Georgia · Culture

4-Hour Mtskheta Cultural Tour with Wine Tasting and Jvari Monastery

4 Hours Round trip from Mtskheta Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Discover ancient beauty at Jvari Monastery, perched majestically atop a hill
02 Marvel at the architectural splendour of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
03 Immerse yourself in Mtskheta's vibrant market, with colourful displays of local crafts
04 Indulge in a sensory journey through Georgia's wine-making traditions

Discover Georgia's spiritual and cultural heritage on this half-day tour to Mtskheta, the country's ancient capital. Visit the historic Jvari Monastery, explore Mtskheta city, and marvel at the architectural splendour of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Stroll through the local market, enjoy a Georgian wine tasting, and continue to the impressive Chronicles of Georgia monument with panoramic views of the Tbilisi Sea.

Visit the Chronicles of Georgia, an impressive monument celebrating the nation's history with panoramic views of the Tbilisi Sea.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Tbilisi, Mtskheta

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Jvari Monastery, Mtskheta and Georgian Wine Tasting

We will start with pick-up from your hotel.
Our first stop will be Jvari Monastery.
Following that, we'll explore Mtskheta city.
Next, we'll visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
Then, we'll take a stroll through the local market.
Afterward, you'll have the opportunity for a wine tasting.
Visit the Chronicles of Georgia, an impressive monument celebrating the nation's history with panoramic views of the Tbilisi Sea.
Finally, we'll return you to your hotel.

Where this trip takes you

Jvari Monastery, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Chronicles of Georgia, Tbilisi Sea

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Mtskheta 2 cities · 4 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Private transportation and a driver
Certified tour guide
A bottle of water
Georgian wine tasting
Pick-up and drop-off from/to hotel

What's Not Included

Expenses for additional activities, personal shopping, or entertainment.

What to bring

Women need scarves to enter churches and cover their heads.
Some cash on hand for lunch or souvenirs (about 200 GEL).
Jackets, as it can be windy. Depending on the weather, you may also need a raincoat, an umbrella, and hats for sun protection.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for rock climbing.

Know before you go

Rules for entering churches in Georgia:
- Orthodox Christianity is practiced in Georgia, necessitating adherence to certain guidelines when entering churches.
Women's attire restrictions:
- Prohibited clothing:
  - Trousers, shorts, short skirts, or bare shoulders are not permitted.
- Attire recommendations:
  - Women should wear long skirts or wrap a large scarf around themselves. Many churches provide wraparound dresses for borrowing.
- Head covering:
  - Women must cover their heads with a scarf upon entering a church.
Recommendation for women:
- It's advisable for women to carry 1 or 2 scarves to ensure hassle-free entry into churches in Georgia.
Men's attire restrictions:
- Prohibited clothing:
  - Men are prohibited from wearing shorts or exposing bare shoulders.
- Required attire:
  - Full-length trousers and covered shoulders are mandatory. Failure to comply may result in denial of entry or necessitate wearing a wraparound dress.
- Hat etiquette:
  - Men should remove any type of hat before entering a church.
Jvari Monastery
- VI century church and monastery
- Located in the east of Mtskheta, at the mouth of the rivers Mtkvari and Aragvi, on a rocky mountain peak
- Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List
Mtskheta City Tour
- Old capital of Georgia (Kartli kingdom)
- Significant for its association with the spread of Christianity by St. Nino in the 4th century
- Must-see destination in Georgia
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
- Main patriarchal cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church
- Mother Cathedral of Georgia
- Site of the enthronement of Georgian Catholicos-Patriarchs
- Burial place of many kings, their family members, and patriarchs
- Monument of Georgian architecture from the XI century
- One of the four great cathedrals
Samtavro Monastery
- The complex includes the main temple, St. Nino's Church, a bell tower, and a fence with a tower.
- The main temple dates back to the 11th century.
- The small St. Nino's Church was originally built by King Mirian in the 4th century.
- The history of the Samtavro Nunnery dates back to 1820.
- The monastery played a role in preserving monastic life during the Soviet period.
- It offers workshops such as candle making, art, and sewing.
- It produces separate editions, including "Principality" and a book of memoirs about monk Gabriel titled "Monk's Diadem".
- It is a noteworthy historical and cultural monument in Mtskheta.