Turtle Lake Tbilisi Guide: Kus Tba, Boats and Rest
🐢 Kus-tba · ⏱️ 2–4 hours · 📍 Northern slope of Mount Mtatsminda, Vake-Saburtalo district
🐢 What You Need to Know Before Visiting
| 📍 Coordinates | 41.71148, 44.75344. Northern slope of Mount Mtatsminda, ~687 m above sea level |
| 🚡 Cable Car | Lower station — 76 Chavchavadze Ave. (Vake Park). 1 GEL, Metromoney card. Time: 6–7 min |
| 🌊 Rentals | Catamarans, boats, water bicycles. Located right by the shore |
| 🏖️ Beach | Small pebble beach. Sun loungers, umbrellas, changing cabins. Swimming — the bottom is muddy, not for everyone |
| 🍽️ Cafes | Several cafes, bars, and restaurants with summer terraces. Wi-Fi. Prices are slightly higher than city averages |
| 🏛️ Nearby | Vake Park · Tbilisi Ethnographic Museum (52 hectares, open-air, est. 1966) |
| 🏆 Best Season | Late spring, summer, early autumn. In winter, the lake freezes and some cafes are closed |
🧭 Who This Article Is For
Turtle Lake (Kus Tba) is known mostly to Tbilisi residents — and they love it dearly. Tourists find it by chance or on the recommendation of locals. Mountain air, a lake with a turquoise hue, catamaran rentals, cafes with Wi-Fi, and an observation deck overlooking the entire city. This article is for those who want to know how to get there and what exactly to do here.
🐢 Where the Name Comes From
The lake has two names: the Georgian one — Kus Tba (კუს ტბა) and the popular one — Turtle Lake. There are two versions regarding the origin of the name.
- Freshwater turtles once lived in the lake. The natural conditions suited these animals, and there were quite a few of them. Gradually, the turtles disappeared — today you are unlikely to encounter them.
- The lake is shaped like a turtle when viewed from above.
Which version is correct — nobody knows for sure. The name stuck, and locals often call it simply "Cherepashka."
🏔️ The Location: Mountain Nature Within the City
The lake is located on the northern slope of Mount Mtatsminda at an altitude of about 687 meters. This is the southern part of the Vake-Saburtalo district — a privileged residential quarter of Tbilisi.
The water flows from the Varaziskhevi River through a channel — it is mountain water and cool. Despite the turquoise hue that many notice, the bottom is muddy — this should be taken into account if you wish to swim.
Around the lake, there is a forest that creates shade on hot days. The walking path along the perimeter is about 1 km. In the evening, the entire area is illuminated.
🎡 What’s Available Here
- Water rentals. By the shore, there are catamarans, boats, and water bicycles. A good way to spend an hour by the water without stepping into it.
- The Beach. A small pebble beach with sun loungers, umbrellas, and changing cabins. Swimming is optional. The water is cool (mountain springs), and the bottom is muddy in places. Some visitors swim, while others prefer to stay on the shore.
- Raft Stage. A stage right on the water — on a raft — is installed on the lake. In summer, concerts, festivals, and sports competitions take place here regularly.
- Observation Deck — offering a view of the whole of Tbilisi: modern quarters and historical buildings at the same time.
- Sports Zones. Grounds with artificial turf and outdoor exercise equipment. Zones for yoga and workouts.
- Children's Zone. Playgrounds, swings, and carousels for children of different ages.
- Cafes and Restaurants — several establishments with summer terraces. Wi-Fi is available — you can work or read by the water. Prices are slightly higher than in the city.
- Trekking Trails. From Vake Park, trails lead to the lake and further up to the summit and into neighboring areas.
🏛️ What’s Nearby
Vake Park — at the foot of Mtatsminda, featuring a cascading staircase of fountains and a WWII memorial. The cable car to Turtle Lake also departs from here.
Tbilisi State Ethnographic Museum (west of the lake) — 52 hectares under the open sky, founded in 1966. It features historical buildings from different regions of Georgia: original houses, stables, barns, wine cellars, and bakeries with authentic household items inside. It pairs perfectly with a visit to the lake on the same day.
The best itinerary for the day: in the morning — the Ethnographic Museum (52 hectares, a few hours), then an ascent by cable car to the lake (1 GEL, Metromoney card), lunch in a cafe on a terrace overlooking the water, a walk along the circular trail, and a catamaran rental. In the evening — the observation deck with a view of illuminated Tbilisi. The cable car is small and old — without seats and with open doors. This is part of the experience, not a drawback.
🚡 How to Get There
1️⃣ Cable car — the most interesting option. The lower station is in Vake Park, easily accessible from 76 Chavchavadze Ave. Cost: 1 GEL, a Metromoney card is required (the same one used for the metro). The ascent takes 6–7 minutes. Along the way, views of Vake Park and the city open up.
2️⃣ Taxi or car — there is a parking lot by the lake. The fastest but least interesting way.
3️⃣ Bus 61 to the "Vake Cemetery" stop, then on foot for ~2.5 km. A good option for those who want to combine a walk with a climb up the mountain.
