Bagrati Cathedral
The great eleventh-century cathedral on Ukimerioni Hill, built in 1003 as a symbol of a united Georgia, with the best view over Kutaisi and the Rioni River at sunset.
Georgia
Kutaisi and Western Georgia
Kutaisi is Georgia's old capital and the best gateway to the green, wet, ancient west of the country: a river city of theatres, bridges and a famous market, crowned by Bagrati Cathedral, with the golden mosaics of Gelati Monastery nearby and some of the Caucasus' finest natural sights within an hour's drive.
Prometheus Cave opens into lit halls of stalactites, Martvili Canyon glides past mossy walls by boat, Okatse offers a walkway over the gorge, and Sataplia shows real dinosaur footprints. Further out lie the Soviet sanatoriums of Tskaltubo, the cable cars of Chiatura, the wine villages of Imereti, the Racha highlands and the towers of Svaneti. This guide gathers 22 experiences, 8 hotels and 6 travel guides to plan a stay properly.
Don't miss
Bagrati Cathedral
The great eleventh-century cathedral on Ukimerioni Hill, built in 1003 as a symbol of a united Georgia, with the best view over Kutaisi and the Rioni River at sunset.
Gelati Monastery
A UNESCO-listed monastery founded in 1106 by King David the Builder, famous for its glowing apse mosaic of the Virgin and Child and its quiet hillside setting above Kutaisi.
Prometheus Cave
One of the largest caves in the Caucasus, a lit walkway through huge chambers of stalactites, stalagmites and mirror-still pools, about forty minutes by road from Kutaisi.
Martvili Canyon
A narrow emerald gorge on the Abasha River, where wooden walkways and a short boat ride take you beneath moss-covered cliffs and small waterfalls.
Things to do in Kutaisi and Western Georgia
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Gelati Monastery
A UNESCO-listed monastery founded in 1106 by King David the Builder, famous for its glowing apse mosaic of the Virgin and Child and its quiet hillside setting above Kutaisi.
Motsameta Monastery
A small cliff-top monastery above the Rioni gorge that holds the relics of two martyred princes, with a crypt legend, a forest walk and one of the prettiest views near Kutaisi.
Prometheus Cave
One of the largest caves in the Caucasus, a lit walkway through huge chambers of stalactites, stalagmites and mirror-still pools, about forty minutes by road from Kutaisi.
Martvili Canyon
A narrow emerald gorge on the Abasha River, where wooden walkways and a short boat ride take you beneath moss-covered cliffs and small waterfalls.
Okatse Canyon and Hanging Bridges
A forest trail and a dizzying metal walkway cantilevered over the Okatse gorge, with a viewing platform above a 100-metre drop and a waterfall at the end.
Sataplia Nature Reserve and Tetra Cave
A forest reserve just outside Kutaisi with real dinosaur footprints preserved in limestone, a glass-floored viewing platform and a small karst cave you can walk through.
Canyons and Caves Day Tour from Kutaisi
The classic full-day group trip from Kutaisi: Prometheus Cave, Martvili Canyon and Okatse Canyon in one go, usually with a Georgian lunch and a licensed guide.
Kutaisi Walking Tour: Culture, History and Market
A guided stroll through the old town, along the Rioni, past theatres, bridges and the Colchis Fountain, ending at the Green Bazaar with tastings of local bread and cheese.
FreeKutaisi Green Bazaar
The city’s great covered and open-air market, where spices, cheeses, honey, churchkhela and mountains of herbs make the best free food experience in Imereti.
1 to 2 hoursDetails →
Kutaisi Botanical Garden
A leafy hillside garden about a kilometre from the centre, with around seven hundred kinds of plants, shaded paths, city views and a small chapel built inside a 400-year-old oak trunk.
Kutaisi State Historical Museum
The region’s main museum, with archaeology from ancient Colchis, medieval treasures from the Kingdom of Imereti and ethnographic collections that explain the city’s long past.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Best Western Kutaisi City Center
City Centre
A familiar international brand in the middle of Kutaisi, with family-friendly touches, a pet-friendly policy and an easy walk to the square, theatres and market.
Check rates →Newport Hotel Kutaisi
Near the Green Bazaar and Bagrati
A well-reviewed upper mid-range hotel close to the Green Bazaar and Bagrati Cathedral, with a buffet breakfast, massage service and strong guest scores.
Check rates →Gala Boutique Hotel
Near Bagrati Cathedral
A small, friendly boutique hotel a few minutes from Bagrati Cathedral and the Botanical Garden, with local breakfast, free parking and a pet-friendly welcome.
Check rates →
$Hotel Terrace Kutaisi
Near the Botanical Garden
A practical, well-liked hotel with a continental breakfast, free parking and a 24-hour airport shuttle, handy for flights into Kutaisi and for day trips.
Check rates →Hotel Panoramic
Hillside, near the centre
A hillside hotel about a fifteen-minute walk from the centre, with breakfast served with a city view, a 24-hour airport shuttle and free wifi.
Check rates →Communal Hotel Kutaisi
Old Town
The Kutaisi outpost of the stylish Communal group, with character-filled rooms, good bedding, air conditioning and breakfast in a restored town house.
Check rates →Hotel Casa Calda
Quiet residential area
A comfortable hotel with a full-service spa and sauna, massage and a 24-hour airport shuttle, popular for recovering after days of caves and canyons.
Check rates →Grand Opera Hotel
City Centre
A central, walkable hotel close to the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the main square and the restaurants, good for first-time visitors on a budget.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Bagrati CathedralStay
Gala Boutique HotelNear Bagrati Cathedral
Do
Gelati MonasteryStay
Hotel Casa CaldaQuiet residential area
Do
Prometheus CaveStay
Newport Hotel KutaisiNear the Green Bazaar and Bagrati
Kutaisi and Western Georgia guides
First Time in Kutaisi: What to See, How Long to Stay and What to Book
A first-timer’s guide to Kutaisi: why the old capital deserves more than a night, how many days to plan, which sights to prioritise and how to fit in the caves, canyons and monasteries.
Where to Stay in Kutaisi: Best Areas and Hotels for Every Budget
Where to stay in Kutaisi: the central square and theatre district, the slopes near Bagrati Cathedral, quiet residential areas and the airport side, with hotel picks for each.
Kutaisi in Three Days: Monasteries, Caves, Canyons and Markets
A practical three-day Kutaisi itinerary: the old town and Bagrati on day one, the canyons and caves on day two, Gelati, Motsameta and a food experience on day three.
Eating and Drinking in Kutaisi: Imeretian Food, Qvevri Wine and Market Treats
What to eat and drink in Kutaisi: Imeretian khachapuri, cheese, walnut sauces, churchkhela, qvevri white wine, chacha and where to taste them, from the Green Bazaar to a cooking class.
Best Time to Visit Kutaisi: Seasons, Weather and What Is Open
When to visit Kutaisi: the mild spring, hot summer, golden autumn harvest and quiet winter, with advice on weather, crowds, canyon conditions and mountain access.
Getting to and Around Kutaisi: Airport Transfers, Minibuses and Day-Trip Logistics
How to get to Kutaisi and move around: the airport and its transfers, trains and buses from Tbilisi and Batumi, taxis, minibuses, rental cars and organised day trips.
