Kutaisi is sometimes treated as somewhere you simply fly into before moving on to Tbilisi, Batumi or the mountains. With a lot of budget airlines recently flying into Kutaisi, it would be amiss to skip on Kutaisi if you are having it as your departure or arrival point. The city itself is quite small and you can see most of the main attractions within a day, but what really makes Kutaisi worth visiting is everything surrounding it.
You have huge caves, turquoise canyons, waterfalls, monasteries and even an abandoned Soviet spa town all within day-trip distance. It also makes a very useful base if you are travelling around western Georgia.
In this guide, I will cover all the best things to do in Kutaisi itself, the best canyons and caves nearby, the best day trips and what you need to do before continuing on your journey to Tbilisi, Batumi or head up to the mountains in Mestia
Table of Contents
- How Many Days Do You Need in Kutaisi?
- How to Get to Kutaisi
- Things to Do in Kutaisi
- Best Things to Do Beyond Kutaisi
- Best Day Trips from Kutaisi
- Can You Visit Mestia From Kutaisi as a Day Trip?
- My Recommended 2-Day Kutaisi Itinerary
- My Recommended 3-Day Kutaisi Itinerary
- Is Kutaisi Expensive?
- Do You Need a Car in Kutaisi?
- Best Time to Visit Kutaisi
- Conclusion – Is Kutaisi Worth Visiting?
- Frequently Asked Questions – Things to Do in Kutaisi
How Many Days Do You Need in Kutaisi?
I would give Kutaisi at least two full days so that you can go on a proper day trip as well as exploring the city itself.
One day is enough if you only want to explore Kutaisi city centre. In reality you could probably cover the main sights within half a day if you are moving quickly. I arrived in Kutaisi from Mestia late in the evening and departed to Tbilisi by train late in the evening the next day. So in reality I only had one full day but I made the most of it and explored much of Kutaisi and I even went on a nice day trip excursion.
If you land directly in Kutaisi I would definitely spend a night and the following day here to give you a chance to go and explore some of the nearby canyons.
My recommendation would be:
- 1 day: ( Day of arrival) Kutaisi city only
- 2 days: Kutaisi + Martvili/Prometheus Cave day trip
- 3 days: Add either Okatse Canyon, Tskaltubo or Chiatura
- 4+ days: Start looking at somewhere such as Mestia as your next destination rather than continuing to make day trips
How to Get to Kutaisi
Kutaisi is well connected with Tbilisi and Batumi by buses and trains, although the railway situation is more confusing than it needs to be.
Tbilisi to Kutaisi
The simplest option from Tbilisi is normally the bus.
CityBus currently sells Tbilisi to Kutaisi tickets for 30 GEL, with services stopping in Kutaisi itself. Journey times are normally around 3.5–4 hours, although traffic can obviously extend this.
You can check the current timetable directly with CityBus Georgia.
The train is another option, but this is where you need to pay a bit attention to the station.
How to get to Kutaisi by Train.
Kutaisi has a railway station called Kutaisi I, so naturally you would assume this is the city’s main station.
This is not quite the case.
Kutaisi I is a terminus on a branch line, while Rioni Railway Station sits on Georgia’s main east-west railway line a few kilometres outside central Kutaisi. Many long-distance trains travelling between eastern and western Georgia use Rioni instead of travelling into Kutaisi I.
This means if you are searching for trains between Kutaisi and Tbilisi, also search for Rioni.
From Rioni you can then take a taxi into Kutaisi or use local transport. Do not arrive at Kutaisi I expecting every Tbilisi train to depart from there.
There is one more complication: the fast Tbilisi–Batumi Stadler trains do not normally stop at Rioni, so you cannot simply assume every train passing Kutaisi stops there either. Always check your exact train before booking.
Use the official Georgian Railway timetable or TRE before travelling. Georgian Railway currently allows tickets to be purchased up to 20 days before departure.
Batumi to Kutaisi
From Batumi I would choose the bus over the train unless the train timetable works particularly well for you.
Current CityBus services travelling from Batumi towards Tbilisi stop in central Kutaisi. For example, one daytime service currently leaves Batumi at 09:00 and reaches Kutaisi at around 11:10, so the journey is only a little over two hours.
