Located on Georgia's Black Sea coast, this historic town has a 9th-century monastery complex, an ancient cave system, and remnants of a medieval fortress built in 788 AD.
New Athos sits between the Iverian Mountain and the Black Sea, 22 kilometers from Sukhumi. In this small town, you can walk through underground chambers with illuminated stalactites, explore the gold-domed St. Panteleimon Church, or climb stone steps to a 7th-century fortress overlooking the coast.
Exploring New Athos Cave
The New Athos Cave network extends 1,900 meters into the Iverian Mountain, with nine chambers reaching over a million cubic meters in volume. You'll start your visit by boarding the "Turist" underground railway, which stops at three points throughout the cave system. At each stop, walk along railed pathways to see underground rivers and rock formations illuminated by multicolored lights. The cave stays at 14°C year-round. Open daily 10:00-17:00, with guided tours departing every hour.
New Athos Monastery Complex
The gold-domed St. Panteleimon Church anchors this Neo-Byzantine monastery built between 1883 and 1896. Russian monks from Mount Athos constructed the complex, which includes a 50-meter bell tower with a dining hall in its lower section. Inside the main church, red and gold murals cover the walls and ceiling. You can enter multiple church buildings within the complex and walk through the cypress-lined courtyard. The monastery opens daily from sunrise to sunset, with a break during midday prayers.
Ancient Anakopia Fortress
Stone walls and watchtowers from the 7th century CE crown the hilltop above New Athos. A steep path leads to the fortress ruins, where you can walk along the defensive walls and look out over the Black Sea coastline. Near the base of the hill, stop at the small Church of St. Simon the Canaanite, built where the apostle reportedly preached. The path to the fortress takes 30-45 minutes to climb.
Getting to New Athos
Marshrutkas (minibuses) run from Sukhumi's central bus station every 30 minutes between 7:00 and 19:00, with the journey taking 45-60 minutes. For driving, follow the A-146 highway south toward Gagra and take the exit marked for Akhali Atoni. Taxis make the 30-40 minute journey throughout the day. The main parking area near the monastery has space for 50 vehicles. During summer months, arrive before 10:00 to secure parking.
