Things to Do and Sightseeing Tours in Mtskheta
The ancient capital of Georgia, Mtskheta, is home to UNESCO-listed monuments, while the town feels like a museum itself. Just 20 kilometres from Tbilisi, the town stands at the confluence of Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers. Its closely clustered centre has cobbled streets, red-tiled pitched roofs and mediaeval churches rising above low residential houses.
Archaeological remains around the town preserve evidence of royal residences, fortifications, temples and Georgia’s pre-Christian, pagan religious traditions. In the 4th century, Mtskheta became the centre of Georgia’s conversion to Christianity.
According to Georgian ecclesiastical tradition, Saint Nino of Cappadocia came to Mtskheta carrying a cross made from grapevine branches. The distinctive sacred grapevine cross remains one of the best-known symbols of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Mtskheta’s religious heritage is dominated by some of the country’s most important mediaeval architecture. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral has an exceptional place in religious, architectural and literary history of Georgia.
In our Mtskheta travel guide, you’ll find the major sights, their historical context, and practical information for planning your visit. You will learn about the former capital, its churches and surrounding sites, and how they shaped Georgia’s political and Christian history.
Mtskheta Tours
Mtskheta sightseeing tours usually combine Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, with views across the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. Most itineraries also allow time to walk through the old centre before returning to Tbilisi.
Our Mtskheta and Jvari tour takes 3-4 hours, with pickup from your Tbilisi hotel and return transport included. A private guide and driver accompany you between the sights. Guests can add a Georgian lunch and wine tasting at Nebi Winery in Chardakhi by prior arrangement.
Longer Mtskheta day trips combine the town with Tbilisi, then continue to Gori and the cave town of Uplistsikhe. These routes take eight to ten hours, including the return journey.
The Kartli Wine Tour pairs church visits with tastings at Château Mukhrani and Merebashvili Winery. At this family cellar, the programme includes lunch and an introduction to traditional qvevri winemaking.
Private Mtskheta guided tours are available throughout the year. Mtskheta also features in longer private and small-group Georgia tours, including itineraries covering Kazbegi and Kakheti.
Best Time to Visit Mtskheta
The best time to visit Mtskheta is autumn, particularly September and October, when the weather is ideal for sightseeing. With fewer visitors than in summer, it is an excellent time to explore the town’s historic sites at a relaxed pace, followed by a wine-tasting session.
Spring is another good choice for Mtskheta day trips, especially during April and May. The surrounding hills turn green, while milder temperatures suit walks between the town’s historical sites. Orthodox Easter brings overnight church services, with the date changing each year.
In summer, long evenings allow time for Mtskheta attractions, nearby monasteries and dinner before returning to Tbilisi. July and August are the hottest months, and temperatures can exceed 30°C (86°F). Visit exposed archaeological sites and hilltop viewpoints early, then pause for lunch before continuing in the late afternoon.
Winter features short days, cold mornings and occasional snow on the town’s roofs and surrounding hills. Orthodox Christmas on 7 January is an opportunity to attend services alongside local worshippers.
History of Mtskheta
Mtskheta’s history closely follows Georgia’s development, from the ancient kingdoms of Kartli and Iberia, through the era of pagan worship and the adoption of Christianity, to the construction of important mediaeval churches. Archaeological finds date settlement in the area to the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC. Georgian tradition names Mtskhetos, son of Kartlos, descended from Japheth, son of Noah, the legendary ancestor of the Georgians, as the city’s founder.
By the 3rd century BC, Mtskheta was the capital of Kartli, the eastern Georgian kingdom also known as Iberia. Trade connected it with the Roman and Persian worlds. “Greater Mtskheta” spread across both banks of the Mtkvari, with fortified districts, workshops, bathhouses and royal residences.
Armaztsikhe-Bagineti, the royal citadel, took its name from Armazi, the kingdom’s chief pagan deity. The Roman general Pompey attacked in 65 BC, but Mtskheta recovered and remained Iberia’s capital.
