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Kutaisi old town
Downtown Kutaisi

Kutaisi is a city in the Rioni Region of Georgia.

Understand

Kutaisi is the traditional rival of Tbilisi for capital status, and has since the days of the Golden Fleece been considered the capital of Western Georgia (then Ancient Colchis). It remains Georgia's second largest city, but to the irritation of the proud locals, does not come even close to Tbilisi's present day size and wealth. Since the Georgian government decided to move their parliament to Kutaisi, there has been a lot of work on restoring streets, buildings, parks and monuments and the city has become much safer. The seat of the state parliament was removed here a few years ago.

But a visit here is nonetheless near mandatory to see the magnificent Bagrati Cathedral, and Gelati Monastery, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and have commanding views from the mountain slopes over the city and the Rioni river.

Get in

By plane

Transportation to the airport:

  • Georgian Bus provides shuttle bus service between the airport and Kutaisi city center, Tbilisi and Batumi, with bus schedules following flight arrivals. Shuttle buses to Tbilisi (20 GEL, four hours) terminate at Freedom Square, while shuttle buses to Batumi (18 GEL, three hours) terminate at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Shuttle buses to Kutaisi city center (5 GEL) will stop at any address within the city. Tickets may be purchased online or upon arrival with cash or bank card at the Georgian Bus counter located near the exit, and when returning to the airport, may also be purchased directly from the driver. Be advised that if you're riding the Georgian Bus service from Kutaisi, you must e-mail them with the name of the hotel from which you will be picked up from.
  • Marshrutkas from points east headed towards Batumi or Samtredia, or from points west towards Kutaisi or Tbilisi, will also drop passengers off at the airport, which is convenient for passengers who have missed the Georgian Bus service to the airport. From Tbilisi, a marshrutka from the Didube bus terminal to the airport is 20 GEL. It is also possible to walk out of the airport onto the highway and hail a marshrutka if headed to a particular destination.

By train

  • 2 Kutaisi I, Tamar Mepe St. 
  • 3 Kutaisi II station (southwest. From this station getting a cab is an option, 5 GEL all over town). Train from Tskaltubo are running to Kutaisi II station. 
  • 4 Rioni station, Kutaisi-Baghdati-Abastumani-Benara Road (7.3km south of Kutaisi.). There are more night and day trains running to Tbilisi Central from here 

All trains from and to Tbilisi Central leave from and arrive at the modernized Kutaisi I station. There are three daily departures to the capital. All Georgia Rail Timetable A ticket with reserved seat costs (passport required for purchase) minimum 5 GEL. Also stops in Mtskheta (old capital of Georgia), Gori (birthplace of Stalin) and Zestafoni. Nice journey but slow due to long intermediate stops.

A local, but "fast" train runs from Kutaisi I to Batumi (listed Makhinjauri in the timetable — the name of the station about 8 km north of Batumi), leaving at 9:00, arriving 3 hours later. Cost 4 GEL, payable on the train. Trains to Kharagauli leave every day. (4-10 GEL, 3.5 h)

By bus

  • 5 Bus station (From the bus station (southwest of town) to go to the city center: cross the road, and take bus #1 that goes directly to the city center. Cost: 0.30 Lari.). 

Mini-buses ('marshrutkas') and full 54-passenger buses depart regularly for Kutaisi from 'Didube Bus Station' located at the Didube metro stop in Tbilisi. Marshrutkas (hourly, 3.5 hours, 10 lari); large buses (every three hours, 4 hours).

Minibuses to Borjomi leave every day, every hour (8 Gel, 2 hr). Minibuses to Kharagauli leave every day, twice a day (10 GEL, 3.5 h).

By car

Get around

The interesting parts of the town are walkable. To visit the monasteries in the mountains nearby booking a day-tour may be a time-saving option.

By bus

No.1 city bus is a useful circular route (both clockwise and anticlockwise direction) linking the main city square, Kutasi I (main train station), and Kutaisi II (bus station). 0.4 Lari, pay the driver at exit, change given. From Kutasi II (bus station), clockwise direction (to the left, cross the road from McDonalds) is the faster route to the city centre. Note each direction takes slightly different route on the centre of the city (east side of the river). The clockwise direction does not go in front of Kutasi I but goes south on Tsereteli St. along the river. The anticlockwise direction stops in front of Kutaisi I then goes uphill on Solomon Piveli Street and downhill on 26 Maisi (May) Street towards the main square.

Local marshrutkas ply the city but are difficult to find the route for avarage tourists.

