14 Stunning Lakes You Must Visit in Georgia

The Paravani, located at 2,073m (6,801ft) above sea level, is a volcanic lake and considered to be one of the biggest in Georgia. In October and November, the water level is low but reaches its maximum depth in May and June. During the winter months, the lake is frozen, making the landscape very scenic.

Located in the Alpine zone of the country, the hike to Kelitsadi Lake is quite tricky and requires at least three days in total. You will, however, need a permit to hike, as the lake sits near the occupied Ossetia region. At 3,300m (10,927ft) above sea level, the lake is surrounded by Sherkhota Mountain, making the landscape even more beautiful. Make sure to take a GPS tracker. There are many unmarked trails, so it’s easy to get lost and wind up in a dangerous situation. The best way to hike to the lake is to book a tour in Georgia. Several different hiking companies offer them.

Located in Kareli Municipality, the area of Bateti Lake is only 0.02sqkm (.008sqmi), with a maximum depth of 12m (39ft). Situated near Kodmani village, the lake is accessible by car, with a one-hour ascend on a muddy road. The best time to visit the lake is during the fall season when the surrounding trees change into a warm color palette. You can also camp here in summer and early autumn.

This small lake near Poti city is connected to the Black Sea by a narrow channel. During an archaeological expedition, some ancient pieces of the Colchis kingdom were found near it. Paliastomi Lake is within Kolkheti National Park – one of the most important national parks in the country. You can take a boat tour of the lake and river Pichori gorge for breathtaking lakeshore landscapes.

There are three different colored lakes in the area, complete with gorgeous scenery around them. The Blue, Green and White Lakes lie in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region at 2,812 meters (9,225.7 feet) above sea level. Getting to the lakes is easy. First, you need to go to Kvesureti and village Roshka to start the hike. The first two are 7km (4.3mi) away from the village, and the third is a little farther. You can even camp at the Green Lake for a night and come back to the capital the next day.

Tobavarchkhili Lakes, or Toba for short, lie in the Samegrelo region, the western part of Georgia. The name in Megrelian (another language spoken in the country) translates as “silver lakes” in English. You will need to hike for a couple of days to reach these lakes. Lying in the heart of the Egrisi mountain range, the Toba lakes trek is considered to be one of the hardest and dangerous hikes in Georgia, so it’s best to have a guide with you.

Mtsvane Tba, located in the Adjara region, is easily accessible from the coastal city of Batumi. The lake, situated in the picturesque Goderdzi Pass, is 2,058m (6,752ft) above sea level and has a natural green color. Here, you can swim in the lake in beautiful weather, relax and take amazing pictures of the surroundings.

Black Rock Lake, located in the Lagodekhi National Park, is beautiful in the summer and autumn months. However, the hike here could be challenging for those who are not used to trekking in steep mountains. The lake lies in the Alpine zone at 3,000m (9,843ft) above sea level. You will pass through a gorgeous forest, and if you are lucky enough, you might even spot deer, mountain goats or chamois.

Located between Borjomi and Akhalkalaki cities, this lake is for those who like a more relaxed hike. Reachable by a car, the Tabatskuri Lake is at 1,991m (6,532ft) above sea level and is of volcanic origin. You can set up a camp here or stay at the local guesthouse to experience famous Georgian hospitality. And if you love fishing, you can bring your fishing rod and fish for carp, barbel, and trout. The best time to visit the lake is from June to October when the area is still covered with snow, and the valley is green.

Udziro Lake, or Bottomless Lake as it translates into English, is a small alpine lake at the 2,800m (9,186ft) above sea level. Located in Racha, the lake is a perfect two-day summer getaway with the opportunity to camp at the lake. It has gorgeous panoramic views of the Caucasus Mountains.

These alpine lakes lie at the foot of Mount Ushba, offering splendid views over the surrounding mountains from 2,200m (7,218ft) above sea level. The hike starts from Mestia, the central city of the Svaneti region. The total time to trek to the lakes takes about four hours, with well-marked wooden posts along the way.

Shaori is both a reservoir and lake located in the region of Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti. The lake, considered to be one of the most significant reservoirs in the country, is 2.7km (1.7mi) long, with a maximum depth of 14.5m (47.5ft). The ideal time to visit Shaori is in autumn when the surrounding forest changes into a warm color palette.

Another reservoir in Georgia, and often referred to as a lake by the locals, is Sioni Lake. Here you can swim, fish and camp anywhere you would like. The average depth of the reservoir is 25.4m (83ft), and the maximum is 67m (220ft). Sioni Lake is close to Tbilisi and is accessible either via Gombori highway or Tskvarichamia. The latter offers picturesque views of the forest from the road.

Zhinvali is a hydroelectric dam on the Aragvi River. With turquoise-colored water and surrounding hills, the reservoir offers splendid panoramic views both from the road and Ananuri Castle, which stands nearby.