Georgian tradition credits Saint Nino of Cappadocia with converting King Mirian III and Queen Nana in the 4th century. Christianity became the kingdom’s official religion in the 4th century, when the first wooden church appeared at Svetitskhoveli. A stone basilica replaced it in the 5th century.
King Dachi I transferred the capital to Tbilisi in the early 6th century, following his father Vakhtang I Gorgasali’s wishes. Mtskheta remained the seat of the catholicos, the head of the Georgian Church. Jvari’s main church was built around AD 600.
The Arab forces devastated the city in the 730s. In the 11th century, Catholicos Melchizedek I commissioned today’s Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built by Arsukidze between 1010 and 1029. Tamerlane’s forces attacked in the early 15th century, severely damaging Mtskheta’s cathedral.
By 1801, when eastern Georgia came under Russian rule, Mtskheta had declined to a village. The Poti to Tbilisi railway reached the town in 1872, helping revive its economy.
A 1973 development plan recognised Mtskheta as a town museum and prioritised preserving its historical sites and traditional townscape. In 1994, Jvari, Svetitskhoveli and Samtavro were inscribed together on Mtskheta’s UNESCO World Heritage List. In 2014, the Georgian Church gave Mtskheta the title of “Holy City”, reinforcing its role as Georgia’s spiritual centre and pilgrimage destination.
Things to Do in Mtskheta
Religious heritage, archaeology and former role as Georgia’s capital define most things to do in Mtskheta. The primary Mtskheta attractions stand close together, but their history stretches from pagan Iberia to mediaeval Christianity.
Celebrated on 14 October, Mtskhetoba centres on Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and commemorates the Christ’s Robe and the miraculous Life-Giving Pillar. According to the tradition, Elias had brought the Robe of Christ to Mtskheta and showed it to his sister Sidonia. Upon touching the holy robe, she died from the sheer emotion of the moment, and the robe remained clasped in her hands. Sidonia was buried with the holy relic. A cedar tree later grew over her grave and was used to craft the miraculous “Life-Giving Pillar” of the church that gave Svetitskhoveli its name.
Places to Visit in Mtskheta
Three of the major places to visit in Mtskheta form the UNESCO-listed Historical Monuments of Mtskheta. These are Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Jvari Monastery and Samtavro Monastery. Other Mtskheta historical sites reflect the royal, defensive and pre-Christian history of Georgia’s ancient capital.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
In “The Right Hand of the Grand Master”, Konstantine Gamsakhurdia describes Svetitskhoveli as “a cherished sight at any time”. He writes of it as a lizard-green hue in the morning and golden at dusk. The novel is one of Georgia’s defining historical works.
The present cathedral was built between 1010 and 1029 and was constructed over earlier churches from the 4th and 5th centuries. The cathedral also served as a major royal and ecclesiastical centre with Georgian monarchs crowned and buried here. Inside, visitors can see royal tombs, surviving wall paintings, and a stone structure symbolising the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Jvari Monastery
Rising on a rocky hill above Mtskheta, Jvari Monastery overlooks the meeting of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. According to Georgian legend, Saint Nino erected a wooden cross here after Iberia’s conversion to Christianity.
A small church was built in the 6th century, followed by the present main church, constructed around 600. Its tetraconch plan and central dome made it an influential model for later mediaeval Georgian church architecture. Jvari means “cross” in Georgian, with this particular one referring to Saint Nino’s cross. The monastery remains an important pilgrimage site and forms part of the UNESCO-listed Historical Monuments of Mtskheta.
Samtavro Monastery
North of Svetitskhoveli, Samtavro reflects Georgia’s conversion to Christianity, as Saint Nino lived and prayed here. The complex lies within walking distance of Svetitskhoveli and includes a functioning nunnery. Its main church dates from the 11th century, and Georgia’s first Christian rulers, Mirian III and Queen Nana, are buried here.
