Vardzia Weather
Vardzia weather is drier and more extreme than most visitors expect. At ~1,300 m in the Mtkvari canyon, the cave monastery gets only about 494 mm of rain a year. In August the thermometer climbs to about 28 °C (83 °F) and the cliff face soaks up the heat, while January nights average about -10 °C (14 °F), with snow usually lying from December to February. June and September, warm, dry and not too busy, are the best months to explore the caves.
Vardzia weather: 7-day forecast
Forecast for 41.381° N, 43.284° E, 1,300 m, updated through the day: data from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). The monthly averages below are long-term climate, not a forecast.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain | Rain days | Cloud cover | Daylight | Sunrise–sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2° | −10° | 18 mm | 5 | 38% | 9.5 h | 08:31–18:00 |
| February | 3° | −9° | 20 mm | 5 | 39% | 10.6 h | 08:03–18:39 |
| March | 9° | −4° | 25 mm | 6 | 39% | 11.9 h | 07:21–19:12 |
| April | 15° | 2° | 47 mm | 9 | 40% | 13.3 h | 06:29–19:46 |
| May | 20° | 6° | 82 mm | 14 | 38% | 14.5 h | 05:49–20:17 |
| June | 24° | 9° | 76 mm | 12 | 35% | 15.1 h | 05:33–20:41 |
| July | 28° | 13° | 52 mm | 9 | 31% | 14.9 h | 05:46–20:40 |
| August | 28° | 12° | 49 mm | 8 | 27% | 13.9 h | 06:15–20:08 |
| September | 24° | 8° | 45 mm | 7 | 25% | 12.5 h | 06:46–19:18 |
| October | 18° | 4° | 33 mm | 6 | 29% | 11.2 h | 07:17–18:28 |
| November | 11° | −1° | 28 mm | 6 | 35% | 9.9 h | 07:55–17:49 |
| December | 4° | −6° | 19 mm | 5 | 37% | 9.2 h | 08:26–17:38 |
| Year | 15° | 2° | 494 mm | 92 | 34% |
Estimated for this exact spot: 1991–2020 averages of the nearest weather stations, carried across the mountains and valleys with a 1 km climate model (CHELSA) and checked against more than 100 Georgian stations (typical error about 1 °C and 15% of the rain). Cloud cover: CHELSA 1981–2010. Daylight and sunrise are for the 15th of each month (Georgia keeps UTC+4 all year). A rain day has at least 1 mm.
Vardzia weather through the year
SpringMar–May
March is still wintry, with highs of about 9 °C and lows of -4 °C. April warms to 15 °C and May to 20 °C, though May is the wettest month (about 82 mm on 14 days) and April the cloudiest. The canyon turns green and the Mtkvari runs high with snowmelt. Wet rock steps and tunnels can be slippery, so good soles matter.
Highs 9° to 20° · lows −4° to 6° · 154 mm rain
SummerJun–Aug
June is ideal at about 24 °C, with nights near 9 °C. July and August reach 28 °C, and the exposed cliff, its terraces and stairways get hot by late morning, with little shade outside the caves themselves. Arrive at opening time or come late in the afternoon. Rain is infrequent, eight or nine days a month. Khertvisi Fortress and Tmogvi Fortress make good stops on the same day.
Highs 24° to 28° · lows 9° to 13° · 177 mm rain
AutumnSep–Nov
September is the clearest month (25% cloud) and arguably the best: afternoons of about 24 °C and nights of 8 °C. October is still pleasant at 18 °C, with only about 33 mm of rain, and the valley turns gold. November cools to about 11 °C, with nights around freezing.
Highs 11° to 24° · lows −1° to 8° · 106 mm rain
WinterDec–Feb
Winter weather in Vardzia is cold but very dry: January brings only about 18 mm of precipitation, the least of any month, along with highs of 2 °C and lows near -10 °C. Snow normally lies in the canyon through the three winter months. The site is usually open, and the caves are eerily quiet, but ice on the steps and on the canyon road needs care, and the shaded paths are chilly.
Highs 2° to 4° · lows −10° to −6° · 57 mm rain
Best time to visit Vardzia
The best time to visit Vardzia is June or September: days of about 24 °C are warm enough for the climb through the caves without the midday glare of high summer. May and October are also good, greener in May and quieter in October. In July and August, arrive when the site opens and combine it with Vanis Kvabebi before the heat builds. Vardzia weather by month makes winter the choice only for those happy with frosty paths and short days, with sunset around 17:40 in December.
Vardzia is carved into the sheer cliff of the Erusheti mountain, and that rock face behaves like a storage heater. On a summer afternoon the stone, the open terraces and the stairways give off heat long after the air starts to cool, while inside the caves it stays noticeably fresher. Plan the outdoor stretches for the morning, rest in the cave rooms and the church, and carry more water than you think you will need.
What to pack for Vardzia
- Shoes with grippy soles for worn stone steps
- Hat and water for midday on the cliff
- Torch for the darker tunnels
- A light layer for cool cave interiors and evenings
- Warm jacket and gloves for a winter visit
Vardzia weather: FAQ
Can you visit Vardzia in winter?
Yes, the site is usually open all year, but dress for real cold. January highs are only about 2 °C (35 °F), lows about -10 °C (14 °F), and snow usually lies through December, January and February. Steps and tunnels can be icy, and the canyon road from Akhaltsikhe needs care after snow. The reward is having the caves almost to yourself.
What time of day is best to visit Vardzia in summer?
Early morning. July and August highs average 27 to 28 °C (81 to 83 °F), and the cliff gets hot by late morning. Arrive at opening, explore the upper caves first, and leave the hottest hours for lunch by the river. Late afternoon also works, but check the closing time and the last marshrutka back if you rely on public transport.
Is Vardzia rainy?
Not very: about 494 mm a year, less than Akhaltsikhe's 530 mm. May is the wettest month, with about 82 mm on 14 days, while winter is very dry, around 20 mm or less a month from December to February. Summer rain is scattered, falling on eight or nine days a month in July and August, with highs near 28 °C (82 °F).
Is Vardzia cold in October?
Pleasant by day, cold at night. October highs average about 18 °C (65 °F), cloud cover is low at 29% and so is rainfall, but nights fall to about 4 °C (39 °F). Bring a jacket for early starts and late finishes; the climb itself will warm you up.
Weather nearby
July and January average highs, nearest first.
Places with this weather
Sights and villages close to Vardzia and at a similar height.
Tours that visit Vardzia
Not sure the weather will suit your plans?
We check the forecast for Vardzia every week. Message us your dates and we will tell you what to expect and what to pack.
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