Is this tour safe? Are the buildings structurally sound?

Your guide selects accessible areas and avoids unstable sections. However, you're entering abandoned structures; exercise caution, watch your footing, and follow all guide instructions. Wear appropriate footwear.

What is included in the 2-day tour?

The tour covers transportation from Tbilisi, guided exploration of Tskaltubo's Soviet spas and Chiatura's mines and cable-car systems, and expert local commentary on Soviet architecture and history. Meals and accommodation are not specified; confirm with the operator.

Do I need special permits or permissions to enter these locations?

Your guide handles access arrangements. Many sites are semi-abandoned but still regulated; your operator has established relationships to facilitate entry.

What should I bring for a 2-day urbex tour?

Sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes, flashlight or headlamp, water, snacks, weather-appropriate clothing, layers, rain gear, camera, and any personal medications. Avoid loose clothing that can catch on debris.

Is this suitable for beginners to urban exploration?

Yes—your guide selects manageable locations and provides historical context, making it educational rather than extreme. However, basic fitness and comfort with entering old, dusty buildings is expected.

What makes Tskaltubo and Chiatura different from other Soviet sites?

Both towns are largely abandoned and frozen in time since the Soviet collapse, offering rare access to complete brutalist spa complexes, mining infrastructure, and cable-car systems with minimal modern development or restoration.

A tree grows in the middle of a former Soviet-era bathhouse called Spring 8 in Tskaltubo, Georgia.

The light shines through a skylight in the dining hall of sanatorium Imereti in Tskaltubo

Center Soyux is home to many families displaced from Abkhazia in 1992 and 1993. Farm animals wander through these buildings

A mosaic colors a former restaurant inside Sanatorium Aya in Tskaltubo, Georgia

An elderly woman from the Abkhazian region of Georgia looks out the windows of a former hotel lobby in Tskaltubo, Georgia. The floors have been ripped up for firewood.

From Tbilisi: Tskaltubo & Chiatura: 2-days urbex tour 6

Line 25 longest cable car in Chiatura and first in USSR

From Tbilisi: Tskaltubo & Chiatura: 2-days urbex tour 8

Best Seller1 / 9

Best Seller

1 / 9

From Tbilisi: Tskaltubo & Chiatura: 2-days urbex tour

(5)

Tbilisi, Georgia

Cultural ToursBus & Minivan ToursLuxury

Instant confirmationSecure checkoutNo hidden fees

About this activity

Explore Georgia's haunting Soviet-era ruins across two days, visiting the abandoned spa town of Tskaltubo and the industrial ghost town of Chiatura. This urbex-focused tour immerses you in brutalist architecture and Cold War history through the eyes of a local guide who reveals the stories behind these frozen-in-time communities.

Georgia is a great destination for everyone interested in our Brutalist architecture. During your tour, you can discover an amazing heritage of Soviet architecture and learn about the greatest Russian political figures who changed the world in the 20th century. You will visit the few ex-Soviet towns that are still full of reminders of the Communist era.

Highlights

✓Wander through Tskaltubo's decaying Soviet sanatorium complexes and art deco spa hotels
✓Discover Chiatura's dramatic manganese mines and cable-car infrastructure from the Stalin era
✓Learn Cold War-era Soviet history and architecture from a knowledgeable local guide
✓Photograph imposing brutalist buildings largely untouched since Soviet collapse
✓Access rarely-visited locations typically closed to independent travelers

Insider tips

★Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good grip—many buildings have uneven floors and debris
★Bring a flashlight or headlamp; interiors of abandoned structures are often dark
★Ask your guide about the specific Soviet-era functions of each building before entering—context makes the experience richer

Good to know

•Tour involves entering deteriorating buildings; not suitable for those with mobility issues or claustrophobia
•Itinerary departs from Tbilisi; hotel pickups typically arranged in advance
•Bring water, snacks, and a camera with extra batteries
•Weather can be unpredictable; pack layers and rain gear

Who it's for

Urban explorers and photographers seeking authentic Soviet-era decayHistory enthusiasts interested in Cold War and Soviet architectureArchitecture buffs fascinated by brutalism and modernist designAdventurous travelers looking beyond mainstream Georgian tourism

Best time to visit

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer mild weather ideal for exploring outdoor ruins and mines. Avoid winter when roads to remote areas may be impassable.

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

(5)

Mariam J.

Jun 2026

our guide Amani couldnt do enough for us and the bit at the end nobody expects was the highlight ... Over easter break so it wasnt too busy. Booked it for my birthday, and 6 stops in about 3 hours. Would book again no question, 10/10

David B.

Jan 2026

our guide Mei couldnt do enough for us and the bit at the end nobody expects was the highlight, and honestly better than the tour we did in Lisbon last year.

Mariam P.

Jan 2026

a little local spot off the usual route unreal ... blew our Bangkok one out of the water

Toni T.

Jul 2025

our guide Luca couldnt do enough for us and a little local spot off the usual route was the highlight, and over easter break.

Claire K.

Apr 2025

our guide Luca really knew their stuff and the bit at the end nobody expects was the highlight, and worked great for a solo traveller like me, and ran the full 4 hours promised.

from€450.94€449.15/ person

4.8 · 66 reviews on Trustpilot

Instant ConfirmationBest priceMobile voucher