Kutaisi is one of the oldest towns both in Georgia and in the world. This former capital and the second-largest city in the country is the main town in the Imereti region. Kutaisi is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historical landmarks, beautiful churches, and cathedrals, and cultural sites to name a few. In this post, I’ll explain what to do in Kutaisi for 5-7 days, along with day trips from Kutaisi you’ll need to take.
Why you need to stay in Kutaisi for so many days
Imereti region is known for its gorgeous nature that pleases your soul and eyes. Its mountainous landscape looks like a painting, while the caves of the region make you feel in a surreal world. The area, today, is divided into two parts – Lower and Upper Imereti featuring fascinating sights within its territory that span for 6,475 sq. kilometers.
The region has always played an important part in the development of the country since the antique period – Great Silk Road passed through here resulting in the diversity of the cultural and historical sites. Moreover, the ancient western kingdom of Georgia – Egrisi – existed on the current territory of Imereti from late antiquity to early Middle Ages.
The geographical location of Kutaisi makes it a perfect base for exploring the main sights of western Georgia, including important religious buildings, canyons, caves, and former sanatorium cities to name just a few.
Whether you are a backpacker, a solo female traveler, or a family, you can find something special that suits your needs and tastes. Therefore, the whole Kutaisi itinerary depends on what you’d like to see, how much time do you have, when are you visiting Kutaisi, and what means of transport you’ll be taking.
Best time to visit Kutaisi
The city has a humid subtropical climate. Summers here are very hot and relatively try, while in autumn and winter the weather in Kutaisi is cool and wet. As our travel was scheduled in the last week of July, and I was traveling with two teenagers, I decided to spend 7 days in the city in order to visit most of the sights in peace, without rushing and fully jamming our days with lots of sights to see.
However, the optimal days to spend in Kutaisi in my opinion and experience should be at least 5 in summer months, and 3-4 in the rest of the seasons.
How to get to Kutaisi
Getting to Kutaisi is not a big hustle at all. There are plenty of options and means of transportation to get to Kutaisi either from Tbilisi, from another country, or small towns of Georgia.
Tbilisi to Kutaisi Marshrutka
The distance from Tbilisi to Kutaisi is around 221 kilometers and takes around 3:30 hours by car. If you are keen on taking public transport than marshrutka is the best and fastest option to take. Tbilisi-Kutaisi marshrutka goes from Didube Bus Station, located near the Didube metro station every day from 7-8 am till 6-7 pm. You don’t need to purchase a ticket in advance, just show up at the station and hop on the minibus. The same goes for the way back from Kutaisi to Tbilisi.
Tbilisi to Kutaisi Train
Georgia has a relatively normal railway connection to the main cities and towns of the country. There are daily trains from Tbilisi to other parts of the country that goes through Kutaisi. You can either take night passenger trains, fast trains (which is not that fast compared to European trains), passenger electro-trains, and commuter electro trains. Note that most of those trains are old and take a longer time to get from one point to another. However, fast trains are relatively new and modern and are equipped with free wifi and charging outlets.
The train ticket price to Kutaisi varies and depends on which train you’ll take. To see their schedule and prices, check out the website of the Georgian Railway. You can purchase the ticket online, or at the Tbilisi Central Station, located next to the Station metro stop.
Tbilisi to Kutaisi Bus
Traveling to Kutaisi by bus is not a very common option for many locals. They usually prefer minibusses or trains. However, if you’d like to travel more comfortably from Tbilisi to Kutaisi with a bus, then book tickets at Metro Georgia, where you’ll most likely have free wifi and refreshing drinks like tea, coffee, and water several times during the journey.
Flights to Kutaisi
Kutaisi has an international airport that serves Wizzair, Ryanair, and Ukrainian airlines at the moment. Therefore, getting to the city from European destinations is not a problem at all. Kutaisi airport is located 30 km away from the city center and is easily accessible by public transport or a taxi.
Wizzair operates from at least 14 European countries. Whether you decide to make Kutaisi first or last stop of your Georgian itinerary, you’ll be able to find cheap flights from Kutaisi to the following destinations: Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Czechia, Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and Great Britain.
