Visit to Tskaltubo: Soviet Baths and Sanatoriums

Updated: January 30, 2024

A visit to Tskaltubo is a paradise for urban and photography lovers, so beautiful that even brides go to take photos.

Tskaltubo is less than half an hour from Kutaisi where you can easily get there with public transport and it is a good place to make a 1-day visit.

This small town is known for its hot springs rich in radon and carbonate that flows from the springs to temperatures between 33 and 35 °C.

Its waters are used in spas to treatments for circulatory and musculoskeletal problems and curiously, also for gynecological problems.

Unlike Borjomi resort village, receives a much more modest number of tourists in search of spas, about 700 people arrive annually to benefit from the properties of its waters.

A little history

It is believed that the Tskaltubo hot springs were already used in the 7th century for their healing properties.

But it became really famous from Soviet times. In 1920 it became state property as a spa town and in 1926 its construction began.

It was designed with a park in the middle, the 9 bathrooms, around the park 19 sanatoriums and then a residential area.

Regarding the sanatoriums or sanatoriums, they are spas where the treatments were given. The buildings are gigantic and luxurious, with water areas, even rooms and some with entertainment such as theater.

Broadly speaking, a sanatorium would be a mix between a spa and a most luxurious hospital specialized in more specific treatments.

In Tskaltubo, a Scientific Institute of Balneology and Physiotherapy to study the treatments in depth.

In 1953, Tskaltubo was the most important spa in Soviet times, receiving up to 125,000 visitors annually.

Abandonment

Over time many sanatoriums and baths were abandoned, to the point that today only a few are in operation, specifically 1 sanatorium and 2 baths are open.

Although, some have been acquired and restoration works have begun, because some from an architectural point of view are a true gem.

Refugees

Due to the conflict in the region of Abkhazia, today recognized by a few countries as the Republic of Abkhazia, in 1993 Tskaltubo received refugees now living in some of the abandoned sanatoriums.

What to do and see in Tskaltubo?

Tskaltubo is not one of the most touristy places in Georgia and if you look for excursions you will see that there are very few.

However, The area offers different quite interesting options and some of them for a very specific type of tourist:

1. The area around the town is very interesting for hiking with caves and canyons.
2. Additionally, there are some caves that can be a visit in themselves, such as the Prometheus Cave, which is one of the longest in Georgia. There are stalagmites and stalactites, as well as an underground river.
3. Of course, enjoy its healing waters in its spas and baths.
4. The walk through its immense tree-lined central park which is very relaxing and in autumn it becomes very colorful.
5. Visit abandoned buildings, some of them quite spectacular to take some nice photos.

If you have read my other articles, you will know that I am a lover of urbex, that is, the exploration of abandoned buildings.

😍 You may also be interested in this other article about Caves and Canyons near Kutaisi: Martvili, Prometeo, Sataplia and Okatse.

In this article I am going to focus on telling you about:

1. The visit to all the abandoned sanatoriums and baths.
2. In addition to those that are still in operation and you can get some treatment.
3. Other interesting places to see, all related to the town's Soviet past.

I visited or passed by all the abandoned buildings I can, below I will tell you more details.

I have also marked a few in the article with the word TOP next to them, in case you want to save time and go only to the most spectacular ones.

In summary, the best ones marked as TOP are the Imereti and Medea sanatoriums, he Shakhtior sanatorium which can be difficult to visit, the Iveria that I couldn't get in and finally the bathroom number 8.

As usual Below I leave you the map, with all the places I mention in the article.

I am clear that visiting abandoned buildings may seem strange to many people, but I assure you that Tskaltubo is so special that You can enjoy the visit even if the urbex is not your thing.

Sanatoriums in Tskaltubo (orange)

1. Legends Tskaltubo Spa Resort (operational)

This sanatorium is still in operation in the area that is partially renovated.

Although compared to other sanatoriums in the area it is not the largest, it has some places of interest such as the private room that Stalin used.

To enter the resort you have two options, do a treatment or take a tour with them where you can see the most striking corners with a short explanation.

I was there, but in the end I didn't visit, I'll tell you my experience.

It turns out that I got to the door and told the guard that I wanted to take the tour and since the guard doesn't speak English he put me in touch with someone at the reception.

They told me that the tour cost 20 lari (7.04 euros), I accepted and the guard told me how to get to the building where the reception is.

But when I got there they told me that the price of tour for professional photographers (which I am not) was 50 lari (17.61 euros).

