The river that supplies water to the Tbilisi sea. Where to swim and sunbathe near Tbilisi. Olympic Village and Pine Forest

In the morning I was going to visit Mtskheta, but the weather turned out to be cloudy, and I quickly adjusted my plans. I took the metro to the Grmagele station and from there went towards the Tbilisi Reservoir (locals call it the “Tbilisi Sea”).

Residential buildings near the Grmagele metro station are something incredible by our standards. A treasure trove of architectural solutions. The Georgian balconies that residents independently build on different floors no longer surprise me, but here this phenomenon has acquired a truly grotesque form.

Entire rooms are added to an ordinary apartment building.

Moreover, construction may not begin from the first floor at all. A breathtaking sight.

Along Mukhrani Street we went up to the northern part of the Tbilisi reservoir. The road goes up almost constantly. Another charger :)

There were once several salt lakes here, but in 1952 they were flooded with water from the Iori River. As a result, a lake 9 kilometers long and about 30 meters deep (in some places the depth reaches 45 meters) was formed.

This is one of three lakes (along with Turtle Lake and Lake Lisi) within Tbilisi. The biggest one.

On the hill you can see the “History of Georgia” memorial by Zurab Tsereteli. From a distance it resembles Stonehenge :)

I read that the Tbilisi Sea is popular among locals as a summer vacation spot. Maybe. But in general, the northern part of the lake is a depressing sight.

The remains of the boarding house "Golden Fleece", owned in Soviet times by the international youth tourism bureau "Sputnik".

Lonely fisherman.

There was information that after the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, the boarding house was occupied by Abkhaz refugees.

I don’t know who lives here now, but they started a rare mess. How is this possible?! Some kind of pigs.

Having made my way through mountains of garbage, used napkins and condoms (I’ll leave all this behind the scenes), I climbed the next hill. But here it turned out even worse :(

A masterpiece of Georgian entrepreneurship: there is some kind of frozen unfinished building (a frame, essentially), but someone especially smart got himself an apartment on the third floor :)

Stunning, of course.

Everything is falling apart.

But, surprisingly, there are many roads here and they are all well-rolled. That is, they travel often.

Moreover, the roads are so compacted that huge holes have already appeared. A torn off bumper was seen near one of these holes. The lake beckons people, beckons.

Nature is beautiful. If we removed all the rubbish from here and took away the concrete rubble somewhere, it would turn out to be a very nice place.

Looking at the sky, thoughts about possible rain crept in. Rain was not part of my plans at all. It's time to go back.

Water park next to the lake.

I’m not looking for normal roads, I’m going straight :)

House with a tiled roof. It is possible that some kind of church.

On the way I had lunch at a roadside cafe. It is not marked in any way on the map; all the inscriptions are in Georgian. Purely for locals. Tourists clearly don’t come here often :) From the first day in Tbilisi I wanted to visit a place like this. Class!

After Mikheil Saakashvili came to power, Georgia began to implement the concept of transparent power, that is, power that has nothing to hide from citizens.

As part of this concept, dozens of new police stations with large windows and even glass walls were built across the country.

As opposed to glass police stations - a strange house without windows :)

School bus.

During a stop, the STOP sign is displayed.

Relations between Georgia and Russia (their governments, of course) cannot be called good, but Lukoil gas stations are working. Business, that's how it is.

Strange thing on the hill.

Another interesting feature of Georgian self-building: the conversion of balconies into rooms and a reduction in the glazing area of ​​apartments.

It looks, to put it mildly, unusual. Very unusual.

Everyone gets by with the materials at hand: what they have, I make them out of. Of course, we are not talking about symmetry. Judging by the pipes exposed outside, there is a suspicion that some of the apartments have stoves installed.

Having admired Georgian resourcefulness and ingenuity to my heart’s content, I went out to the railway station.

The weather has completely deteriorated. Having pushed through the impudent begging children near the metro, I went to rest at the hotel and gain strength before Mtskheta.

At the height of summer, more than ever, you want to relax by the pond and take a break from the bustle of the city.

Tbilisi Sea

Tbilisi Reservoir is located in the northeastern part of the capital of Georgia. Created in 1952 by flooding the waters of the Iori River and 3 bitter-salty lakes. The length reaches 9 km, and the width is 3 km. The maximum depth is 45 m, the average depth is 26.6 m. The reservoir is filled in the spring; In summer and autumn, water from the reservoir is intensively used, due to which the seasonal fluctuation in depth is 7-10 m.

