Uplistsikhe Cave City: Georgia’s Ancient Rock-Hewn Town | Day Trip from Tbilisi
Standing on the rocky plateau above Uplistsikhe, you look down at streets that were old when Rome was still a village. This cave city, carved into sandstone cliffs above the Mtkvari River, has been drawing visitors for 2,600 years. First came worshippers seeking pagan temples. Then traders on the Silk Road. Now travelers from around the world walk the same stone paths.
Uplistsikhe sits just 10 kilometers from Gori and about 80 kilometers west of Tbilisi, making it one of the easiest ancient sites to visit in Georgia. We include it on our most popular day tour for good reason: nowhere else can you walk through a pre-Christian city that still feels alive.
Why Uplistsikhe Matters
Before Mtskheta became Georgia’s spiritual capital, before Christianity reached the Caucasus, Uplistsikhe was already ancient. People began carving caves here in the 6th century BC, creating temples to honor the sun and moon. The city grew into a major religious and trade center, rivaling Mtskheta itself.
At its peak, Uplistsikhe housed thousands of residents. The complex included temples, a theater, pharmacies, bakeries, a prison, and even an early wine production facility. Streets were paved. Drainage systems carried water. This was urban planning 2,000 years before modern cities existed.
The Mongol invasions of the 13th and 14th centuries ended Uplistsikhe’s long history. The city was destroyed and abandoned. For centuries, it sat empty, slowly being reclaimed by wind and rain. Archaeologists rediscovered it in the 19th century, and excavations have continued ever since.
Today Uplistsikhe appears on UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list. Walking through its chambers, you’re experiencing one of the oldest continuously documented settlements in the entire Caucasus region.
What You’ll See at Uplistsikhe
The complex divides into three sections: the lower (southern) town, the central area, and the upper (northern) section. Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours exploring all three.
The Main Street
A central thoroughfare runs through the complex, with narrow alleys branching off to individual structures. The paving stones are original. Stand here and you’re walking exactly where traders, priests, and residents walked over two millennia ago.
The Throne Hall
One of Uplistsikhe’s most impressive spaces features a large chamber with carved stone benches. Two pillars once supported the ceiling. Scholars believe this served as an audience hall or throne room for local rulers.
Temple of the Sun
The largest religious structure preserves remarkable ceiling details carved to imitate wooden beams. Despite being cut from solid rock, the craftsmen created the illusion of a timber roof. This architectural trick appears throughout the complex.
The Theater
A carved amphitheater space could seat several hundred spectators. The acoustics still work. Stand in the center and speak normally; your voice carries to the back rows.
The Tunnel
A secret passage leads from the upper town down to the river. During sieges, residents used this tunnel to access water. The descent is steep but manageable with care.
The Basilica
At the highest point sits a Christian church built in the 9th or 10th century. After Georgia converted to Christianity, the new religion literally topped the old pagan site. The basilica offers panoramic views across the Mtkvari valley.
The Legend of Uplistsikhe
Local tradition says slaves built Uplistsikhe using special pickaxes. One end was tipped with iron for cutting rock. The other end was covered in gold. When a slave wore through the iron portion completely, he earned his freedom and kept the gold.
True or not, the legend captures something real. The amount of labor required to carve this city from solid rock is staggering. Someone valued this place enough to invest generations of effort.
Interestingly, the story also reflects Georgia’s ancient gold-mining heritage. The region around Uplistsikhe produced gold for thousands of years. The legend of the golden pickaxe may preserve a memory of that wealth.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
The site opens Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry 17:00). Closed Mondays. Hours may extend in summer. The visitor center near the entrance has current information.
Entrance Fees
Adults: 15 GEL
Students: 5 GEL
Children under 6: Free
Audio guides available for rent at the entrance (10 GEL).
How Long to Spend
Most visitors need 1.5 to 2 hours to see the main areas thoroughly. Add another 30 minutes if you want to descend the tunnel to the river and climb back. Photography enthusiasts often spend longer.
Best Time to Visit
Morning light works best for photography, with the sun illuminating the rock faces. Midday in summer gets hot since there’s no shade on the plateau. Late afternoon offers softer light and smaller crowds.
Spring and autumn provide the most comfortable temperatures. Winter visits are possible, but can be cold and windy on the exposed rock.
How to Get There
From Tbilisi (80 km)
The drive takes about 1.5 hours via the main highway west toward Gori. From Gori, head east on the local road toward Kvakhvreli village. Signs point to Uplistsikhe.
By Marshrutka
Marshrutkas run frequently from Tbilisi’s Didube station to Gori (about 1 hour, 5 GEL). From Gori, take a taxi to Uplistsikhe (10-15 GEL, 15 minutes). Return taxis wait at the site entrance.