By train

Kutaisi Train Schedule (Aug 2015)

See

Bagrati Cathedral
White bridge
  • 1 Bagrati Cathedral (UNESCO World heritage site), Leselidze street (Towering above the town, just walk up the hill.). Ancient church originally built in the 11th century. Foundations of an earlier building have been found. Blown up by marauding Islamic invaders in the 18th century, then carefully restored over the last 100 years, the interior also almost completed. The difference between original and replacement is clearly obvious. The ongoing reconstruction aimed at returning Bagrati Cathedral back to its original state as a religious space has led ICOMOS to recommend that it should be left as a ruin and added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in danger. Free admission. 
  • 2 Uqimerioni Fortress (adjacent to Bagrati Cathedral, 50 meters behind it). 
  • 3 Synagogue, Boris Gaponov Street. 
  • 4 St. Thekla church, Daniel Chonkadze St. 
  • 5 St Elijah the prophet church., Chekhovi Street I. 
  • 6 St. Cyprian and Justina church, David Agmashenebeli Ave,. 
  • White Bridge over the river Rioni, known by the bridge Springer scene in the movie "Neobyknovennaja Vystavka"
  • 7 Parliament of Georgia, Irakli Abashidze St (in the west of the city on the main road to Tskaltubo). Completed in 2012. It was one of the most prestigious projects of President Mikheil Saakashvili to relocate the parliament from Tbilisi to Kutaisi. However, the relocation of Parliament is cancelled by the new government Ivanishvili. In what way this new 50 million-euro building will be used is still unclear. 

Museums

  • 8 Small Local History museum, Rustaveli Ave. and Tesereteli St. corner. 10:00-18:00. with English signs like "pottery shreds" offering very little in-depth information 3 Lari. 
  • Kutaisi Museum of Sport. 
  • Kutaisi Museum of Martial Art. 
  • Museum of Zakaria Paliashvili. 
  • David Kakabadze Fine Art Gallery, 8 Shota Rustaveli Street. Houses collections of the 19th and 20th century artists 

Further afield

Gelati Monastery
Geguti Palace
  • 9 Gelati Monastery (გელათის მონასტერი), 7, Nazarishvili str. (NW 11 km of Kutaisi. There is a minibus going to the monastery departing from Kutaisi's Opera Thater, costs 1 GEL, leaves at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 and going back 30 minutes later. Alternatively get to the turn to Gelati monastery on the Kutaisi-Tbilisi road by train or bus and walk for 2 km from there uphill). 
  • 10 Motsameta Monastery (მოწამეთა) (NW 6 km of Kutaisi. Get to the turn to Gelati monastery on the Kutaisi-Tbilisi road, "Kutaisi-Gelati" minibus passes it. Besides, Motsameta is about 5km from Gelati Monastery (which is about 1 hr walk following the road)). XI century monastery richly decorated with frescoes. 
  • 11 Geguti Palace, Geguti village (S 15 km). One of the few secular monuments of the medieval Georgian kingdom, located on the banks of the River Rioni.. It is well preserved and developed for tourism. It's not protected anyhow and thus it's free to enter. 
  • 12 Vani archaeological site (ვანი) (41 km southwest in Imereti region). one of the most important cities of antique Colchi, from VIII-VI century B.C. have been discovered. The city was destroyed in I century A.D. 
  • 13 Sataplia Nature Reserve (SW 10 km). Three main attractions of the reserve - a pavilion with well-preserved dinosaur tracks, karst cave and glass balcony - an observation deck on top of the mountain Sataplia (highest point of the reserve). 
  • 14 Prometheus Cave (პრომეთე მღვიმე), located in village Kumistavi (Minibus from Kutaisi central bus terminal(bus 34), Tskaltubo overpass(bus 44?) and adjacent area of Red bridge(bus 30 from city center cross the bridge and stop is on the left) to Tskaltubo leave every day, several times a day (1 Gel, 30 min) further Minibus N42 from Tskaltubo central market to Prometheus cave leaves every day except Monday (1 GEL, 20 min). Taxi from Tsakltubo costed 5GEL). One of Georgia’s longest natural caves, with fabulous stalactites and stalagmites and underground lake.  Overnight option: Hotel Spa Kurorti, 23 Rustaveli Street, Tskaltubo, ☏ +995 599 563115. 59 comfortable rooms for 118 people. 60 GEL per night,inc. breakfast. 

