A logical starting point for your trip in the lovely Imereti Region, Kutaisi is more than just a gateway to attractive nature. It’s rich in history, oozing with charm, and inherently laid-back. You’ll never run out of things to do in Kutaisi, Georgia’s third largest city.
Kutaisi is one of those places that just draws you in with its relaxed vibes and “olden times” character. You can’t really blame it, it’s one of the oldest continuously lived-in cities in the world.
My visit brings back nothing but good memories. I had some truly amazing Georgian cuisine, went on adventurous day trips, and wandered around a fascinating old town.
Once you’re there, it’s easy to embrace the city’s friendliness and quiet peaceful ambience. As a perfect stopover for travelers heading between Batumi and Tbilisi, it should definitely be on everyone’s Georgia itinerary.
Here we go, a list of 7 wondrous things to do in Kutaisi, Georgia!
Wander Around Old Town Kutaisi
When you’re in such a historic place, the best way to get the feel of the city is by exploring the old town. While Kutaisi isn’t as grand as Tbilisi, there are still a ton of little things that add to its undeniable charm.
The main highlights are concentrated around two parks, the quite large Kutaisi Park and a smaller historic area that starts near the tourist information center.
Kutaisi Park is centrally located and packed with numerous statues and shaded benches. At the entrance you’ll notice the elaborate Colchis Fountain with its gorgeous golden animals. Within the immediate vicinity there’s several beautiful government buildings, a Soviet Sculpture Complex, and the stunning Meskhishvili Theater.
The second park might just be the most alluring part of the old town. It’s home to an ancient and imposing plane tree, a cable car station, and a notable palace/museum. The time-honored park overlooks the Rioni River and leads to the well-known White Bridge.
Head To The White Bridge For Some Views
I can’t pinpoint the exact reason why, but I really enjoy spending time sauntering back and forth across bridges. There’s always a few that standout in every country I visit. The White Bridge is definitely one of those!
The pedestrian walkway is full of creative things that make the bridge special…besides its simplistic color of course. Along the white hand railing, you’ll find a metal statue that holds a fedora in each hand. If you’re looking for a unique picture, this is the spot. The popular figure is at a height that looks like he is placing a hat perfectly on top of your head!
A few feet away, a glass floor appears in the middle of the overpass. When you stand directly above the see-through blocks, you’ll notice the smooth rocks and flowing water that make up the Rioni River.
When you’re done appreciating the White Bridge’s quirks, make sure to stay for the view. The best time to come is either at sunrise or sunset. The bright sky and beautiful wooden homes that line the Rioni make for a picturesque scene. If you do come during the day, expect to see the old cable cars from the nearby station slowly creep across the river towards the amusement park.
Explore The Kutaisi Bazaar
After you stroll through Kutaisi Park and cross the street, you’ll come to the city’s magnificent marketplace.
Known as the Green Bazaar, the market has a variety of produce to choose from. Vibrant and colorful fruits stand in piles and vegetables cover every inch of long wooden tables. You’ll also see bucketful’s of spices and an array of brilliant looking churchkhela.
Surprisingly, the food is not the main reason traveler’s visit the marketplace. There’s an eye-catching sculpture that makes up an entire wall near the southern entrance. The façade is an intimidating piece of artwork, but something that adds a distinctive quality to the Green Bazaar.
Georgian Food And Café Hopping
Georgia is a growing foodie destination and Kutaisi definitely backs that up. It would just feel wrong writing an article about the enchanting city without mentioning some of the awesome food to try.
There’s also a strong café culture in these parts, which I’m thankful for. It was raining for the vast majority of my time in Kutaisi, but the relaxing tea houses and cozy cafes definitely added to my overall experience!
Let me be clear, I didn’t have a bad experience with any of the food/drinks in Kutaisi. These are just my favorite places.
Some restaurant recommendations:
Bikentia’s Kebabery – A budget friendly restaurant that is fast food in every aspect. There’s no seating, just standing. It feels like a place Anthony Bourdain would’ve loved, with an unpretentious atmosphere and ridiculously tasty kebabs. I still can’t get the spicy tomato sauce out of my mind, it was delicious!
