One of the oldest and largest cities in western Georgia is Kutaisi. Acquaintance and local attractions.

Kutaisi is a provincial city. There is beautiful nature, clean mountain air, quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The old part of the city can be bypassed and briefly examined in five hours.

The Bagrat Temple, located on Ukemerion Hill, is visible from anywhere in the city. This is the main attraction of Kutaisi, built back in 1003. The last reconstruction of the temple was carried out in 2012. There is a glass elevator installed there, which many people do not like. A staircase leads to the temple from the city center.

The Golden Tent is the summer residence of the Imeretian kings. It is located near the White Bridge, on the river bank, next to the lower station of the cable car.

The exact date of construction is unknown, mention of it is found in the sources of the XV century. To date, only the Small Palace has been preserved.

You can get here by cable car, which starts from Bessarion Gabashvili Park, or by bus routes 1, 19 and 22.

It was built in the XII century by King David the Builder. This is one of the brightest monuments of medieval Georgia, which in ancient times was the center of science and culture. Fragments of ancient frescoes have been preserved here.

The monastery is under UNESCO protection. The Gelati complex includes a three-tiered bell tower, a refectory and a huge library. The monastery is located 9 km from Kutaisi. You can get there by taxi or by minibus from the center, from Marie Brosse Street.

Built in the XI century. He is standing over a cliff, on the bank of the river. According to legend, Georgian princes Mheidze were executed at this place in 740. They refused to convert to Islam, for which they were deprived of their lives. The princes are canonized, their relics are in the monastery.

There is a lot of greenery around the building, and from the cliff on which the monastery is located, there is a stunning view of the surrounding nature!

It is located ten kilometers from Kutaisi. It attracts tourists with preserved dinosaur footprints and skeletons. Also here you can visit a small karst cave, smaller in size than the Prometheus cave.

Travelers are attracted here by the observation deck made of glass, which is located on the top of Mount Satapli and hangs over the abyss. You can get to the reserve from the central city market by minibus No. 45.

It is located twenty kilometers from Kutaisi and is considered the largest karst cave in Georgia. Its length is eleven kilometers.

Entrance to the cave is paid — 7 lari (≈ 2.3 $). On the underground lake, for an additional fee, you can take a boat ride.

To get to the Prometheus Cave, you need to get from Kutaisi to Tskaltubo, using a minibus that regularly departs from McDonald's, located near the bus station, and pay 1 GEL for travel.

And already from Tskaltubo to get to the cave by minibus or taxi, paying a fare from 5 to 15 lari. If you decide to stay in Kutaisi for a few days, we advise you to visit the canyons in the vicinity of the city.

There is a developed network of cafes and restaurants in Kutaisi, so there is always a place where you can have a delicious lunch or dinner.

The Bar-Restaurant Palaty, located in the city center, deserves attention. It is located on Pushkin Street. It is always crowded here, and this indicates a good reputation of the institution. In the evening, you can listen to live music here.

Cafe Rennes is located in the city center, on Agmashenebeli Square, opposite the Colchis Fountain. This is a cafe of European cuisine, there are few Georgian dishes on the menu, but there are a lot of Georgian wines.

In the same area, behind the Drama Theater there is a beer bar — Pub Barca. Delicious khinkali and lobio are served here.

On the White Bridge you will find the restaurant Tetri Kvebi ("White Stones"). Here you can sit on the outdoor terrace and enjoy the view of the river. Visitors note that delicious coffee is brewed in this restaurant and wonderful desserts are prepared.

Not far from the train station, on Agmashenebeli Street, there is Caffe El Paso, and the Enso Pub on Queen Tamara Street. Caffe El Paso is a great place to cook khinkali and khachapuri. And the Enso pub is considered the most youthful place in Kutaisi. Tables here are replaced by cable coils, napkins are fixed in old cassettes. More often it is visited by locals, not tourists.

For tourists who decide to stay in Kutaisi for a few days, there are good options where you can stay.

For example, the Sun Guest House, located at 2 Bagrati Street. It has its own winery and wine cellar. The cost of a double room will cost about 14 euros (≈ 37 lari).

Approximately the same cost of living in the Luxe Kutaisi hostel, which is located at 10A Iraklia Abashidze Street.

The windows of the Green Flower Guest House on Gelati Street, 101 offer beautiful views of the city. The price of a double room is approximately 18 euros (≈ 47.5 lari).