This article may contain compensated links. Learn more in our disclaimer.
Have you taken a ride on the Tbilisi Ferris Wheel?
If you haven’t, and if you aren’t afraid of heights, go and check it out! What makes the ride even more exciting is that the wheel is on the mountain, hence it feels even higher than it actually is. The views are epic, and if you’re up to some off-the-road hiking, you can try hiking from Tbilisi Ferris wheel to the city center.
Continue reading to learn more about this cool place in Tbilisi.
1. Tbilisi Ferris Wheel (+Hike to the City Center): Basics
You’re in Tbilisi, walking around the city.
Then you look up. And what do you see? The Tbilisi Ferris wheel! It’s right there, on the mountain, and next to the Tbilisi TV tower. Congrats, you’ve just spotted one of the most interesting places in Tbilisi, apart from the Chronicle of Georgia. Now it’s time to check out this place. For the best experience, use funicular to get to the mountaintop.
MY ROUTE:
TIME & DISTANCE: around 2.5 miles / 4 km (1 hour).
It depends where you will be walking to. We were going to one of our favorite cafes in Tbilisi, to have a cake. By the way, there are a lot of nice cafes and restaurants in Tbilisi. Food is one of the main reasons we love this city so much.
TIPS: if you plan to do like we did, know that the trail isn’t officially accessible anymore. It wasn’t in 2021 at least. At the beginning it doesn’t look like a hiking trail at all. Even though later on it looks like a decent hiking trail and at the end (lower) there are even stairs. So, we just trusted the Google Maps, went down the mountain, and in a couple of places improvised.
It looks like there was a trail once. And it was abandoned / closed.
2. How to Get to Tbilisi Ferris Wheel?
There are several options how you can get to Tbilisi Ferris Wheel.
The easiest and most popular options — Tbilisi funicular railway.
Even though the station is old, the train itself is brand new and modern.
You buy ticket at the station.
The ferris wheel is in the Mtatsminda Park (amusement park).
Accordingly, you only have to get to the park. You can walk to Mtatsminda Pantheon, and then keep going until you get to the park. You can also drive or take a taxi to Mtatsminda Park. Or you can take the longest way and hike all the way from Turtle lake. However, taking the funicular is the easiest and also the most fun option.
The best views are from the top funicular station (last stop).
3. Tbilisi Ferris Wheel (& Hike): Our Experience
We loved everything about this experience.
First of all, the funicular ride turned out to be much more modern than we had expected. Plus, the views from the top station are awesome. Just look at the photo above. It’s taken from the viewing platform right behind the top station. It’s a big place and there’s enough space for everyone.
Then it was time for the ferris wheel ride.
It looked Soviet, it felt Soviet, and we loved it, haha.
However, if you’re afraid of heights, this might be too much for you. Because the wheel is high. Apart from that it’s located on the mountain top, hence it feels even higher.
And then we hiked down the mountain, by taking the old hiking trail.
There was no trail at some parts, it felt sketchy at some parts.
And we loved it.
Here are some photos of Tbilisi Ferris Wheel, the park and the hike:
Have you been to Tbilisi? Did you visit Tbilisi Ferris Wheel? If yes, what was your experience? Did you also do any hikes in Tbilisi?
Disclaimer for Amazon Associates: MakeAdventureHappen.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
