Mtskheta & Jvari Day Trip from Tbilisi: Ancient Monasteries & Relics
Standing inside a 6th-century monastery overlooking two rivers reveals a nation's faith.
You climb to a 6th-century monastery overlooking two rivers, then descend into Georgia's ancient capital to visit the cathedral that holds Christian relics and the graves of the first Christian king and queen. Transport, guide and entry to all three temples are included. The day runs about six to seven hours round-trip from Tbilisi, and you don't arrange anything yourself.
Options for this experience
4 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Explore Mtskheta's religious landmarks
- Walk through historic Mtskheta streets
- Visit Jvari Monastery and view Mtskheta
- Tour Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
- See relics and learn cathedral history
- Stroll to Samtavro temple
- Visit graves of King Mirian and Queen Nana
- View miraculous blackberry bush
What’s included
Your day includes hotel or central Tbilisi pickup, air-conditioned transport between all three sites, a qualified guide throughout, and entry fees to Jvari Monastery, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Samtavro temple. The vehicle waits between stops so you move at a set pace without managing your own logistics.
Times
- Every day 12:00
Before you book
Operated by ushba travel
Prices and times updated 11 days ago
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The experience
Hands pressed together in prayer, eyes closed in front of stone that has held the faithful for fourteen centuries. That's the moment most people remember from Mtskheta. You're standing inside Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the patriarchal seat of the Georgian Orthodox Church, where the tunic of Jesus Christ and the mantle of Elijah the Prophet are buried. Your guide walks you through the weight of it: this is where King Mirian and Queen Nana chose to be laid to rest after bringing Christianity to Georgia in the 4th century. It's not just a building. It's the reason Georgia calls itself Christian at all.
The day starts with a climb to Jvari Monastery, a 6th-century temple perched on a ridge where two rivers meet: the Aragva and the Kura, flowing together like the poem Lermontov wrote about this exact view. You walk the path that inspired Russian writers and travelers for two hundred years, passing through the landscape of "Mtsyri" itself. The monastery sits at the top, and from there Mtskheta spreads below you, the old capital, the religious heart. An air-conditioned vehicle brings you from Tbilisi and waits between stops, so you're not managing transport or timing yourself. The guide handles the rhythm of the day.
After Jvari you descend into Mtskheta proper for Svetitskhoveli, then walk to Samtavro temple, where a blackberry bush grows in the courtyard. It's been cut down repeatedly over centuries and keeps growing back: locals say it's miraculous, a living thing tied to Saint Nino, the woman who converted Georgia and lived under that same bush, preaching. Her relics are here, and so are those of Gabriel Samtavrii. You're moving between three sites that shaped an entire nation's faith, and a qualified guide is translating not just the facts but the why: why Georgians call Mtskheta their second Jerusalem, why this place matters to the soul of the country.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want to understand Georgian Christianity and its history without arranging transport, tickets or timing yourself: the fixed itinerary and included guide are what make three sacred sites fit into one coherent day.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Russian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 10 years).
How long is the tour from Tbilisi?
Approximately six to seven hours round-trip, including travel time and stops at all three sites.
What's included in the price?
Air-conditioned vehicle transport, a qualified guide, and entry to Jvari Monastery, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Samtavro temple.
Is there a lot of walking?
Yes, you climb to Jvari Monastery and walk between the temples in Mtskheta. The route is suitable for all fitness levels, though the uphill to Jvari takes about 20–30 minutes.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, group tours require advance booking. Check availability and confirm your departure time when you reserve.
What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes and modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered) are appropriate for the temples.
Mtskheta & Jvari Day Trip from Tbilisi: Ancient Monasteries & Relics
5h · EN +1
from US$ 20 per person
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