Adigeni Church
🧭 Address, map, visitor reviews and rating: Adigeni Church in Adigeni. More places from the Sights, entertainment and r…
Municipalities of Samtskhe-Javakheti
Georgia's southern region boasts a rich historical heritage spanning multiple eras and cultures: Georgian, Armenian, Turkish, and Persian.
The cave town of Vardzia, the Rabati fortress in Akhaltsikhe, and the mineral waters of Borjomi are renowned far beyond the country's borders.
The region's six municipalities encompass everything from resort gorges to the rugged volcanic highlands of Javakheti.
This region is perfect for those who want to experience Georgia at a crossroads of cultures, ancient roads, fortresses, and extraordinary mountain landscapes.
🌄 Adigeni Municipality
Center — Adigeni · Borjomi Gorge
Adigeni is located in the Borjomi Gorge, one of the most beautiful areas in Georgia.
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, beech forests, and mountain rivers make this municipality attractive for ecotourism.
It is still quiet and uncrowded here.
All settlements in the municipality
Abastumani
Adigeni
Amkheri
Apieti
Arali
Arzne
Benara
Bolajuri
Varkhani
Gomaro
Gorguli
Gordze
Gortubani
Dertseli
Didi-Zanavi
Didi-Smada
Zazalo
Zarzma
Zedubani
Zemo-Enteli
Ijareti
Imertubani
Kakhareti
Kvemo-Enteli
Kekhovani
Kikibo
Kikineti
Lelovani
Mlashe
Mokhe
Nakurdevi
Namniauri
Parekha
Patara-Zanavi
Patara-Smada
Plate
Phero
Sagrdze
Sairme
Samkure
Ude
Untsa
Utkisubani
Kharjami
Khevasheni
Tsarbastumani
Tsakhani
Tsakhnistskaro
Tsikhisubani
Tsre
Chela
Chechla
Chorchani
Shoka
Shoraveli
urban-type settlement Adigeni, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia
🏛️ Aspindza Municipality
Center — Aspindza · Vardzia
The main attraction is the 12th-century cave city-monastery of Vardzia, carved into the rock above the Kura River.
Thousands of rooms, churches with frescoes, and secret passages make Vardzia impressive even for experienced travelers.
It is one of the symbols of Georgia.
All settlements in the municipality
Atskvita
Vardzia
Vargavi
Gulsunda
Damala
Dzveli
Idumala
Iveria
Mirashkhani
Nakalakevi
Nijgori
Orgora
Ota
Oshora
Pia
Rustavi
Sakudabeli
Saro
Tmogvi
Toki
Toloshi
Khertvisi
Khizabavra
Chobareti
🏔️ Akhalkalaki Municipality
Center — Akhalkalaki · Javakheti Plateau
Akhalkalaki stands on the high-altitude volcanic plateau of Javakheti.
Armenian culture, a harsh climate, and Lakes Paravani and Khando among lava fields all create the feeling of another planet.
In winter, temperatures here can drop to -30°C.
All settlements in the municipality
Azavreti
Burnasheti
Gado
Lomaturtskhi
Alastani
Varevani
Gokio
Aragva
Korkhi
Machatia
Orja
Totkhami
Baraleti
Didi-Samsari (Big Samsar)
Ikhtila (Ekhtila)
Merenia
Patara-Samsari (Little Samsar)
Vachiani
Murjakheti
Chamdzvrala (Chamdura)
Gogasheni
Apnia
Diliska
Zakvi
Balkho
Bugasheni
Gomani
Olaverdi
Tirkna
Kartikami
Abuli
Buzaveti
Gulikami
Takhcha
Khulgumo
Kartsakhi
Filipovka
Kotelia
Kochio
Agana
Alatumani
Bezhano
Modega
Sirkva
Kumurdo
Kirovakani
Okami (Khokami)
Azmana
Kartsebi
Ptena
Sulda
Bozali
Dadeshi
Myasnikiani
Turtshi
Chunchkha
Khaveti
Dabnia
Erinja (Erinja)
Khando
Khospio (Khospia)
Bavra
Martuni
Khorenia
🏰 Akhaltsikhe Municipality
Center — Akhaltsikhe · Rabati Fortress
Akhaltsikhe is the main city of the region, known for the magnificent Rabati Fortress, where Georgian, Turkish, and Armenian architecture intertwine.
A mosque, a church, and a synagogue in one place form a rare symbol of centuries-old coexistence between different cultures in the Caucasus.
This municipality is especially interesting for those who want to see historical Georgia as a space of dialogue, trade, and cultural exchange.
