🏔️ Mtatsminda in Tbilisi: How to Get Up, the Park and the Best Views
🎡 Landscape Park · ⏱️ 2–4 hours · 📍 Mount Mtatsminda Summit, Tbilisi
🏔️ Things to know before your visit
| 📍 Location | Mtatsminda Mountain peak — 770 m above sea level, the highest point in Tbilisi |
| 📅 History | 1930s (USSR, one of the top 3 parks in the country). Renovated in the early 2000s |
| 🎡 Main attraction | Giant Ferris wheel — 65 meters, one full rotation in 12 minutes |
| 🚡 Funicular | Built in 1905. Length: 501 m. Lower station — 460 m, upper station — 727 m |
| 🏛️ Three zones | Family · Kids · Extreme |
| 🚌 Transport | Funicular from Chonkadze St. Bus 124 (from Rustaveli), 90 (from Orbeliani). By car — 15 mins |
| 🌅 Best time | Evening — Tbilisi is lit up with lights. At sunset — golden panorama. Cooler than in the city |
🧭 Who this article is for
Mtatsminda Park is simultaneously a nature park, an amusement park, a viewing platform, and a historical site. It features three recreation zones, the 1905 funicular, a Pantheon containing the graves of great Georgians, and a 65-meter Ferris wheel towering over the entire city. This article is for those who want to understand why they should visit and how to plan their trip properly.
📜 History: a Soviet park, renovated by a patron
In the 1930s, a landscape park was established at the peak of Mtatsminda Mountain. During the Soviet era, it was ranked among the top three most popular parks in the USSR — alongside Moscow's Gorky Central Park and a few other locations in the country.
In the early 2000s, Georgian entrepreneur and philanthropist Badri Patarkatsishvili, together with his wife, undertook the reconstruction of the park as part of a charitable project. The result is a modern, zoned territory that has preserved the historical significance of the mountain while adding new recreation opportunities.
🏔️ Mtatsminda Mountain: what else is here besides the park
Before talking about the attractions, it is important to understand that Mtatsminda Mountain is not just an entertainment venue. It is a place with several historical layers.
- St. David's Church (Mamadaviti) is a 6th-century Orthodox church on the mountainside. It is one of the oldest and most revered churches in Tbilisi. The Pantheon is located right next to it.
- The Mtatsminda Pantheon is a memorial cemetery where prominent figures of Georgian culture are buried: writers, poets, artists, and public figures. Among them are Alexander Griboyedov (a Russian diplomat and author of "Woe from Wit"), Ilya Chavchavadze, Akaki Tsereteli, and many others. The funicular stops at an intermediate station next to the church — you can visit the Pantheon on your way up.
- Tbilisi TV Tower — visible from the mountain and from the park itself. It stands as one of the symbols of modern Tbilisi against the backdrop of the historical mountain landscape.
🎡 Three zones of the park
- Family Zone. Walking paths and cycling routes. Cafes and restaurants. Market stalls and souvenirs. Gazebos and relaxation areas — for those who just want to sit back and look over the city. The Wedding Palace — in good weather, multiple weddings take place here daily. Event venues.
- Kids Zone. Playgrounds and rides for various age groups. Carousels, slides, and children's entertainment — a standard set in good condition.
- Extreme Zone. Roller coasters — for those who came for more than just the views. The Giant Ferris wheel — 65 meters high, one full rotation in 12 minutes. At an altitude of 770 meters above sea level, this offers a completely different scale of perspective.
What the rides cost. Entry to the park is free, and each ride is paid for separately, usually from 3 to 10 GEL per person. The 65-metre Ferris wheel costs 10 GEL. What it is like inside and how it differs from the wheel in Batumi we covered in the article Two Ferris Wheels in Georgia You Can Ride: Mtatsminda in Tbilisi and the Batumi Boulevard.
In 2025 a “rope town” appeared in the family zone, and a large laser tag arena in the extreme zone. The most popular rides are still the Ferris wheel and the American Mountains roller coaster. In some guides and on some maps the amusement park is called “Bombora”. It is the same area at the top, and the details are in our listing for Bombora Park.
The park is open roughly from 12:00 to 23:00, from 11:00 at weekends. The rides themselves close earlier on weekdays and in winter.
🚡 Funicular: the historical way to get there
The Tbilisi Funicular was built in 1905. It is not just a convenient means of transport — it is a historical monument that is over 120 years old. The route includes:
- Lower station on Chonkadze St. (460 m above sea level)
- Intermediate stop at St. David's Church and the Pantheon
- Upper station at the park (727 m above sea level)
- Route length: 501 meters
The ascent takes just a few minutes. According to visitor feedback, it is an experience in itself: a slow climb above the city, revealing Tbilisi unfolding below.
What it costs and how it works. In 2026 a ticket costs 12 GEL one way, plus 2 GEL for the Mtatsminda card if you do not have one yet. The lower station is at 22 Daniel Chonkadze Street, a five-minute walk from Rustaveli Avenue. The line, about 500 metres long, climbs from 460 to 727 metres above sea level, and the car takes 3–5 minutes to reach the top. The funicular runs daily from about 10:00 to 23:00–23:30, and in winter it may close earlier.
