Exotic tours / 30.06.2024

What to see in Sighnaghi. Sighnaghi: city of love in Georgia. Excursion to Sighnaghi from Tbilisi

I came to Singakhi in July - after several days there I wanted to see other interesting places in Georgia. And the first thing the travel agency advised me was to visit Sighnaghi, as well as the Bodbe Monastery located not far from it and, of course, taste wine in a private winery in the Alazani Valley.

Sighnaghi is a city located on the slope of a mountain in Kakheti in eastern Georgia. It’s like a fairy-tale town with red tiled roofs floating above the Alazani Valley. A city where you can get married at any time of the day or night: its registry offices operate around the clock, and a marriage certificate is valid in any country in the world. The city is associated with a beautiful legend, which gave it its second name - the City of Love. Similar to Italian towns with narrow streets climbing up the mountainside.

It must be said that in July it is still a bit hot in Georgia: the temperature during the day reached 30 degrees in the shade. But in the fall, if you time your trip to coincide with the Rtveli New Wine Festival, you can get double pleasure: from the beauty of Sighnaghi and from the famous Georgian hospitality.

Of course, it is better to go to the City of Love with a person who is dear to you. However, traveling alone will bring a lot of positive emotions and unforgettable impressions.

How to get there

There is no airport in Sighnaghi, so the route will go through Tbilisi, from where minibuses and, of course, taxis depart. Tbilisi can be reached by plane, bus and car. You can, of course, get there by train, but this journey is for the most stubborn. Since travel through Abkhazia is closed, you will have to go through and, which is costly in terms of money and time. The best way to get to Tbilisi is by plane. To enter Georgia, a foreign passport is required, valid for at least 3 months before expiration; a visa is not required. And the passport - this is important - should not contain notes about visiting Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

By plane

There are 3 airports in Georgia: Tbilisi, and. There is also the Queen Tamara Airport in (Verkhnyaya), but it is intended only for domestic flights. The closest to Sighnaghi is Tbilisi Airport.

From Moscow

Quite a few airlines fly to Tbilisi from Moscow.

The most budget option is the low-cost airline Pobeda. Flights operate from Vnukovo Airport with landing in Rostov-on-Don. Ticket price (depending on category) from 45 to 130 USD (2,500 - 7,500 RUB). Pobeda planes fly every other day - on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
One of the budget options is Azerbaijan Airlines Azal. Planes fly from Domodedovo every day except Sunday and Tuesday. In winter, a ticket costs a little less than 70 USD (4,000 RUB), with early booking in the summer - about 90 USD (5,000 RUB). But! All Azal planes fly through, where you can spend from several hours to the whole night waiting for the plane to Tbilisi.
Planes of S7 and Aeroflot airlines fly directly to Tbilisi. At the same time, the ticket price for S7 is lower than for Aeroflot: about 75 USD (4,200 RUB) in winter versus 125 USD (7,000 RUB) for Aeroflot. If you book early in the summer, you can fly for 110 USD (6,000 RUB) and 125 USD (7,000 RUB), respectively. Planes fly every day, S7 - from Domodedovo, Aeroflot - from Sheremetyevo.

If you carefully monitor the promotions of carrier companies (or better yet, subscribe to the newsletter), you can buy tickets cheaper. You can also compare air ticket prices for your dates and choose the best option.

From St. Petersburg to Tbilisi

Aeroflot and S7 fly from St. Petersburg, however, with a landing in Moscow. Although the price of a ticket in winter is low - about 90 USD (5,000 RUB), connections are usually inconvenient: you have to spend the night at the airport or go across the city to another airport. Ural Airlines, with a ticket price of around 125 USD (7,000 RUB), flies directly.

Via Vladikavkaz to Tbilisi

One way to get to the capital of Georgia is to fly to Vladikavkaz. If you find tickets on sale, you can fly from Moscow for 27 USD (1,500 RUB).

A ticket from St. Petersburg to Vladikavkaz costs about 70 USD (4000 RUB). I think it doesn’t make much sense to fly through Vladikavkaz: you won’t save anything on the road, taking into account transport from Vladikavkaz to Tbilisi. Unless you want to admire the beautiful views of the Georgian Military Road.

From Vladikavkaz, along the Georgian Military Road, through the Cross Pass, observation platforms, admiring the beautiful mountain views, you will get to Tbilisi. There are minibuses and taxis from Vladikavkaz, the prices are about the same. You can bargain for 27-35 USD (1500-2000 RUB). There are features of crossing the border, I’ll talk about this a little below.

