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.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Kutaisi is the traditional rival of Tbilisi for capital status. Since the days of the Golden Fleece, Kutaisi has been considered the capital of Western Georgia (then Ancient Colchis). It is Georgia's third largest city (after Tbilisi and Batumi), but, to the irritation of the proud locals, it does not come even close to Tbilisi's present size and wealth. Nevertheless, Kutaisi is more respectful of pedestrians than Tbilisi. Its sidewalks are generally even and flat with very few cars parked on them, whereas in Tbilisi pedestrians are often forced into the streets because of cars sitting on sidewalks.
The interesting parts of the town are walkable. To visit the monasteries in the mountains nearby booking a day-tour may be a time-saving option. 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). 0.40-0.50 lari, pay the driver at exit, change given. From Kutasi II (bus station), clockwise direction (to the left, cross the road from McDonald's) is the faster route to the city centre. Note each direction takes slightly different route on the centre of the city (east side of the river).
1 Bagrati Cathedral (former UNESCO World Heritage site), Bagrati Street (on foot, from Kutsaisi Park (Central Garden), cross the river on the Nino Street bridge. Over the bridge, turn right, cross the street, and look for the stairs that go up the hill. At the top of the hill follow Bagrati Street to the right). 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.
Football: 1 FC Torpedo Kutaisi, Ramaz Shengelia Stadium, ☏ +995 551 511154. 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. (updated Dec 2024) 2 Tskaltubo Spa Resort, 23, Rustaveli ave., Tskaltubo, ☏ +995 599-091610, info@ghs.ge. 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. 30 lari for a full treat. (updated Sep 2019) 3 Lado Meskhisvili Theater, Gelati Street. Puppet Theater.
Kutaisi has quite a number of decent restaurants. They are mainly in the city center, but a bit spread out, so just walk around to find what you're looking for. In the city center is a US fast food chain which is less common worldwide: 1 Wendy's. 2 Tea House Foe-Foe (Foe-Foe), Rustaveli St. 5 (Across the street from the Kutaisi opera building), ☏ +995 577577533, althaustea1@gmail.com. 10:00-00:00. 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.
Kutaisi does not have a great bar or club culture like Tbilisi, but you can check out the following: 1 Mary's Irish Pub Kutaisi, 15 Galaktion Tabidze St, ☏ +995 555131909, marys.kutaisi@gmail.com. 14:00-01:00. Traditional Irish bar, the first one in Kutaisi. Many draft beers including Guinness,good whiskey selection, live music nights, live sports. 15-30. (updated May 2023) 2 Old Galeon (at the Red Bridge). Specializing in Rock music. (updated Sep 2019) 3 Reflector. Saturdays. Associates itself with Bassiani. (updated Sep 2019) 4 Bude Records (southeast of Kutaisi II). Opens Friday at 23:45. Hip but not posh. (updated Sep 2019)
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Kutaisi typically sees ~30°C daytime highs and 17 rainy days.
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