The middle station near the Pantheon and Mamadaviti Church lets you get off halfway. Note that continuing your journey after the stop is charged again, and late in the evening the cars usually do not stop at the middle station. If you want to see the Pantheon, it is easier to walk to it from above or below.
The funicular opened in 1905. After a cable snapped in 2000 it stopped running, and it started again only in 2013, fully renovated. For more on the stations, see our listing for the Mtatsminda funicular.
🚠 The Rustaveli–Mtatsminda Cable Car
The fastest way up the mountain starts right in the centre. The lower station is hidden in a courtyard behind the Academy of Sciences building at 52 Rustaveli Avenue, two minutes from Rustaveli metro. The gondolas reach the park in about 4 minutes, and on the way the roofs of old Sololaki and Mtatsminda glide past beneath you.
The cable car opened in October 2024 on the site of a Soviet line that had not run for more than 30 years. It now has 21 eight-seat gondolas, and the queue moves quickly. In 2025 more than a million people used the cable car. A ticket costs 12 GEL, or 3 GEL for citizens and residents of Georgia, and children under 6 ride free. You pay with the same Mtatsminda card as on the funicular. In summer the cable car runs from about 11:00 to 23:00, in winter from 12:00 to 21:00.
The upper station is a few steps from the Funicular complex and the viewing terrace, so a handy route is up by cable car and down by funicular, so you ride both. Details are in the listings for the lower station and the upper station of the cable car.
💳 The Mtatsminda Card: How to Pay for the Ride Up and the Attractions
Mtatsminda has its own payment system, and it is what tourists most often get confused by. Cash, bank cards and the Metromoney transport card do not work at the turnstiles. You need the plastic Mtatsminda card for 2 GEL.
- Where to buy: at the ticket offices at the lower stations of the funicular and cable car, and at the park ticket offices at the top. The ticket offices themselves accept both cash and bank cards.
- One card for everyone: tap it at the turnstile as many times as there are people in your group. You do not need to buy a card for each person.
- What it pays for: the funicular, the cable car, the Ferris wheel and the other rides in the park.
- How much to load: for two people, the ride up, the ride down and the Ferris wheel come to about 70 GEL. Unused balance is usually not refunded, so it is better to top up a little at a time.
Keep the card after your trip: it does not expire and will come in handy next time.
Don't miss the Pantheon — the intermediate stop of the funicular gives you the opportunity to visit the Mamadaviti Church and walk along the alleys where great Georgians are buried. Spending 15–20 minutes here completely changes your perception of the mountain. At the top, the best time to visit is an hour before sunset, when all of Tbilisi turns golden. In the evening, the park is cooler than the city, so remember to bring a light jumper. Ask the staff on-site about bicycles — rentals are available, but operating hours may vary.
🗺️ How to get to Mtatsminda and how to spend your time
| Way | From | Price | Journey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funicular | 22 Daniel Chonkadze St | 12 GEL + 2 GEL card | 3–5 minutes |
| Cable car | 52 Rustaveli Ave, courtyard behind the Academy of Sciences | 12 GEL + 2 GEL card | about 4 minutes |
| Bus 364 or 390 | Near Liberty Square | 1 GEL | 40–50 minutes |
| Taxi | City centre | about 10–20 GEL | 15–20 minutes |
| On foot | Kakabadze Street, via the Pantheon | free | about an hour uphill |
1️⃣ Take the funicular on Chonkadze St. — it is the most beautiful and historically correct way to get there.
2️⃣ Get off at the intermediate stop and take a look at the Pantheon next to St. David's Church. Griboyedov, Chavchavadze, and others are buried here.
3️⃣ Ride up to the upper station — first thing, head to the viewing platform. Appreciate the view.
4️⃣ Decide which zone interests you: a family stroll, kids' rides, or extreme attractions like the Ferris wheel and roller coasters.
5️⃣ If you want to ride a bicycle, check on-site about rentals: visitors confirm that the routes are excellent.
6️⃣ Wait for the sunset — according to reviews, the evening panorama of illuminated Tbilisi is even better than the daytime view.
🔭 Viewpoints on Mtatsminda
From Mtatsminda you can see the whole of Tbilisi, from the Old Town to the new districts on the hills. But the best spots are in different parts of the mountain, and some of them tourists simply do not know about.
Three of them are free, and you can walk to all of them in a single evening.
A wide platform in front of the "Funicular" restaurant complex: below you are Rustaveli Avenue, the Old Town, the Kura and Narikala. This is where Tbilisi's main postcard views are taken, and at sunset it is the most crowded spot. There is a cafe next door where you can pick up coffee and doughnuts.
Upper station →65 metres above the mountain top, with closed cabins. The view opens in every direction at once, including the mountains beyond Tbilisi that you cannot see from the terrace.
About the wheel →Four minutes above the roofs of Sololaki and Mtatsminda. Sit facing down the slope so the city is in front of you the whole way.
About the cable car →Terraces halfway up the slope. The city looks closer and more detailed from here than from the top, and there are hardly any people. The Pantheon is open in the daytime, until the evening.