Ruins of Bebris Tsikhe Fortress
Standing north of Mtskheta, Bebris Tsikhe Fortress once controlled the narrow approach into the town through the Aragvi Valley. Earlier sources call it Beltis Tsikhe, and archaeological layers around the site date from both ancient and mediaeval periods.
Its triangular citadel had three corner towers, with the largest surviving to three floors. The towers still preserve arrow slits and traces of rooms once used by the fortress garrison. Its present name means “Fortress of an Old Man”.
Antioch of Mtskheta Church
Antioch Church (St Stephen Church of Mtskheta) is an early Christian temple linked with the first centuries of Christianity in Georgia. Its modest scale contrasts sharply with Mtskheta’s larger mediaeval churches and cathedrals.
Mtskheta Vicinities
Several important Mtskheta churches and historical sites lie beyond the old centre and are better to reach by car.
About 9 kilometres west of Mtskheta, Shiomgvime Monastery lies in a dry valley above Mtkvari River. Saint Shio, one of the Assyrian Fathers, founded it in the sixth century. The complex includes his cave, the partly rock-cut Church of Saint John the Baptist, and over 100 caves in the surrounding cliffs.
On the Saguramo Range, Zedazeni Monastery was founded in the 6th century by Ioane Zedazneli, leader of the Assyrian Fathers. Set on a former pagan cult site, the road climbs through woodland before reaching the monastery and its wide views over the surrounding valleys.
Saguramo features another historical layer through the Ilia Chavchavadze House Museum, located in the writer’s former home. Its collection includes manuscripts, photographs, personal possessions and furniture of one of the founding fathers of Georgia - Ilia Chavchavadze.
Travellers with more time can also continue to Armazi Fortress, Mukhrani Fortress or Ksani Fortress.
Mtskheta Museums
Mtskheta can be experienced as an open-air museum, with archaeological remains, mediaeval churches and historic streets forming one continuous landscape. The UNESCO-listed monuments stand alongside archaeological sites that trace Mtskheta back to its pre-Christian past.
The Great Mtskheta State Archaeological Museum-Reserve brings together major archaeological sites and finds from ancient Mtskheta. The reserve covers approximately 30 hectares and includes Armaztsikhe-Bagineti, Armaziskhevi, the Samtavro archaeological field and other excavated areas. Objects discovered across these Mtskheta historical sites include jewellery, coins, weapons, glassware, inscriptions, household items and children’s toys.
Armaztsikhe-Bagineti is one of the most important archaeological attractions within the Mtskheta museum-reserve. Once the royal citadel and residence of the rulers of ancient Iberia, the site preserves defensive walls, palace remains, and wine cellar. Archaeologists have identified several construction phases beginning in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.
Theatres in Mtskheta
Mtskheta has a small but active local theatre and cultural scene. Mtskheta Drama Theatre takes part in municipal cultural programmes, with performances scheduled around local events and festivals. The municipal Konstantine Gamsakhurdia Cultural Centre hosts concerts, children’s theatre and community performances throughout the year. Its children’s troupe has staged The Wishing Tree, based on stories by acclaimed Georgian writer Giorgi Leonidze.
Programmes are usually smaller and less regular than in Tbilisi, so check current schedules before visiting. During Mtskhetoba, the town’s programme often includes concerts, theatre performances and other public cultural events.
Entertainment, Parks and Shopping
Entertainment
Mtskheta’s public celebrations include outdoor concerts at Teatroni Park, beside the Aragvi River. Check municipal announcements for performances during your visit. Gift stalls, cafés and small visitor businesses around Svetitskhoveli reflect the importance of Mtskheta tourism to the old centre. Between events and sightseeing, visitors can walk along the riverbank or browse the souvenir streets around Svetitskhoveli.
Parks and Walking Areas
You can cover the old town on foot, following the lanes from Svetitskhoveli towards Antioch of Mtskheta Church and the riverbank. The confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers lies below Jvari Monastery, where the two waterways meet beside Mtskheta.
