About Oni
Oni is the small main town of Upper Racha, in the mountains of north-western Georgia, on the Rioni river. It is the last town before the high mountain villages, which makes it the natural starting point for the valleys above.
The town has a historic synagogue from 1895, a reminder of its old Jewish community, and a small local history museum covering the region. Around it, Racha is known for its cured ham and for Khvanchkara wine, made further down the valley.
People come to Oni for the walkers' country up the valley — the villages of Ghebi, Chiora and Glola — and for the mineral-water resorts above the town. The stone carving at Nikortsminda Cathedral, down the valley, is another reason to stop in the area.
Things to see and do
Oni Synagogue
The town's historic synagogue, built in 1895 and a reminder of Oni's old Jewish community.
Oni local history museum
A small museum on the history of Racha.
Nikortsminda Cathedral
An 11th-century cathedral with rich stone carving, in the Ambrolauri area down the valley.
Ghebi, Chiora and Glola
High mountain villages and walking country up the valley from Oni.
Utsera and Shovi
Mountain mineral-water resorts above Oni. Shovi was hit by a deadly landslide in 2023, so check access before going.
Getting there
Oni is reached by road from Kutaisi via Ambrolauri. Marshrutkas run from Kutaisi and from Tbilisi.
Kutaisi International Airport is the nearest airport, 93 km from Oni as the crow flies.
Where to stay nearby
None of the hotels we track in Oni returned a bookable price in our latest availability check (November 2026 dates). These are the nearest places with bookable hotels; distances are in a straight line.
Frequently asked questions
What is Oni known for?
Oni is known as the small main town of Upper Racha and the last town before the high mountain villages. It has a historic synagogue from 1895, and Racha is known for its cured ham and for Khvanchkara wine, made further down the valley.
How do I get to Oni?
Oni is reached by road from Kutaisi via Ambrolauri. Marshrutkas run from Kutaisi and from Tbilisi, and Kutaisi International Airport is the nearest airport.
What can I see in and around Oni?
In town there is the 1895 synagogue and a small local history museum. Around Oni you can go up the valley to the high mountain villages of Ghebi, Chiora and Glola, or to the mineral-water resorts of Utsera and Shovi, and down the valley to Nikortsminda Cathedral.
What happened at Shovi in 2023?
Shovi was hit by a deadly landslide in 2023, so check access before going.
Where can I stay near Oni?
None of the hotels we track in Oni returned a bookable price in our latest check. The nearest places with bookable hotels are Ambrolauri (28 km), Kutaisi (72 km), Tsqaltubo (75 km) (straight-line distances).