Guide to Kutaisi
A virtual tour of Kutaisi
Kutaisi is a city that often gets overlooked by tourists who quickly move on to Tbilisi, Batumi, or Borjomi. However, this is a mistake because Kutaisi has so much to offer!
The city was founded before the Common Era and served as the capital of the Kingdom of Colchis. While the ancient fortifications may not have survived to the present day, there are still many interesting historical sites to explore. It's no wonder that Kutaisi continues to hold great significance for Georgia and is considered the country's second capital.
With its rich and ancient history, Kutaisi boasts numerous fascinating places to visit. The main attractions include the Gelati architectural complex, which includes the Gelati Monastery of the Virgin, the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God, an academy, and a bell tower. Other notable sights include the Bagrati Cathedral, the White Bridge, the Sataplia Nature Reserve, and the Motsameta Monastery.
Photos of Kutaisi
Tours to Kutaisi
Kutaisi is a great option for true connoisseurs of cultural recreation. Here, travelers are waiting for a hospitable Georgian climate, dense vegetation and stormy waters of the Rioni River, which divides the city in half. Guests are also welcomed by many architectural monuments of different eras: from the early Middle Ages (for example, the Bagrat Cathedral) to the Soviet past (the reconstructed David the Builder Square). There are also buildings of the newest time in Kutaisi. Among these, the house of the Parliament, made in the form of a snail, stands out.
The must see of the city includes the unique gilded figurines of the Colchis Fountain, colored bridges across the Rioni River (White and Red), the local botanical garden, the Drama and Opera theatres. Traveling from Kutaisi in a day, you can see the natural sights of the surroundings - Vardzia and Sataplia caves, as well as Okatse and Martvili canyons. For those who are more interested in man-made monuments, excursions to the Gelati and Motsameta monasteries are provided.
Holidays in Kutaisi will cost significantly less than in Tbilisi and Batumi. The average cost of apartments per day is 40-60 USD per person. The city has many hostels, hotels and inns for every taste. Airplane tickets to Kutaisi are also much more profitable to buy than to other Georgian cities. The cheapest time to fly here is October, the most expensive - in December or May. tripmydream will help you choose the most profitable options for air tickets, hotels and excursions.
A standard package tour for seven days in Kutaisi (insurance, flight, accommodation, meals) ordered on the Internet for two adults will cost from 400 USD. The tour chosen by the agency will cost from 480 USD. Meals usually include only breakfast. Depending on the number of stars in the hotel and additional services, prices for such tours can reach 600 USD.
Interesting places in Kutaisi
There are plenty of significant places in Kutaisi, so be prepared to spend at least two days exploring the city. To make the most of your time and see the attractions efficiently, you can use our recommended itinerary for Kutaisi or simply book a guided city tour. Tripmydream has prepared a list of places that are worth visiting in this city.
Flight ticket prices
Kutaisi is one of Georgia's popular destinations, served by both budget and traditional airlines. The most affordable tickets are available from Wizz Air, which operates direct flights from Warsaw, Krakow, Berlin, and London. The lowest fares start at 50 EUR, but in high season (May to September), prices can rise to 150 EUR. From Paris and Madrid, flights to Kutaisi are usually with a layover, starting from 130 EUR.
There are also connecting flights from Amsterdam, Rome, and Vienna. To save money, booking in advance is recommended.
The best hotels in Kutaisi
In Kutaisi, you can find good places to stay for the night, even if you have a small amount of money. We are talking about hostels where you can spend the night, paying an average of 20 to 75 GEL (in a shared room or in a double room). The hostels are located in the center of Kutaisi and, according to the reviews of tourists who have already stayed there, many young people live in hostels and there is everything for a comfortable stay. The best of them are Kutaisi Hostel Center and a hostel with a name Kiev Kutaisi Hostel close to Kievans and all Ukrainians, and the atmosphere in it is in no way inferior to our usual hotels.
If you are traveling with a large family, then perhaps stop your choice at Central Apartments Kutaisi, located in the center of Kutaisi near Bagrati Temple. Here you can rent a spacious apartment from 100 GEL per day.
Travel budget
Let's calculate how much a five-day vacation for two in Kutaisi will cost on average in local currency. So, a flight for two will be 720 GEL, for 5 nights in a 3-star hotel you will need to pay 375 GEL, set aside 250 GEL for food, and you also need to leave money for travel and entertainment. In total, we get an approximate amount of 1500 GEL.
| The budget for a trip to Kutaisi | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | from 400 GEL | Accommodation | From 375 GEL in 5 days |
| Food | About 250 GEL | Transport fare | from 0.30 GEL |
| Excursion | from 30 GEL | ||
| Total: About 1375 GEL (625 USD) for 5 days for two people | |||
Kutaisi Airport
Renovated in 2012, Kutaisi International Airport named after David the Builder welcomes guests. You will find all the necessary information in this section.
Transfer to Kutaisi
Kutaisi Airport is located 14 km from the city, which can be reached by minibus or taxi. If you choose the second option, be sure to change the currency at the airport and pay with lari.
Car rental
You can rent a car right at the airport or at rental offices in the city (there are not many of them). The average cost of car rental is 120-170 GEL per day.
Public transport
Urban transport is represented by buses and minibuses. However, there is another interesting representative of Kutaisi transport - the cable car.
Safety in the city
Today, high-level security in Kutaisi is provided by the updated police, which keeps order in the city.