New Year in Tbilisi: Christmas Market and Hidden Gems Tour

Tbilisi’s holiday charm comes together on this 3.5-kilometer evening walk, where grand squares, market stalls, Georgian food, and Christmas lights all fit into one easy route. You begin at Liberty Square and finish on Rustaveli Avenue beneath the city’s main New Year tree.

I like the mix of festive sights and everyday Georgian life, especially the shift from decorated public squares to Bazari Orbeliani’s food counters and spice shops. I also like the small group limit of 10, which should make it easier to hear an English-speaking guide without a voice amplifier.

The main thing to consider is the weather. Tbilisi can be cold, wet, or snowy at New Year, and the walk keeps moving outdoors for roughly three hours. You also need to arrive on time, since the maximum wait is 10 minutes.

Key points before you book

• A compact route through central Tbilisi: Cover four major stops and about 3.5 km without arranging taxis between them.
• Orbeliani Square is the festive centerpiece: Browse seasonal kiosks with mulled wine, handmade gifts, snacks, and possible live music.
• Bazari adds a strong food stop: See a former Soviet-era market turned food hall with Georgian dishes, wine, lemonades, spices, and crafts.
• Rustaveli supplies the big finish: Walk beneath Christmas lights, see the main New Year tree, and look for Tovlis Papa, Georgia’s Santa Claus.
• Small English-speaking group: The maximum is 10 people, although the guide does not use a voice amplifier.
• Good value at $39: Snacks are included, while drinks, shopping, and other personal purchases are extra.

A festive walk from Liberty Square to Rustaveli Avenue

This is a straightforward introduction to Tbilisi at one of the city’s most atmospheric times of year. The walk links the main holiday displays with places where you can get a feel for Georgian food and local shopping, rather than keeping you only on polished streets and photo stops.

You meet at the Burberry near Freedom Square on Shalva Dadiani Street. The starting point is central and close to public transportation, so it is a practical place to begin. From there, the route heads toward Liberty Square, Orbeliani Square, Bazari Orbeliani, and Rustaveli Avenue.

The advertised duration is about three hours, while the listed stop times add up to 145 minutes. The remaining time allows for walking, explanations, photos, and pauses. The route is not long by city-tour standards, but comfortable shoes still matter because you cover about 2.2 miles on foot.

The small group size is one of the better features here. With no more than 10 participants, the guide can keep the pace together and answer questions without turning the outing into a large procession. Since no voice amplifier is used, staying near the guide will help, particularly around busy squares or along noisy streets.

Liberty Square and St George’s Column

Liberty Square is a fitting place to get your bearings. Its central monument, St George’s Column, is decorated for the New Year, with lights and seasonal displays giving the square a different feel from its usual civic role.

You have about 15 minutes here. That is enough for photographs and a short introduction, but not enough for a detailed historical tour of the square. I would treat this stop as a visual opening rather than the main attraction.

The value is its position in the city. You are starting in the middle of Tbilisi, with the festive walk unfolding around you rather than requiring a long transfer to a separate Christmas market. The square also gives the guide a natural place to explain how the route fits together.

Bring a warm layer even if the day begins mild. Holiday lighting can make a cold square feel inviting, but you will notice the temperature quickly if you stand still for photos.

Orbeliani Square, Tbilisi’s main Christmas bazaar

Orbeliani Square receives the longest stop, about 50 minutes, and this is where the New Year theme feels most complete. Seasonal kiosks sell hot mulled wine, handmade gifts, and local snacks. Depending on the schedule, you might also hear live music.

The square is close to the President’s Palace, which is decorated for the season. That setting gives the market a grand backdrop, while the surrounding 19th-century buildings add a more intimate layer. The architecture reflects Tbilisi’s European influence and makes the walk more than a simple run through temporary stalls.

I like this stop because you can choose your own level of participation. You can focus on photographs and the atmosphere, browse for a small gift, or spend some money on a warm drink and food. Personal expenses are not included, so keep some Georgian lari or other usable cash with you.

The market may be the busiest part of the route. That is part of its appeal, but it also means you may need to stay close to the guide. If you want a quiet, slow shopping session, 50 minutes can feel brief. If you want a lively holiday snapshot with a local setting, it is a useful amount of time.

Bazari Orbeliani and the practical side of Georgian food

The next stop lasts about 45 minutes and changes the mood. Bazari Orbeliani occupies a former Soviet-era bazaar that has been turned into Tbilisi’s largest food mall. It is a good counterpoint to the outdoor Christmas stalls because it gives you a look at food culture in a more permanent setting.

You can find Georgian dishes, quick food, local delicacies, wines, and traditional lemonades. Shops also sell handmade crafts, spices, and unusual ingredients. The range makes this stop useful even if you are not hungry. You can look at what goes into Georgian cooking, pick up a food gift, or use the time to sample something that catches your eye.

Snacks are included with the tour, but the details of the snack are not specified. Do not assume that every food or drink you want is covered. The safest plan is to carry cash for anything beyond the included portion, especially wine, lemonade, market purchases, or a larger meal.

I find this kind of stop valuable because it connects sightseeing with daily life. A decorated square tells you how Tbilisi celebrates. A food hall shows you what people eat, sell, blend, and share throughout the year. The two stops work well together.

The limitation is that this is still a timed visit. Forty-five minutes lets you look around and try a few things, but it is not a full food tour. If your main aim is a long tasting session, you may want to return to Bazari later on your own.

