If you don’t mind getting your feet a bit dirty, Tbilisi has some of the best natural watering holes around, and you really get the feeling of the city's unique relationship with nature (and its massive potential if they managed to clean up the river). Two spots are quite well-developed as little resort havens, while the other is a bit too big for that—it is a "sea" after all!—but it does have a couple of resorts on it.

Of course, by “resorts” I mean you can get wet and there are sources of alcohol. Don't imagine anything too crazy.

Here I naturally don’t mean the river. One look at that thing and you’re wondering how many dead bodies have been dumped there over the years. It’s the same sort of creamy brown my child’s diaper used to get, having a toxic mix of manganese, cyanide, fertilizer, pesticides, sewage, and whatever the hell else the lack of regulations can get you.

Sameba overlooking the Big Muddy

Now people always claim Tbilisi has fresh clean water. And I’ve discussed that to some extent already. But swimming water is an entirely different thing than drinking water, so swim at your own risk.

Tbilisi Sea: The City's Largest Freshwater Escape

The "Tbilisi Sea," officially known as the Tbilisi Reservoir, is a vast man-made lake situated northeast of the city center. Despite its misleading name—as you might have noticed, it’s not actually a sea—it has become a popular recreational site for swimming, boating, and lounging, especially during the hot summer months.

On the Temka side, you can get more of a “kept beach” feel at a couple of places, but for the most part, the shores are wild here unlike at Lisi or Turtle Lakes. The map down below shows you where exactly you can find the best beach feel and where you can swim. Best to go to metro Sarajishvili and then take a taxi to "Tbilisi Sea" or "Tbilisi Zgva" if they don't understand that. Even better to Bolt it to here. You can easily bunch this visit with a trip to the Chronicles as well.

The key features and facilities of the Tbilisi Sea include its expansive water body, which is significantly larger than other lakes in the vicinity, making it ideal for various water sports and extensive lounging. It serves as a vibrant recreational hub, offering well-maintained beaches, ample areas for picnicking, and a tranquil escape with stunning views of the surrounding hills. The area is also home to a couple of resort-ish areas, like Gino Paradise (more on that below) and the Tbilisi Sea Club (also that), both of which provide dedicated pools, sunbathing areas, cafes, and a range of water activities.  

Getting there involves a relatively short distance from the city center, typically a 15-20 minute drive without traffic jams. It is accessible by a few public bus routes depending on which side you’re approaching and by taxi for about 20 GEL.  

Admission and pricing for the general "sea" area are free, allowing public access to its vast expanse. However, specific beach clubs located on its shores, such as the Tbilisi Sea Club, charge an entrance fee. For instance, the Tbilisi Sea Club typically charges 35 GEL (approximately $7.4 USD) per person, which often includes free parking, a sunbed, and access to their outdoor pool and the sea.

While the Tbilisi Sea supplies drinking water to the population, specific, recent public water quality reports for the swimming areas within the reservoir itself are not really detailed anywhere I know about. But a lot of people swim there anyhow.

Lisi Lake: A Relaxing Lakeside Retreat

Lisi Lake is a large pond located northwest of Tbilisi, offering a peaceful and generally less crowded atmosphere compared to other city attractions. It is highly regarded for its tranquil ambiance, scenic bike trails, and natural beauty. The water warms up well (reaching up to 28°C in summer), and it features a soft rocky bottom, which makes it easy for the kiddoes to walk out, though the water quality is a bit dubious.

The water is murky and brown, and one can only guess at what pesticide and construction waste from the surrounding hood is ending up there. So swim at your own risk. But people swim, and I’ve been it and never had a problem.

There’s a nice, forested area here with a boardwalk along the lakefront, giving a kind of summer vacation vibe. Lots of options for drinks and food here. You can also find bicycle rentals, which is great considering there’s a 4-kilometer circular route around the lake. The area also features cafes, restaurants, relaxation zones with hammocks, and a children's park. It is also known for its fishing spots. All the play areas cost puli though, so don’t think you’re going to get off light.

Getting there involves a 15-20 minute drive from the city center. It is accessible by public bus route #29, taxi (approximately 15 GEL / $2.2 USD from the city center), or private car. A large parking lot is available.  

Admission and pricing for access to the lake are complimentary. However, a parking fee of 3 GEL (approximately $1.1 USD) applies. Rentals for activities such as bikes, kayaks, or water surf, as well as food and drinks from the cafes, incur separate costs. Regarding water quality and safety, the water is noted for its minerals and therapeutic properties. Lisi Lake is best for relaxation, nature walks, cycling, picnicking, and fishing, offering a peaceful escape from the city. Swimming is an option for those who are comfortable without the presence of lifeguards. Visit in the morning or before sunset for a more pleasant experience and to avoid larger crowds, especially on weekdays.

Turtle Lake: A break in uptown Vake

Turtle Lake is another in the series of misnomers but is perhaps the biggest. Turtle Lake is quite a bit more of a pond than a lake. The etymology here is equally as mysterious as Tbilisi Sea, but I guess if that’s your qualification for sea, than calling a pond a lake is a natural progression.

The place is surrounded by forest, with hiking trails leading to the ethnographic museum, Vake Park, Mtatsminda, and Vera, and beautiful views about at any clearings around. It also seems to be a breath of fresh air, and is easily the most accessible of the natural water holes.

Only in the past few years has it really been open for swimming. And when I first moved here there was a broken down zipline and a paddle boat rental that closed up shop. So at some point in time people were swimming there… I think when I left about a decade ago they opened a little floating stage, and there’s a half boardwalk/line of bars on one side with a hiking path and a workout area on the other.

Epic views while hiking around Turtle Lake

The water is questionable, but probably better than Lisi’s, since the only thing above it is Mtatsminda. But people do swim there now: there’s weekly water yoga sessions, operational paddle boats again, and an easy way in and out from some of the waterside cafes.

Getting there is easy peasy. Just take a bus to Vake Park. There you’ll see a cable car. Take the cable car. Get off, turn left, and voila, you’re there. So a little bit of adventure, for a lot of relax.

Tbilisi nature

So as you can see, there are a lot of cool bits of nature around Tbilisi and a lot of water fun to stay cooled off. Summer in Tbilisi isn't so bad, even in the raging heat, I promise!