Destination
David Gareja Monastery
A monastery cut into the rock of a semi-desert ridge on the Azerbaijani border, with centuries-old frescoes.
How to get to David Gareja Monastery
By car, David Gareja Monastery is about 1 h 50 min from Tbilisi (100 km). The closest airport is Tbilisi International Airport, about 1 h 35 min away by car (88 km). With a driver it is door to door at a fixed price, with stops on the way if you add them. See drivers & prices
From Tbilisi
1 h 50 min
100 km · 4x4 needed
From the nearest airport
1 h 35 min
Tbilisi International Airport · 88 km · 4x4 needed
Which car to take
- SUV / 4x4
Unsurfaced mountain road. A 4x4 is not a preference here — it is the condition.
When it is worth it
- Spring
- Autumn
How long to give it
One day
Not counting the drive out and back.
Main sights
- St David's Lavra
- Udabno Monastery and its frescoes
What people come to see. Ask your driver to stop at any of them.
What for
- Culture & history
What to eat here
- Mtsvadi
- Khashlama
- Churchkhela
- Dedas puri (bread from the tone oven)
The wine: Saperavi and Rkatsiteli, much of it still fermented in buried qvevri.
The cooking of Kakheti. Ask your driver where people actually eat.
Tours that include it
Questions about David Gareja Monastery
- How far is David Gareja Monastery from Tbilisi?
- About 1 h 50 min by car, 100 km.
- Which airport is closest to David Gareja Monastery?
- Tbilisi International Airport, about 1 h 35 min away by car (88 km).
- Do I need a 4x4 to get to David Gareja Monastery?
- Yes. The road is unsurfaced mountain track, and a 4x4 is the condition here, not a preference.
- When is the best time to visit David Gareja Monastery?
- Spring and autumn.
- How many days should I give David Gareja Monastery?
- One day. Not counting the drive out and back.
