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Major city · Georgia

Kutaisiქუთაისი

Use Kutaisi as a base for Imereti's caves and monasteries rather than a destination in itself, especially if you're flying in on a low-cost carrier; two nights work well before heading to Tbilisi or Batumi.

Weather
see forecast
Best months
Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct: mild temperatures and lower rainfall than winter
avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid in the valley), Dec–Feb (Imereti's wettest and coldest months, and some canyon walkways close)
Airport
KUT
Nights
2
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 6The Armenia–Azerbaijan and Armenia–Türkiye land borders a…Georgia treats entry to Abkhazia or South Ossetia from Ru…Do not plan travel to Abkhazia or South Ossetia
  • Caucasus ↗The Armenia–Azerbaijan and Armenia–Türkiye land borders are closed; any route that crosses them is not a route, however short it looks.
  • Caucasus ↗Georgia treats entry to Abkhazia or South Ossetia from Russia as illegal; entering that way can mean arrest or a ban when you next reach Georgia proper.
  • Georgia ↗Many passports enter visa-free for a long stay; if yours needs a visa, apply only on the official e-visa portal.
  • Georgia ↗Do not plan travel to Abkhazia or South Ossetia: crossing their boundary lines from Georgian-controlled land is treated as illegal entry, and many governments advise against it.
  • Georgia ↗In Orthodox churches women cover their heads and shoulders and wear a skirt or a wrap; men remove hats and avoid shorts.
  • Georgia ↗Carry Georgian lari in small notes for minibuses, markets and the metro card; cards work in most Tbilisi cafés and shops but not everywhere outside the capital.

Kutaisi is Georgia's third-largest city, in the west of the country and one of its oldest, with roots going back over 3,000 years. It has a UNESCO-listed cathedral, a lively central market and a compact, walkable centre split by the Rioni River. Day trips reach canyons, caves and monastery sites across the Imereti region.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Kutaisi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Bagrati Cathedral, an 11th-century UNESCO World Heritage siteGelati Monastery's medieval frescoes, a short drive out of townPrometheus Cave's illuminated chambersGreen Bazaar's produce and spice stallsOkatse Canyon and Kinchkha waterfall day trips
Airports
KUT David the Builder Kutaisi International (About 20 km from the centre; buses and taxis run on flight schedules)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Kutaisi: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The centre is compact and walkable. Taxis and marshrutkas reach Gelati Monastery, Prometheus Cave and the Imereti canyons, though schedules for the latter are informal — ask your guesthouse to confirm times. Trains and buses connect Kutaisi to Tbilisi (about 4 hours) and Batumi (about 2–3 hours).

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

City centre

Walkable to cafes, the Green Bazaar market and the Rioni riverbank.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Watch out

Safety

Kutaisi has low crime and is straightforward for independent travel; the main planning risk is informal transport schedules to the canyons and caves.
  • Canyon walkways and cave tours can close after heavy rain or in winter; check conditions before planning a day trip.
  • Marshrutka (shared minibus) schedules are informal and rarely posted online; ask locally or at your accommodation the day before.
  • The airport is popular with European low-cost carriers, so taxis and buses can be in short supply right after a flight lands; book a transfer in advance if possible.

Emergency numbers

General emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
112

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kutaisi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct: mild temperatures and lower rainfall than winter · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid in the valley), Dec–Feb (Imereti's wettest and coldest months, and some canyon walkways close)
  2. 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast
  4. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Georgia

Sources