Ancient Mtskheta and Chronicle of Georgia half day tour
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Tbilisi, Georgia
- 3 to 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
The historic town of Mtskheta was the first capital of Georgia and is renowned for its magnificent medieval churches—which are protected on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This half-day tour takes in all the highlights, including the hilltop Jvari Church, the 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, and the Shio-Mgvime Monastery. To escape the crowds, add on an optional visit to Zedazeni Monastery.
- Stunning views of Mtskheta’s UNESCO-listed churches
- Choice of tour departure times available
- Private tour ensures the undivided attention of your guide
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (for the private tours)
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
Tbilisi (Pass By)
1
Jvari Monastery
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
3
Antioquia Church
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Chronicles Of Georgia
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- The group tour can be conducted by a guide in two languages at the same time - English and Russian
- Please note that access to our churches, temples, and monuments is pedestrian-only. Vehicles cannot enter these areas. Regardless of age, prepare for a short walk to these sites.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 68 reviews
Angela_L, Oct 2025
The place we visite were really wonderful. The guide introduced us not online to the place but also to the Georgian lifestyle and history. She was really prepared and nice. Bottiglia here and the driver were very kind.
Thank you!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much, Angela, for your kind words and for choosing to explore Georgia with us! 🌿
We’re so happy you enjoyed the Ancient Mtskheta and Chronicle of Georgia Half-Day Tour — it’s truly one of the most meaningful experiences near Tbilisi, combining history, architecture, and breathtaking views.
Our guide and driver will be thrilled to hear your feedback.
We hope to welcome you again on another journey with Friendly.ge, maybe to the Rainbow Mountains, Kazbegi, or Kakheti wine region next time! 🇬🇪✨
gautam_v, Aug 2025
My guide was superb. Very knowledgeable and accommodating to my needs. We departed and returned on time.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Gautam,
Thank you so much for your kind review! We are very happy to know that you enjoyed the Ancient Mtskheta & Chronicle of Georgia tour. It means a lot that you appreciated your guide’s knowledge and care, and that the tour ran smoothly. We hope to welcome you again to explore more of Georgia with us on your next visit.
Katarzyna_D, May 2025
Khato is a great guide, very knowledgeable and charismatic, it was a big pleasure to tour with her. She told us many interesting stories about Georgia and answered all the questions we had, even those that had nothing to do with the tour. Even my usually very „bored“ kid said that it was a very good experience, which is very rare. We also felt very safe with her as a driver because the driving style of Georgians is often very adventurous but she knew exactly what she was doing. I can hardly imagine a better guide, I hope our paths will cross again in the future.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Katarzyna,
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that Khato made your day in Mtskheta so memorable — she truly is one of a kind: knowledgeable, charismatic, and always with a story up her sleeve.
We especially loved hearing that even your “usually bored” kid enjoyed the tour — that’s the highest praise we could hope for! 😊
We do our best to offer meaningful, comfortable experiences, but it’s amazing guests like you who make each tour truly special. We’ll be waiting here in Georgia, hoping our paths cross again soon!
Jerry_Y, Apr 2025
Our driver was very timely and experienced. Our guide was very friendly, informative and spoke very good English
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Hi Jerry 😊,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to leave such a lovely review!
We're really happy to hear you enjoyed the Mtskheta and Chronicle of Georgia Tour — and I’m especially glad our guide and driver helped make your day smooth, informative, and enjoyable.
But most of all, thank you for being such kind and friendly guests — it’s always a pleasure to share Georgia with people like you. Hope to welcome you again someday for more adventures!
Justin_B, Jan 2025
Aleksi was an incredible guide! Very knowledgeable and passionate about the sites we saw.
As a Roman Catholic, I was very moved by the visit to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words Justin! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience with Aleksi. He's really passionate about sharing the history and significance of the sites, and we're glad it resonated with you. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is indeed a very special place and we're delighted that it had such a meaningful impact on you. We wish you many more memorable journeys and hope to welcome you back to Georgia one day!
