What to do in Kutaisi: 19 essentials

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Updated: 18 January, 2025

All the best things to do in Kutaisi, where to eat, what time of year to travel, where to stay and lots of useful tips.

The small city of Kutaisi is the capital of Imereti region, the third most populated in the country and traditionally the second in importance after Tbilisi.

In the past it became the main city during the kingdom of Colchis, also known as Kolchis, where Jason and the Argonauts of Greek mythology arrived in search of the Golden Fleece.

Colchis was the home of Princess Medea, who helped Jason get the Golden Fleece.

Later, Kutaisi was the capital of the Kingdom of Abkhazia, then the Kingdom of Georgia, and finally the Kingdom of Imereti.

During the Soviet period became the most industrialized city in Georgia, but with the fall of the USSR the industry collapsed.

Not long ago, attempts were made to decentralize the Georgian government and The parliament was moved to Kutaisi where it functioned from 2012 to 2019.

Is Kutaisi worth visiting?

Yes, the city of Kutaisi is very worth it and I give you several reasons:

1. His cobbled old town full of history has a unique charm and a very particular bohemian atmosphere.
2. Furthermore, with its more than 4,000 years old, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
3. Its Gelati monastery is declared UNESCO World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
4. It is an excellent starting point for many 1 day close visits, including the area of its spectacular caves and canyons, natural spaces of overwhelming beauty.
5. It is also better connected than Tbilisi, with mountain areas of Svaneti and Racha.
6. Finally, it has a international airport which is the only one with cheap flights, thanks to the Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air, which has direct flights to Barcelona, Madrid and other European cities. Here you can find cheap flights to Georgia.

19 Best Things to Do in Kutaisi + 1 Extra

1. Colchis Fountain

The Colchis fountain is in the middle of a roundabout next to the Kutaisi park, in the heart of the old town, it is the greatest symbol of the city and one of the best things to see in Kutaisi.

The small sculptures found there are scale models of jewelry pieces found in archaeological excavations in the region where Colchis was anciently.

During the kingdom of Colchis (17th century BC to 2nd century BC) They stood out as excellent goldsmiths.

Among all the sculptures, the tamada made of bronze. This statue is a replica of the famous tamada from the 7th century BC which is located in the Vani museum.

The tamada He is the master of toasts at Georgian banquets.

Other of the most striking sculptures are those of the horses that crown the fountain, widely used in gold jewelry from the Colchis era.

⭐ In this article you can read about the 25 Curiosities of Georgia, including the tamada.

2. Meskhishvili Theater

The Meskhishvili theater of dramatic art is one of the oldest in the country that opened its doors in 1861.

Although the current building is later, it was completed in 1955 and gained monument status.

Its interior has capacity for 860 spectators, it is beautifully decorated and it has a very elegant façade.

The theater is still in operation and ticket prices are usually between 10 and 19 lari (3.47 and 6.60 euros) but I think all (or almost all) are in Georgian.

3. Green Bazaar

The Green Bazaar is the central market of Kutaisi, inside you will find fresh food such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, meats, honey, spices, wines and churchkhelas.

The products sold there come mainly from the production of local farmers, therefore everything is super fresh and organic.

You will also find others products made of wood, basketry and traditional brooms handmade.

Then, on the outside, the façade on Paliashivili I Street stands out, with a soviet mosaic in low relief Quite impressive depicting scenes from Colchis with Medea, Jason and the Golden Fleece.

In the streets around the market you will find small shops and stalls. In one of the streets, the little shops with Georgian cheeses and then the flower market part.

The market opens from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., but I recommend visiting it after 11 a.m. to see its life; earlier it will be quite empty because Georgians get up late.

⭐ You may also be interested in this other article about Soviet architecture in Tbilisi: 16 best buildings and mosaics

4. Kutaisi Park

The Kutaisi park is a meeting place for local people and there they make shows, concerts and school events.

Formerly, it was a royal garden built in the early 20s of the 19th century, as a wedding gift for Princess Darejan, daughter of King Solomon I of the kingdom of Imereti.

The park is not too big, but it has many beautiful and pleasant corners in its gardens with fountains and sculptures dedicated to famous people.

Because during the last century it was much more than a park, it was the meeting place for public figures and was given the name «Parliament of Kutaisi».

– The most striking things about the park are:

• Colonnades: They face the Colchis fountain and were the main entrance when the park was built;
• Sculpture of the Ishkhneli sisters: These sisters originally from Kutaisi formed a folk quartet and became famous in the 1940s.
• April 9 Memorial: It is a sculpture to honor the people who died in the peaceful demonstration against the Soviet regime.

5. Opera House

The Kutaisi Opera House (State Opera and Ballet Theater) is one of the most emblematic buildings in the city, Located next to Kutaisi Park and City Hall.

