Old Tbilisi Walking Tour: Landmarks, Cable Car & Hidden Gems

Old Town tales, fortress views, sulphur baths and lively streets

A guided walking tour of Tbilisi's Old Town lasting roughly three hours, led by a local guide in English through cobbled streets, historic churches and landmarks including Freedom Square, Anchiskhati Basilica, Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia monument, with a cable car ride included. Groups stay under ten people for a personalized experience, or book privately. Dress code applies: knees and shoulders must be covered to enter places of worship. The tour includes a ten-minute wait at the meeting point; late arrivals require a new booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Old Tbilisi highlights

• Visit Freedom Square
• Walk through Old part of city
• See Anchiskhati Basilica
• Cross Bridge of Peace
• Stroll Shardeni Street
• Explore Old Town restaurants and theaters
• Visit Gabriadze Theater
• Learn about Sergey Paradjanov
• See Sayat-Nova monument
• Ride Tbilisi Aerial Tramway
• Visit Sioni Cathedral
• View Kartlis Deda monument
• Visit Friday Mosque
• Relax in Rike Park
• See Georgian Synagogue
• View Tamada sculpture
• Learn about Sofiko Chiaureli
• Shop at Meidan Bazaar
• See King Vakhtang Gorgasal monument
• Admire city waterfall
• Walk along Pushkin Street

The Experience

How do you actually see a city in three hours without feeling rushed? This tour moves through Tbilisi's Old Town on foot, stopping at the places that shaped it. You start at Freedom Square, walk the cobbled streets past the Anchiskhati Basilica—the oldest surviving church in the city, dating from the sixth century—and trace the Persian and Russian influences written into the architecture. The guide points out what matters: the Sioni Cathedral, the Friday Mosque where Shias and Sunnis pray together, the Gabriadze Theater, the waterfall in the city center. You ride the cable car from Rike Park up to Narikala Fortress, where the Mother of Georgia monument stands above the city.

The route includes Shardeni Street, one of Tbilisi's most visited pedestrian streets, and moves through the old town's restaurants, theaters and restored buildings. You'll see the Peace Bridge, opened in 2010, and get the kind of detail a local guide carries—what the squares used to be called, which street leads where, what the neighborhood actually does. The guide answers questions and shares knowledge about the city's history, but this is not a museum tour; it is a walk through where people live and work.

Wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders—this is a requirement to enter the churches and mosques on the route, and the guide will tell you upfront. Bring comfortable shoes; the streets are cobbled and the walk is steady. The tour operates rain or shine, and you're responsible for your own pace and safety. A ten-minute wait at the meeting point is normal; if you arrive late, you'll need to book again.

What’s included

• Local guide in English.
• cable car ride to Narikala Fortress.
• access to the Old Town landmarks including Freedom Square, Anchiskhati Basilica, Sioni Cathedral, the Friday Mosque, and the Mother of Georgia monument.
• Shardeni Street and Rike Park.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Friendly.ge: Transfers & Tours in Georgia

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a guide explaining the Old Town's history and architecture as you walk, rather than navigating on your own—it leaves your afternoon free for the sulphur baths or other neighborhoods.

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Top questions

What is the Anchiskhati Basilica and why is it on this tour?

Anchiskhati Basilica is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi, built in the sixth century and still standing in the Old Town. It's a landmark that shows the city's religious history and architecture from its earliest centuries.

Do I ride the cable car on this tour, or just see it?

You ride the cable car. It connects Rike Park, across the river from the Old Town, up to Narikala Fortress where the Mother of Georgia monument overlooks the city. The ride is part of the tour experience.

What does the dress code mean, and will I be turned away if I don't follow it?

Knees and shoulders must be covered to enter the churches and mosques on the route—no shorts or sleeveless tops for men or women. If you don't comply, you risk being refused entry to those sites. Plan your clothing before you arrive.

Is this tour suitable if I have mobility concerns or a health condition?

The tour involves walking on cobbled streets for roughly three hours and is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. If you have concerns, contact the operator before booking.

Can I book a private tour instead of joining a small group?

Yes. The tour is available as a small group limited to ten people or as a private booking. Choose at checkout based on your preference.

What happens if I'm late to the meeting point?

There is a ten-minute wait at the meeting point. If you arrive after that window or cannot join the tour, you will need to make a new booking; the operator does not hold the tour or refund a missed departure.