How to Get from Tbilisi to Shavnabada Monastery

Short answer (2026/27): Shavnabada Monastery stands on Shavnabada mountain by the village of Teleti, not far from Tbilisi, in the Kvemo Kartli region. It is dedicated to St George, its main church dates back to the 12th century, and the monks run an icon-painting school and make their own wine. Reaching a hilltop monastery by public transport is awkward, so the easiest way is a private car with driver from your Tbilisi address, priced per whole car, with free waiting while you visit. See drivers and live prices on OrbiTrip’s Tbilisi–Shavnabada Monastery transfer page.

Shavnabada at a glance

Where: Shavnabada mountain by the village of Teleti, not far from Tbilisi
Region: Kvemo Kartli
Dedicated to: St George
Name: “black cloak” in Georgian (shavi nabadi)
Main church: St George church, dating back to the 12th century
Later additions: another church and a bell tower
Monastery founded: in 1992
Known for: an icon-painting school and the monks’ own wine

Facts come from Wikipedia, Georgia Travel, Georgia.to and Advantour; checked on 4 November 2026.

Ways to get there compared

Option	Price basis	Door to door	Waiting at the monastery	Way back
Minibus or city bus	Per seat	No; you still need a way up the hill	You wait for the next service	Walk down to the road
Taxi app	Per trip	Yes, if the car can take the hill road	Usually not included	Hard to find a car at the monastery
Private car with driver	Per whole car	Yes, from your hotel	Free	Same driver, ready when you are

In short: public transport is priced per seat but leaves you to find a way up the hill, a taxi app gets you up but rarely back down, and a private car is priced per whole car with free waiting and the same driver for the return.

Why visit Shavnabada?

Shavnabada is one of the easiest monastery visits from Tbilisi and one of the most atmospheric. The complex sits on top of a mountain by the village of Teleti, so the drive is short, but the hilltop feels far from the city traffic.

The name comes from a legend. Shavnabada means “black cloak” in Georgian. The story is set in 1795, when the Persian army of Agha Mohammad Khan plundered Tbilisi: each night a mysterious rider in a black cloak attacked the Persian camp, and Georgians came to believe that the rider was St George himself. The mountain and the monastery took their name from him, and the monastery is dedicated to St George.

What to see

Start with the St George church, the main building of the monastery, which dates back to the 12th century. Another church and a bell tower were added later, and the monastic community itself was founded in 1992 next to the old church.

Look closely at the icons. The monastery has an icon-painting school, and many of the icons in the church were created by local painters. Shavnabada is also known for wine: the monks make their own, including a rare variety that carries the monastery’s name. This is a working monastery, so dress modestly, keep your voice low and ask before photographing the monks.

Who should take a private transfer

Short on time in Tbilisi: a half-day trip with the driver waiting for free while you visit.
Combining sights: add other stops around Tbilisi on the same trip; stops are free.
Families and small groups: the price is per whole car, not per person, and a child seat is available on request.
Early or late plans: the price is the same day and night.
Arriving by air: you can also go straight from the airport; see the Tbilisi Airport to Shavnabada Monastery route page.
Plans not fixed yet: booking is free, there is no prepayment, cancellation is free, and you pay the driver in cash (GEL, USD or EUR) after the ride.

Practical details

Pickup: from your hotel or any address in Tbilisi; give the exact address when you book.
Book ahead: at least 90 minutes before pickup.
After you book: the driver confirms the request and sends you his contact, so you know who is coming and can message him.
Meeting: the driver meets you with a name sign.
Dress code: covered shoulders and knees; women usually cover their hair.
Time: allow about an hour at the monastery, plus the drive.
Combine: the trip fits easily into a day of sightseeing in Tbilisi.

More in and around Tbilisi

Pair Shavnabada with the city’s churches and old town. See our Sameba Holy Trinity Cathedral guide, the Sioni Cathedral guide, the Narikala Fortress guide and the Tbilisi sulfur baths guide. For longer trips, read the best day trips from Tbilisi.

Why travel with OrbiTrip

Free stops on the way: viewpoints, churches or lunch.
Free waiting: take your time at the monastery.
Free cancellation: change plans without penalty.
Same price day and night: early or late, the price is the same.
Pay the driver in cash: GEL, USD or EUR, no prepayment.
Name-sign meeting: the driver meets you with a name sign.
Child seat on request: mention it when you book.
Book ahead: at least 90 minutes before pickup.
Reliability: For a confirmed booking, your driver is guaranteed to arrive; any necessary replacement driver is at the same price and with your agreement.

Frequently asked questions

Is the price per person or per car?

Per whole car, not per person.

Do I pay in advance?

No. There is no prepayment; you pay the driver in cash in GEL, USD or EUR after the ride.

Can I cancel?

Yes, cancellation is free.

What does the name Shavnabada mean?

It means black cloak in Georgian, after the legend of St George riding in a black cloak; the monastery is dedicated to St George.

Checked on 4 November 2026. Sources: Wikipedia, Georgia Travel, Georgia.to and Advantour.

OrbiTrip Georgia — private transfers across Georgia with local drivers. Per-vehicle price shown before booking, no prepayment.