Tbilisi's National Botanical Garden

After visiting the Mother of Georgia monument, we found the perfect way to return to the city center—through the peaceful National Botanical Garden of Georgia. This hidden oasis lies in the Tsavkisis-Tskali Gorge on the southern foothills of the Sololaki Range.

The garden's entrance near the Narikala Fortress made it convenient to continue our downhill journey from the Mother of Georgia statue. At just 4 GEL per person, entry was very affordable for such a significant natural attraction.

The gardens are built into the natural slope of the gorge. Starting from the upper entrance meant we could enjoy a leisurely downhill stroll through the various garden sections, which was much easier than climbing up from the lower city entrance.

We took our time exploring the diverse collection of plants - the garden houses over 4,500 taxonomic groups worldwide. Spring was a good time to visit, with many trees and flowers in bloom. The garden's history goes back three centuries to when it began as royal gardens in the 1600s.

Throughout the gardens, we found several quiet spots to rest and enjoy the surroundings. Benches placed in various corners provided nice places to take a break from walking. The garden was well-equipped with amenities - we saw clean toilets and water fountains at different points along the paths.

One of the garden's nice features is a waterfall cascading down the rocky gorge - a pretty spot that seemed popular with tourists and locals.

If you're planning a visit, I'd recommend entering from the top near the Mother of Georgia monument and going down through the gardens. This route offers good views and a more pleasant walking experience than climbing uphill. The garden contrasts with the city nicely and makes for a good half-day activity in Tbilisi.