says hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Key things to know before you book

• You cover much of Old Tbilisi on foot, including the city wall, Anchiskhati Basilica, Sioni Cathedral, Abanotubani, and Meidan Bazaar.
• The cable car ride is included, linking Rike Park with the Narikala Fortress area.
• The route mixes old and new Tbilisi, from a sixth-century basilica to the modern Bridge of Peace.
• The guide is the heart of the tour, and Anastasia de Fellini is praised for her friendly, warm manner and clear enjoyment of the work.
• The advertised price is $27.24 per person, a fair rate if you want a guided introduction to many central sights.
• Confirm the group size, pickup, and wine details, because the information gives different details in a few places.

Why this four-hour walk works well in Tbilisi

Tbilisi is easy to underestimate. The main sights sit fairly close together, but the city’s story is layered across steep slopes, river crossings, courtyards, churches, fortress walls, bathhouses, and newer public spaces. A guide helps connect those pieces.

This tour begins near Pushkin Square and ends at Orbeliani Square, close to Orbeliani Bazaar. That makes it useful on your first full day, when you want to get your bearings before exploring on your own. It also works near the end of a short stay because the route checks off many major sights in one outing.

At $27.24, the price is reasonable for a four-hour guided walk that includes a cable car ticket and bottled water. You are paying mainly for the guide and the organization, not for a series of costly admissions. Nearly every stop is free, so the value depends on how much you want explanation, direction, and local perspective.

The schedule lists roughly 15 minutes at many stops, with longer pauses at Narikala Fortress and Abanotubani. That means you should expect an overview rather than a slow, detailed visit to every building. I would treat this as a strong orientation tour, then return later to the places that catch your interest.

From Tbilisi’s old wall to the Gabriadze clock

The walk starts with the ruins of Tbilisi’s city wall, including underground heritage linked to the 11th century and an old customs gate. This is a good opening because it puts the city’s growth into physical form. You are not starting with a polished square, but with fragments of the defensive city that once controlled movement and trade.

The next stop is the Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater on Shavteli Street. Built in 1981 by Georgian artist Rezo Gabriadze, the theater has an unusual façade and a clock tower that has become one of Tbilisi’s most recognizable sights.

The clock’s small mechanical show is the detail to watch for. Once an hour, a golden angel comes through a painted doorway and rings a bell with a small hammer. The tour allows about 15 minutes here, so ask your guide about the timing if you want to see it. The show may not line up with your arrival, but the building is worth a look even when the clock is quiet.

Anchiskhati Basilica follows. Dating to the sixth century, it is the oldest church building in Tbilisi. Its name relates to the Anchi icon, which was brought here from Anchi Monastery in southern Georgia in 1664. The icon is now held at the Georgian National Museum.

The basilica is a reminder that Tbilisi’s oldest religious buildings can be easy to miss among later streets and commercial spaces. You get about 10 minutes here, so listen closely if the guide explains the church’s role in medieval religious and cultural life.

Erekle II Square and the Bridge of Peace

The route then reaches the Georgian Patriarchate and the former site of King Rostom’s palace around Erekle II Square. The present building began in 1809 on palace ruins and later housed representatives of Tsarist Russia, including the Exarch and his offices.

This is a useful stop for understanding how political power shifted in Tbilisi. The site is not as instantly dramatic as a fortress or church, but its layers help explain the city’s complicated relationship with Georgian rulers, the Russian Empire, and the Orthodox Church.

From there, you head to the Bridge of Peace over the Mtkvari River. Opened in 2010, the bridge connects Erekle II Street with Rike Park. Its glass and steel design is a sharp contrast to the old stone streets and church towers nearby.

I like this part of the route because the contrast is so clear. Tbilisi does not hide its newer architecture behind the old city. The bridge became one of the symbols of the renewed capital, and it gives you a good view along the river.

Rike Park is another modern addition. Its paths and design are said to form a large map of Georgia when viewed from above, with routes representing different regions. The park is also the departure point for the cable car, making it a natural transition from the lower city to the hilltop sights.

Metekhi Church and King Vakhtang’s river view

Across the river, the tour reaches Metekhi Cathedral in the historic Metekhi district. The church sits above the Mtkvari and is linked with the tomb of Saint Shushanik. Her remains were moved here after the religious split between Armenians and Georgians in the early seventh century.

