Private Evening Walk: Exploring Metekhi Church and other Hidden Gems of Tbilisi City

Embark on a private evening walk through the enchanting city of Tbilisi, discovering hidden gems and iconic landmarks like Metekhi Church, Narikala fortress, and the Bridge of Peace.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Traveler’s Meeting Point - Traveler’s Meeting Point is a complimentary space where you can meet fascinating new people, enjoy board games, listen to great music, or savor a glass of wine.

  • Metekhi Cathedral - The Virgin Mary Metekhi church is situated on the left bank of the Mtkvari River, atop a cliff plateau. The first church at this location was likely built by Vakhtang Gorgasali, symbolically mirroring the church on Virgin Mary’s tomb in Gethsemane garden in Jerusalem. Legend has it that the former catholicos Kirion moved Saint Shushanik to this church in the 7th century.

  • Monument of King Vakhtang Gorgasali - Vakhtang I Gorgasali, from the Chosroid dynasty, was a king of Iberia, also known as Kartli, during the latter half of the 5th century and the early 6th century.

Dating Vakhtang’s reign is challenging. Allied with the Byzantine Empire, he led his people in a prolonged struggle against Sasanian Iranian dominance, which ended in his defeat and the weakening of the Iberian kingdom. Tradition credits him with reorganizing the Georgian Orthodox Church and founding Tbilisi, Georgia’s modern capital. Ivane Javakhishvili dates Vakhtang’s rule to around 449–502, while Cyril Toumanoff suggests 447–522.

  • Europe Square - We cross Europe Square and learn about the relationship between Georgia and the European Union, which is crucial for Georgians.

  • Rike Park - Rike Park is considered the newest recreational area in Tbilisi. Located on the left bank of the Kura (Mtkvari) River, it has quickly become a popular spot for both locals and international visitors, especially families, during the summer. The park is easy to find, with its main entrance right by the beautiful pedestrian ‘Bridge of Peace.’ It features numerous entertainment options like singing and dancing fountains, artificial climbing walls, a children’s maze, mega-chess boards, footpaths, and quiet corners. The starting point of a newly opened cable car to Narikala Fortress is also in Rike Park, along with several trendy bars and restaurants.

  • The Bridge of Peace - The Bridge of Peace is a must-see attraction in Tbilisi. This pedestrian glass and steel bridge, designed in a bow shape, spans the Mtkvari (Kura) River in the Georgian capital. Officially opened in May 2010, the bridge was brought to Georgia from Italy in 200 unassembled pieces. It is 156 meters long and features over 10,000 LED bulbs that light up daily 90 minutes before sunset.

  • Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater - In 2010, Rezo Gabriadze constructed a unique clock tower next to the marionette theater in Tbilisi’s old town. Every hour, an angel emerges with a small hammer to ring the bell. Inside the tower is a small puppet theater, and twice a day, at 12:00 and 19:00, you can watch a show called “The Circle of Life.” Rezo adorned the tower with hundreds of tiles he designed himself, making it an instant architectural landmark in Tbilisi. It is often referred to as the Tower with a clock or the Tower with the angel.

  • Anchiskhati Basilica - Located in the historical district of upper Kala on Shavteli Street, the Anchiskhati Basilica dates back to the 6th century. Historical sources indicate it was built by Dachi Ujarmeli (from Ujarma) and originally named after the Virgin Mary’s Birth. The name Anchiskhati was given later when Peter Meskhi moved the image of Christ not made by hand from the Anchi church to this one in 1675. Peter was appointed pastor by the Catholicon Domenici, and from that day, the Meskhishvili family served as pastors of the church. Peter’s son, Alex, founded the calligraphers’ dynasty known as the Aleximaskhishvilis.

  • საქართველოს საპატრიარქო გრემის სასულიერო სემინარია - We stop at the Patriarchate of Georgia to hear intriguing facts about the place.

  • Sioni Cathedral Church - Sioni Cathedral is located on Sioni Street, in one of Tbilisi’s oldest districts, upper Kala. According to legend, the first church on this site was built by King Vakhtang Gorgasali in the 5th century.

  • Tamada (Toastmaster) Statue - Tamada means toastmaster in Georgian. We stop to hear fascinating stories about this tradition of toastmastering.

  • Shardeni Street - Shardeni Street is one of the most popular and beautiful streets in Tbilisi. This pedestrian street is so famous that no visitor leaves Georgia without seeing it.

  • Tbilisi Cable Car - We take a cable car to the Mother of Georgia statue and enjoy the stunning views from there.

  • Kartlis Deda - Kartvlis Deda (Mother of a Georgian), often mistakenly called Kartlis Deda, is a monument in Tbilisi that has become a city symbol. Erected on Sololaki Hill in 1958, the year Tbilisi celebrated its 1500th anniversary, the twenty-meter aluminum figure of a woman in Georgian national dress was designed by prominent Georgian sculptor Elguja Amashukeli. She represents the Georgian national character: holding a bowl of wine in her left hand to greet friends and a sword in her right hand for enemies.