Tbilisi Airport

Tbilisi International Airport named after Shota Rustaveli is located 17 km south of the city.

There is only one terminal at the airport, so it is quite difficult to get lost.

The city center can be reached by taxi, bus number 37, train and shuttle bus.

A taxi will cost approximately 10 USD (25 GEL). Lari (GEL) is the national currency of Georgia, 1 USD = 2.5 GEL.
The cost of travel by bus is 0.2 USD (0.5 GEL). The bus runs from 07:00 to 23:00. This is the most economical form of transport.
Train travel is also inexpensive - 0.2 USD (0.5 GEL), but the train departs from the airport only twice a day - at 7:55 and at 17:20.
Shuttle bus will cost 4 USD (10 GEL).

Important! All monetary transactions in Georgia are carried out only in local currency - lari (GEL). Rubles can be easily exchanged at banks or exchange offices, of which there are many in any city. It’s better to stock up on Georgian laris in advance in order to get to the city center and find an exchange office with a more favorable rate.

From Tbilisi to Sighnaghi

Minibuses go from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi from Samgori metro station. Minibuses run at intervals of 2 hours, the first departs at 7 am, the last at 6 pm. Travel time takes about two hours. Cost - 2.5 USD (6 GEL). It is better to check the schedule in advance; it may change depending on the season.

By train

For the bravest and most stubborn, for those who are not looking for easy ways in life, you can get to Tbilisi by train. Through and, because the path through Abkhazia is closed. This will take approximately 3-4 days if you travel from Moscow. Moreover, a reserved seat will cost about the same as a plane to Tbilisi costs. Question: do you need it? Moreover, you will still have to go by bus to Sighnaghi from Tbilisi; trains do not go to Sighnaghi.

By bus

Comfortable buses run from Moscow to Tbilisi. Departure from Teply Stan or from Shchelkovo bus station (different stations on different days of the week).

The cafe will offer you khinkali with many fillings, a variety of khachapuri, various types of meat, and traditional Georgian soups. In terms of prices, cafes in Sighnaghi do not differ from cafes in Tbilisi: khinkali cost 0.2 USB per piece, khachapuri - from 2 lj 4 USD. Moreover, one must take into account that the portions are usually “not for children” and balance your appetite.

While walking around Sighnaghi, you will definitely pass by a street bakery where delicious shoti bread is baked right before your eyes. It is quite inexpensive - 0.4 USD - but you should definitely try it.

And, of course, we must not forget that this is a wine paradise. Therefore, in Sighnaghi itself and not far from it there are many private wineries. You will be offered a tour of the wine cellars, optionally with tasting. And nearby, in the store, you can buy aromatic Georgian wine of different varieties. The most famous wine is the Alazani Valley, the place where Sighnaghi is located.

If we talk about cafes, there are many of them in Singakhi. From small ones, where you can have a snack for relatively little money, to elite ones. All cafes have Wi-Fi, although it is not available equally well everywhere. Many of the cafes have verandas, offering an unparalleled view of the Alazani Valley.

The most “pretentious” cafe of Singakhi is located near the Church of St. Stephen, next to Tsamebuli Street, which goes to the Ethnographic Park.

Prices here are above average, but the view of the Alazani Valley is beyond praise.

If you are not too hungry and your plans include visiting the Bodbe Nunnery, then I would advise you to have a snack there, at the Pilgrim Cafe. The cuisine and prices there are the same as everywhere else, but the money you leave there will be used to restore the monastery, destroyed during the Soviet years.

Holidays

In Sighnaghi, a city that began to be actively restored only in 2005, they have not yet invented their own holidays. Therefore, you can combine a walk around the city of Love with the Rtveli festival of young wine. The holiday falls on different dates, usually somewhere in September - early October, when the weather in Kakheti is warm and stable. On this day, the city organizes concerts with national dances, tastings of various types of wine, and having fun the way Georgians know how to do it.

I would advise combining a trip to Sighnaghi with a visit to Tbilisoba - a holiday in the city of Tbilisi. Since you still have to go to Sighnaghi through the capital, why not spend some time on the widespread celebration of City Day, and then go to the City of Love? Tbilisi Day is traditionally celebrated on the last weekend of October.

