Things to do in Kutaisi: top sights and where to go
Kutaisi keeps its sights close: the compact old centre around the Colchis Fountain and the White Bridge over the Rioni, Bagrati Cathedral on Ukimerioni Hill above it, and the Gelati and Motsameta monasteries and the Prometheus and Sataplia caves 10–20 minutes' drive out. The centre and Bagrati take half a day; give a second day to the monasteries and caves, or to the Martvili and Okatse canyons and Kinchkha Waterfall about an hour away by car.
Sights
Kutaisi itineraries
Kutaisi travel guide
Before you go: Bagrati and Gelati, caves and canyons nearby, the airport, getting there, weather by month.
Kutaisi on your own: the essentials
- How many days
- 2 days: the city plus canyons and caves
- When to go
- April–June and September–October
- Visa
- Visa-free for many passports, often up to a year
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Airport
- Kutaisi (KUT) ≈ 20 km — low-cost flights from Europe
- From Tbilisi
- Train or minibus ≈ 3–4 h
- Time zone
- UTC+4 all year
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 710Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Bagrati Cathedral”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Prometheus Cave”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Sataplia Strict Nature Reserve”Things to do in Kutaisi
In Kutaisi itself are Bagrati Cathedral on its hill, the Colchis Fountain and the White Bridge over the Rioni. The real highlights are around it: Gelati and Motsameta monasteries, Prometheus and Sataplia caves, and the Martvili and Okatse canyons. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above; the “Map” button shows them on a map.
| Centre | Colchis Fountain, White Bridge | 1–2 h |
|---|---|---|
| The hill | Bagrati | 1 h |
| Monasteries | Gelati, Motsameta | ½ day |
| Caves | Prometheus, Sataplia | ½ day |
| Canyons | Martvili, Okatse, Kinchkha | 1 day |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready itineraries, with places in a sensible order.
Kutaisi airport and getting there
Kutaisi Airport (KUT), ≈ 20 km from the centre, is served by low-cost airlines. A minibus or taxi to town takes about 30 minutes. From Tbilisi the train or minibus takes about 3–4 hours, from Batumi about 2.5.
Kutaisi weather by month
The best time to visit Kutaisi is April–June and September–October — warm and green, with full canyons. Summer is hot and humid, about 30 °C. Winter is mild, about 9–11 °C by day.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 9° | 10° | 15° | 20° | 25° | 28° | 30° | 31° | 27° | 22° | 16° | 11° |
| Night | 2° | 2° | 5° | 9° | 13° | 17° | 20° | 20° | 16° | 12° | 7° | 4° |
| Rain | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: April–May and September–October
- day ≈ 9°
- night ≈ 2°
- rain 12 days
Mild, about 9°. Museums and an empty Bagrati.
- day ≈ 10°
- night ≈ 2°
- rain 11 days
Cool, often rainy.
- day ≈ 15°
- night ≈ 5°
- rain 11 days
Spring, about 15° by day. Orchards in bloom.
- day ≈ 20°
- night ≈ 9°
- rain 10 days
Warm and green, the canyons are full.
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 13°
- rain 10 days
About 25°. The best time for caves and canyons.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 17°
- rain 9 days
Warm, about 28°. Canyons and waterfalls.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 20°
- rain 8 days
Hot and humid. The caves stay cool.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 20°
- rain 8 days
The hottest month.
- day ≈ 27°
- night ≈ 16°
- rain 8 days
Warm, about 27°. Good for Gelati.
- day ≈ 22°
- night ≈ 12°
- rain 9 days
About 22°, autumn colours.
- day ≈ 16°
- night ≈ 7°
- rain 10 days
Cool, about 16°.
- day ≈ 11°
- night ≈ 4°
- rain 11 days
Mild, about 11°.
Prometheus and Sataplia caves are cool all year — bring a layer.
Kutaisi ticket prices
The city, Bagrati and the monasteries are free. You pay for the caves, the canyons and the Sataplia reserve.
| Sataplia Nature Reserve | 31 | 1 h 30 min | 30 GEL, under-6s free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prometheus Cave | 23 | 1 h 15 min | 40 GEL, boat +30 GEL |
| Martvili Canyon | 22 | 1 h 30 min | Entry 40 GEL, boat ≈ 20 GEL |
| Kinchkha Waterfall | 22 | 1 h 30 min | 20 GEL for foreign visitors |
| Okatse Canyon | 21 | 2 h | 30 GEL for foreign visitors |
Free — 5 places: Colchis Fountain, Bagrati Cathedral, White Bridge, Motsameta Monastery, Gelati Monastery.
Tips
- Prometheus Cave and Martvili Canyon combine well into one day.
- Okatse Canyon has a hanging walkway over the drop — not for those afraid of heights.
- Gelati is a working monastery: cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair.
FAQ
Is Kutaisi worth visiting?
Yes, as a base for Gelati (UNESCO), Prometheus Cave and the Martvili and Okatse canyons — and as a cheap entry point by low-cost flights.
What to do in Kutaisi in one day?
Bagrati Cathedral, the Colchis Fountain and White Bridge in town, then Gelati and Motsameta monasteries.
How do I get from Kutaisi Airport to the city?
By minibus or taxi in about 30 minutes.
How do I get from Tbilisi to Kutaisi?
By train or minibus in about 3–4 hours.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List, No. 710 “Gelati Monastery”
- Wikipedia, “Kutaisi”; “Bagrati Cathedral”; “Prometheus Cave”; “Sataplia Strict Nature Reserve”
- Kutaisi International Airport — official website