Tbilisi: Old & New City Guided Tour with 15 Tastings & Wine

Georgian dumplings meet a city walk. This guided Tbilisi experience strings 15 tastings into an Old City and New City route, so food and landmarks explain each other as you go. You also get wine tastings at the end, which is a very Georgian way to say welcome.

I like the mix of Old Town streets plus modern viewpoints, because you see how Tbilisi used to live and how it lives now. I also love that the tastings cover more than one category, like dumplings, sweets, sauces, spicy ajika, and multiple styles of wine.

One caution: expect moderate walking and no wheelchair access. Also, this tour includes wine and chacha tastings, so if alcohol is not your thing, you will need to pace yourself.

Key things to notice before you book

• 15 tastings, not just a snack, including khinkali types, churchkhela, gozinaki, tkemali, ajika, wine, and chacha
• Hotel pickup and drop-off means you can start your first day in Tbilisi without logistics stress
• Old City plus New City viewpoints, with photo stops like the Bridge of Peace and Rike Park
• Multiple wine styles, including Qvevri wine plus white, red dry, and red semi-sweet tastings
• Free time built into the route, so you can breathe, snap photos, and look around at key stops

Why this Old and New Tbilisi food and wine walk works so well

If you want a quick handle on Tbilisi, this tour is a strong first move. You get a guided stroll through the Old City and then outward to modern landmarks, so the city doesn’t feel like random sightseeing blocks.

The smartest part is how the tastings line up with what you see. When you learn about Georgian food culture during the walk, dumplings and sweets stop being just items on a menu. They become part of how people mark daily life, gatherings, and celebrations.

And yes, the wine portion matters. The tour ends with a local bar and wine tasting, so the day finishes with a calm, social beat rather than a rushed “thanks, bye” handoff. Guides like Camila, George, and Nodar also stand out for being patient and easy to talk to, which makes the whole route feel less like a checklist.

What the 2 to 4 hours feels like, in real life

This is listed as 2 to 4 hours, and the timing depends on when you go and how much the route can adjust. It’s not a sit-on-a-bench tour. You’ll walk enough to feel like you moved through neighborhoods, but not so much that it becomes a full hiking day.

You should plan on comfortable shoes. The tour also doesn’t suit mobility impairments or wheelchair users, and large bags or oversize luggage are not allowed. If you travel light, you’ll be happier.

One practical tip: if you’re a first-timer, start with an empty stomach mindset. Several past participants called out that the tastings can be filling, and one person even said they could not finish all the dumplings. That’s good news for your appetite, but it also means you should avoid stacking a heavy meal beforehand.

The route, stop by stop, and what to watch for

Here’s how the walk comes together, and what each part tends to give you.

Pickup and the welcome café start

The tour begins with pickup in Tbilisi and a drop-off back in the city. You’ll start at a local café with welcome refreshments, then shift into a guided walk format.

This first stop is more than formalities. It helps you settle in, get oriented, and learn what to look for. It also sets the tone for the tasting portion, since you’ll be moving through places where Georgian flavors and local habits show up in everyday settings.

Dry Bridge Market, a photo stop with breathing room

Next comes Dry Bridge Market. Expect a photo stop plus guided sightseeing, with free time to look around and take in the atmosphere.

Worth knowing: if your tour runs later in the day, some participants noted that Dry Bridge Market may already be closed when the timing is evening. So don’t plan on shopping or long browsing. Use it mainly for photos and the general vibe.

Dedaena Park, views and a chance to slow down

After that, the route heads to Dedaena Park for another photo stop and free time. This is where the walking tour shifts from “street-level” to “look out and orient yourself.”

Parks in Tbilisi are useful on a guided walk because they break up the density. You can regroup, grab a few clearer pictures, and reset before more historic stops.

Presidential Palace, pass by with context

You’ll pass by the Presidential Palace. It’s listed as a photo stop and pass by, with guided explanation.

Even when you don’t go inside, these pass-by stops help you map the city’s geography and power centers. Your guide can also connect the street scenes to how Georgia talks about itself in different eras, especially since several guides were praised for handling tough topics with tact and honesty.

A secret stop for dessert and snacks

There’s also a secret stop, built for a break and some sweet food. It includes a dessert portion plus local snacks and a mini food market visit.

