Tbilisi turns into a winter show. This 3-hour Christmas market and city walk is a smart way to get the big holiday sights in one route, from Liberty Square to Rustaveli Avenue, plus time at Orbeliani’s market and the food hub at Bazari Orbeliani. I like that it’s short, focused, and built for winter weather planning. I also like that the stops are practical: photo points, places to nibble, and a real look at Georgian food culture. One thing to think about: it’s still a winter outdoor walk (about 3.5 km), so cold and the occasional rain or snow can be annoying.

The tour runs in English, with a small group (max 10), and the guide doesn’t use voice amplifiers. That means you’ll hear more if you stay close, especially if the avenue is windy or busy. Snacks are included, but personal spending for mulled wine, gifts, and extra bites is on you. If you’re the kind of person who hates wasting time searching for markets, this format is built for you.

I got a clear sense of the guide’s style from the people who’ve done it with Oksana: patient pacing, clear explanations, and practical safety care if plans get complicated. That matters in December, when street conditions can change fast.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel During This Tour

• Liberty Square start with St George’s Column lit for the New Year
• Orbeliani Square Christmas bazaar time for hot drinks, handmade gifts, and local snacks
• Bazari Orbeliani food mall for Georgian flavors, crafts, spices, and lemonades
• Rustaveli Avenue lights and main New Year tree near the parliament area
• Tovlis Papa (Georgia’s Santa) showing up where the big lights are
• Small group of up to 10 with an English guide and no voice amplifiers

Liberty Square and St George’s Column: Your Holiday Photo Kickoff

Your walk begins at Liberty Square, right where Tbilisi puts on its New Year face. You’ll see the iconic St George’s Column dressed up for the season, with holiday lighting and decorations that make the area instantly photogenic. This is a good start point because it helps you get your bearings fast: one landmark, one main square, and you’re already in the holiday mood before you start moving.

The stop is short (about 15 minutes), so it’s not a sit-and-stare moment. It’s more like a reset: grab a couple of wide shots, check the light angles, and then continue while the group is still fresh and warm. Since the tour is designed around winter pacing, this early landmark stop works as a morale boost, especially on evenings when the city feels chilly.

Practical note: Liberty Square can feel exposed in winter. If you’re easily cold, wear layers you can adjust quickly. You’ll likely spend more time walking than standing here, so the real payoff is the quick photo moment and the smooth transition into the rest of the route.

Orbeliani Square Christmas Bazaar and President’s Palace Details

Next comes Orbeliani Square, the heart of Tbilisi’s Christmas bazaar. This is where you trade “tourist highlights” for holiday atmosphere you can touch. You’ll have around 50 minutes here, which is enough time to wander, look at stalls, and actually stop for a snack or drink without feeling rushed.

Orbeliani is known for cozy kiosks and market-style browsing. Expect hot mulled wine, handmade gift items, and tasty local snacks. That mix is a big reason this stop works: you can do a little shopping, but you don’t have to. Even if you’re traveling light, it’s still a great place to taste the season.

The area also connects to some impressive surroundings. The President’s Palace is decorated for the holidays, and the neighborhood around Orbeliani is tied to historic 19th-century architecture with a European influence. You might even catch live music, which can turn a quick wander into an oddly satisfying “walk and listen” kind of moment.

The main drawback is the same one you’ll find at any holiday bazaar: lines and crowding can happen. If you want a calm shopping experience, go slower and plan to move when stall lines get long. Also, while the tour includes snacks, you’ll probably want a little cash for extra buys, especially if you’re tempted by mulled wine or small gifts.

Bazari Orbeliani: Food-Market Energy for Georgian Bites and Drinks

After the Christmas stalls, the tour shifts from market browsing to food exploration at Bazari Orbeliani. You’ll get about 45 minutes here, and this is one of the best stops if you’re the type who likes to eat your way through a city.

Bazari Orbeliani is a former Soviet-era bazaar that now operates as the city’s largest food mall. That matters because the vibe is more “organized food space” than “outdoor winter market.” You’ll find Georgian cuisine across different styles: fast food options, local delicacies, and drinks such as Georgian wine and lemonades. It’s also a place to look around beyond eating—there are shops selling handmade crafts, plus spices and other ingredients that reflect Georgian food culture.

This stop is valuable for two reasons. First, it gives you something real to do in a limited time window: sample bites and get a feel for what Georgian food tastes like. Second, it helps you understand ingredients. If you see a spice mix you like, you can buy it to take the flavor home instead of just grabbing a quick snack and moving on.

If you have dietary restrictions, this is where you’ll want to slow down and ask what’s in items before ordering. The tour doesn’t list specific menus, so you’ll be choosing from what’s available on the day. In a place like Bazari, that’s normal—just don’t assume every stand is the same.

Rustaveli Avenue Lights, the Main New Year Tree, and Tovlis Papa

By the time you reach Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi leans hard into the holiday spectacle. This is the city’s main street, and during the festive season it’s lit up with Christmas lights across historic building facades. The effect is visual in a way that’s hard to recreate from photos alone, because you’ll be walking under the lights and seeing depth in the street.

You’ll spend about 35 minutes here. Part of the reason the stop works is that you get a “big sights” moment without having to commit to a long walk down the whole avenue. Near the parliament building, you’ll see the main New Year tree, which is one of the most central photo moments of the entire route. You’ll also find Georgia’s Santa Claus, known locally as Tovlis Papa, ready to share holiday cheer.