Do

  • 1 Torpedo Kutaisi F.C. (Givi Kiladze Stadium), Giorgi Brtskinavale. See the local football team in a match at the Givi Kiladze Stadium. 2 GEL. 
  • Do as the locals do: Sit in the city centre park and watch the world pass by.

Theatres

Parks

  • 3 Botanical Garden "Kolchuri" (in the north of the city on the main road towards Zageri). Rather small but still nice botanical garden. Some trees has signs in English. There is also interesting chapel built inside the tree. 3 GEL. 
  • 4 Park of Culture and Rest (Besik Gabashvili Park), Vazha Pashavela St. 
  • 5 Central Garden (ქუთაისის ბულვარი, ბაღის კიდე), Rustaveli Avenue. 
  • 6 Kharazov Park, Solomon Pirveli Street. 
  • 7 Youth Park (Pionerta Park), Tbilisi-Senaki-Leselidze Rd.. 
  • 8 Kikvidze Park, Zviad Gamsakhurdia St. 

Buy

  • 1 Bazaar, off Zakhira Paliashvili (Paliashvili V Aly) St. the main drag 
  • 2 Regular stores, along Tsereteli St.. 

Eat

Kutaisi has quite a big number of decent restaurants despite how poorly the city looks itself. They are mainly located in the city center but a bit spreaded so just walk around to find what you're looking for.

  • 1 Sudarushka (სუდარუშკა, Сударушка), Clinda Nino st. No. 13, ☏ 970 93 93 98. 09:00 - 02:00. Authentic Russian cuisine from the owners who know how to cook it right. Food tastes good, big portions, nice personal, Russian music as an accompaniment. Note this place doesn't have English sign on the entrance so just look for a wooden sign (saying სუდარუშკა Сударушка) or a window with a Russian girl in a national costume in it. 3-8 GEL per meal. 
  • 2 Chinese Restaurant. Newly opened place in 2014 with true Chinese cuisine. Owners are obviously Chinese. Offer huge variety of national dishes. It's a bit pricey, however tea comes for free. It's a big surprise to find it in Kutaisi. 10-30 GEL. 
  • 3 Tea -House Foe-Foe (Foe-Foe), Rustaveli str 5 (near the Kutaisi Opera Building), ☏ 577577533, . 10:00-00:00. Adress :Rustaveli str 5, nearby Opera . Middle Check-10gel Open :10:00 Close:00:00 Plastic Card :Accepted Wi-Fi:Free Menu:Georgian and Mediterian(main Courses ,Soups,Salads,Sweets) 5.00-10.00 gel. (updated May 2015)

Drink

Sleep

Budget

  • 1 Hostel Kutaisi, 14 Solomon I (Solomon Pirveli St) Street (next to main square in the historical part of the city), ☏ +995 431 253873, +995 551 471100 (mobile), . In the hostel Kutaisi you will be served by experienced people (English spoken). Amenities include free Wi-Fi, internet, linen, towels, shampoo, coffee, tea, cable TV, maps, different guide books, advice about Kutaisi and Georgia in general. 20 to 30 GEL per night. 
  • 2 Suliko's Homestay, Tbilisi Street 3rd Lane #6 (#6 on the alley running between #83 Tbilisi St. and #72 26 May St.(26 Maisi St.) ) From the main city square (fountain), Tbilisi street runs towards southeast. Walk uphill until 81 Tbilisi St. and turn left, you see a house with green metal gate at No. 6 of the alley.), ☏ +995 431 243007. Run by a retired couple, a large room of their house serves as a dorm, two smaller private rooms are available. Theoretically one may stay to sleep only, alas one is very likely to be treated to the excellent fare the lady of the house serves up as well as the homemade wine the husband produces. I.e. if they like you, you are likely to be treated to one of those infamous Georgian welcomes, heavy on your liver ... They will give you as much chacha, Georgian wine and Georgian food as you can handle. The food is all hand-made and freshly prepared. It is amazing, the hospitality is unparalleled and only the modesty of the facilities leaves anything to be desired. The beds are clean and the house is good by local standards, and the new bathroom was completed by summer 2011 in this friendly homestay. Free WiFi Internet is available, and there is a computer available for use.
    To get there from the main bus station (Kutaisi II Railway Station), take a #1 city bus traveling to the right (from McD walk right the same side of street to find the bus stop). The bus pass the Kutaisi I station and go uphill to 26 Maisi Street. Get off at #72 (there is a cross on sidewalk) and you walk into the alley, which is Tbilisi St. 3rd Lane. From Kutaisi I station, take #1 bus or walk out to the right uphill on Solomon Pirveli St. for th 6-7 min up the hill to Tbilisi St. Taxis from the bus station is 5 GEL, but they tend to take you to similarly named guesthouse to get commission. Give them the street address rather than ask for "Suliko's."     30 GEL per night including breakfast and supper. 
  • Gelati Guest House (საოჯახო სასტუმრო „გელათი“), 26 May Street, (Vtoraya Liniya 4), Second Turn., ☏ +995 597 986222. 5 rooms / 12 people. inc. breakfast 35 GEL. (2013?). 
  • Guesthouse Zelimkhani, ☏ +995 431 222441. 14 comfortable rooms for 28 people. 50 GEL per night inc. breakfast. 
  • Guesthouse Beka, 26 Debi Ishkhnelebi Street, ☏ +995 431 246923. 16 comfortable rooms for 30 people. 40 GEL incl. breakfast. 
  • Guesthouse Gora, 22 Debi Ishkhnelebi Street, ☏ +995 431 252170, +995 599 574625. 43 comfortable rooms for 100 people. 40 GEL incl. breakfast. 
  • 3 Hostel Bavaria, 108 Tbilisi street, ☏ +995 598 36 26 36, . Meet the small family that runs the hostel. Spacious and quiet house. Residential area near a park and a shop. Accessible on foot from the main square. Minibus 34 passes close to the hostel. 15 GEL. (updated Jul 2015)