Safety. What to watch out for

Now there is practically nothing to fear in Georgia. In the fight against crime and corruption, the country was “cleaned up” so that it became completely safe. By the way, police buildings in Georgia are made of transparent material, which hints at the purity and transparency of the thoughts of those who work there.

But, since it has not yet completely recovered from the crisis of the 90s, into which it plunged following the collapse of the USSR, there are quite a lot of beggars in all cities, including Sighnaghi. They can offer you anything: some souvenir rubbish, binoculars to explore the surrounding area, escort to historical sites, and so on. You need to politely but firmly refuse such services.

The Soviet image of a Georgian in an airfield cap, not allowing Russian girls passage, has long since become a thing of the past. In Georgia, Russians are treated with sympathy; now it is a completely secular country, and single girls have nothing to fear when walking along the streets of Sighnaghi.

Things to do

What to do in the city of love? Of course, with love! Kissing with your loved one under the clock showing the happy wrong time, drinking cold Kakheti wine while admiring the view of the Alazani Valley, sighing romantically at the moon from the Fortress Wall and, in the end, registering a marriage in the Sighnahi registry office.

But seriously, I didn’t notice any activity in Sighnaghi. The city began to actively develop in 2005, and the main efforts were invested in the development of romantic infrastructure. Perhaps in the near future it will be possible to go bungee jumping in tandem with your beloved from the Sighnaghi fortress wall, but for now, alas, this entertainment is not on the list of services.

Shopping and shops

Sighnaghi is not a place for shopping. This is the place for romance. At the entrance to the city on Baratashvili Street there is a “Populi” market, modest in size and assortment. And on the streets and squares of this miniature town you can see many homemade shops selling local souvenirs.

Of course, the main souvenirs are wine bottles of various shapes and designs. After all, this is, first of all, a wine paradise. You can find reproductions of Pirosmani’s paintings made on various media, including refrigerator magnets.

I would not say that the assortment of souvenirs is very different from what they can offer in any of the Georgian towns. But at the Bodbe convent I bought a book about the history of the monastery, richly illustrated with photographs. This is exclusive! I value this book very much, and it even seems to me that it carries some kind of light; I am pleased to pick it up.

Bars. Where to go

I didn’t notice any bars as such in Sighnaghi. But for those who like to sit with a glass, I can recommend two places where you can do this.

Shop "Tears of Pheasant". Located on Baratashvili street. Aldin is one of the oldest and most famous wine shops in Kakheti. Even, one might say, one of the first wine stores. Now the prices there are somewhat inflated, the store has long positioned itself as the only decent wine store in Sighnaghi, so snobbery is not alien to it. There is a tasting in the store. You can dine in the restaurant and order the same wine from the store. Lunch with tasting will cost 20-25 USD

Winery of Joni Okruashvili, known as "Okros Wine". Here you can taste and buy very good wines from the Saperavi, Ice-Saperavi, Rkatsiteli brands of various types and very good Manavian Mtsvane. All wines are produced in the same estate. Lunch with tasting and long stories costs 17 USD, and it is really worth it. The winery is located on Chavchavadze Street, between the Sighnaghi Hotel and the Church of St. Stephen.

I would like to give some advice to lovers of wine and spirits tasting. Georgians believe that the most exclusive wine is made in Kakheti. In order not to get confused when choosing, be sure to taste it. Almost all Georgian stores provide this opportunity. Tastings are often free. Do not drink wine and chacha on the same day - although both are made from grapes, they have different strengths, so you may have a headache in the morning. Georgians treat a sore head with mineral water and rich khash soup. Yes! If you find yourself at a Georgian feast, you will have to drink. Calculate your strength. For example, our guide said that on average each guest drinks 4-5 liters of wine during a feast.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

Probably the best gift you can bring from Kakheti is a bottle of aromatic Kakheti wine. There is a fairly expensive branded wine store in Sighnaghi called “Tears of Pheasant”, where you can also taste drinks. It is located near the “front” entrance to the city, on Baratashvili Street. The store was founded by an American who carefully monitored the quality of products and for a long time was almost the only one in the city. The wine there is really high quality, but very expensive. But, it seems to me that it makes no sense to overpay for a store brand: quite decent wines can be purchased in small shops or in wineries located near the city.

And so the set of souvenirs is no different from what is brought from Georgia - stuffed animals, fruits, handicrafts, which are very widely represented in Singakhi, magnets.

