Sighnaghi: Georgia’s Romantic "City of Love"

Sighnaghi is a postcard-perfect hilltop town in Kakheti, wrapped in 18th-century fortress walls and overlooking the Alazani Valley. With its cobbled streets, wine bars, and balconies draped in vines, it’s Georgia’s most charming small town—made for slow strolls and long toasts.

Key Facts

Population: ~1,500 (feels bigger in tourist season).

Location: 110km east of Tbilisi, in the heart of wine country.

Famous For: Weddings, wine, and sweeping valley views.

Vibe: Romantic, artsy, and slightly touristy (in the best way).

Top Attractions

1. Sighnaghi’s Old Town

Fortress Walls – Walk the 3km ramparts for epic views.

Love Locks Bridge – Couples leave padlocks on the "City of Love" sign.

Bodbe Convent (3km away) – Where St. Nino is buried (holy pilgrimage site).

2. Wine Experiences

Pheasant’s Tears Winery – Natural wines with supra-style dinners.

Okro’s Wines – Cozy tasting room with organic qvevri wines.

Local Maranis – Knock on any cellar door for homemade Saperavi.

3. Alazani Valley Views

Terrace Cafés – Sip wine while watching sunset over the Caucasus.

Bike Rentals – Cruise through nearby vineyards.

4. Sighnaghi Museum

Pirosmani Paintings – Works by Georgia’s most famous naive artist.

Ethnographic Exhibits – Traditional Kakhetian crafts and costumes.

Why is Sighnaghi Called the "City of Love"?

24/7 Wedding Chapel – Couples can marry anytime, no appointment needed.

Balconies & Bougainvillea – Every corner feels like a romance novel set.

Food & Drink

Must-Try:

Churchkhela – Buy from nonna’s stalls near the fortress.

Kakhetian Khinkali – Larger, juicier than Tbilisi’s.

Pkhali – Spinach-walnut rolls at Café Linville.

Drink:

Kisi – A floral white wine unique to Kakheti.

Chacha – The local firewater.

How to Get There?

From Tbilisi:

2 hours by car (via Gombori Pass).

Marshrutka from Samgori Station (~10 GEL).

From Telavi: ~1.5 hours.

Best Time to Visit

May-June: Poppies bloom in the valley.

September-October: Harvest season (festive but busy).

Winter: Misty and magical (fewer tourists).

Insider Tips

Stay inside the walls for the full fairy-tale effect.

Hike to Bodbe Convent for a scenic shortcut.

Avoid weekends – Tbilisi day-trippers flood the town.

Sighnaghi is Georgia’s dreamiest escape—where you sip amber wine on a sunlit terrace, wander fortress walls at golden hour, and fall in love with the slow pace of Kakheti.