From the very beginning of the creation of the artificial reservoir, its banks were and are used as places for recreation and entertainment. Today, the territory is landscaped, and all modern conditions have been created there for a full-fledged pastime.

Lake Bazaleti

This small mountain lake is located 40 kilometers from Tbilisi. The area of ​​the reservoir is 1.22 square kilometers, the maximum depth is seven meters.

The lake contains algae that have medicinal properties and are good for people with dermatological, gynecological and rheumatological diseases.

Today, the lake is a popular health resort - an entire hotel complex "Bazaleti" was built here, which includes cottage hotels, a park with alleys and a fountain.

Zion Reservoir

The Zion Reservoir, with an area of ​​12.8 square kilometers, is located 45 kilometers from the Georgian capital.

The reservoir is replenished from the Iori River, so there is a lot of wildlife living here, and you can fish.

Swimming enthusiasts should take into account that the maximum depth of the reservoir is 67 meters.

Zhinvali Reservoir

The incredibly picturesque area of ​​Ananuri near the Zhinvali reservoir is located on the Georgian Military Road, 70 kilometers from Tbilisi.

The turquoise water of the Zhinvali reservoir and colorful landscapes have made Ananuri a favorite destination for tourists. And the medieval fortress and church became the hallmark of Georgia.

The area of ​​the reservoir is 11.5 square kilometers, the maximum depth is 75 meters.

Aragvi River

The Aragvi River, 66 kilometers long, is perhaps the most popular river in the country. Pushkin and Lermontov wrote about her, and in Georgia many establishments and refreshments were named after her.

You can swim and sunbathe in Aragvi in ​​the area of ​​Bulachauri, which is located 43 kilometers from Tbilisi.

In Georgia you can relax no worse than in European resorts; there is a sea here. However, many prefer to choose a reservoir that is located in the capital of this state. It is located within the city of Tbilisi, or more precisely, in the northeast. Local residents call it nothing less than the Tbilisi Sea (photos can be seen in the article). Why were such associations held? What is special about this reservoir?

Characteristic

The reservoir, as mentioned above, is located in the northeastern part of Tbilisi, next to the national park. This artificial reservoir was created in 1952. It appeared after waters from the Iori River flooded 3 salt lakes, which, united, formed the Tbilisi Sea. The length of the reservoir is 9 km. On average, its width is 3 km. But if you study the depth, it becomes clear why the locals called the reservoir the sea. In some places, the bottom moves away from the surface of the water by 45 m. However, the average depth is 26 m.

Despite its size, the water level often fluctuates depending on the season. Replenishment occurs in summer, autumn and spring. water reaches 10 m.

The Tbilisi Sea is fed mainly by the resources of the Iori River. Water enters it through the Samgori Canal. The reservoir itself is part of the irrigation system and is actively used to irrigate nearby lands.

Climatic features

In the summer season there are always a lot of vacationers here, this is easy to explain. By July, the water in the reservoir warms up to +28°C. Swimming is very comfortable. However, this is not the only advantage. The Tbilisi Sea is located at an altitude of 535 m above sea level, so in the summer it is not hot or stuffy here.

In winter, the reservoir does not freeze. Although, according to official historical information, the lake undergoes glaciation every 20-30 years. Such cases were recorded in 1992 and 2012. There is also information that freezing occurred in the first half of the 60s.

Infrastructure

Since its foundation, the Tbilisi Sea has attracted residents of the capital and visitors as a pleasant place to relax. Therefore, the city administration decided to equip this artificial reservoir with attractions for a great time.

Today, the territory of the reservoir is landscaped. Excellent conditions have been created for vacationers so that they can enjoy their vacation to the fullest. Many entertainment establishments have been built and put into operation here, where you can have a pleasant time with family or friends.

There are also beaches on the reservoir. Here they offer vacationers boat trips on scooters and catamarans. Rescuers and employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations work on the territory around the clock. Based on this, there is no need to fear for safety when visiting the Tbilisi Sea; the beach is always under the supervision of professionals. Not only adults, but also children can swim here.

The shores on the free beaches mainly consist of rocks, so you have to go down into the water along rocky paths. But the paid ones have much more amenities, and they look much more attractive.

In addition, on the territory of the Tbilisi Reservoir there are spa centers with massage rooms, fitness, gyms, saunas and others. There is even a yacht club here.

Fishing is popular in Georgia, and the Tbilisi Sea is no exception. However, fishing here is paid, but inexpensive. The price is discussed with the local administration.