There are also regional trains directly between Batumi and Kutaisi I, but these are considerably slower. The official timetable currently shows journeys taking roughly 4 hours 20 minutes to 4 hours 40 minutes.
Unless the price or departure time suits you perfectly, I would take the bus.
My Route.
If you came into Batumi or are working yourself the other way round across the country, i.e starting from Tbilisi to Batumi, then I definitely recommend deviating to Mestia as an intermediary stop. I highlighted on how to get to Mestia in another blog post which you can read after this.
To recap I would either go Batumi -> Mestia -> Kutaisi or Kutaisi -> Mestia -> Batumi. This will only work if you didn’t get into Kutaisi airport in which case you need to pivot somewhat and do Batumi to Tbilisi directly.
Getting to Kutaisi from Kutaisi Airport
Kutaisi International Airport is outside the city, but there is now an official shuttle connecting the airport with Kutaisi city centre.
The bus stop is directly outside the arrivals hall. Check the latest departure times on the official Kutaisi Airport shuttle page because schedules can change depending on flights.
A taxi is the other obvious option and is useful if you arrive extremely late or if several people can split the fare.
Things to Do in Kutaisi
Now onto Kutaisi itself. As I mentioned, there are not three days’ worth of huge attractions packed into the centre. That does not mean there aren’t things to see though. The centre is compact, walkable and quite relaxing compared with Tbilisi or Batumi.
1. See the Colchis Fountain
Colchis Fountain is right in the centre of Kutaisi and will probably be one of the first landmarks you see. It is where most probably you get dropped off of any shared transfers.
The large golden animals around the fountain are enlarged versions of archaeological finds associated with the ancient Kingdom of Colchis. Be careful on crossing the road as it gets somewhat hectic if you want to get up close to it.
It also looks better once the lights come on in the evening.
2. Walk Through Kutaisi Central Park
Immediately beside Colchis Fountain is Kutaisi Central Park.
Again, this is not somewhere you need to specifically schedule an hour for. Just walk through it as you explore the centre. There are cafes, trees and benches and it gives the centre of Kutaisi quite a relaxed atmosphere. It was nice to sit down and relax a bit in the shade.
From here you can easily continue towards the Green Bazaar, Rioni River and White Bridge.
3. Visit the Green Bazaar
Kutaisi’s Green Bazaar is a local market and you can see something the locals gather around and buy local food. Inside you will find vegetables, spices, cheese, fruit, churchkhela, wine and plenty of other Georgian products.
I would come earlier in the day when everything is busiest. Even if you do not want to buy anything, have a walk through before continuing towards the river.
4. Walk Across White Bridge and Along the Rioni River
Kutaisi sits on the Rioni River and White Bridge is one of the easiest places from which to explore it.
The river cuts right through the city and you get some nice views towards the old houses built along its banks.
Cross White Bridge, wander along the surrounding streets and you will see a more interesting side of Kutaisi than if you only stay around the main square.
5. Visit Bagrati Cathedral
Bagrati Cathedral sits on the hill above Kutaisi and is probably the city’s most recognisable historic building. I would also visit for the view over Kutaisi more than for the cathedral itself.
The original cathedral dates back to the 11th century, although major modern reconstruction became controversial and Bagrati is no longer part of the UNESCO World Heritage property that now consists of Gelati Monastery alone.
It is a bit uphill from the center, I would prefer to climb the stairs rather than going uphill and winding up. The views are worth it and even the cathedral is quite unique and old so I would definitely make it a point to come up here.
6. Ride the Cable Car to Besik Gabashvili Park
Kutaisi has an old cable car crossing the Rioni River and climbing towards Besik Gabashvili Amusement Park.
The ride is cheap and gives you a different perspective over Kutaisi. Once at the top there are a handful of rides, including a Ferris wheel. Do not expect a huge modern theme park. It feels much more old-school than that, which is part of the attraction.
7. Kutaisi State Historical Museum
If the weather turns bad or you want to understand more about the area, Kutaisi State Historical Museum is the main museum in the centre.