I explained to them that I am not a photographer and they offered me a small discount, but I thought it was bad that they increased the price they initially gave me and I left.

In addition, in Tskaltubo there are quite a few sanatoriums to visit for free.

On my way out I took the opportunity to take some photos of the exterior of the buildings and gardens. They are pretty, although really nothing exceptional.

2. Sanatorium Savane Hotel (abandoned)

This sanatorium is abandoned and in quite bad condition, It's falling apart.

Its interior does not offer anything really remarkable and there is a risk of collapse, which is why I do not recommend entering.

The building is a corner building, I entered through the entrance on one of the streets and left through the other, crossing the entire building and it was a little scary in every way, about running into someone or about them falling at any moment.

The most beautiful thing is the facade with the curved main entrance with its staircase in the photo.

3. Research Institute of Resortology and Sanatorium Filiali (inhabited)

This building has an interesting facade, but it is inhabited and I only approached the building to take some photos from the outside.

In general, the people who live in these buildings are quite friendly, but it seems disrespectful to enter as "Don Pedro at his house."

However, there are some buildings where the most interesting thing to photograph is not inhabited. In this particular case, I had already read that the most remarkable thing is the outside.

4.- Sanatorium Samkurnalo (inhabited)

This sanatorium looks like a home and is also completely occupied.

5.- Sanatorium Imereti (abandoned) TOP

One of the most beautiful spas in Tskaltubo is Imereti which began to be built in 1950.

This building is completely abandoned, according to what the locals told me, they have bought it and it is planned to be restored.

Hence, at the main entrance there is a guard's booth who I assume was inside, but since the glass is mirrored I couldn't see him.

There are no people living there either, I suppose that when they bought it they evicted the families that were there.

The Imereti sanatorium has several beautiful places to photograph, the main ones are:

1. The majestic main entrance, both the staircase area such as the large entrance hall with its stairs.
2. In both the right and left wings of the building there are some half spiral stairs Very beautiful, they are the same on both sides. You can access the ones on the right side from the parking area, because the part of the garden that is in between if it has rained gets filled with mud, I ended up with my shoes all muddy.
3. On the left wing there is a circular gallery with its columns and a large dome with skylight. You can also get here from the left side of the building.

6.- Sanatorium Iveria (you cannot enter) TOP

The Iveria is one of the sanatoriums that I most wanted to see because apparently It is one of the most impressive, but you cannot enter.

If you have looked for photos of the town's sanatoriums you will surely have seen one that has a circle on the floor, a dome and stairs in the background, It is one of the most famous photos of Tskaltubo and it is the Iveria.

This sanatorium is completely fenced and I did not find any gap to sneak through, nor can I see inside to talk to a guard to see if they allow entry.

The only thing left for me is to take some photos from outside.

7.- Shakhtior Sanatorium (fenced and guarded) TOP

Shakhtior sanatorium also marked on Google Maps as Meshakhte, It is the largest Tskaltubo and one of the most impressive with many details of moldings and columns.

Although it has areas inside that are in very poor condition, other details are very well preserved.

This sanatorium Built in 1952, it is one of those planned to be restored., that's why it is fenced and there are guards.

When I passed by the first time I saw someone approaching the guard and then entering with a group of tourists, so I decided the next day to try to enter, just in case I had some lari in my pocket.

But I was finally able to visit with a local who knew the guards and we got in without any problems.

But as I understand it, they don't let in anyone they don't know, maybe my initial plan of the lari can work. If you go, tell me your experience so I can update the article.

The most notable thing about the sanatorium is:

1. The main façade with columns, stairs and fountain It's pretty impressive.
2. Inside there are many rooms that were of great elegance, with huge windows. Don't stop looking at the ceilings, some richly ornamented and wallpapers.
3. The theater and a small room on the upper floor where there are some windows so that prominent people could enjoy the function without joining the rest of the people.
4. The interior is a bit in poor condition, but in some places you can see an interesting detail, the inside the wide walls made of immense rocks.

8.- Sanatorium Tbilisi (under reconstruction, not visitable)

In this great sanatorium, which It began to be built in 1950, The remodeling works have already begun.

I was able to approach the entrance where the main staircase is with a pair of welcoming mythological winged creatures.

Then I asked one of the workers if he would let me in and to my surprise he said yes.

But I didn't last long inside, I was able to take a couple of photos of the main hall and when I was heading to the small patio where there is a fountain, the foreman invited me to leave. 😅

In a few years I suppose it will be possible to visit it remodeled.

