Lake Lisi is a secluded and quiet place for lovers of picnics, nature and fresh air. There are fewer people here than at the Tbilisi Reservoir, the fauna and plant diversity are richer, there is less garbage. Lake Lisi is a safer alternative to the Tbilisi Sea, with its great depth and sharp rocky bottom on some beaches.
Lake Lisi in Georgia: General Characteristics
The lake is located away from tourist routes, 17 kilometers northwest of the city center. Because it is small and shallow, the water warms up perfectly to the optimal temperature for swimming.
Area: 47 hectares (0.47 square kilometers).
Dimensions: 550 × 800 meters.
Altitude above sea level: 624 meters.
Average water temperature: 23°C in summer, but on particularly hot days it can rise above 30°C.
Flora and Fauna
The lake got its name from the marsh grass “lisi”, which grows here in large quantities. In the spring, an incredibly beautiful poppy field blooms, covering the coastal area with a red carpet.
Among the waterfowl, you can find several species of ducks and herons. Birds of prey, such as the marsh harrier and common buzzard, sometimes fly in the sky. Hares, hedgehogs, turtles, frogs and foxes also live here.
Benefits of swimming in the lake
Swimming in Lisi Lake in Tbilisi is not only pleasant, but also beneficial. Its waters are rich in a large number of minerals (salts), which contribute to:
- Reducing swelling
- Treating joints
- Healing wounds
- Increasing skin elasticity, preventing wrinkles
Also, its waters contain therapeutic sulphide muds, which improve immunity and have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system.
Georgia is rich in its medicinal waters, and this lake is no exception. Lisi is a kind of free natural sanatorium, where you can come to relax and get treatment.
What to do when you arrive at the lake
First of all, Lisi is a beach with a soft rocky bottom. You can swim in the lake with children, as it is shallow and very warm. It is possible to rent a sun lounger, a kayak, a water surf – here they have already taken care of your comfort and entertainment in advance. There is no shade near the lake to hide from the scorching sun, go a little into the forest, which is located in the vicinity.
The second interesting and active type of recreation is to rent a bike and ride along the two-lane bike path around the lake.
Come with a fishing rod and fish. If you are lucky, you can catch catfish, rudd and bream.
Sit in one of the cafes or restaurants in the coastal area with a view of the lake; take the famous Georgian ice cream “chaika” or cold coffee from the kiosk.
Bring a blanket and food and have a picnic – fresh air and swimming will work up an appetite. Just keep in mind that according to the new law, it is forbidden to light fires in wooded areas in Georgia. But there are hills and fields nearby where it is safe and will not harm nature, ask the guards how to get there.
Take your children to the well-maintained playground and exercise equipment. They are always painted and in working order, as the territory is well looked after.
There are sanatoriums and a sulfur bath near the lake, so you can take a steam bath not only in the Old Town, but also in the surrounding areas of Tbilisi.
Not far from the lake, 2 kilometers away, there is a hippodrome where you can ride horses. You can get there from Lisi only by taxi, there is no public transport.
It is important to note that there is something to do on Lisi not only in the summer, but also in other seasons. In the spring, the area is covered with a variety of flowers and other plants, and in the fall, the trees turn yellow, orange and crimson. In the off-season, the price of renting bicycles drops by half, and there are far fewer people in the coastal zone.
It is the best time to be alone with nature and have a good rest. This lake is worth visiting if you plan to stay in Tbilisi for more than a few days: Lisi is far from the center and there is something to do there, so the trip will take quite a bit of time.
How to get to Lake Lisi
The cheapest way is to get to the Delisi metro station and then get to the lake by public transport. You can take the 505 minibus, ride for half an hour and then walk for 15 minutes; or take the 363 bus, ride for 45 minutes and walk for 20 minutes to your destination. This is not a fast option, the road from the city center will take at least 1.5 hours.
The second, fast and convenient way without transfers is a taxi. The road from Freedom Square will take 20 minutes and will cost 8 lari. Or you can save a little and order a taxi from the Delisi metro station, then the trip will cost less than 4 lari, and the journey will take about 10 minutes.
If you are driving your own car, keep in mind that the parking lot near the lake is paid and is almost always full of cars. An alternative is to leave your car on the side of the road along the lake. There are several convenient points from which to get to the lake from the highway (look for cars parked by other car owners).
More about Tbilisi and Georgia:
Best hotels in the mountains of Georgia
Souvenirs – what to bring from Georgia as a gift
Top 6 Restaurants for the Best Khinkali in Tbilisi
Best Hotels in the Center of Tbilisi
My name is Vitaly Kibitlevsky, I am a tour guide and creator of unique quests in Batumi. If you want to walk around the city with a fascinating storyteller or plunge into an exciting adventure, write to the mail: vitkibit@gmail.com
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