GeorgiaOfficial tourism
Tabatskuri Lake

An island village adrift on alpine silence

Tabatskuri Lake

Why go

Tabatskuri Lake sits at 1,991 meters in the volcanic highlands of Samtskhe-Javakheti, its waters held by an ancient lava dam. The lake cradles a rare phenomenon: the ethnic Armenian village of Tabatskuri, built on a peninsula jutting into the water, plus a true island near the lake's center holding only the stone ruins of an old Georgian church, reachable by boat. The settlement reflects the region's layered history—Armenian, Georgian, and Russian imperial influences converging in this isolated outpost. For travelers, it offers something increasingly scarce: genuine remoteness without pretense. The surrounding slopes bloom with wildflowers in July, and the silence—broken only by wind and water—feels earned rather than staged.

On the ground See

  • Row or arrange boat passage to the island village to walk its single path and visit the modest chapel
  • Fish for trout and carp with local permits, or observe the small-scale commercial fishing that sustains the community
  • Hike the crater rim for views across the lake to the Abul-Samsari volcanic range

Practical Know before you go

Best visited June through September; the unpaved road from Akhalkalaki requires a high-clearance vehicle, and boat access to the island depends on local fishermen's availability.

Last reviewed 25 August 2026 · reviewed quarterly