Michael_K, Oct 2024
Great tour, Oksana was great, proactive and provided a lot of extra information that made our time in Georgia more enjoyable.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you, Michael, for your wonderful review! We're delighted that you enjoyed the tour to Mtskheta, the heart of Georgia. Oksana will be delighted to hear your kind words. We always strive to provide that extra touch to make your experience unforgettable. We hope to see you again on your next adventure in Georgia!
Kevin_P, Sep 2024
I love brutalist architecture and history and Aleksi was an excellent guide. The tour was a half day, which was just about perfect. The old capital of Mtskheta is a must see if you are in Tbilisi and the momentary above, while crowded, was a great experience. We ran into a group of Russian pilgrims visiting the site, so it was a unique event to observe. And of course Chronicle is a must have Instagram moment. Great tour, friendly and engaging guide, a great adventure.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Dear Kevin,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Ancient Mtskheta and Chronicle of Georgia half day tour with Aleksi. It's great that the mix of brutalist architecture, history and the unique experience with the Russian pilgrims added to your adventure. And yes, the Chronicle of Georgia is definitely an Instagram worthy spot!
We appreciate your kind words about the tour and Aleksi, and we're so glad you found it engaging and memorable. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future!
Kate_B, Aug 2024
Really excellent half day tour to the ancient capital of Mtskheta and the Chronicle of Georgia. Our guide, Khato, was absolutely fantastic. Her knowledge of the places that we visited was impeccable and she also shared a great deal of other helpful and interesting information about the country, history, culture, food, etc. We really enjoyed our time with her. At the end of the tour, she dropped us at a restaurant she had recommended for lunch - which was also excellent. We highly recommend this tour for those looking for a half-day excursion from Tbilisi, with plenty of time to see the ancient capital and still half a day left for other wanders around Tbilisi.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you so much, Kate, for your wonderful review of our Ancient Mtskheta and Chronicle of Georgia half-day tour! We're thrilled to hear that Khato made your experience memorable with her in-depth knowledge of Georgia's rich history and culture. It's great to know that you enjoyed the recommended restaurant as well! We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more adventures in Tbilisi.
Radhika_K, Aug 2024
I would count this experience amongst the “ must do “ tours. We took a post lunch slot when the sun was not so intense & got back well in time for an early dinner. The views are surreal - you just can’t stop clicking pictures!
The drive is very smooth; at the sites. It’s nice to just sit down & take in the beauty of the surroundings. Our guide Alexei narrated interesting bits of Georgian history & that helped us understand & appreciate the cultural wealth of Georgia.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you, Radhika, for sharing your experience on our Ancient Mtskheta and Chronicle of Georgia half-day tour! We're so glad you found the tour to be a "must do" and that you enjoyed the stunning views and smooth drive. Alexei is passionate about Georgian history, and it's great to hear that his narration helped deepen your appreciation of our cultural heritage. We hope to see you again on your next visit to Georgia!
Layla_A, Jul 2024
We had such a good time on our tour of Mtskheta and the Chronicles of Georgia with our excellent guide Tamar, and our driver Roma. They picked us up from a very convenient location, arrived early, and were super friendly. The transport was very comfortable and included water as promised. Tamar was super knowledgeable, and even went out of her way to find answers to the questions we asked her (about the engravings on the cross in Jvari, for example). She gave us some great restaurant recommendations in Tbilisi, and provided the perfect mix of historical and cultural information, even taking us to a local marketplace to try traditional Georgian sweets. I'd really highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Layla! 🌟
We're so happy to hear that you had such a great time on the Ancient Mtskheta and Chronicle of Georgia half-day tour with Tamar and Roma. It's fantastic to know that you appreciated the convenience, comfort, and the extra effort that Tamar made to answer your questions and provide local recommendations. We're glad you enjoyed the historical and cultural insights, as well as the opportunity to sample traditional Georgian sweets.
We look forward to welcoming you back on another tour in the future! 🥳
Marlene_L, Dec 2023
Khatuna was a wonderful guide - very engaging and responsive to our requests. We appreciated her energy and vast knowledge about the tour sites. We highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Dear Marlene,
Thank you for your fantastic review of the "Ancient Mtskheta and Chronicle of Georgia Half Day Tour" on Viator. We're thrilled to hear that Khatuna's guidance made your excursion engaging and memorable.
