The National Botanical Garden occupies a deep gorge behind Narikala Fortress, following the Tsavkisiskhevi stream down from the forested hills south of the old town. Established in 1845 on the site of the royal palace gardens, the 128-hectare garden holds around 4,500 plant species from across the Caucasus and beyond.
The garden is a genuine escape from the city. The ravine keeps it several degrees cooler than the old town above, the sound of the stream is constant, and the combination of formal planting, old Persian gardens, and semi-wild forest creates an atmosphere unlike any other botanical garden in the region. The Leghvtakhevi waterfall at the far end of the garden is worth the walk. Enter from the Abanotubani gate near the sulphur baths.