While strolling through central Tbilisi, I noticed a high mountain with a TV tower and a Ferris wheel. After looking up information online, I discovered that this elevation is home to Mtatsminda Park, the highest point in the Georgian capital.
How to Get There
According to online maps, you can reach the park by walking or by bus, but I chose a simpler and more interesting option: taking the funicular up the mountain. I've already written about the cable cars leading to Narikala Fortress and Turtle Lake. The funicular to Mtatsminda was the third such route I visited in four days here.
The funicular has three stops—"Lower Station," "Pantheon," and "Mtatsminda." In August 2023, the cars departed every 20 minutes, and the fare was 22 lari: 10 lari one way plus 2 lari for a special plastic card.
Exploring Mtatsminda Park
The funicular route, 501 meters long, was built in 1905. Despite its over-a-century-old history, the cars are modern. I encountered similar ones on a new subway line in Istanbul. The funicular takes visitors to a pavilion with a viewing platform, offering a great view of the central city. The park is situated at an elevation of 770 meters.
The park opened in 1938 and covers an area of about 18 hectares. Mtatsminda is known as one of the best entertainment spots in Tbilisi, featuring around 60 different attractions. There are zones for children, families, and extreme activities.
In the northern part of the park stands the Ferris wheel, visible from many points in the city. The ride costs 10 lari. You can pay for entry with the same park card mentioned earlier. I had heard about long lines and cloudy windows on the Ferris wheel, but on the day of my visit, I was the only one at the ticket office, and the cabin windows seemed similar to those on the cable cars in Istanbul or the Ferris wheels in Tashkent.
After a ride on the Ferris wheel, I headed towards the park exit, passing by the base of the Tbilisi TV tower. I must admit, this structure captivated me at first sight. Its unusual design, with a triangular volume at the base, resembled an alien spacecraft. I will describe this building in more detail in my next article.
Have a nice trip!