9.- Geology Sanatorium (abandoned)

The Geology sanatorium was built in the 70s and It looks more like a residential building than the other luxurious sanatoriums by Tskaltubo.

As I had read, it was inhabited, but when I visited it in November 2022 there were no signs of people living there.

However, it doesn't look at all interesting and looks in poor condition, that's why I didn't go in, I just took a photo from outside.

10.- Zheleznodorozhnik Sanatorium (inhabited)

This is the only sanatorium that I didn't go to because I forgot to write it down on my list and when I realized it was too late.

As I had found out, the most relevant thing about the Zheleznodorozhnik is its main façade, but it is inhabited and does not invite you to enter.

If you get to visit it I would love to know what your experience has been.

11.- Sanatorium Gelati (inhabited)

The Gelati is a sanatorium that began to be built in 1953 and is named after the Gelati Monastery near Kutaisi which was declared a World Heritage Site.

The building from the outside is attractive with balconies with their arches and columnsAlso on the right side there is a tower.

Although this spa is occupied by refugees, with people even living on the first floors.

That's why I just walked around the building and entered an open area on the left side where you can see a gallery with 3 large arches and a covered terrace above.

In the back yard there is an area that was built as a children's play area and there are some mosaics, but they are in poor condition.

Nowadays you can see that they use it as a storage room and there is a little dog in a shed.

12.- Sanatorium Metalurgist (inhabited)

This spa I had heard that it was in good condition and that its interior was beautiful.

But I found it very inhabited to the point that it didn't seem right for me to enter and I missed seeing the places that are supposed to be more interesting with their ornamentation, a large chandelier and the stone columns.

Where it does come in is in the gallery on the right side, with columns and glass windows.

The bad thing is that it is in poor condition and even the floor is falling, so I took a couple of photos and got out of there quickly.

The Metalurgist has a kind of street that passes through the main entrance and can be accessed from the road at two points.

One of the accesses It is right in front of the main entrance of the previous sanatorium, the Gelati.

13.- Khkinigzeli Sanatorium (uninteresting)

I photographed this sanatorium from afar, it looked very uninteresting with a simpler design like a residential building.

If I'm not mistaken this is the same as the Tskaltubo sanatorium.

14.- Sanatorium Medea (inhabited) TOP

The Medea that he began to build in 1954 is one of the best places to visit in Tskaltubo.

In this one, it is very popular among brides to take photos for his main entrance with stairs and arches with immense columns that give it great spectacularity.

The best is that The inhabited part is completely separated from the beautiful area and you can enter without disturbing the people who live there. Because people live in the area of the building that is to the left.

Then you can visit without problems: the entrance, a small part of the building that is on the right side.

Then from the area of columns on the left there is a part of the building that goes towards the back and joins the back, it is not inhabited there either.

What I did find were some dogs, as in many other sanatoriums. The first one greeted me with barking, but when I showed her the food I was carrying, she was my friend for the rest of the visit, a very sweet dog.

At this spa you will encounter a guard outside, near the main entrance of the building, but You can visit it without problems.

15 and 16.- Sanatorium Megobroba I and II (inhabited)

These two sanatoriums are next to each other, but they are not very interesting and are completely inhabited.

17.- Sanatorium Sakartvelo (abandoned, perhaps inhabited)

The Sakartvelo was built in the early 70s and is a building that really has no architectural appeal whatsoever, at least it didn't seem that way to me.

However, inside there is a beautiful, very colorful mosaic and in good condition that I wanted to see.

According to the instructions they had given me, To get to the mosaic you access it through a small path on the side of the building., but that disgusted me so much with so much garbage that I didn't get to see the mosaic and I left.

The place is in terrible condition, it is a total garbage dump. And on some floors above you can see that there are people living there or at least there were.

Bathrooms in Tskaltubo (blue)

The baths built in Soviet times were 9, although I didn't find all of them, I only saw 7. Some of the ones I saw were very simple buildings like no. 3 of the photo below.

Therefore, I will tell you about those that have something worth visiting, which are 2 abandoned and the only 2 bathrooms that are in operation:

1.- Bathroom 5 (abandoned)

The bathhouse no. 5 is in ruins and apparently since it is located in the same park there are many people who use it to relieve themselves.

That's why if you go in summer the smell is unbearable, I went in autumn and I really have to say that there was no bad smell.

Although these bathrooms are in poor condition, if you like the photography You can take some pretty interesting photos of its windows and arches with the vegetation that has been taking over the building.

