We will tell you about the most informative excursion programs in Tbilisi and its surroundings, the cost of visiting and where to order a tour.
Modern Georgian capital, Tbilisi, is a wonderful city that magically combines the spirit of centuries-old struggle and global architectural trends. Authenticity coexists with cosmopolitanism here. All the tours that start in Tbilisi (there are as many as 220 of them!) can be divided into two main groups: city tours and excursions to the surrounding areas.
Tours in the Georgian Capital
Tbilisi is often compared to Italian towns. The spirit of ancient Eastern history intertwines with the modern and cosmopolitan influences of the West. Walking and car tours in Tbilisi include the following programs:
Getting to know the courtyards where families still live and treat guests with freshly baked bread and aromatic coffee.
Exploring the Old Town - Leselidze Street.
Visiting the holy sites: the Catholic Cathedral, Sameba Cathedral, and Jvaris Mama Church.
Exploring the Persian past at the Narikala Fortress and the Abanotubani quarter.
Taking a walk on the Bridge of Peace and in Rike Park.
Visiting the best sulfur baths in the country.
Learning about the Golden Age of Georgia and its heritage.
Taking a photo with the statue of the pheasant, which symbolizes the beginning of the city's history.
Wine tasting in a local wine cellar.
Unlike a car tour, a walking route allows you to ride the Tbilisi cable car and see the Georgian Pantheon and amusement park located at the top. The observation deck, accessible via the funicular, is cut off from the road and unavailable to fans of car tours.
It's worth starting your journey through Georgia with Tbilisi, if only because here tourists are taught the traditional toasting phrases. A tour of the capital is also a chance to combine culinary pleasures (wine tasting, churchkhela, pastries) with cultural experiences.
Tour price
Children under 10 can explore Tbilisi for free.
Adults will pay 30–45 EUR for a walking tour, depending on the route length and group size.
Car tour costs around 110–130 EUR.
Look out for discounts — sometimes guides post “sale” days on special websites. During such periods, the discount can reach 50%, and if you have a small group of 3 or more, a city walk can cost just 15–20 EUR per person.
Excursions from Tbilisi
Mtskheta – the heart of Georgia
The spiritual capital of Georgia attracts not only tourists interested in cultural sights but also Orthodox pilgrims. The city is rightly called the second Jerusalem due to the extremely high concentration of places dear to the believer’s heart. Along the Georgian Military Road leading to Mtskheta, there are many Christian shrines. The main highlights of the ancient city are the following churches:
Svetitskhoveli and Samtavro, located right in Mtskheta. Both churches are famous for hosting countless Georgian royal weddings. The country’s rulers were also buried here. The ashes of some royal figures are still kept in Svetitskhoveli.
The Women’s Monastery, located near the Samtavro church.
Jvari, built on a hill not far from Georgia’s spiritual capital. The church is situated in the valley of the Kura and Aragvi rivers. Here you can still see the first cross in the country’s history.
The monasteries of Shio-Mgvime or Kvatakhevi — optional for tourists. Visiting these church complexes adds 2–3 hours to the excursion duration.
During the visit to Mtskheta, tourists learn that the city was founded by Saint Nino. Here she wove the first slightly curved cross from grapevine.
Visiting Mtskheta is suitable for adults and children over 10 years old.
Excursion Cost
The price of an excursion for a small group (1–6 people) is about 120 EUR. A group tour will cost tourists half as much — approximately 60 EUR per person.
Kakheti
This is an excellent option for alcohol lovers. It is strongly advised not to take children to Kakheti. Otherwise, the excursion is quite easy and suitable even for elderly tourists.
During the visit to the Kakheti region (including the famous Alazani Valley, which is part of it), tourists will be able to:
learn that Georgians, when entering someone's home, first inquire about the health of the local grapevine and only then ask about the host's affairs;
visit the residence of the Kakheti kings and the estate of Alexander Chavchavadze;
see the Kakheti Nekresi Monastery;
take several photos near the local wedding palace;
hear that more than 550 grape varieties are grown in Kakheti;
visit several wineries, for example, in Kvareli and Telavi;
walk through the city of lovers, Sighnaghi;
choose their favorite wine.
Tourists will also be surprised to learn that the artist Niko Pirosmani lived here in Kakheti. His unrequited love was sung about by Alla Pugacheva in the song “A Million Scarlet Roses.”
Excursion cost
A group excursion allows 18 people to explore Kakheti at the same time — 30 EUR per person. A trip with a small group (1–6 people) costs 120 EUR per participant.
