Sight guide · Tbilisi · Georgia
Visiting Open Air Museum of Ethnography
On a hillside near Turtle Lake, this open-air museum gathers traditional houses, wine cellars, a church and farm buildings from regions across Georgia, giving a sense of village life and architecture.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Alexey Komarov, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Open Air Museum of Ethnography is a museum in Vake, Tbilisi. Allow 1.5–2 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Vake
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, kids and outdoors
- Best months
- August–October
About Open Air Museum of Ethnography
On a hillside near Turtle Lake, this open-air museum gathers traditional houses, wine cellars, a church and farm buildings from regions across Georgia, giving a sense of village life and architecture.
Tip: Take the cable car up to Turtle Lake and walk to the museum, then have lunch by the lake.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Vake, upmarket residential area with boutiques, restaurants and a big park.
Best time to visit Open Air Museum of Ethnography
Open Air Museum of Ethnography is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- September: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- October: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, busy crowds.
- August: 31°C (88°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Tbilisi has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Open Air Museum of Ethnography is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Narikala Fortress and Abanotubani sulphur baths.
- No. 17 of the 18 sights in our Tbilisi things-to-do list.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Tbilisi.
- A family favourite in Tbilisi with kids.
If you like Open Air Museum of Ethnography
- Georgian National Museum — Rustaveli and Mtatsminda, 2 hours
- Tbilisi Botanical Garden — Old Tbilisi, 1–2 hours
Staying near Open Air Museum of Ethnography
Stay in Vake ($$$) to walk here: upmarket residential area with boutiques, restaurants and a big park. All areas to stay in Tbilisi.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Open Air Museum of Ethnography?
Plan 1.5–2 hours.
+Is Open Air Museum of Ethnography free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Open Air Museum of Ethnography?
August–October for the most comfortable weather. Take the cable car up to Turtle Lake and walk to the museum, then have lunch by the lake.
+Do I need to book Open Air Museum of Ethnography in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Open Air Museum of Ethnography good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Tbilisi. Tbilisi suits families who like exploring on foot: cable cars, a hilltop amusement park, fortress walls and outdoor museums keep children interested, and Georgians are very welcoming to kids.