New Year in Tbilisi: Christmas Market and Hidden Gems Tour

Tbilisi’s New Year season is best seen on foot, when decorated squares, food stalls, old streets, and Christmas lights connect into one easy city walk. This tour begins at Liberty Square and ends on Rustaveli Avenue, with the strongest festive stop in between at Orbeliani Square’s Christmas bazaar.

I like the small maximum of 10 people, which should make it easier to hear an English-speaking guide without a voice amplifier. I also like the mix of sights and tastes: you get Georgian snacks, a look inside Bazari, and a walk through the city rather than a market visit alone. The drawback is the weather. Three and a half kilometres outdoors can feel long in cold rain or snow, and personal purchases are not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Orbeliani Square is the festive center: Expect Christmas kiosks, hot mulled wine, handmade gifts, local snacks, and possible live music.
• The route links four useful Tbilisi stops: Liberty Square, Orbeliani Square, Bazari, and Rustaveli Avenue.
• Bazari adds a food-focused break: This former Soviet-era bazaar now sells Georgian dishes, wine, lemonades, spices, crafts, and delicacies.
• The walk covers about 3.5 kilometres: Plan for steady outdoor walking with stops, not a short market stroll.
• The group is capped at 10 people: That is a practical size for a guide-led walk, especially since no voice amplifier is used.
• Guide Oksana has made safety a priority: If she is leading your date, you can expect a cheerful, attentive guide who stays close to the group.

Why this New Year walk works in Tbilisi

Tbilisi can be hard to read at first. Its streets climb and twist, its old and newer buildings sit close together, and the best seasonal sights are spread across several central areas. This route gives you a simple framework for seeing the city during its most decorated time of year.

The walk is not built around a single grand monument. Instead, it gathers small moments: a lit column, a market stall, a plate of Georgian food, an old facade, and a large New Year tree. That makes the experience useful on a first visit, especially if you want an introduction before exploring more widely on your own.

The $39 price is fair if you value a guide, a small group, and a planned route through four central areas. It is less attractive if you mainly want to shop or eat, since food beyond the included snacks and all personal purchases cost extra. Think of it as a guided orientation with festive atmosphere, not a full meal or a private sightseeing tour.

Starting beneath St George’s Column at Liberty Square

The meeting point is listed near Burberry at Freedom Square, on Shalva Dadiani Street in the Mtatsminda district. Because the wording of the meeting point can look confusing on a map, check the exact location pin when you book and arrive early.

Liberty Square is a sensible place to begin. St George’s Column gives you an obvious landmark, and during the New Year period it is dressed with lights and seasonal decorations. You get about 15 minutes here, enough to take photographs and hear why this square matters in central Tbilisi.

Do not expect a long historical lecture at this first stop. The value is practical. You get your bearings, meet the group, and begin with a clear city landmark before heading toward the holiday market.

The guide allows only 10 minutes of waiting time before the walk begins. That is worth taking seriously. A late arrival means making a new booking, so leave extra time for finding the meeting point, especially if you are unfamiliar with Tbilisi’s street layout.

Orbeliani Square brings the real Christmas atmosphere

Orbeliani Square receives the longest stop, about 50 minutes, and that is where the tour’s seasonal character is strongest. During the holiday period, the square becomes Tbilisi’s main Christmas bazaar, with small kiosks selling hot mulled wine, handmade presents, and local snacks.

This is the part where you should slow down. Look at the decorations, take photographs, and use the free time to see what is on offer. The tour includes snacks, but it does not cover every drink, dish, or gift you may want to buy, so carry some Georgian cash for small purchases.

The nearby President’s Palace adds a grand backdrop to the market. Around the square, the historic Orbeliani district shows 19th-century buildings with a European architectural influence. This gives the stop more substance than a temporary holiday fair. You are seeing a seasonal event in an older part of the city.

Live music may also be part of the scene. Since performances can change, treat this as a possible bonus rather than a guaranteed show. The same applies to individual market stalls and products. The appeal is the mix of food, crafts, lights, and old buildings, not a fixed program.

For many people, Orbeliani Square will be the highlight. It offers the most direct taste of Tbilisi at New Year: warm drinks, handmade goods, festive decorations, and a public square filled with local activity. If you dislike cold weather or crowded market areas, though, the stop may feel less comfortable at peak times.

Bazari turns an old market into a food stop

After the outdoor market, the walk continues to Bazari Orbeliani, with about 45 minutes inside. This former Soviet-era bazaar has been converted into a large food hall, giving you a different view of Georgian food culture.

You may find fast food, local specialities, Georgian wine, and traditional lemonades. Shops also sell spices, handmade crafts, and unusual food products. The range matters because Georgian cooking is not just about sitting down to one formal meal. Markets and food halls show you the ingredients, snacks, drinks, and everyday buying habits behind the cuisine.

I like this stop because it gives you choices. You can browse if you have already eaten, or use the time to sample something extra at your own expense. The supplied snacks are included, but the tour does not promise a complete tasting menu, so arrive with realistic expectations.

