New Year in Tbilisi has a way of feeling close-up. This short walking tour turns Christmas lights and market snacks into a simple, well-timed route through the city’s holiday highlights. You start with the landmark photo spot at Liberty Square and then head into the heart of the Orbeliani bazaar scene.
Two things I’d pick right away: you get snacks included, and the guide quality matters a lot—Oksana is praised for being patient, cheerful, and careful about keeping everyone safe even when street conditions get complicated. The only real catch is the winter weather: plan for cold, and rain or snow can slow you down on a 3.5 km walk.
In This Review
- Key things I’d focus on
- A tight route that makes New Year feel manageable
- Liberty Square and St George’s Column: your holiday anchor
- Orbeliani Square Christmas bazaar: hot drinks, gifts, and old-school streets
- Bazari Orbeliani: one stop for Georgian food and drinks
- Rustaveli Avenue: the big tree, Tovlis Papa, and the light show
- Oksana and the small-group approach that keeps things smooth
- Price and value: what $39 gets you in winter
- What to do before you go (so the cold doesn’t ruin it)
- The bottom line: should you book this New Year market and lights walk?
- FAQ
- How long is the tour?
- How much does the tour cost?
- What language is the tour in?
- Does the guide use voice amplifiers?
- How many stops are there, and where does it go?
- What is the walking distance?
- Are admissions included for the stops?
- What’s included in the price?
- What should I bring for winter weather?
Key things I’d focus on
- A 3.5 km winter walk across four major stops, with breaks baked in
- Orbeliani Square Christmas bazaar for hot drinks, handmade gifts, and local snacks
- Bazari Orbeliani food mall where Georgian flavors are easy to sample in one area
- Rustaveli Avenue at night for the main New Year tree and Tovlis Papa, Georgia’s Santa
- Small group size (max 10) that helps you move together without a stampede
- No voice amplifiers, so you’ll want to stay within earshot of the guide
A tight route that makes New Year feel manageable
This tour is built for the holiday season pace. You’re on foot, but the timing is realistic: about 3 hours total, with enough time at each stop to take photos and actually enjoy what’s around you. The walking route is about 3.5 km (2.2 miles), and the stops are spaced so you’re not sprinting from one bright corner to the next.
At $39 per person, you’re paying for three practical things: an English-speaking guide, curated holiday stops that cluster together, and snacks included. Since the admissions for the listed stops are free, the money mostly goes to the guidance and the convenience of not having to plan the route yourself while the city is decorated and crowded.
One more detail I like: the group stays small (up to 10). That matters in winter, when you want everyone moving at a similar pace and you don’t want to lose people in the dark.
Other Tbilisi city tours we've reviewed in Tbilisi
Liberty Square and St George’s Column: your holiday anchor
You begin at Liberty Square, a core landmark area in central Tbilisi. Your first stop centers on St George’s Column, lit up and dressed for New Year celebrations. It’s a great starting point because you can quickly orient yourself visually—this is the kind of place where, once you see it glowing, the rest of the tour’s mood clicks into place.
You’ll have around 15 minutes here. That’s short, but it’s enough to do the basics: grab a photo, look up at the decorations, and get a feel for the holiday crowd energy. The timing also helps you avoid the slow start problem that hits some tours. You’re not wandering for an hour before you see something meaningful.
If you’re the type who likes to map the day, Liberty Square is a smart first piece. After you’ve seen the lighting and landmark scale here, Orbeliani and Rustaveli feel connected instead of random.
Orbeliani Square Christmas bazaar: hot drinks, gifts, and old-school streets
Next comes Orbeliani Square, which is the center of Tbilisi’s main Christmas bazaar during the festive season. This is where the tour shifts from landmark viewing to holiday browsing. Expect cosy kiosks and lots of simple treats—hot mulled wine, handmade gifts, and local snacks. Even if you don’t plan to buy much, it’s worth your time just to feel how Georgia does winter markets.
You also get time for the surrounding area, including the nearby President’s Palace area and the 19th-century architectural character of the Orbeliani district. That mix is the point: it’s not just stalls; it’s a sense of place. If you catch live music while you’re there, it adds to the “New Year in motion” vibe—some days it’s part of the scene.
The stop is about 50 minutes. That’s a solid chunk for window-shopping, checking out the crafts, and deciding if something is actually worth the money versus just looking cute. Just remember this is winter, so keep your time realistic. If your hands start freezing, set a quick goal: see one or two kiosks, try one drink, take photos, then move on.
Bazari Orbeliani: one stop for Georgian food and drinks
After Orbeliani Square, you’ll head to Bazari Orbeliani. This place is a food lover’s shortcut. It used to be a Soviet-era bazaar, and it has been transformed into the city’s largest food mall. Translation: you can sample lots of Georgian flavors without spending the whole day hunting down individual restaurants.
You’ll get about 45 minutes here, which is enough to do a mini-tasting strategy. The market area includes casual Georgian fast food and local specialties, plus options like Georgian wines and authentic lemonades. If you’re traveling with people who want different things—someone craving something savory, someone else wanting a sweet drink—this stop is built for that.
