Travel Guide to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

Getting There

• Car

  If you are driving to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, begin your journey from Tbilisi. Take the E117 highway towards Mtskheta, which is about 20 kilometers away and should take around 30 minutes. Once you arrive in Mtskheta, follow the signs to the center of the city. When you reach the central square, you can either park your car in one of the nearby parking lots (note that parking fees may apply) or you can find street parking. The cathedral is a short walk from the square.

• Public Transportation - Marshrutka

  For public transport, you can take a marshrutka (minibus) from Tbilisi to Mtskheta. Head to the Didube bus station in Tbilisi, and look for marshrutkas heading to Mtskheta. The ride typically costs around 1 GEL and takes about 30 minutes. Once you arrive in Mtskheta, the marshrutka will drop you off near the city center. From there, follow the signs towards Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, which is approximately a 10-minute walk.

• Public Transportation - Train

  You can also take a train from Tbilisi to Mtskheta. Trains leave from the Tbilisi Railway Station and typically run every hour. The ticket price is about 1-2 GEL and the journey takes around 30-40 minutes. Upon arriving at the Mtskheta Railway Station, you can either walk (about 15 minutes) to the cathedral or catch a taxi for a small additional cost (around 5-10 GEL).

• Walking

  If you are already in Mtskheta, simply head towards the center of the town. From the central square, you can follow the signs to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. It will be visible from many points in the town due to its impressive architecture. The walk from the square will take roughly 5 to 10 minutes.