Alaverdi Cathedral in Alzani valley.

Andrew Montgomery

Kakheti

The eastern region of Kakheti is Georgia’s premier wine-producing area. Almost everywhere you go, you’ll be invited to drink a glass of traditional qvevri brew, and it’s easy to find yourself wandering around in a semipermanent mellow haze. Kakheti is also rich in history: here you’ll find the incredible monastery cave complex of Davit Gareja in a desolate spot overlooking the Azerbaijan border; the vaguely Tuscan-looking hilltop town of Sighnaghi; and many extraordinarily located churches and castles – both ruined and restored – around the charming regional capital, Telavi.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Chavchavadze House Museum in Tsinandali. Georgia; Shutterstock ID 633216923; Your name (First / Last): Gemma Graham; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Georgia destination page masthead and POI images

    Chavchavadze Estate

    Kakheti

    Prince Alexander Chavchavadze (1786–1846) was one of the most colourful and influential characters in Georgian history, and the palace and gardens he…

  • Alaverdi Cathedral

    Alaverdi Cathedral

    Kakheti

    At the beginning of the 11th century, when Georgia was entering its cultural and political golden age, King Kvirike of Kakheti had this majestic cathedral…

  • Sighnaghi Museum

    Sighnaghi Museum

    Sighnaghi

    This well-displayed, modern museum has good exhibits on Kakheti archaeology and history downstairs, and a room of 13 paintings by Kakheti-born artist Niko…

  • Nekresi Monastery

    Nekresi Monastery

    Kakheti

    Nekresi’s early Georgian architecture and the views across the Alazani valley from its hillside-woodland site are marvellous. The monastery is 4km off the…

  • Ikalto Monastery

    Ikalto Monastery

    Kakheti

    This monastery, beautifully situated in a cypress grove, was one of two famous medieval Georgian Neoplatonist academies, the other being Gelati near…

  • Bodbe Convent

    Bodbe Convent

    Sighnaghi

    Bodbe Convent, the revered final resting place of St Nino, is set among tall cypresses 2km south of Sighnaghi, a pleasant walk on country roads. The…

  • Gremi Fortress

    Gremi Fortress

    Kakheti

    From 1466 to 1672, Gremi was the capital of Kakheti, but the town down to the west of the citadel was totally devastated by Shah Abbas in 1616. Within the…

  • Walls

    Walls

    Sighnaghi

    Most of Erekle II’s 4km defensive wall still stands, with 23 towers and each of its six gates named after a local village. Part of the wall runs along…

View more attractions
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Kakheti",
  "region": "Georgia,-Armenia-&-Azerbaijan",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Georgia"
}

Go Beyond

Kakheti and beyond

Beyond Kakheti
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Kakheti",
  "region": "Georgia,-Armenia-&-Azerbaijan",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Georgia"
}