Sighnaghi

Sighnaghi (Signagi) (Georgian: სიღნაღი) is a town in Georgia's easternmost region of Kakheti and the administrative center of the Sighnaghi District. It is one of the country's smallest towns with a population of about 1,600 (2019).

Understand
Sighnaghi has undergone a fundamental reconstruction program and has become an important center of Georgia's tourist industry. While Sighnaghi itself requires just a day or so for sightseeing, it is probably the best base for exploring the region through day trips. You can follow the road from Sighnaghi to Telavi via Gurjaani, visiting wineries on the way, escape for a day to the Kvareli lake resort or Lagodekhi National Park, and go visit the David Gareja monastery on the Azerbaijan border.

Do not expect wild night life here (except perhaps if there is a busload of tourists in town). Sighnaghi is the place to take in the view of the mountains, drink homemade wine, and enjoy delicious Kakhetian food in one of the many restaurants.



By bus


From specific destinations:
 * Tbilisi – To Sighnaghi marshrutkas run daily every odd hour from 07:00 to 17:00, the last one leaving at 18:00, from the Samgori metro station, from the lot of marshrutkas farthest from the metro entrance, past the open market. While most drivers will point you in the right direction, you can also look for the two "m"s with "right arms" in სიღნაღი on the destination placard. Travel duration is 1 hr 45 min, for 10 lari (Sep 2022).
 * To Tbilisi marshrutkas leave at 07:00, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 16:00, and 18:00 every day. Book tickets back to Tbilisi in advance (buy your ticket from the small kiosk on the marshrutka station's square), even a few hours before, since all marshrutkas are usually full. Like most marshrutka travel, seats are first-come, first-serve. It is possible to arrive early, pick a good seat, set your bag or backpack in that seat, and then get a bite to eat. Check with the driver for actual departure time. As a courtesy to the locals, assume every seat will be occupied by a person by the time the vehicle departs. Also check with driver if you have a big backpack that needs to be stowed underneath the rear seat.


 * Kakheti region – There are also marshrutkas every hour to nearby Tsnori, from where you can get a marshrutka to many Kakhetian destinations. There is at least one marshrutka leaving daily at 9.30 to Guurjaani (5 lari) and Telavi (10 lari).


 * Rustavi – From Sighnaghi daily at 07:00 and 09:15. Vice-verse, expect similar times.

Get around
Most sights can be reached on foot, even the Bodbe Convent. Though, you might want to take a taxi or hitch-hike there to save time.

See


A 20-minute taxi ride away, the following might be worth visiting if it is Sunday:

Do

 * Visit the towers of the town wall and walk along it.
 * Sighnaghi is part of the popular wine route of Kakheti.

Drink
If you are in a restaurant, order a glass of house wine. If someone invites you to a wine-tasting, go (maybe 10 lari for a cup of red and a cup of white wine). If someone wants to sell you a liter of wine, buy it (15 lari). Yes, the local, homemade wine comes in used plastic soda pop bottles. Don't worry; the wine still tastes great, and, as the locals will tell you, it's all-natural.

Sighnaghi is part of the popular wine route of Kakheti&mdash;checkout the information and available wineries there. Many guesthouses can organise day trips to the wineries and monasteries of the region.

Sleep
There are plenty of home-stays in Sighnaghi as well as high class hotels.

Go next

 * Tsnori – small nearby town with transportation to all Kakhetian destinations
 * Gurjaani – one of the centres of Georgia's wine industry. Landmarks include the Church of the Dormition (Kvelatsminda; 8th-9th century), Museum of Local Lore and History, Museum of Nato Vachnadze, and the historic mud-cure resort of Akhtala.
 * Dedoplis Tskaro - nearby town with a nice church and Eagle Gorge on the outskirts, in a close proximity to Khornabuji fortress
 * Telavi – the capital of Kakheti is a convenient base for exploring the region's wineries, castles, and monasteries
 * Lagodekhi – A pretty border town (next to Azerbaijan) and a nearby nature reserve with subtropical forests.
 * Vashlovani National Park
 * David Gareja Monastery Complex – A 6th century cave monastery clinging onto a rocky hillside lying meters away from Azerbaijan, with beautiful frescos. Can be reached by taxis or organized tours, no public transport available from Sighnaghi (only Tbilisi). 50 km from Sighnaghi, a detour along the way to/from Tbilisi.

Also, see Kakheti for more details.