How to get around the city

It is better to get around the city on foot. The streets are so winding and narrow, and many are paved with cobblestones, that it can be difficult to pass by car. And a leisurely walk through such a romantic city is probably the best option not to miss anything of its beauty.

Taxi. What features exist

As everywhere in Georgia, taxi is one of the most popular types of transportation. It is better to walk around the city itself, but if you want to go and admire the surroundings of Sighnaghi, you will have to take a taxi. Don't hesitate to bargain! A taxi in Georgia, when compared with Russia, is quite cheap. Therefore, express your admiration to the taxi driver for what you saw, the beautiful nature, the city, and perhaps he himself will lower the price for you. All Georgians are patriots of their country, and taxi drivers are no exception. I didn’t see meters in taxis; the cost must be agreed upon in advance. Credit cards are also not accepted in taxis. Parking lots are located at the main entrance to the city from Baratashvili Street and on Irakli II Square. In any hotel or guest house, wherever you stay, the owner will give you a number where you can call a taxi or advise you on how to get cheaper to where you are planning to go.

- the most romantic and beautiful city in Kakheti, located 110 km east of Tbilisi. The town is very small and completely restored: ancient houses, cobbled streets and quiet, measured rural life - an ideal place for a couple of lovers.

In this post: photos of Sighnaghi, attractions, our impressions of the city, as well as useful information about hotels, restaurants, and transport.

You can read about other sights of Georgia in

Little is known about the history of this settlement. Only that the city was built in the 18th century by King Irakli II as a refuge from Lezgin and Persian attacks. In 2005, large-scale restoration began in Sighnaghi, something is still being completed.

It is also called the city of love, and there are two versions why. First, there is a wedding palace here, where you can easily arrange a wedding without unnecessary hassle and documents. The second is a famous native of these places, the artist Pirosmani, who paved the road with red roses for his beloved. Remember Alla Pugacheva's song? It's just about this story. Be that as it may, the town is really very romantic.

The entire town is built on hills, and has a rather intricate network of streets winding through the mountains. From the top there are excellent views of the Alazani Valley, where the famous wines of Kakheti are produced.

Sights of Sighnaghi

What is worth seeing in Sighnaghi? We were here for only one day with an overnight stay - this time was enough to visit all the interesting places in the area.

Fortress walls

The 4-kilometer fortress walls around the city still stand, there are 23 towers and 6 gates, you can take a nice walk among them.

Streets of Sighnaghi

Sighnaghi Museum

A modern museum with archaeological finds made on the territory of Kakheti and paintings by the artist Pirosmani, he was born in these places.

Entry fee: 3 lari

Working hours: 11:00 – 17:00, except Monday

Address: Rustaveli, 8

It is located very close to the city Bodbe Monastery.

It is definitely worth a 2 km walk along the mountain road from Sighnaghi. The monastery is located among tall cypress trees in a very cozy place, you just want to stay there longer. We sat on the parapet looking out over the valley for perhaps an hour.

The temple is dedicated to Saint Nino, who is buried here. If you go down the slope about 800 m, you can find a holy spring of water.

View of the Alazani Valley

Mirzaani village

The famous artist Pirosmani was born in Mirzaani, so fans of his work will be interested in visiting the artist’s homeland. You can also visit the museum there (entrance 3 GEL, from 10 to 17, except Mondays).

We expected that there would be more shops and shops in Sighnaghi, but in fact everything is quite modest, a few village shops and grandfathers selling wine and chacha. In general, the whole city, although very nice, looks as if it is artificial, made for show for tourists. Here you will not see genuine Georgian life; for this it is better to go to the surrounding villages. At the same time, the infrastructure in the town is not yet particularly developed.

Sights of Sighnaghi

In any case, it is definitely worth coming to Sighnaghi, especially if you are traveling around Kakheti - enjoy the views of the Alazani Valley and the surrounding hills, stroll along the streets, and visit the monasteries. But coming with a girlfriend or wife is generally a good thing!

Hotels and guesthouses Sighnaghi

There are a lot of housing options in Sighnaghi; even on weekends and holidays you will not be left without a roof over your head. The best option is to stay not in a hotel, but in a guest house, the so-called guesthouse - you will communicate with the owners, and it will be cheaper. There are options here from $10 per room in a simple house to $100 in luxury boutique hotels.