The original building was destroyed by fire in 1946 and finally in 1969 the current grand building was inaugurated.

One of the things that attracts the most attention are the 10 Greco-Roman sculptures that are on the roof.

If you want to attend the theater, you will find Georgian and international operas such as Traviata and Rigoletto, both by Verdi.

6. Soviet Sculptures

Next to City Hall there is a small square with some Soviet brutalist sculptures very unique.

Its about monument to the "Glory of Work" (Glory of Labor) from the year 1980.

Although many people pass by without paying attention to it, it is a quite beautiful work to contemplate from different points of the square.

7. Mon Plaisir arch and graffiti + 1 extra

The arc Mon Plaisir It is the one that welcomes a small pedestrian street and recalls the times at the beginning of the 20th century that Kutaisi had a great French influence.

Mon Plaisir What does "my pleasure" mean in French? It was a cinema, the second to open in the city and it was next to the Puppet Theater, in front of where the arch is now.

The arch you see today, It is the restored proscenium arch that was on the movie set.

It is also worth stopping by the Tsminda Nino pedestrian street where there are several interesting graffiti works.

The most beautiful is the one French artist Vinie (link to his Instagram), this blue-haired girl is a symbol of Kutaisi hard to miss.

*** Update February 2024: According to Pau, a reader, Vinie's graffiti has been vandalized. 😔 ***

Then in front of that graffiti is the "Wall of Love" like the one in Montmartre in Paris, where "I love you" is written all over the mural, but in this case with the beautiful Georgian characters.

This wall is one of the favorite spots for many Georgians to take photos.

If you continue down the street you will find more graffiti and also some cafes and restaurants.

Below I tell you about several places to eat in Kutaisi, including one on this street to eat something sweet.

– Extra place:

If you like puppets, you will surely enjoy going to the singular puppet theater (link to your website) that you have a repertoire of 21 works for kids and adults.

I didn't go because puppets aren't my thing, but in Kutaisi has a long tradition of puppets.

Since the beginning of the 19th century, performances were held in the street, until In 1946 this theater was inaugurated which remains open until now.

8. Golden Marquee

The Golden Marquee What the "golden marquee" means is the former residence of the Imeretian royal family.

Originally, The first construction was in the 17th century and included several other buildings.

The upper floor of the house, which is made of wood and a balcony that completely surrounds it, is from the 19th century.

This house is built on stone columns that let water pass through when the river level rises, without affecting the house.

The entire complex is classified as a monument because the oldest example of secular Georgian architecture, that is, not religious.

In the garden there is a banana tree more than 800 years old which is the first thing you see when entering the property, just before reaching the house.

Before you could visit the interior of the Golden Marquee, Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but It has been closed for some years no opening date.

9. Cable car

The Kutaisi cable car crosses the Rioni River to the hill opposite, where the amusement park stands.

It is a cable car Built during Soviet times and has 2 gondolas (the red and the yellow one) with a small cabin that many compare to a sarcophagus.

In my opinion they look very nice and they are not that small either, they have capacity for 8 people.

If you want to see the views from a height, take advantage of taking this cable car.

Of course, keep in mind that their hours outside of the summer season are reduced and At the slightest wind they close it.

Upstairs in the amusement park there is a Ferris wheel that costs 2 lari.

• cable car schedule: 12 to 8 p.m. in summer, rest of the year 12 to 6 p.m.
• Price: 1 lari each way

10. White Bridge

The original wooden bridge was built there in 1850, but collapsed after 11 years.

The current White Bridge was completed in 1872. made with a metal structure that was manufactured in London.

Its name is simply due to the color with which it was painted.

On this bridge you will find a nice sculpture of a child that is one of the most iconic places to take some photos.

The child is a movie character An unusual display from 1968, the debut work of director Rezo Gabriadze who founded the Tbilisi Puppet Theater in 1981.

In the film they call the boy "Picasso's boy."

11. Temple of the Holy Annunciation of Kutaisi

The neighborhood where the temple of the Holy Annunciation is located is the area where the capuchin monks settled, that is, of the Order of Franciscan Friars.

Therefore, that area It was known as the Catholic Quarter before it was called the French Quarter, which is how it is known today.

Was King Salmon II who granted those lands for construction of the Catholic church that was completed in 1862.

With the decline of the Catholic population in the 1940s, it began to function as an Orthodox church.

However, There is some controversy regarding his Catholic background., some historians claim that the church was built as a Georgian Orthodox church.

Something that does not agree with that statement are:

• The baroque construction with robust arches of the facade inspired by the baroque church of Saint Petersburg.
• As well as the theme of frescoes inside, which are mainly of the Immaculate Conception in the style of the Vatican frescoes.

Both details are completely unusual for a Georgian Orthodox church.

