Turtle Lake, or Kus Tba in Georgian, has been a weekend favourite for Tbilisi families for generations. Tucked into the forested hills above Vake, it mixes a slice of Soviet-era leisure culture with a vintage-style cable car and wide views over the city.
This post focuses on the lake's story and what you see there. For transport, hours and practical tips, see our Turtle Lake visitor guide.
Plan your visit to Turtle Lake
- Entry: free (pay for the cable car)
- Park open year-round
- Time needed: 1–2 hours
History of Turtle Lake
Turtle Lake sits at roughly 690 m above sea level on the slopes above Vake. Its name is usually linked to the turtles said to have lived around it.
In the Soviet period the area was developed as a recreation zone with paths, cafes and a beach, and in the 1960s a cable car was built to carry people up from Vake. The cabins still keep the look of that original design, which makes the ride part of the experience.
Attractions at Turtle Lake
- The cable car: small retro-style cabins glide about 1.1 km up from Vake Park, with views over western Tbilisi.
- The lake: a compact lake ringed by trees and a footpath.
- Open Air Museum of Ethnography: wooden and stone houses, granaries and churches brought from different regions of Georgia.
- City views: viewpoints on the slopes look over Vake and towards the Caucasus foothills on clear days.
Things to Do at Turtle Lake
- Photo spots: shoot the cabins from the upper station platform, and the lake from the far shore with the trees reflected in the water.
- Best light: late afternoon, when the sun is behind you over the city.
- Autumn colours: October and November bring golden woods around the lake.
Turtle Lake – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
The lakeside park is free and open all year; the cable car is paid with a transport card or contactless card. Full details are in our Turtle Lake visitor guide.
How Long to Spend at Turtle Lake
1 to 2 hours is enough for the lake and the cable car; add time for the Ethnographic Museum.
How to Get There
Take the cable car from Vake Park, or a Bolt up Turtle Lake Road. See the Turtle Lake visitor guide for full transport options.
Arriving at Tbilisi Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Turtle Lake
Lakeside cafes serve drinks and snacks, some only in season. Vake, at the bottom of the cable car, has many more cafes and restaurants.
Other Attractions Nearby Turtle Lake
- Open Air Museum of Ethnography: just below the lake.
- Vake Park: at the lower cable car station.
- Mtatsminda Park: another classic Tbilisi viewpoint; read our Mtatsminda Park guide.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Tbilisi: stay in Vake for easy access to the cable car, or in the Old Town for the main sights.
- Get a Georgia eSIM on Klook before you land, for maps and Bolt.
Turtle Lake is a small slice of Soviet-era Tbilisi leisure: a retro-style cable car, a wooded lakeshore and the open-air Ethnographic Museum nearby. Visit in the late afternoon or in autumn for the best photos.
Planning the trip? Our Turtle Lake visitor guide covers transport, hours and tips. For another view over the city, see the Mother of Georgia statue above the Old Town.
