Uplistsikhe Cave City in Georgia: What to See and How to Get There

Uplistsikhe is one of the several cities carved into the rocks in Georgia. Tourists also like to visit Vardzia and the David Gareji complex (on the border with Azerbaijan). But if this is your first time going to a cave city, start with Uplistsikhe. I will explain why.

The city in the rocks is one of the oldest settlements in the Caucasus. It appeared before our era (3,000 years ago) and was constantly expanding. In total, 700 grottoes were carved on this site, which housed important city objects: living quarters, a pharmacy, a throne room, a bakery, a winery, a temple, an amphitheater, and even a prison (you will see all this during the excursion).

Only some things have survived to this day. By the 19th century, the city was completely hidden behind a layer of sand, and only by the middle of the last century it was excavated and made accessible to tourists again. Uplistsikhe currently has 150 caves, which occupy a total of 4 square kilometers! The complex is included in the World Heritage List and is protected by UNESCO.

Before the adoption of Christianity, Uplistsikhe was a cultural and religious center for pagans. They used special rooms for making sacrifices to the gods of earth, water, and sun. By the 4th century, it had developed into a fully-fledged city featuring a theater, throne room, pharmacy, sewer system, and a defensive moat.

You can still see various premises today, including ancient wine presses and storage facilities. This is truly impressive! 

To see everything and explore the ancient streets in the rocks, set aside 2-3 hours. You can come here at any time of the year. Even if you come in the summer heat, the walk will not be tiring: you can catch your breath and cool off in the caves (almost everywhere is open to tourists).

Another fascinating site within the city is the Uplistsuli, which translates from Georgian as “Prince’s Church.” Built in the 10th century, the temple has survived and even remains active today.

At first glance, the structure may appear simple; however, it is a rare example of true Georgian style—a three-church basilica. On either side of the main hall are two rooms separated by walls rather than columns. Next to the church, you can see the ruins of a former pagan temple.

As you stroll through the ancient city, pay attention to the pits with drainage channels. Tourists often think these were places for ritual sacrifices, but in reality, they were traditional Georgian ovens (tone) used for baking bread.

These ovens also helped heat the homes. You might be wondering what the drainage channels were for. They were used to blow air into the oven to stoke the fire. Interestingly, locals used manure as fuel, as it was difficult to find firewood in the steppes.

Of particular interest is the Hall of Queen Tamara, which features stunning stone arches. According to local legend, she was crowned in this hall. However, while it bears her name, historical records indicate that Queen Tamara never actually lived in Uplistsikhe. When you enter the hall, pay attention to the intricate decorations and the layout of the space. It is considered the most beautiful hall in Uplistsikhe, so be sure not to miss it!

Tickets to Uplistsikhe Cave Town cost 15 GEL for adults and 5 GEL for kids. Children under 6 can enter for free. If you wish to use an audio guide, there is an additional charge of 15 GEL.

The opening hours vary by season:

• March 15 – April 15 & October 1 – November 1: 10 AM to 6 PM
• April 16 – September 30: 10 AM to 7 PM
• November 2 – March 14: 10 AM to 5 PM

Be sure to check for any updates or changes before your visit.

From personal experience:

You can safely take your children with you to Uplistsikhe. A walk through the grottoes and halls feels like a quest. Children can run and jump along the streets in search of new secret corners. However, be cautious: in some areas, it can be dangerous as there are no fences or handrails.

The distance from Tbilisi to Uplistsikhe is about 100 km, and the journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The route goes through the city of Gori, where you can stop on your way back to visit the Stalin Museum (Joseph Jughashvili was born in Gori).

Cost: Starting from $50 (135 GEL) per day for a Toyota Prius, plus around 50 GEL for fuel for a round trip.

Pros:

• You can choose a car that suits your needs.
• Convenient for a day trip to Uplistsikhe with family or friends.
• You can stop in Gori for lunch at a roadside restaurant or dine in Mtskheta on the way back. A popular Georgian restaurant is “Salobie,” located at coordinates 41.82859227255641, 44.72504708264992.

Cons:

• Not cost-effective for solo travelers due to expenses for both rental and fuel.
• Requires driving experience to feel comfortable on Georgian roads; traffic leaving Tbilisi can be stressful for inexperienced drivers.
• The rental company may ask for a deposit.
• Tourists sometimes report issues with the technical condition of rental cars.

Cost: around 7 GEL

Minibuses leave from the parking lot near the Didube Metro Station (located within the market area). However, the minibus will only take you to Gori, not directly to Uplistsikhe. From Gori, you’ll need to transfer to another vehicle heading to the village of Kvakhvreli. There are only a few departures per day, and there is no specific schedule. Alternatively, you can find a taxi.

Additionally, from Kvakhvreli, you will need to walk 2.5 km to reach Uplistsikhe. The total cost for this journey is 7 GEL (not including taxi fare). It’s difficult to predict how long the entire trip will take.

Pros:

• Affordable

Cons:

• Requires a transfer from Gori and a 2.5 km walk afterward.
• Hard to estimate travel time since minibuses from Gori to Kvakhvreli run only a few times a day.
• Extra costs if you decide to take a taxi from Gori to Uplistsikhe.

Cost: Starting from $26 (70 GEL) one way

You can conveniently order a taxi using an app. The fare with popular services starts at 70 GEL ($26) for a one-way trip. Keep in mind that you will also need to pay for any waiting time (2-3 hours), which can increase the total cost.

Pros:

• Flexible Departure: Leave at any time.
• Easy Payment: You can pay by card through the app.

Cons:

• Comfort Issues: The cheapest option (economy) may be uncomfortable; the interior might not be clean, and in summer, windows could be opened due to a non-functioning air conditioner, resulting in noise and dust from the road.
• No Car Preview: You cannot see photos of the car beforehand and must accept whichever vehicle arrives.
• Long Ride: You will spend about 1 hour and 40 minutes with the driver; there’s a good chance they will want to chat and may ask uncomfortable questions.

Cost: Starting from $50 (134 GEL) for a round trip

Tourists choose this transfer option if they prefer not to deal with rental cars and do not like driving on unfamiliar roads. GoTrip employs experienced drivers (minimum 5 years of experience) who know the routes well and pay close attention to traffic rules.

Each driver undergoes training in customer service. He will pick you up at your hotel or home at the scheduled time, take you to your destination, and wait for free as long as you need for your excursion. Along the way, the driver can stop at a restaurant for lunch or in Gori to visit the Stalin Museum, with waiting time already included in the price. You can also add Gori to your route in the planner.

GoTrip drivers are very friendly, but they will not bother you with conversations in the car unless you show interest. If you wish, they can share interesting information about the country, its traditions, and attractions.

Book a transfer from Tbilisi to Uplistsikhe and back with free cancellation

Pros:

• Fixed price for a round trip, with waiting time and unlimited stops included
• More cost-effective than taking a taxi
• Customer-focused service (drivers will pick you up at home and wait for you)
• Option to choose a car based on important parameters (body type, fuel type, traveling with pets), with a wide selection
• Free cancellation at any time without penalty
• High safety standards, child seats and boosters can be ordered free of charge
• You can choose your music
• Clean car interiors

Cons:

• More expensive than taking a minibus

Choose your car and driver, and book your transfer on the website. May your trip to Uplistsikhe be filled with positive emotions!