12 Attractions in Sighnaghi You Must See

A small but very cozy town, Sighnaghi, founded in 1762, is located in Kakheti - a wine region in eastern Georgia. In 2005, a large-scale reconstruction took place here, turning the town into a tourist center.

After visiting, tourists leave with many photographs, as every corner of this colorful town is worth capturing. We will tell you about the main attractions of Sighnaghi that deserve your attention.

This fortification is considered one of the most famous and extensive in Georgia. The walls of the Sighnaghi fortress have survived, along with 28 watchtowers located around its perimeter. Today, the fortress wall surrounds the old part of the town and adjacent areas, extending far beyond its borders.

The total length of the wall is over 4 km. This historical heritage from the 18th century has been well preserved. Part of the wall is open for tourist visits, and you can explore the fortress towers from the inside and climb to the top. From here, there are magnificent views of the town, the Alazani Valley, and the surrounding area.

Address: The Fortress Wall, Sighnaghi, Georgia.

Kakheti is a wine region, and a significant portion of the grapes are grown in the Alazani Valley. It runs along the southern foothills of the Greater Caucasus. The valley gets its name from the Alazani River, which flows all along the region. Another name for the Alazani Valley is the Kakheti Plain.

This area is one of the main regions of Georgian winemaking and is the birthplace of the famous wine <<Kinzmarauli>>. The stunning panorama of the misty Alazani Valley is something to behold in Sighnaghi from several viewpoints. One of them is located on the fortress wall.

Address: Alazani Valley, ალაზნის ვაკე, Georgia.

The main cathedral of Sighnaghi, built in 1793, is a symbol of the town. St. George's Church is located in the very center of Sighnaghi on Gorgasali Street. It is constructed of brick and uncut stones.

The church, built in a strict temple architectural style, was originally Armenian. After renovation, during independent Georgia, the church was handed over to the Georgian Orthodox Church.

St. George's Cathedral is the largest religious building in the town. The church looks quite ascetic: minimal decorations and details, only elegant arches and relief crosses made of brick.

The church building is almost adjoining to the fortress wall. Notably, one of the watchtowers of this fortification has been converted into a tall bell tower.

Address: St. George's Church, Sighnaghi, Georgia.

The second church in Sighnaghi is St. Stephen's Church, located on Chavchavadze Street. The exact time of its construction is unknown. Historians suggest it was built in the 18th century, simultaneously with the fortress walls.

The characteristic of St. Stephen's Church is that it is actually built into the fortress wall. The church was constructed right inside the tower, thus becoming a kind of impregnable chapel with a bell tower. If you climb this tower, you'll have a bird's eye view of the entire town.

Address: St. Stephen's Church, Sighnaghi, Georgia.

Due to its romantic atmosphere and beautiful legends, Sighnaghi has earned the title of the <<City of Love>>. As a testament to this, one of the town's attractions is the Marriage Palace, located in the center of Sighnaghi, on Irakli II Square.

What makes this registry office unique is that since the mid-2000s, it has operated 24/7. With the necessary documents, couples can submit their application and register their marriage at any time of the day or night. The Sighnaghi Marriage Palace became the first such institution in Georgia.

Address: City Registry Office, Sighnaghi, Georgia.

This colorful place with trees, benches, and lanterns is adorned with interesting features. Here you will see a memorial dedicated to the townspeople who died in the Great Patriotic War and a monument to a local writer and educator, Solomon Dodashvili.

The park has dozens of stalls where tourists can purchase authentic products, traditional carpets, homemade wine, churchkhela, and other Georgian goods. It is the perfect place to buy gifts for loved ones and souvenirs that will remind you of your journey through these soulful places.

GPS coordinates: 41.619580, 45.922633

In 2010, the local history museum in Sighnaghi underwent reconstruction and acquired a new look. This institution, with its rich collection of exhibits and excellent design, is among the top ten museums in Georgia. It is located in the center of the town and is considered its bright attraction.