About the Pantheon →From the TV tower the view opens in the other direction, towards the Dinamo stadium, Saburtalo and Dighomi. The 275-metre tower itself is closed to visitors, and you can only get as far as the fence.
About the TV tower →🥾 On Foot up Mtatsminda: Two Trails
If you do not want to pay for the ride up, or fancy stretching your legs, two trails lead up the mountain. Both are easier going down than up, and only in daylight.
Via the Pantheon, on tarmac. The trail starts on Polikarpe Kakabadze Street, a 15-minute walk from Rustaveli metro. The road is paved all the way, winding up to Mamadaviti Church and the Pantheon and on to the park. The climb takes about an hour and the descent 35–40 minutes. It is the most pleasant way to return to the city after sunset: views open up along the way, and at the bottom you find yourself right in the centre.
By the TV tower, on dirt. A short, steep trail starts at the Church of St Michael of Tver, about 350 metres behind Rustaveli metro, and comes out at the TV tower. It takes about 40 minutes, is stony in places and poorly marked. You need proper footwear, and it is better not to go alone.
💬 What visitors say
"I particularly enjoyed the cycling routes — they are laid out conveniently and allow you to enjoy stunning views. The funicular is a separate pleasure. The view of the city from the viewing platform is truly impressive."
"Mtatsminda Park is the perfect place to relax. I especially love coming in the evening, when all of Tbilisi lights up and the air feels so fresh."
"In my opinion, even just a regular viewing platform would have been enough there — but they also have a Ferris wheel. Against the backdrop of Mtatsminda Mountain, it looks absolutely tiny, even though its height is 65 meters."
"The shortest route is the funicular. It's also the most pleasant. It takes 15–20 minutes including the transfer, but you get great impressions right along the way."
🏁 Why it's worth going
Mtatsminda is a place where you can see the whole of Tbilisi at a glance. The Old Town, modern districts, the river, and mountains in the distance. From 770 meters up, everything takes on a different scale. You'll find the 1905 funicular, the Pantheon with its historic burials, a park with three zones, and a 65-meter Ferris wheel crowning the mountain. Getting there takes just 15 minutes by car or a few minutes by funicular.
ℹ️ How to get there: funicular from Chonkadze St.; buses 124 (from Rustaveli Sq.) and 90 (from Orbeliani Sq.); by car via the Tbilisi–Okrokana road. Please check funicular fares and park fees before your visit. Information is current at the time of publication.
Have you been to Mtatsminda Park? Did you take the funicular or go by car? What did you like most — the Ferris wheel, the evening panorama, or the Pantheon at the intermediate stop? Let us know — we read all comments ❤️
Last updated: October 2026. Prices for the ride up were checked against data from February to August 2026.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Mtatsminda
💬 12 GEL one way, plus 2 GEL for the Mtatsminda card if you do not have one yet. Citizens and residents of Georgia pay 3 GEL, and children under 6 ride free.
💬 Also 12 GEL one way, paid with the same Mtatsminda card. The ride takes about 4 minutes.
💬 Not at the turnstiles, only with the Mtatsminda card. The card itself can be bought and topped up at the ticket office with cash or a bank card.
💬 No. One card can be tapped at the turnstile several times, depending on the number of people in your group.
💬 No, entry is free. You pay only for the ride up and the attractions, usually 3 to 10 GEL for each.
💬 By bus 364 or 390 from the Liberty Square area for 1 GEL, by taxi for roughly 10–20 GEL, or on foot via the Pantheon in about an hour.
💬 Around 23:00–23:30. In winter and bad weather the funicular may close earlier, and late in the evening the cars do not stop at the middle station.
💬 Yes, the funicular, the cable car and some of the rides run all year, but in winter they open later and close earlier. Open-air rides are stopped in severe cold and wind.
💬 From the free terrace by the upper funicular station. The widest view is from the Ferris wheel, and the quietest one is from the terraces by the Pantheon, halfway up the slope.
💬 No, the tower is closed to visitors. You can only walk up to the fence around its base.
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Особенно приятно, что в статье есть советы от местных 👣💬 — они подсказывают, какие тропы выбрать для лучшего обзора, где сделать самые красивые снимки 📸 и как спланировать прогулку, чтобы увидеть то, за чем действительно стоит ехать в Мтацминду. Благодаря таким подробностям планирование поездки становится значительно легче и интереснее! ✨
После насыщенной прогулки по парку очень хочется заглянуть в одно из уютных кафе ☕🍰, обсудить впечатления с друзьями за чашечкой ароматного кофе и бокалом грузинского вина 🍷 — идеальный способ завершить день, наполненный природой и видами. 🌞
Мне очень нравится, как этот рейтинг помогает прочувствовать атмосферу Мтацминды ещё до визита: живые описания, отзывы путешественников и полезные подсказки делают путешествие настоящим удовольствием 💛
А вы уже были в ландшафтном парке Мтацминда? Какие места или виды там особенно впечатлили вас, и в какое время дня, по вашему мнению, здесь особенно красиво гулять? 🌿🌄👣