Tbilisi Free Walking Tours
Tbilisi Free Walking Tours
Tbilisi Free Walking Tours offers tip-based walking tours led by local guides who introduce visitors to the history, architecture, culture and everyday life of Georgia’s capital. Operating since 2015, the company currently runs three different free walking tours: Old Tbilisi, Hidden Tbilisi and Alternative Tbilisi.
Each route explores a different part of the city. First-time visitors can discover the main landmarks of the historic centre, while returning travelers can choose lesser-known courtyards, residential neighbourhoods, architecture, street art and local stories beyond the usual tourist route.
Advance booking is required for all scheduled tours.
Tbilisi Free Walking Tours: Quick Information
- Tour language: English
- Price: No fixed ticket price; guests tip the guide at the end
- Advance booking: Required
- Minimum group size: Four participants in total
- Walking level: Easy to moderate, with some uneven pavements
- Main meeting point: Pushkin Park at Freedom Square
- Alternative Tour meeting point: Inside Fabrika Tbilisi
- Private tours: Available on request
- Official website
Which Free Walking Tour Should You Choose?
| Tour | Best for | Schedule | Duration | Meeting point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Tbilisi Free Tour | First-time visitors and major landmarks | Every day at 12:00 | 2.5–3 hours | Pushkin Park, Freedom Square |
| Hidden Tbilisi Tour | Courtyards, architecture and photography | Thursday and Saturday | 2–2.5 hours | Pushkin Park, Freedom Square |
| Alternative Tbilisi Tour | Fabrika, New Tiflis, street art and backstreets | Tuesday and Sunday | 2–2.5 hours | Inside Fabrika Tbilisi |
Hidden Tbilisi and Alternative Tbilisi usually begin at 17:00 from early May to early October and at 15:00 from early October to early May. Seasonal schedules can change, so always confirm the selected date and starting time on the official tour page before arriving.
Old Tbilisi Free Tour
The Old Tbilisi Free Tour is the best introduction for first-time visitors. It begins at Freedom Square and follows a walking route through the historic centre.
Along the way, travelers discover traditional Tbilisian courtyards, narrow streets and important landmarks, including:
- The Saint George Monument at Freedom Square;
- Traditional residential courtyards;
- One of the oldest surviving houses in Old Tbilisi;
- The Rezo Gabriadze Clock Tower;
- The Bridge of Peace;
- Views over Rike Park;
- The Statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali;
- Abanotubani and the Tbilisi Sulfur Baths.
The tour lasts approximately 2.5–3 hours and normally finishes near the Sulfur Baths in Abanotubani. Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia are discussed during the tour but are not included as visited stops.
The exact route may change because of construction work, public events, weather or temporary street closures.
Hidden Tbilisi Tour
The Hidden Tbilisi Tour is designed for travelers interested in architecture, photography and places that are easy to miss when exploring alone.
Instead of concentrating on famous monuments, the tour reveals historic residential buildings, unusual entrances, wooden balconies, quiet passageways and traditional courtyards hidden behind the city’s main streets.
It is particularly suitable for:
- Travelers who have already explored the main Old Town sights;
- Visitors interested in 19th-century architecture;
- Photographers looking for atmospheric streets and details;
- People curious about urban legends and everyday local life;
- Anyone who prefers a quieter route away from the busiest tourist areas.
The tour begins in Pushkin Park beside Freedom Square and lasts approximately 2–2.5 hours.
Alternative Tbilisi Tour
The Alternative Tbilisi Tour explores Chugureti, New Tiflis and the creative neighbourhoods on the left bank of the Mtkvari River.
The meeting point is inside Fabrika Tbilisi, a former Soviet sewing factory transformed into a hostel and creative hub.
The route introduces visitors to:
- The backstreets of Chugureti;
- The former German settlement of Neu Tiflis;
- European and Art Nouveau architecture;
- Traditional residential courtyards;
- Soviet-era buildings and urban details;
- Street art and local creative spaces;
- The modern transformation of the Fabrika neighbourhood.
This tour is a good choice for travelers who have already visited Old Tbilisi or want to experience a less touristy side of the city. It is also especially interesting for architecture and street-photography enthusiasts.