There are archaeological finds, coins, religious objects and artefacts relating to the history of western Georgia.
I didn’t have time to visit this but if you do or need something to do indoors then it’s a good option.
Best Things to Do Beyond Kutaisi
This is where Kutaisi offers much more interesting things to do and see. Some of western Georgia’s best natural attractions are within roughly an hour of the city. Here are the highlights which you should consider.
8. Prometheus Cave
Entrance: 40 GEL for foreign adults
Optional boat ride: 30 GEL
Time needed: Around 1–1.5 hours
Prometheus Cave is around 20 kilometres from Kutaisi near Tskaltubo and is one of the most popular attractions in the area.
The visitor route runs for around 1.4 kilometres through six accessible cave halls, with huge stalactites and stalagmites illuminated along the route.
The cave itself costs 40 GEL for foreign visitors. There is also an optional underground boat section costing another 30 GEL. Check current Prometheus Cave prices and opening hours.
Whether the boat section operates can depend on conditions, so do not base your whole visit around it. I also skipped it as I read it was rather short and not worth it.
Prometheus Cave works particularly well when combined with Martvili Canyon as a full-day tour and this is what I did.
9. Martvili Canyon
Entrance: 40 GEL for foreign adults
Boat ride: 20 GEL
Distance from Kutaisi: Around 45 km
If I had to choose just one canyon near Kutaisi, I would probably choose Martvili Canyon.
It was really a marvel. I been to plenty of canyons right now and I would say that Martvili Canyon is quite unique. It isn’t as big and doesn’t have huge cliffs surrounding it like Matka Canyon or Komani Canyon but I would argue that it is more magical.
The Abasha River runs between steep green canyon walls and there is a short optional boat trip through part of the gorge. The walking trail itself is relatively short at around 700 metres, with bridges and viewing platforms. The boat travels roughly 300 metres each way. The cascading waterfalls are really beautiful to look at as you observe the different levels this canyon has.
Current foreign admission is 40 GEL, with the boat costing an additional 20 GEL.
It is not particularly cheap by Georgian standards, especially considering the length of the attraction, but visually it is one of the highlights around Kutaisi.
10. Okatse Canyon
Entrance: 30 GEL for foreign adults
Time needed: Around 2–3 hours
Okatse is quite different to Martvili.
Instead of travelling along the water, the attraction here is a long hanging walkway built into the side of the canyon.
The suspended section itself is around 780 metres long and finishes at a panoramic viewpoint. This is the better option if you want more walking and dramatic height. If you do not like heights, Martvili will probably suit you much better.
Foreign admission currently costs 30 GEL. There is also Kinchkha Waterfall nearby, making it easy to combine the two.
Unfortunately I missed out on Okatse canyon due to time constraints but it is definitely a great place to go to put in your consideration
11. Sataplia Nature Reserve
Entrance: 30 GEL for foreign adults
If you are looking for more family friendly option or just another thing to do if you are doing slow travel along Georgia then I would consider Sataplia.
You get a cave, forest trails, dinosaur footprints and a glass panoramic viewpoint all within the reserve. Foreign admission currently costs 30 GEL.
Sataplia makes more sense if you want a mixture of short walks, views and the dinosaur footprints rather than purely going underground.
Check current Sataplia prices.
12. Gelati Monastery
Gelati Monastery is one of the most important historical attractions around Kutaisi and remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
However, in 2026 there is still some works going on and this is why I didn’t consider going.
Major conservation and restoration work is still taking place at Gelati. UNESCO continues to monitor the conservation project, while current local reporting states that access has been restricted and parts of the complex have only been opening to visitors on weekends.
Do not build half your day around Gelati without checking the current situation first.
When access improves, combine it with Motsameta Monastery.
13. Motsameta Monastery
Motsameta is smaller than Gelati but I actually think the setting is more impressive.
The monastery sits above a deep bend in the Tskaltsitela River surrounded by forest.
It can easily be combined with Gelati because the two monasteries are relatively close together. If Gelati remains heavily restricted when you visit, Motsameta is still worth seeing on its own.
Best Day Trips from Kutaisi
14. Martvili Canyon + Okatse Canyon + Prometheus Cave
This is the classic Kutaisi canyon day trip.
