Tbilisi Walking Tour: Cable Car, Churches & Georgian Bakery

Walk the old town's hidden corners and ride up to the city's symbol

A 4-hour walking tour of Tbilisi's central attractions, starting at Metekhi Church and moving through the old town to the Sulphur Baths district, with a cable car ride to the Mother of Georgia statue. The tour includes a professional guide in English, traditional Georgian pie and lemonade, and stops at churches, the Bridge of Peace, and the Abanotubani bathhouse quarter. Dress code applies at churches (no shorts, women cover heads), and cable cars don't run in high winds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tbilisi city walking tour highlights

• Meet at Traveler's Meeting Point
• Visit Virgin Mary Metekhi church
• Learn about King Vakhtang I Gorgasali
• Cross Europe Square and discuss EU relations
• Explore Rike Park and Bridge of Peace
• Ride cable car to Mother of Georgia statue
• View Mother of Georgia monument
• Stop at Patriarchate of Georgia
• Visit Anchiskhati basilica
• See Rezo Gabriadze clock tower
• Visit Sioni Cathedral
• Taste traditional Georgian pie and lemonade
• Hear about Tamada toastmaster tradition
• Walk along Shardeni Street
• Explore Abanotubani bath district
• Visit Leghvtakhevi waterfall

The experience

Metekhi Church sits on a cliff above the Mtkvari river where the tour begins. The first church here was probably built in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali, the legendary founder of Tbilisi itself. From there you walk through Europe Square and down to Rike Park, a newer recreational area on the riverbank with fountains and quiet corners, where the cable car station sits near the pedestrian Bridge of Peace. That bridge, opened in 2010, spans 156 meters of glass and steel over the river, lit by over 10,000 LED bulbs that switch on each evening.

The cable car takes you up to the Mother of Georgia statue on Sololaki hill: a 20-meter aluminum figure in Georgian national dress, holding wine in one hand for friends and a sword in the other for enemies. From there you descend into the old town's upper quarter, Kala, where you see the 6th-century Anchiskhati basilica and the Sioni Cathedral, both built on sites connected to Vakhtang Gorgasali's reign. You'll also stop at Rezo Gabriadze's clock tower, built in 2010 next to a marionette theatre, where an angel emerges each hour to ring a bell.

The route moves into the Abanotubani district, the old bathhouse quarter where sulfurous hot springs feed a whole street of public baths: the source of Tbilisi's famous Sulphur Baths. You taste traditional Georgian pie and lemonade here, and hear about the tamada tradition, the Georgian custom of the toastmaster who leads toasts and stories at the table. The walk ends on Shardeni Street, one of the city's most visited pedestrian streets, and passes Leghvtakhevi waterfall, a spot locals use to cool off in summer heat.

What’s included

• Professional guide service in English.
• cable car ride to the Mother of Georgia statue.
• traditional Georgian pie and lemonade.
• online support before and during your visit.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (5 to 79 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Gamarjoba Georgia Tours

Is this one for you?The tour starts in central Tbilisi at Metekhi Church and moves on foot through the old town, so you don't need a car or advance knowledge of where things are. The guide handles the route and timing. If you're staying elsewhere in the city or arriving without transport, this walk covers the main attractions in one morning or afternoon without you arranging pickups or navigation.

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Top questions

What is the Mother of Georgia statue and why is it important to Tbilisi?

The Mother of Georgia is a 20-meter aluminum monument on Sololaki hill, erected in 1958 for Tbilisi's 1500th anniversary. The figure symbolizes Georgian character: she holds wine to welcome friends and a sword for enemies, and has become the city's main symbol.

Do I need to cover up to enter the churches on this tour?

Yes, visitors cannot wear shorts in any church, and women must cover their heads. Plan your clothing accordingly, as the tour includes stops at Metekhi Church, Anchiskhati basilica, and Sioni Cathedral.

What happens if the weather is windy on the day of my tour?

The cable car does not operate during high winds, so you would not ride up to the Mother of Georgia statue on a windy day. The rest of the walking tour continues in all weather conditions, so dress for the forecast.

What traditional Georgian food and drink are included?

You taste traditional Georgian pie and lemonade during the tour, served in the Abanotubani bathhouse district. These are included in the tour price.

What is the tamada tradition that the guide explains?

Tamada means toastmaster in Georgian. A person who leads toasts, tells stories, and guides conversation at the table. The guide shares stories about this important part of Georgian dining culture during a stop on the tour.

How long does the tour take and what time does it start?

The tour lasts 4 hours. The specific start time is not listed in the tour details, so confirm the departure time when you book.