Borjomi Cable Car

By Mariam Lomidze, GTour desk · Fact-checked against the sources listed · Last checked 17 October 2026 · Editorial policy

Overview

The Borjomi Cable Car is a small ropeway in the town of Borjomi, in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of south-central Georgia. It links Borjomi Central Park, on the floor of the narrow Mtkvari (Kura) river valley, with a wooded plateau above the town, often referred to locally as Firuza. The ride itself lasts only a few minutes, but it is one of the best-known family attractions in Borjomi and a fixture of local tourism guides.

The cable car matters less for engineering novelty than for what it frames: a compact resort town built around mineral springs, set inside a forested gorge that leads into Samtskhe-Javakheti and towards the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. For visitors with limited time, it offers a quick, low-effort way to see the layout of the spa town, the park, and the surrounding hills, and it is regularly combined by GTour with wine, spa and hiking stops in private tours of the region.

History

Borjomi developed as a resort from the mid-19th century, after the mineral water sources in the valley became known to Russian imperial administrators and military engineers stationed in the Caucasus; the town and its park grew around the springs under the patronage of the Romanov family, who built a summer residence nearby at Likani. Borjomi Central Park, at the lower station of today’s cable car, was laid out in this period as the social and recreational heart of the spa town.

The cable car itself is a Soviet-era addition, built in the second half of the 20th century to give visitors and sanatorium guests an easy route from the park up to the plateau and forest above, where an open-air amusement area (Firuza) was developed. Like much of Borjomi’s resort infrastructure, the ropeway and its stations were modernised in the early 2010s, with new cabins and mechanical systems replacing Soviet-period equipment, as part of a wider renovation of the town’s park and tourism facilities reported in Georgian media at the time. The surrounding Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, one of the largest protected areas in the Caucasus, was established in 1995 and is managed today by the Agency of Protected Areas, underlining the long-standing link between the town and the forested hills the cable car climbs toward.

What to see

Borjomi Central Park (lower station)

The ropeway begins inside Borjomi Central Park, the town’s historic mineral-water park, where the original warm spring pavilion, promenades and open-air pools draw most day visitors. The lower station sits a short walk from the park entrance, making it an easy stop before or after tasting the water at its source.

Firuza plateau (upper station)

The upper station opens onto a wooded plateau with a small amusement park, cafés and shaded paths, popular with families in summer. It is noticeably cooler than the valley floor and gives a first sense of the forested terrain that continues into the national park beyond the town.

Views over the Mtkvari valley

The short ascent gives passengers a clear view down over Borjomi’s rooftops, the river and the narrow gorge the town occupies, with forested ridges rising on both sides. It is one of the simplest vantage points in town for photographing the valley without a hike.

Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park access

Trailheads for the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park lie within a short drive or walk of the park and cable car, and the Agency of Protected Areas maintains a visitor centre in town with maps and route information. Visitors combining the cable car with a longer stay often use it as a warm-up before heading into the park’s marked hiking routes.

Getting there

From Tbilisi, Borjomi is roughly 150 kilometres southwest, a drive of about two to two and a half hours via the Rikoti Pass road; marshrutka minibuses run from Tbilisi’s Didube station in a similar time. Georgian Railway operates a seasonal passenger service between Tbilisi and Borjomi in the warmer months; schedules should be checked directly with Georgian Railway before travel. From Kutaisi, the drive is about 110 kilometres, around one and a half to two hours by road, with marshrutka connections available as well. From Batumi, Borjomi is roughly 180 kilometres, typically a three-hour drive depending on the route taken through the mountains. GTour can check current conditions on the road status page and arrange a private transfer with an English-speaking driver or guide for any of these routes.

When to go

Late spring through early autumn (May to October) is the most comfortable period, when the park is in full leaf and the cable car and plateau cafés operate on full schedules. Midsummer brings the warmest valley temperatures and the busiest park, while September and early October combine mild weather with quieter crowds. Winter visits are possible, as the cable car generally continues to run, but services on the plateau are reduced and days are shorter; travellers planning a winter trip should confirm opening hours locally or through GTour’s guides.

Where to stay and eat

Borjomi has a reasonable spread of hotels close to the park and cable car, suited to both short stops and longer spa stays. Options in GTour’s verified register include Crowne Plaza Borjomi, Hotel “Old Borjomi”, Borjomi Likani, Hotel & Restaurant Emerald, Emerald Borjomi, Gantiadi Mountain Resort and the self-catering Tsemi My House cottage. For orientation and current local information, the Borjomi Tourist Information Center is a useful first stop. GTour’s verified register lists more hotels, guesthouses and restaurants nearby, including options directly around the park.

Practical notes

The lower station is within easy walking distance of Borjomi Central Park’s main entrance, and there is usually a ticket office at the park gate; operating hours can shorten outside the summer season, so checking ahead is advisable. The ride is short and suitable for most ages, including young children, though waiting times can build up on busy summer afternoons. Comfortable shoes are useful for exploring the plateau paths and nearby park walkways, and water from Borjomi’s public taps and the park’s spring pavilion is free to drink.

Questions travellers ask

How long does the cable car ride take?

The ascent between the park and the plateau takes only a few minutes each way, making it a brief addition to a longer visit rather than a stand-alone outing.

Is the Borjomi Cable Car suitable for children?

Yes, the short, low-speed ride and the amusement area at the upper station make it a common family stop, and it is regularly included in family itineraries around Borjomi.

Can the cable car be combined with a visit to Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park?

Yes, several trailheads into the national park are a short drive or walk from the park and cable car area, and many visitors use the ropeway as a short first stop before a longer hike.

Does the cable car run in winter?

Services generally continue through the colder months, but hours are usually reduced and facilities on the upper plateau are more limited than in summer; confirming locally is recommended.

Is there an entrance fee for Borjomi Central Park as well as the cable car?

Borjomi Central Park charges a separate entrance fee from the cable car ticket, and both are paid at kiosks near the park gate.

How far is the Borjomi Cable Car from the town’s mineral water bottling area?

The park and cable car sit close to the historic spring pavilion in the centre of town, within a short walk of most central hotels.

Is it possible to visit Borjomi as a day trip from Tbilisi?

Yes, the round trip by car takes roughly four to five hours including travel time, leaving several hours in Borjomi for the park, cable car and a walk, which is a common day-trip pattern arranged through GTour’s private tours.

What else is nearby besides the cable car and park?

Borjomi is a convenient base for day trips to Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe, Vardzia cave monastery and the Likani area, all reachable within the same region; GTour’s best-of guides outline combined itineraries.

Sources

• Georgian Railway
• Georgian National Tourism Administration — Samtskhe Javakheti region