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City in Imereti, Georgia
Photo: Roberto Strauss, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kutaisi is a city in the Rioni Region of Georgia. The city is very cinematographic and charming, and a visit to Kutaisi is almost mandatory to see the Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites and offer views from the mountain slopes over the city and the Rioni River.
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Ancient church that was built in the 11th century by King Bagrat III, a symbol of a unified Georgia. Foundations of an earlier building have been found. Blown up by marauding Islamic invaders in the 18th century, then carefully restored over the last 100 years; the interior is also almost completed. The difference between original and replacement is clearly obvious. The ongoing reconstruction aimed at returning Bagrati Cathedral back to its original state as a religious space has led ICOMOS to recommend that it should be left as a ruin and added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in danger. The site has since been removed from the World Heritage Sites list. There are headscarves for women available by the entrance.
Completed in 2012. It was one of the most prestigious projects of President Mikheil Saakashvili to relocate the parliament from Tbilisi to Kutaisi. However, the relocation of Parliament is cancelled by the new government Ivanishvili. In what way this new €50 million building will be used is still unclear.
Over the river Rioni, known by the bridge Springer scene in the movie "Neobyknovennaja Vystavka"
The museum displays the collection across 10 rooms, over two floors. Some displays also have QR codes that send you to YouTube for some additional info.
with English signs like "pottery shreds" offering very little in-depth information
Houses collections of the 19th- and 20th-century artists.
მოწამეთა
An 11th-century monastery richly decorated with frescoes. On a ridge in between an impressive mountainous region. Has far less tourists than Gelati, but often considered the more beautiful one, due to its interesting location. From along the train tracks you might be able to get a better picture with the hills around the monastery than from within the monastery..
გელათის მონასტერი
One of the few secular monuments of the medieval Georgian kingdom, located on the banks of the River Rioni. It is well preserved and developed for tourism. It's not protected anyhow and thus it's free to enter.
ვანი
one of the most important cities of antique Colchi, from 8th-6th century BC have been discovered. The city was destroyed in the 1st century AD.
Three main attractions of the reserve - a pavilion with well-preserved dinosaur footprints, karst cave and glass balcony - an observation deck on top of the mountain Sataplia (highest point of the reserve). However, the guides are unsatisfactory since they either only speak Russian or give little information. Read the online reviews before heading here.
They play soccer in Erovnuli Liga, the top tier, with a split spring / autumn playing season. The stadium is 3 km southwest of city centre; it was rebuilt in 2023 and has a capacity of 11,700.
Besides the decaying old building of the old sanatorium, there is this hotel which offers spa and mineral treatments, sauna and massages. Probably a good option when it's raining in Kutaisi.
Rather small but still nice botanical garden. Some trees has signs in English. There is also interesting chapel built inside the tree.
Besik Gabashvili Park
ქუთაისის ბულვარი, ბაღის კიდე
A great central location to rejuvinate, observe, meet, and plan.
Pionerta Park
Foe-Foe
Free Wi-Fi. Menu: speciality teas, and Georgian, European and Mediterranean dishes (main courses, soups, salads, crepes, sweets). This is an Althaus-brand tea houses, similar to the two in Tbilisi. It appears that this cafe is in the wide lobby of what was once an office building with multi-tier seating on the steps leading up to the office's main entrance. Floor-to-ceiling windows make watching passer-bys easy. Hip music, hippy vibe, tasty tea, decent food.
Local spot with delicious foods, eat standing at small wooden tables. Excellent and simple concept: one meal, beer or soft drink included for one price. The place is popular with locals.
Very good authentic Georgian restaurant. Mari is an amazing host. She is very attentive, caring, provides superb customer service. The food is amazing, just like homemade. Ask for their domestic wine.
Tasty spicy shawarma. Friendly service.
Seems to be the same owner as El Paso, hence similar dishes. But more like a pub for the evening though.
Excellent Georgian restaurant good for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Staff speaks English.
Specialising on Khinkali, but also has other Georgian dishes. Does not seem to charge the 10% service fee.
For an authentic experience, where only locals eat, try to go to this place. Do not expect much — it is a dukkan. There is no menu. You can order a tasty soup or khachapuri. Portions are really big. They speak only Georgian and Russian.
Traditional Irish bar, the first one in Kutaisi. Many draft beers including Guinness, good whiskey selection, live music nights, live sports.
Specializing in Rock music.
Associates itself with Bassiani.
Hip but not posh.
Meet the small family that runs the hostel. Spacious and quiet house. Residential area near a park and a shop. Accessible on foot from the main square. Minibus 34 passes close to the hostel.
თბილისის ქუჩა
Inexpensive hostel with great reviews. Near the center, colors bridges and just 25 min to the Bagrati Cathedral. Try Whatsapp for the best rates.
In the hostel Kutaisi you will be served by experienced people (English spoken). Amenities include free Wi-Fi, internet, linen, towels, shampoo, coffee, tea, cable TV, maps, different guide books, advice about Kutaisi and Georgia in general.
Run by a retired couple, a large room of their house serves as a dorm, two smaller private rooms are available. Theoretically one may stay to sleep only, alas one is very likely to be treated to the excellent fare the lady of the house serves up as well as the homemade wine the husband produces, i.e., if they like you, you are likely to be treated to one of those infamous Georgian welcomes, heavy on your liver. They will give you as much chacha, Georgian wine and Georgian food as you can handle. The food is all hand-made and freshly prepared. It is amazing, the hospitality is unparalleled and only the modesty of the facilities leaves anything to be desired. The beds are clean and the house is good by local standards, and the new bathroom was completed by summer 2011 in this friendly homestay. Free WiFi Internet is available, and there is a computer available for use.
Small, social hostel in a great location in the city. The owner is friendly and helpful. The hostel has a balcony which is great for relaxing and meeting other guests. All facilities are kept very clean. Book in advance! A year on since it opened it is now very popular.
Close to the city center.
საოჯახო სასტუმრო „გელათი“
5 rooms, 12 people.
14 comfortable rooms for 28 people.
16 comfortable rooms for 30 people.
43 comfortable rooms for 100 people.
Small hotel in the center. Clean, cozy rooms with narrow beds; wifi, A/C, heating. One of the few budget options in central Kutaisi.
tirifebi
31 air-conditioned guestrooms with separate bathrooms. Room service 24 hr. Complimentary full breakfast in the breakfast area. Multilingual staff, laundry facilities, free car parking, free wireless Internet access in all areas of the hotel.
28 comfortable rooms, 50 people.
სასტუმრო „იმპერიალი“
9 comfortable rooms, 18 people.
ასტუმრო „აიეტის სასახლე“. Aeetes Palace
13 rooms, 26 people
10 rooms for 24 people.
16 comfortable rooms with a maximum capacity of 32 people.
Village Market
In addition to fruits, vegetables, and whole chickens, natural, homemade red wine is sold in Kutaisi's market, bottled in re-used plastic soda pop containers (from 2 lari a bottle). Look for a row of sellers in the first floor of a shabby building not far from the sellers on the street; the wine seller is on one end of this building in a walk-up stall.
By train
While private drivers and transport from Tbilisi are available (Mtskheta and Gori are day trips from Tbilisi and back), the Tbilisi-Kutaisi train route offers a good backbone for a tour of Georgia…
By marshrutka
By bus
No. 1 city bus is a useful circular route (both clockwise and anticlockwise direction) linking the main city square, Kutasi I (main train station), and Kutaisi II (bus station).
By train
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