Water park and Olympic village

For a pleasant holiday for children and teenagers, there is a water park on the local territory, which fully complies with European standards. It is considered the largest regional institution of this type. The water park has 12 different pools with salt and fresh water for vacationers. The slides have a height of up to 31 m. There are 6 of them on the territory. There is also a ship that is equipped with a jacuzzi, and guests are offered delicious cocktails on its deck.

In addition to the water park, an Olympic village was built on the Tbilisi reservoir in 2015. It was here that the Youth Olympics were held. On the territory of the village, many houses have been built that can accommodate up to three thousand athletes. When arranging this area, all aspects were taken into account in order to provide guests with maximum comfort during training and for a good rest.

Tbilisi Sea: how to get there

Despite all the advantages, the capital's reservoir has one significant drawback - city transport does not go to it. Only the northern part of the sea can be reached from the nearest metro station, all others can only be reached by a personal car or by taxi, which is sometimes economically unprofitable if you travel every day. Guests of the capital can afford this pleasure because they come for 2-3 days. It has been noted that a taxi takes 40 minutes to get from the center of the capital to this artificial reservoir. And you can always negotiate the fare.

This article is for those who have already become familiar with the main historical and cultural monuments and want to see the nature of Tbilisi. I’ll tell you about the reservoirs that are located within the capital: Lisi and Cherepashye lakes, the Tbilisi Sea. How to get to them, location on the map, photos, where to shop.

Lake Lisi is a great place to relax from the noise of the city. Located on the outskirts of Tbilisi. Some incorrectly call it Fox Lake, probably associating it with foxes. Although it owes its name not to these red predators, but to the marsh grass “fox” that grows along the banks.

The lake itself is small, measuring 800 by 550 meters with a rocky landscape and little vegetation. The maximum depth reaches 4 m.

How to get there:

• by municipal bus No. 29 from the Station Square or Technical University metro stations. The fare is 50 tetri, paid by card or cash to the driver;
• a taxi ride will cost 7-8 GEL;
• personal car. There is paid parking for vehicles.

Lake Lisi is equipped for recreation. In the summer, you can sunbathe on the beach or swim, rent a boat and a catamaran. Tbilisi residents take blankets with them and have a picnic in the shade of the trees. There are also free exercise equipment to keep fit. You can play table tennis, do archery, and there is also a go-kart track here. A playground has been built for the little ones. Nearby there are cafes, vending machines with water and ice cream, and snacks. Around the lake there is a two-lane (bicycle and pedestrian zone) asphalt road 3 km long with benches for rest on the sides.

On the second half of the lake, grass grows, ducks swim and frogs croak, and fishermen catch fish. We even met a small turtle.

Fishing on Lisi

In 2018, under the leadership of the Tbilisi City Hall, the monthly festival “Tbi-Lisi” is held, the goal of which is to introduce the population of the capital to a healthy lifestyle. The festival will take place from April to September on every last Saturday of the month. I was lucky enough to attend the opening of the festival on April 28th. It was fun and interesting.

Festival "Tbi-Lisi"

In recent years, the area adjacent to Lake Lisi has been actively developed. The mayor of the city, Kakha Kaladze, decided to suspend all construction work in order to develop a plan for the development of the area and not spoil the natural beauty of the reservoir.

Turtle Lake is very small. Its dimensions are only 150 by 380 meters, the maximum depth is 2.6 m. It is located within Tbilisi on the slope of Mount Mtatsminda at an altitude of 687 meters above sea level.

In Georgian it is pronounced Kus Tba. There are two versions of the origin of the name. One says that there used to be turtles in the lake; in another, that the very shape of the lake resembles a turtle.

Howget there:

• from Vake Park take the cable car. The fare is 1 GEL. Carriage of bicycles is paid additionally - 1 GEL. You need a Metromoney card. The ascent will take 6-7 minutes. From the cabin you can enjoy a view of the park;
• by car. There is paid parking next to the lake;
• for a taxi you will have to pay 5-7 lari.

You can go around the lake along a walking path. Almost the entire path is in the shade of trees, because the lake is located in the forest, which means that even in the hot summer the walk will be a pleasure. You will be able to enjoy the clean cool air and listen to the birds singing.

There is a recreation area around the Turtle. For children there is a small playground with trampolines, inflatable slides, and water games. The disadvantage of the site is that it is located under the sun.

