Mtskheta, Gori and Uplistsikhe by car: a one-day trip from Tbilisi
Jvari, Svetitskhoveli, the Stalin museum and a 2,000-year-old cave town in one 200 km loop on paved roads. Hour-by-hour plan, parking, tickets and the cheapest car to do it in.
Mtskheta, Gori and Uplistsikhe by car: the easiest day out of Tbilisi
If you have one free day in Tbilisi and a rental car, this is the loop to do. Mtskheta, the old capital, is half an hour away: Jvari monastery on the hill, Svetitskhoveli cathedral below it, both UNESCO sites. Gori, an hour further west on the highway, has the fortress, the Stalin museum and good cheap lunch. Fifteen minutes past Gori, Uplistsikhe is a town carved into the rock more than two thousand years ago, with tunnels, wine presses and a church on top. About 200 km in total, all on paved roads, back in Tbilisi for dinner.
By marshrutka this takes two days and a lot of waiting; by car it is one relaxed day with as many stops as you like. GO Car Rental picks you up anywhere in Tbilisi with no delivery fee, and a Toyota Prius at $35 a day covers the whole loop on less than a tank of fuel.
- 200 km, paved all the way, no 4x4 needed
- Two UNESCO sites before lunch, a cave town after
- Continue west to Borjomi, Kutaisi or Batumi instead of returning
200 km loop
A one-day plan from Tbilisi
08:30 Jvari and Mtskheta
Drive 20 minutes to Jvari monastery on its hill above the confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari, then down into Mtskheta for Svetitskhoveli cathedral, Samtavro and a coffee in the old town. Two hours.
11:30 Gori
An hour west on the E60. Gori fortress for the view, the Stalin museum for the strange history, lunch in town (khinkali, lobiani). One and a half hours.
14:00 Uplistsikhe and back
15 minutes east of Gori: the cave town carved into the rock above the Mtkvari, 1.5 hours on foot. Back in Tbilisi by 17:00, or continue west to Borjomi, Kutaisi or Batumi.
Cheap, comfortable and easy to park
A sedan is all this route needs. Families and groups of up to eight take the Sienna.
Mtskheta and Gori by car: questions
Distances, parking, tickets and how to combine the loop with a longer trip. Anything else: WhatsApp us.
How far are Mtskheta and Gori from Tbilisi?
Mtskheta is 20 km north of Tbilisi, about 30 minutes by car. Gori is 85 km west on the E60 highway, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Tbilisi, and Uplistsikhe is 15 minutes beyond Gori. The full loop is roughly 200 km and fits in one day.
Do I need a 4x4 for this trip?
No. Every road on this route is paved, including the access road to Uplistsikhe and the climb to Jvari monastery. A Toyota Prius at $35 a day is the ideal car: cheap to run and easy to park in Mtskheta.
Where do I park in Mtskheta?
There is a large paid car park at the entrance to the old town near Svetitskhoveli (a few lari); the pedestrian streets around the cathedral are closed to cars. At Jvari there is free parking at the top.
What does Uplistsikhe cost and how long does it take?
The cave town is open daily; entry is around 15 GEL for adults. Allow 1.5 hours, wear proper shoes and bring water, there is little shade on the rock.
Can I combine this with a Kakheti or Kazbegi trip?
Yes. Mtskheta sits at the start of the Georgian Military Highway, so many travelers stop there on the way to Kazbegi. Gori and Uplistsikhe are on the way west to Kutaisi and Batumi, ideal as the first stop of a one-way Tbilisi to Batumi rental.
Is one day enough?
For Mtskheta, Gori and Uplistsikhe, yes, with an early start. Add Ateni Sioni church and the Ateni gorge south of Gori for a longer day, or sleep in Gori and continue to Borjomi the next morning.
Book a car for tomorrow’s day trip
Pick up in Tbilisi with no delivery fee, insurance and unlimited mileage included, pay 15% online.