Military-Georgian Road
The famous route, celebrated in poems and songs, leads from Tbilisi almost to the peaks of Kazbegi. During the journey, picturesque landscapes of green mountain riverbanks are replaced by the white summits of mountains. The trip along the Military-Georgian Road includes the following attractions:
Zhinvaleskoye Reservoir, known for its unique turquoise water;
Ananuri Fortress, built in the 16th century. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views from the watchtowers and swim in the nearby lake;
Hinkali tasting, the traditional Georgian dish, in the village of Pasanauri;
a walk along the Cross Pass. Here, guides make a short stop for visitors to admire the views of the Gudauri ski resort;
exploring the foothills of Kazbegi, where a small and cozy town is located. Those interested can visit the Gergeti Trinity Church built in the 14th century.
The excursion route is open from early spring until late autumn. In winter, the Cross Pass is not accessible to tourists. During the journey, which has a total length of 330 km, two meals are provided.
Cost of the tour
It is better to explore the Military-Georgian Road without young children, as the trip often lasts until midnight. For a group of up to 6 people, the cost of the route is 150 EUR.
Rabati Fortress and its Surroundings
The Rabati Fortress, also known as Akhaltsikhe Fortress, opens two parts to its guests - the upper and lower. It is unique in that it houses architectural monuments of two religions - Christianity and Islam.
Borjomi
If time does not allow for a longer stay in the city of Akhaltsikhe (where Rabati Fortress is located), you can explore the surrounding areas within 12 hours. The region is also home to the world-famous resort town of Borjomi, where you can:
try the famous mineral water;
take a dip in a pool filled with mineral water;
ride a Ferris wheel;
take a stroll in a natural park;
choose jewelry made of cloisonné enamel, known as minankari, as a gift for your loved ones;
enjoy a panoramic view of the city from a retro funicular cabin.
Cost of the tour
To reach the fortress from Tbilisi, a transfer service is available for 65 EUR for all participants of the excursion. The maximum number of participants is 18 people. Individual tours to the Akhaltsikhe Fortress will cost one and a half times more.
Uplistsikhe and Vardzia — cave cities
For travelers, the cave city of Uplistsikhe is a must-see. The entire complex of structures carved into the mountain ridge is located near Gori — the birthplace of Stalin.
Unlike Uplistsikhe, Vardzia, besides its defensive function, is also a city-monastery. At the dawn of the second millennium, Vardzia was founded by the father of the great queen of the Georgian people, Tamar.
On the way to the hidden cave city of Vardzia, guides make a stop near the Khetvisi fortress.
Excursion cost
The cost of an excursion tour from Tbilisi to Uplistsikhe and Vardzia is about 180 EUR. The route is recommended for adults and children over 5 years old.
Other excursions from Tbilisi
Since Tbilisi is the modern capital of Georgia, it is possible to reach any point in the country from there. The following excursion routes are popular:
Adjara, including the seaside resort Batumi. In this city, it is worth visiting the botanical garden, the Makhuntseti waterfall, the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called, the Batumi promenade, and the Queen Tamar Bridge. However, it is more advantageous to stay in Batumi for at least a couple of days and thoroughly explore the surroundings;
Kutaisi with the nearby Martvili and Okatse canyons, as well as the Sataplia and Prometheus caves. From Kutaisi, it is convenient to reach the oldest monasteries of the region — Gelati and Motsameta.
Features of guided tours
Even for those who are used to traveling and exploring cities on their own, the assistance of a professional guide can be helpful in discovering Tbilisi. Despite the compact size of Georgia's capital, a couple of days may not be enough to fully explore its attractions.
Private tours for 1-4 people save significant time compared to group tours, as there is no need to wait at souvenir shops or endure long bus embarkations and disembarkations.
Many interesting places may not be immediately noticeable, and it is often through the guidance of a tour guide that tourists truly discover new places.
To ensure that the tour leaves a positive impression, it is advisable to book in advance through one of the dedicated websites. It is not recommended to hire local guides without recommendations.
Types of excursions
City sightseeing tours
Sightseeing tours in Tbilisi can be either walking or by car. Depending on this, the route may take from 4 to 7 hours.
One of the most popular options is an exciting bus tour of Tbilisi at a price starting from 30 EUR in an 8-seat minibus.
Excursions to the surroundings
Private guides in Tbilisi offer unforgettable jeep tours around the city outskirts (for example, a trip to the village of Stepantsminda, where you can see Mount Kazbek). The cost is from 320 EUR.
Author’s programs
For those tired of standard events, custom tours in Tbilisi will be appealing, such as historical, wine, or gastronomic excursions. Their cost is from 170 EUR per person (excluding restaurant and wine tasting fees).
Getting to know Tbilisi should definitely start with a sightseeing walk around the city. Then you can use the capital as a starting point to head along the Georgian Military Highway, to Kakheti, Adjara, or Mtskheta. Lovers of ancient ruins will also enjoy cave cities and fortresses, whose routes also begin in Tbilisi.
