The biggest tourist destination in Georgia by far is the capital, Tbilisi, And while it’s a fantastic city, I’m really glad I managed to see more of the country! I started off my trip in Georgia by flying in to Kutaisi, in the western part of Georgia (want to see more? Check out my post with 20 Photos To Convince You To Visit Georgia!). This was mainly because the cheapest budget airline flight from the UK to Georgia was to Kutaisi! You can find my budget breakdown on how much this trip to the Caucasus cost here! But there’s plenty to keep you busy in Kutaisi for a day or two. Here are 9 things to do on a trip to Kutaisi!

What To Do In Kutaisi

1) Colchis Fountain and Main Square

This huge fountain is one of the main attractions in Kutaisi, and with good reason! It’s located in the heart of the city, and is really the main square of the city center. The fountain is made up of horses and chariots. It got its name because Kutaisi was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Colchis, from the 5^th-6^th centuries BC!

2) Visit the Market

While the market itself isn’t all that exciting (although it was the first time I’ve ever had the chance to weigh myself on a set of scales on the side of the street!), the building that houses the market should not be missed on a trip to Kutaisi. One side of the building is a beautiful red-bronze carving/sculpture from the Soviet era.

3) Admire the views from Bagrati Cathedral

Some of the best views in Kutaisi are from Bagrati Cathedral, located on top of a hill overlooking the city. This is definitely one of the best panorama shots in Kutaisi! The cathedral itself is also well worth a visit. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally built in 11^th century, and underwent extensive renovation in the 1950s.

4) Visit St. George’s Church

If you’ve walked all the way up to see Bagrati Cathedral, don’t miss the church on the hill just in the distance, St. George’s Church. It’s much smaller, quieter, and literally empty of tourists. The only people I saw there was a priest sitting on his smartphone outside, and this lady who was doing the upkeep. This interior is ornate and colorful, so I definitely recommend popping in!

5) Take the Cable Car up to the amusement park

The Cable Car only costs 1 lari each way, and is definitely an experience you should have in Kutaisi! I did think I was going to die (the whole thing shook when I got in), but it was really cool and gave some amazing views. You can do it both ways, like I did, or you can opt to walk up/down one day. There’s an amusement park at the top that, while a bit dated, seemed to be popular with kids.

6) See the statues on top of the Opera

The Opera in Kutaisi is easily recognizable from around town due to the statues of artists, singers, etc. on top of the building! I hadn’t noticed it until I spotted the statues from Bagrati Cathedral, but it’s well worth a quick stop.

7) Admire the graffiti off Tsisperi Kantselebi Street

If Kutaisi has a hipster, artsy area, this is it. Most of the buildings are covered in graffiti, which makes for great photos! My favorite graffiti was this Harry Potter graffiti, with the Deathly Hallows, “Always,” and Snape’s doe. It’s located in an alleyway off Tsisperi Kantselebi Street, just south of the school (Public School No. 1). This place is between the school and the bottom of the cable car. You can also enter from Tsminda Nino Street.

8) Eat at Baqara

If you’re looking for good traditional Georgian food, look no further than Baqara! With an excellent location right on the main square, this place will meet all your khachapuri and khinkali needs. They have menus in English, and quite a lot of the staff speak great English too. This was my first khachapuri (of many) during my trip to Georgia, and it was worth it!

9) See the Georgian Parliament Building

This building is located just outside the city center. But as the legislative center in Georgia, you should certainly visit if you have time! The building opened in 2012, replacing the old Parliament in Tbilisi. The building is on the former site of a World War II memorial.

The Basics

Kutaisi is the second-largest city in Georgia, after the capital Tbilisi. The population is 178,000, while the population of Georgia is roughly 3.91 million. The currency is Georgian Lari (GEL), which is very affordable for those with dollars, pounds, or euros. With an influx of budget airline flights now coming in to Kutaisi’s airport, the city has become much more popular with travelers. WizzAir flies direct to/from Kutaisi and London Luton in the UK! Kutaisi is also a popular base for exploring nearby areas such as Prometheus Cave, Gelati and Motsameta Monasteries, Okatse and Martvili Canyons, Tskaltubo (an old Soviet spa town), and Chiatura (famous for its Soviet-era cable cars). A marshrutka ride to Tbilisi takes about 4 hours and costs 10 lari.

How To Get Around

Most of Kutaisi’s city center is walkable, although it is a bit of a trek up to Bagrati Cathedral. You can take the cable car between the main part of town, and the top of the hill. Marshrutkas (shared minibuses) are very popular, cheap, and frequent. Marshrutka route #1 runs in a circle through the city center to the marshrutka station by the McDonalds—rides cost 50 tetri (half of 1 lari). Taxis are always an option, although agree on a price before getting in.

Where I Stayed

I stayed at Temi Hostel for my two nights in Kutaisi. The owner was really helpful in arranging an airport pick-up for us, as we were arriving after midnight (the transfer cost 30 lari). There was excellent air conditioning in the common room of the hostel, although it didn’t work great in our private room. There were just a few other (dorm) rooms, a kitchen, and a balcony that was nice for hanging out. Temi Hostel was also home to one of the cutest hostel kittens I’ve ever seen!! I’d stay here again.

With so many budget airlines now flying in and out of Kutaisi, I think the city will get a lot more popular in the next few years! There’s a lot more to see in the region than I was able to explore in my limited time. But there certainly are some cool bits of Kutaisi to discover in the city itself!

You might also like my posts:

44 Awesome Things You Must Do In Tbilisi: A Complete Guide To The Georgian Capital

How Much Does It Cost To Travel The Caucasus And Istanbul For 2.5 Weeks?

20 Photos To Convince You To Visit Georgia

Have you ever been to Kutaisi or Georgia before? What were your favorite things to see? Share away in the comments below!

Like this post? Pin it for later!