wenaIn this blog, I will be sharing my personal experience and day trip guide on how to visit Gori from Tbilisi independently and other things to do.
Let me tell you one fact about me. I am an avid history buff with a particular interest in the events of World War II. I have spent countless hours watching documentaries and reading books that defined that era.
So when I made plans to travel to Georgia, my top priorities included visiting Stalin’s publishing house in Tbilisi and trip to his hometown of Gori.
Brief History About Stalin in Gori
Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia, in 1878 under Joseph Jughashvili. He had two younger siblings who died in infancy and his father was an abusive alcoholic. Despite his difficult upbringing, Stalin excelled in school and was accepted into seminary in Tbilisi. While a student, he became an avid follower of Vladimir Lenin and eventually left seminary to become full-time revolutionary.
Fastward, he became an influential leader in the Soviet Union and helped win WWII for the Soviet Union. But his rule was marked by repression and violence, including the execution of many people.
In Georgia, Stalin is remembered for harsh policies like cultural and linguistic oppression. But today, a museum in his hometown displays his belongings and propaganda. Georgia’s relationship with Stalin is a complicated and controversial subject. Some see him as a hero, but many others think he was a cruel leader who caused a lot of suffering in their country.
Why visit Gori?
Gori is a town in Georgia that gets fewer tourists than other famous places. In fact, it has a long history dates back to ancient times when it was an important center on the Silk Road and a military stronghold. The Gori fortress was an important fortress in town that played a crucial role in defending Georgia against invaders.
Most people visit the Stalin Museum on a day trip from Tbilisi. But this city has other things to do and see besides its connection to Stalin.
How to Get to Gori from Tbilisi
The most convenient and cheapest way to get to Gori is by shared minibus (marshrutka). From Tbilisi, you can take a marshrutka from the Didube bus station. Look for the van with GORI signage on the windshield. The fare is 5 GEL per way, and the driver leaves when the van is full. Depending on traffic, the ride takes over an hour, and the driver will drop you directly in front of the Stalin Museum.
To return to Tbilisi, the bus departs from Gori central bus station, a 5-minute taxi ride from Stalin Museum.
There are available day trip tours from Tbilisi to Gori. I highly recommend the Uplistsikhe-Mtskheta-Gori Day Tour, which includes the Stalin Museum.
Stalin Museum
The main reason people take a day trip to Gori is probably the Stalin Museum. The moment you step out of the bus, you will immediately see the railway carriage and his giant statue that welcomes you into the complex.
Inside the museum are many exhibition halls showcasing Stalin’s life from his early days in Gori to the political turmoil of his reign. An extensive collection of paintings, photos, documents, and memorabilia are displayed that tells the story of Stalin’s impact on history.
One room that caught my attention were the displays of his death mask. It is placed on a soft velvet cushion and enclosed in a concrete chamber with a design reminiscent of the Soviet Era.
Underneath the stairs is a separate museum room that exhibits the periods of repression. The rooms display personal items belonging to the Georgian family and a remake of the KGB interrogation room.
Outside the museum, you can see his childhood home and personal railway carriage that he used to attend important meetings during the war until his death.
Visiting Hours & Visitors Info
The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Entrance fee costs 10 GEL for adults and an additional 5 GEL if you want to see the railway carriage. Free tours in English are available, but there are no set times. I was told I had to wait for another tourist. But I didn’t want to wait, so I explored the museum on my own. But I wish they had an English guide available all the time or an audio guide.
Unfortunately, only a little English information is written on the exhibits, so I suggest brushing up on your history before visiting.
Other things to do in Gori
There are few major attractions in Gori compared to other cities. But if you visit, you can easily spend the day exploring the city.
Other Museum
There are two small museums you can visit during your trip in Gori.
The Great Patriotic War Museum is dedicated to WWII and Red Army victory. It exhibits war medals, artillery, and some Stalin references. It is open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays) from 10 am until 5 pm. The ticket costs 3 GEL, and there are English guides available.
The Ethnographic Museum houses an archaeological collection of ceramic seals, adornment, weapons, textiles, and other relics around Gori. It is open from Tuesday and Saturday (closed Sunday & Mondays) from 10 am until 5 pm. The ticket costs 3 GEL, and there are English guides available.
Gori Fortress
Just a short walk from the museum resides a piece of history – the Gori Fortress. It is believed to have been built in the 7th century as a defensive structure to protect the town from invasions. While during the historical ancient trade routes, the Gori fortress also played a significant role due to its strategic position.
Although few remains can be found today, climbing for panoramic views is worthwhile. You can see giant warrior statues commemorating Georgia’s heroic soldiers when you reach down.
The entrance fee is free, and the area is open 24/7.
Virgin Mary Cathedral Church
Gori’s Virgin Mary Cathedral is a Georgian Orthodox Church. It was built in 1810 and was heavily damaged during an earthquake in 1920. However, it has been restored and features religious paintings and frescoes inside.
The cathedral is an important religious landmark open to visitors and worshippers.
Uplistsikhe
Uplistsikhe is a popular day trip combination when you visit Gori. It is an ancient town and is considered the oldest settlement in Georgia. This town was carved into the rock, with tunnels, streets, and buildings. Unfortunately, several parts of the area were completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1920.
There are two ways to visit this place, from Gori by taxi or local bus. In the Stalin Museum, someone will approach you offering his service to stay at Uplistsikhe and back to Gori (he will drop you at the bus station). They usually charge starting at 40-50 GEL, including waiting time. Ask your driver to wait for you as finding a taxi to get back to Gori is difficult.
Alternatively, you can take a local bus to Uplistsikhe from the Gori station. The journey takes around an hour and costs 2 GEL. To get back to Gori from Uplistsikhe, you can take any minibus traveling along the main road.
Uplistsikhe is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance costs 15 GEL per person and an additional 15 GEL if you take an audio guide.
Where to Stay
There are few things to see or do in Gori. Spending a night here really depends on your interest. But, if day trip to Gori is not enough for you, I recommend some places to stay.
- Nitsa Guest HouseNitsa Guest House (9.8/10)
- Nukri Guest House (9.3/10)
- Gogi Dvalishvili Wine Cellar (9.7/10)
- Hestia Boutique Hotel (9.8/10)
Travel Tips for visiting Gori from Tbilisi
- If your first stop is the museum, don’t leave too early from Tbilisi. The museum opens at 10 am.
- Brush up your history before you visit the museum. The information inside the museum is presented only in Russian. There is an English-guided tour available, but no set time.
- Photography is allowed inside the museum. So take your camera with you.
- Always use an app for taxis when moving around the city. I recommend using the Bolt, the most reliable local app in all major cities in Georgia. But note that only a few cars are available in Gori; waiting time could take a long time.
- If you arrive early, a few small cafes near the museum sell baked goods. Or you can grab some coffee and khachapuri and sit in the garden near the museum.
- ATMs are available in the city, but I highly suggest bringing cash.
- To visit Uplistsikhe, only take the taxi with negotiating the price. It is best to see the place late afternoon when all group tours leave.
You might be interested in
14 Things to do in Tbilisi, Georgia (First-Time Visitor)
Things to know before you travel to Georgia (2023 Travel Guide)