This is a great stop for practical travelers: it’s easy to understand what you’re seeing. You don’t need local context to enjoy the lighting, the tree, and the classic New Year vibes. It also gives you a natural endpoint feel, since this is one of Tbilisi’s most prominent streets.

Cold can be a factor here, too. Lights attract people, and some spots where you’ll want to pause for photos can be windy. Keep moving between photo angles, and remember that the tour is designed to keep you comfortable enough to enjoy it, not to freeze you into motionlessness.

The 3-Hour Plan, the 3.5 km Walk, and Winter Reality

Let’s talk logistics, the stuff that makes or breaks a winter walking tour. The route covers about 3.5 km (around 2.2 miles) with stops along the way, and the whole experience runs about 3 hours. It’s not “big city trekking,” but it’s also not a short stroll. Expect to walk most of the time between stops.

Group size is capped at 10, which helps the tour feel manageable. You’ll also have the benefit of a guide working through the main route: Liberty Square, Orbeliani Square, Bazari Orbeliani, and Rustaveli Avenue. That means less map stress and more time looking at what you came for.

One detail people sometimes overlook: the guide doesn’t use voice amplifiers. In other words, if you drift too far back, you might miss parts of the explanation. If you care about the story behind each stop, stay nearer the front or middle. That also makes it easier when moving through crowds.

Weather is another reality check. Winter in Tbilisi can be cold, with a chance of rain or snow. Dress for wet and cold conditions, and don’t underestimate gloves. Since snacks are included and the tour encourages you to carry a small bottle of water, plan to have your basic needs covered without stopping every ten minutes.

Meeting-wise, you’ll start at BurberryFreedom Square and end near Rustaveli Avenue. There’s a practical rule about timing: the maximum waiting time before the tour starts is 10 minutes. If you show up late, you may need a new booking. In winter, that extra buffer matters, so give yourself more time than you think you need.

Why $39 Feels Fair for This Christmas Market Route

Price is always personal, but this one is easy to judge because the structure is clear. At $39 per person for about three hours, you’re paying for an English-speaking guide, a tight walking route, and entry-free stop access. The stops include free admission tickets (where applicable), and snacks are included.

That means a chunk of what you might otherwise pay for—guide time and organized pacing—is already folded into the ticket. Also, since the group is small and the tour is only offered in English, you’re getting a human guide rather than a self-guided gimmick.

What you’re not paying for is the real spending of the season. Personal expenses like extra food, drinks, and gifts aren’t included. If you plan to buy mulled wine at Orbeliani or sample more items at Bazari Orbeliani, budget for that. But if you’re treating this as a taste-and-see tour, the included snacks and the time at each location make it feel cost-effective.

The fact that there are group discounts and a mobile ticket option is a plus if you’re traveling with friends or want an easy entry process. And because it’s offered in a compact timeframe, you’re less likely to lose a big chunk of your day to transit and wandering.

Who Should Book This Tour in Tbilisi (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This tour fits best when you want New Year lights and Christmas markets without overplanning. I’d especially recommend it for first-time visitors who want the city’s main holiday highlights in one organized walk. Or if you’re short on time and want Liberty Square, Orbeliani’s market energy, Bazari’s food focus, and Rustaveli Avenue lights all in one shot, this does the job.

Food lovers will also like Bazari Orbeliani. It’s not just about eating one thing. You can compare fast food options, local delicacies, and drinks like Georgian lemonades and wine. Plus, the spice and craft shopping makes it easier to take a real souvenir home.

Where it might not be ideal is if you hate winter walking or if you want long, unhurried time in just one place. Each stop is timed. That’s the point of this tour, but it does mean you won’t have hours to do deep shopping at one bazaar. The other factor is sound: no voice amplifiers means you’ll need to stay relatively close to hear the guide.

If protests or street disruptions worry you, here’s a reassuring takeaway from a guide experience with Oksana: she handled safety calmly and stayed with the group until everyone could get back to their hotel by cab. That’s the kind of steady, practical approach you want from a winter city walk.

Should You Book This Tbilisi New Year Christmas Market Tour?

Book it if you want a tight, high-signal route through Tbilisi’s holiday highlights: Liberty Square, Orbeliani Square bazaar, Bazari Orbeliani food mall, and Rustaveli Avenue lights. It’s a good value at $39 because you get an organized plan, English guidance, free-access stops, and snacks, all within about three hours.

Skip it or consider a private option if you’re sensitive to cold weather, you dislike walking around crowds, or you want extra time to shop slowly at just one market. The tour is designed to move, and the best experience comes when you go with the flow.

FAQ

How long is the New Year in Tbilisi Christmas Market and Hidden Gems tour?

It lasts about 3 hours, with a walking route of roughly 3.5 km (about 2.2 miles) including stops along the way.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is conducted in English.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

What’s included in the price?

Snacks are included. Personal expenses are not included.

Are admissions included for the stops?

The tour’s stop admissions are listed as free where applicable.

What should I bring for winter weather?

Bring warm clothing for cold conditions, and it’s suggested to carry a small bottle of water and some cash for incidental expenses.

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

You can wait up to 10 minutes before the tour starts. If you arrive later, you may need to make a new booking.

FAQ

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.