Kutaisi Airport Bus
There are two companies operating from Tbilisi to Kutaisi International Airport and vice versa – Georgian Bus and Omnibus, which will take you directly to the airport 1-1:30 hours before your departure time.
Getting to Kutaisi from other towns of Georgia
Prior to visiting Kutaisi, we stayed in Borjomi, therefore we had to get from Borjomi to Kutaisi. There is no direct minibus, but you can take Borjomi to Batumi marshrutka which passes through Kutaisi and costs around 8-10₾. There’s only one in the morning and leaves quite soon.
However, there’s another way to get from Borjomi to Kutaisi if you can’t make it to the morning minibus. There’s more frequent marshrutka from Borjomi to Khashuri and costs only 2₾ per person. From here, you can take another marshrutka to Kutaisi. There’s a direct and cheap one (ticket costs 5₾) that leaves only when the venue gets full, but if you are in a hurry, you can ask around for any other marshrutka going to Kutaisi.
We took the second option and didn’t wait too long in Khashuri. However, we paid 10₾ per person as it was a more comfortable vehicle and air-conditioned.
What to do in Kutaisi: Kutaisi Sightseeing
Things to do in Kutaisi city itself might not be that many compared to Tbilisi, so I would suggest one day or day and a half for exploring the city itself. The rest of the significant sights are located a couple of kilometers away from Kutaisi, which is why it prolongs the itinerary for several days. However, if you are traveling to Kutaisi by car, then you can easily travel to any destination. But, if you are taking public transportation like us, then you’ll definitely need more days.
Kutaisi City Center and the Colchis Fountain
Major buildings in Kutaisi have been renovated in recent years, therefore wander through the streets of the city center. Admire the architecture of the opera house, its the one with tall warrior statues on its roof with a sitting lion statue holding its paw on a globe.
Then continue your way through the Boulevard, or as locals call it – the central park of Kutaisi. Walk around the square-shaped park and appreciate the beauty of it, or sit down for a short break and watch the everyday lives of the locals.
When you are done here, continue your way to Colchis Fountain, located at the very center of Kutaisi. It’s hard to miss. The fountain features golden figures of horses, tigers, rams, and other animals. If you get closer, among those figures, you can even notice the figure of tamada, the main character, and the toast-maker at Georgian traditional feasts, who’ll greet you with a wine vessel in his hand.
Those statues are the replicas of the same figures found during the archaeological excavations in different parts of the country and prove that the mythical kingdom of Colchis really existed on this territory, was rich in gold, and Jason and Argonauts were here during their mission to find the Golden Fleece.
Bagrati Cathedral
Overlooking the city, Bagrati Cathedral is one of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kutaisi. It was built by the first king of unified Georgia, Bagrat III, in 1003. The cathedral stood intact until the Ottomans’ invasion in the 17th century. It is a very important monument and represents a perfect example of medieval Georgian architecture.
There’s a shortcut to get to the cathedral on foot. When you cross the Chain Bridge and the following street, look for the staircase on your left side.
Tip: The cathedral is much more beautiful during the sunset time.
Kutaisi Botanical Garden
After visiting the Bagrati Cathedral, walk to Kutaisi Botanical Garden. It will take up to 15 minutes from there. The garden was founded in the middle of the 19th century and is the second earliest botanical garden of the country after Tbilisi National Botanical Garden.
Here, you’ll explore around 700 plant species of shrubs and trees from all over the world. It’s a nice place to take a stroll and escape the summer heat for a while. However, in the evenings, there are plenty of mosquitos.
- Entrance Fee: 1₾ for adults and students
Parliament of Georgia
Kutaisi is home to a futuristic building that serves as a Parliament of Georgia. Designed by a Spanish architect Alberto Domingo Cabo, this 40 meter-high glass dome houses meeting rooms, offices, conference halls, plenary rooms, and exhibition hall. In the past it offered tours to learn more about the government of Georgia, but you can’t go inside anymore.
How to get to the Parliament of Georgia: You’ll need to go to Red Bridge and find marshrutka number 4. Do note though that there might be two number 4 marshrutkas going in different directions, so make sure you ask the driver your destination. The price is around 0.40-0.50₾.
