When I posted this picture on Instagram, I got some DMs and comments asking where is the best spot to enjoy aerial view over Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. There are several across the city I believe and I managed to visit two of them which are the most popular, Narikala Fortress and Mtatsminda Park.
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| Tbilisi cable car |
First thing first, how to get to Narikala Fortress? Well there's 2 options which are trekking up from the Old Town until you reach the fortress if you are physically fit and love a bit of adventure, or sit back and relax while the cable car whisking you up to the hill. With a heavy tummy after a hearty breakfast, I should have chosen the first option to burn the calories. But of course I chose the latter because even though I have a 'love & hate relationship' with heights, I've always enjoy having a-bird-like experience, gazing down while the view under my feet changes swiftly.
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| Tbilisi Aerial Tram |
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| Mtkvari river |
Tbilisi Aerial Tram opened a couple years back in 2012, it connects Rike Park with Narikala Fortress. As my cable car made a smooth glide over Mtkvari river, I caught a glimpse of Metekhi church on the left and the Bridge of Peace on the right. I wish the ride lasted longer than 3 minutes though. Felt like just in a blink of my slanted eyes I reached the top station at 492 metres altitude. Okay, I shouldn't complain since it cost only 2.50 GEL (Georgian Lari) / 1 USD / 14.000 IDR for each ride, which is considered very cheap. Splendid scenery without even breaking a sweat of course it was well worth it!
Note: Don't forget to purchase a Metromoney or metro card in advance. Any transportation in Tbilisi such as ropeway, subway, bus and marshrutky (microbus) is paid using this card. It cost another 2 GEL for the card but some rides like this Aerial Tram allows you to use the Metromoney for whole family or group as long as you have enough deposit in it.
Oh! I've also been told that there are several glass bottom cabin if you fancy a more thrill ride like the one I had in Hong Kong. Find a cabin with a 'only 5 person allowed' sign or simply ask the friendly staff there.
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| the view over Tbilisi Old Town |
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| scroll down to read about Tbilisi TV Tower in the far right |
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| The Mother of Georgia |
The 12 metres statue of Kartlis Deda caught my attention as soon as I hopped off the cable car.
She is famously known as the Mother of Georgia represents a woman with a sword in her right hand and a bowl of wine in the left. It symbolise Georgian national character which is welcoming friends with wine but ready to fight enemies with a sword. See, never underestimate the power of a woman, Y'all! We can be feminine, really nice and fierce at the same time 😬
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| some souvenir stalls |
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| the only decent picture of me |
Though that morning the weather was super nice and clear, the strong wind is another story. Crazy wind simultaneously blew my hair to every direction that in most of pictures I look like Medusa. You know, from the Greek mythology, a woman with living venomous snakes as her hair. After a while, I gave up trying and went for souvenirs shopping at some of those stalls instead. Ahem...you know, to help the local economy.
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| hike down |
To compensate my laziness earlier, I decided to hike down back to the Old Town. Just an easy stroll and turned out to be the best decision ever as the view along the way just as gorgeous. I got to enjoy the cityscape from a different angle and to admire more details of the buildings . Definitely it offers more than taking the tramway down. I would wholeheartedly suggest you to do it when you visit Tbilisi. A cable car ride up to Narikala Fortress and hike down back to the city or the other way around. Unfortunately I didn't explore the Narikala Fortress so I can't really say much about this 4th century fortress.
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| Narikala Fortress |
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| Tbilisi TV Broadcasting Tower |
After exploring Old Town of Tbilisi, Nina, my local cicerone asked whether I'd like to enjoy vantage view of this city on a higher level (like literally) on the Holy mountain. Of course I said YES! Why wouldn't I? She told me from that view point I could get a closer look of Tbilisi TV Broadcasting Tower which I saw earlier from Narikala Fortress. Apparently the tower which is used for communication purposes is also the national symbol of the capital.
If you don't have a private car like I did, the best way to reach Mtatsminda Park is by taking a funicular ride from the station in Chonkadze street. The Tiflis Funicular railway was opened in 1905 and each funicular can take up to 50 people each ride.
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| Mtatsminda Park |
At 770 metres altitude, Mtatsminda Park or often called Bombora Park by locals is the highest place in Tbilisi. From the city centre it takes about 15 minutes by car or only 6 minutes by funicular. Nina told me that it's a popular area to hang out for the locals specially during summer when the heat is too much to handle in the city. Besides an amusement park and TV Tower, there's also a fancy restaurant and a Wedding Palace! The most loved ride in Matatsminda Park is the Ferris Wheel where you can enjoy the scenery over Tbilisi in a slow pace.
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| aerial view of Tbilisi |
I can't make up my mind if I had to choose which one has a better view between Narikala Fortress and Mtatsminda Park. Both of them offer different experiences which are equally stunning. So happy I managed to explore both of them during my brief visit to Tbilisi. I'd suggest you to check them out too when you're in town and fingers crossed you'll get as great weather as I had. I heard sometimes it's a bit unpredictable though. Nina jokingly said that I brought the sunshine to the city. It was non stop raining and very cold the week before I arrived and on the day I was leaving the city. I guess I was lucky indeed!
Do you have any plan to visit Tbilisi or Georgia soon? Feel free to shoot some question and I'd be more than happy to share some suggestions for you 😘
