Small city 1hr drive west of Tbilisi, with historical sights.
Georgia’s 5th populous city, but still only 50,000 population. This town is not particularly interesting whatsoever. People usually come here as part of the tour to see the Gori Fortress, Stalin Museum, and Uplistsikhe ancient cave city. I would recommend only the Stalin Museum and cave city. Gori Fortress only if you got extra time.
3-4 hours, or half day, should cover all of those. Or a day tour if you’re coming from Tbilisi.
Where to stay:
- Old town – I did it as a quick road trip tour with friends. Maybe a few hours is all you really need. Not worth staying IMO. But hey…if you wanted to stay for some rest and chill, I imagine it’d be a cheap place to be.
Hostels & Hotels:
- Didn’t try any.
Neighborhoods, walking areas, public squares:
- I can’t recommend nor do I remember anything public space worth hanging around. Maybe the Stalin Park in front of the Stalin Museum is where you’ll find the most tourist-ish vibe.
Activities to do:
Really aren’t too many things to do in Gori. It’s really just the Gori Fortress and Stalin Museum, which are both paired up Uplistsikhe as an area tour. The Uplistsikhe ancient cave city and Stalin. Museum are cool, but Fortress is simple and boring, with also a boring city view at the top. (It’s free to visit.)
- Stalin Museum:
- I found this museum interesting and cool, also rich historical facts and details…but it’s also creepy, because it felt more like a shrine than a museum to me. Whoever built this was madly in love with Stalin. Lots of paintings idolizing him and portraying him as a man of the people, holding babies and such, showing only his good side.
- Many debates today about whether Joseph Stalin was good or bad.
- I think the Stalin Museum is interesting to anybody not from former soviet or slavic background. Otherwise, for them it’s like going to a wax museum and nothing new is shown.
- Uplistsikhe:
- Interesting cave city set atop a mountain surrounded by natural landscapes. Interesting to see the primitive infrastructures of human society. You can treat it like a short picturesque hike up the mountain with 360 degree panoramic view all around.
- I enjoyed scrambling around the rocks and taking photos. Make sure you go up high and see the back side as well, as there are things at the bottom of the rock hill on the other side. It’s also a nice sunset place, although I don’t know how long you’re allowed to be there.
- Gori Fortress:
- Free to visit but totally sucks, very simple and also a boring. The outer wall structure could make some fun photos but nothing more unique than other historical sights in Georgia.
- Once you get inside and on top, it’s just dirt and overgrown weeds and a boring/empty panoramic city view. My favorite thing was the statues of medieval soldiers outside the fortress. I believe it’s a memorial of war heroes.
- Totally skippable and not necessary. Stop by if you’re already driving through and want a tiny break walking around for 30mins.
Restaurants & Cafes:
- We didn’t try any. Only ate at small roadside street bakery stand.
Bars, clubs, and nightlife:
- Not really the place for that.
Miscellaneous tips:
Itinerary:
- DAY 1 –
Nearby towns:
Unfiltered notes: