Zhinvali Reservoir
Turquoise reservoir on the Aragvi beside the Georgian Military Road, Tbilisi's main water source, best seen from the viewpoint near Ananuri.
Zhinvali ReservoirPhoto: Smerus, Copyrighted free useThe Zhinvali Reservoir is the long turquoise lake that fills the Aragvi valley around Ananuri, about 65 km north of Tbilisi on the Georgian Military Road. It was created when the Zhinvali dam was completed in the 1980s, and today it supplies most of Tbilisi's drinking water and drives a hydroelectric station. For travellers it is above all a view: forested hills drop into milky blue-green water, with the towers and domes of Ananuri on the western shore. The colour is at its most intense on sunny days from late spring to early autumn.
Most drivers pull in at the viewpoint above the water just south of Ananuri, where cafes and souvenir stalls line the road. Swimming is not allowed, since this is a drinking water reservoir, but you can walk along the shore near the fortress. When the level drops, the remains of old Zhinvali, a village and church flooded by the lake, sometimes reappear. At the dam, a side road turns east up the Pshavi Aragvi towards Barisakho and Shatili.
What to see and do
- Photograph the turquoise water from the viewpoint south of Ananuri
- Combine with Ananuri Fortress on the shore
- Watch for flooded ruins when the water is low
- Turn off at the dam for the road to Khevsureti
How to visit
Getting there
The reservoir is beside the Georgian Military Road about 65 km north of Tbilisi, roughly 1 hour by car. Marshrutkas heading for Pasanauri and Stepantsminda pass the viewpoint and can stop on request.
When to go
Sunny days, April–October. Plan 20–30 minutes here.
- Stop only at the marked viewpoints; the highway is busy and fast.
- Morning light is best for photos of Ananuri across the water.
- Carry small cash for the roadside stalls.
Zhinvali Reservoir: FAQ
Why is the Zhinvali Reservoir so blue?
Fine mineral sediment carried down by the Aragvi gives the water its milky turquoise colour, which looks strongest in bright sunshine.
Can you swim in the Zhinvali Reservoir?
No. It supplies drinking water to Tbilisi, so swimming is not allowed. For a summer swim, Bazaleti Lake near Dusheti is the usual choice.
Tours that include Zhinvali Reservoir
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Zhinvali Reservoir.
