What to See Around Telavi

Telavi is an ideal base for exploring the captivating region of Kakheti. From this charming town, you can venture out to discover the historical, cultural, and natural gems of eastern Georgia. Let’s take a look at the must-see destinations in the surrounding area.

A short drive from Telavi lies one of Georgia’s most beloved towns — the enchanting Sighnaghi. This hillside town boasts a formidable medieval fortress, a beautifully restored historic center, and elegant churches. Yet, most visitors come not only for its sights, but for the air of romance that permeates its narrow cobbled streets.

Enhancing the city’s romantic reputation, Sighnaghi is home to a 24-hour wedding registry office — a popular spot for spontaneous and symbolic ceremonies. The town is also linked to the tender tale of the impoverished Georgian artist Niko Pirosmani, a native of Kakheti, who, according to legend, professed his love to French actress Marguerite de Sèvres by covering the street beneath her window with a million red roses. You can explore Pirosmani’s life and work at the Sighnaghi Museum of History and Ethnography.

The Monastery of St. Nino at Bodbe is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Kakheti — and in all of Georgia. Its story dates back to the 4th century, when St. Nino of Cappadocia, Georgia’s beloved evangelist and protector, arrived in the area. After her death in 347 AD, a church dedicated to St. George was erected over her grave, eventually giving rise to the Bodbe convent.

Over the centuries, Bodbe grew into both a religious and cultural center. In the Middle Ages, Kakhetian kings even held their coronation ceremonies here. The monastery sits on a hillside overlooking the Alazani Valley, offering stunning views — especially in autumn. A small trail near the viewpoint leads to St. Nino’s healing spring, a sacred site believed to possess curative powers.

Roughly 20 kilometers from Telavi stands the majestic Alaverdi Cathedral, one of Georgia’s four great cathedrals. Until the construction of the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) in Tbilisi, Alaverdi was the largest church in the country — a hub of spirituality and scholarship during the Middle Ages.

The monastery at Alaverdi dates back to the 4th century, but its magnificent centerpiece, the Cathedral of St. George, was built during the peak of the Kakhetian Kingdom. Wine lovers will appreciate the fact that the monks here still cultivate vineyards and produce wine, faithfully preserving the ancient winemaking traditions of the region.

Once the capital of the Kakhetian Kingdom, the royal citadel of Gremi now stands as a haunting reminder of a bygone era. Once a bustling and wealthy city, Gremi was devastated by Persian invasions in the 17th century. What remains today is a hilltop complex enclosed by defensive walls, including the Church of the Archangels, a royal palace, and a wine cellar.

Within its fortress towers and stone courtyards, you’ll find impressive frescoes from the late medieval period — rare and expressive works of sacred art that bring the past vividly to life.

Founded in the 6th century, the Nekresi Monastery is a gem of Georgian Orthodoxy, located in a breathtakingly scenic setting on the slopes of the Greater Caucasus. A visit here offers both spiritual enrichment and spectacular views of the Alazani Valley — often described by visitors as among the finest in the region.

The Nekresi complex comprises several historic structures: the Church of the Archangel Michael, a burial chapel, the bishop’s residence, a refectory, a defensive tower, storage buildings, and the Basilica of the Dormition of the Virgin. Be sure to explore the ancient wine cellar built in the traditional marani style — a reminder of Georgia’s deeply rooted vinicultural heritage.

One of the oldest monastic centers in Kakheti, Ikalto was founded in the 4th century by the Assyrian missionary Zenon. By the Middle Ages, it had grown into not only a religious site but also an intellectual beacon. The Ikalto Academy once hosted some of the brightest minds of the era, including Georgia’s legendary poet Shota Rustaveli.

Today, the site includes three ancient churches, a wine cellar, and the remains of other medieval buildings. The serene grounds echo with the legacy of education and devotion that once defined this historic monastery.

Just 10 kilometers from Telavi lies the famed village of Tsinandali, home to the aristocratic Chavchavadze estate and the birthplace of the celebrated white wine of the same name. The stately manor was once the residence of Prince Alexander Chavchavadze, a poet and public figure who hosted some of the great minds of the 19th century — including Alexander Pushkin and Alexandre Dumas.

You can tour the house-museum, stroll through the romantic gardens, and enjoy a wine tasting at the Shumi Winery. With a guide, you’ll learn not only about Georgian wine, but also about the poignant love story between Nino Chavchavadze and the Russian diplomat and writer Alexander Griboedov. The estate complex features the house-museum, a landscaped garden, a historic wine cellar, a boutique hotel, and a charming café — the perfect setting to soak in the region’s cultural richness and natural beauty.

For those seeking Georgia’s most surreal and spectacular landscapes, a journey southeast of Telavi to the David Gareja Monastery Complex is a must. Stretching along the Georgia-Azerbaijan border, this ancient ensemble of cave monasteries is nestled in the semi-desert of the Gareja Ridge. It was founded in the 6th century by St. David Garejeli, one of the thirteen Assyrian fathers who spread Christianity in Georgia.

At the heart of the complex is the Lavra of David, centered around the Church of St. John the Baptist. The rocky terrain is dotted with monk cells, chapels, and cave churches, many adorned with striking medieval frescoes depicting saints, kings, and Biblical scenes. The vastness of the complex and its arid, reddish landscape — sometimes compared to the surface of Mars — offers a truly otherworldly experience for the adventurous traveler.