It also has a market-side layer beyond food: shops with handmade crafts, spices, and other delicacies. So even if you’re not in a shopping mood, you’ll likely find something small and practical, like a spice blend you can take home. That’s usually the best kind of souvenir: useful, flavorful, and not just decorative.
One practical note: the tour includes snacks, but this stop is where you may want to add your own food or drinks. The tour data says personal expenses aren’t included, so treat this as the place you’ll spend if you see something you really want.
Rustaveli Avenue: the big tree, Tovlis Papa, and the light show
Rustaveli Avenue is Tbilisi’s main street, and during the festive season it’s one of the best places to walk for holiday lighting. You’ll see historic building facades illuminated with decorations, and the visual effect is exactly why this tour stays in central areas: everything important is close enough to enjoy without hauling yourself across town in cold weather.
You’ll have about 35 minutes here. That’s plenty to get the key photo moments and then decide whether to linger or keep moving. Near the Parliament area, you’ll find the main New Year tree. You’ll also see Georgia’s Santa Claus, called Tovlis Papa. This is one of those “even if you’re not a holiday person, you’ll smile” stops—part of the fun is seeing local traditions in action, not just generic holiday images.
If you’re taking photos, keep your expectations realistic: this is a main street, so it can get crowded. Move a little, shoot, then step aside to avoid getting stuck in the densest part of the crowd.
Oksana and the small-group approach that keeps things smooth
The guide can make or break a city-walk. In this case, the standout theme is Oksana’s style: cheerful, patient, and careful with explanations. One review detail that really matters for your comfort is that Oksana stayed with the group and helped everyone feel safe even when there were tense street conditions during the season.
That tells me something important for you: this tour doesn’t treat the streets like a movie set. In real winter city conditions—crowds, weather, and unpredictable events—the guide’s job is to keep the group together and moving smartly. With a max group size of 10, that’s more doable than in larger tours.
Also, there’s a logistical detail you should know: the guide doesn’t use voice amplifiers. That can be totally fine, but it means you’ll want to stay close and pay attention when the group stops. If you’re at the edge of the group, you might miss parts of the explanation, especially on a loud, busy street.
Price and value: what $39 gets you in winter
Let’s talk value without the fluff. At $39 per person for about 3 hours, you’re buying:
- an English-speaking guide
- four central holiday stops that are timed for short walking days
- snacks included
- a small group experience (max 10)
- free admissions at the listed stops
The biggest “value” factor here is time. Planning a winter route that hits Liberty Square, the Orbeliani bazaar, a food hub like Bazari Orbeliani, and Rustaveli Avenue can take real effort—especially when weather is turning and streets are busy. Paying for a guided route is often cheaper than wasting part of your vacation figuring it all out.
The trade-off is that this is not a long, slow tour. You’ll get a taste of each area, not a full deep dive into any one location. If you want hours in one market stall, you might feel slightly rushed at the switch points.
For most people, though, that’s exactly the point: you get the key sights and holiday atmosphere in one efficient block.
What to do before you go (so the cold doesn’t ruin it)
The tour notes that winter weather can be cold, with a chance of rain or snow. You’ll be walking about 3.5 km total. So come prepared for the basics: dress in warm layers you can handle on and off the street, and plan for damp pavement if it rains.
Two practical tips are explicitly suggested: bring a small bottle of water and carry some cash for incidental expenses. Also remember that personal expenses aren’t included, so if you want extra bites at Bazari Orbeliani or want to buy something at the bazaar kiosks, have a little buffer.
One small logistics item: there’s a maximum waiting time of 10 minutes before the tour starts. If you’re late, you’ll need to book again. Build in extra time to find the meeting point and get oriented.
The bottom line: should you book this New Year market and lights walk?
I’d book this tour if you want a simple plan for New Year lights and food in central Tbilisi without spending the day figuring out transportation or juggling a long list of places. It’s especially appealing in December when the streets are decorated and the best spots are close together.
It’s also a good choice if you appreciate structure—short stops, clear transitions, and a guide who can steer the group in the real conditions of winter. The inclusion of snacks and the free admissions at stops make the math feel friendly for the price.
Skip it only if you prefer wandering totally on your own with no set stops, or if you hate winter walking and want a slower, longer itinerary with more time at fewer locations.
If you like market energy, Christmas lighting, and a food-focused break at Bazari Orbeliani, this tour is a very practical way to get your New Year in Tbilisi started.
FAQ
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts about 3 hours.
How much does the tour cost?
It costs $39.00 per person.
What language is the tour in?
The tour is offered in English.
Does the guide use voice amplifiers?
No. The guide does not use voice amplifiers.
How many stops are there, and where does it go?
There are four stops: Liberty Square, Orbeliani Square, Bazari Orbeliani, and Rustaveli Avenue. The tour starts at BurberryFreedom Square and ends near Rustaveli.
What is the walking distance?
The walking route is about 3.5 km (2.2 miles), with stops along the way.
Are admissions included for the stops?
The stops listed have free admission tickets.
What’s included in the price?
Snacks are included.
What should I bring for winter weather?
The tour can be cold, with a chance of rain or snow. It’s suggested that you carry a small bottle of water and some cash for incidental expenses.