We stopped. The owner Vano is a very intelligent and pleasant person, he runs the local chess club. He immediately treated us to pears, figs and chacha. ;-) The house is simple, but with a cool large veranda overlooking the Alazani Valley. There are several tables and all kinds of pottery there.

Find more hotels in Sighnaghi:

Tbilisi Sighnaghi how to get there?

By public transport

To get to Sighnaghi from Tbilisi, go to Samgori bus station (near the metro station of the same name). From there there are minibuses to Sighnaghi several times a day, the cost is 6 GEL, and the journey takes 2 hours. At the very end of the road there will be a nice serpentine road that goes uphill towards the city.

From Sighnaghi you can go to Telavi - the minibus runs once a day at 09:15, the cost is 4 GEL, and the journey takes an hour and a half. There is also transport to Tsnori, which is down in the valley - minibuses run every hour every day, except weekends. The fare is 1 lari, the journey takes half an hour. And from Tsnori you can already leave for Lagodekhi and the Azerbaijani border.

It is ideal to come with your own car or rent a taxi for a couple of days, because public transport in Kakheti is inconsistent and does not go everywhere.

(price 85-90 GEL one way for the whole car).

Sighnaghi is a city in Georgia, which is considered the most romantic and beautiful place in Kakheti, and is also called the city of love. It is located 110 km east of Tbilisi on the slope of a mountain. The city is small, but restored. It’s nice to just walk along it: cobbled streets, many old houses, quiet and peaceful rural life - just an ideal place for couples in love.

History of Sighnaghi

The city of Sighnaghi was founded in the 17th century, when King Irakli II reigned, on the site of an old fortification. At that time it became a refuge for many from Persian and Lezgin attacks. Local residents claim that it is the only city in the country in which the fortress walls have been completely preserved. The wall is surrounded by small watchtowers, which you can climb if you wish and enjoy stunning views of the Alazani Valley.

Global restoration in Sighnaghi began in 2005. To this day, the city continues to complete and improve things. The main goal is to make it a tourism center.

Why is it called the city of love? There are two versions here. According to one of them, a wedding palace operates in the city around the clock, in which anyone can seal their union by marriage, even without documents and any hassle. According to the second version, a famous artist named Niko Pirosmani lived in these places, who laid out a path of scarlet roses for his beloved (by the way, in Pugacheva’s song “A Million Scarlet Roses,” this is precisely the story referred to). No matter what anyone says, this small town can safely be called romantic.

The city is built on hills, with many confusing streets. From the top there are amazing views of the Alazani Valley, where the world famous wines of Kakheti are produced.

Etymology

The name of the city of Sighnaghi comes from the Turkic word siknak or signak, which means shelter, fortification and fortification.

Sights of Sighnaghi

There are plenty of attractions in the city, but the most interesting places can be explored in a day. It is also convenient to get to the surrounding area from here to get acquainted with other equally interesting attractions.

Fortress walls

The fortress walls along the city, stretching for four kilometers, have been preserved to this day. It will be interesting to walk among the 23 towers and 6 gates, and here you can take many beautiful photographs as a souvenir. The fortress of the same name is included in the list of the largest and most famous fortresses in Georgia.

Sighnaghi Museum

There is also a modern museum with various archaeological objects made on the territory of Kakheti, as well as paintings by Pirosmani. Entrance to the museum is paid - 3 GEL. Its doors are open to visitors every day, except Mondays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Address – Rustaveli, 8.

Church of St. Gevorg

This is the temple of the Armenian Apostolic Church, built in 1793. During Soviet times in 1924, the church was closed and transferred to the club. It is interesting for its unique shape - inside it is single-nave, but outside it has the features of a three-nave basilica.

According to the data, 6 Armenian churches were built in the city.

Wine Museum

There is a small wine museum on the central road. Here you can eat and drink deliciously and heartily, and also buy several bottles of real natural Georgian wine for yourself and your family, which is prepared in the old traditional way.

Bodbe Monastery

The Bodbe Monastery is located near Sighnaghi. You can walk to it on a mountain road for about two kilometers. The monastery is located in a cozy place, surrounded by tall cypress trees; when you get there, you want to stay longer. The temple is dedicated to Saint Nino, who is buried on its territory. If you go down about 800 meters, you can find a holy spring of water.

