An increasingly common starting point for visits to Georgia, Kutaisi is having its moment in the sun. Kutaisi is a smaller, quieter, more old-fashioned place to explore than the bustling capital Tbilisi, but also one that has plenty to offer visitors. Seeing the medieval treasures that are Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery are the most famous things to do in Kutaisi—but if you wander along its pretty riverfront and indulge in the city's local delicacies and wines, you'll find there's little chance of boredom.
Avoid the extreme weather of the summer and winter seasons and visit Kutaisi during the fall, from late September to October, or spring, from April to early June. Kutaisi enjoys nice fall foliage and spring blossoms, so these times of year let you see the city at its most colorful. Going in the spring also allows you to catch Gviriloba, a festival in early May that celebrates the city of Kutaisi with local markets and dance and music performances.
Options are limited for getting around Kutaisi, so you’ll find yourself walking most places. That said, the city does have a local bus network, with the No. 1 bus route especially useful for getting between several of Kutaisi’s points of interest, including its bus and train stations. Taxis and the rideshare service Bolt can help you get around and reach outer attractions such as Gelati Monastery and Motsameta Monastery.
Visit the Green Bazaar near the Rioni River to get a sense of local life in Kutaisi and pick up local snacks. Look for churchkhela, a sausage-shaped string of nuts covered in a grape/fruit coating. During your time in Kutaisi, you’ll also find that the local version of khachapuri looks vastly different than the boat-shaped stuffed bread you may have encountered before in Georgia. Instead, local Imeretian khachapuri are round, with their toppings hidden within their crust.
