Kakheti.
Flight from TLV
2h 24m
Best season
מאי–אוק
Avg temp
19°
Currency
₾ GEL · 1=₪1.17
Time zone
+1 שעה מול ת״א (UTC+4)
Language
גאורגית · אנגלית ורוסית נפוצות בתיירות
Plug
C / F · 220V (כמו בישראל, בלי מתאם)
Visa
אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים, עד שנה שלמה עם דרכון בתוקף
Safety
בטוחה מאוד, גם בלילה. הזהירות היחידה: כבישי ההרים
Overview
🇬🇪Kakheti
🇬🇪Georgia
Kakheti is Georgia's wine country, and what most Israelis know as 'the winery day trip from Tbilisi' is really a whole valley that deserves at least a night or two. Sighnaghi, the 'city of love', sits on an 18th-century wall overlooking the Alazani Valley and the snow-capped Caucasus; Telavi is the working capital with its bazaar, fortress and estates; and between Kvareli and Lopota lie the lake resorts Israeli families return to summer after summer. In between: qvevri wineries with an eight-thousand-year tradition, hilltop monasteries, a supra where the tamada raises a glass in your honor, and churchkhela sold from roadside stalls.
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Everything for Kakheti, in one place
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Where to stay
Where to stay in Kakheti
Each area and who it suits best.
Sighnaghi
A painted hill town with cobbled streets, wooden balconies and a view of the Alazani Valley from every corner, with Pheasant's Tears, Okro's and Terrace a few minutes' walk apart. Kabadoni is the boutique hotel everyone wants, and dozens of guesthouses cost half. The trade-off: it is the edge of the valley, 45-60 minutes from the Kvareli wineries and Telavi.
Telavi
Kakheti's real town, with the bazaar, Batonis Tsikhe fortress and the giant plane tree, fifteen minutes from Alaverdi, Ikalto and Tsinandali. Lodging costs far less than the resorts, Bolt works and local restaurants like Kusika are at hand. Less romantic than Sighnaghi and less pampering than the lakes, but the most convenient base for seeing everything.
Lopota Lake (Napareuli)
The most sought-after resort in Georgia among Israelis: several pools, a lake with boats, horses, a mini zoo, sports courts and multiple restaurants, so you may not leave the gate for two days. Twins Wine Cellar and Gremi are 10-20 minutes away. The trade-off: high prices, packed with Israelis in August, and about an hour from Sighnaghi.
Kvareli Lake
A forest lake with one big resort on the shore, a pool and weekday quiet, ten minutes from Kindzmarauli and Khareba's wine tunnel. Fewer kids' attractions than Lopota, hence cheaper and less crowded, and at night you hear only crickets. Restaurants in Kvareli town are basic, so most guests eat at the resort.
Tsinandali and Kisiskhevi
The estate district ten minutes from Telavi: Radisson Collection inside the Tsinandali gardens, Schuchmann and Chateau Mere on a hill in Kisiskhevi among the vines, and Shumi within walking distance. The most elegant stay in the valley and central to Alaverdi, Ikalto and Telavi. Pricier, and no nightlife beyond the hotel bar.
Kachreti (Gurjaani)
The Ambassadori golf resort on the edge of Gurjaani, on the main road between Tbilisi and Sighnaghi, with pools, a spa and an 18-hole course. The closest of the valley resorts to the airport, so good for a last night or a short weekend. Less 'Kakheti' in feel, and the villages and wineries need a 30-40 minute drive.
Year-round weather
Year-round weather in Kakheti
Temperature averages
Real climate dataינו
6°
-2°
Cool
פבר
5°
-2°
Cool
מרץ
12°
4°
Cool
אפר
17°
8°
Recommended
מאי
19°
12°
Recommended
יונ
24°
16°
Excellent
יול
26°
19°
Excellent
אוג
27°
19°
Excellent
ספט
21°
14°
Recommended
אוק
17°
9°
Recommended
נוב
14°
5°
Cool
דצמ
8°
0°
Cool
Most pleasant weather: יונ · יול · אוג
Peak season for Israelis (when everyone goes): מאי · יונ · ספט · אוק. Israelis flock to Kakheti mostly during Rtveli, the grape harvest, in late September and October, when wineries open their qvevri, the vineyards turn gold and Sukkot lands right on top of it. In July-August families take over the lake resorts at Lopota and Kvareli, while May-June is the greenest, calmest window for couples.
Based on a 3-year average · measured in Telavi · Open-Meteo
This week in Telavi
Measured in Telavi, Kakheti
19°
Partly cloudy
Next 7 days
Tap a day for hourly detail
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Things to do
Things to do in Kakheti
On the map
Kakheti on one map
Every spot travelers love — tap a pin for photos, opening hours, navigation and booking.
Suggested plan
A perfect Kakheti itinerary
Day by day, so you can picture the whole trip.
