Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe and Ateni Valley
A two-day heritage route from the ancient capital to the rock-hewn city.
- days
- 2 / 1 nights
- Total distance
- 230 km
- Total driving
- 4:20
- Car needed
- Economy class
- Season
- All year
- Difficulty
- Easy
Click a marker for details. Coloured lines are ready-made road trips.
A balanced sequence of Mtskheta monuments, Uplistsikhe, Gori and Ateni Sioni.
Day-by-day plan
Day 1: Jvari → Svetitskhoveli → Samtavro.
Day 2: Uplistsikhe → Gori Fortress → Ateni Sioni.
Stops on this route
Jvari Monastery
A 6th-century church on a cliff above the meeting of the Aragvi and Mtkvari — the starting point of Georgian architecture.
1 h
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
The 11th-century cathedral of Mtskheta, said to hold the robe of Christ — the mother church of Georgian Orthodoxy.
2 h
Samtavro Monastery
The quieter half of Mtskheta's UNESCO ensemble — a working nunnery holding the graves of Georgia's first Christian king and queen.
1 h
Uplistsikhe
A city carved into the rock above the Mtkvari — Georgia's oldest urban centre, with over 3,000 years of history.
2 h
Gori: Fortress and Stalin Museum
The capital of Shida Kartli — a medieval citadel on its hill and the most contested museum of the Soviet era.
3 h
Ateni Sioni Church
A 7th-century church in the Ateni gorge with outstanding 11th-century frescoes and historic vineyards.
1 hTips
- Wear closed shoes at Uplistsikhe.
- Drive the Ateni road in daylight.
Best car for this trip
Cars in this category
Itineraries
Guides
- Driving in Georgia: What the Distances Actually Cost You Georgia is a small country with slow roads. Here is what 267 measured drives from Tbilisi say about how long y
Pickup locations
Car Rental in Tbilisi — 17 km (straight line)
Booking and enquiries
The easiest way to reach these places is by car — you pick the route and the stops.