Residents of Tbilisi come here to run and exercise on exercise machines, fish or sunbathe. And, of course, go swimming! The entrance to the water is only on one side, the beach has pebbles.

Catamarans are available for rent. The cost of a half-hour walk is 35 GEL.

There are several cafes around the pond, although their prices are a little high.

Nearby is located, which contains houses from all regions of Georgia, reflecting the life of the population in the old days.

Tbilisi Sea (reservoir)

In fact, there is no sea in Tbilisi, there is only a large reservoir in the northeast of the capital. So the locals called it the Tbilisi Sea. To create it, three bitterly salty lakes were flooded in 1952 with the waters of the Iori River. The dimensions of the Tbilisi Sea are 9 by 2.85 km. In spring, the reservoir fills and the maximum depth reaches 45 meters, the average - 26.6 meters.

How to get there:

• from the Akhmeteli Theater metro station by minibus No. 158 or by bus No. 60 from the Grmagele metro station. You can see the map of Tbilisi metro stations;
• on .

It is possible to get to the Tbilisi Sea by public transport only from the western and southern sides. To explore the views of the northern part you will have to take a taxi.

In winter, the Tbilisi Sea does not freeze. There were only two exceptions, in 1992 and 2012.

There are several city beaches on the Tbilisi Sea. They are not very clean, but they are free. There are also paid beaches. You should go into the water carefully, because there are small broken stones all around. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for rent. On weekends in summer the beach is always crowded. Tbilisians come to relax with their families after everyday work.

For entertainment, there is the Gino Paradise Tbilisi water park at the Tbilisi Reservoir. Official website http://ginoparadise.ge. On the beaches you can rent a boat or catamaran, or go jet skiing. There is a yacht club. Cafes and restaurants have been built along the sea.

Next to the reservoir there is a pine forest, where you can take a walk and breathe clean pine air.

Where is it safe to swim in Tbilisi

All three natural reservoirs (Tbilisi Sea, Lisi and Turtle lakes) are safe for swimming. From May to September inclusive, water samples are taken monthly at all beaches. The chemical and bacteriological parameters of the water of the Tbilisi Sea and Turtle Lake correspond to the standards. But in Lake Lisi the concentration of sulfates is increased due to the large amount of vegetation. You can swim in it, but you shouldn't swallow it. After all, sulfates have a laxative effect.

If you want to relax and swim, then the Tbilisi Sea is the best choice. You can also go to Lake Lisi. But I don’t think it’s worth choosing Turtle just for swimming.

Is there a sea in Tbilisi? This question worries many people planning to spend their holidays in hospitable Georgia. Such a high interest in this topic is not at all surprising. Most tourists cannot imagine a proper vacation without the playful splash of waves, warm golden sand, the opportunity to admire the surf against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset and take memorable photos.

Another wonderful bonus of a vacation by the sea is a beautiful, even tan, which will give rise to warm memories of heavenly days on the coast for a long time.

But let's be honest: unfortunately, there is no sea in Tbilisi. But this does not mean that in the summer residents and guests of the city have to languish in the heat, without the opportunity to plunge into cool water. There are many beautiful bodies of water in and near the capital of Georgia, where swimming will bring a lot of pleasure.

Lake Lisi

The beautiful Lake Lisi is one of the most popular vacation spots among residents of the Georgian capital. It is located just west of Tbilisi. You can easily get to the reservoir: comfortable buses and minibuses leave the city every 10-20 minutes.

Near the picturesque lake, everything you need for a good holiday is provided. The beach is well-maintained and it is possible to rent comfortable sun loungers. How much this service costs should be clarified on site. There are several catering establishments on the beach line where you can hide from the scorching sun, have a snack and enjoy refreshing drinks. However, if vacationers want to eat, it is not at all necessary to leave the comfort of your sun lounger: sellers constantly walk along the beach offering boiled corn, ice cream and other food.

Only one shore of Lake Lisi in Tbilisi is suitable for sunbathing and swimming. The other side is the kingdom of fishermen. Avid fishing fans gather there regularly. You can join them if you wish. Ducks live nearby and always accept treats from tourists with great joy.

The opportunity to feed funny birds is especially enjoyable for kids. Next to the reservoir, just a few tens of meters away, there is a small forest. You can move there if you want to hide from the scorching sun. This shaded place is ideal for active games and picnics.

