9 Best Tours from Kutaisi

Updated: December 4, 2023

Guide on the best excursions from Kutaisi, most to do in 1 day to return to sleep in the city.

I'll tell you about the best visits you can around Kutaisi and others a little further away that are well connected.

First I have put the most popular and closest ones and finally those that are further away and you will need to spend a night.

Likewise, Kutaisi is a good base for making very varied visits in Georgia, from charming towns to relax in their spas, dreamy natural environments and hiking trails demanding.

As always, below I leave you a map with all the marked places.

1.- Caves and Canyons

The most popular excursion from Kutaisi is to the Prometheus Caves and Martvili Canyon.

Prometheus Cave

In the Imereti region there are quite a few caves that you can visit.

But Prometheus is the largest cave system with stalactites and stalagmites that They began to form between 60 and 70 million years ago.

The tour through the galleries of the Prometeo cave is 1.4 km, where you visit 6 of the caves, some enlivened with music and lights.

The price of the entrance fee is 23 lari (8.04 euros) and you can choose to make a boat ride at the end of the tour that costs 17.25 lari (6.03 euros).

Martvili Canyon

Then the Martvili canyon With its deep turquoise waters, it is super picturesque.

This canyon was formed after an earthquake.

During the visit there are several walkways to enjoy the views of the place with a 12 m high waterfall.

The entrance costs 17.25 lari (6.03 euros) and it can be done a boat ride through another area of the canyon which is very worth it for an additional 15 lari (5.25 euros).

How to get there?

To make these visits you will need to take a taxi or drive.

In case you want rent a car in Georgia, I recommend this search engine that works only with serious local companies and with the cheapest prices.

In addition, they include insurance and in many cases they do not ask for a deposit.

If you don't want to complicate things, you can visit with a excursion like the one in the link that take you to both places and the Okatse canyon.

You can check the availability and book here below:

⭐ You may also be interested in this other article where I talk in detail about the Caves and Canyons near Kutaisi, including Sataplia and Okatse Canyon, hiking trails and transportation alternatives.

2.- World Heritage Monasteries

If you like more cultural visits, in this area of Georgia there are 2 monasteries with a lot of history and importance, belonging to the time when Kutaisi was the capital.

Gelati Monastery – UNESCO

The most visited place is Gelati, the largest monastery in the region with great religious and cultural importance.

It was built by King David IV, known as David the Builder, from the 12th century.

On the grounds there are several buildings, including 3 churches, 1 bell tower and the old academy where theology and sciences were taught.

Some of the most notable things about this visit are the fabulous frescoes that are preserved there, you can spend quite a while watching them.

There is also some mosaic that has been well preserved in the main church, belonging to the Byzantine era.

This monastery was declared World Heritage Site in 1994.

Motsameta Monastery

The Motsameta monastery is small compared to Gelati, but the exterior has lots of charm and a magnificent location on a cliff next to the river.

This small monastery keeps the remains of 2 holy martyrs, David and Constantine, who during the Arab invasion refused to convert to Islam.

Today the monastery is a place of pilgrimage of the Georgian Orthodox faithful to visit the remains of these saints.

How to visit the monasteries?

To visit the monasteries you can go by taxi which will not cost you much because they are a short distance from Kutaisi. If you can't drive there.

Another alternative is to do it with a excursion like this one from the link which also includes the Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi and the Prometheus Cave.

⭐ In this article you can read in detail about Gelati and Motsameta, with everything there is to see and how to get there. In this other about bagrati cathedral.

3.- Tskaltubo and its abandoned sanatoriums

Tskaltubo is another of the best excursions from Kutaisi What you can do in 1 day.

It is a very particular town that during the Soviet era had a great boom for its mineral-rich hot springs with beneficial properties for health.

At the beginning of the In the 20s, thermal baths and sanatoriums began to be built., which are a mix of hospital and spa with treatments but in luxury in immense buildings.

The sanatoriums are now abandoned, but their beautiful staircases, domes and colonnades have turned them into a popular destination among lovers of photography and the urbex (exploration of abandoned places).