Mirzaani village

The village is located near the city of Sighnaghi. The famous artist Pirosmani was born here. Those who are fans of his paintings should visit this place. There is also a museum there, the entrance to which is paid - 3 GEL. Open every day except Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There are not many shops and souvenir stalls here, but grandfathers are sitting everywhere selling chacha and wine. It is unlikely that you will be able to experience authentic Georgian life in this village; it is better to go to other surrounding villages for this purpose.

8 things you should definitely do in Sighnaghi

Tourists arriving for the first time in Sighnaghi need to complete the mandatory program:

Visit the local history museum and see both floors - painting and archaeological. Study the work of artist Niko Pirosmani.
Take a photo of the Church of St. Gevorg against the backdrop of the Alazani Valley.
Take a walk along the fortress walls.
Stop by and have lunch on the terrace of the famous cafe, featured in the movie “Love with an Accent.”
Climb to the observation deck of St. Stephen's Church.
Take a look at the ethnographic park and study the production of churchkhela and real Georgian lavash.
Visit the free ethnographic museum located at the Brigitte Hotel.
Take a walk to the famous Bodbe Monastery, which is located two kilometers from the city.

How to get from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi

By minibus on your own

Minibuses leave from Samgori metro station three times a day (at 9, 11 and 16 o'clock). They go back at the same time, so it’s better to take care of buying a ticket in advance, it costs 6 GEL. The drive takes about two hours, during the trip you can enjoy wonderful views of the surrounding area.

By car on your own

You can rent a car, then install a navigator on your phone and you can safely go on a trip that will last approximately 1.5 hours.

Video:

Take a transfer

There are many different travel agencies in Tbilisi; you can easily order a transfer from any of them or you can negotiate directly with a taxi driver. The drive also takes about 1.5 hours.

Buy a guided tour

You can book a tour from local residents. If you spread the cost of the excursion over several people, it will be inexpensive. Usually the tour includes not only a visit to Sighnaghi, but also to the Kindzmarauli plant, during which wine tasting and many other equally interesting things will be offered.

Today, Sighnaghi looks more like a tourist model than a full-fledged city. One can only believe that very soon it will truly come to life, and crowds of tourists from all over the world will walk its streets.

In contact with

When traveling around Georgia, it is important not only to visit the capital and go to the sea, but also not to forget about small corners that are barely noticeable on the map, but deserve a lot of attention. One of these places is the city of Sighnaghi. It has become the “calling card” of Georgia. Many already know the city from its beautiful postcard photos.

Thanks to its second name, the city is popular among lovers. The stunning views that Sighnaghi offers and its cozy atmosphere can create a romantic mood. However, the answer to the question of why this place was dubbed the city of love is 2 popular versions:

There is a 24-hour registry office here. To register, just submit an application one hour before the event. No one demands proof that the lovers are no longer married. And the stamp is valid throughout the world. To dissolve such a union, you will have to return to this place, or do it through a proxy.
The famous story from the song “A Million Scarlet Roses” by Alla Pugacheva took place in this city. Local artist Niko Pirosmani fell hopelessly in love with a French actress who came on tour. Trying to earn the attention of his beloved, the artist strewn the area in front of the hotel where she stayed with countless of her favorite flowers.

An interesting detail complements the atmosphere. There is a clock hanging on the Sighnaghi City Hall building that never shows the exact time. Happy hours are not observed, so in the city of love there is no need for this.

How to get there

The most convenient way to travel is from Tbilisi, from which Sighnaghi is located 110 km east.

There are several options for quickly getting from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi. The choice is up to the traveler:

Buy a guided tour. It’s convenient and reliable, and if you gather a company, it won’t be very expensive.
Buy a transfer from any city travel agency. This trip will take about 1.5 hours and cost approximately 130 GEL.
Get there by car. When renting a vehicle, you can spend 50 euros per day. With a navigator, getting there on your own is not difficult and will take about 1.5 hours.
Getting there on your own by minibus is the cheapest option. They travel from the small Tbilisi bus station to the Samgori metro station, starting at 7 am, every 2 hours. A ride will cost only 13 GEL, so minibuses are in high demand. It is worth purchasing return tickets in advance.

When traveling on your own, it is important to think through not only how to get from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi, but also the way back. The last minibus from Sighnaghi leaves at 18:00.

Where to eat

The city has more than 15 cafes and restaurants of different price categories. In Sighnaghi, as throughout Georgia, the cuisine is mainly represented by traditional Georgian soups, meat dishes, khachapuri and khinkali with various fillings. Where you can eat in Sighnaghi, there is Wi-Fi everywhere, which, however, does not work well everywhere. But you can forget about this, because from the veranda of almost every establishment there is an opportunity to admire the beauty.

