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.
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.
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 ambiance. As a perfect stopover for travelers heading between Batumi and Tbilisi, it should definitely be on everyone’s Georgia itinerary.
This is my Kutaisi guide, including my favorite places to eat, where to stay around town, and some of the best day trips to explore the countryside.
Here we go, a list of 8 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 are several beautiful government buildings, a Soviet Sculpture Complex, an artistic graffiti-laden alley called the Wall of Love, 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.
Old Town Kutaisi is also home to a handful of museums. Unless you plan on joining one of the free walking tours, these will be your best bet for learning the city’s history.
Here are a few worth visiting:
National Museum of Military Glory | A small museum dedicated to the wars that Georgia has fought in. It doesn’t take long to walk around it, and there’s some cool memorabilia.
Entry | Free
Museum of Georgian Sports | Similar to the war museum, but for sports! Not much is in English, but if you’re a fan of sports, the memorabilia is worth looking at.
Entry | Free
Kutaisi State Historical Museum | Another small museum, with a number of collected artifacts on display. There isn’t much in English, but you can pay for a guide, which helps put history behind most things.
Entry | 6 GEL
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 are always a few that stand out 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 bucketfuls of spices and an array of brilliant-looking churchkhela.
Surprisingly, the food is not the main reason travelers 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.
Also known as ‘Panorama Kolkheti,’ this relief was built by Bernard Nebieridze. If you go on a guided city walk, you’ll get a little more information about the meaning of the sculptures on it.
But it essentially covers the history of Georgia.
Honestly, when thinking of the best things to do in Kutaisi, this immediately springs to mind. It’s probably the most recognized site in the city.
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:
TYPICAL DISHES IN KUTAISI
Pkhali | A traditional Georgian appetizer with vegetables, ground walnuts, herbs, and spices.
Imeretian khachapuri | Cheese bread with a soft, salty white cheese.
Kuchmachi | Chicken liver, gizzard, and heart with walnut and pomegranate.
Satsivi | Chicken in a white sauce made with walnut, garlic, and spices.
Tkemali | Tang cherry plum sauce.
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!
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.
Maisis Ezo | Tasty high-quality Georgian cuisine with a lovely atmosphere. They often have live Georgian music playing to add to the ambiance.
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.
If you find yourself enjoying Georgian cuisine and want to make some classic dishes yourself, then this traditional cooking class might be something you’d enjoy.
SOME CAFE 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!
Mini Art | Great coffee, great food, great desserts. The interior, with its lovely walls of paintings, is a wonderful place to waste the day, too.
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 and other natural sights.
While its counterparts in Tbilisi and Batumi are much more impressive, the Kutaisi Botanical Gardens offer a more peaceful alternative that usually gets far fewer visitors.
Although that has slowly been changing, as species from gardens around Georgia have been brought to Kutaisi to help diversify the Kutaisi Botanical Gardens.
There’s definitely one thing that stands out.
A unique church is carved into a skyscraping tree. The chapel fits a single person and even has a fully functioning door. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen at a botanical garden, and worth the trip alone.
Entrance Fee | Entry into the Kutaisi Botanical Gardens is 5 GEL.
See The Churches of Kutaisi
One of the top sights in Kutaisi is the historic and quite stunning Bagrati Cathedral. The Georgian Orthodox church was built in the 11th century during the reign of King Bagrat III, but has since undergone some serious renovations.
In fact, UNESCO actually criticised the reconstruction process, because it undermined the original design of the cathedral. Still, it should be visited on your trip as it’s a breathtaking structure.
Plus, it’s free, and the views of Kutasi from it are wonderful. And the Ruins of the palace of the kings and the church of St. George can also be explored on the property.
While this is the most prominent church, there are a handful more worth visiting:
Holy Annunciation Temple | A picturesque church across the Rioni River from Bagrati Cathedral. The blue interior is simple, but nice.
Mtsvanekvavila Temple | A riverside temple, with some nice views and a single bell tower.
St. David the Builder Church | A newer church built in recent years in the center of the city near the Colchis Fountain.
Take A Day Trip Outside of Kutaisi
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:
Gelati Monastery & Motsameta Monastery | 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.
Prometheus Cave | 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 in the next section.
Martvili Canyon & Okatse Canyon | Two canyons nearby for those who are nature lovers. Martvili Canyon has vivid blue waters and high sloping cliff sides, and Okatse Canyon has a wonderful walkway and deep green forests.
TOURS FROM KUTAISI
Prometheus Cave and the two canyons are popular to visit as a guided tour from Kutaisi. Some of these include Tskaltubo as well.
Here are a few worth looking into:
Tour 1 | Martvili & Okatse Canyons and Prometheus Cave from Kutaisi
Tour 2 | Martvili Canyon & Prometheus Cave, Georgian Lunch
Tour 3 | Canyons & Cave Tour from Kutaisi – Okatse, Martvili & Prometheus
Chiatura | Sitting in a dense valley, Chiatura is best known for its iconic Soviet-era cable cars, which have been mostly renovated now. Nearby the town is the Mgvimevi Convent, a monastery that’s etched into the side of a mountain, and the Katskhi Pillar, a monastery on top of a thin limestone cliff.
These are commonly grouped in tours like this ‘Chiatura Tour with Katskhi Pillar & Cable Car Experience‘.
Batumi | The city by the Black Sea is somewhere I suggest spending a few nights. However, the train ride is pretty, and if you just want to hit the beach for a day, it’s still worth it. There are a lot of historical sights to see here, like the Batumi Botanical Gardens, the Ali & Nino Statue, and quirky but beautiful architecture everywhere.
And that doesn’t include the seaside activities.
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.
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 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!
Getting There | 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 is pretty cheap and takes about 20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can join a group tour like the ones I linked above or a more personalized Tskaltubo one like this ‘Abandoned Sanatoriums of Tskaltubo Half Day Tour from Kutaisi‘.
WHERE TO STAY IN KUTAISI
Kutaisi is a pretty walkable city, so there aren’t many places you’d stay and have a tough time seeing all the main sights. With that being said, many of the best restaurants and cafes around town are located in the historic center. It’s worth keeping that in mind when looking for where to stay.
Here are some accommodation recommendations:
Dingo Backpackers Hostel | A lovely and social budget-friendly hostel with double rooms and dorms. The staff is great, and it’s one of the few true hostels in town.
Newport Hotel Kutaisi | Simply a beautiful hotel in a historic building with modern rooms and an onsite restaurant.
Sanapiro Hotel | The riverfront hotel has nice, beautiful views from the balcony and is a great value for the money.
Veranda Boutique Hotel Kutaisi | A gorgeous property with a range of suites and double rooms.
Garden Rooms in Kutaisi | The location is on the northern side of the river, which makes it a quieter option than the rest. It’s close to the botanical gardens and Bagrati Cathedral.
For more Kutaisi hotels, check here.
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