Mziuri Park
Mziuri Park in Tbilisi
Mziuri Park is one of Tbilisi’s most pleasant urban green spaces, located in the Vere River valley beside the Vake district. Its shaded paths, open lawns, playgrounds, skatepark and sports areas make it especially popular with local families, young people, runners and anyone looking for a quiet break from the city streets.
Unlike the historic sights of Old Tbilisi, Mziuri offers a glimpse of everyday local life. Visitors come here to walk, exercise, read under the trees, spend time with children or simply relax beside the park’s small artificial lake.
The park is free to enter and can be visited throughout the year.
Mziuri Park Quick Information
- Georgian name: მზიურის პარკი – Mziuris Parki
- Location: Vere River valley, beside Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue
- District: Vake, Tbilisi
- Entrance fee: Free
- General access: Open throughout the day
- Recommended visit time: 1–2 hours
- Best for: Families, walking, cycling, skating, outdoor exercise and relaxation
- Best time to visit: Morning or late afternoon
- Nearest metro: There is no metro station directly beside the park
- Facilities: Playgrounds, skatepark, parkour area, sports spaces, walking and cycling paths, café and amphitheatre
Individual facilities, cafés and organised activities have their own schedules.
Why Visit Mziuri Park?
Mziuri is not a conventional tourist attraction filled with monuments or museums. Its main appeal is its relaxed atmosphere and the opportunity to spend time in one of the green spaces used by Tbilisi residents themselves.
The park is particularly suitable for travellers who want to:
- take a break from sightseeing and traffic;
- visit a family-friendly outdoor space;
- let children use the playgrounds;
- walk or cycle along the park paths;
- use the skatepark or outdoor sports areas;
- have coffee or a casual meal;
- photograph unusual sculptures and public art;
- experience an ordinary part of local life in Tbilisi.
Travellers staying in Vake or Saburtalo can visit Mziuri easily without planning a full-day excursion.
The History of Mziuri Park
The idea behind Mziuri Park is associated with Nodar Dumbadze, one of Georgia’s best-known twentieth-century writers.
Dumbadze imagined a special “city for children” in the Vere River valley—a creative recreational space inspired by literature, play and the characters found in Georgian stories. The park opened in 1982 and included sculptures and imaginative elements connected with this original vision.
Mziuri’s name comes from the Georgian word mziuri, meaning “sunny.”
During the difficult economic period of the 1990s, much of the park’s original infrastructure deteriorated. Local initiatives later began organising children’s festivals, cultural activities and community projects intended to revive the park.
The 2015 Tbilisi Flood
Mziuri Park was severely damaged during the devastating Vere River flood of 13 June 2015. The disaster affected the entire river valley, including the nearby Tbilisi Zoo, roads and residential areas.
After extensive reconstruction, the renovated park reopened on 13 June 2020, exactly five years after the flood. The redevelopment introduced new walking and cycling paths, playgrounds, an artificial lake, a skatepark, a parkour area, outdoor exercise equipment and improved landscaping.
Visitors interested in the reconstruction can read the EU Delegation’s official report on the reopening of Mziuri Park.
Things to Do in Mziuri Park
Walk Through the Park
Walking is the easiest way to explore Mziuri. Paths pass through wooded sections, open lawns, children’s areas and the lower part of the Vere River valley.
The main renovated paths are suitable for a relaxed walk, although some entrances and connecting routes have slopes. The park can become busy during warm evenings and weekends, while weekday mornings are usually quieter.
Visit the Skatepark and Sports Areas
Mziuri contains one of Tbilisi’s best-known public skateparks, together with a parkour area, outdoor exercise equipment and multi-purpose sports spaces.
The skatepark attracts skateboarders, rollerbladers and BMX riders. Visitors are welcome to watch, but should remain outside the active riding areas unless participating. Protective equipment is strongly recommended for anyone using the facilities.
Spend Time With Children
Mziuri was originally imagined as a city for children, and it remains one of the most family-friendly parks in Tbilisi.
The renovated territory includes several playgrounds and open areas where children can run and play. Families should still supervise younger children, particularly beside the artificial lake, bicycle paths and skatepark.
Look for Sculptures and Public Art
Sculptures and playful design elements throughout Mziuri reflect the park’s original connection with children’s literature and imagination.
One of the most recognisable figures is the hippopotamus sculpture. It has also become associated with Begi, the hippopotamus from Tbilisi Zoo who was famously seen in the city streets during the 2015 flood before being safely returned.
Temporary art installations and community projects may also appear in different parts of the park.
See the Amphitheatre
The open-air amphitheatre hosts occasional concerts, children’s performances, festivals and community events.
There is no fixed daily programme, so visitors should not expect a performance during every visit. Events are more frequent during the warmer months and are normally announced separately by organisers.
Stop at Café Mziuri
Café Mziuri is located inside the park and has long been connected with Mziuri’s social and community initiatives.
It is a convenient place for coffee, refreshments or a casual meal. Opening hours and the available menu may change, so check current information if the café is an important part of your visit.