You will find plenty of shared tours departing from Kutaisi that combine:
- Martvili Canyon
- Okatse Canyon
- Prometheus Cave
Current tour platforms continue to offer the three-attraction route as a full-day excursion of roughly 9 hours.
Doing all three independently without a car is possible but I would not recommend trying to squeeze them into one day. You will spend too much time waiting for transport and transferring between villages.
A shared minibus tour is one of those rare situations where paying for the tour can actually make sense for a budget traveller because you are effectively paying for transport between several awkward locations.
One thing to watch is entrance fees as they generally won’t be included in the price for the tour
At current foreign visitor prices:
- Martvili Canyon: 40 GEL
- Martvili boat: 20 GEL
- Okatse Canyon: 30 GEL
- Prometheus Cave: 40 GEL
- Prometheus boat: 30 GEL
If you do everything, you can spend 160 GEL on attraction fees alone, before paying for the tour itself.
This is something I think is quite important to know beforehand because the tour can initially look extremely cheap until you realise admission is normally separate.
15. Tskaltubo – Soviet Spa Town
Tskaltubo is one of the more unusual day trips from Kutaisi.
During the Soviet period it became a major spa destination filled with sanatoriums and bathhouses. Many of the enormous buildings were later abandoned, leaving behind some very strange architecture.
Parts of the former resorts can be explored, although you need to respect signs and restrictions because some buildings are private, unsafe or are gradually being redeveloped.
Tskaltubo is also close to Prometheus Cave, so combining the two makes perfect sense.
Can You Visit Mestia From Kutaisi as a Day Trip?
Simply put, no it is not possible.
Like I alluded to in the intro of this post, Mestia is mentioned together with Kutaisi because it is the most convenient or should I say least tiring option to get to Mestia from. However the journey takes easily around 5 hours on bumpy roads so a day trip is definitely not worth it.
I have a separate guide explaining how to get to Mestia from Kutaisi or Batumi including shared transfers and marshrutkas.
Besides the long journey, there are plenty of things to do in Mestia that require hiking time. Use my guide to the best things to do in Mestia for Koruldi Lakes, Chalaadi Glacier, Ushguli and the main things to see around Svaneti.
My Recommended 2-Day Kutaisi Itinerary
If you only have two days in Kutaisi, I would stay in Kutaisi and go on the main day trip
Day 1 – Kutaisi
Explore:
Colchis Fountain → Green Bazaar → White Bridge → Rioni River → Bagrati Cathedral → cable car and Besik Gabashvili Park.
You can comfortably do everything without rushing. This can easily be done in 4 hours approximately so it will work well if you are arriving here in the mid afternoon, or departure day and leaving a bit later in the day.
I did all this after my day trip to the caves but it might be too much as I am a bit of a hectic traveler I must admit.
Day 2 – Canyons and Cave
Book a shared trip covering Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave.
Add Okatse if you want a long full day and do not mind paying all three entrance fees. Personally, I think Martvili + Prometheus is already enough variety for one day. I didn’t add Okatse because of time as I had to catch a train to Tbilisi in the evening
My Recommended 3-Day Kutaisi Itinerary
With three days:
Day 1: Kutaisi city
Day 2: Martvili Canyon + Prometheus Cave
Day 3: Tskaltubo
This gives you a much better mix than spending two consecutive days visiting very similar natural attractions. I would also add Okatse Canyon on day 2 as you will have a full day of exploring.
Alternatively, if Gelati has reopened properly by the time you visit, combine Gelati + Motsameta + Tskaltubo.
Is Kutaisi Expensive?
Kutaisi like the rest of Georgia itself is fairly cheap.
Most of the main attractions in the city are free, you can walk virtually everywhere in the centre and food and accommodation remain reasonable compared with many European destinations.
The surprisingly expensive part is the nature around Kutaisi.
Foreign admission to the main protected attractions currently ranges from 30–40 GEL each, and boat rides cost extra.
If you are on a strict budget, do not automatically book every attraction. I would prioritise Martvili Canyon + Prometheus Cave and then add Okatse if you want to splash.