Kutaisi State History Museum
To learn more about the cultural heritage of the city, visit the History Museum located on Pushkin Street. The museum showcases more than 150 thousand items including artifacts from the Bronze Age and Antiquity period. Besides various household items, you’ll be able to see ancient books, frescos, and armory.
- Opening Hours: Every day. 10am – 6pm
- Entrance Fee: 3₾ for adults, 10₾ for a guided tour.
Kutaisi National Museum of Military Glory
This is another cool place for history-lovers. Here, you’ll learn more about the military history of the country, including its participation in WWII and local conflicts of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
- Opening Hours: Every day. 10am – 6pm
- Entrance Fee: 3₾ for adults
David Kakabadze Kutaisi Fine Art Gallery
The gallery, located on Shota Rustaveli street, displays collections of local artists including works of such famous Georgian artists as Pirosmani. There is a souvenir shop in the museum if you feel like bringing something memorable back home.
- Opening Hours: Every day. 10am – 6pm
- Entrance Fee: 2₾ for adults
Kutaisi Synagogue
Kutaisi was home to Georgia’s largest Jewish community and still preserves a Jewish quarter as its one of the neighborhoods. The synagogue was constructed in 1885 and is believed to be quite beautiful from the inside. Unfortunately, we visited it twice, once during is supposed opening hours in the evening, but both times it was closed…
- Opening Hours: Weekdays – 8am – 10am and 8pm – 10pm. Saturdays: 9am -12pm
Green Market
To experience the local everyday life, go to the bazaar. You’ll find several stalls full of fresh vegetables and fruits as well as homemade goods like churchkhela (walnut and grape juice sweets), pickles, cheese, and tkemali (plum sauce) to name a few.
Places to visit around Kutaisi
As I mentioned above, Kutaisi is a perfect spot to go and explore the natural wonders of Georgia, including canyons, karst caves, and churches. Some of them are located close to the city, while some are a bit far away. So here’s the list of day trips from Kutaisi you need to take.
Day trips from Kutaisi
Gelati and Motsameta Monasteries
Gelati Monastery is one of the most important medieval buildings of Georgia and is believed to be the quintessence of local architecture. Located 11 km from Kutaisi, the monastery was founded by David the Builder, the most powerful king of Georgia between the 12th and 13th centuries. His grave is also located here.
Along with Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Monastery is enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex includes different buildings, but from them, the most distinguished one is the Monastery of the Holy Mother of God and its gorgeous frescos. At the very center of the church, there is a fresco of St. Mary with Baby Jesus in her hands and ringed with archangels Michael and Gabriel. Those frescos are typical Georgian creations and have no analog in medieval art.
How to get to Gelati Monastery: If you are willing to take public transport, you’ll need to go to Mari Brose Street behind the drama theater building in the center of the city. There are marshrutkas going to Gelati and the price is 1₾.
Motsameta Monastery is located close to Gelati and was built to immortalize the names of two brothers – David and Constantine Mkheidze. This religious building dates back to the 11th century, but the very first church here was built in the 8th century. Breathtaking deep gorges and mountains surround the church. The name in English translates as ‘the place of martyrs’ and several legends are connected to its name. According to one of them, Dukes of Argveti, David and Constantine, were tortured during the Aran invasion.
How to get to Motsameta Monastery: After visiting Gelati Monastery, take the same marshrutka towards Kutaisi but ask the driver to drop you off near Gelati Police Station to go to the monastery. From here, you’ll need to walk around 2km to reach the entrance path of the religious site. In order to go back to Kutaisi from here, you can walk the same direction to get to the main road and wait for the marshrutka coming from Gelati or take a taxi. However, do note that they will charge you a lot since you are a foreigner. The approximate price shouldn’t be more than 10-15₾.
Tskaltubo and Prometheus Cave
Tskaltubo used to be a famous spa resort of the Imereti region. Additionally, the municipality is also rich in natural monuments such as caves. There are several karst caves in the territory of the municipality, but the most famous one that every traveler goes is the Prometheus Cave. Others don’t have tourist infrastructure developed and are not accessible for visitors.
