Christmas markets plus real streets in Tbilisi. This 3-hour winter walk strings together Tbilisi’s key holiday stops, from Liberty Square to the Rustaveli Avenue lights, with a small group and an easy pace built for photos and tastings. I especially like how you get to see both landmark views and everyday Georgian food culture in one go, without feeling rushed.

I also love the food-focused stop at Bazari Orbeliani, where the Soviet-era bazaar vibe has turned into a big indoor food hall. You’ll have time to nibble, sip, and browse crafts and spices while you connect the dots between holiday décor and local daily life.

One consideration: the route is about 3.5 km (2.2 miles) and winter weather can be cold with a chance of rain or snow, so plan for layers and grippy shoes. It’s a walking tour style, not a sit-down experience.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Small-group pace (max 10) helps the guide keep the group together and moving smoothly
• Oksana’s care and safety focus stood out, including staying with the group until everyone got a cab when streets got tense
• Bazari Orbeliani food hall mixes quick bites, Georgian wines, lemonades, and craft browsing
• Rustaveli Avenue holiday lights include the main New Year tree area plus Santa Claus vibes from Tovlis Papa
• Free admission at each stop and snacks included make the $39 price feel practical

Liberty Square to the St George’s Column: a clean start for New Year photos

The tour begins at BurberryFreedom Square on Shalva Dadiani Street (Mtawminda). It’s a good meeting point because you can usually link up with local transport nearby, and it keeps the start simple. You’ll want to arrive a bit early. The maximum waiting time before the tour starts is 10 minutes, and if you miss that window you’ll need to make a new booking.

From the start, the first stop is Liberty Square and the famous St George’s Column. This is where the holiday look of Tbilisi is easy to spot right away: lights, festive decoration, and the kind of central landmark that instantly frames your “New Year in Georgia” photos. It’s also a quick win for orientation. Even if you’ve never visited before, standing here helps you understand where the main ceremonial energy sits in the city.

Time on the square is about 15 minutes, with free admission. That matters because you’re not stuck hanging around for a long wait while the group regroups. You’ll take pictures, look around, and move on while your energy is still fresh.

Orbeliani Square Christmas bazaar: mulled wine, crafts, and decorated power

Next comes Orbeliani Square, the heart of Tbilisi’s main Christmas bazaar. This stop is less about one big photo point and more about feeling the season in the air. You’ll see cosy kiosks where you can find hot mulled wine, handmade gifts, and snack-style bites that fit a walking tour.

There’s also a sense of “holiday on display” right next to the bazaar. The President’s Palace nearby is decorated for the season, so even if you’re mostly shopping or tasting, you’re walking with a backdrop that feels ceremonial and official.

Orbeliani is also where the tour leans into architecture. You’ll notice the historic 19th-century charm of the district and the European influence in the buildings. Even without reading a single sign, you get the idea: Tbilisi doesn’t treat the holidays as a single block of decorations. It spreads the look across neighborhoods and streets.

You might also catch live music while you’re there, depending on what’s happening that day. That small possibility is part of why this stop works so well. It gives the experience some randomness in a good way—you’re not following a script, you’re watching the city at play.

This segment is about 50 minutes, and again admission is free. That gives you enough time to choose what you want to do: linger at kiosks, take photos, or simply watch people.

Bazari Orbeliani food hall: the easiest place to taste Georgian winter

The third stop, Bazari Orbeliani, is the one I’d recommend even if you only had time for one “market” experience. It’s an important shift from outdoor holiday kiosks to an indoor food and craft world.

This place has a story built into it. It used to be a bustling Soviet-era bazaar, and it’s been transformed into Tbilisi’s largest food mall. The result is a mix of old market bones and modern food browsing—exactly the kind of setting where you can snack without needing a full meal plan.

You’ll find:

• quick food and local delicacies
• Georgian wines and authentic lemonades
• shops with handmade crafts and blended spices
• plenty of opportunities to buy small ingredients or take-home items

The time here is about 45 minutes with free admission. That’s just long enough to do three useful things without getting overwhelmed: sample a couple of items, read the room, and browse a few craft or spice stalls. If you’re the type who likes to eat first and decide later, this stop supports that style.

A practical note: food halls can feel busy inside, and it’s winter outside too. So treat this stop as your warm-up. You’ll likely want to spend a bit longer with whatever you choose to eat or drink, since the walk continues afterward.

Rustaveli Avenue Christmas lights, the main tree, and Tovlis Papa

The tour ends with the showiest street moment: Rustaveli Avenue. During the festive season, the main avenue lights up with dazzling decorations across historic facades. If you want that classic winter-photo look—sparkling windows, illuminated streets, and a sense of city-wide celebration—this is where you get it.

The key sight near the parliament area is the main New Year tree. It’s the sort of landmark that makes the whole season feel official and shared. If you’re traveling with family or friends, this is also a great “meet-in-the-memory” spot. Everyone can point, everyone can take photos, and nobody needs a long explanation.

