Gorge bridges
Over the stream.
Mostafameraji — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mostafameraji — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Alexkom000 — CC BY 4.0 · Mostafameraji — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oleg Kurtsev — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Nikolai Bulykin — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mostafameraji — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mostafameraji — CC BY-SA 4.0
A large botanical garden in the Tsavkisis-Tskali gorge on the southern slopes of the Sololaki range, with its main entrance at the foot of Narikala Fortress, steps from the bath district. It covers 161 hectares and holds more than 4,500 plant taxa, a quiet green refuge in the middle of the city. Its history spans more than three centuries: the French traveller Jean Chardin described royal gardens here in 1671. They were pillaged in the Persian invasion of 1795, revived and officially founded as a botanical garden in 1845, expanded several times, and renovated in 2018 with walking and cycling paths. Paths wind among the trees and over small bridges across the stream deep in the gorge, and the trees turn glorious colours in autumn. One section incorporates an old Muslim cemetery, where some graves survive, including that of the celebrated Azerbaijani writer Mirza Fatali Akhundov. Entry is by a small ticket, about 4 GEL per visitor guides. It opens daily from 9 am, with closing times that change with the seasons. Some paths are steep, so wear comfortable shoes; spring and autumn are the loveliest seasons.
Over the stream.
Blazing trees.
A famed Azerbaijani writer.
Tsavkisis-Tskali gorge at the foot of Narikala, Tbilisi
Juma Mosque of TbilisiThe only surviving mosque in Tbilisi's Old Town, on Botanikuri Street at the foo1 minute walk
Narikala FortressAn ancient fortress crowning a steep hill above Tbilisi's Old Town and the Mtkva1 minute walk
Abanotubani Sulphur BathsA historic quarter of Tbilisi's Old Town whose Georgian name means «bath distric2 minutes walk
Metekhi ChurchA medieval stone church on the Metekhi Cliff above the left bank of the Mtkvari,5 minutes walk
Sioni CathedralThe Cathedral of the Dormition, known as the Tbilisi Sioni, stands on Sioni Stre6 minutes walkSpring when the trees blossom and autumn when the leaves turn; mornings are quieter than weekend afternoons.