Back in Soviet times, Tskaltubo was a popular destination due to the healing properties of its hot thermal waters. There were dozens of sanatoriums and resorts to host thousands of people from all over the world. Today, most of those resorts are abandoned and halfway demolished, however, there are a couple that has been renovated to the international standards. Those resorts have a distinguished architecture which makes you feel as if you traveled back in time in the 1950s.
What to do in Tskaltubo: Hunt down Soviet Sanatoriums
Before or after visiting the Prometheus Cave, wander through the town and hunt down abandoned resorts of Tskaltubo. On our visit, we managed to tour around Hotel Aia, Tskaltubo Spa Resort, and Hotel Sakartvelo. During Soviet times, there were around 30 sanatoriums operating in this small town.
Hotel Sakartvelo can be spotted from the road driving from Kutaisi to Tskaltubo with its typical Soviet architecture and a sign that still stands on its rooftop. Most of the building today is inhabited by IDPs, who are living in severe conditions. The reason to visit this resort is the mosaics in its ‘indoor’ pool. Unfortunately, the pool itself is full of garbage and dust, making it a bit hard to see the mosaic, but the one on its wall is mostly intact.
Similarly, Hotel Aia is also inhabited by IDPs living in heart-wrecking conditions. Here as well, the main attraction is the Soviet-time mosaics both inside and outside of the building.
On the contrary, Tskaltubo Spa Resort is a somewhat newly renovated building that still operates as the resort in its original construction. The territory of the hotel is huge, as it used to be the central sanatorium of the town back in the day. Most of its buildings have been renovated, except the one where you can find Stalin’s personal room untouched and intact as if the time had stopped right there.
Usually, the room is not accessible for tourists, but if you ask nicely, there’s a big chance they will let you in and even assign you a staff member to take you there. It’s a pity that the management doesn’t turn such important landmark as a tourist attraction. But well, it’s Georgia! 🙂
What to do in Tskaltubo: Tskaltubo thermal baths
The town has nine bathhouses from which only three – 1,3, and 6 are operating. It is believed that the mineral water of Tskaltubo can cure up to six diseases. Number 6 is the main public thermal bathhouse of the town which is often referred to as Stalin’s Bathhouse. The building was built right on the source of water especially for him. Therefore, you can find here his private rooms adorned with mosaics. Ask the staff for a small tour, they’ll be happy.
How to get to Tskaltubo: Getting to the town is not an issue as there are daily minibusses going from Kutaisi to Tskaltubo. You need to cross the Red Bridge and find marshrutka number 30. The price for one way is 1.20₾
Prometheus Cave
Prometheus Cave is not located right in Tskaltubo, therefore, you’ll need to take another minibus to get to Kumistavi village which leaves every two hours. The price is 2₾ and the driver will drop you off right at the entrance of the cave.
This karst cave is rich with stalactites and stalagmites, which are illuminated with colorful lights. The space of the cave is 46.6 ha, while the length of some rooms is around 80-100 meters. You are not allowed to wander in the cave on your own, you wait for a group of people to enter. Therefore, if you are not close to the guide, you can’t here interesting details and the history of the cave.
In total, you walk around 1420 meters underground before you reach the exit. If you want, you can take a boat ride out of the cave with an additional fee, otherwise, you walk through a tunnel where a service bus is waiting for you and takes you back to the entrance of the cave.
In total, you walk around 1420 meters underground before you reach the exit. If you want, you can take a boat ride out of the cave with an additional fee, otherwise, you walk through a tunnel where a service bus is waiting for you and takes you back to the entrance of the cave.
- Opening Hours: Every day, except Monday. 10am – 6pm
- Entrance Fee: 20₾ for adults, boat trip additional 15₾, students 5₾
- Note: Children aged under 7 are not allowed due to safety reasons
Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar
Chiatura used to be a famous manganese town of Georgia which was founded in 1879. During Soviet times, it saw its heyday. The manganese from here was sent all across the Soviet Union and other countries of the world as well.