Next to the Church of St. Stephen, near Tsamebuli Street leading to the Ethnographic Park, there is the most elite cafe of Sighnaghi. It has one of the best views of the Alazani Valley, but the price tag is above average.

Visitors to the Bodbe Nunnery can eat at the local Pilgrim Cafe. The food is delicious, the prices are reasonable, and the funds received go towards restoring the monastery destroyed during Soviet times.

When staying in Sighnaghi during the non-resort season, you must keep in mind that many restaurants close at 10 pm and do not forget to have a snack.

What to see

Not far from the police building, in the center of Sighnaghi, there is a large map of the city, which it is recommended to study before your walk and plan a route. Walking around Sighnaghi, it’s easy to imagine that you are in Europe. The winding streets are paved with paving stones, and the roofs of the houses are covered with red tiles in the best traditions of southern Italian classicism. In addition to the neat streets, there is a lot that is worth seeing in Sighnaghi and its surroundings:

Sighnahi Fortress is the main attraction of the city and the largest fortress in Georgia. Along its perimeter, more than 5 km long, there are 28 watchtowers. Tourists have the opportunity to climb up using special attached stairs and admire the view of the Alazani Valley. There is a path along the wall that tourists love to walk along.
Sighnahi Museum of Local Lore is one of the most beautiful museums in Georgia. It is divided into an art gallery and an archaeological part. More than 15 creations of the famous Pirosmani are exhibited on the second floor. The museum is located on David Square in the center of Sighnaghi. The cost of visiting will cost 3 GEL.

Temples

The Church of St. George is the most popular view of the city. Located on Gorgosari Street next to the fortress wall. It was recently restored, but the most stunning photos of the temple are taken from afar, at the entrance to Sighnaghi.
St. Stephen's Church is the highest point in the city. Located next to the Sighnaghi hotel on Chavchavadze Street. It is a fortress tower with a bell tower. There are binoculars on it, through which vacationers enjoy the view of the surrounding area.
The Bodbe Monastery, 2 kilometers from the city, is also popular. Many people take a taxi – it’s quite inexpensive. Here are the relics of Saint Nino, the enlightener who led Georgia to Christianity. Nearby is the holy spring of Nino. It is said that those who plunge into it cleanse their body and soul from sins. But for this it is necessary to overcome the path of 647 steps along the stairs that lead to it from the temple.

Parks

The 9 April Park is a place of memory for the fallen residents of the Sighnaghi region during the Second World War. The names of war victims are carved on the slabs. There is also a statue of Solomon Dotashvili here.
The Ethnographic Park is the only local real park. These are picturesque thickets, cypresses and other trees in the south of the city. It has its own ethnographic museum.

Wineries

Tears of a pheasant. Sighnaghi's signature store is a must-see for wine lovers. Located on Baratashvili street. The opportunity to taste real Georgian wines and taste national cuisine accompanied by Georgian music consistently attracts visitors. “Tears of a Pheasant” is one of the first wine shops in Kakheti, positioning itself as the only decent establishment of its kind in the city. The quality of the product does not raise any complaints, but the price tag is slightly high. Lunch with tasting will cost about 20-25 dollars.
Okros Wine - Joni Okruashvili's winery, located on Chavchavadze Street, will delight you with excellent value for money. Lunch with tasting here will cost $17.

It’s easy to get carried away when tasting Kakheti wine. If a traveler has overestimated his strength and woke up feeling unwell, it is worth trying popular hangover remedies among Georgians - mineral water and fatty khash soup.

Where to stay

The area of Sighnaghi barely exceeds 1 square kilometer, but in terms of the number of hotels this city is the leader in Kakheti. This means that no matter where the traveler stays, the distance to the main attractions will be short.

Tourists often consider this place as a base for exploring Kakheti and wonder where it is better to stay - in Sighnaghi or Telavi. For this purpose, it is more practical to settle in Telavi. From this city it is easy to make a whole circuit of Kakheti sights: Telavi, the monastery, Alaverdi, Gremi Castle, Nekresi Fortress, winery, Lake Lopota. However, from Sighnaghi it is convenient to get to the Lagodekhi National Park.

