Uplistsikhe

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Uplistsikhe Travel Essentials

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Ideal duration: 1 Day

Best Time: March - October Read More

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"A Rock-Hewn Town in Georgia"

Uplistsikhe Tourism

Uplistsikhe, a remarkable rock-hewn town situated 10 kilometers east of Gori on the north side of the Mtkvari River, is an ancient town carved in the rock. You can explore the 40,000-square-meter Shida Qalaqi (Inner City), less than half of its original size. As a historical-architectural museum-reserve, Uplistsikhe offers visitors a glimpse into its ancient urban settlement features, including streets, squares, a sewer system, four gates, and various tunnels and fences.

Entering Uplistsikhe via its old main access track involves ascending about 5 meters up the rocks opposite the entrance cafe and following the rock-cut path to the left. Metal-railed steps lead up through the main gate, where the excavated main tower of Shida Qalaqi's defensive walls can be seen. The old main street takes you to several important cave structures, including the Theatre, likely a temple from the 1st or 2nd century AD, and the large pre-Christian Temple of Makvliani.

One of the notable structures is Tamaris Darbazi (Hall of Queen Tamar), a large hall with an ancient stone seat and a carved stone ceiling resembling wooden beams. This pre-Christian temple, alongside other significant sites like the Uplistsulis Eklesia, a triple-church basilica built in the 10th century, showcases Uplistsikhe's rich religious history. You should also explore the emergency escape tunnel running down to the Mtkvari River, an ingenious feature used for carrying water and providing an escape route during sieges.

You can take a taxi from Gori to reach this historical site. Alternatively, marshrutka (minibuses) leave Gori bus station several times daily for the village of Kvakhvreli, a 2-kilometer walk from Uplistsikhe, with a direct service to Uplistsikhe planned for the near future.

How to Reach Uplistsikhe

How to Reach Overview

The best way to reach Uplistsikhe is from Tbilisi, primarily via road. It takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to travel from Tbilisi to Uplistsikhe. You can take this journey with both private and public transport. Easy transport options and short journey time make it a good day trip option for travelers visiting Tbilisi.

How to reach Uplistsikhe by flight

There are no direct flights to Uplistsikhe as it does not have an airport. The nearest airport is Tbilisi International Airport, located about 90 kilometers east of Uplistsikhe. Tbilisi International Airport is well-connected to many international destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. From Tbilisi, you can hire a taxi, rent a car, or use public transportation to reach Uplistsikhe.

How to reach Uplistsikhe by road

Traveling by road is the most convenient way to reach Uplistsikhe. From Tbilisi the journey takes about 1.5 hours, covering a distance of approximately 90 kilometers. Take the Tbilisi-Gori highway, and then take a short detour to reach Uplistsikhe. You can take a taxi or rent a car to cover this journey.

How to reach Uplistsikhe by bus

Public buses and minibusses (marshrutkas) provide an economical way to travel to Uplistsikhe. From Tbilisi, marshrutkas depart from the Didube Bus Station, heading towards the town of Gori. You can ask the driver to drop you off at Gori, from where you can take a local taxi to Uplistsikhe. The bus ride to Gori takes about 1.5 hours, and the taxi ride from Gori to Uplistsikhe takes about 15-20 minutes. 

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