Other than that, it doesn't have much charm.

2.- Bathroom 8 (abandoned) TOP

These baths are the most iconic in Tskaltubo and if you go on a 1-day visit I recommend you stop by to see them because They have a very unique shape of UFO.

Although Tskaltubo has always been primarily focused on a more upscale clientele, These baths were public.

In Georgia, there are two types of baths, those with private cabins and public ones that are like the thermal baths that we are used to.

That is, baths where you pay an entrance fee and you can use the pools with other people.

These bathrooms are a large space with different areas of water, a dome with a light entrance which makes it very special for taking good photos.

3.- Bathroom 2 “Be Healthy” (in operation)

Bathhouse 2 is one of the two bathrooms that It is in operation and you can get a spa treatment at a good price.

The building is quite simple, but if you are interested in soviet mosaics, next to the entrance, they have some well-preserved ones.

4.- Bathroom 6 (Spring 6) (in operation)

This is the largest functioning bath, known as Spring 6.

These bathrooms were built in 1950 with a private cabin, especially for Stalin, who was the leader of the Soviet Union at that time, who had his summer home in the town.

Stalin's private room is one of the greatest attractions for the bathroom floor that has a mosaic of a crab.

In these baths you can also receive some treatment, with public bathing areas and private cabins.

Outside, another thing that stands out is the fountain before the entrance, where you will see a sculpture of a super muscular man. Lenin fighting a panther (or another feline).

Then the frieze of the building is a relief with Stalin and the people who welcome him.

👍 By the way, in this other article you can read about the Visit Gori, Stalin's birthplace and the cave city Uplistsikhe which are a short distance from Tbilisi.

Mosaics and other places of interest in Tskaltubo (green)

1.- Stalin's dacha

Stalin had a holiday home in Tskaltubo, even though he was apparently only there once.

The word dacha In Georgian it refers to the second house, the one used for vacations.

The dacha is in an area away from the center of town and really does not have a great attraction, but it is rather modest but with good views over the area.

Luckily at the entrance I met the guard who made it no problem for me to enter and also gave me directions to find the dacha.

If it hadn't taken me a long time before I found it, because there are several abandoned houses out there and It's a little hard to find.

From where the guard's booth is, follow the street that immediately turns right, then turn left on the first street and right again.

Then you will have to travel about 150 m until you almost reach the bottom, there are two streets to the left, take the first one and continue to the bottom where you will see the small house.

The house is in very bad condition and apparently it is one of the cows' favorite places to defecate 😅, but there is nothing striking about it, just the fact that it was Stalin's house.

2.- Hotel Aia

The Aia hotel was Built in the 70s, but later converted into housing.

The building doesn't stand out, but you can see a couple of mosaics from Soviet times.

Inside the ground floor there is a very attractive and well preserved mosaic on wine, with all the processes, from the harvesting of the grapes and the preparation in traditional Georgian vessels.

Then outside, on the right wing of the building, there is another worse preserved mosaic with scenes of traditional music and dance Georgian.

3.- Mosaic (Magticom Service Center)

Another of the best mosaics in Tskaltubo is the one on the façade of the Magticom building.

It's a mosaic made of stones in low relief depicting some Georgian king as a central figure with epic scenes with warriors and citizens.

4.- Telephone company mosaic

Next to the Tbilisi Sanatorium, on the side street, there is a Low-relief stone mosaic from the telephone company.

It is quite interesting, it shows the workers in the middle and on each side two young people calling each other on the phone.

I didn't have this mosaic written down and I was quite surprised to find it.

Map of Tskaltubo

* 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 much time should you spend visiting Tskaltubo?

If you want to see all the places I mention in the article, you will need to spend at least one night there and thus have two full days to visit and also give yourself the pleasure of trying a thermal bath or treatment.

But if the urbex is not your thing, with one day you will have enough to visit the places that I mark as TOP and go to the thermal baths.

If you go by public transport to go faster to the most remote areas you can go by taxi which will not charge you much. The taxi rank is in the town, next to the market where the marshrutkas also stop.

Where to eat in Tskaltubo? (violet)

Tskaltubo is a small town and there are few places to eat. In addition, I found that some that appear on Google Maps had closed permanently.

I stayed the night so I could visit all the places on the map, so I had lunch and dinner once in the town.