Cafe Fleur – Nice homemade food with excellent service and good prices. I didn’t have a coffee here, but it’s supposed to be really good. There’s also a really nice outdoor garden you can sit in.
Sisters – It’s definitely a fancier restaurant than the other two, and the price reflects that. But, it’s still cheaper than Western European eateries and the quality is superb. The Imeretian chicken was excellent and they have wonderful seasonal dishes too. The interior is also extremely beautiful.
Some café recommendations:
Tea House Foe-Foe – A tea house with awesome vibes and an extensive list of drinks. If you’re into tea you’ll be in heaven. There are so many different infusions and options to choose from. They have really good food as well.
Palaty – I came into Palaty to avoid the massive downpour of rain that soaked me from head to toe. It was a spectacular choice! They have really good coffee, a homey feeling indoors, and wonderful lobiani. You’ll also notice thousands of messages hanging on their walls from previously happy customers. If you have a writing utensil on hand, feel free to join in!
Walk Around The Botanical Gardens
Small and lovely, the Kutaisi Botanical Gardens are a perfect way to spend an afternoon. Inside, you’ll find zig-zagging pathways that pass by a wide range of plants.
While its counterparts in Tbilisi and Batumi are more impressive, the Kutaisi Botanical Gardens offer a more peaceful alternative. Although, that has slowly been changing, as species from gardens around Georgia have been brought to Kutaisi to diversify the gardens.
There’s definitely one thing that stands out – a unique church. Carved into a tree, the chapel fits a single person and even has a fully functioning door. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and worth the trip alone.
Entry into the Kutaisi Botanical Gardens is 1 Georgian Lari.
Take A Day Trip
Kutaisi makes for a perfect base in the middle of Georgia. You can get just about anywhere in the country in a day, but here are some realistic options for trips from Kutaisi.
If you’re a fan of monasteries there are two just a short ride away. The first is the scenic Gelati Monastery which used to be home to an academy of scholars. Its main feature is an interior with brightly colored frescoes. The second is the hillside Motsameta Monastery and its incredible vantage point.
Another great day trip is to the eerie sounding Prometheus Cave. The karst cave is almost 11 km long and has 22 different halls. Although, only a thousand or so meters and a handful of caves are open to tourists. You can even combine a trip to the cave with a visit to Tskaltubo, but I’ll get to the spa town later on.
Lastly, there are two canyons nearby for those who are nature lovers. Martvili Canyon has vivid blue waters and high sloping cliff sides and Okatse Canyon a wonderful walkway and deep green forests.
You can also take a trip to Batumi and the coast of the Black Sea, but I suggest spending longer in Georgia’s little Vegas.
Visit The Spa Town Of Tskaltubo
If I had to suggest a single day trip from Kutaisi, it would be Tskaltubo. When Georgia was a Soviet Republic, the spa town was once a popular retreat. When you see the extravagant and spacious sanatoriums you’ll find out why.
However, the majority of these buildings are now abandoned. While it’s terrible for the town’s economy, it makes for an alluring almost sinister visit. If you’re a fearless traveler, exploring the sanatoriums is a thrilling experience.
The abandoned spa resorts are an urban explorer’s dream!
There are only a few of these neglected buildings that you can actually wander around. They reside in the Tskaltubo Central Park area and are immediately noticeable on sight. On the outskirts of the park there are a few more resorts, but they were either boarded up or occupied. If you notice anyone living in the buildings or any stray dogs please be courteous, families displaced by war call a number of the spa resorts home. Be respectful and stick with the vacant sanatoriums and you’ll enjoy your trip.
Overall, Tskaltubo was one of the coolest places I came across in Georgia. Despite the ghost city vibes it gives off, there is something truly magical about the mostly forgotten town!
To get to Tskaltubo from Kutaisi, cross the Red Bridge and look to your left. There will be marshrutka vans across from the Sculpture “Galaktioni” that head in Tskaltubo’s direction. The ride costs under 2 Gel and takes about 20 minutes.
I’m sure there’s plenty more things to do in Kutaisi, but I hope this gave you some helpful insight. Either way, enjoy your trip to Georgia’s underrated third city!