12. St. George's Church

Near the church of the previous point is the church of Saint George (Saint George) It was founded as an Armenian apostolic church.

However, he also converted to an Orthodox church which is how it works now.

13. Kutaisi Synagogue

Jews came to Kutaisi in the Middle Ages and have always been highly respected.

The Jewish community was established in the area now known as the Jewish quarter.

This is the first synagogue that Built in 1886 with its white stone facade. Later, 2 more synagogues were built.

14. Green Flower Pantheon

The pantheon was built in the gardens of the church of Mtsvanekvavila, which means "green flower."

that pantheon It functions as the Pantheon of Writers and Public Figures.

Although Kutaisi is a small city, it has always stood out for being the birthplace of world famous people.

In the pantheon you will find the tombs of for example Meliton Balanchivadze, one of the first composers of Georgian opera.

Furthermore, the location is very good with views over the Jewish quarter and the synagogue.

15. Bagrati Cathedral

Bagrati Cathedral It is the most important place in Kutaisi.

For this reason, in many Kutaisi guides that do not delve into the city, they only suggest this visit to the cathedral.

Its construction on the top of Ukimerioni Hill was completed in the year 1003. during the reign of Bagrat III and was bordered by a fortress.

But in the 17th century it was taken by the Ottomans and during the war the cathedral as well as the fortress were left in ruins, losing a good part of the church's bas-reliefs and its beautiful frescoes.

In 1994, Bagrati Cathedral was included as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

However, it was removed from the list due to the restoration that, although preserving the style, added too many modern elements.

Likewise, I recommend not missing its visit, which is still worth it for all the history behind it, the ancient elements that are still preserved and the views over the city.

A very practical way is to go with a tour to Bagrati and Kutaisi monasteries, that is, Gelati and Motsameta, which you can do with a guide in Spanish.

Below you can see availability and book

16. Soviet Mosaics

When I was on my way to the Kutaisi Botanical Garden I was pleasantly surprised to find some Soviet mosaics.

They are at the Wissol service station and next to the car entrance and exit there are some large murals with bas relief on the construction of Bagrati and another on the war.

Then there are other very curious small mosaics related to the service station.

17. Visit an incredible chapel in the Botanical Garden

The botanical garden of Kutaisi is rather small compared to that of Tbilisi and even more so that of Batumi, which is spectacular due to its location on a cliff and its varied flora that make it one of the best in Europe.

This garden is not very attractive and is not as well maintained as the others, but It has something really unique which makes it worth a visit, a small chapel.

It turns out that the chapel It is dug into the trunk of a 400-year-old live oak tree, with enough space for one person to fit.

The chapel is consecrated to the Virgin Mary and was carved in the year 1840, long before the botanical garden existed, which opened its doors in 1969.

Inside the chapel, above, there is a small glass opening that acts as an entrance for light and the tree in front acts as a bell tower.

In case you do not want to tour the botanical garden and only see the chapel, you have to enter and Go straight until the end and you will see the tree on the left.

• garden schedule: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Entrance price: 1 lari

⭐ In these articles about What to see in Tbilisi and this one What to do in Batumi, visits to the botanical gardens are included.

18. Old Military Academy (urbex)

The old Military Academy It was built in the 19th century and the locals affectionately call him the “Kutaisi Coliseum” for its beautiful arches.

Most of the building is abandoned, but the interior looks very dilapidated.

I usually do urbex (exploration of abandoned buildings) but in this building it was not clear to enter.

First because there was nothing too interesting to see and the smell of urine was quite strong.

Therefore I settled for taking some photos from the outside of the one that stands out. the main facade with vines which is the most attractive.

⭐ If you like urbex, don't miss this guide on Tskaltubo with its abandoned sanatoriums and Soviet baths, so beautiful that even brides go to take photos there. 😍

19. Photograph the Old Parliament

During the term of President Mikheil Saakashvili An attempt was made to decentralize the Georgian government by moving the Parliament to Kutaisi.

For the transfer A supermodern building with a glazed spherical shape was built and a white ribbon that borders it, which reminds me of a kind of eye. 👁

Of course, it was not a very economical construction and that is why it created a lot of controversy. In the end, the parliament functioned there only from 2012 to 2019.

That building today is another of the million-dollar works that were built during Saakashvili's mandate and remain abandoned, like the concert hall in Rike Park in Tbilisi.

Likewise, it is a beautiful building to take some photos.

Note that the parliament is now in Tbilisi, on Rustaveli Avenue near Liberty Square, you can read more in this guide. What to do in Tbilisi: 24 must-visit places., where I talk about Rustaveli Avenue and Rike Park.

Map of visiting Kutaisi

* To check the legend for each place, click the button in the top left corner of the map. To view this map on your phone or computer, tap the star on the right side of the title. Then go to Google Maps, select "Your Places" and "Maps" from the menu.

