←Georgia travel guide
Imereti, Georgia
Kutaisi
Medieval monasteries, cave wonders, and a UNESCO-listed cathedral
CultureHistory & HeritageNature & Outdoors
Kutaisi, in the Imereti region of western Georgia, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Caucasus and serves as the gateway to several of the country's most celebrated sites. The city's own centrepiece, the partially ruined Bagrati Cathedral, stands on a hilltop alongside the complete and working Gelati Monastery complex, both inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Best time to visit
May to September
Region
Imereti
Main airport
Kutaisi KUT (KUT)
Beyond the City
Day Trips from Kutaisi
Nature
Prometheus Cave
Prometheus Cave, near Kutaisi in western Georgia, is the country's largest known cave system, formed in limestone over tens of millions of years and extending for at least 22 mapped chambers. Visitors walk a 1.8-kilometre illuminated route through six halls containing dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations, underground rivers, and translucent lakes, with an optional boat journey along a subterranean waterway at the tour's conclusion.
UNESCO World HeritageCulture
Gelati Monastery
A masterpiece of medieval Georgian architecture near Kutaisi, Gelati Monastery was founded in the 12th century by King David the Builder and is renowned for its golden mosaics, frescoes and role as a leading centre of learning.
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Plan Your Trip
Getting Around Kutaisi
Tours, stays, transfers, and flights — curated partner options are on the way.
Tours & Activities
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and day experiences — curated partner options are on the way.
Coming soonWhere to Stay
Hotels, apartments, and guesthouses across every neighbourhood — booking options are on the way.
Coming soonAirport Transfers
Private and shared rides between the airport and the city centre — partner options are on the way.
Coming soonFlights
Compare fares from hundreds of airlines to find the best route in — search options are on the way.
Coming soonTravel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Georgia
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Georgia page at Yoogo.
Georgia's currency is the Georgian Lari (GEL), divided into 100 tetri. ATMs are widely available in Tbilisi and Batumi, cards are accepted at most hotels and larger restaurants, but cash is essential in rural areas, guesthouses, and for marshrutka minibus fares.
Georgia is generally considered a safe destination, with violent crime against tourists being rare and the country ranking favourably on international safety indices. The Russian-occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are subject to travel warnings from multiple governments and should be avoided.
Tbilisi has a metro, city buses, and app-based taxis such as Bolt, making the capital easy to navigate affordably. Intercity travel relies on marshrutka minibuses departing from central stations in each town, with shared taxis and private hire also widely available for reaching mountain destinations like Stepantsminda.
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing across the country. Summer is the only season when high mountain passes and trekking routes in the Greater Caucasus are fully accessible, though popular destinations become busier and prices rise.
Georgian is the official language, with Russian widely spoken among older generations. English proficiency is growing steadily, particularly among younger people in Tbilisi and Batumi's tourist areas, though in rural regions and smaller towns some Russian or a translation app may prove useful.
Standard travel vaccinations including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid are commonly recommended for Georgia, and rabies vaccination is advisable for longer stays or travellers who may encounter animals. As of January 2026, Georgia requires all arriving foreign visitors to hold valid health and accident insurance as a condition of entry.
Tipping is not deeply embedded in Georgian culture, but it is appreciated in tourist-facing settings. A 10 per cent tip is a reasonable gesture at restaurants where no service charge is already included, while rounding up taxi fares or leaving a small amount at guesthouses is welcomed but not obligatory.
eSIMs are widely supported in Georgia, with providers such as Airalo offering data plans starting from a few US dollars for short visits. Coverage is strong in Tbilisi, Batumi, and along main highways, though signal can be limited in remote mountain valleys.