Vardzia Cave Monastery: A Timeless Wonder
Explore Vardzia, Georgia's ancient cave monastery: a historical and spiritual journey through a remarkable underground city.
Vardzia is a breathtaking cave monastery complex carved into the Erusheti Mountain in southern Georgia. Dating back to the 12th century, this historical site features hundreds of caves stretching along the cliff, once housing thousands of monks and even serving as a refuge for the local population.
A brief summary to Day trip to vardzia
- 1 a Gogias Tsikhe St, Borjomi, 1200, GE
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Wear comfortable shoes as exploring Vardzia involves a fair amount of walking and climbing stairs.
- Bring water, especially during the warmer months, as there are limited options to purchase refreshments within the cave complex.
- Consider hiring a local guide or renting an audio guide to fully appreciate the history and significance of Vardzia.
- Dress modestly when visiting the active church within the complex. Scarves are available at the entrance, but you may prefer to bring your own.
- Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds and fully appreciate the serene atmosphere of the site.
Getting There
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Public Transport
From Borjomi, take a marshrutka (minibus) to Akhaltsikhe. These depart frequently from the Borjomi bus stop on Meskheti Street; the ride takes approximately 2 hours and costs around 4 GEL. From Akhaltsikhe bus station, transfer to a marshrutka to Vardzia. These depart at 10:30 AM, 12:20 PM, 4:00 PM and 5:20 PM. The journey to Vardzia is roughly 1.5 hours and costs 7 GEL. Alternatively, a direct marshrutka from Tbilisi to Vardzia costs around 22 GEL and takes approximately 5 hours. From the Vardzia bus stop, it's a short walk to the entrance. Consider paying the extra 2 GEL for a minivan shuttle from the ticket booth to the main entrance to avoid a steep uphill climb.
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Taxi
From Borjomi, a taxi to Vardzia takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes and costs approximately $65-$85. From Akhaltsikhe, a taxi to Vardzia will cost approximately 70-80 GEL for a round trip, including waiting time. Taxis can be found near the bus station. Once at Vardzia, a taxi will drop you off at the parking area near the shops and restaurants. From there, steps lead up to the ticket office. A shuttle to the complex entrance costs an additional 2 GEL per person.
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