- 1
Day 1
Bodbe, Sighnaghi and the walls
Leave Tbilisi with a driver at 08:00 to reach Bodbe Monastery before the buses, then drop into Sighnaghi for coffee on the terrace at Terrace Sighnaghi. In the afternoon walk the full loop of the walls and visit the Sighnaghi Museum with its Pirosmani paintings. Stay for sunset on the wall and dinner with a tasting at Pheasant's Tears, booked a week ahead.
- 2
Day 2
Kvareli, the wine tunnel and Gremi
In the morning tour and taste at Kindzmarauli Corporation, then cool off in Khareba's wine tunnel, 8 km bored into the mountain, a lifesaver on a hot day. In the afternoon swim or pedal-boat on Kvareli Lake, and at golden hour climb Gremi Castle and Nekresi Monastery above the valley. Sleep at Lopota or Kvareli Lake Resort.
- 3
Day 3
Lake day at Lopota
A lazy day: pools, boats on the lake, the mini zoo and a spa treatment while the kids are at the activity club. In the afternoon drive 10 minutes to Twins Wine Cellar in Napareuli to climb inside a giant qvevri and taste the brothers' wine. In the evening return to the resort lounge facing the lit-up lake.
- 4
Day 4
Alaverdi, Telavi and Tsinandali
Start at Alaverdi Monastery while it is still cool and quiet, continue to Ikalto and the Telavi bazaar for churchkhela and honey, then Batonis Tsikhe fortress and the giant plane tree in the town center. In the afternoon visit Tsinandali Estate, the Chavchavadze house and gardens, then Shumi for a tasting. Dinner facing the vineyards at Schuchmann or Chateau Mere.
- 5
Day 5
Gombori Pass or Davit Gareja
The relaxed option: a morning by the pool, then back to Tbilisi over the Gombori Pass with a stop at the viewpoint above Telavi and at Mtskheta on the way. The adventurous option: leave at 07:00 in a 4x4 for the desert monasteries of Davit Gareja, climb to the monks' cells and fresco caves, and return to Tbilisi before the heat hits.
- 6
Day 6
Lagodekhi or spa and departure
With an extra day, head east to Lagodekhi Protected Areas for an easy forest trail to a waterfall, about two hours round trip with kids. Otherwise finish with a spa morning at Radisson Tsinandali, drop into the estate shop for last bottles and have your driver take you straight to the airport, 1.5 to 2 hours.
Quick game
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Budget
How much does Kakheti cost?
Real ILS price ranges, so you know what to expect.
Round-trip flight from TLV
₪900-1,700 (Sukkot: ₪2,000+)
4-night package per person
₪2,900-4,800 (flight + hotel)
Mid-range hotel or guesthouse nightly
₪250-500 (double room)
5★ lake resort nightly
₪600-1,200 (Lopota / Kvareli)
Restaurant meal
₪35-80 (per person, with wine)
Local beer
₪10-18
Coffee
₪8-14
Bolt or taxi in Telavi
₪10-25 (in town)
Driver with car per day
₪300-500 (or a day tour ₪120-200 pp)
Winery tour and tasting
₪40-90 (per person)
Daily budget per person
₪250-450 (excluding flight)
Family of 4, two nights at a lake resort
₪4,500-8,000 (with driver and food)
Good to know
Good to know before Kakheti
Getting around
From the airport
From Tbilisi airport you head straight to Kakheti without entering the city: about 1.5 hours to Sighnaghi via Sagarejo, 2 hours to Telavi over the Gombori Pass, and about 2.25 hours to Lopota or Kvareli. A private driver with a car costs ₪300-500 a day or ₪200-300 for a one-way transfer, and that is what most Israelis choose. The budget alternative: metro to Samgori station, then a marshrutka to Telavi or Sighnaghi for ₪20-30, about 2.5 hours. Organized day tours from Tbilisi cost ₪120-200 per person and cover Bodbe, Sighnaghi and one or two wineries.
Need a car?
Not required, and honestly better not. Kakheti's roads are flat and easy, and a rental from Tbilisi at ₪120-200 a day works well for non-drinkers; but every day here ends with a tasting, police breathalyze at town entrances and fines are steep. A local driver costs about the same as a rental plus fuel, knows the wineries and waits patiently while you sit at a supra. Families staying at Lopota or Kvareli Lake need no car at all; the resort arranges a driver for every outing.
Tips
Bolt works in Telavi and Sighnaghi for short rides, but in the villages and at the lakes no drivers are available, so agree the return with the driver who brought you. Sighnaghi to Telavi is about an hour and Telavi to Lopota 40 minutes, so split the valley into two sides rather than crossing it twice a day. In autumn the good local drivers get snapped up for Sukkot; reserve one together with the hotel.