The museum building has 2 floors. On the first floor, there are three halls, including an archaeology hall, which houses a unique collection of archaeological artifacts. Here you can see bronze figurines, ceramics, and carved weapons. The second floor, showcasing paintings, is divided into two halls. In one of them, you can see works by Niko Pirosmani, while the other hosts temporary exhibitions.

Address: Local History Museum, 8 Rustaveli blind-Alley, Sighnaghi, Georgia.

The attractions of Sighnaghi include not only historical monuments but also quite modern places. The Phasani Tears Winery, with its wine cellar and restaurant of the same name, was founded by local resident Gela Patalashvili and American artist John Wardeman, who came to Georgia and decided to stay here. Today, the Phasani Tears is one of the most famous wineries in the region.

The winery produces up to 150,000 bottles of wine annually, which is exported to 15 countries. The wine is made using ancient Kakhetian recipes in clay amphoras called <>, and then bottled.

The production is based on traditional fermentation technology (with the pomace), which results in a bold wine. In the cozy courtyard of the establishment, you can taste the hundreds of varieties of wines offered here. The restaurant serves guests Georgian cuisine.

Address: Phasani Tears Winery, Sighnaghi, Georgia.

2 kilometers from Sighnaghi is the Bodbe Women's Monastery - the abode of the Georgian Orthodox Church. St. Nino, the Christian enlightener of Georgia, who lived at the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 4th centuries, spent her last years and died here. The monastery was founded in this area in the 9th century, and the monastery complex was significantly rebuilt in the 17th century.

Next to the entrance to the monastery courtyard is the main church of the monastery, which impresses with its mosaic iconostasis. The church is dedicated to the heavenly patron of Georgia - St. George.

In this small church lies the grave of St. Nino. Nearby stands a three-tiered bell tower. Not far from the monastery is a natural spring believed to have healing properties. A small baptismal pool is also located here where you can perform a cleansing ritual.

Address: Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino, Sighnaghi-St. Nino Monastery, Sighnaghi, Georgia.

On the way from Bodbe Monastery, about a kilometer from the center of Sighnaghi, there is a viewpoint with a beautiful panoramic view. Here is also the starting point for the local zipline. Its length is about 400 meters.

If you want to enjoy the magnificent views of the surroundings, the Sighnaghi zipline is the best option. After descending the cable, you will get an adrenaline rush and admire the picturesque city landscapes, the panorama of the Alazani Valley, and the Caucasus Mountains.

GPS coordinates: 41.61425721061523, 45.92153464232841

Sighnaghi was founded in the second half of the 18th century by King Irakli II. One of the main squares in the town bears the name of this ruler of Georgia. It features a casino, a registry office, and a fountain shaped like a <>. This is the Georgian vessel for wine, which is one of the elements of the fountain.

Water jets are directed at the wine vessel, topped with a bronze deer, a larger copy of a figurine found during archaeological excavations in a nearby village.

Tourists do not miss the opportunity to take atmospheric photographs at Irakli II Square. Here, local horse-drawn carriage drivers and quad bike owners offer their services to holidaymakers. Marshrutkas from Tbilisi arrive here, and taxi drivers await customers. For those tourists who want to drive through the streets of the town, local guides offer car tours.

Address: Irakli II Square, Sighnaghi, Georgia.

To transform Sighnaghi into a tourism center through reconstruction, many engineers and designers worked on the town's appearance. Sighnaghi is a small town, but if you get tired of visiting its attractions, you can relax in one of the cafes or restaurants found at every step before continuing your walk.

This cozy town will charm you with its lovely views of narrow, cobbled streets and the harmonious blend of old buildings with new constructions. Here, original installations and sculptures can be seen everywhere.

From Tsaritsa Tamar Street, you can enjoy excellent views of the northern part of the Alazani Valley. Baratashvili Street, which winds down to Irakli II Square, has become the town's calling card. The image of this descent is invariably found on most tourist postcards.