My Time Capsule: Georgia: Splendid Aerial View Over Tbilisi

14.4.18

Georgia: Splendid Aerial View Over Tbilisi

Tbilisi, October 2017



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.


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.


Tbilisi Aerial Tram

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.

the view over Tbilisi Old Town

scroll down to read about Tbilisi TV Tower in the far right

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 😬


some souvenir stalls

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.


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.


Narikala Fortress



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.


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.

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 😘



30 comments:

  1. Wow gorgeous view, looks like a ride up the cable car is definitely worth it. A visit to Georgia is so high on my list!

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    1. It's well worth it indeed! I hope you'll get to experience it soon, Tamara :)

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  2. I really should catch up on my backlog. I loved Tbilisi, and yes, I've been to the fortress and have gazillions of photos there. I don't have a nice pic of myself though. How did you get yours? Envious!

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    1. me too, Aleah. I have so much to catch up on my backlog, lol! I wish we could meet in Tbilisi so I could take your pictures. Lucky I was travelling with my family :D

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  3. I had no idea Tbilisi was so beautiful! It's like a fairy tale! I'm intrigued to see there is a cable car option, and I think I'd opt for that one. Fascinating to read about, because Boston has been debating putting one in, and there's been a lot of local resistance to it, but seeing it here, I can understand what an asset it is.

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    1. So relieved they have this cable car option and very affordable. I was travelling with my parents so it would be a trouble to have them climb up to the fortress

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  4. What stunning views of the Georgian capital! Also thanks for the tips about going up to Narikala Fortress by cable car and going down walking. It does sound like an excellent idea! I love the fact that Tbilisi still maintains its small city charm -- at least judging from the photos -- despite being the capital of the nation.

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    1. Yes, the Old Town of Tbilisi is soo soooo pretty, Bama! I wish you will get to experience it yourself, sooner rather than later :D

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  5. I utterly love scenic city-located cable cars, so I'm bookmarking this for when I visit Tbilisi. The views look incredible and of course, from up at Narikala Fortress too! And yeah that photo of you is cute, loving the hair and the jacket!

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    1. Thanks so much, Kavey! Tbilisi is so charming and definitely worth to visit :D

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  6. Tbilisi looks gorgeous! So is your hair colour! Love that shot of you against the birds eye view of the city. I have long hair and when its windy it literally chokes me. Wind issues! Thanks for the buying Metromoney or metro card in advance tip. I will keep that in mind.

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    1. Believe me, I know your struggle. Hahaha. I used to have a very long hair so I loathe strong winds specially when I tried to take picture :))
      Thanks a bunch, Shruti :D

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  7. I totally get your love hate relationship with heights because I am the same way. The view from the cable car looks worth the terror it would instill in me though. The views from both look so amazing, it is no wonder you can't make up your mind as to which is better. If I visit, I think I will follow your example and see them both!

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    1. Definitely worth the terror, Chris! The gorgeous view will distract your fear away. Hahaha :p

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  8. Indeed gorgeous aerial views. Initially I thought these are with a drone.
    Finding a good view point is a blessing during travels I will say.
    Good they have cable cars else going up on a bright sunny day can be tiring.

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    1. Yes, I was actually relieved that there was a cable car option to reach the fortress because I was travelling with my parents who can't walk too far :)

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  9. I will definitely add these in my to-do list when I visit Georgia someday! As well as bringing a scrunchie to keep my inner medusa at bay. Hahaha!

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    1. Scrunchie is indeed the best idea! I had a very long hair before so I even hated the wind more :))

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  10. Anonymous20/4/18 18:52

    Hey there! I've been following your weblog for
    a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Houston Texas!
    Just wanted to say keep up the great work!

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    1. Hey there! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the encouragement. Your words means a lot to me. Have a great day! :)

      Delete
  11. The photos are absolutely amazing. Aerial views really capture a different perspective. Just like you, I have a love hate relationship with heights. I love it because of the view, I hate it because heights just give me goosebumps when I think of how far I’d fall.

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    1. Thanks, Kristie! I have the exact thought like you. I often get goosebumps too and cringe when I think of how scary it is to fall.

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  12. I was in Tbilisi and exactly at the 2 stops you've mentioned here, about 6 months ago. I loved the aerial views and the cable car to the top was a great way to experience them. Also the Narikala Fortress was really nice. I also did the zipline from up there though it was really not that good!

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    1. Wow, I didn't know that we can zipline from up there! But probably won't try either because I'm scared of height, hahaha

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  13. Some great view over the city from that cable car although not sure if we would fancy the cars with the glass floors. Mtatsminda Park looks like a great place to spend the afternoon and as you mention, you can still enjoy the picturesque backdrop of the city while escaping its summer heat.

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    1. Yes, both places I mentioned here are definitely not to miss when in Tbilisi. :D

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  14. Pemandangannya cakep bangeeettt!!!

    Kalo jadi kak Deb, aku juga bakal kayak gitu. Naik pake cable car, lalu turun jalan kaki, jadi keeskplor semuanya.

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    1. Iyaaaa, jadi dapet semua experience-nya :D

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  15. waduh, keren banget Mbak Deb.
    itu super duper murah ya naik cable car dengan harga gak sampe 20 ribu >.<
    dapet pemandangannya gak kira-kira, ciamik banget.
    makasih buat info dan foto2nya yang keren banget mbak :)

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    1. iyaaaa, beneran worth it lah. Apalagi kalo pas dapet cuaca cerah gini. Cantikkkk :D

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