Kosher & Jewish
Chabad / community
Kakheti itself has no Chabad house, active synagogue or regular minyan. The nearest is Chabad Tbilisi on Kote Afkhazi Street in the Old Town next to the Great Synagogue, about 1.5 hours away, with services, Shabbat meals by advance registration and kosher products. Shabbat-observant Israelis sleep in Tbilisi and visit Kakheti on weekdays, or arrive at a resort before Shabbat and stay put.
Kosher food
There is no kosher restaurant in Kakheti, and what Israelis actually do is stock up in Tbilisi on kosher products and ready meals from the kosher restaurant by the synagogue, then ask wineries and resorts in advance for fish, salads, lobio and grilled vegetables, which the staff at Lopota and Schuchmann already expect. Spar in Telavi and the Nikora minimarkets carry packaged goods with international kosher marks (OU, OK), bread, packaged cheese and fruit. As for wine: a few Kakheti wineries produce kosher-certified lines, so ask at the winery shop for kosher wine or buy it at the kosher shop in Tbilisi.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance for Kakheti 🇬🇪
A hospital day in Kakheti can cost thousands. Full coverage with Hebrew support.
- Medical + hospital 24/7
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage
- Gadgets & pre-existing conditions
Currency & rates
Live rateCurrency & rates
Quick conversion at today's rate
Convert
You get
116.7
1 GEL
₪1.17
100 GEL
₪116.7
1,000 GEL
₪1,167
Source: exchangerate-api · updated Sep 13 · refreshes daily
Visa & documents
Visa & documents for Kakheti 🇬🇪
What you need before you fly
- אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים, עד שנה שלמה עם דרכון בתוקף
- Passport valid 6 months
- Travel insurance, leave details for a quote
Local tips
Good to know about Kakheti
- 📅Lopota and Kvareli Lake sell out completely for July-August and Sukkot months ahead, so if you want a lake-view room, book by Pesach, not in summer.
- 🍇Rtveli, the harvest, falls in late September and early October: wineries like Shumi and Pheasant's Tears let you pick, tread and open qvevri, but only with advance booking, not for walk-ins.
- 🥂At a supra, wait for the tamada: drink only after the toast, never toast with beer, and it is perfectly polite to leave wine in the glass, nobody forces you to finish.
- 💵Villages, monastery stalls and the bazaar are cash-only in lari, and ATMs exist only in Telavi, Sighnaghi and Kvareli, so withdraw in Tbilisi before leaving.
- 🍷Buy wine at the winery itself for ₪25-60 a bottle, not at Tbilisi duty free where it costs double; Israeli customs allow 2 liters per adult, so split bottles between passports.
- 🧣Bodbe and Alaverdi require covered knees and shoulders, plus a headscarf and skirt for women, lent free at the entrance; bring your own since they run out in season.
- 🌅Get up for sunrise on the Sighnaghi walls: in October the valley below fills with fog and only the Caucasus peaks poke above it, the best free view in Georgia.
- 🚙Combine Davit Gareja only with a driver and a 4x4, at least two hours each way on dirt road, never in a heat wave and not when the trail near the Azerbaijan border is closed, check the day before.
- 🚗Kakheti's roads are flat and easy for a rental, but a winery day and driving do not mix and Georgian police breathalyze; a driver with a car costs ₪300-500 a day and is worth every shekel.
- 🍯Real churchkhela is the dark grape kind, not the neon-colored roadside version; at the Telavi bazaar it costs ₪3-5 a piece and, next to a jar of Kakheti honey, it is the souvenir people at home actually eat.
מאיה רוזן
Senior agent · Greece for 12 years
"Kakheti is where I understand why Georgians say a guest is a gift from God. You sit on a balcony in Sighnaghi, the Alazani Valley below, the snowy Caucasus across, and someone is already pouring Saperavi from a qvevri opened an hour ago. Israelis fall for it because it is 1.5 hours from Tbilisi, cheap, and feels like Tuscany without the tourists. My moment: an October evening at Pheasant's Tears, when the tamada raises a glass to the guests and the next table starts singing polyphony."
Loves
My secret is walking down the forest steps from Bodbe to St. Nino's spring at seven in the morning, before the buses arrive, then climbing up to Sighnaghi for coffee with the view while the town still sleeps. And for those in Telavi: the bazaar on Friday morning, when villagers bring in salty guda cheese and churchkhela that is still soft.
Skip
I would not waste a day on a giant winery taking two hundred people at once at noon, with a fifteen-minute tour and two measured glasses. And I never buy wine at Tbilisi duty free, where the same bottle costs double the cellar price.
Boutique pick
I open at Bodbe at 08:30 while it is still quiet, drop down to the Sighnaghi walls for coffee with the view, and at midday ride with a driver to Kvareli for the Kindzmarauli tour and Khareba's cool wine tunnel. I end the afternoon by the pool at Lopota, and in the evening sit down to a supra with a tamada and polyphonic singing booked in advance, because that is the evening people come back to Kakheti for.