When choosing a hotel, you can start from your budget. Here are some interesting options from the huge list:

Kabadoni Boutique Hotel – lovers of luxury stay here. Hotel "Kabadoni" is one of the three best in all of Kakheti. On its territory there is a wine bar, a sports complex and a swimming pool. This luxury hotel is located on Solomon Dotashvili Square. The price level ranges from 60 to 345 dollars depending on the room category. There are 21 of them in total, and the most expensive is called the “Tsar Heraclius Suite”. Prices become slightly lower between December and February, as this is the quietest season. The price includes breakfast and bath amenities.
Signaghi is also located on Dotashvili Square. It is quite popular due to its affordable prices. The hotel has 14 rooms. The most expensive one is an apartment and costs 100 dollars, and the usual one is only 50.
Levan is a guest house that allows pets. The atmosphere is homey, clean. 21 $ per room
Kusika is a top place with the most beautiful view. Guest house located inside the Sighnaghi fortress. $21 per room
Hotel Brigitte is a well-known but simple hotel with a price tag of $60 per room. It has a good restaurant and a free museum.
Old House in Sighnaghi has a special design interior. Cost 34$
Panorama is a hotel with two outdoor pools and a fireplace. For $30 you can get a room with a private bathroom and modern furnishings. Breakfast is included in the price.

Hotel map

Don't expect too much excitement from Sighnaghi. The infrastructure is not developed enough for spoiled travelers. However, for vacationers in Tbilisi it will not be difficult to get to the city of love, and visiting the main attractions will not take much time. While in Georgia, to get the full picture, it’s worth taking a day to visit this atmospheric and romantic town.

Sighnaghi is a unique case of how, almost out of the blue, you can create something attractive for tourists from all countries. It was the future of the tourist Mecca that the Saakashvili government prepared for the small town in the Alazani Valley in 2005, when work on the restoration of Sighnaghi began. In particular, the roofs of all houses were covered with red tiles, the streets with paving stones were repaired, the city center was restored, and a 24-hour registry office was opened, thanks to which Sighnaghi received its second name - “The City of Love.”

Sighnaghi on the map of Georgia

How to get to Sighnaghi from Tbilisi?

During the meal, he talked about his youth, about the fact that all the best leaders in Russia were Georgians - Peter 1, Stalin and Putin 🙂 He also told a funny story about how in distant years Russians came to him to make films. In the morning they get up and say “how to get to the sea.” And he answered - “there is no sea here.” And they said to him, “You’re kidding us, you can see him over there,” and they point to the Alazani Valley in the haze, which, on a clear day, can actually be mistaken for a huge body of water.

I don’t know how true the story is, but the places here are truly stunningly beautiful, and in sunny weather you really get the feeling that there is water nearby.

A night in Abramici is one of the most heartwarming memories of Georgia. The case when the lack of Internet and the wild cold at night (at the end of February it’s really dull in the dark, and the only heating in the hotel is an oil heater that knocks so much that it’s easier to turn it off than to fall asleep to this noise) is not an obstacle to wonderful memories.

Here is a photo of the owner as a souvenir.

Where to eat in Sighnaghi?

Let's go back a little: after checking into the hotel, I went to look for adventures where to eat in Sighnaghi and surf the Internet. It was already completely dark outside, and the cobbled streets were very reminiscent of Vyborg. There was not a single tourist except me.

Almost no one was found in the restaurants: some were already closed at 10:30, others had no customers, and others did not have the Internet.

As a result, having made 3 circles along the main streets, I had difficulty finding one (!) restaurant with working wi-fi (which even then turned out to not belong to the establishment). Moreover, the restaurant is clearly in the banquet section, with tablecloths on chairs and full table settings. And I'm alone in the hall. Another funny thing was that when I came here Joe Cocker was playing, but soon they turned on Basta and other Russian pop music. Exactly the same case happened in Mestia; probably, Russian music was played in the hope of pleasing the guest. But I would stick with Cocker and Eye of the tiger, which were at the beginning :)

The next day, already during daylight hours, I still couldn’t find a restaurant with wi-fi. There are places where yesterday’s catch was caught (either city, or from the bank, I still don’t understand), and the restaurant employees don’t even know about it. So if you, like me, needed to not only eat in Sighnaghi, but also do it with Internet access: walk around the city looking for it and, if found, sit down in the nearest cafe. Due to the fact that Georgian cuisine itself is delicious, it will most likely be delicious everywhere.