Good to know
Good to Know
- Kutaisi offers diverse natural landscapes with year-round thrills from canyoning and hiking to ski-touring and winter climbing, plus high-octane activities like rafting, mountain biking, offroading, and horse riding.
- Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the best times to visit Kutaisi with mild weather and vibrant landscapes; summer is ideal for exploring canyons and caves as caves get filled with water in other seasons.
- Caves in the region maintain a constant temperature of about 14°C (57°F), and are said to have healing properties for those suffering from respiratory problems.
- Most organized tours to natural attractions (canyons, caves, national parks) depart from Kutaisi and are accessible as day trips; tour operators routinely offer 24-hour cancellation policies.
- Hiking permits are required for some trails (e.g., Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park); obtain via visitor center.
- Seasonal water levels affect cave exploration; summer is optimal for maximizing cave accessibility and visibility.
Caves
Prometheus Cave (Kumistavi)
- Features
- Visitors encounter breathtaking views of stalactites, stalagmites, petrified waterfalls, underground rivers and lakes, with an underground light system filled with LED lights.
- Temperature
- 15-17°C (63°F)
- Entrance Fee
- Included in tour packages; separate entrance available
- Explored Length
- 1,060 m tourist route; total cave length 15,555 m
- Boat Ride Available
- Yes (280m underground lake)
- Notes
- Children must be 6 years or older to enter; moderate amount of walking with stairs is included.
- Description
- An 11-kilometre cave complex with a 1.4-kilometre walking trail located 20 kilometres (30 minutes) north-west of Kutaisi.
Sataplia Cave
- Features
- Dinosaur footprints, stalactites, stalagmites, heart-shaped stalagmite, museum, small restaurant
- Paleontology
- Famous for preserved dinosaur footprints dating back to the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 120 million years ago, believed to have been left by Satapliasaurus, a cousin of the T-rex.
- Special Features
- The most memorable feature is the glass-bottomed viewing platform creating a feeling of weightlessness over the abyss; at a height of over 700 meters, visitors can enjoy an incredible view of the city of Kutaisi.
- Distance From Kutaisi
- 10 km (20 minutes)
- Description
- Cave is 900 meters long, 10 meters high and 12 meters wide.
White Cave (Tetra Cave)
- Features
- Wine tasting, cool natural environment
- Location
- Near Tskaltubo, ~20 minutes from Kutaisi
- Description
- Cave with constant temperature of 14°C (57°F); offers wine tasting inside the cave.
Parks
Sataplia Nature Reserve
- Entrance Fee
- GEL 10
- Distance From City Center
- 7 km (10-20 minutes)
- Notes
- Tours start hourly from opening; glass platform closed during rainy/snowy weather; shoe covers required on platform.
- Description
- A nature reserve featuring karst caves with preserved dinosaur footprints dating back approximately 120 million years, a karst cave, a glass viewing platform overlooking the city at 700+ meters elevation, Colchis Forest trekking trail, and a museum.
Didebis Baghi (Memorial Park)
- Entrance Fee
- GEL 0.00
- Distance From City Center
- ~2 km from Colchis Fountain
- Description
- Small city park with war memorials, fountain, and monuments relevant to Kutaisi and Georgian history.
Youth Park
- Entrance Fee
- GEL 0.00
- Distance From City Center
- 3.5 km south along Chavchavadze Avenue
- Description
- Large park suitable for running, cycling, and skateboarding with designated skate area. Circumference approximately 1.4 km.
Hiking
7 miles (11.3 km)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Trail Name
- Kutaisi to Motsameta Monastery
- Elevation Gain
- 1,069 feet (326 m)
- Description
- Hiking trail connecting Kutaisi city to Motsameta Monastery with elevated terrain and free-roaming livestock.
Easy
- Terrain
- Not heavily trafficked; passes through surroundings of Kutaisi
- Trail Name
- Sataplia to Gumati Village
- Description
- Easy category trail connecting Sataplia Nature Reserve with the village of Gumati, offering views of Kutaisi surroundings.
Cycling
Bike Tours (City and Region)
- Providers
- Tandro Cycling Tours & Bike Rent (gravel bikes and electric bikes available)
- Highlights
- City center, Bagrati Cathedral (1 km from center), Colchis Fountain, Kutaisi Water Dam
- Tour Duration
- ~2 hours
- Description
- Guided bike tours exploring Kutaisi landmarks including Bagrati Cathedral and city center.
Mountain Biking
- Description
- The rugged terrain surrounding Kutaisi offers trails ranging from scenic forest paths to challenging downhill descents.
Cycling Routes
- Regional Cycling
- The Lesser Caucasus region south of Svaneti offers a great combination of beautiful scenery, challenging climbs, quiet routes and incredible historic sites. In 2024, cycling through the region from Kutaisi to Ninotsminda and into Armenia provided fantastic routes with very few tourists outside major attractions, with scenery nearly as spectacular as Upper Svaneti.