Client stories
What returning travelers say about Kakheti
"We stayed at Kabadoni in Sighnaghi with a valley view, watched sunrise from the wall and dined at Pheasant's Tears with a qvevri tasting neither of us will forget. Our driver took us to Bodbe and Kindzmarauli, and we still came home with six bottles."
Shira and Tomer, Ramat Gan
Couple · 2 nights · October
"Lopota is paradise for kids: pools, pedal boats on the lake, a mini zoo and horses, and they refused to leave. We escaped for a tasting at Twins Wine Cellar and came back for dinner facing the lake, without driving once."
The Avrahami Family, Modiin
Family · 3 nights · August
"We landed right in Rtveli, picked grapes at Shumi and stomped them barefoot, then ended the night at Okro's in Sighnaghi drinking natural wine until closing. Khareba's wine tunnel in Kvareli was a crazy surprise."
Omer, Nir and Dana, Tel Aviv
Friends · 2 nights · September
"We stayed at the Radisson in Tsinandali, an estate with gardens that feels like Europe, and a dedicated driver took us to Alaverdi and Gremi at our own pace. Everything was close, flat and easy, none of Kazbegi's scary roads, only the hotel restaurant was pricey."
Ruti and Yossi, Haifa
Older couple · 2 nights · May
FAQ
Common questions about Kakheti
Do Israelis need a visa for Kakheti?
No, Kakheti is part of Georgia and Israelis enter visa-free for up to a full year with just a valid passport.
How do I get to Kakheti from Tbilisi and how long does it take?
A driver with a car gets you to Sighnaghi in 1.5 hours and to Telavi or Lopota in 2, for ₪300-500 a day; a marshrutka from Samgori station costs ₪20-30 and takes 2.5 hours, and an organized day tour runs ₪120-200 per person.
Day trip or overnight in Kakheti?
A day trip covers Bodbe, Sighnaghi and one winery; if you also want the Kvareli wineries, Telavi and a lake, you need one or two nights in Kakheti, and families at Lopota stay three.
When is the best time to visit Kakheti?
May-June is green and pleasant, September-October brings the harvest (Rtveli) and the Israeli peak including Sukkot, and July-August is very hot but perfect for the lake resorts; in winter Kakheti is grey and some wineries close to visitors.
Which wineries are worth visiting in Kakheti?
Couples love Pheasant's Tears and Okro's in Sighnaghi, families the Khareba wine tunnel and Kindzmarauli in Kvareli, and wine lovers Shumi, Schuchmann and Twins near Telavi; a tour with tasting costs ₪40-90 per person and should be booked ahead in season.
How much does a Kakheti trip cost?
A day trip from Tbilisi costs ₪120-200 per person, a night at a lake resort ₪600-1,200 per room and a guesthouse ₪250-500, and a family of four spending two nights in Kakheti with a driver and meals pays roughly ₪4,500-8,000.
Is there kosher food or Chabad in Kakheti?
No, there is no Chabad house or kosher restaurant in Kakheti; the nearest is Chabad Tbilisi on Kote Afkhazi Street, and in practice Israelis stock up in Tbilisi, ask resorts for fish and vegetables and buy kosher-certified Georgian wine.
Are there casinos and nightlife in Kakheti?
There are no casinos in Kakheti; Georgia's casinos are in Tbilisi, 1.5 hours away. Nightlife here means Sighnaghi wine bars like Pheasant's Tears and Okro's, the Lost Ridge brewery and the lake resort lounges.
Is Kakheti better for families or couples?
Both: families pick Lopota or Kvareli Lake Resort with pools, boats and a mini zoo, while couples choose romantic Sighnaghi or Radisson Tsinandali, with wineries, sunrise on the wall and a supra at night.
Do I need a rental car in Kakheti?
Not required: Kakheti's roads are flat and easy, but the day always ends with a wine tasting and police breathalyze, so most Israelis hire a driver for ₪300-500 a day, and Bolt covers short rides in Telavi and Sighnaghi.
What should I pack for Kakheti, and what about SIM and payments?
Pack layers and a light jacket for October evenings, closed shoes for monasteries and walls, a swimsuit for the lake and modest clothes for Bodbe and Alaverdi; eSIM works well across the valley, cards are accepted at wineries and resorts, but villages and the bazaar need cash, and a 10% tip is customary in Kakheti.
How do I bring Kakheti wine home, and what do I combine the trip with?
Israeli customs allow 2 liters of wine per adult, so buy at the winery, pack in a protective carton in checked luggage and split between passports; the classic combination is 2-3 days in Tbilisi, a day in Kazbegi and one or two nights in Kakheti, with Mtskheta added on the way.