💬 What Visitors Say
"Turtle Lake is my favorite vacation spot. Around the lake, there is a beautiful park with paths, cafes, boat and catamaran rentals, as well as playgrounds. In summer, the mountain air and greenery create a comfortable atmosphere."
"A corner of nature unspoiled by civilization, yet well-equipped with everything necessary. City residents love this lake very much and come on weekends. Clean mountain air and wonderful panoramic views."
"I love Turtle Lake for its tranquility and beauty. I like to photograph the reflections of trees in the water here. The children's playgrounds are just excellent."
"This is an ideal place for a Sunday walk: a beautiful view, nature, and excellent conditions for sports in the fresh air."
🏁 Is It Worth Going?
Turtle Lake is one of those Tbilisi addresses that all locals know and almost no tourists do. Mountain air at 687 meters, turquoise water, catamaran rentals, raft concerts, an observation deck, and a cable car for 1 GEL. All this is half an hour from the center, in a green forest above the city. In the morning — the Ethnographic Museum nearby, in the evening — the illuminated lake.
ℹ️ Cable car from Vake Park — 1 GEL, Metromoney card required. Swimming is a personal choice; the bottom is muddy in places. Cafes and part of the infrastructure operate seasonally. Coordinates: 41.71148, 44.75344. Information is current at the time of publication.
Have you been to Turtle Lake? How did you get there — by cable car, on foot, or by car? What did you like most — the walk along the circular trail, the catamaran, or the concert on the raft? Tell us — we read all comments ❤️
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
💬 Three options. Cable car from Vake Park (76 Chavchavadze Ave.) — 1 GEL with a Metromoney card, 6–7 minutes. Taxi or car — there is a parking lot by the lake. Bus 61 to "Vake Cemetery," then 2.5 km on foot. Coordinates: 41.71148, 44.75344.
💬 There is no official ban, but the bottom is muddy — the water becomes cloudy with movement. There are quite a few people who want to swim, and the water is cool (mountain springs). The decision is yours: for clean swimming, it is better to choose the Tbilisi Sea.
💬 Yes. By the shore, there are catamaran, boat, and water bicycle rentals. The operating hours are seasonal; in summer, it works during regular hours.
💬 This is an old cable car from Vake Park, which is not included in tourist guidebooks. Old cabins without seats, and the doors do not close automatically — this is part of its character. Payment is by Metromoney card (the same one used for the metro).
💬 Late spring, summer, and early autumn are the best times. In summer, there are many events: raft concerts, sports competitions, festivals. In autumn, there is beautiful foliage. Winter: the lake freezes, some cafes are closed, but a walk is still possible.
💬 Yes, and good ones. Vake Park — at the foot of Mtatsminda. Tbilisi State Ethnographic Museum (52 hectares, west of the lake) — an open-air museum with historical buildings from all regions of Georgia, founded in 1966. A great option for a full day.
💬 According to available data — yes, the lakeshore is open, and no official restrictions for pets have been established. Please double-check on-site.
💬 Yes. In summer, concerts on the raft stage, sports competitions, and music festivals regularly take place. Check the event schedules in advance or on-site at the lake.
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და ეხლა ვაკვირდები, როგორ მთრეველი ამ ადგილების, ვაკის პარკი და ეთნოგრაფიულიც ახლოსაა! ხალხი როდისმე მიდის ამ ადგილებზე? მე გამუდმებით მინდა რამე ახალი ვიყო. ინტერნეტი ადგილობრივ კაფეებში? მშვენიერი იდეაა, მაგრამ მემგონი, მობილური ტელეფონის ნაცვლად, უკეთესია უბრალოდ გარემოს სიამოვნებით ვივიჯზე.
და ცხადია, რა უნდა ვიცოდეთ ვიზიტამდე? არის რამე სპეციალური რჩევები, რომ ვერ ვხვდები?
Озеро располагается на северном склоне горы Мтацминда примерно на 687 м над уровнем моря, и его легко узнать по легендарному названию: сначала здесь действительно водились пресноводные черепахи, а второе объяснение — водоём напоминает черепаху по форме. 
Это место — не только природная достопримечательность, но и благоустроенная зона отдыха: вокруг озера есть дорожки для прогулок и бега длиной около километра, лесной массив с чистым свежим воздухом и кафе с террасами, где можно попробовать грузинскую кухню или просто выпить кофе, любуясь видами. 
Для семейного отдыха здесь оборудованы площадки для детей, а активные гости часто выбирают тропы для пеших прогулок и пешие маршруты в гору — вплоть до соседних районов и вершин. 
Добраться к озеру можно разными способами: на машине, на такси, пешком через парк Ваке или даже на канатной дороге, которая соединяет его с парком — отличный вариант с красивыми видами. 
После прочтения статьи сразу хочется пройтись по его берегам, вдохнуть свежий воздух и насладиться спокойствием, которое так ценится в большом городе 🌳✨
А вы уже были у Черепашьего озера? Что вам там особенно понравилось — прогулки вокруг воды, виды с троп или уютные кафе недалеко от берега? 🐢🏞️💫
К тому же озеро, как я поняла, находится недалеко от города. Добраться будет не проблема.