The site is tied to Queen Tamar as well. The story says she honored Saint Shushanik’s body with gilded clothing. You get about 15 minutes, enough for the guide to explain the main points and for you to take in the position above the river.

Nearby is the monument to King Vakhtang Gorgasali, the fifth and early sixth-century ruler associated with the old Georgian kingdom of Iberia. His reign involved a long struggle against Sasanian Iranian power, supported by an alliance with Byzantium. The conflict ended in defeat and weakened Iberia, but the king remains a major figure in Georgian history.

The monument stop lasts only about five minutes. It is less about an extended visit and more about connecting the king with the city below. The riverfront view helps you see why Tbilisi’s hills and crossings mattered so much to its development.

Taking the cable car to Kartlis Deda and Narikala

The cable car is one of the tour’s practical advantages. It runs from Rike Park, or more precisely Europe Square, up toward the Narikala Fortress area. The ride saves you from making the full climb on foot and gives you a broad look over the Mtkvari and Old Tbilisi.

The ticket is included, which matters because it removes one extra purchase during a tightly timed walk. You should still be ready for walking before and after the ride. This is not a sightseeing bus tour, and the route continues through hilly historic areas.

At the upper station, you see Kartlis Deda, the Mother of Georgia statue. She holds a wine cup in one hand for friends and a sword in the other for enemies. The image sums up a familiar Georgian idea of hospitality with a firm warning not to mistake kindness for weakness.

The next stop is Narikala Fortress. The first fortifications date to the fourth century, and Arab rulers expanded the citadel in the seventh and eighth centuries. The remaining structure reflects that later Arabian fortification work. The grounds also contain a 12th-century Saint Nicholas Church.

The tour allows about 20 minutes here, the longest stop on the upper section of the route. Use that time for the views and for the fortress walls. The ruins are fragments rather than a fully intact castle, so the guide’s explanation adds real value. You can better understand how the fortress watched over the river, roads, and old neighborhoods below.

The mosque, waterfall, and sulfur baths

From Narikala, the route moves toward the Tbilisi Mosque, also called the Juma Mosque. It is below the fortress in Old Tbilisi and is currently the city’s only Muslim shrine.

The first Sunni mosque on this site was built by the Ottomans between 1723 and 1735, destroyed by the Persians in the 1740s, and rebuilt in the 19th century. A major renovation followed in 1895. This stop gives the walk a useful religious and cultural range, showing that Tbilisi’s story is not limited to Georgian Orthodox churches.

Next comes Leghvtakhevi Waterfall, a 22-meter fall in the old city. The name comes from the Georgian word for fig, since fig trees once grew around the gorge. The waterfall sits in the historic Abanotubani area, where the gorge once separated the old district of Kala from the rest of the city.

The waterfall is a welcome change from streets and monuments. The scheduled visit is about 10 minutes, so it is a quick look rather than a long nature stop.

Abanotubani receives about 30 minutes, making it one of the tour’s most substantial stops. This district is known for its sulfur baths, built at different times from roughly the 17th through the 19th centuries. Hot sulfur springs made the area a natural place for public bathing, and the district remains one of Tbilisi’s most recognizable quarters.

Chreli Abano is among the bathhouses you may see here. Its exterior resembles a mosque, although it is a sulfur bath. The building is a good example of how Tbilisi’s architecture can surprise you, especially when a place’s appearance does not reveal its actual purpose.

Food and drinks are not included, and the information does not confirm that a bath visit is part of the tour. If you want to use a sulfur bath, ask the operator about arranging it separately rather than assuming the walking tour includes bathing time.

Meidan Bazaar, Shardeni Street, and Sioni Cathedral

Meidan Bazaar has served as a commercial square for centuries. French traveler Jean Chardin wrote about the area in the 18th century, and the square has carried several names, including Shaitan Bazaar, Tatris Moedani, and Tsikhis Moedani.

Today, the bazaar is a useful place to look for Georgian wine, handmade accessories, souvenirs, and local foods. The tour allows about 20 minutes here. That is enough to browse, but not enough for a relaxed shopping session if you are comparing many products.

The title of the tour points to wine tasting, but the schedule does not give a tasting stop or include wine among the listed inclusions. I would ask Fellini Travels directly before booking if a tasting is planned, where it takes place, and if there is an extra charge. If wine is central to your plans, this detail could change the tour’s value for you.