Rustaveli Avenue and the main New Year tree

Rustaveli Avenue brings the walk to its most photographic finish. Tbilisi’s main street is lit with Christmas decorations, and the historic building facades are illuminated for the holiday season.

The tour spends about 35 minutes here, near the Parliament building and the main New Year tree. You can take in the lights, photograph the decorated avenue, and look for Tovlis Papa, Georgia’s Santa Claus.

This is a good final stop because it has a clear focal point. Rather than ending in an ordinary side street, the route finishes at one of Tbilisi’s best-known public avenues during the city’s biggest seasonal display. The lights also give you a reason to linger after the formal tour ends.

The finish point is listed as Rustaveli, 2 Merab Kostava Street. Check the exact meeting and ending details when you book, and make a note of the location before setting out. The tour does not return you to Liberty Square, so plan your onward route from the Rustaveli area.

What the $39 price really covers

At $39 per person, this tour is priced as an accessible introduction rather than a full-scale private experience. You are paying for a guided English-language walk, a compact route, and included snacks. Admission to the four listed stops is free, so the value rests mainly in the guide’s route planning, explanations, and ability to connect the locations.

That is a fair deal if you are visiting Tbilisi for a short stay and want a ready-made festive walk. You can see the main seasonal displays without researching their locations or working out the route yourself. The small group cap also adds value compared with a large public walk.

You should budget extra for personal spending. Mulled wine, other drinks, gifts, food beyond the included snacks, and crafts at the market are not covered. Carrying a small bottle of water and some cash is sensible.

The tour is less compelling if you already know central Tbilisi well or prefer to explore at your own pace. You could visit these areas independently, particularly because admission is free. The $39 makes most sense when you want context, company, and a planned route during a busy holiday period.

The guide can make a real difference

The experience depends heavily on the guide. The tour is in English, and the group is limited to 10, but there is no voice amplifier. You will get the best experience by walking close enough to hear clearly and by asking questions during the stops.

Oksana receives especially warm praise for her patient explanations, cheerful manner, and care with group safety. During a period when protests were taking place in Tbilisi, she kept her group together and stayed with the party until everyone had caught a cab back to the hotel. That detail matters because good city guiding is not only about monuments. It is also about helping you make sensible choices when conditions change.

This does not mean you should expect every outing to unfold in unusual circumstances. It does show the sort of practical attention that can be useful on a winter night in an unfamiliar city. If your guide is Oksana, you can expect a particularly caring presence based on that account, though guide availability is not guaranteed.

Cold-weather planning for a 3.5-kilometer route

Dress for standing outside as well as walking. The route includes open squares, a market area, and a long avenue, so a warm coat, gloves, and shoes with good grip will make the evening easier.

Rain or snow is possible. The tour information specifically warns that winter weather can be quite cold, and there is no promise that the walk will move indoors whenever conditions worsen. A compact umbrella or waterproof outer layer is worth carrying.

A small water bottle is recommended, even in cold weather. You should also carry cash for incidental costs, since personal purchases are separate from the tour price.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The route is near public transportation, which helps both at the beginning and after the finish. If you need a slower pace, more stops, or greater control over timing, a private tour is the better option.

Who will get the most from this tour

This walk suits a first-time visitor who wants a quick sense of central Tbilisi during the holiday season. It also works well for couples, small groups of friends, and families who would rather follow a guide than coordinate four locations themselves.

Food-minded visitors will appreciate the Bazari stop, while photographers will have plenty to work with at Liberty Square and Rustaveli Avenue. The route also gives you a useful balance: outdoor decorations, historic buildings, market stalls, and an indoor food hall.

It is less suitable if you dislike cold-weather walking, need a fully indoor activity, or want a long, unhurried meal. The 3.5-kilometer route is manageable, but the tour is still an active outing with several outdoor sections.

The small group size is helpful for solo participants. You have a built-in route and an English-speaking guide without committing to a private booking. Just remember that the group waits only 10 minutes before the start, so arriving early is important.

Booking, cancellation, and timing details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.

The tour begins at the Burberry near Freedom Square and ends on Rustaveli Avenue. It is offered in English, and group discounts may be available. Since the route is seasonal, check the date and start time carefully before booking.

The maximum waiting time is 10 minutes. If you arrive late, you will need to make a new booking, so allow extra time for finding the meeting point.

Should you book the New Year in Tbilisi walk?

Book it if you want an affordable, organized introduction to Tbilisi’s holiday displays, with enough food and local shopping to keep the route from feeling like a string of photo stops. The combination of Orbeliani’s Christmas bazaar, Bazari’s food hall, and Rustaveli’s lights gives you a well-rounded three-hour outing.

I would be especially inclined to book if this is your first visit, you are staying near central Tbilisi, or you value a small group and a guide who can help with practical matters. Oksana’s careful handling of a difficult city situation is a reassuring example of what attentive guiding can add.

Skip it if you want a private schedule, an indoor winter activity, or a serious food-tasting tour. For $39, though, it offers a sensible amount of structure, seasonal atmosphere, and local flavor, provided you dress warmly and keep realistic expectations about included food and personal spending.

FAQ

How long is the New Year in Tbilisi tour?

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

Where does the tour start and finish?

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

What places are included on the route?

The route includes Liberty Square, Orbeliani Square, Bazari Orbeliani, and Rustaveli Avenue.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is conducted in English, and the guide does not use a voice amplifier.

Are food and drinks included?

Snacks are included. Personal expenses are not, so drinks, shopping, and additional food purchases require separate payment.

What happens if I arrive late or need to cancel?

The maximum waiting time before the tour is 10 minutes. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted or refunded.