How many days to dedicate to it?

To visit the old town of Kutaisi, 1 day will be enough to explore it without rushing.

In case you go with little time, I recommend Visit all the places I mentioned in the old town in Kutaisi, that is, points 1 to 10 are in order so you can make an itinerary.

Then, outside the old town, the most notable In order of importance they are:

• The Bagrati Cathedral (point 15), the jewel of Kutaisi.
• The botanical garden chapel (point 17), a very unusual place.
• The temple of the Holy Annunciation (point 11).

Also, give yourself a walk through the alleys of the historic center of Kutaisi which are full of old buildings in classical and art-nouveau style.

There is a very pleasant atmosphere there, perfect for taking it easy and stopping at one of its charming cafes.

Once in Kutaisi, you can't miss taking 1-day visits to the surrounding area, there is plenty to see.

In conclusion, I recommend dedicating 1 day to the city and at least 2 or 3 more days to visit the surroundings.

Another option to make the most of your time is to do some excursion like this one from the link which take you to see the old town of Kutaisi, Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati Monastery and Motsameta.

In addition, it includes a visit to the spectacular Prometheus Cave.

⭐ In you can read more about all the Best tours from Kutaisi, most are 1-day visits that allow you to base yourself in this beautiful city.

When to visit Kutaisi?

The city of Kutaisi in general terms It has a better climate than Tbilisi, summers are not as overwhelming, but it can still be very hot.

Summer is a good time to visit the canyons and give you a hood, although it is a time that They can also be very crowded.

Then in winter it doesn't snow too much and the temperatures remain a little above those of the capital, but they have very windy days that make it feel much colder.

Another disadvantage of winter is that some nearby visits cannot be made depending on the weather conditions, such as the Okatse Canyon.

That's why, The best times to visit this city are mainly spring and early autumn., which is also a good time for nearby visits. At the end of autumn you can also find very windy days.

⭐ You may also be interested in this other article about How to go to Kutaisi, get around the city and surroundings

Where to eat in Kutaisi?

1. Lumier's Chimney Cake

Chimney cake is a Hungarian dessert, yes I'm sorry... it's not Georgian, but they are so delicious. 😋

This is a dessert that you can find in several places in Georgia.

It's a fluffy cake in the shape of a chimney. My favorite is with fruits and ice cream inside, Like the guy in the photo.

2. Bikentia's Kebabery

This is a small traditional stand-up restaurant, cheap and very popular with workers in the area.

They only have one dish on their menu, which is Kebab (minced meat) in spicy tomato sauce with onion and cilantro, comes with bread.

The complete menu with lemonade or a pitcher of beer costs 10 lari (3.48 euros), which is what you see in the photo below.

3. Palaty

Palaty is a very charming restaurant reminiscent of a doll's house, where you can stop for a coffee with a good piece of cake.

They also have a excellent menu of homemade Georgian food. At night they usually have live music to liven up the evening.

4. Tea House Foe-Foe

This is the perfect place to take you a good tea with its specialty, pancakes.

If coffee is your thing, I'm afraid the coffee they have is just decent, at least from what I've been told.

The decoration of the tea shop is very curious, with antiques and very interesting paintings by Petre Otskheli, a Georgian modernist designer.

5. Sisters

Sisters is the best restaurant with Georgian food in the city.

In addition, they have very nice decoration and good music.

One of the dishes I ate was satsivi chicken, with a walnut and garlic sauce exquisite, ideal for dipping the freshly baked bread they brought me.

This restaurant doesn't have any signs outside, but it's where Google Maps tells you. When you arrive, go in and go up the stairs "like Pedro at home", it is on the first floor, there are two flights of stairs.

Where to stay in Kutaisi?

If you are going to travel to Kutaisi I recommend that you stay in a hotel in the old town or nearby. This way you can visit the most important places in the city on foot.

Also The excursions usually leave from the center.

The only disadvantage is that the central bus station will be a little further away, but it is well connected by buses and a taxi will not cost you much.

These are the best hotels in Kutaisi What I can recommend in the center for different budgets:

• Cheap: Makos Guest House Well located, with clean rooms and a good breakfast.
• Half: Newport Hotel Kutaisi the best in terms of quality-price, with comfortable rooms and an excellent breakfast.

Final Thoughts

If you travel to Georgia, you will find many things to do in Kutaisi, a city with a lot of charm, history and mythological legends.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘

More about Georgia and the Caucasus

• 21 Tips for Traveling to Georgia
• How to Get from Tbilisi to Yerevan: Fast, Cheap, and Comfortable
• Caves and Canyons near Kutaisi: Martvili and Prometheus
• Kutaisi Monasteries: Bagrati, Motsameta and Gelati
• How to go to Batumi and get around the area
• How to get from Kutaisi Airport to the city and other areas of Georgia