Turtle Lake is another popular vacation spot in Georgia. It is located not far from the capital: driving to the reservoir from Tbilisi takes no more than 10 minutes. Compared to Lisi, this lake is quite deep; the buoys here are located close to the shore. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful and closely monitor children. The safety of vacationers is also ensured by vigilant rescuers who identify violators and conduct long instructive conversations with them.

Turtle Lake has paid and free beaches. As in other holiday destinations, there are numerous restaurants and cafes where you can refresh yourself and have fun. The rental service of boats and speedboats diversifies the leisure time of vacationers. Modern sports grounds will provide an active pastime for children. Sometimes in the evenings there are concerts on the lake.

The Tbilisi Reservoir, often called the Tbilisi Sea, is not only a great place to relax, but also an impressive water attraction. There is an endless body of water in the northeastern part of the Georgian capital. Man had a hand in the creation of this wonderful place: for its implementation, 3 bitter-salty lakes were specially flooded with the waters of the Iori River. This happened at the end of the 20th century.

The reservoir reaches 8 km in length and 3 km in width. The depth in some areas is over 40 m. For a comfortable stay for tourists, all the necessary conditions have been created here, from a huge number of restaurants and cafes to boarding houses where you can receive medical treatment. The water is surprisingly clean, pleasant and transparent.

There are several equipped beaches, both paid and free. Vacationers have the opportunity not only to soak in the water, but also to ride on boats, capturing their leisure time in a photo. Virgin nature and fresh air make your holiday even more enjoyable.

Mountain zero Bazaleti is another place that is recommended for tourists to visit in Georgia. Its popularity among vacationers is growing every year. The distance from Tbilisi to this reservoir is quite large - about 60 km. You will have to spend about an hour on the road, but it is worth it.

The water in the marvelous lake is very clean, and the nature is so beautiful that it is simply impossible to take your eyes off the landscapes. But this place is valued not only for its magical views. The pond has healing properties. It contains algae, which has a healing effect on the body. People come here to be cured of gynecological, rheumatological and dermatological diseases.

Modern boarding houses and sanatoriums located on the shores of the lake offer comprehensive rehabilitation programs. Having become stronger and healthier, tourists can have a good rest. This includes numerous entertainment venues and equipped beach areas.

How to get to Batumi from Tbilisi?

If a person finds himself in Georgia and still does not give up the idea of ​​seeing the sea, this will not cause serious problems. You can get from the capital to Batumi, the main seaside resort of the country, by car, plane, train, bus or minibus. The traveler will have to cover a little more than 370 kilometers. If a tourist goes on a trip by land, along the way you can see a lot of beautiful landscapes and attractions.

Not everyone knows which sea washes the shores of Batumi. So, having arrived there, you can bask in the warm waves of the gentle Black Sea. Tourists can expect clean beaches, gentle sunshine and excellent service. Only here tourists can enjoy amazing dishes of Georgian cuisine, which are famous throughout the world. Airy khachapuri, spicy kharcho, delicious satsivi with chicken and the most delicate khinkali will not leave anyone indifferent. You need to be prepared for the fact that a seaside holiday in Georgia will make you forget about your diet.

Batumi is a modern and progressive city. It has everything you need for an unforgettable youth holiday. Numerous nightclubs await guests eagerly. The world's best DJs often perform at their venues. In addition, the Black Sea offers tourists endless opportunities for active recreation. Diving and water sports are available in and around the city.

Fans of excursions will also enjoy a holiday by the sea in Batumi. This ancient city has many attractions that are definitely worth visiting. The Church of St. Christ the All-Savior and the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the National Museum of Adjara, the botanical garden, numerous monuments and fountains deserve special attention.

Travelers can not only admire the beautiful creations of human hands, but also take wonderful photos that will forever leave memories of their vacation.

Why should you visit Kobuleti?

Besides Batumi, there are many more beautiful resorts that you should definitely visit in Georgia. One of them is Kobuleti. It is a true pearl of Adjara and differs from other similar places in its special microclimate. People come here not only to experience the benefits of sea air, sunbathe on the pebble beach and enjoy the beautiful views.

In Kobuleti you can improve your health. A unique treatment method is widely used here - thalassotherapy, or sea treatment. Experts were able to establish that fresh water improves the metabolic function of the skin by 25% than fresh water. This property allows you to successfully cope with dermatological diseases.

The resort area is located 20 km from Batumi. Its distinctive features are:

• mild subtropical climate;
• ionized air;
• pine forests.

Add to this the hot sun and warm sea. The result will be a wonderful place suitable for both relaxation and recovery.