What to do in Chiatura: Ride Soviet-time Cable Cars
The town is divided into lower and upper Chiatura. Due to its vast amount of manganese mines, the Soviet government developed a plan to help workers to get to the mines easily. Due to its mountainous landscape, the means of transport was chosen to be a cable car. There are probably dozens of cable cars in the town that connected different neighborhoods and mines with each other.
Today, the town still produces manganese but not in the same quantities as before. Therefore, most of those cable cars are not operating anymore. And those which do, have not been renovated since its opening in 1954! Riding those cable cars are FREE of charge!
I am afraid of heights and taking a cable car that has been in use without any reconstruction for more than 60 years does sound scary, but trust me, it’s not that bad as it sounds. On the contrary, it’s a fascinating experience I would love to do again.
Mgvimevi Monastery
This monastery is just outside of Chiatura. It has a unique location and in order to get to the monastery, you need to climb the stairs and then walk the tunnel. The church is situated in the cave, that’s why its called Mgvimevi.
The best way to get to Mgvimevi is to ask the driver of Kutaisi Chiatura marshrutka to drop you off at the entrance staircase of the monastery and then walk around 2km back to Chiatura to explore the town.
Katskhi Pillar
Katskhi Pillar is a natural limestone pillar located in Katskhi village, 62 km from Kutaisi. The name of the pillar is believed to derive from Svan language (one of the three languages spoken in Georgia) and means ‘peak’.
With its hight of approximately 40-45 meters, the pillar is a fascinating natural wonder to visit. The area of its top is around 150 sq. meters, the lower part of the pillar is narrower than the upper one, creating a negative tilt.
There’s a monastery on top of the pillar, which is only accessible for monks. The current church was a result of restoration works done between 2005-09, but no one knows how people have transported the materials back in the day to construct the first church.
How to get to Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar: In order to get to the town and the pillar, you need to take a minibus that goes from Kutaisi to Chiatura from the central bus station. Minibusses leave every one hour from 8:20 am till 5 pm. The price is 7₾. You can ask the driver to drop you off at the road that leads to the pillar. From here, you’ll have to walk around 2 km to get to the monument. If you want to continue your trip to Chiatura, then you’ll need to walk back to the main road and wait for the next marshrutka towards Chiatura.
Sataplia Nature Reserve
Sataplia Nature Reserve, located 7 km from Kutaisi, is a place where around 200 footprints of dinosaurs were discovered in 1933. The Nature Reserve spans around 330 ha of land and features a cave, conservation structure of dinosaurs footprints, exhibition hall, and a panoramic viewpoint to name a few. The Sataplia Cave is around 900 meters long and similar to Prometheus Cave, the stalactites and stalagmites are illuminated with colorful lights.
After done with the cave, wander through the forest, visit the panoramic viewpoint and the bio-speleological museum to learn more about the area.
How to get to Sataplia Nature Reserve: You need to take marshrutka number 31 or 35 from Green Market bus station to the very last stop in front of the skating rink. Then you need to change to number 45. The total price for both minibusses will be 1.50₾
- Opening Hours: Every day, except Monday. 10am – 6pm
- Entrance Fee: 15₾ for adults, students 5₾
Okatse Canyon
Okatse Canyon is considered to be the deepest canyon of the country, located around 50 km from Kutaisi. Located in Zeda Gordi village, the canyon offers breathtaking views of the surrounding gorge. The length of the canyon is 16 km with a depth of 35-50 meters. In some parts, the walls of the canyon align with each other and create beautiful, natural stone bridges. Unfortunately, you can’t explore the whole canyon as it’s not fully studied yet and has only a 1.5 km long hanging iron walkway built only several years ago.
In order to explore this true natural gem of Georgia, you need to first get to the visitors’ center, buy the ticket and get ready for a 2.5-kilometer long walk. In total, you’ll need around 2-3 hours to spend here. There are taxis offering you a ride from the visitors center to the entrance of the canyon, but they are extremely overpriced and might ask you 50₾ including the wait time.
There’s a beautiful waterfall to see after exploring the canyon. Kinchkha waterfall is distinguished by its beauty and length. Unfortunately, during our visit to the canyon, we couldn’t visit the waterfall because there were construction works going on.
