Imerty Region Capital City
Kutaisi Travel Guide
Written by Anat Levi
If you have decided to include Kutaisi as part of your trip in Georgia and you are all about trekkings & hiking in the beautiful natural area around Kutaisi, you are in the right place. The area around Kutaisi is full of rivers, waterfalls, lookouts, forests, boating, caves and more. Here you will find all about how to get there, what to eat, where to sleep and the best things to see and do while in Kutaisi!
Visiting the Imerti region is exciting and provides an amazing experience whether you are a romantic couple or an extreme family. Kutaisi is especially suitable for those of you who want to experience nature without the need of sleeping outdoor or carrying too much equipment on your back (for those looking for treks of this type it is recommended to read about Svaneti). Our recommendation is to spend 2-3 days in and around Kutaisi to explore what the area has to offer.
Here is our Kutaisi travel guide
How to get to Kutaisi?
Kutaisi is located about 280km west of the capital Tbilisi and about 150 km east of Batumi. The city can be reached in several ways. You can also reach the new airport in Kutaisi via connection flight from Tbilisi/Batumi. Departure and arrival hours may change and you can check the available transportation options on this link.
From Tbilisi -
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Marshrutka (service taxi for 10-15 person) - from Tbilisi Didube station, it takes about 5 and a half hours and is not recommended.
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Train - departs from Station Square station and it takes about 4 hours.
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Taxi or rental car - About 3 hours drive.
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From Batumi -
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Marshrutka - from the central station (east of the train station). it takes about two and a half hours.
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Train - Batumi Central Station. The journey takes about 4 hours.
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Taxi or rental car - About two hours drive.
Transportation in Kutaisi - it is recommended to use Maxim/Yandex/Bolt apps to move from place to place if necessary. We will also advise you to use these apps in order to get to any attractions outside the city (unless you decided to choose a guided tour including a car).
Image by railway.ge
Best restaurants in Kutaisi
Sisters
A fairly new restaurant with a nice retro design and live music in the evenings. The restaurant offers Georgian food with a twist and great value for your money. Great Choice for a fully authentic Georgian experience. The place is divided into 2 wonderful spaces and it is open to the public between 12:00-01:00.
Image by funfoodtravel.com
Seasame
Probably the latest and greatest bar-restaurant in Kutaisi. With both local and international menu and stunning decor, this is a place worth visiting for lunch or dinner. The staff will be happy to help you with the menu in English. The place is neither crowded nor noisy (as in some other places) and offers live music on weekends. The restaurant is open daily from 12:00 to 00:00.
Image by Seasame Facebook Page
Tea House Foe-Foe
A cool combination of a cafe and a restaurant with an eclectic-hipster design. With a great selection of over 50 teas and different types of crepes, this is a wonderful spot to start your morning with a satisfying breakfast. The restaurant is located in a historic building and is divided into 2 floors that are connected by an impressive marble staircase that would make you feel like you are in a theater. Worth a visit even in the evening in case you didn't have a chance to get there in the morning. Open daily from 09:00 to 23:00.
Image by Tea House Foe Foe Facebook Page
Papavero
A restaurant that can be described in one word - magic! With indoor and outdoor seating areas and a unique atmosphere that we have not found in other places in Georgia. The restaurant offers local and international food, with large dishes and fair prices. On weekends, local bands playing covers or traditional music. Open daily from 10:00 to 00:00.
Image by Papavero Facebook Page
Toma's Wine Cellar
A restaurant run by a Georgian family in their home with over 50 years of experience in wine production. This is the right place to eat true Georgian food as it was made hundreds of years ago and enjoy an amazing service and hospitality by Thomas who will be happy to take you on a tour and guide you in his wine cellar. Open daily from 15:00 to 23:00.
Image by en.toma's wine cellar Facebook Page
Best accommodation in Kutaisi - Hotels & apartments
The hotel is part of an international group with high standards in everything related to customer service and experience. The new hotel is meticulously designed starting from all common areas to every room. This is probably the highest quality hotel in town, with an amazing rooftop terrace and restaurant with great views. The hotel is within walking distance from all the main attractions in the city, with a great English-speaking staff and a breakfast that everyone will love. We would definitely recommend you visit the hotel whether you are a family or a couple. Prices are higher than the standard in Georgia but the experience worth it.
Location
Image by booking.com
Image by booking.com
Image by booking.com
A 33-meter studio apartment which divided into a sleeping area and a living room. There are a small and fully equipped kitchenette and a toilet with a washing machine in case you need to wash. The apartment has a modern design and provides all the needs of each guest. The distance between the apartment and the heart of the city center is about 800 meters so you can get everywhere on foot. The host will also be happy to give you a piece of advice or answer any questions that interest you.
Image by booking.com
Exclusive Apartament the Heart of Old Kutaisi
A stunning apartment that has undergone a complete renovation in a beautiful building. The apartment is 130m in size with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a balcony, and a lovely host named Natalia. The apartment located close to all the main sites so you can walk to most places and if there is anything you will need, Natalie will be happy to assist you. The apartment is suitable for a maximum of 5 people.
Image by booking.com
Image by booking.com
Money Exchange in Kutaisi
In most major cities in Georgia you will find banks and money exchange services in the heart of the city center. In the case of Kutaisi, the heart of the city center is in the Colchis Fountain. All around, on the streets of Shota Rustaveli Avenue and Tsereteli you will find most of the major banks operating in Georgia as well as places for exchanging money.
Image by oc-media.org
Traveler Information Center
The tourist information center is located next to the Colchis Fountain. The tourist center offers qualified people who will be happy to help you in English and answer any questions you may ask and provide you useful information. Here, you can get maps of any area in Georgia, attractions recommendations or transportation advice.
Image by georgiantravelguide.com
Good to know in Kutaisi
Colchis Fountain
A wonderful fountain in the center of Kutaisi with over 30 figures and animals including lions, tigers, deer and a figure named Tamada who welcome guests with a horn of wine at the entrance to a Georgian feast. Not many know but the figures in the fountain are an enlarged replica of archeological artifacts found throughout the country and displayed in the National Museum in Tbilisi. The exhibits prove that the ancient and rich kingdom of Colchis did exist on the land of Georgia. This is also the center of Kutaisi.
Image by georgiantravelguide.com
The (former) parliament in Kutaisi
The parliament building in Kutaisi probably one of the most beautiful buildings in Georgia. Built between 2011-2012 according to the tradition in which the parliament should convene in the second most important city in the country. The newly elected parliament moved to Kutaisi from October 2012 until January 2019 and later returned to Tbilisi after a change in the government. The length of the outer part of the oval-shaped structure is 150m and its width is 100m. The parliament's building initiative started by former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. The building formed on a monument to Soviet soldiers who fought in World War II after being destroyed by explosives in 2009. The building was promoted by the government as a symbol of the country's democratic future. The goal behind building the parliament in Kutaisi was to strengthen the region's economy and unite parts of the country. The building is planned to be the next Georgian Ministry of Justice.
Image by trekearth.com
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