That break matters because it keeps the tour from feeling like nonstop tasting and standing around. It also adds variety, since not every tasting is tied to khinkali and wine. You’ll likely leave feeling you got a broader sampling of Georgian flavor categories.

Rezo Gabriadze Theater photo stop

Then you’ll hit the Rezo Gabriadze Theater area for photos and guided commentary. The route continues in a way that keeps you moving past landmarks without turning the tour into a museum slog.

Anchiskhati Basilica, a historic anchor point

Anchiskhati Basilica is next, with photo stop and time to look. This is one of those stops where the guide’s narration helps you notice details you’d otherwise miss.

Even if you only spend a short window here, it gives the Old City portion weight. You come out of the tasting stops with a better feel for why these neighborhoods hold on to symbols, rituals, and religious landmarks.

Ioane Shavteli Street, streets that carry stories

You’ll also stop on Ioane Shavteli Street. Expect photo stops, guided sightseeing, and free time.

Streets like this are where the city’s texture shows up. You can spot how architecture transitions block by block, and how local life keeps happening even near iconic sites.

The Bridge of Peace and the view from Rike Park

Next is the Bridge of Peace, then Rike Park. Both include photo stops and guided movement, plus time to explore.

This pair is one of the most useful “New City” sections of the route. The bridge helps you understand Tbilisi’s modern connections, and Rike Park gives you a place to pause and take in wider views.

Europe Square, a quick pass with context

Europe Square is on the route as a photo stop plus sightseeing. You’ll pass through with guided commentary and free time.

It’s a compact stop, but it helps you tie together the city’s public spaces. You learn how different zones feel, and you get ideas for where to go next on your own.

Meidan Bazar, spirits and arts and crafts

Meidan Bazar is another highlight stop, with spirits tasting and guided sightseeing. It also includes time and an arts and crafts market visit.

This part adds a shop-and-street energy to the day. You’re not just moving past sights, you’re experiencing the marketplace logic of Georgian daily life.

Old Town, final landmark sweep

The route continues through the Old Town area with photo stops and guided sightseeing. This is where you consolidate everything you saw earlier. You can connect the basilica and street scenes to the patterns you noticed at earlier stops.

Ending at a local bar, wine tasting and a social finish

The tour ends at a local bar with wine tasting and guided wrap-up. This is your final tasting moment, and it’s also where the mood shifts into relaxed.

A few participants specifically liked how the finish feels like a local hangout, with the chance to stay, mingle, and order more wine if you want. One person called out that the end comes with a glass of wine at a location you can keep enjoying.

The tastings list, mapped to what you’ll likely taste first

This tour is built around 15 tastings, and the mix is well balanced. You start savory, hit sauces and spicy notes, then go sweet, and finally shift into wine and spirit.

Here’s what’s included:

Khinkali, four ways

• Khinkali beef
• Khinkali mushrooms
• Khinkali potato-cheese
• Khinkali potato

This is the backbone of the tasting menu. Past participants repeatedly named dumplings as a favorite, and one person even said the portions were so big they could not finish them.

Also note the real value of doing multiple khinkali types. It teaches you how fillings change the flavor story, instead of treating khinkali like one generic dish.

Lemonade and Georgian sweets

• Local lemonade
• Churchkhela walnut
• Churchkhela hazelnut
• Gozinaki walnut and honey

Churchkhela is a classic Georgia sugar-and-nut snack, and tasting it in two nut styles shows you how small differences change sweetness and texture. Gozinaki brings a honey and nut profile that feels different from churchkhela, so you don’t get stuck with only one sweet mood.

Sauces and spicy ajika

• Tkemali wild plum and blackberry sauce
• Ajika spicy paste

This is a smart inclusion because Georgian cuisine often relies on sauces to tie dishes together. Ajika adds heat, while tkemali brings fruit tang that can surprise you if you only expect heavy savory flavors.

Wine tastings, four categories plus Qvevri

• White wine tasting
• Red dry wine tasting
• Red semi-sweet wine tasting
• Qvevri wine tasting

This is where the tour earns its name. Instead of one generic pour, you get a comparison across styles. Several guides got praise specifically for wine recommendations and end-of-day learning, which makes the tastings more useful when you shop or order later in the trip.

