Uplistsikhe Tour with Stalin Museum & Medieval Churches
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
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Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Uplistsikhe Tour with Stalin Museum & Medieval Churches worth booking?
Uplistsikhe Tour with Stalin Museum & Medieval Churches is a 9-hour experience in Tbilisi, Georgia, from $128 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $128 per person
Private full day trip to Uplistsikhe from Tbilisi includes visiting 11th century Georgian Orthodox cross-in-square cathedral of Samtavisi with unique ornaments, museum and house of soviet leader Joseph Stalin, Ateni Sion
What you get
About this experience
Private full day trip to Uplistsikhe from Tbilisi includes visiting 11th century Georgian Orthodox cross-in-square cathedral of Samtavisi with unique ornaments, museum and house of soviet leader Joseph Stalin, Ateni Sioni which is 7th century Georgian Orthodox "Jvari-type" cross-domed tetra conch church and Uplistsikhe, an ancient rock-hewn town and one of the oldest urban settlements (3rd millennium BC). Two options are available for the tour. Tour with Lunch option includes tasting the best meals from local cuisine and tasting local endemic wines. Private tour to Uplistsikhe is suitable for people who are interested in medieval monasteries, birthplace of Soviet politician and pagan and Christian architecture in an ancient cave town of Georgia. Total drive 215 km (135 miles).
What's included
Included
- Private English speaking guide
- Private transportation with A/C
- All entrance tickets
- Bottled water
What you'll see and do
Samtavisi Cathedral
Samtavisi is an 11th century Georgian Orthodox cross-in-square cathedral built in 1030 by a local bishop and architect Hilarion, the son of Vache Kanchaeli, who also built a wine cellar in 1050. The first temple was built by Vakhtang Gorgasali in 472 and was later rebuilt in the 10th century, but neither has survived. Assyrian missionary Isidore came in the monastery in 6th century. Earthquakes caused the dome, western wall and the pillars to collapse. The inscription on the western façade above the window, says "The secondary builder of the temple was the daughter of king and the wife of Amilakhvari Gaiane". The cathedral was first partially reconstructed in the 15th-16th centuries
40 minutes here
Stalin Museum
Joseph Stalin Museum (1957) is dedicated to the life of Joseph Stalin, Soviet leader born in Gori. Museum has a small wooden hut, in which Stalin was born in 1878 and spent his first four years. Stalin's father Bessarion Jughashvili, a local shoemaker, rented a room here and had a workshop in the basement.The main building was opened in 1951 as a museum of socialism, but became a memorial of Stalin, who died in 1953. The display concludes with a death mask of Stalin taken shortly after his death. Museum has Stalin's personal armored railway carriage that weighs 83 tons. It was used by Stalin from 1941 when he attended the Yalta and the Tehran Conferences. It was sent to the museum in 1985.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Ateni Sioni (Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary) is 7th century Georgian Orthodox "Jvari-type" cross-domed tetra conch church that stands on a 5th century classical basilica. The name "Sioni" derives from Mount Zion at Jerusalem. Ateni Sioni has entrance from the north and its dome base rests on three tromps, transitioned to the four apses of the tetra conch. The lower tromp is eight-faceted, the middle sixteen and the upper thirty-two-faceted. Original reliefs of the western façade depict deer hunting scene. Artist placed an empty ashlar to show distance of arrow flight. Another relief of two deer drinking from a rounded pool is on the northern entrance. The relief symbolizes believers drinking from the same source of faith.
40 minutes here
Uplistsiche Cave Town
Uplistsikhe ("the lord's fortress") is an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia in Shida Kartli. Built on a high rocky left bank of the Mtkvari River. Uplistsikhe is one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia (people lived here in 3rd millennium BC). It was founded by mythical Uplos, son of Mtskhetos, and grandson of Kartlos, ancestor of the Georgians. The complex is divided into three parts: south (lower), middle (central) and north (upper) covering 8 hectares. The rock-cut structures include houses, a large hall, called Tamaris Darbazi, pagan places of sacrifice, bakery, prison, cellars, and even an amphitheater, all connected by footways and tunnels.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Private Budget Tour
Pickup included
Private Tour with Lunch
Taste local food and wine Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- SelectGeorgia-For Holiday
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Ladies need to wear head scarves and dresses in Georgian orthodox churches. Short trousers for men are also forbidden. Scarves and dresses can also be found near church entrances for men and women to enter churches.
- Comfortable shoes are recommended.
- Please let us know if you or anyone in your group have any dietary restrictions. We will use the information to offer a lunch to you if you booked Tour with Lunch option.
Photos
Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for Uplistsikhe Tour with Stalin Museum & Medieval Churches. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Ancient Monasteries, Stalin museum and Pagan Cave Town
I visited Samtavisi cathedral that has great history and ornaments on the wall, sioni church in ateni that simply surprised me with its history and importantance. Joseph Stalin museum reminded me soviet times. At the end we visited pagan cave town near Gori. Tour to Uplistsikhe was memorable experience. Great company.
Response from the operator: Thanks a lot for your review. We are glad that you enjoyed the tour.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent tour in uplistsikhe and gori
I had a nice time during tour in uplistsikhe but was a bit windy. Stalin museum is nice to see soviet era Georgia.nice tour in gori and uplistsikhe
Response from the operator: Thank you for wonderful review. Thanks.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $128 to $295
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Uplistsikhe Tour with Stalin Museum & Medieval Churches: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tbilisi.
How much does Uplistsikhe Tour with Stalin Museum & Medieval Churches cost?
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Prices start at $128 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tbilisi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Uplistsikhe Tour with Stalin Museum & Medieval Churches take?
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Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Tbilisi is not rushed.
Is Uplistsikhe Tour with Stalin Museum & Medieval Churches worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Tbilisi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Uplistsikhe Tour with Stalin Museum & Medieval Churches?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Uplistsikhe Tour with Stalin Museum & Medieval Churches suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Uplistsikhe Tour with Stalin Museum & Medieval Churches?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Tbilisi can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Tbilisi and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Uplistsikhe Tour with Stalin Museum & Medieval Churches start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Tbilisi within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Tbilisi?
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On Outty we rank every Tbilisi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Tbilisi:Evening Walking & Talking Tour with Wine & Boat Ride, Kakheti Wine Region Tour + 10 Premium Wine Tastings & Sunset, Tbilisi:Mtskheta,Jvari,Bazaar,wine tasting,Chronicles of Georgia. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Tbilisi?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Tbilisi?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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