Mid-range

  • 5 Hotel Oazis, Mari Brosse St. (behind the large round theatre in the city centre). Small hotel in the center. Clean, cozy rooms with narrow beds; wifi, A/C, heating. One of the few budget options in central Kutaisi. 
  • 6 Hotel Tirifiholiday (tirifebi), Zviad Gamsakhurdia Str.45 (Between McDonalds and Patrol police), ☏ +995 592 961515, . 31 air-conditioned guestrooms with separate bathrooms. Room service 24h. Complimentary full breakfast in the breakfast area. Multilingual staff, laundry facilities, free car parking, free wireless Internet access in all areas of the hotel. 20 gel - 120 gel. 
  • Hotel Rcheuli Palace, 21b Gr. Khandzteli St, ☏ +995 431 292900. 28 comfortable rooms / 50 people. 115 GEL inc. breakfast. 
  • Hotel Imperiali (სასტუმრო „იმპერიალი“), 28 Mchedlidze St, ☏ +995 579 191939. 9 comfortable rooms / 18 people. 100 GEL. 
  • Hotel Aieti’s Sasakhle (ასტუმრო „აიეტის სასახლე“. Aeetes Palace), 34 G. Tabidze St., ☏ +995 431 253533. 13 rooms / 26 people 100 GEL. 
  • Hotel Dzveli Kalaki, 3/4 Ioseb Grishashvili St., ☏ +995 431 251451, +995 599 51 60 56. 10 rooms for 24 people. 100 GEL incl. breakfast. 
  • Hotel Bagrati, 2a Tsereteli St, ☏ +995 431 25 55 55. 16 comfortable rooms with a maximum capacity of 32 people. 140 GEL incl. breakfast. 

Splurge

Connect

The tourist office kiosk between the two main bridges is staffed during the summer season only. Rest of the year it is located in the annex building left to the city hall at the ground floor. (It is a bit hard to find since the mayor don't want to have signs to it. Ask in the city hall if you cannot find it.)

Dingy post office on Tamar Mepe St. Previously existing Internet cafés have closed due to numerous freely available hotspots.

Go next

  • Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park (for details see Borjomi) — the largest national park in Georgia. The diversity of physical, geographical and especially climatical conditions of its has shaped the wealth and variety of its flora and fauna. Apart from the largely untouched nature of Borjom-Kharagauli, there are numerous cultural monuments. In particular, there are two easily accessible churches, built in 9th century. At present eight tourist trails are officially operating in the national park. They vary in length, duration and complexity. Open from Apr until October
  • Mestia — the "capital" of Svaneti and a UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Oni — a very pretty, rustic town on the Rioni River up in the mountains that was for millennia a center of Georgian Jewish culture. Today it is becoming a major tourist destination for domestic travelers as well as attracting adventurous foreign travelers attracted to its natural beauty, remote setting and a local culture that has not seen the effects of tourism yet
  • Tbilisi — the beautiful and interesting capital, Georgia's largest and most cosmopolitan city
  • Zugdidi — not very popular city with tourists for itself, however many of them pass through it on their way up to Mestia in Svaneti
This city travel guide to Kutaisi is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.


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