These are the places that I can recommend, all very central and I marked them on the map in purple:

• Nektari: It is a simple tavern with Typical Georgian dishes at a good price. The only downside is that they only speak Georgian and Russian, they don't know a word in English and the menu is only in those languages.
• Magnolia: is the best restaurant in town, in a historic building very nice with interior room and a good terrace. The food here is a little more expensive, but it is very good.
• lake side: I couldn't try this one because I was going to have dinner there and they were celebrating a wedding. The place is nice with a terrace overlooking the lake and perfect for having a few drinks. But from what I read, the food is not of the best quality.

Is it safe to visit Tskaltubo?

The town itself is safe and very quiet, but when doing urbex you always have to be careful:

• Abandoned buildings: There is always the risk of collapse, be careful where you enter and if you don't see it clearly, it is better not to enter.
• Inhabited buildings: In Tskaltubo there are several buildings that are inhabited by refugees and more than a danger it is a matter of respect because it has been the home of these people for almost 30 years. I recommend you pay attention and enter as you feel.
• Other people: when doing urbex in buildings where no one lives you can meet people, be careful, be alert in this regard and go only during the day. Sometimes abandoned buildings are places where people go to drink or get high. In Tskaltubo I did not find syringes, although these types of drugs are one of the big problems in Georgia and I have seen syringes in other places I have visited.
• Stray dogs: in the town and in the abandoned buildings there are many stray dogs, In my experience everyone was friendly.

Regarding the topic of dogs, if you like animals and can afford it, bring food to give to stray dogs and you will have dog friends during your visit.

In the town I did not find feed in supermarkets, it is better to bring from Tbilisi, Batumi or Kutaisi.

In any pet store you can find cheap bulk dog food. In Tbilisi from 5 lari per kilo, in Batumi from about 8 lari and in Kutaisi from 4.5 lari (in the Green Bazaar area).

Recommendations for doing urbex:

• Frontal: take a headlamp like the one in the link or a flashlight, I didn't use it on my visit to Tskaltubo, but it never hurts when doing urbex. You can always use your phone's flashlight, but it consumes a lot of battery.
• Closed footwear: Even if it is summer, it is better to visit these places with closed shoes. Unless they are sneakers, they don't have to be hiking shoes.
• Yes you can avoid going alone.
• Do not enter places where the ceilings or floors They are falling.
• Avoid going at night, very early in the morning or late in the day.
• Follow your instincts. Yes, although it may sound silly, if a place gives you a bad vibe, don't go in and always be alert.

How to go to Tskaltubo?

1.- Car

Tskaltubo is only 15.5 km from Kutaisi. To get there from Tbilisi you have to go through Kutaisi.

On the other hand, if you drive from Batumi, you have to take the road that goes towards Kutaisi and almost upon arrival you will find the turnoff towards Tskaltubo.

In case you go to rent car Georgia I can recommend this search engine that only works with serious Georgian companies.

There you will find cars with the most competitive prices, with insurance included and generally there is no need to leave a deposit.

2.- Marshrutka

Tskaltubo is well connected to the city of Kutaisi with marshrutkas (minibuses).

Whatever it is you have to go first to Kutaisi, from Tbilisi You have the minibuses at the Didube station in the Nige area, which is on the right side just when you exit the metro. It costs 20 lari and takes about 4 hours.

At the same bus station in Kutaisi there are marshrutkas that go to Tskaltubo, which are the 34 and 44, costs 2 lari and takes about 25 minutes to reach the center of Tskaltubo.

If you are visiting Kutaisi in the center, there is also another bus from the red bridge, the number 30 which takes you to Tskaltubo and also costs 2 lari.

3.- Excursion

If you don't want to complicate things, I recommend this one. 2 day urbex excursion which includes the best places in Tskaltubo, Chiatura, Gori and Kutaisi.

A very complete tour, plus the guide will tell you many interesting details.

Final Thoughts

If you are a lover of the urbex or Soviet architecture, you cannot miss a visit to Tskaltubo, the most fascinating place in all of Georgia. In fact, so far it is the best place in Urbex that I have visited.

In case I have left any topic untouched, leave me a comment below and I will help you in any way I can. Have a good trip!

More about Georgia and the Caucasus countries

• How to get around Tbilisi, Georgia and visit neighboring countries?
• Soviet architecture in Tbilisi: 16 best buildings and mosaics
• Visit to Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi
• What to do in Tbilisi: 24 must-visit places.
• What to do in Kutaisi: 19 essentials
• Visit to Chiatura with its Soviet cable cars
• What to do in Yerevan: 14 best plans