Khatuna's energy and knowledge are indeed some of her greatest strengths, and we're delighted that they significantly enhanced your experience. We strive to be responsive to our guests' requests and interests, so it's wonderful to know that this aspect of the tour met your expectations.
We greatly appreciate your recommendation of the tour, and it's our hope that you carry many beautiful memories of your time exploring the historical sites of Mtskheta and the Chronicle of Georgia.
As the holiday season is upon us, we'd like to extend our warmest wishes to you. May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and more amazing travel experiences.
Thank you once again for choosing Friendly.ge, and we look forward to the opportunity of welcoming you on another tour in the future.
eleonora_d, Aug 2023
Khatuna was a very good guide and we enjoyed this tour very much. She gave us lots of information on the different places we visited, gave us free time to take pictures and gladly answered all our questions. She also drove very safely. This is a nice little tour to see Georgia's old capital and the impressive Chronicles of Georgia monument. We recommend it!
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Dear Eleonora,
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review and for recommending our Ancient Mtskheta and Chronicle of Georgia half-day tour! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time exploring some of Georgia's most iconic and historical places with us.
Khatuna is indeed a treasure in our team, and her safe driving and profound knowledge about the places you visited are all part of our commitment to providing an unforgettable experience. We're glad that you appreciated the balance of guided exploration and free time to capture memories through pictures.
Georgia's old capital, Mtskheta, and the Chronicles of Georgia monument are rich in history and beauty, and we're so pleased that you found the experience both informative and enjoyable.
Should you ever return to Georgia, we would be delighted to guide you on another adventure. Thank you again for choosing us for your exploration of our beautiful country!
Kristi_W, Aug 2023
Aleksi our guide was very personable and knowledgeable about the history of Georgia. He was obviously proud of his heritage and presented it with honesty and conviction. On a personal note, we left a personal item in his car and he made a special effort to return it in spite of the inconvenience. We would recommend him and this tour to anyone.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Dear Kristi,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience on the Ancient Mtskheta and Chronicle of Georgia half-day tour! We are so pleased to hear that you had an awesome time with Aleksi as your guide.
Aleksi's passion for Georgia's rich history and cultural heritage shines through in his work, and we are thrilled that his knowledge, honesty, and conviction added depth and meaning to your exploration of Mtskheta. His dedication to our guests goes beyond the tour, as evidenced by his effort to return your personal item, and we're glad that his kindness resonated with you.
Your recommendation is the highest compliment we could receive, and we are grateful for your trust and support. Should you find yourself in Georgia again, we would be honored to show you more of what this incredible country has to offer.
Wishing you continued joy in your travels, and thank you once again for choosing our tour.
Tim_W, Jul 2023
This was one of the best tours I have ever been on! Our tour guide, Khatuna was amazing. Her energy, cheerfulness, knowledge, and excellent English and Russian was impressive. We all loved learning about the history and culture of Tbilisi, Georgia, and the people of the region. I highly recommend this tour. Our guide even gave us great restaurant recommendations in the city afterward.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Dear Tim,
Thank you immensely for your stellar review! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience with us on the Ancient Mtskheta and Chronicle of Georgia half-day tour.
Your words about our guide Khatuna are very much appreciated. She truly embodies the spirit of our team, combining energy, knowledge, and a genuine love for our beautiful city and country.
We're delighted that you found her recommendations helpful. She always strives to ensure that each guest gets the most out of their visit, beyond just the tour itself.
Thank you once again for your kind words and high recommendation. It was our pleasure to show you around and we'd love to welcome you back to explore more of Georgia with us.
monica_f, Jun 2023
Great tour amazing views well worth the half day tour the pictures don’t do the chronicles of Georgia any justice ! Gorgeous .
Our tour guide did a wonderful job
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Dear Monica,
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a kind review of our Ancient Mtskheta and Chronicle of Georgia half-day tour. I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found the views to be absolutely gorgeous.
You're absolutely right, the pictures often don't do justice to the breathtaking beauty of the Chronicles of Georgia. It's an experience that needs to be witnessed firsthand to truly appreciate its magnificence.
