Kutaisi, Prometheus Cave and Tskaltubo: A Day in Imereti from Batumi
An 11th-century cathedral above Georgia's ancient royal city, a cave full of stalactites and the faded grandeur of a Soviet spa town — Imereti is one of the richest day trips you can take from Batumi.
Kutaisi, Georgia's third city, was once the capital of ancient Colchis and later of the medieval kingdom of Georgia. A little to the north, Prometheus Cave and the old spa town of Tskaltubo make it easy to fill a whole day in the region of Imereti.
Here is how we plan the day.
Bagrati Cathedral
On Ukimerioni hill above the Rioni river stands Bagrati Cathedral, built in the early 11th century under King Bagrat III, the first king of a united Georgia. The cathedral was badly damaged in the late 17th century and restored in recent decades; it is again an active church.
From the terrace in front of it the whole city spreads out below, with the Caucasus foothills behind.
The centre: Colchis Fountain and White Bridge
In the central square, the Colchis Fountain is decorated with enlarged copies of golden figures found by archaeologists in ancient Colchian sites — a reminder that this is the land of the Golden Fleece.
A short walk away, the White Bridge crosses the Rioni with views over the river and the old houses on its banks. Kutaisi's central market, a few streets away, is a good place to try local cheese and spices.
Prometheus Cave
North of Kutaisi, Prometheus Cave is one of the largest show caves in Georgia. A walkway leads through a chain of halls with stalactites, stalagmites and underground rivers, lit in changing colours.
The temperature inside stays cool all year, so bring a light jacket even in summer.
Tskaltubo: the Soviet spa town
Tskaltubo became famous in Soviet times for its mineral waters, and grand sanatoriums with colonnades and ballrooms were built around a large central park. After 1991 most of them closed.
Today the park and its bathhouses are pleasant for a walk, while the abandoned sanatoriums — some of them overgrown palaces — are a favourite of photographers. Look from the outside: the buildings are not maintained, and some are still lived in.
Martvili Canyon instead?
If you prefer nature to cities, the same region offers Martvili Canyon with its turquoise water and boat rides, and Okatse Canyon nearby. Our tours combine these with Prometheus Cave or the black sands of Ureki.
Local tips
- Kutaisi is roughly two and a half hours from Batumi by road, so start early.
- Bring a light jacket for Prometheus Cave — it is cool inside all year.
- In Tskaltubo, photograph the sanatoriums from outside; don't enter unsafe buildings.
- Dress modestly for Bagrati Cathedral (shoulders covered, headscarf for women).
- Combine with Martvili Canyon if you prefer nature to city sights.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Kutaisi from Batumi?
About two and a half hours by road, which makes it a comfortable day trip.
Can you visit Prometheus Cave and Kutaisi in one day?
Yes. The cave is a short drive north of Kutaisi, and Tskaltubo is on the way.
Can you go inside the abandoned sanatoriums of Tskaltubo?
Some are open ruins, but they are not maintained and some are still inhabited. We recommend looking and photographing from outside.
What is Kutaisi known for?
It was the capital of ancient Colchis and of medieval Georgia. Bagrati Cathedral and the nearby Gelati Monastery are its best-known monuments.