All settlements in the municipality
Abatkhevi
Agara
Anda
Andriatsminda
Ani
Atskuri
Boga
Giorgitsminda
Greli
Gurkeli
Julga
Didi-Pamadji
Zemo-Skhvilisi
Zikilia
Ivlita
Klde
Kulalisi
Mikeltsminda
Minadze
Mugareti
Muskhi
Naokhrebi
Orali
Patara-Pamadji
Persa
Sadzeli
Sakuneti
Sviri
Skhvilisi
Tatanisi
Tiseli
Tkemlana
Uraveli
Khaki
Kheoti
Tsinubani
Tsira
Tskaltbila
Tskordza
Tskruti
Tsnisi
Chacharakhi
Chvinta
Eliatsminda
💧 Borjomi Municipality
Center — Borjomi · Famous Mineral Water
Borjomi is one of the most famous towns in Georgia thanks to its mineral water, which is exported all over the world.
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, the old resort park with its springs, and the Romanov Palace in Likani are the main points of interest.
This municipality is suitable for those who want to combine a resort holiday, walks through forest gorges, and an introduction to the history of old aristocratic Georgia.
All settlements in the municipality
Bakuriani Andeziti
Tsagveri
Balanta
Besheti
Vardgineti
Daba
Dviri
Dgvari
Didi-Mitarbi
Zanavi
Kvabiskhevi
Kvibisi
Kortaneti
Libani
Machartskali
Mzetamze
Moliti
Patara-Mitarbi
Patara-Tsemi
Rveli
Sadgeri
Sakire
Tabatskuri
Tadzrisi
Tba
Timotesubani
Tori
Tsemi
Tsinubani
Tsikhisdjvari
Chitakhevi
Chikharula
Chobiskhevi
🌾 Ninotsminda Municipality
Center — Ninotsminda · Javakheti Plateau
Ninotsminda lies on a high volcanic plateau near the border with Armenia.
The municipality is home mainly to an Armenian population that preserves its culture and language.
Lake Paravani, clean mountain air, and open, sparsely populated landscapes attract lovers of wild nature.
All settlements in the municipality
Akhali-Khulgumo
Vladimirovka
Gandzani
Gorelovka
Jigrasheni
Didi-Arakali
Didi-Gonduri
Didi-Khanchali
Dilifi
Efremovka
Zhdanovka
Katnatu
Kaurma
Kulalisi
Mamtsvara
Orlovka
Orojolari
Patara-Arakali
Patara-Gonduri
Patara-Khanchali
Patara Khorenia
Poka
Rodionovka (Paravani)
Sagamo
Sameba
Satkhe
Spasovka
Tambovka
Toria
Ujmana
Eshtia
🗺️ 5 Frequently Asked Questions from Tourists about Samtskhe-Javakheti Municipalities
🤔 How many municipalities are there in Samtskhe-Javakheti and what is each famous for?
💬 The region includes six municipalities: Akhaltsikhe (the administrative center with the Rabati fortress), Adigeni (monasteries and forests), Aspindza (the cave town of Vardzia), Borjomi (mineral springs and the ski resort of Bakuriani), Ninotsminda, and Akhalkalaki (Armenian villages near mountain lakes). In the Ninotsminda and Akhalkalaki municipalities, almost 90% of the residents are ethnic Armenians, making this region culturally unique even among the rest of Georgia.
🤔 What is the cave city of Vardzia and how to get there?
💬 Vardzia is the 12th-century residence of Queen Tamar: up to 600 rooms are carved into the sheer tuff wall of Mount Erusheti—churches, cells, baths, libraries, and treasuries, extending 50 meters into the cliff and rising eight stories. Vardzia is located 260 km from Tbilisi and 60 km from Akhaltsikhe; entrance costs 15 lari, and the complex is open daily—it's best to combine a visit with Rabati Fortress and Borjomi.
🤔 What is the Rabati Fortress in Akhaltsikhe? Is it worth visiting?
💬 Rabati Fortress is the largest surviving fortress in Georgia, built in the 9th century. Inside, an Orthodox church, a mosque, Catholic and Armenian churches, and a synagogue uniquely coexist—the legacy of different eras and peoples. The name comes from the Arabic for "fortified monastery"; Akhaltsikhe was a regional administrative center for the Ottomans from the 16th century until the Russo-Turkish War.
🤔 What's interesting about the Borjomi municipality besides its mineral water?
💬 The Borjomi Municipality is home to the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, one of the largest in Europe, with hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails, waterfalls, and pristine forests. The Bakuriani ski resort offers ski and snowboard trails in winter, and in summer it's an ideal base for trekking—the Tbilisi–Borjomi–Bakuriani route is considered one of the best weekend trips from the capital.
🤔 What to see in the Javakheti region - lakes Paravani and Tabatskuri?
💬 The Javakheti region is home to the Paravani and Tabatskuri mountain lakes—picturesque high-altitude bodies of water that are virtually unreachable by public transportation; accessible only by SUV or private driver. Thanks to its wetlands, Javakheti is one of the best places in Georgia for birdwatching, with endangered species, and the mountain plateaus are ideal for horseback riding and camping.