Tbilisi Old Town Walk: Private Tour with Cable Car & Wine

Summary

Private Tbilisi city walk with cable car views and wine stop

You’ll wander Tbilisi’s winding streets with a local guide, ride the cable car to panoramic views by Mother of Georgia, explore ancient churches and fortress walls, soak in the scent of sulfur baths, then finish with a cozy wine tasting in Old Town — moments you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We met our guide Mariam just outside the hotel — she waved, holding a tiny Georgian flag, which made me smile. The city felt alive even before sunset, with music drifting from Rike Park and the smell of bread somewhere close (I never found out where). Our private walking tour started at Metekhi Church, perched above the river. Mariam told us about King Vakhtang Gorgasali — I tried to say his name and totally failed; she laughed and said even locals mess it up sometimes. The statue of him on horseback looked almost ready to leap off the cliff.

Crossing the Bridge of Peace felt surreal — all that glass under my feet, lights flickering as dusk settled in. Kids were running around playing tag while couples leaned over the railings. We took the cable car up to Mother of Georgia; honestly, I didn’t expect that view. You could see rooftops tumbling down toward the Mtkvari River and hear church bells echoing somewhere below. Mariam explained how Kartvlis Deda holds wine for friends and a sword for enemies — “Georgian hospitality is serious business,” she grinned.

Narikala Fortress was next, its walls rough under my hand as we climbed. There’s something about old stones at night — they hold onto the heat from the day but feel cool where shadows linger. We paused by a waterfall in Leghvtakhevi; steam from the sulfur baths drifted over us, sharp and earthy. I’d always imagined bathhouses would smell weird but it was oddly comforting, like minerals or rain on hot pavement. We wandered Shardeni Street after that — so many little bars and people laughing in every language you can think of.

The last stop was wine tasting in a tiny cellar near Anchiskhati church. The owner poured us saperavi with hands stained purple from grapes; he toasted “gaumarjos!” and told stories about tamadas (toastmasters) until we lost track of time. Walking back through Tbilisi’s old streets, I realized I’d stopped checking my phone hours ago — just listening to stories and footsteps echoing off stone walls. Even now, I still think about that first sip of wine under those yellow streetlights.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Evening Walking Tour of Tbilisi

• Traveler's Meeting Point
• Visit Metekhi Church
• Learn about Vakhtang I Gorgasali
• Cross Europe Square
• Explore Rike Park
• Walk Bridge of Peace
• See Rezo Gabriadze Clock Tower
• Visit Anchiskhati Basilica
• Stop at Patriarchate of Georgia
• Visit Sioni Cathedral
• Hear about Tamada tradition
• Stroll Shardeni Street
• Cable car to Mother of Georgia statue
• See Kartvlis Deda statue
• Explore Narikala Fortress
• Visit mosque and learn about tolerance
• Visit Leghvtakhevi Waterfall
• Visit Chreli Abano sulfur bath
• Walk Abanotubani bathhouse street

Top questions

How long does the private Tbilisi walking tour last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but covers several hours including stops at major sites like Metekhi Church, Narikala Fortress, sulfur baths district, and more.

Is hotel pickup included for this Tbilisi city tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included as part of your private walking tour experience.

Does this tour include entry to Tbilisi’s sulfur baths?

The tour visits the sulfur baths district but does not include bathing; you can see Chreli Abano and learn about their history.

Are there any dress codes for visiting churches on this tour?

Yes—shorts are not allowed inside churches; women need to cover their heads when entering.

Is lunch or food included during the walk?

No full meal is included but there is a wine tasting stop during the tour.

Can infants join this private walking tour?

Specialized infant seats are available if needed; check suitability based on your family’s needs.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English; other languages may be available upon request but aren’t specified here.

Is this Tbilisi city walk suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour involves walking uneven surfaces and climbing steps; it may not be suitable for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off, all guidance from a local expert who shares stories along every stop, a scenic cable car ride up to Narikala Fortress for sweeping city views, plus a cozy wine tasting session before heading back through Tbilisi’s lively old streets together.