Teatroni Park, beside the Aragvi River, is one of Mtskheta’s larger open green spaces. The surrounding area includes an outdoor basketball court and also features public events. A major redevelopment of the riverside territory is currently planned, with new recreational and walking infrastructure proposed.
Mikheil Mamulashvili Garden belonged to the Georgian gardener and floral artist. Mature trees and arrangements of plants and stones surround the family home. This remains private property, with visits depending on the family’s availability, so ask permission before entering.
Samtavro’s grounds contain flower gardens and shaded areas within the convent walls. You can pause here between visits to Mtskheta attractions, while respecting the convent’s dress requirements and quiet surroundings.
For longer woodland walks, head to Saguramo Ridge, part of Tbilisi National Park. Its forests cover the Saguramo Range and include walking routes and historical sites such as Zedazeni Monastery. One marked path begins in Saguramo village and crosses the ridge towards St Grigoli Khandzteli Church. Check current trail conditions before setting out, as routes and access points may change.
Shopping in Mtskheta
Shopping perfectly fits into Mtskheta day trips, with gift stalls lining Arsukidze Street and the lanes around Svetitskhoveli. Browse pottery, scarves, woollen hats and drinking horns.
Minankari jewellery adds coloured enamel to rings, earrings and pendants. Art Gallery Nino sells enamelwork, silver jewellery and felt accessories. For ceramics made in Mtskheta, Eldar Mamaladze’s workshop stands near Svetitskhoveli at 28 Gamsakhurdia Street. Its products include household pottery, decorative plates and small sculptures.
Edible souvenirs include churchkhela, spices and Georgian wine. Churchkhela consists of nuts threaded onto string and coated in grape juice thickened with flour. Choose securely packed products for travelling, and ask sellers to wrap pottery separately.
Note: Carry some cash in small banknotes for street stalls, and compare prices before buying.
Food in Mtskheta
Mtskheta has a broad choice of Georgian restaurants, family-style dining rooms and cafés despite its small size. Traditional dishes dominate, while newer cafés around the historic centre add speciality coffee, pastries and lighter meals.
Mtskheturi ghvezeli (Mtskheta pie), a meat-filled pastry closely associated with the town, deserves particular attention. Its preparation tradition entered Georgia’s national register of intangible cultural heritage in 2023.
Georgian Cuisine
Alongside Mtskheturi gvezeli, look for Georgian staples such as khinkali, khachapuri, mtsvadi (pork barbecue), lobiani and seasonal vegetable dishes.
Tsiskvili in Mtskheta specialises in Georgian cuisine and is particularly popular for its khinkali and grilled meat. The restaurant also has terraces overlooking the Mtkvari River and Jvari area. Its Svetitskhovloba celebrations have included demonstrations of Mtskheturi pie, khinkali, churchkhela and traditional bread-making.
Restaurant Check-In Garden serves Georgian food near the historic centre, with meat dishes, trout, walnut-based salads and Georgian wine. Armazis Kheoba is another large Georgian restaurant, located near the river outside the old-town streets. Khinkali, mtsvadi and other traditional meat dishes form much of its menu.
Salobie is particularly popular for an excellent lobio (bean stew), served in a clay pot with mchadi (cornbread). It stands on the road outside central Mtskheta and has long been a popular stop between Tbilisi and the old capital. The restaurant began in the late 1960s as a small roadside bakery selling Mtskheta-style savoury pies.
A local legend later linked the site with Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. According to the story, he stopped nearby for spring water during his 1829 journey through Georgia. Lobio and mchadi were added soon after opening and later became the restaurant’s signature dishes.
Vegetarian Restaurants and Options
Mtskheta has no dedicated vegetarian restaurant, but several places serve a good range of meat-free dishes.
Tatin - Cafe & Hotel in Mtskheta features vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary options, combining Georgian and European food. Adacafe has one of the notable vegetarian selections. The menu includes hummus, eggplant salad, Georgian salad, mushrooms with cheese and several other vegetarian dishes.
