Kutaisi
Géorgie · 42.27°, 42.69°
Georgia's second city and ancient capital — home to UNESCO Gelati Monastery, Prometheus caves, the Imereti wine region, and the Caucasus mountains nearby. Cheaper and less touristy than Tbilisi with a genuine medieval Georgian character.
Gelati Monastery (UNESCO)
Georgia's greatest medieval monastery — a UNESCO World Heritage 12th-century complex with extraordinary Byzantine mosaics, the tomb of King David the Builder, and mountain views. The intellectual and spiritual center of medieval Georgia.
Prometheus Cave
One of the largest cave systems in the Caucasus — 1.5km of illuminated stalactites, stalagmites, and underground rivers. Boat ride through part of the cave. 30 min from Kutaisi.
Bagrati Cathedral (UNESCO)
11th-century cathedral in the city center — a partially ruined but enormously significant UNESCO monument built by King Bagrat III. The view over Kutaisi and the Rioni River is extraordinary.
Imereti Wine Region
Georgia's western wine region with a distinct tradition of amber (skin-contact) wine. Visit family cellars, taste Rkatsiteli and Tsitska wines. The authentic wine culture before it became touristy.
Sataplia Dinosaur Reserve
UNESCO reserve with actual 135-million-year-old dinosaur footprints preserved in stone, alongside the Colchic rainforest and another cave system. Unique in Georgia.
Kutaisi Central Market
FREE daily market with the finest Georgian produce — churchkhela (walnut candy), local cheeses (Imereti and Sulguni), fresh herbs, bread. The most authentic Georgian market.
Kutaisi Old Town & White Bridge
FREE historic old town with colorful wooden balconied houses, the Rioni River, and the beautiful White Bridge. Far less touristy than Tbilisi with a genuine local atmosphere.
Okatse Canyon
Spectacular canyon with a suspended walkway along the cliff face above the gorge. 780m of suspended pathway with views down to the river 50m below. 40 min from Kutaisi.
Le monastère de Motsameta
Accroché à une boucle de la rivière Rioni, il abrite les reliques des frères David et Constantin, martyrisés au VIIIᵉ siècle ; on passe trois fois sous leur châsse.
Le canyon de Martvili
Des eaux turquoise entre des parois calcaires, qu’on descend en canot pneumatique ; c’était le lieu de baignade des princes Dadiani.
La fontaine de Colchide
Sur la place centrale, des répliques dorées des bijoux animaliers colchidiens trouvés dans les tombes de Vani, agrandies plusieurs dizaines de fois.
Le site archéologique de Vani
À quarante minutes, la cité colchidienne et son or : c’est ici que la Toison prend un sens archéologique.
- Kutaisi Holiday Hotel
Modern hotel with good facilities. Pool, gym, restaurant. Best for business travelers and groups.
- Hotel Bagrati
Boutique hotel near Bagrati Cathedral. Good views, comfortable rooms, helpful staff. The best hotel in Kutaisi.
- River View Hotel
Boutique hotel overlooking the Rioni River. Comfortable rooms, terrace, good restaurant.
- White House Kutaisi
Pleasant hotel near the Rioni River. Clean, comfortable, garden terrace.
- Kutaisi Inn
Reliable mid-range hotel in the city center. Clean rooms, breakfast included, walking distance to main sights.
- Gelati Guesthouse
Small guesthouse near Gelati Monastery. Early morning monastery access before tour groups. Unique location.
- Georgian Family Guesthouse
Stay with a Georgian family. Home-cooked supras (feasts), wine from their vineyard, genuine hospitality.
- Kutaisi Hostel
Budget hostel in the center. Dorms and private rooms, helpful staff, cheap and cheerful.
- Best Western Plus Kutaisi
Sur la rive de la Rioni, l’adresse internationale de la ville.
- Newport Hotel Kutaisi
Près de la place centrale, chambres claires et petit-déjeuner soigné.
- Hotel Argo Palace
Un bâtiment ancien restauré dans le quartier historique.
- Aia Kutaisi Hotel
À dix minutes de l’aéroport, pratique pour les vols du matin.
- Hotel Sisters
Une maison de famille au-dessus de la rivière.
- Loft Hotel Kutaisi
Dans une ancienne fabrique, entre gare et centre.
- Hotel Terrace
Sur la colline, avec une véranda de bois typique de l’Iméréthie.
- Hotel Kolkhida
L’ancienne adresse d’État du centre, rénovée, face au théâtre.
- Hotel Bagrati 1003
Au pied de la cathédrale, terrasse tournée vers la vieille ville.
- Georgian Wine Bar
Natural wine bar with the best selection of Imereti wines. Cheese platters, cold cuts, wine flights. Essential for understanding the Imereti wine tradition.
- Restaurant Palaty
Best restaurant in Kutaisi. Traditional Georgian cuisine — khachapuri, khinkali, walnut dishes. Beautiful old building, lively atmosphere.
- Imeruli Tastes
Regional Imereti cuisine specialist. Dishes you won't find in Tbilisi — gebzhalia, imeruli khachapuri, elarji.
- Tamada Family Restaurant
Family-run restaurant serving home-style Georgian food. The warmest hospitality in Kutaisi.
- Khinkali House Kutaisi
Dedicated khinkali restaurant. The best dumplings in western Georgia at local prices.
- Bazari Bar
Evening bar with Georgian beer, wine, and snacks. The social hub for local young Kutaisi.
- Old City Café
Café in the old town. Good coffee, Georgian pastries, light meals. Pleasant for people-watching.
- Market Stall Food
Eat at the central market. Penovani (cheese-stuffed bread), churchkhela, fresh produce. The cheapest most authentic food in Georgia.
- Palaty
Un café-restaurant installé dans une maison du XIXᵉ siècle, plafonds peints et cuisine iméréthienne.
- El Depo
Une ancienne remise ferroviaire devenue table et scène de concerts.
- Toma’s Wine Cellar
Cave familiale où l’on mange sous les qvevri enterrés, près de la cathédrale.
- Baraqa
Cuisine géorgienne généreuse près de la place centrale, réputée pour ses khinkali.
- Sapere
Une petite table contemporaine tenue par un chef revenu de Tbilissi.
- Restaurant Sanapiro
Au bord de la Rioni, terrasse sur pilotis et truite du jour.
- Café Kutaisi
Le café du théâtre, où l’on prend le petit-déjeuner géorgien.
- Kikliko
Pain de tonir et khatchapouri iméréthien, à emporter le matin.
- Nikala
Table familiale sur la route de Ghélati, agneau et vins maison.
- Bikentia’s Kebabery
Une institution de la ville : un seul plat, le kebab, servi depuis des décennies.
These addresses are surveyed one by one. The automatically generated lists — a “Grand Hotel” and a “Table de” in every city — have been removed: they did not exist.
79 out of 100 on the Nomad Score. 6 working hours shared with Western Europe.
The eight criteria in detailApril-June and September-October
Also surveyed: 8 shops and 9 means of transport.