Rike Park and Narikala Cable Car

Rike Park is a modern landscaped park on the left bank of the Mtkvari, directly across the river from the Old Town and joined to it by the Bridge of Peace. It opened in 2010 and has lawns, paths, fountains, play areas and a giant chessboard, while Sameba Cathedral and the glass dome of the Presidential Palace look down from the hill behind. At the northern end stand two huge tube-shaped buildings by the Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas, planned as a concert hall and an exhibition centre. On summer evenings the park fills with families, and a musical fountain plays after dark.

For visitors the main draw is the cable car to Narikala, whose lower station stands near the river. Opened in 2012, it carries you over the Mtkvari and the Old Town rooftops to the foot of the fortress in a couple of minutes, with a bird's-eye view of the bath domes on the way. Queues build on weekend evenings, so ride up earlier in the day or late at night. From the southern end of the park, steps lead up to Metekhi Church.