During my four-day trip to Tbilisi, I managed to see many of the main attractions: Rike Park, the Metekhi Church, Anchiskhati Basilica, and the Abanotubani bath district. After exploring the interesting places in the city center, I decided to take a long walk to the unusual cable car that runs over Vake Park. The upper point of this transport system is at Turtle Lake, which is said to be a popular recreational spot for Tbilisi residents.
How to Get There
Most often, I explain how to get to attractions by metro. In the case of this cable car, such an option is not the most convenient: the nearest metro station, Delisi, is a 25-minute walk away, although walking enthusiasts can plan a route from there.
I personally walked to the cable car from the Rustaveli station. The journey took about 40 minutes. It was 35 degrees Celsius outside, but along the way, I was able to see non-tourist residential areas of Tbilisi.
There are bus and minibus stops near the lower station of the cable car, the nearest one being "Vake Park."
Turtle Lake
A ride on the Vake Park - Turtle Lake cable car in the summer of 2023 cost 1 lari. The trip can only be paid for with a special transport card, which costs an additional 2 lari. The cable car cabins depart according to a schedule, so I had to wait a bit. On the walls of the pavilion, there are black-and-white photographs of this place in the past, which tourists can view to pass the time.
The cable car route runs over Vake Park. This recreation area gave me mixed feelings: the vast amount of greenery is pleasing to the eye, but the southern part of the park, with its graffiti-covered Victory Monument pedestal and non-functioning cascade of fountains, looks rather neglected.
I called the cable car unusual because of the cabins, which are more like mini-trams. The cabin doors have no glass, allowing tourists to take unobstructed photos.
At the upper station of the cable car is Turtle Lake, and walking around it took me about 15 minutes. The area features a bar, pedal boat rentals, benches for resting, and a small beach. The lake is called Turtle Lake because these cute animals used to inhabit the area.
Overall, I recommend a walk by the lake for those who have already seen the main attractions of Tbilisi and want to explore non-tourist parts of the city.
Next time, we will go on a virtual tour of Tbilisi's Mtatsminda Park and look at the unusual city TV tower.
Have a nice trip!
