Tbilisi City Guide

My favorite place in Tbilisi? Personally, as a resident of the city, it’s natural that I have many favorite spots that may not stand out as prominent landmarks to others. However, this does not apply to the Botanical Garden, which I consider to be one of the must-visit places in Tbilisi.
Why do I think so? I don’t know, probably because I love nature so much, and in this regard, the Botanical Garden is truly exceptional. Interestingly, even though I was born and raised in Tbilisi, I only visited the garden for the first time as an adult. Since then, I’ve tried to go as often as possible. Of course, it’s not something you can do every day, even though the garden is located right in the city center, in Old Tbilisi. Still, I make an effort to visit in every season.
For many people, the Botanical Garden is mainly associated with summer, which makes sense, as it’s a perfect place to escape the notorious Tbilisi heat. That’s also when I visit most often. However, despite this, I would personally choose autumn as my favorite season, because the garden looks its most beautiful at that time of year.
A standout sight? Probably the waterfall, as most people would agree. But for me, the favorite spot is the river valley to the left of the bridge over the waterfall, especially the area around the rope bridge at the end of the gorge. It’s a place not many people know about. In fact, I only discovered it myself after a few visits.
In summary, the garden is an ideal escape not only from the heat but also from the city’s noise. The calm and quiet atmosphere creates a wonderful contrast to the bustling streets. Yes, the city has other natural attractions, such as Mtatsminda Park and Turtle Lake, but when you visit the Botanical Garden, you feel as if you’re truly far from the city, surrounded by nature.
What would I recommend to visitors? First of all, not just to tourists, but also to fellow residents of Tbilisi, and to myself, I’d say: come here more often. As for practical advice, I’d recommend starting your walk from Botanikuri Street. Don’t rush. Enjoy the path and take care of nature. At the end of the walk, don’t return the same way. Instead, climb up to the Kartlis Deda (Mother of Georgia) monument, where you’ll get breathtaking views of both the city and the garden. From there, you can easily reach Narikala Fortress. There are several ways to return to the city, from Narikala or from Kartlis Deda along the pedestrian paths to the Upper Betlemi Church, but I’d recommend taking the cable car, which is an adventure in itself.