Georgia by Car
Full day · 8–9 hrs Central Georgia · Cave town

Uplistsikhe Day Tour from Tbilisi

One of the oldest settlements in the Caucasus: a city carved into a sandstone cliff above the Mtkvari river over 3,500 years ago, with rooms, wine cellars, a theatre and a church all cut from solid rock. We combine it with the medieval fortress town of Gori, and often add Mtskheta for a full day of central Georgia.

  • 8–9 hoursFull day, door to door
  • Private groupJust your party
  • Hotel pickupFrom your Tbilisi hotel
  • Driver-guideEnglish-speaking
  • ≈ 200 kmRound trip
  • Year-roundAny season

Highlights

  • Uplistsikhe — a city carved in rock with streets, rooms, a theatre and a basilica church
  • The panoramic view from the top of Uplistsikhe over the Mtkvari river plain
  • Gori fortress — a hilltop castle dominating the town of Gori from above
  • Optional stop at Mtskheta and Jvari on the way out or back
  • The landscapes of the Mtkvari valley — dry, wide and historically rich

About this tour

Uplistsikhe is one of those places that takes a moment to fully comprehend. It looks like an eroded hillside at first — then the detail comes into focus: carved doorways, columns, arched ceilings, a long hall with a domed ceiling that was once a pagan temple, wine-pressing platforms, storage rooms, a small street. People lived and worked here for over three thousand years, from the early Iron Age until a Mongol raid in the 13th century ended the city's life.

The cliff also contains a 9th-century church built into older pagan structures — Christianity laid on top of older religions, all in the same rock. The views from the top of the ridge, over the wide bend of the Mtkvari and the flat agricultural plain beyond, are some of the finest in central Georgia.

Gori, 10 km down the road, has a commanding medieval fortress on a rocky hill above the town. A walk up for the view is worth it. We pair these two sites for a comfortable full day, with the option to add Mtskheta on the same road.

— The Georgia by Car team

How the day usually flows

  1. Morning · pickup in Tbilisi

    We head west on the main highway — Uplistsikhe is about 80 km from Tbilisi, roughly an hour's drive.

  2. Mtskheta (optional)

    If you want to include the old capital, we stop at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari on the way out — a good add-on that fits the road without backtracking.

  3. Uplistsikhe cave town

    The main event — time to walk the carved streets and rooms, see the ancient church and take in the view from the ridge. Allow 1.5–2 hours here.

  4. Lunch near Gori

    A break in Gori or the surrounding area before the fortress.

  5. Gori fortress

    The hilltop castle with its panoramic views over the town and the valley. A short, worthwhile climb.

  6. Afternoon · back to Tbilisi

    The return drive east along the main highway, arriving back in the city by mid to late afternoon.

What's included

Included

  • Private air-conditioned car for your group
  • English-speaking driver-guide for the day
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi
  • Fuel and all road costs

Not included

  • Lunch and drinks (we'll recommend the good spots)
  • Site entrance fees (modest, paid locally)
  • Personal expenses and tips

Pickup & good to know

We pick you up from your Tbilisi hotel — a start around 9am works well for this day. Uplistsikhe has uneven rock paths, so wear shoes with a good grip. There is no shade at the site, so bring sun protection in summer and a hat — the cliff can be very exposed in the heat of the day.

If you would like to add Mtskheta to the day, tell us when you book — we route the day to include it without any backtracking, and the total journey time increases by about an hour.

More from the road

Good questions

What is Uplistsikhe?

Uplistsikhe is a rock-hewn cave town carved into a sandstone ridge above the Mtkvari river in central Georgia. Inhabited from the early Iron Age until the 13th century, it contains hundreds of carved rooms — halls, wine cellars, a pharmacy, a theatre and a church — spread across the cliff face. It is one of the oldest settlements in Georgia, with continuous occupation spanning more than 3,500 years.

How long does the Uplistsikhe visit take?

Allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours to walk through Uplistsikhe properly — there is more to see than it first appears, and the views from the top of the cliff over the river and surrounding plain are worth the climb. We can spend as long as you like.

Can we combine Uplistsikhe with Mtskheta?

Yes — both lie along the same main road west from Tbilisi, so combining them makes sense. We can add Mtskheta and Jvari on the way out, or on the way back, depending on how much time you want at each site. Tell us what you'd like and we'll build the day around it.

Is Uplistsikhe easy to walk around?

The paths at Uplistsikhe are uneven rock and stone — manageable for most people, but not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The ascent is short but involves some steep and uneven sections. Good shoes are recommended. There is no shade, so bring sun protection in summer.

Combine it with

Uplistsikhe sits between Tbilisi and western Georgia — it pairs well with Mtskheta or as part of a longer central-Georgia day.

  • A domed cathedral behind ancient walls at Mtskheta
    Full day · 7–8 hrs

    Mtskheta & Jvari

    Georgia's old capital, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery.

    View tour →
  • Gergeti Trinity Church below Mt Kazbek
    Full day · 10–11 hrs

    Kazbegi & the Cross Pass

    The Georgian Military Highway and the glaciers of Mt Kazbek.

    View tour →
  • The canyon country near Vardzia cave city
    Full day · 11–12 hrs

    Vardzia, Rabati & Borjomi

    The 12th-century cave city of Vardzia and Borjomi mineral springs.

    View tour →

Ready to visit the cave town?

Message us with your dates and we'll put together your Uplistsikhe day — and the rest of your time in Georgia too.

Plan this tour on WhatsApp