Narikala Fortress

1. 🏰 Old soul of Tbilisi - Narikala is one of the oldest landmarks in the city, watching over Tbilisi since the 4th century. You feel history in every stone. 2. 🌄 Best views in town - From the top, you get a full panorama of the city, the river, and the rooftops. Sunset here is unforgettable. 3. 🚶‍♂️ Short hike, big reward - You can walk up from the Old town . The path is steep but worth it. 4. 📸 Photo heaven - Every angle offers a great shot: fortress walls, city views, and the giant Mother of Georgia statue nearby. 5. 🧘‍♀️ Peaceful vibe - Even with tourists around, it feels calm. Great spot to sit, breathe, and take in the view. 6. 🕍 Church inside - There’s a small church inside the fortress with beautiful frescoes. Respectful dress recommended. 7. 🧗‍♀️ Watch your step - Some parts are uneven or slippery. Wear good shoes and be careful, especially with kids. 8. 🕰️ No tickets, always open - It’s free to visit and open all day. Early morning or late afternoon is best. 9. 🍃 Nature meets history - Wildflowers, birds, and old stones mix together. A perfect blend of nature and culture. 10. 💡 Local tip - Bring water, wear sunscreen, and take your time. It’s not just a fortress - it’s a feeling. Нарикала - сердце старого Тбилиси. Отличный вид, бесплатный вход, можно пешком или на канатке. Будьте осторожны - тропа крутая. Внутри - церковь и тишина. Идеально для фото и отдыха. ნარიყალა - ძველი თბილისის სიმბოლო. ულამაზესი ხედები, უფასო შესვლა, ფეხით ან საბაგიროთი. შიგნით ეკლესიაა. მშვიდი, ფოტოგენური ადგილი.

We had a wonderful city tour of Tbilisi! We began in Old Tbilisi, starting at Metekhi, which offers a beautiful view of Meidan Square. Then we walked across the stunning Bridge of Peace connecting the old town to Rike Park. The Clock Tower was a charming stop — it’s amazing to see the little angel come out every hour to ring the bell. From there, we strolled along Shardeni Street — a must-visit spot for anyone coming to Georgia. We then took the cable car up to Narikala Fortress and continued to the iconic statue of Mother of Georgia. After that, we explored Abanotubani and its famous sulfur baths. Finally, we drove to Mtatsminda Park, the perfect place to relax and enjoy the fun atmosphere. The view of the city from there, especially near the TV Tower, is simply breathtaking. A truly memorable day in Tbilisi!

I took the cable car all the way up, enjoying the beautiful view along the way. From the top, you can see all of Tbilisi — it’s absolutely breathtaking. On the way back, I decided to walk instead of taking the cable car. The map showed a path through the forest, surrounded by trees, but I ended up taking the car route cuz I was afraid will be lost in the middle of the trees . It felt like walking along a highway with no pedestrian lane, and it took me hours to get back to the city! Still, it turned out to be an unforgettable experience — the scenery was amazing, and I’m glad I did it.

It’s unfortunate the fort and many trails were closed. View was still beautiful though.

Nice views. Interesting wall and church. Unfortunately under renovation and the church only opens at 11am

One of the best views in Tbilisi! Narikala Fortress is old and beautiful. You can see the whole city from the top. The walk is a little hard, but the view is 100% worth it. A peaceful place with history and great spots for photos. No entrance fee, max you need to wait up to 10 min for cable cars 🚠, but also you can reach there by walking 🚶‍♀️

Since the 4th century, every trade deal struck, prayer uttered and chai order hollered on the streets of Old Tiflis has had Narikala as its backdrop. One of the oldest surviving structures in the Georgian capital, the fortress has gone through many iterations (and name changes) over the years. In the Tbilisi of today – a city known for its distinctive and quirky architecture – Narikala is still one of the most enduring, evocative features of the skyline. Narikala Fortress in Tbilisi. Once Tbilisi’s first military defence, today Narikala is little more than a vantage point for panoramic city views. Aside from walking the fortress walls, other things to do on Narikala Hill include visiting the Mother of Georgia statue, Kartlis Deda (another Tbilisi icon), and hiking or walking in the National Botanical Garden of Georgia. This can all be done as part of the Narikala Tourist Trail, a marked 1.5km walking path along the top of the ridge. This quick guide to visiting Narikala runs through everything you need to plan a visit, including opening hours, costs, the best time to visit for photography, food options, and other activities nearby.

Nice historical fortress currently under restoration. According to the legend, it was built by the king Vakhtang I Gorgasali. However, The earliest written accounts of settlement of the location come from the second half of the 4th century AD, when a fortress was built during King Varaz-Bakur's reign. Towards the end of the 4th century, the fortress fell into the hands of the Persians, but was recaptured by the kings of Kartli by the middle of the 5th century. It was considerably expanded by the Umayyads in the 7th century and by king David the Builder, respectively. The Mongols renamed it the "Narin Qala" (Little Fortress). Most of the extant fortifications date from the 16th and 17th centuries. Rostom, the Safavid-appointed vali of Kartli, fortified the surroundings of the fortress and transferred control of the fortress to the Iranians.