  • Narikala Fortress - Narikala Fortress is Tbilisi’s most famous landmark. No one leaves Tbilisi without exploring this impressive fortress. Despite the walls being in poor condition, you can still feel the history of Tbilisi. The fortress overlooks the Mtkvari River, adding to its magnificence. Narikala is one of the most visited sites in Tbilisi.

  • Juma Mosque - During the walking tour, we have the opportunity to visit a mosque and learn about the importance of tolerance in the country.

  • Leghvtakhevi Waterfall - Leghvtakhevi is a waterfall we visit during the tour; it is a popular spot for both Georgians and foreigners to relax when it’s hot.

  • Chreli Abano Spa - Chreli Abano is a sulfur bathhouse that is very popular among tourists and locals. Although it looks like a mosque, it is a sulfur bath, a great place to visit and have fun.

  • Abanotubani - “Abanotubani” is the name of the district in Tbilisi’s Old Town. The area features a whole street (Abanos Kucha) of public bathhouses that use the sulfurous waters from the many hot springs in the vicinity.

What's Included
  • Pick up from the hotel
  • Cable car ride
  • Wine tasting
  • A private, professional guide service
  • Drop off at the hotel
  • A bottle of water
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities for a tour guide.
Additional Information

In the evenings, we guide you through a multitude of intriguing and secluded spots in this breath-taking metropolis. We also explore well-known landmarks in Tbilisi including Metekhi Church, the Vakhtang Gorgasali Monument, the cable car, the Mother of Georgia statue, Narikala Fortress, the sulfur baths district, a waterfall, Shardeni Street, Sioni Church, Anchiskhati Church, the distinctive clock tower of the Puppet Theater Rezo Gabriadze, and the Bridge of Peace.

  • The tour operates in all weather conditions. Therefore, please dress according to the weather.
  • Dress code for a church - It’s not allowed for anyone to enter a church in shorts, and women need to cover their heads.
Location
Traveler’s Meeting Point
Vladimer Meskhishvili St., 14
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(28 Ratings)
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Adam_m
Jul 30, 2024
Great walking tour of Tbilisi - Nico was a great guide and educated us on Tbilisi and Georgian history. He also accommodated various additional requests and was really friendly and helpful.
Review provided by Viator
Elninocanino
Jul 7, 2024
Great Walking Tour of Tbilisi - Mariam was a great tour guide for our walking tour of Tbilisi. She provided a lot of information about the places we were visiting and gave us ample time to visit them. Mariam also was able to slightly modify the tour to accommodate our needs. All in all, it was a great tour and a lovely way to spend an afternoon in a great city.
Review provided by Viator
Cristin_c
Jun 6, 2024
A pleasant walk through Tbilisi - The guide on this tour was OKI, who introduced us to the main tourist spots in Tbilisi. the capital of Georgia has its charm and is worth visiting. The tour lasted 4 hours, which passed quickly
Review provided by Viator
Claesandersf
Feb 16, 2024
Couldn’t have been better - We had ordered a day walking tour in Tbilisi and our guide was Nino a well educated young woman who knew everything and more about her home city. She answered all questions with patience facts and wit! So thanks for 3.5 very interesting hours. Claes and Karin
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Claes_f
Feb 16, 2024
Excellent and fun - We met our guide Nino precisely at 11.00 and had more then three hour of good and fun education (= pedagogical excellent) of the history of Georgia. Not a dull moment, because she varied the information all the time and was very observant to our questions. So thank you Nino! Claes and Karin
Review provided by Viator
Justin
Jan 26, 2024
Private walking tour of Tbilisi… excellent way to quickly get a handle on this fascinating city - We really enjoyed the walking tour today. Our guide Sali was very knowledgable and was terrific company. We booked a private tour very late, and the office responded immediately to settle the arrangements. We are Australian, and everyone we dealt with spoke excellent English. Well done all around!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marie_d
Sep 11, 2023
Walking Tour Tblisi - Great experience seeing Tblisi with our walking guide Sally she was informative personable and caring and knew her city well. The red wine recommended by Sally was really nice and we both felt it was definitely different. Best welcoming at a waking tour office ever experienced great company made feel welcomed and complimentary drinks appreciated. Ten out ten 👍
Review provided by Viator
Julie_s
Aug 1, 2023
comprehensive and super fun tour - We saw so many different parts of the city. Our guide was wonderful. It is a short tour but you see so much. It was beautiful. I highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Mattmilford23
Jul 22, 2023
Private Tbilisi walking tour - David was an excellent guide with terrific English and provided a lot of detailed history throughout the tour. He was very professional, personable, and knowledgeable. He provided excellent service including taking photos when asked, explaining various historic buildings and churches and providing some fun anecdotes along the way. Highly recommend the experience which included taxi pickup and drop off, delicious wine tasting, traditional Georgian bread and lemonade, the cable car, waterfall, old city, and many other interesting sights along the way. Nina from the office provided excellent communication and we were very welcomed at the beginning of our tour.
Review provided by Viator
Prah2015
Jul 13, 2023
Thank you - Knowledgeable and very friendly host. Well selected topics and nice introduction to Tbilisi history and some of main points of interest
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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