Mtskheta
Georgia's ancient capital and spiritual centre, 20 km from Tbilisi, home to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Samtavro, with Jvari on the hill above.
MtskhetaPhoto: Jelger Groeneveld, CC BY 2.0Mtskheta sits where the Aragvi River flows into the Mtkvari (Kura), 20 km north of Tbilisi. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Iberia from about the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD, and it is still the seat of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The town is small and easy to walk. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral fills the walled centre, Samtavro Monastery is a short walk north, and Jvari Monastery looks down from the hill across the river. Together they form the Historical Monuments of Mtskheta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
The old streets around the cathedral are lined with souvenir stalls, churchkhela sellers and restaurants serving lobio and khinkali. Weekends and church holidays bring large crowds, especially Svetitskhovloba on 14 October, the town's main festival. Mtskheta is an easy half-day trip from Tbilisi, and many travellers stop here on the way north along the Georgian Military Road to Ananuri and Kazbegi. Staying overnight lets you see the cathedral floodlit and the streets quiet after the tour groups leave.
History
Mtskheta was the capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from around the 3rd century BC until the late 5th or early 6th century, when the royal seat moved to Tbilisi. In 337 King Mirian III proclaimed Christianity the state religion after the preaching of St Nino, making Iberia one of the first Christian states. The town remained the seat of the head of the Georgian church, and many Georgian kings, including Vakhtang Gorgasali and Erekle II, are buried in Svetitskhoveli.
What to see and do
- Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in its walled courtyard
- Samtavro Monastery and the grave of St Gabriel
- Jvari Monastery and its view over the river confluence
- Old streets with churchkhela, wine and craft stalls
- Riverside walks along the Aragvi
How to visit
Getting there
Mtskheta is 20 km north of Tbilisi, about 30 minutes by car. Marshrutkas leave frequently from Didube bus station and stop near the centre, and taxis from Tbilisi are easy to book by app.
When to go
April–June and September–October; weekdays for fewer crowds. Plan half a day here.
- Women should cover their hair and wear a skirt in the churches; wraps are usually available at the entrance, and men should not wear shorts.
- Jvari is on a hill across the Aragvi; most visitors reach it by taxi or car, so plan it as a separate stop.
- Arrive early on weekends, when tour groups and wedding parties fill the centre by late morning.
- Combine with Ananuri and the Zhinvali Reservoir viewpoint for a full day on the Military Road.
Mtskheta: FAQ
Is Mtskheta worth visiting?
Yes. It is Georgia's most important religious centre and one of its oldest towns, and its three main monuments form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is close enough to Tbilisi for a half-day trip.
How do I get from Tbilisi to Mtskheta?
Take a marshrutka from Didube bus station, a taxi, or drive the 20 km in about 30 minutes. Organised tours often combine Mtskheta with Jvari and Ananuri.
Tours that include Mtskheta
Read more in our guides
Photo: Alexxx1979, CC BY-SA 4.0A day-by-day loop from Tbilisi through Uplistsikhe, Kazbegi and Kakheti, showing how long each drive takes, where to eat and sleep, and realistic 2026 costs.
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0When to go for hiking, wine, beaches or skiing, with monthly weather for Tbilisi, the coast and the Caucasus and the festivals worth timing a trip for.
Photo: Jelger Groeneveld, CC BY 2.0Twelve trips out of the capital, from Mtskheta and Kazbegi to Sighnaghi, Uplistsikhe and David Gareja, with distances, transport options and which places deserve a night.
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Mtskheta.