Jan Shardeni Street comes next. This pedestrian lane, along with Bambis Rigi, Rkinis Rigi, and nearby Erekle II Street, is lined with cafés, galleries, and shops. It is one of the city’s social areas and gives you a look at contemporary Tbilisi after the older religious and defensive sites.

The final major stop is Sioni Cathedral. The cross-domed church sits on the lower right bank of the Mtkvari in Old Tbilisi. It served as Tbilisi’s cathedral from the fifth century until the present era and became the Patriarchal Cathedral in 1920.

The visit is scheduled for about 10 minutes. Dress and behave respectfully in the church, and remember that a short guided stop cannot cover every stage of the building’s long history. If the interior interests you, make a note to return when you have more time.

Guide style, group size, and the human touch

The strongest personal praise is for Anastasia de Fellini, described as an excellent and very friendly guide who clearly enjoys her work. The warm tone of that feedback matters because a walking tour depends heavily on the person leading it. A good guide can make a ruined wall, a clock tower, or a brief church visit feel connected rather than random.

The tour is promoted as a small group with a maximum of 15 people, which is a useful size for city walking. It should allow you to hear explanations and ask questions without being lost in a crowd. However, the additional booking details also give a maximum of 100 participants. That is a significant difference, so confirm the expected group size before paying if a small group is important to you.

The stated review score is 5 out of 5 from 13 reviews, with 100 percent recommending the experience. That is a positive sign, but the sample is small. I would place the most weight on the specific praise for Anastasia’s friendly and personal approach rather than treating the rating as a guarantee.

Practical details that affect your day

The meeting point is Tbilisi Pushkin Square. The walk ends at Orbeliani Square, near Orbeliani Bazaar, so you should not expect to return to your hotel. This is helpful if you want to continue sightseeing or shopping after the tour.

Hotel pickup is unclear. One part of the description says hassle-free hotel pickup is available, while the included services say hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Ask before booking, and plan to reach Pushkin Square yourself unless the operator confirms a pickup arrangement.

The tour includes bottled water and a local guide. Food and drinks are not included. The cable car admission is included, but the tour does not list entrance fees for churches, the mosque, the baths, or the fortress because the scheduled visits are described as free.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. Most people can participate, according to the supplied details, but the route includes extended walking and historic hill areas. If you have mobility concerns, ask about the exact route and the cable car access before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and a minimum number of participants is required for the tour to operate.

Who should book this Tbilisi tour?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want to see the main old-city sights without planning every turn themselves. It suits people who enjoy history, architecture, religious sites, city views, and a few unusual stops such as the waterfall and the Gabriadze clock.

It is also a good choice if you have only a short stay. In four hours, you reach the river, Rike Park, Metekhi, Narikala, Abanotubani, the bazaar, and Sioni Cathedral. That saves planning time and helps you decide where to return on your own.

I would be more cautious if you want a slow visit at each church, a formal wine tasting, or a guaranteed group of no more than 15 people. The route is packed, and some stops last only 5 or 10 minutes. Confirm the wine arrangements, group size, and pickup before booking.

Should you book the Very Friendly Tbilisi Walking Tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, guide-led introduction to central Tbilisi with a cable car ride built in. The route gives you a good mix of ancient walls, Georgian churches, Muslim heritage, sulfur baths, markets, modern architecture, and hilltop views. Anastasia de Fellini’s friendly style is an especially good reason to consider it.

Skip it if you prefer to explore at a slow pace or if wine tasting is the main reason you are interested. For most first-time visitors, though, $27.24 is a fair price for four hours of orientation, provided you confirm the few unclear details before booking.

FAQ

How long does the Tbilisi walking tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $27.24 per person.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Tbilisi Pushkin Square in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Orbeliani Square, near Orbeliani Bazaar.

Is the cable car ride included?

Yes. Admission for the Tbilisi Aerial Tramway is included.

Is wine tasting included?

Wine tasting appears in the tour title, but the listed inclusions do not confirm it. Food and drinks are excluded, so you should confirm the wine arrangements with Fellini Travels before booking.

Is hotel pickup available?

The details are inconsistent. Hotel pickup is described as available in one section, but hotel pickup and drop-off are also listed as not included. Confirm this directly with the operator.

What is included in the tour?

Bottled water, a local guide, and the Tbilisi cable car admission are included.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.