Mtskheta

Georgia's ancient capital, 25 km north of Tbilisi where the Aragvi meets the Mtkvari. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) and Samtavro convent sit in the small old town, a UNESCO site, and the 6th-century Jvari monastery looks down on it from the hill opposite. Most visitors come for half a day from Tbilisi; a night here is quiet, and it is on the way to Ananuri and the Military Road to Kazbegi.

Highlights

• Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
• Jvari Monastery above the river confluence
• Samtavro convent and St Nino's shrine
• Old-town lanes and churchkhela stalls
• Ananuri fortress on the way north

Things to do

• Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and the old townMorning · 2h
• Jvari Monastery at sunsetEvening · 1h 30m
• Samtavro conventAfternoon · 1h
• Ananuri fortress and Zhinvali reservoirAfternoon · 3h

Tours & tickets

When to go

Best time: April – June, September – October

• Svetitskhovloba (Mtskhetoba) — The feast of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral on 14 October, a public holiday: the Patriarch leads a liturgy in Mtskheta and the town fills with pilgrims and a fair. Go early; parking and marshrutkas from Tbilisi are packed.
• Orthodox Christmas and Alilo — Georgian Orthodox Christmas falls on 7 January. In Tbilisi the Alilo procession of people in costume, collecting gifts for the needy, walks down Rustaveli Avenue to Sameba Cathedral; services the night before. Shops and offices close for the holiday.
• Orthodox Easter (Aghdgoma) — Easter follows the Orthodox calendar, so it moves between April and May. Midnight services at Sameba and Svetitskhoveli are packed; the Monday after is a holiday, and families visit graves with red eggs and paska bread.