Also Many brides go to take photos there.

Nowadays 17 sanatoriums and 7 thermal baths remain standing, at least they are the ones I found on my visit, the most beautiful are:

• Imereti Sanatorium: It has a staircase and others on the sides that are very striking, as well as a gallery with columns and a grandiose dome;
• Shakhtior Sanatorium: It is noted that it was one of the most luxurious, with richly wallpapered and ornamented ceilings, a majestic entrance and even a theater inside;
• Medea Sanatorium: It is preferred by brides for its entrance with stairs and an area of colonnades;
• Bathroom 8: This was a public thermal bath that has a curious UFO shape.

How to go to Tskaltubo?

Tskaltubo is just 14.1 km from the Colchis fountain in Kutaisi and can be easily reached by taxi or car in about 18 minutes. In addition, there are very frequent marshrutkas (minibuses).

If you don't want to complicate things you can join this 2 day urbex excursion which includes Chiatura and Gori.

⭐ In this guide you can read in detail about the Visit to Tskaltubo: Soviet Baths and Sanatoriums and transportation alternatives.

4.- Chiatura with its cable cars and the Katskhi Pillar

Chiatura is a small mining town which earned the favor of Stalin, who during his mandate in the Soviet Union was in charge of building cable cars to connect the mines to the town.

Before those cable cars, mine workers lived in very deplorable conditions, even sleeping in the mines without even toilets.

Chiatura experienced an unparalleled boom and was the main manganese mining center of the Caucasus, but with the collapse of the USSR many mines were closed.

The Soviet cable cars were abandoned and have been the reason for visiting this town ever since.

Although a few years ago They began to remove the old cable cars and very few remain, in the center there is only 2 stations and 1 hanging cable car forgotten.

Is Chiatura worth a visit?

If you are visiting Chiatura solely for the abandoned cable cars, it may not be worth it.

But in the vicinity of the town there are 2 more very unique places that are worth a joint visit with Chiatura, who are:

• The Katskhi pillar, which is a small church built on top of a 40 m stone column.
• The Mgvimevi convent It has a main church built in the cave and then another small one with magnificent carvings next to the cliff.

⭐ In this article I tell you in detail about Chiatura, Katskhi Pillar and Mgvimevi Convent and all transportation alternatives.

How to go to Chiatura?

You can visit Chiatura from both Tbilisi and Kutaisi by public transport.

Although, if you don't want to complicate things, you can go with one excursion like the one in the link which includes a visit to the Katskhi Pillar and now has a discount.

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

5.- Borjomi, a town with a lot of charm

Borjomi is the most charming town in Georgia built in a valley.

In the town there are several hot springs with international awards for its beneficial properties for the body.

For this reason, Georgians had already visited it since the 15th century, but it gained popularity after the daughter of the viceroy of the Russian tsar was cured there.

The village of Borjomi continues to operate as a resort with its exclusive spas, as well as some public hot spring baths in the middle of the forest that you can enjoy for only 5 lari (1.74 euros).

Borjomi also highlights its beautiful Central Park that runs in the same valley in a wooded area ideal for a relaxed walk, where you can drink free water directly from its spring.

Another attraction of the place is the cable car that takes you to the top of the mountain crossing the entire valley.

The journey costs 10 lari (3.49 euros). I took the cable car up and then hiked back to the park.

How to visit Borjomi from Kutaisi?

Borjomi is 130 km from Kutaisi and you can drive there because it is well indicated.

In addition, there are several public transport alternatives, with marshrutkas and trains that reach the town.

Borjomi is also a very popular site for excursions combined with a visit to the cave city Vardzia and the unique Rabati castle, such as this is the link.

👍 Here you can read more about What to see in Borjomi: 11 essentials and transportation alternatives.

6.- Zugdidi, the main connection with Svaneti

Zugdidi is the largest city in the northwest of the country and serves as a base for visiting the Svaneti region for its direct connection with Mestia (I'll tell you more about this in the last point).

Also serves as the entrance to the Republic of Abkhazia, a republic recognized by a few countries.