I'm delighted to hear that our tour guide Khatuna did a wonderful job. We strive to provide informative and enjoyable experiences for our guests, and I'm glad that our guide's efforts made a positive impact on your tour.
Once again, thank you for choosing our tour and for your kind words. If you ever plan to visit Georgia again, we would be more than happy to welcome you back for another memorable adventure.
Ivan_M, Nov 2022
Amazing tour, travel through Georgian history with very professonal guide Aleksi. Guide gave a lot of useful info, so we could have the overall impression of historical facts and could get great insight into different monuments and monasteries. We had wonderful time!
CHABRAT_T, Oct 2022
Very good, guide was super nice ! Thanks 🇬🇪❤️ we appreciate the culture of Georgia, wine,christianity, monastery and much more
Oyunzul_A, May 2022
Thank you to the guide whose name is Aleksi. He pick up us right on time, his car is clean and comfortable. He explained every thing during the tour. He is very kind. This tour is unforgettable to me. (Comments from Mongolian travelers) Also VIP tour is very good choice to us and price is affordable. Thank you guys.
Nicholas_F, May 2022
This was a great way to spend the day! The tour guide was knowledgeable. The car and driver were nice. It was just what I wanted.
DanielleS_L, Apr 2022
We had a most excellent tour with Aleksi. With his extensive knowledge, he was not only able to guide us and explain the sights themselves that he was introducing us to, but also to give a bigger picture relating to the history of Georgia in general, making the tour almost a pilgrimage experience tied together with story and meaning. Also, Aleksi’s personal perspectives about the sites and about life in Georgia gave us very valuable insight into the local culture. We liked how passionate Aleksi is in his work. Don’t hesitate to book a tour with him!
nadia_S, Nov 2021
Loved that I was provided with so much of information and legends about the sights visited which added to the experience. My guide Khatuna was excellent and really facilitated this tour really well
Response from Host, Nov 2021
Thank you so much, Nadia! These words are so important for us! You made me and Khatuna feel so special the whole day yesterday! Hope to see you again !!
Abdulrahman_B, Oct 2021
Big thanks to my tour guy Alex, he is very professional it was one of my beautiful experience, Thanks a lot Alex :)
Katherine_M, Oct 2019
This was our second tour with Alex, and both tours were wonderful. Alex was very flexible and changed the itinerary at the last minute for one of our tours, and took us to some amazing places.
Mtskheta is a beautiful city, and Alex was very knowledgeable about the history of the location and buildings. Two of the churches we visited were crowded with tourists, but Alex knew some secret spots where no one was around and we could get better pictures. We both really appreciated his knowledge and desire to create the best possible experience, which he did. He even took care of little details like getting us a taxi back from our lunch spot. I highly recommend booking through this tour agency, and seeing the sites at Mtskheta!
matim240, Oct 2019
The driver Alex arrived 15 minutes before scedule..He was very polite,friendly and knowledgeable.his explenations made alive the old history of this beautiful town.without his guidance we would not be able to dijest the great veriety of churches there.in addition we enyoyed very much the scenery around.
Mati
kast, Jan 2020
Toller halbtägiger Ausflug mit Frau Marina . Sie spricht gutes Deutsch und weiß sehr viel.
Die Organisation lief problemlos im Vorfeld und unkompliziert.
Response from Host, Jan 2020
Vielen Dank für Ihr Feedback. Ich freue mich sehr, dass Sie meine Tour genossen haben. Es war ein toller Tag mit Ihnen. Wir warten wieder auf Sie in unserer Stadt. Viel Glück😊
kast, Jan 2020
War eine informative Tour, die Reiseleitung war 15 Minuten vor der Zeit schon im Hotel.
Auch der Fahrer sehr nett!
Waren auch typisch georgisch essen, eine schöne Erfahrung
Werner_L, Oct 2019
Unkomplizierte organisation und pünktliche abwicklung
Sehr kompetente führerin, umfassende information über die eigentlichen reiseziele hinaus
Verständnis für die edürfnisse eines fotografen - flexible stops
gutes preis leistungs verhältnis
Würde viator wieder buchen
From
-5%
$79.73
per personWas $83.93
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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