History
Georgia is rich in gardens with various plants. But Tbilisi Botanical Garden is different from the rest. The Reserve is the oldest in the Caucasus! On the left side of the entrance you will see a pedestrian bridge. It was once replaced by a stone bridge that was part of the road from Iran to Mtskheta. Until 1845, the garden was called a royal one and was owned by the royal house of the Georgian rulers.
In the 19th century it was handed over to the Tiflis Research Station and became a place for the study of the fauna of the country. Then they started bringing in exotic seeds, they took root and became part of the landscape. It was decided to expand the territory, so that its current scope is 128 hectares. The garden has blossomed in a wild color of nature and allows you to travel from a noisy city to a mysterious forest with ponds and meadows, rivers and waterfalls, slopes and plains. The total number of plants is 4,500, of which 700 local flora of the country, and the rest – exotic, brought from different parts of the world.
National botanical garden of Georgia – what to see?
Tbilisi Botanical Garden Waterfall
If you go down to the park, first of all you will see the Legvta-Hevi River. There are many bridges over it, so you can go anywhere in the valley. A large and noisy 42-meter waterfall flows into this river. Turn right from the entrance and after about 15 minutes, you can go down, right to it. Sit down, listen to the sound of water falling from above, relax from the fuss of life. Become a waterfall tamer by taking a photo right under it.
Above the falls you can see the white arched bridge. To get to it you need to overcome the difficult climb on the paved paths, but all the way you will be accompanied by the smell of needles and flowers, the singing of birds.
Observation deck
Going from the entrance directly and, then, to the left you will find an observation deck overlooking the city center. The view extends far, as the site is elevated and allows viewing any building below. You can watch sitting on the benches, which are right near the edge of the viewing room. Nearby there are several large garden swings, a shop on wheels and new benches on which you can recharge your smartphone and connect to Wi-Fi.
Cypress alley
I suggest you take a stroll down the cypress alley. Impressive and long candle trees are tightly planted on both sides of the track, creating a thick shadow, creating an atmosphere of dense forest. Even on the hottest day you will feel a pleasant coolness among them, and a tart fresh smell of pine trees will refresh your mind.
Japanese garden
Built in all traditions of haiteca, the Japanese garden has become an exotic corner for visitors. There are both the ritual gates of Toria, through which a rocky path leads, and a small copy of Mount Fujiyama, and pieces of lava of the same name volcano brought directly from their homeland, Japan. I really liked the bonsai dwarf trees that grow here. After looking closely, I realized that these were Christmas trees, maples and cypresses. The Asian garden was designed by Japanese experts, so all cultural traditions are strictly preserved. But keep in mind that it is small – only 250 square meters. Enter there to renew your strength before going up to the arched bridge, the garden is located just on the way to it.
Orangery
On a small rise, near the cypress alley, is the French greenhouse – it is from this country began to bring materials. But it’s mostly tropical plants now. When you go inside, you are enveloped in hot and very humid tropical air – the ideal climate for the inhabitants. The greenhouse is a corridor with branches from it. You can go along only on a narrow path, as all the remaining place is occupied by all sorts of bushes, vines, trees, flowers growing in pots.
I was surprised by the huge bright pink flowers that grew on one of the cacti. In the middle of the corridor there is a table of a gardener, decorated with chains of either roots or vines – it reminded me of a chain on an oak tree from a fairy tale about an onion river, where «Day and night the scientist cat goes around the chain».
Azerbaijani pantheon
Up the slope from the greenhouse can be reached to the burial of Azerbaijani famous figures – politicians, poets and writers. This place is as secluded as cemeteries should be, so only a few of those who have been here know about it. The burial place is located here because in 1918 in Tiflis (modern Tbilisi) the Azerbaijani People’s Republic was first proclaimed.
Park season
The garden is beautiful at any time of year. In February, jasmine begins to bloom, in March – early flowers, first flowers, then April red lights poppy fields and pink petals of blooming almonds, which is very reminiscent of cherry. By the way, there’s one in the Japanese garden. In May, do not miss lilac, because there are at least 15 species of it!
There are also many other seasonal colors, but deserve special attention – varieties are selected so that they delight the look with their buds almost all year round. There are exotic bamboo groves, cedars, pine trees, apricots, conifers and many others. Recently appeared the seedlings of paradise apples, their thin, not yet hardened branches strewn with small red fruits.
West Georgian species of trees and bushes are collected in a separate sector of the park: Caucasian pine, decorative osmantus, Caucasian persimmon, elm small, Colchian ivy, holly maple, etc.
Tbilisi Botanical Garden Map
At the entrance there is a map of the location of all locations that are worth visiting. Here’s a picture of it:
Plus, there are signs all over the park indicating your location so you don’t get lost. In addition to them there are signs on the forks of the road, they point the way to the exit and paths to the attractions.
Here is a Google map of Tbilisi Botanical Garden:
Throughout the territory there are fountains with drinking water that will help quench thirst on a hot day, shady benches, clean toilets in different parts of the park, as well as a large playground. Due to the low entrance price, citizens like to come here on hot days to relax in shady cool parts of the park.
Tbilisi Botanical Garden: how to get there
The botanical garden is located in the historical center of the Georgian capital.
Address: Botanical Street, 1
How you get there depends on your location and preferences. I always walk from the subway. Since walking in the old town is always interesting. And there are several approaches to the garden.
I usually go past the sulfur baths, and I go all the way to Fig Gorge Falls. I admire him. And then I climb the spiral staircase. A few dozen meters and I’m at the main entrance to the Botanic Garden.
So, the available options are:
1) A cable car from Riquet Park, and then either a zipline or a 5-minute walk past Naricala Fortress. From there down the stairs (CAREFULLY! It’s steep, so hold on to the railing), and once you’re down, you’ll be near the cash register.
2) Bus: You can reach the “Abanotubani” stop by bus number 301, 331, 345. Then about seven minutes on foot.
3) Metro: The nearest stations – “Freedom Square” and “Awlabari”, but it is a long way to walk.
4) Taxi to Abanotubani. Then a mountain of 200 meters on foot.
Ziplane
For the brave visitors there is a special attraction Ziplane – a stretched rope, which can descend from the cable car directly to the center of the valley in a matter of seconds. Do you like extreme? Then this way in is for you! The fastenings are fastened securely, the straps hold the body tight, so you can not worry about safety. The ride has a speed of up to 50 km/h, so the adrenaline and the surging stream of emotions are exactly provided for. The beginning of Ziploin is located on the top of the fortress of Narikala, the trip will cost 70 lari per person.
Entrance to the Botanical Garden of Tbilisi (price)
Working hours from 9.00 to 19.30. But sometimes (especially in winter) it can change slightly.
The ticket price is very low by today’s standards:
Adults have to pay – GEL 4. Students – 1, and schoolchildren only 50 Tetris.
There’s a “family” rate. It costs GEL 6.
Official website (Georgian language only).
The Tbilisi Botanical Garden is unique in its kind, because it is the oldest park of all Georgia, where thousands of species of plants are collected, the infrastructure is beautifully established, and the small price for entrance is not commensurate with all the magnificence of nature that you will see there. Being in the capital, be sure to come on a tour!
Hello!
I am Victor, the founder of this site and its main, but not the only author.
Traveler and photographer. Visited more than 40 countries.
Born and raised in Batumi. I love to travel in Georgia.
More about me here.