How to get to Okatse Canyon: It’s a bit hard to get to Okatse using public transportation, but it’s doable. First, you need to get a marshrutka from the central bus station to Khoni. They leave every hour and the price is 3₾. From here, you need to take another marshrutka to Kintchka which leaves only at 11 am. If you miss it or don’t want to wait for an hour or more in Khoni for the minibus, you can ask the driver to drop you off at the road that leads to the canyon. From this spot, the canyon is only 14 km away. You can easily hitchhike or walk a bit until the marshrutka comes by. This is what we did.
Getting back to Kutaisi is a bit easier as the marshrutka to Khoni comes at around 5 pm. If you have spare time before then, you can sit down at O Cafe for a late lunch or light snack. They even have a wi-fi to keep yourself busy. The price of the ticket to Khoni is 3₾. You’ll need to take another minibus from Khoni to Kutaisi which also costs 3₾.
- Opening Hours: Every day, except Monday. 10am – 6pm
- Entrance Fee: 15₾ for adults, students 5₾
- Note: Visitors must be at least 1.20 meters high in order to be allowed in the canyon.
Martvili Canyon
Martvili Canyon is another stunning natural gem of the country, located in the Samegrelo region and 50 km away from Kutaisi. I have seen dozens of gorgeous pictures before my visit, so I was very excited to finally manage a trip here. However, honestly speaking, I was very disappointed not because of its beauty, but because of the service offered here. Moreover, I haven’t read a detailed review of the place anywhere, so here it is.
Firstly, the canyon is famous for taking a boat trip through green gorges and emerald water. I was pretty fine with that, but when we got there, we found out that the boat takes you for only around 300 meters and the trip lasts for approximately 10 minutes. Moreover, it was packed with tourists even though we came one hour after the canyon was opened. There were so many boats that we bumped into each other once.
After this disappointment, I thought “okay, we still can walk a while and explore it on foot”. Unfortunately, the walking path is very short as well. It took us another 10 minutes on tops to walk and we were done with everything! Don’t get me wrong, the place is absolutely stunning, with its plant-covered small bridges and turquoise water, but for what I paid and what I was offered in terms of infrastructure, got me thinking if it was worth the effort.
Now you know these small details about the canyon, so I leave it up to you do decide whether to visit it or not.
How to get to Martvili Canyon: Compared to Okatse, getting to Martvili is much easier. Take the marshrutka from the central bus station to Martvili, the driver will drop you off right at the entrance of the canyon. The price is 4.5₾. To go back from Martvili to Kutaisi, you can ask the driver when it’s coming back to the canyon. If the wait is too long, you can take a taxi or hitchhike to the village Martvili and then take a marshrutka from there to Kutaisi, which costs 4₾.
- Opening Hours: Every day, except Monday. 10:30am – 7pm
- Entrance Fee: 15₾ for adults, students 5₾, boat ride 28₾ per person
Where to eat in Kutaisi
Kutaisi, much like Tbilisi, is full of cafes, restaurants and wine bars. Every person can find something suitable for their taste. Some of the cafes and restaurants even have breakfast options for those who are staying at low budget hotels and hostels. I won’t go into details here where to dine in Kutaisi, as I have created several lists for Culture Trip. So here’s my recommendations linked from the site:
The Best Restaurants in Kutaisi
The 5 Best Breakfast Spots in Kutaisi
Where to stay in Kutaisi
As tourism is flourishing in Kutaisi, there are plenty of accommodation options for every kind of traveler. The city has numerous hostels, budget-friendly hotels, guesthouses, and hotels. Here are my lists of the best accommodation options created for Culture Trip.
The Best Hotels in Kutaisi area
As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments down below, or connect with me on my social media channels. I will be happy to assist you as much as possible.
Happy Travels!
2 comments
Your link for visiting the Parliament is for the building in Tbilisi, not the one in Kutaisi.
I know the parliament has been moved back to Tbilisi with the new president, but is there a way to visit the interiors of that amazing new building in Kutaisi?
Thanks in advance!
Hello Amra! As I looked into it, they have changed the information. It was the same site but they offered tours in Kutaisi Parliament too. So unfortunately, you can’t visit it anymore 🙁