Bazari is also useful for shopping. Carefully blended spices and local delicacies are easier to take home than many prepared dishes, though the tour does not specify which exact products will be available on your date. If you want to buy wine or gifts, keep room in your budget.

The main drawback is that a food hall can feel less personal than a small family-run restaurant. Its strength is variety and convenience. You can see several parts of Georgian food culture in one place, but the experience depends on what is open and how busy the hall is that day.

Rustaveli Avenue ends the route in lights

The final section takes you to Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi’s main street, for about 35 minutes. During the New Year season, historic facades are lit with Christmas decorations, turning the avenue into a broad evening photo route.

Near the Parliament building, the main New Year tree provides the biggest seasonal display of the walk. You will also see Tovlis Papa, Georgia’s Santa Claus, a detail that makes this more than a generic European-style Christmas scene.

The avenue is a good place to finish because it gives the tour a strong visual ending. After the smaller squares and market stalls, the large lights and public decorations feel more open and grand. You can take final photographs and continue exploring from the end point if you still have energy.

The tour ends at Rustaveli, at 2 Merab Kostava Street. It does not return you to Liberty Square, so plan your next move from there. The route is close to public transportation, which makes continuing through central Tbilisi straightforward according to the tour details.

The walking distance and winter weather matter

The total route is about 3.5 kilometres, or 2.2 miles, with stops along the way. That is manageable for most people, but the cold changes how the distance feels. You may be standing outdoors at Liberty Square, Orbeliani Square, and Rustaveli Avenue while listening and taking photographs.

Wear warm shoes and layers. Bring protection from rain or snow, as winter conditions can change quickly. A small bottle of water is also recommended, even though the walk includes snacks.

The guide does not use a voice amplifier. In a group of up to 10, this should usually be workable, but outdoor noise, market sounds, and passing traffic can affect how clearly you hear. Stay near the guide rather than drifting toward the back.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The tour is offered in English only, so it suits you best if you are comfortable following spoken English during a moving walk.

What the guide can add to the experience

A good guide matters here because the route is more about connections than ticketed attractions. You want someone who can explain why a square matters, point out architectural details, keep the group moving, and help you understand what you are seeing at the market.

Oksana is specifically associated with this experience and is noted for her patience, cheerful manner, and strong attention to group safety. During a period of public protests, she stayed with her group until everyone had a cab back to the hotel. That detail is useful because it shows the kind of practical care you should value in a walking tour: not just facts, but awareness of what is happening around you.

Of course, guide assignments can vary by date. If having Oksana matters to you, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming she will lead every departure. A private version is also available if you need a slower pace, more flexibility, or a more personal format.

Who gets the best value for $39

I would recommend this walk to first-time visitors who want a festive introduction to central Tbilisi without arranging several separate stops. It also suits solo visitors who want company, couples looking for an evening activity, and food-minded people who prefer a market setting to a formal tasting tour.

The small group limit improves the value. You are paying for a planned route and guide attention, not simply access to places that are free to enter. Since Liberty Square, Orbeliani Square, Bazari, and Rustaveli Avenue have no admission charge, the price makes sense mainly if the explanations, route planning, snacks, and group setting matter to you.

You should look elsewhere if you want a private car, a long sit-down meal, extensive shopping time, or a tour focused mainly on Tbilisi’s major historical monuments. This is a seasonal walking experience with food and decorations at its core.

Booking details that can save you trouble

Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Book with the weather in mind. A clear winter evening could make the lights and market especially enjoyable, while rain or snow will make the outdoor portions less pleasant. The tour still runs as planned unless the provider says otherwise, so do not book it as your only activity if bad weather would spoil your day.

Bring a small amount of cash for drinks, extra food, and crafts. Personal expenses are not included. You may also want a phone with enough battery for photographs, since the route offers several decorated settings.

Should you book the Christmas Market and Hidden Gems Tour?

Book it if you want a compact, social walk through Tbilisi’s New Year displays, with a real food stop and enough guide support to make the city easier to understand. Orbeliani Square and Bazari are the strongest reasons to go, while Rustaveli Avenue supplies the best large-scale lights and photographs.

Skip it if you dislike walking in cold weather or prefer to explore markets entirely on your own. At $39, the experience offers good value for a small guided group, but its success depends on your interest in seasonal streets, local food, and outdoor sightseeing. Arrive early, dress warmly, carry cash, and keep close to the guide.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 3 hours.

How far will I walk?

The route covers about 3.5 kilometres, or 2.2 miles, with stops along the way.

Where does the tour start?

It starts near Burberry at Freedom Square, on Shalva Dadiani Street in the Mtatsminda area of Tbilisi.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at 2 Merab Kostava Street near Rustaveli.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Are snacks included?

Yes, snacks are included. Personal purchases, extra food, drinks, and other personal expenses are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing suitable for possible rain or snow, a small bottle of water, and some cash for incidental expenses.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

Yes, most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the route is near public transportation.

What happens if I arrive late?

The maximum waiting time before the tour starts is 10 minutes. If you miss the start after that, you need to make a new booking.