Chacha, the spirit finish

• Local spirit tasting, chacha

Chacha is strong by nature. Even when it’s served in a small tasting format, it’s worth pacing. If you prefer light drinks, the wine portion may already feel like enough. But if you want the full Georgia flavor culture, this ending gives you the classic final note.

Guides, pace, and how the tour feels as a conversation

Small-group and private options are available. Either way, the tone depends heavily on the guide, and that’s one reason this tour has such strong ratings.

In the feedback you can see patterns: guides like Camila, Nodar, George, Giorgi, Emma, Irina, and Mariam were praised for being friendly, patient, and open to questions. One guide handled sensitive topics, like Soviet experience and modern geopolitics, in a way that still felt respectful and human.

This matters because Tbilisi is not one-dimensional. The city’s food is tied to history, and the streets connect to present-day identity. A good guide helps you connect the dots without turning the tour into a lecture.

One more pace note: multiple participants said the tour doesn’t feel rushed. Even with lots of stops, the breaks and free time sections help you avoid that constant “move along” pressure.

Price and value: what $62 buys you, and why it’s fair

At $62 per person for about 2 to 4 hours, you’re paying for more than a walking guide. You’re also paying for hotel pickup and drop-off plus 15 tastings that include wine and chacha.

In practical value terms, the cost makes sense if you would otherwise spend money on:

• a guided city intro, and
• multiple meals or snacks, and
• wine tastings at separate places

This tour bundles those into one route. You also get cultural context while you eat, which is the difference between tasting for fun and tasting with understanding.

If your goal is to save money, you could eat khinkali on your own and buy a drink elsewhere. But you’ll lose the guided link between neighborhoods and Georgian food culture. For many first-time visitors, that link is the main payoff.

Who this tour suits best, and who might not

This works well for:

• First-time visitors who want a city orientation plus food basics
• People who enjoy walking but want breaks built into the route
• Food-and-wine lovers who like structured tastings
• Travelers who want clear, English-language guidance, with guides praised for answering questions

It may not be ideal for:

• Anyone who needs wheelchair access or has mobility limitations
• People traveling with oversize luggage or large bags
• Anyone who cannot handle alcohol tastings, since wine and chacha are included

If you’re traveling with a vegetarian friend, one participant specifically praised that a guide took care with tastings and included options to accommodate. Still, you should mention dietary needs if you book.

Practical tips so the day goes smoothly

Bring comfortable shoes, because you’ll be walking a moderate amount. Check the weather too. The tour guidance suggests sunscreen or a raincoat depending on forecast.

Also remember the bag rules. Oversize luggage and large bags are not allowed. If you keep to a small bag, you’ll feel less stressed on and off public areas.

Finally, pace your tastings. The tour is designed to feed you, and multiple people noted big portions. If you’re planning more eating after the tour, eat lightly at the start.

Should you book this Tbilisi tour?

Book it if you want a well-structured start in Tbilisi, with Old City sights plus New City landmarks, and you’re happy to learn through food. The 15 tastings and multi-style wine lineup turn the walk into something more than photos.

Skip it if walking is hard for you, if you cannot participate in alcohol tastings, or if you prefer to wander without a guide’s timing. This tour is designed to keep moving, eat regularly, and end with wine.

If you want a single best move for your first day, this is a strong candidate. It gives you both practical orientation and a Georgian flavor crash course you can build on for the rest of your trip.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs about 2 to 4 hours, depending on starting times and how the route moves during the day.

How much does it cost?

The price listed is $62 per person.

Do I get hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What food and drinks are included?

You get 15 tastings, including khinkali in several fillings, lemonade, Georgian sweets like churchkhela and gozinaki, sauce tastes like tkemali, spicy ajika, plus wine tastings and a chacha spirit tasting. Food and drinks outside these inclusions are not included.

Is there wine included?

Yes. The tour includes wine tastings, including white wine, red dry wine, red semi-sweet wine, and Qvevri wine, plus a final chacha tasting.

What should I bring?

Wear comfortable walking shoes. The tour info also suggests being ready for weather, like sunscreen or a raincoat depending on the forecast.

Is the tour wheelchair friendly?

No. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments and wheelchair users.

Are there luggage restrictions?

Yes. Oversize luggage, and luggage or large bags are not allowed.

Will Dry Bridge Market always be open?

Not necessarily. One past participant noted that when they did the tour in the evening, Dry Bridge Market was already closed, so timing can affect what you can browse there.