In the eyes of the rest of the world, it is Georgian territory occupied by the Russians.

Zugdidi is a charming city that is worth spending at least 1 or 2 days there to explore all its corners.

The most important place of the visit is Dadiani Palace which is a complex with two palaces, the largest and most elegant of Queen Ekaterine Chavchavadze-Dadiani.

Then there is another smaller palace of his son Niko, a monastery, a museum and the ancient gardens that now they are the Botanical Garden.

In the palace museum, the most important piece is a original bronze death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte from 1833 (only four were made).

How to get to Zugdidi from Kutaisi?

Zugdidi is 114 km from Kutaisi and you can drive there because the road is good and well signposted.

If not, you can go with a marshrutka from the Kutaisi bus station which costs 12 lari (4.19 euros) and takes about 2 and a half hours.

7.- Batumi with its beaches

Batumi is the main city on the Black Sea and the Favorite destination for Georgians during the summer.

This popular summer city also attracts Russian and Turkish tourists, the latter attracted by the casino offer because betting is prohibited in Türkiye.

Therefore, Batumi is known as «Black Sea Las Vegas«, a detail that took away my desire to visit it.

But I have to say that the city is very beautiful, with a wonderful boulevard along the coast to walk and relax.

Batumi is a very eclectic city, something that has been promoted since 2010. They have renovated old buildings and some super modern buildings have been built.

Although I have included Batumi in the excursions from Kutaisi, rather than a 1-day visit, I would recommend that you at least spend 2 or 3 nights there to allow you to enjoy this magnificent city.

If you are short on time, I recommend this one. excursion that visits the places most beautiful in the city, including the boulevard.

⭐ In this guide I tell you 13 things What to do in Batumi, with places to eat and practical information.

How to get to Batumi from Kutaisi?

To go from Kutaisi to Batumi you can drive, the road is good and you can visit other places on the way and even continue to Turkey.

🔔 Important: note that If you are going to cross into Turkey you will not be able to drive a car with a Georgian license plate, unless you have residency in Georgia (Turkish laws).

In case you want to go by public transport from the city of Kutaisi, the best way is with the marshrutka from the bus station, It takes between 2.5 and 3.5 hours and costs 20 lari (6.98 euros).

Batumi is also good directly connected to Kutaisi airport, the buses have their schedule coordinated with the arrivals of the planes.

🚂 You may be interested in this detailed article on How to get from Kutaisi Airport to the city and other areas of Georgia and in this one about How to get from Tbilisi to Batumi: all the alternatives.

8.- The cave city of Vardzia and the Rabati castle

Another of the most popular excursions from Kutaisi It is to the Vardzia caves and the Rabati castle.

Vardzia cave city

Vardzia is a underground city in the mountain that began to be built in the 12th century and its only entrance was a hidden tunnel.

The idea of its construction was to protect themselves from the Mongol invaders.

The impressive cave system It once had 6,000 connected caves divided into 13 floors., with churches, wineries, irrigation system for crops without having to go to the surface.

But, in 1283, an earthquake caused one of the slopes of the mountain to collapse, causing part of the city to fall.

Now there remains a part of what was originally Vardzia, it is also quite impressive to see this site that It now functions as a cave monastery.

Rabati Castle

the castle is located in the city of Akhaltsikhe initially built in the 9th century, later fortified.

Over time it belonged to the Ottomans, who left their mark there with the construction of a mosque, as well as a pavilion with Arabic-style columns, a madrassa and a library.

Before the Ottomans there were the Mongols who left havoc in their wake and after the Ottomans came the Jews, hence its name Rabati.

It turns out that Rabati is the commercial district for Jews.

In this medieval walled city you can see the mark left by the different cultures that passed through it, including a church, gardens and Muslim bathing area.

Rabati is one of those places that I didn't expect much from, the first time I went it was because it was included in an excursion and I have to say that I was very surprised.

It is not a very large venue, but it has super nice corners to take photos.

How to go to Vardzia and Rabati?

Visits to Vardzia and Rabati are usually combined because they are a short distance from each other and to make the most of the day.

