Brutal Tbilisi: Unveiling the Raw and Authentic Side of the City
4.9
22 Ratings
T'bilisi
Unveil the raw and authentic side of Tbilisi on a unique tour that explores the city's crowded neighborhoods, Soviet remnants, and unvarnished reality. Discover a side of Tbilisi that's honest, raw, and unapologetically real.
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • The building of the Ministry of Highways of the Georgian SSR - A unique monument of Brutalist architectureOne of the highlights of this unique experience is a visit to the iconic building of the Ministry of Highways of the Georgian SSR. This architectural masterpiece is a testament to the brutalist style that was prevalent during the Soviet era. Its imposing structure and intricate details make it a must-see for architecture enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

The building’s design is a perfect example of how brutalist architecture can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The massive concrete blocks and sharp angles create a sense of strength and stability, while the intricate patterns and details add a touch of elegance.

Our tour will take you on a journey through Tbilisi’s past, present, and future, showcasing the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. You’ll explore hidden alleyways, discover local street art, and learn about the city’s transformation from a Soviet stronghold to a modern metropolis.

What's Included
  • Expert local guide
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Convenient hotel pick-up for private tours
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

An exclusive journey that exposes the crude, unembellished truth of life in Tbilisi. This is not a commonplace tour pointing out the enchanting balconies and frequented tourist trails of the city. Rather, we delve deeply into the genuine Tbilisi where its inhabitants reside, labor, and enjoy themselves.

We traverse the bustling, occasionally grim neighborhoods teeming with authentic life and echoing narratives overlooked by typical tours. We examine the vestiges of the city’s Soviet history, marked by its emblematic brutalist structures - an homage to a distant past still casting a shadow over the city’s contemporary landscape.

This tour will reveal a Tbilisi far estranged from the polished old town, a side that is stark, uninhibited, and unabashedly genuine. Join us in uncovering the true personality of Tbilisi in an enlightening yet surprising experience.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • “Recommended attire is based on current weather conditions. You can refer to your phone’s weather forecast for guidance or consult your mom on what to wear.
  • The ticket is valid for the time and date specified on it. Rescheduling or cancellation is possible up to 24 hours before the event begins. There are no other options or exceptions.
Location
Europe Square
Group tours starts from Europe Square next to the Berlin Wall Memorial
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(22 Ratings)
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Hcornia
Mar 23, 2024
Brutal Tbilisi Tour - Great tour! My guide Khatuna was fantastic. It felt like hanging out with a friend all morning. She was very knowledgeable and had a lot of interest in information. The places on the tour were fascinating. I would highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J7509oumiker
Dec 8, 2023
Fantastically Brutal Tbilisi - Excellent tour of Tbilisi. Great photo opportunities of Soviet legacy. Khato was a super guide - Knowledgeable, fun and flexible. Highly recommend!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Owainm2019
Sep 13, 2023
Great tour, highly recommended. - Excellent tour. Khatuna did a great job showing me around Tbilisi's many unique and brutalist buildings. There was many highlights amongst the trip including the views over the city when at the Monuments of Georgia. I especially like the skywalk apartments. Highly recommended. Very professional. Would use again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andreakm2420hs
Sep 6, 2023
Professional, inspiring and insightful - loved it! - Aleksi picked us up at our accommodation and compiled a most interesting and inspired tour through architecture, history and the present of Georgia. He is an independent thinker, a studied architect, interested in history, politics and a patriotic, liberty-loving Georgian. During the tour he is very considered of your well-being and empathetic to your individual interests. We truely enjoyed our tour and highly recommend this agenda of the beaten track! Thanx Aleksi!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nishtha123456689
Aug 21, 2023
The best! Highly recommended - It is one of the best tours i have taken in georgia. If you find yourself in Tbilisi and want to explore its soviet past then this is the best tour for you. Alex is a very knowledgeable guide. He will tell you some of the most unknown facts about georgia's soviet history. I highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gordon_k
Aug 16, 2023
See Tbilisi’s modern history through architecture - Great few hours seeing a different side of Tbilisi. You get a real sense of Georgia’s Soviet and post-Soviet history through architecture and go to interesting parts of Tbilisi outside the usual old city sites. Aleksi was a very knowledgeable and personable guide.
Review provided by Viator
Janev_australia
Jul 15, 2023
Astoundingly good tour and a must for architecture fans - Astoundingly good tour.. a must for architecture fans We did the Brutal Tbilisi with Khatuna on July 2023. We visited the old Archeological Museum and the old water supply cistern, the old Department of Transport and Roads, the Sky bridge apartments, the Cable car and the old University Students' accommodation, and the University Library. Each site was interesting. We were particularly taken by the old Transport and Roads building.. an astounding feat of architecture and one if the most visually striking buildings we have seen anywhere in the world. It is a real shame that several buildings on this tour are being l eft to become derelict. Khatuna is an excellent guide. She is friendly and a good communicator. We found her great company. This tour is stunning. It really shows another side ofTbilisi from the usual tourist circuit HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laurafknieling
Jul 10, 2023
amazing - We booked the brutalism tour and it went beyond expectations. The guide was very kind and explaining us a lot of things. One of the best experiences in my life. Not sure if i will be able to go inside an old soviet water deposit again!!. Thank you
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H3177gjstephenf
Jul 1, 2023
Brutal Tbilisi - Aleksi was the ideal tour guide - super informed and flexible. He understood exactly what I wanted to see and made it into an adventure
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Victoriano_d
Jun 4, 2023
Adventure with language issues. - The tour guide was very knowledgeable and we explored many areas that your average tourist wouldn’t go. However there were MANY times we asked questions and he would respond “like I told you”. Which made it that you did not want to ask anything. Many of the questions we asked were not answered already so it might have been a language issue.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 14 guests
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June 2024
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