Traditional Georgian cooking also provides plenty of meat-free choices. Look for lobio, lobiani, pkhali, eggplant rolls, ajapsandali, mushroom dishes and Georgian salad with walnuts. Vegans should confirm ingredients, since butter, cheese or other dairy products may appear in some meals.
Coffee Houses, Bakeries and Patisseries
Mtskheta now has several proper café options around the historic centre rather than only restaurant coffee. Sasperia Café, on Sanapiro Street, serves speciality coffee, breakfast, pastries and desserts. Its menu includes espresso drinks, mini khachapuri, mini lobiani, Mtskheta-style pie, pelamushi, apple pie and walnut cake.
Tatin - Cafe & Hotel in Mtskheta is also a good stop for coffee and dessert. Tarte Tatin, apple strudel and crêpes appear among its documented offerings. Pastry Lab: Coffee Edition stands beside Svetitskhoveli and focuses on coffee and pastries. It is a convenient option for a short break while exploring the old centre.
City Transport
Walking is the easiest way to reach central Mtskheta attractions, including Svetitskhoveli and Samtavro. Wear comfortable shoes for the cobbled streets.
Taxis in Mtskheta
Local taxis usually wait near the main square and the entrance to Svetitskhoveli. They are useful for reaching Jvari, Shiomgvime and other sites outside the centre. Bolt also operates in Mtskheta, although driver availability can be limited.
For street taxis, agree on the fare before departure and confirm whether waiting time or additional stops are included. A one-way ride to Jvari is typically around GEL 15, while longer Mtskheta monastery trips cost more.
Mtskheta Buses
Municipal bus 1 connects Narekvavi and the Armazi neighbourhood through central Mtskheta. TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia cards are accepted; check other payment options before boarding.
Reaching Nearby Monasteries
Arrange a taxi or private driver for Jvari, Shiomgvime and Zedazeni when combining several monastery visits. Agree on a return pickup rather than relying on finding another taxi at the monastery. Zedazeni is approached through Saguramo, with a paved road climbing towards the complex.
How to Get to Mtskheta
Mtskheta is easy to reach from Tbilisi by bus, taxi or car. The journey usually takes under an hour.
By Bus
Municipal bus 2 connects the Didube metro area in Tbilisi with Mtskheta. Shared minibuses, called marshrutka, also depart from Didube bus station and cost around 2 GEL. It takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic. Carry small cash and confirm the return stop and last departure before leaving.
By Car
Travel to Mtskheta by taxi, rental car or private transfer from Tbilisi. The drive generally takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic and your starting point. A private driver can include Jvari and other nearby stops when agreed in advance.
Languages Spoken in Mtskheta
Georgian is the main language spoken in Mtskheta. English is commonly used by guides and service staff, while Russian is also widespread. Keep destination names saved in Georgian when arranging transport or visiting smaller businesses.
Mtskheta lies within the Kartlian dialect area, which also includes Gori and Kaspi. Kartlian is almost the same as standard Georgian and provided a foundation for the country’s literary language.
The town’s ancient inscriptions reveal another linguistic layer, including the 2nd-century Armazi bilingual inscription, known as the Stele of Serapeitis, discovered in 1940. Written in Greek and Aramaic, it commemorates Serapeitis, a young woman who died aged 21.
At Jvari Monastery, look for inscriptions in Asomtavruli, an early Georgian script, dating from around AD 600. Carved beside exterior reliefs, they name Jvari’s rulers and use lettering distinct from modern Georgian Mkhedruli.
Security
Mtskheta is generally a safe place for tourists and has long been familiar with large numbers of visitors. Among Georgia’s most popular tourist destinations, Mtskheta is an important centre for both international and domestic tourism.
The crime rate in Georgia is generally low, although normal precautions with valuables remain advisable in crowded areas. Visitors should also take care on uneven cobbled streets and around archaeological sites, particularly after rain.