- Description
- The classic cycling route is a circle through the Upper Svaneti from the city of Kutaisi.
Water Sports
Rioni River (Flows Through Kutaisi)
- Activity
- Rafting
- Organized Tour Sample Price
- GEL 80
Group tour price per person from Kutaisi to Martvili Canyon, Okatse Canyon, and Prometheus Cave with transfers included (April-October)
- Description
- The Rioni River offers options ranging from moderate floats suitable for beginners to more challenging rapids for experienced rafters, with some of the best rafting experiences in Georgia.
Martvili Canyon (Day Trip)
- Activity
- Boat rides/rowing
- Distance From Kutaisi
- ~50 km (day trip)
- Description
- Martvili Canyon is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, cliffs, and lush greenery; visitors can row through these waters via raft amidst towering cliffs, and get close to the canyon's moss-covered walls and cascading waterfalls.
Prometheus Cave
- Activity
- Underground boat rides
- Description
- Explore Prometheus Cave 80 meters below ground, including the Hall of Love and underground boat rides through a 1.4 km length cave.
Kayaking & Canoeing
- Organized Availability
- Yes
- Description
- Available through tour operators in Kutaisi
Fishing & Fly Fishing
- Description
- Rivers and lakes around Kutaisi offer excellent opportunities for fishing, including fly fishing.
Winter Sports
Ski-touring and Mixed Climbing
- Status
- Developing/Emerging activity
- Description
- Imereti is emerging as a fantastic spot for winter adventures, with opportunities to organize ski-touring excursions discovering untouched powder and stunning winter landscapes; the rugged terrain also offers developing opportunities for winter mixed climbing.
Organized Tours
Summer group tour (Canyons & Caves)
- Includes
- Martvili Canyon, Okatse Canyon, Prometheus Cave with lunch at local restaurant
- Availability
- April-October
- Price Per Person
- GEL 80
- Note
- Transfers to/from Kutaisi included; entrance fees additional (~172 GEL plus lunch 20-30 GEL for total ~200 GEL)
Winter group tour (Caves & Nature Reserve)
- Includes
- Martvili Canyon, Sataplia Nature Reserve, Prometheus Cave (replaces Okatse)
- Availability
- November-March
- Price Per Person
- GEL 80
4-Day Pure Hike Tour
- Description
- Multi-day hiking tour visiting Okatse Canyon, Martvili Canyon, Prometheus Cave, Batumi, Mtirala National Park, Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, and Racha region with Shaori Lake.
Climbing And Canyoning
Rock Climbing
- Description
- Kutaisi boasts access to some of Georgia's premier climbing spots, with routes that challenge and excite climbers from seasoned pros to those looking to try something new.
Canyoning
- Season
- May-October
- Description
- Canyoning season in Georgia usually starts in May and lasts until October.
Main Canyons
Okatse Canyon
- Accessibility
- Sky walks available; steep climb option or taxi option
- Distance From Kutaisi
- Day trip
- Description
- Georgia's deepest canyon with exciting sky walks and hanging bridges accessible by a 6 km trek or off-road taxi.
Martvili Canyon
- Description
- Martvili is definitely the pick of the bunch as a canyon destination.
Sports Clubs And Leagues
Football
- Team
- FC Torpedo Kutaisi
- Status
- 4x Georgian Champion, 5x Georgian Cup Winner, 4x Georgian SuperCup Winner
Basketball
- Team
- BC Kutaisi
- League
- Georgian Super Liga
- Status
- Active professional team
Rugby
- Facility
- Aia Arena
- Description
- Rugby arena hosting professional/competitive play
General
- Facilities
- Multiple fitness clubs, gyms, tennis courts (near Ramaz Shengelia Stadium), table tennis and billiards rooms, karate clubs, sports complexes with modern equipment
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this nature, parks & outdoor activities research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.tripadvisor.com
- 2.alltrails.com
- 3.wikiloc.com
- 4.getyourguide.com
- 5.kutaisibasecamp.com
- 6.tripadvisor.com
- 7.wikiloc.com
- 8.cyclefiesta.com
- 9.thespiritofgeorgia.com
- 10.wander-lush.org
- 11.georgiantour.com
- 12.transfersgeorgia.com
- 13.viator.com
- 14.atworldsorigins.com
- 15.viajerosactivos.com
- 16.en.tripmydream.com
- 17.reinisfischer.com
- 18.tripadvisor.com
- 19.tripadvisor.com
- 20.veronikasadventure.com
- 21.tripadvisor.com
- 22.wise.com
- 23.wise.com
- 24.forbes.com
- 25.xe.com
- 26.madloba.info
- 27.instagram.com
- 28.sofascore.com
More About Kutaisi
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.