The tour lasts approximately 2–2.5 hours and finishes within walking distance of Fabrika.
How Does a Free Walking Tour Work?
A free walking tour does not have a fixed ticket price. Guests join the tour without purchasing a standard admission ticket and decide at the end how much the experience was worth to them.
The tip is paid directly to the guide and can reflect the quality of the tour, the traveler’s budget and overall satisfaction.
Although the tours are tip-based, advance booking is required. A reservation helps the company estimate the group size and arrange the correct number of guides.
Minimum Number of Participants
A minimum total of four participants is required for a scheduled tip-based tour to operate.
This does not mean that every booking must include four people. Solo travelers, couples and small groups can book normally, but at least four guests must attend the tour in total.
If fewer than four people arrive, the scheduled free tour may not operate. When possible, the guide may offer the guests who are present a private tour for a fixed total price. Guests are free to accept or decline this alternative.
Meeting Point
The Old Tbilisi and Hidden Tbilisi tours meet in Pushkin Park at Freedom Square, beside the golden fountain.
The closest metro station is Liberty Square. After leaving the station, walk into Pushkin Park and look for a guide wearing a badge or holding a Tbilisi Free Walking Tours sign.
The Alternative Tbilisi Tour has a different meeting point. It begins inside Fabrika Tbilisi, near the reception area, at 8 Egnate Ninoshvili Street.
Always check the confirmation email because meeting points, schedules and routes may occasionally change.
What to Bring
Wear comfortable walking shoes because some streets and pavements in historic Tbilisi are uneven. During summer, bring drinking water, sunscreen and a hat. In cooler or rainy weather, carry a suitable jacket or umbrella.
The tours normally operate in different weather conditions, but severe weather, major public events or unexpected street closures can affect the route.
Visitors with limited mobility should contact the tour company before booking. Historic neighbourhoods may include cobblestones, slopes, steps and narrow pavements.
Other Tours and Local Experiences
In addition to its three tip-based walking tours, the company offers themed experiences with fixed prices:
- Soviet Tour of Tbilisi – Soviet history, architecture and selected indoor locations;
- Georgian Food Tasting Tour – Georgian dishes and local culinary traditions;
- Georgian Wine Tasting – Georgian wine culture, qvevri wine and guided tastings;
- Tbilisi Street Art Tour – murals, local artists and contemporary urban culture.
These are fixed-price tours and should not be confused with the tip-based free walking tours.
Is a Tbilisi Free Walking Tour Worth Joining?
A free walking tour is one of the most practical ways to understand Tbilisi at the beginning of a visit. The guide provides historical context, explains local customs and points out architectural details that are easy to overlook when walking independently.
Choose the Old Tbilisi Free Tour if this is your first visit, the Hidden Tbilisi Tour for courtyards and architecture, or the Alternative Tbilisi Tour for Fabrika, New Tiflis and creative neighbourhoods.
FAQ
Are Tbilisi free walking tours really free?
There is no fixed ticket price. At the end of the tour, guests decide how much to tip the guide based on their experience and budget.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Advance booking is required. After booking, check that you have received a confirmation email.
Can one person join the tour?
Yes. Solo travelers can book, but at least four participants must attend in total for the scheduled tip-based tour to operate.
In which language are the tours conducted?
The regular tours described on this page are conducted in English. Contact the company directly if you require a private tour in another language.
Which tour is best for a first visit to Tbilisi?
The Old Tbilisi Free Tour is the best choice for first-time visitors because it covers the historic centre, major landmarks and the story of the city’s development.
Where does the Old Tbilisi Free Tour begin?
It begins in Pushkin Park at Freedom Square, beside the golden fountain. Liberty Square is the nearest metro station.
Where does the Alternative Tbilisi Tour begin?
The Alternative Tbilisi Tour begins inside Fabrika Tbilisi, near the reception area at 8 Egnate Ninoshvili Street.
Are the walking tours suitable for people with limited mobility?
Some routes include uneven pavements, cobblestones, slopes or steps. Contact the tour company before booking to discuss the current route and your specific accessibility requirements.
