Tbilisi City Tour & Mtskheta
Have a half day of Tbilisi historical center exploration followed by visit to two UNESCO sites: Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta. Close location of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery to Tbilisi makes it possible to have two excursions in one day. Apart the two UNESCO sites in Mtskheta during this tour you will see the following historical and cultural monuments: Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba), Golden Treasury of Georgian National Museum, Meteckhi plateau and view point, Metekhi Church, monument of king Vakhtang I Gorgosali, Narikala, Tbilisi Mosque, Legutatvkhevi (Fig ravine) waterfall, Sulfur bathhouse district, Maidan square, Sharden and Erekle II streets, Sioni Cathedral, Anchiskhati basilica, Shota Rustaveli street.
Day to day itinerary
Have a full day Tbilisi historical district and Mtskheta exploration. Visit most of highlights in Old Tbilisi and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mtskheta.
Travel to Mtskheta, one of the oldest Georgian cities, which was a capital of Eastern Georgia up to the 5th c. then the capital was moved to Tbilisi. Archaeologists discovered remains of the city dating back to 1000 year BC. Mtskheta is a popular tourist destination as it contains two of the UNESCO World Heritage sites – Svetitskhoveli Cathedral of 12th c. and Jvari monastery of 6th c. Both of the sites represent true masterpiece of different styles of Georgian church architecture.
Tbilisi historical district. Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) built in 21st c which presents a mixture of traditional Georgian church architecture. Afterwards visit Golden Treasury of Georgian National Museum on Rustaveli Avenue. The Museum houses various archaeological collections. Some of artifacts are dating back to 40 million years. Continue the tour from Meteckhi plateau and visit Metekhi Church of 13th c. overlooking Mktvari river. Nearby the church stands the monument of king Vakhtang I Gorgosali (Vakhtang the Wolf Head) who established the city of Tbilisi – the capital of Easter Georgia. Continue to Narikala fortress by cable car and enjoy views of the city from the top. The fortress was built first built in 4th c. AD. Stroll down to the old city and visit Tbilisi Mosque, Legutatvkhevi (Fig ravine) waterfall and take a walk towards Sulfur bathhouse district – one of the oldest districts in Tbilisi. Walk on Maidan square. Sharden and Erekle II streets. Lots of cafes and pubs, souvenir shops and art galleries are located here. Sioni Cathedral the former seat of patriarch, also stands here. The Cathedral was built in 6th – 7th cc. Continue to Anchiskhati basilica, which is the oldest church in Tbilisi dating from 7th c.