How to Get to Mziuri Park
Mziuri Park has access points from the Chavchavadze Avenue side and from roads surrounding the Vere River valley. The most convenient entrance depends on which section of the park you want to visit.
By Municipal Bus
Numerous municipal buses travel along Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue and stop close to the park.
Because bus routes can change due to roadworks and temporary traffic restrictions, check the journey on the official Tbilisi Transport Company website or a live navigation application before leaving.
Read the complete public transport in Tbilisi guide for information about fares, transport cards, buses and the metro.
By Metro
There is no metro station within a convenient short walk of Mziuri Park.
Visitors arriving by metro will normally need to transfer to a municipal bus or take a taxi for the final part of the journey. For most tourists coming from Old Tbilisi, a direct bus or taxi is simpler.
By Taxi
Enter “Mziuri Park” or “Café Mziuri” as the destination in your taxi application. Check the selected entrance on the map, as the park extends across a long section of the river valley.
Using an application is generally more convenient than stopping a taxi on the street. See the guide to online taxi apps in Georgia before travelling.
On Foot
Mziuri is within walking distance of many parts of Vake, but reaching it from Old Tbilisi requires a considerably longer urban walk along busy streets.
Pedestrians should use marked crossings when approaching from Chavchavadze Avenue or the roads around the Vere valley. Do not attempt to cross the major roads or highway ramps outside designated pedestrian areas.
Accessibility
Much of the renovated lower park has paved paths and infrastructure designed to improve accessibility. However, Mziuri lies in a river valley, and some entrances or connections between levels involve slopes.
Visitors using wheelchairs or travelling with a stroller should choose one of the main entrances and avoid relying on smaller hillside paths. Accessibility inside cafés or individual facilities may differ from general park access.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and Autumn
Spring and early autumn offer the most comfortable weather for walking, outdoor exercise and photography. Trees and landscaped areas are at their most attractive, while daytime temperatures are generally pleasant.
Summer
During summer, visit in the morning or late afternoon. The park contains plenty of greenery, but some open spaces can still become hot during the middle of the day.
Evenings are lively and popular with families, skateboarders and local residents.
Winter
The park remains accessible in winter, although cafés, events and some outdoor facilities may operate on reduced schedules. Paths can become slippery after rain, frost or snow.
Useful Tips for Visitors
- Allow approximately one or two hours for a relaxed visit.
- Bring water during hot weather.
- Visit on a weekday morning if you prefer a quieter atmosphere.
- Supervise children beside the lake, skatepark and cycling paths.
- Do not enter active skateboarding or parkour areas while others are using them.
- Check event announcements separately; the amphitheatre does not have a permanent programme.
- Use marked pedestrian crossings around the surrounding main roads.
- Keep the park clean and use the available rubbish bins.
- Café and facility hours may differ from the park’s general access hours.
What to See Near Mziuri Park
Tbilisi Zoo
Tbilisi Zoo is located farther east along the Vere River valley, close to Heroes Square. The two places share an important connection through the history of the 2015 flood.
The surrounding roads are busy, so check the pedestrian route carefully or use a short bus or taxi journey.
Turtle Lake
Turtle Lake is another popular outdoor destination above the Vake district. It offers lakeside walks, cafés, forest paths and a scenic cable-car journey from Chavchavadze Avenue.
Mziuri and Turtle Lake can be visited on the same day, although they are separate recreation areas and are not directly connected by a simple park path.
Open Air Museum of Ethnography
The Open Air Museum of Ethnography is located on the wooded hillside near Turtle Lake. Its traditional houses and regional architectural displays make it a good addition for visitors interested in Georgian culture.
Is Mziuri Park Worth Visiting?
Mziuri Park is worth visiting for families, longer-stay travellers and anyone interested in seeing a greener, more local side of Tbilisi.
It should not replace the major historical attractions for a first-time visitor with only one day in the city. However, it is an excellent choice when you need a break from museums and crowded streets or want to experience a public space used by Tbilisi residents in their everyday lives.
FAQ
Is Mziuri Park free?
Yes. General entrance to Mziuri Park, its walking areas and public playgrounds is free. Cafés, organised events and certain services may charge separately.
Is Mziuri Park open 24 hours?
Mziuri is an open public park with general access throughout the day. Individual cafés, sports facilities and organised activities have their own operating hours.
Is Mziuri Park good for children?
Yes. Mziuri was originally designed as a city for children and remains one of Tbilisi’s most family-friendly parks. It has playgrounds, open spaces and recreational facilities.
How long do I need at Mziuri Park?
Allow approximately one to two hours for a walk, playground visit and café stop. Visitors using the sports facilities or attending an event may want to stay longer.
Is there a metro station near Mziuri Park?
No metro station is located directly beside the park. Municipal buses along Chavchavadze Avenue or a taxi application are usually the easiest options.
Can tourists use the Mziuri skatepark?
Yes. The public skatepark can be used by visitors, but participants should bring appropriate equipment, wear protection and respect other users.
Can I combine Mziuri Park with Turtle Lake?
Yes. Both are located in the wider Vake area and can be visited on the same day. However, they are separate destinations, so use a bus or taxi rather than expecting a direct walking path between them.