Tbilisi hop-on hop-off bus tour: Old Town, Mtskheta, Jvari

Six hours, five major stops, two ancient capitals

A six-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour of Tbilisi covers the Old Town, Narikala Fortress, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral, then travels to Mtskheta and Jvari Monastery in the hills outside the city. A live professional guide leads 30–40 minute walking excursions at each stop, while an onboard audio system and air conditioning keep the pace comfortable. The bus route includes Freedom Square, Marjanishvili Square and Baratashvili Street as it loops through the city before heading out to the two ancient monasteries that once served as Georgia's spiritual centers.

The Experience

The tour runs for six hours total and starts near the city bus stops between two underpasses, close to a TBS bank branch. From there the bus moves through central Tbilisi, stopping at Freedom Square and Marjanishvili Square before heading to Baratashvili Street. You can hop off at any stop and rejoin the bus later, or stay on board and listen to the audio guide explain what you're passing. The live guide answers questions throughout and leads the walking portions, so you're not navigating on your own.

The major stops are the Old Town, where narrow streets and traditional houses cluster below Narikala Fortress, and the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Tsminda Sameba), Georgia's largest cathedral. Walking excursions at each site run 30–40 minutes, giving you time to move through the spaces without feeling rushed. The bus is air-conditioned and equipped with the audio system, and free water is available on board.

After the Tbilisi stops, the route continues to Mtskheta, the ancient capital, and Jvari Monastery, a sixth-century church perched on a hilltop overlooking the town. Both are UNESCO sites and central to Georgian history, and the guide provides context for what you're seeing at each one. The hop-on hop-off format means you control how long you spend at each location—some travelers skip a stop, others spend the full walking time and rejoin the bus for the next leg.

What’s included

• Professional local guide leading walking excursions at each stop.
• air-conditioned hop-on hop-off bus with onboard audio guide system.
• free water on board.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hop On Hop Off Tbilisi LLC

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to cover Tbilisi's main sights and the two ancient monasteries outside the city in a single morning or afternoon without arranging your own transport or navigation. The hop-on hop-off format works best if you prefer flexibility—you can spend extra time at a stop that interests you and skip ahead at another, rather than following a fixed schedule.

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Top questions

What is the Holy Trinity Cathedral and why is it on this tour?

The Holy Trinity Cathedral, also called Tsminda Sameba, is Georgia's largest cathedral and one of the most important religious sites in the country. It's a major stop on the tour because it's central to understanding Tbilisi's spiritual and architectural identity.

How long do you spend walking at each stop on the Tbilisi hop-on hop-off tour?

Walking excursions at each stop last 30–40 minutes, giving you time to explore the site with the guide before returning to the bus for the next leg of the route.

Can I get off the bus and rejoin it later, or do I have to stay on for the whole six hours?

The hop-on hop-off format lets you get off at any stop and rejoin the bus whenever you're ready. You control the pace and can spend as much or as little time at each location as you want.

What is Jvari Monastery and where is it?

Jvari Monastery is a sixth-century church located on a hilltop overlooking Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. It's a UNESCO site and one of the oldest churches in the country, visible from miles away because of its hilltop position.

Is lunch included on this tour?

Lunch is not included, but the six-hour duration and multiple stops give you opportunities to eat at restaurants or cafes in the Old Town or Mtskheta if you choose to extend your time at those locations.

What's provided on the bus during the tour?

The bus is air-conditioned and equipped with an audio guide system that explains the sights as you travel. Free water is available on board, and a live professional guide leads the walking portions and answers questions throughout the day.