Public transport will not give you the time to do the excursion from Kutaisi in 1 day, you will need to stay overnight in Akhaltsikhe.

That's why, The best option is to drive, The roads are good and the places are well signposted.

I recommend this search engine to rent a car in Georgia, you can rent cars from 20 euros per day, with insurance included and sometimes without a deposit.

In addition, you can continue the route to visit David Gareja or to go to Armenia.

🔔 Fact: to enter Armenia by car They will ask you for Armenian insurance, you can hire it right there at the entrance as there are several insurance companies.

In case you want to go by public transport from Kutaisi, you will have to go with the marshrutka to Akhaltsikhe and then another marshrutka to Vardzia.

The alternative to be able to visit both sites in 1 day is with a excursion like the one in the link They also take you to visit Borjomi, the little town I told you about in point 5.

👉 Here you can read in detail about the visit to the Vardzia Cave City and in this other one about him Rabati Castle with all transportation alternatives with schedules and prices.

9.- Mestia in Svaneti

Mestia is the main settlement in the mountainous region of Svaneti and starting point for hiking and trekking excursions.

If you are passionate about nature and mountaineering, Svaneti should be on your wish list for its incredible mountain and lake landscapes.

One of the Most popular hiking routes in Georgia is from Mestia to Ushguli, is the highest human settlement in Europe.

Although technically Ushguli is a community made up of 5 villages.

Ushguli was declared World Heritage in 1996 for his unique medieval tower houses that they had the dual purpose of housing and defense at the same time.

The hiking route that goes from Mestia to Ushguli is 3 days, although sometimes it is divided into 1 more day because it is a intense route through the great slope.

This trekking route attracts many travelers during the summer months when it can be done.

Then in winter Mestia transforms into a ski and winter sports destination.

How to get from Kutaisi to Mestia?

If you are going to drive in Georgia, I only recommend going from Kutaisi to Mestia in summer and even then You will have to be very careful.

In Svaneti you will need a 4×4, and in any season other than summer you will need to bring snow chains and preferably experience.

The ideal is that you go by public transport because it is a dangerous road, especially at any time other than summer.

From the Kutaisi bus station the marshrutka leaves at 8:30 every day, takes between 5 and 5.5 hours and costs 40 lari (13.96 euros) one way.

Another option is make the trip from Zugdidi which is better connected to Mestia, because it is the largest nearby city.

From Zugdidi to Mestia there are 2 marshrutkas daily between 10 and 11 a.m. and then between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. takes 4 hours.

The price in summer is usually 40 lari (13.96 euros) the trip, but out of season if there are few people they can charge up to 60 lari (20.94 euros).

How to visit Svaneti?

Once in Mestia you can do several treks, including the one from Mestia to Ushguli, a route that I do not recommend doing alone.

The walk has a lot of unevenness and since it is high in the mountains you will have to prepare well, including wearing a lot of clothing even if it is in summer due to the sudden climate changes.

Another very practical alternative to visit Svaneti is with a day trip. trekking from Mestia to Ushguli, like this one from the 4 day link.

If not, you can do a more complete one to see all the best of the area, how is this 5 days, what includes:

• the Chalaadi glacier,
• Hatsvali mountain,
• the Becho throat, and
• the Shtugra waterfall.

But if you don't want to walk or can't, there is the alternative of going with a 1 day tour, like this one of the link that takes you to Ushguli and the lake.

If you don't have this other one 2 day tour leaving from Kutaisi which is more cost-effective.

Map of visits from 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.

Final Thoughts

These are the best excursions from Kutaisi, a region of Georgia that has a lot to offer, plus its location in the center of the country allows you to visit other areas easily.

This article is based on my experience of living in Georgia for 1 year.

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

• What to do in Kutaisi: a complete guide
• How to get from Kutaisi Airport to the city and other areas of Georgia
• What to do in Batumi: 13 best plans
• What to do in Tbilisi: 24 must-visit places.
• How to Get from Tbilisi to Yerevan: Fast, Cheap, and Comfortable