With a Guided Tour
Our Mtskheta, Gori and Uplistsikhe day tour combines the three most important historical sites in central Georgia in a single day. Pickup from your Tbilisi hotel, all entrance fees included, and a guide who brings the history to life.
What to Bring
Footwear: Sturdy shoes with good grip. The rock surfaces can be slippery, especially after rain. Sandals and heels are poor choices.
Sun Protection: Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. The plateau has no shade and reflects heat in summer.
Water: Bring at least one liter per person. Small cafes near the entrance sell drinks, but nothing inside the complex.
Camera: The carved chambers and valley views photograph beautifully. Morning or late afternoon light is most flattering.
Combine Uplistsikhe with Nearby Sites
Uplistsikhe works well as part of a fuller day exploring Shida Kartli.
Uplistsikhe + Gori + Stalin Museum
Gori is Stalin’s birthplace, and the Stalin Museum remains one of Georgia’s most visited (and debated) attractions. The museum sits 10 minutes from Uplistsikhe by car.
Uplistsikhe + Mtskheta
Combine Georgia’s pagan past with its Christian present. Mtskheta lies between Tbilisi and Gori, so you can visit both ancient capitals in one day. This is exactly what our popular day tour covers.
Uplistsikhe + Ateni Sioni + Wine Tasting
Halfway between Gori and Uplistsikhe, a side road leads to the Tana Gorge and the Ateni Sioni church (7th century). The surrounding valley produces excellent wine. Several family wineries offer tastings, making this a perfect addition for travelers interested in Georgian wine culture.
Uplistsikhe + Vardzia
For travelers with more time, Georgia’s two great cave cities make a fascinating pair. Vardzia lies further south in Samtskhe-Javakheti and represents medieval Christian cave architecture. Seeing both reveals how rock-hewn construction evolved over 2,000 years.
Tips from Our Guides
After leading hundreds of tours to Uplistsikhe, our guides have learned a few things worth sharing.
Start Early: The site opens at 10:00. Arriving right at opening means fewer crowds and cooler temperatures in summer.
Take the Tunnel: Many visitors skip the tunnel descent because it looks challenging. It’s steep but manageable for anyone reasonably fit. The river views at the bottom reward the effort.
Look Up: The carved ceilings contain remarkable details that people miss when focused on the floor. The imitation wooden beams in the temple structures show incredible craftsmanship.
Allow Buffer Time: The hike from the parking lot to the main complex takes 10-15 minutes. The path back out takes longer since it’s uphill. Don’t cut your visit short because you underestimated walking time.
Eat in Gori: The cafes at Uplistsikhe are basic. For a proper lunch, head into Gori where several good restaurants serve traditional Kartlian cuisine.
Facilities at the Site
Parking: Free parking lot near the entrance
Restrooms: Available at the visitor center
Cafes: Two small cafes near the entrance sell drinks, snacks, and basic meals
Souvenir Shop: Small shop at the visitor center with books, postcards, and local crafts
Accessibility: The site involves uneven terrain and steep climbs. Visitors with mobility issues will find access challenging. The lower sections are somewhat easier than the upper plateau.
Book Your Uplistsikhe Visit
Uplistsikhe deserves more than a quick stop. Our day tours from Tbilisi give you time to explore properly with a guide who knows every corner of the complex.
The most popular option is our Mtskheta, Gori and Uplistsikhe tour, which covers 3,000 years of Georgian history in a single day.
Want something different? Contact us and we’ll build an itinerary around your interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Uplistsikhe?
The first caves were carved around the 6th century BC, making Uplistsikhe approximately 2,600 years old. People lived here continuously until the Mongol invasions destroyed the city in the 13th-14th centuries.
How long should I spend at Uplistsikhe?
Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours to see the main structures. The tunnel descent to the river adds another 30 minutes. Remember that the walk from parking to the site takes 10-15 minutes each way.
How do I get there from Tbilisi?
Uplistsikhe is 80 kilometers west of Tbilisi, about 1.5 hours by car. Public transport requires a marshrutka to Gori followed by a taxi. The easiest option is a guided day tour with hotel pickup.
What does it cost?
Entrance is 15 GEL for adults, 5 GEL for students, free for children under 6. Audio guides rent for 10 GEL.
Is Uplistsikhe worth visiting?
Absolutely. Few places let you walk through a functioning pre-Christian city. The combination of age, preservation, and accessibility makes Uplistsikhe one of Georgia’s essential historical sites.
What should I wear?
Sturdy shoes are essential since the rock surfaces can be uneven and slippery. Bring sun protection for the shadeless plateau. Summer visitors should dress lightly; winter visitors should layer for wind.
