Mtskheta, Georgia: travel guide
Georgia's ancient royal and spiritual capital at the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers, home to the UNESCO Historical Monuments of Mtskheta — Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery.
- Country
- Georgia
- Currency
- GEL
- Time zone
- Asia/Tbilisi
- Nearest airport
- TBS
Top places to visit in Mtskheta
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
Church · about 1 h
The 11th-century Cathedral of the Living Pillar, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Georgia's most sacred church — traditional burial place of Christ's robe and the coronation church of Georgian kings.
Jvari Monastery
Monastery · about 0.8 h
A 6th-century monastery on a hilltop above the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers, a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece of early Georgian architecture with a sweeping view over Mtskheta.
Samtavro Monastery
Monastery · about 0.7 h
An 11th-century church and active nunnery in Mtskheta holding the tombs of King Mirian and Queen Nana, the first Christian rulers of Georgia, and relics of St Nino.
Shiomghvime Monastery
Monastery · about 1 h
A remote medieval cave-monastery complex founded in the 6th century by St Shio in a rocky limestone canyon northwest of Mtskheta, still a working monastery.
Bebris Tsikhe Fortress
Fort · about 0.5 h
Ruined medieval fortress guarding the northern approach to Mtskheta along the Aragvi River, its stone walls and towers dating from the early second millennium.
Things to do
- Mtskheta Ancient Capital Tour Cultural · 4 h · from GEL 100 per person
Where to stay in Mtskheta
- Mtskheta Old Town about GEL 140 per night
Small historic centre around Svetitskhoveli Cathedral — a quiet, atmospheric overnight close to Tbilisi.
Hotels
- Hotel Old Capital 3-star · GEL 130 to GEL 260 per night
- Guesthouse Mtskheta Inn 3-star · GEL 80 to GEL 160 per night
Where to eat
- Salobie Georgian · about GEL 25 per person
- Cafe Old Capital Georgian · about GEL 35 per person
Getting around
- Minibus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.