4-Hour Tbilisi Walking Tour with Old City and Narikala

Freedom Square is the heart of our capital, where all important events are celebrated. For example, the tall Freedom Stella turns into a luminous Christmas tree. Here, you will learn more about the development of Tbilisi outside the city walls in the 19th century. We will look at the oldest buildings on the square and discuss the events they witnessed.

Passing along the avenue of contrasts, with the remains of the fortress walls, we arrive at the Rezo Gabriadze Puppet Theater, whose repertoire includes performances only for an adult audience. This place is beautifully decorated with a fabulous tower and charming painted ceramics, and it holds a top place in photographs of Tbilisi's sights. Twice a day, on its hurdy-gurdy balcony, you can watch the two-minute musical puppet show, "The Cycle of Life".

The ultra-modern style of chrome and glass initially caused doubts among townspeople about the correctness and appropriateness of the project. Now, it is one of the symbols of the city, loved by Google and social networks for its popular views at any time of day or night and in any season. Time settled the dispute in once-divided Tbilisi society, when young people were inspired by modernism in the center of the old city, while older generations shook their heads, doubting the possibility of combining radical innovation with familiar classics. Today, it offers a fine observation deck with gorgeous views of the streets of Tbilisi along both embankments.

The oldest part of the Old Town is the fortress and the houses at its foot, with their ensemble of openwork balconies. Dominating Tbilisi, this fortress consists of two walled sections on a mountain ridge between the botanical garden and the oldest part of the city, called Kala. The fortress was built in the Arabic period, and this guardian of the city stood here long before Tbilisi became the capital.

A natural canyon in the middle of the old city forms the second stage of the cascading waterfall of the Tsavkisitskali River. Until just ten years ago, this place was part of the botanical garden, and even earlier, it belonged to the royal gardens. On the slopes of the canyon, fig tree sprouts make their way upward, while large numbers of fig trees grow along the top of the canyon in the Batonian Garden itself.

This is a beautiful place in the heart of the old city. In the past, this corner was called "Kharpukh" - the nose. Why? You will hear more about that on the spot, as the question requires closer consideration. The baths have long been, and remain, an important cultural and traditional part of public life in Tbilisi. Standing on healing sulfur springs for centuries, they still invite you to feel like a true Tbilisi citizen and visit them yourself.