You’ll also see Georgia’s Santa Claus, locally known as Tovlis Papa. The tour gives you time to take in that holiday character energy and photos near the tree area, where the street vibe is at its peak.

This stop is about 35 minutes. It’s not so long that you get bored, but it’s long enough to catch a few angles of the lights and finish your holiday picture set. The tour ends near Rustaveli at Merab Kostava Street (2 Merab Kostava St). It’s a convenient ending point because it’s still central.

Timing, walking distance, and winter-ready packing tips

This experience runs about 3 hours total, with the walking route covering roughly 3.5 km (2.2 miles) including stops. That’s very doable for most people, but it’s still a “feet first” outing. You’ll spend portions of the time standing and moving between squares, not sitting.

The guide leads in English, and there are no voice amplifiers. That means you’ll want to stay reasonably close so you don’t miss details while you’re walking.

Winter matters here. The tour can be quite cold, with a chance of rain or snow. Plan for layers you can peel off if you warm up inside the food hall, and bring shoes with grip. If you tend to get chilled fast, pack a hat and something warm for your ears—this is the kind of tour where discomfort can ruin the joy.

A couple of small “bring this” tips:

• carry a small bottle of water
• have some cash for incidental personal expenses (snacks are included, but buying gifts or extras might cost more)
• expect to stand for photos in open areas

Snacks are included, which helps you avoid the “we walked so far and now I’m hungry” problem. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation, which makes it easier if you want to extend your day after the walk.

Your guide (Oksana) and why the group size feels like a win

The tour caps at a maximum of 10 people. That small size changes the tone. It’s easier for the guide to keep track of everyone, answer questions, and adjust to what the group needs in the moment.

One standout detail from an English-language guide on this route is how Oksana handles real-world conditions. During a December visit, there were protests at the time of arrival in Georgia. Instead of letting that turn the day chaotic, Oksana kept the group safe, stayed with the group, and helped everyone get back to their hotel by cab. That kind of calm, practical attention is rare, and it’s exactly what you want from a guide when city streets don’t behave like postcards.

It’s also worth noting how cheerful and patient the approach can be. If you like to take your time with photos or you need things explained step-by-step, that supportive style makes the difference between a “checklist walk” and an experience you actually enjoy.

Value check: what $39 covers and what you’ll likely spend extra

At $39 per person for around 3 hours, the value is strongest in three places: convenience, structure, and included extras.

You get:

• a guided English walk through multiple top holiday zones
• snacks included
• free admission at each of the main stops listed
• a mobile ticket
• group discounts (if you’re booking with people, it can matter)
• a small-group cap (max 10)

What you don’t get is open-ended spending money. Personal expenses are not included. In practice, that means if you want to buy gifts from kiosks, sample more food than the included snack portion, or take home crafts and spice blends from Bazari Orbeliani, you’ll pay those items separately.

So the best mindset is: treat this as your guided sampler and photo route, then shop or eat based on what you genuinely like. The itinerary gives you multiple chances to pick your favorites without forcing you into a single restaurant bill.

Who should book this New Year Tbilisi walk

This tour is a good match if you want a short, structured winter experience without complicated planning. You’ll especially like it if:

• you’re in Tbilisi only briefly and want a holiday overview
• you enjoy walking between photo points and lively street scenes
• you want a food-and-crafts market stop, not just a few landmarks
• you prefer a small group and a guide who pays attention to safety and comfort

If you hate walking, run out of patience in cold weather, or need a heavily seated, low-effort tour, then this one may feel like too much. But for most people who dress for winter, it’s a straightforward way to see a lot of the season quickly.

Should you book this tour?

I’d book it if you’re aiming for three things at once: holiday photos, Georgian food culture, and an English guide to connect the dots. For $39, the included snacks and the fact that every major stop is free admission make it a smart way to manage costs while still having fun.

I’d skip it only if your top priority is a long, sit-down meal experience or if you don’t do well with 3.5 km of winter walking. Otherwise, this is the kind of tour that turns a New Year visit into something practical and memorable, especially with a guide like Oksana who keeps the day steady even when the city gets complicated.

FAQ

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

The tour is approximately 3 hours.

What does the tour cost?

It costs $39.00 per person.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Is admission included for the main stops?

Admission tickets for the listed stops are free.

How much walking is involved?

The walking route takes about 3.5 km (2.2 miles), with stops along the way.

What’s included in the price?

Snacks are included.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at BurberryFreedom Square, შალვა დადიანის ქუჩა, Mtawminda 0105, Georgia and ends near Rustaveli at 2 Merab Kostava St, T’bilisi, Georgia.

What should I do if I’m late?

The maximum waiting time before the tour starts is 10 minutes. If you’re late, you’ll need to make a new booking.

Can I cancel for free?

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