One of the oldest cities in the world, Kutaisi feels a world away from cosmopolitan Tbilisi, but that’s part of its charm. Stretching beneath the 11th-century Bagrati Cathedral, Georgia’s third-largest city is sliced in two by the winding Rioni river, with hills beckoning in the distance. The cobbled old town lies on the eastern bank and oozes a timeless, unhurried atmosphere. Spend at least a couple of days here to explore the city’s historical and architectural sights, dive into its bustling market and start a love affair with the local cuisine. Kutaisi is also a gateway to some of Georgia's most scenic destinations, so expect having to make some difficult choices!
A fascinating blend of history and nature
Dating back to around the second millennium BC, Kutaisi served as the capital city of several ancient kingdoms in the region and was the political and cultural centre of Georgia until the 12th century. As the ancient Greek myth goes, it was here that Jason and the Argonauts captured the magical Golden Fleece – a legend that’s fondly remembered across the country and also appears in the name of Georgia’s flagship beer, Argo. Due to its strategic location, Kutaisi has witnessed and borne the brunt of many a conflict between Georgian, Mongol, Ottoman and Russian rulers. An industrial powerhouse during Soviet times, the city took a blow with the post-Soviet economic downturn but is now slowly but surely getting back on track.
A hop back in time
Start your exploration at the central square and its richly ornamented showpiece, the Colchis Fountain, which features large-scale copies of millennia-old gold jewellery found at a nearby archaeological site. At the northern end of the square stands the circular Meskhishvili Drama Theatre, one of the prettiest buildings in the city. Don’t miss the excellent Kutaisi Historical Museum nearby, which guides visitors through the country’s rich history from the Bronze Age to late medieval times, showcasing icons and other ecclesiastical treasures as well as rare finds from excavations in the surrounding area. History lesson done, cross Kutaisi Park to the Opera House, adorned with classical statues. Take one of the bridges to the other side of the river and climb the steep cobbled streets to Kutaisi’s star attraction, Bagrati Cathedral, built in 1003. The vast, green-domed church is a masterpiece of medieval Georgian architecture and offers great vistas of the city and beyond. You can also find the ruins of a 6th-century palace-citadel nearby. How about some Soviet nostalgia? A relic from a bygone age, Kutaisi’s 1960s cable car invites you on a journey back in time. Offering scenic views, the squeaky ride takes you from the historic centre (the station is near the White Bridge) to the amusement park in Besik Gabashvili Park.
A taste of Georgia
Food is a national passion in Georgia. Thanks to the country’s location on ancient trade routes, local cuisine fuses flavours, aromas and textures from near and far. There’s considerable regional variation though, with Mediterranean and Turkish influences dominating in the west and Middle Eastern and Asian characteristics becoming stronger as you move east. Just a heads-up: guests are considered a gift from God in this country, so prepare yourself (and your waistline) for a feast. Local favourites include the cheese-filled pie called khachapuri (it comes in all sorts of forms depending on the region), steamed khinkali dumplings stuffed with meat, cheese or vegetables and fragrant chakapuli stews made with lamb or beef. Palaty offers traditional dishes in a quirky setting, with live music in the evening, or choose laid-back Gardenia for dinner with a river view. Baraqa is widely considered the best place for khachapuri – start with the boat-shaped variety from the western region of Adjara known as acharan khachapuri, oozing with melted cheese and topped with a runny egg. Fancy something different? Head to Bikentia’s Kebabery, a local institution, which has no menu but serves a cheap combo meal of kebabs in tomato sauce, fresh bread and lemonade or beer. Don’t expect anything fancy: here, you’ll be eating standing up at a wooden shelf along the wall. Oh, and don’t leave town without visiting Kutaisi’s market, filled with spices and herbs, fruit and veg, cheeses and meats. Be sure to try churchkhela, a string of nuts coated in thickened grape syrup.
The birthplace of wine
As any Georgian will proudly tell you, wine production was born in this corner of the world some 8000 years ago. Today the country is home to over 500 indigenous grape varieties, including endangered types found nowhere else on the planet. Fun fact: Georgian winemakers had been making natural wines long before the notion became all the buzz. Wine is traditionally fermented in clay amphorae, buried underground (who needs barrels?), with the grape skin on. This gives white wines an orange tint and results in tannic, strong flavours. Sapere, near Besik Gabashvili Park, is a good place to start your wine education, with English-speaking staff and tasty cheese platters. Alternatively, book a table at the family-run Toma’s Wine Cellar, which doubles as one of the best restaurants in town for home-made flavours. Ready for more? Join a wine-tasting tour of nearby wineries, organised by local tour companies.
