When travelers think of Tbilisi, they often imagine its winding old streets, cozy balconies, and the scent of freshly baked khachapuri wafting from cafés. But beyond the historic center lies another Tbilisi — calm, green, and full of unexpected treasures. If you’ve already explored Rustaveli Avenue, Narikala Fortress, and the sulfur baths of Abanotubani, it’s time to step outside the heart of the city and discover what waits beyond.
Perched on a hillside on the road leading to Turtle Lake, the Open-Air Museum of Ethnography feels like a living village from centuries past. Spread across several hectares, this museum brings together traditional Georgian homes from every region — some over two hundred years old — carefully dismantled, transported, and reassembled here piece by piece. Inside, the interiors have been lovingly preserved: furniture, tools, and even photographs of the original owners remain in place.
Each house has its own “hostess” — a local guide who tells stories of the families who once lived there and demonstrates how Georgians worked and cooked in the old days. You can see tools of daily life, traditional wine cellars (marani), and even a wooden mosque brought from Adjara, its interior richly carved by hand. In the Megrelian house, bread is still baked in a clay tone oven.
During summer, the museum comes alive with workshops where visitors can bake bread, make churchkhela, mold clay pots, and learn age-old crafts passed down through generations. It’s best to visit on a sunny day — entry costs just 3 lari, and you can easily combine it with a trip to nearby Turtle Lake, a peaceful spot perfect for a picnic or a quiet stroll.
GPS: 41.704354, 44.744895
Nestled on the outskirts of Tbilisi, Lisi Lake is a favorite weekend escape for locals. The area has been beautifully redeveloped: sandy beaches with sun loungers, shaded cafés, sports courts, and walking paths welcome visitors year-round. In summer, you can rent boats, bicycles, or even try the ropes course; in winter, it becomes a calm and contemplative retreat where ducks glide across still waters.
Soon, a new circular promenade and bike path will make it even easier to explore the lake’s perimeter. To get there, take bus No. 29 from the Technical University metro station.
GPS: 41.742027, 44.738347
Rising dramatically above the Tbilisi Sea is one of the city’s most striking landmarks: the Chronicle of Georgia. Created by renowned sculptor Zurab Tsereteli and unveiled in 2003, this massive monument tells the story of Georgia’s past through colossal stone columns more than 30 meters high.
The bas-reliefs depict kings, heroes, and biblical scenes — a visual history carved in black stone. Nearby stand statues of the thirteen Assyrian fathers, early Christian monks who helped spread Christianity through the region. From here, you can enjoy breathtaking views over the city and the shimmering Tbilisi Sea below.
To reach it, take a taxi or hop on buses No. 111 or 60 to the “Military Academy” stop.
GPS: 41.770548, 44.810505
Locals lovingly call the Tbilisi Reservoir the Tbilisi Sea — a vast, turquoise-blue lake stretching for 9 kilometers across the northern suburbs. Its shores alternate between sandy beaches and rugged cliffs, with pine trees framing the crystal water. It’s a popular destination for swimming, sailing, and sunbathing in summer.
You’ll find an aquapark, a yacht club, and several private beaches with full facilities. To reach it by public transport, take bus No. 111 from the railway station or No. 60 from Grmagele metro.
GPS: 41.737731, 44.859835 (Aquapark)
