A Guide To Narikala Fortress

Updated Nov 14, 2023

| 3 min read

You might feel like you’re in an episode of Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings when you visit Narikala Fortress in Georgia. Sitting atop the capital Tbilisi, it is an ancient structure that dates all the way back to the 4th century, around the time when the city was also founded. Narikala Fortress has had a long history with the Georgians, the Persians, and the Arabs having a share of its contribution to the structure. Sadly, much of it was destroyed several times, once by a Russian explosion, another by an earthquake, but ironically today is a rather beautiful ruin. Many people also visit the Fortress to get a beautiful panoramic view of the city of Tbilisi. Here’s a guide to Narikala Fortress for you to learn more and check out the things to do here.

Things to do / Highlights

Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Alexxx1979 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The fortress itself is a breathtaking piece of architectural ruin that will surely transport you to another time. You can take in panoramic views of the city and admire the beauty of Georgia. However, there are more things to do around Narikala Fortress that might also pique your interest.

National Botanical Garden of Georgia

Formerly known as the Botanical Gardens of Tbilisi, the National Botanical Garden of Georgia lies near Narikala Fortress and sits on the Tsavkisis-Tskali Gorge. The entrance to the gardens lies at the foot of Narikala Fortress so it’s easy to visit after seeing the fortress. In fact, you can actually take nice photos of the fortress from the gardens. Though it is a backdrop of Narikala Fortress, you’ll have to enter the gardens to really experience it. Take a stroll into this beautiful piece of nature and admire the plant and flower species along the way.

St. Nicholas Church

Located inside the fortress on the lower courts, Church of St. Nicholas was originally a 13th-century church that was sadly destroyed by a fire. Fortunately, it was recently restored around 1996 to 1997 and is now a beautiful church once more. The structure is somewhat similar to a “prescribed cross” because it has doors on its three sides. Inside the church, you will be in awe with the paintings signifying stories from the Bible and Georgia’s interesting history. When you step outside the church, you will be granted beautiful views of the Old City.

Narikala Tourist Route

Many tours offer walking tours around the Old City. The most ideal one is Narikala Tourist Route, a 1,500 meter (1 mile) trail that starts from the top at Mother Georgia statue and goes around the fortress until you reach the entrance to the Botanical Gardens. Along the way, this trail will provide you stunning views of the Old City at every turn. Of course, there are also other routes to take since Tbilisi is such a lovely and interesting city to take a stroll through.

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Travelers tips

2014 Tbilisi, Widoki z Twierdzy Narikala (40)

Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Marcin Konsek used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Best way to get to Narikala Fortress

There are several ways to get to Narikala Fortress. The easiest is, of course, to hire a travel agency to get you a vehicle and take you to the fortress directly. However, the best way to get to Narikala Fortress is via cable car, which you can board from Rike Park. It will take you above the Kura River and will give you spectacular views of the Old Town. It only takes about 2.5 Georgian Lari or less than 1 USD per way. You can simply reload your Metro card for easier access. Alternatively, you can also take a hike up to the fortress if you’re physically game. Just walk up from Meidan or via the Betlemi St. Stairs to get to the top.

Be prepared to walk around a lot

Being a small city with ancient roots, Tbilisi is best experienced on foot. There are several walking tours, each with different offers and routes to take around the city. Most of the attractions around Narikala Fortress are not only easily accessed by foot but will guarantee you spectacular views of its surroundings.

Plan your trip accordingly

Georgia is located in a unique spot between the crossing of Europe and Asia. Once part of the Soviet Union, it is bordered by Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Because of its location, the weather can tend to be unpredictable and this may be a hurdle to your travel plans. Summer can get very hot and humid so you might not fully enjoy your trip, which will consist of a lot of walking. Winter can get harsh, too, which, again, is not ideal for walking tours. Though it does give magical views of the city. The best time to visit Tbilisi is during the spring or in autumn when the temperature is cool and the weather is not erratic and harsh.

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