Caves, monasteries, canyons and more
Kutaisi makes a great jumping-off point for discovering the surrounding Imereti region. Take a marshrutka (minibus) to Gelati Monastery, a World Heritage-listed church complex and royal resting place, eight kilometres from Kutaisi. Founded in 1106, Gelati’s churches stand on a grassy hillside, harbouring stunning frescoes that are softly illuminated by the light through the windows. Combine your outing with a visit to the nearby Motsameta Monastery, overlooking a picturesque bend of the Tskhaltsitela River. How about following in the footsteps of the largest species to ever walk the Earth? Just 10 kilometres from Kutaisi, the thick forests of Sataplia Nature Reserve hide 120-million-year-old dinosaur footprints. Choose the main visitor route for stunning views and descend to a cave with an underground river. A bit further away, Prometheus Cave is also worth a look, featuring large chambers, an underground lake and wonderful stalactites and stalagmites. Legend has it that the rock Prometheus was chained to is also in this cave. You can test your fear of heights in Okatse Canyon, complete with a 700-metre-long walkway that runs alongside a cliff above a 100-metre-deep canyon. If you have time, add the nearby Kinchkha waterfall onto your itinerary. Want to go the full hog? Round off your day trip with a visit to Martvili Canyon and jump in a boat down the deep gorge to marvel at the oh-so-green water. Are the Caucasus mountains calling your name? Head to the ancient Svaneti region, where pigs and cows range free in picturesque villages, with 4000-metre-plus peaks looming in the background. Dotted with defensive stone towers, this mysterious and breathtakingly beautiful land is so remote that it’s never been conquered. Mestia is an excellent base for hikes or make your way to Ushguli, Europe’s highest permanently inhabited settlement, sitting under Mount Shkhara, Georgia’s highest peak at 5,193 metres.
Kutaisi airport
Located 14 kilometres west of Kutaisi, David the Builder Kutaisi International Airport is connected to the city by marshrutkas operated by Georgian Bus. Taxis and car rental options are also available. The recently renovated single-terminal airport has cafés, a duty-free shop and kiosks, plus plenty of comfy seats for a snooze.
Kutaisi weather
Kutaisi has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, dry summers and snowy, chilly winters. If you’re looking to stay in the city and the lowlands, the best time to visit is from April to June and September to mid-October. July and August often see temperatures climb to 40°C in Kutaisi, but it’s the ideal season for hiking high up in the mountains or swimming and sunbathing on the Black Sea coast. Winter brings plenty of snow, so pack your skis.
Kutaisi Airport
Kutaisi International Airport is located 14 km west of Kutaisi, the third-largest city in Georgia. It is the capital of the Imereti region. It is one of three international airports in Georgia, alongside those in Tbilisi and Batumi. The terminal of this airport is made in the pavilion style with an ‘umbrella’-like construction to ensure smooth passenger flows. It is a low-cost hub that is highly important for Georgia and its neighbourhood. All this makes the well-built and strategically located Kutaisi International Airport an important entry point for travellers to Georgia. The four ways to get from Kutaisi Airport to Kutaisi are by bus, taxi, car, or town car. The recommended option is the minibus; the minibus takes 30 minutes. The fastest way to get there is driving, with a time of 24 minutes. Other options include a taxi, which takes 24 minutes, or a town car, which takes 25 minutes. There are 124 parking spaces at the airport, including ones for disabled persons.
FAQs for booking flights to Kutaisi
How to get cheap flights to to Kutaisi?
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When is the best time to visit Kutaisi?
Kutaisi has a humid subtropical climate characterised by a hot and dry summer, and a cold and snowy winter. The best time to visit is during late spring (April-June), and early autumn (September-mid-October). This is because this period experiences more moderate weather and colourfully blooming landscapes. There are fewer crowds and the weather is mild during spring and autumn.
During the summer months (June-August), temperatures frequently exceed 40°C, making it ideal for mountain hikes or beach activities along the Black Sea coastline. Winter (December-February) is perfect for skiing because of the intensive amount of snowfall. The peak tourist season from June to August (summer) sees more crowds and higher prices, while November is quieter and cheaper. Large festivals include the July International Short Film Festival. Along with many other cultural events throughout the year, which make Kutaisi an interesting place for various activities.
How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Kutaisi flight?
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