Do You Need a Car in Kutaisi?
No.
You definitely do not need one for Kutaisi itself. Public transport, taxis and shared day tours can also get you to most of the major attractions outside the city.
I would consider renting a car if you want to go up in Mestia yourself, as well as exploring Batumi and the rest of Georgia. Be careful if you are dropping the car somewhere else from your pickup as sometimes charges apply.
Best Time to Visit Kutaisi
Spring through autumn is the easiest period for exploring Kutaisi and the surrounding canyons.
Summer gives you long days but can be extremely hot and the main natural attractions become busier.
Spring and early autumn are probably the best balance.
One thing to remember is that heavy rain can affect canyon conditions and boat services, so always check the official protected-area websites before setting off.
Conclusion – Is Kutaisi Worth Visiting?
In short, yes but I wouldn’t say so for Kutaisi itself
The actual city is small and one day is enough for the main things to do in Kutaisi. Colchis Fountain, Green Bazaar, Bagrati Cathedral and the Rioni River are all worth seeing, but they are not the main reason I would allocate multiple days here.
The real reason to stay is what surrounds Kutaisi.
Martvili Canyon, Prometheus Cave, Okatse Canyon, Tskaltubo and Gelati give you a huge amount of variety without constantly changing accommodation.
I think two days is ideal. Spend your first day exploring Kutaisi and dedicate one full day to the canyons and caves, and if you have a third day choose something different such as Tskaltubo or Chiatura.
I would also argue that I would plan it in a way that I would leave the half day for central Kutaisi and then thinking about traveling to your next stop which would most likely be either Mestia, Tbilisi or go east to explore the city of Batumi.
Frequently Asked Questions – Things to Do in Kutaisi
What are the best things to do in Kutaisi?
Some of the best things to do in Kutaisi include visiting Bagrati Cathedral, walking around the city centre and Colchis Fountain, exploring the Green Bazaar and taking a ride on the cable car across the Rioni River. Kutaisi is also an excellent base for visiting places such as Prometheus Cave, Martvili Canyon and Okatse Canyon.
How many days do you need in Kutaisi?
Two to three days is a good amount of time for Kutaisi. You can spend one day exploring the city itself and use another one or two days for trips into the surrounding region. If you only want to see central Kutaisi, one full day is generally enough.
Is Kutaisi worth visiting?
Yes. Kutaisi is much smaller and quieter than Tbilisi or Batumi, but its location makes it one of the best bases for exploring western Georgia. The city has enough attractions for a relaxed day of sightseeing, while some of Georgia’s best-known caves, monasteries and canyons are within day-trip distance.
What are the best day trips from Kutaisi?
Popular day trips from Kutaisi include Prometheus Cave, Martvili Canyon, Okatse Canyon, Gelati Monastery and Motsameta Monastery. Several of these attractions can be combined into a single organised tour, which is often the easiest option if you are travelling without a car.
Can you visit Martvili Canyon from Kutaisi?
Yes. Martvili Canyon is one of the most popular trips from Kutaisi and can easily be visited as part of a day tour. Many tours combine Martvili Canyon with Prometheus Cave and other attractions in western Georgia, making Kutaisi a convenient place to stay if you want to see several sights in one day.
Is Kutaisi easy to explore without a car?
Central Kutaisi is very walkable, so you do not need a car to visit most attractions within the city. Reaching places outside Kutaisi can be more complicated by public transport, so organised tours, taxis or shared transfers are often more convenient for visiting the surrounding caves and canyons.
How do you get to Kutaisi from Tbilisi or Batumi?
Kutaisi can be reached from both Tbilisi and Batumi by train, bus or marshrutka. One important thing to know is that many long-distance trains serving Kutaisi stop at Rioni Railway Station rather than Kutaisi’s central station. Rioni is outside the city centre, so you will normally need a taxi or another transfer to reach your accommodation.
Is Kutaisi expensive to visit?
Kutaisi is generally a good destination for budget travellers. Accommodation, restaurants and local transport can be cheaper than in many major European destinations, while most attractions within the city are inexpensive or free. Your biggest extra cost is likely to be day trips or transport to attractions outside Kutaisi.
