Bagrati, Gelati & Motsameta: Three UNESCO sites from Kutaisi

Three monasteries, one morning: Bagrati's panorama, Gelati's history, Motsameta's forest setting

A three-hour group tour from Kutaisi visiting three significant heritage sites: Bagrati cathedral, Gelati Monastery (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and Motsameta Monastery. The tour includes an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle transport to each stop, covering the most important cultural attractions in and around the city.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kutaisi's cultural heritage

• Drive to Bagrati Cathedral
• Visit Gelati Monastery complex
• Discover Motsameta Monastery

The experience

The tour starts at Bagrati cathedral, which sits on a hilltop overlooking Kutaisi and was built in the 11th century as a symbol of united Georgia. From there you move to Gelati Monastery, a 12th-century complex built by King David the Builder: the greatest ruler in Georgian history. The site contains three large churches, an academy, the grave of David the Builder himself, a bell tower, and the monks' houses, all arranged within the monastery grounds.

The final stop is Motsameta Monastery, built on a cliff and surrounded by river on three sides. The monastery is connected to the story of two brothers, David and Constantine Mkheidze, who were tortured there. The setting combines the architecture with the natural landscape: the forest and colors around the monastery are part of what makes the site distinct from the other two stops.

An English-speaking guide leads the entire route, and you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle between each location. The full tour runs three hours, which means all three sites fit into a single morning or afternoon block without rushing between them.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport between all three sites.
• entry to Bagrati cathedral, Gelati Monastery, and Motsameta Monastery.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Budget Georgia

Is this one for you?You'll visit all three major sites in one morning with a guide and shared transport, moving between them on a fixed schedule. Book this if you want the heritage sites covered efficiently without deciding which ones to prioritize or how to connect them.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Bagrati cathedral and why does it overlook Kutaisi?

Bagrati cathedral was built in the 11th century on a hilltop as a symbol of united Georgia, so it sits high above the city and offers panoramic views across Kutaisi from that vantage point.

Who built Gelati Monastery and what is inside the complex?

King David the Builder, Georgia's greatest medieval ruler, built Gelati Monastery in the 12th century. The complex contains three large churches, an academy, David's own grave, a bell tower, and the residential buildings where monks lived.

What makes Motsameta Monastery different from the other two stops?

Motsameta is built on a cliff and surrounded by river on three sides, so the natural setting (the forest and the water) is as much part of the site as the architecture itself. It is also connected to the story of two brothers, David and Constantine Mkheidze, who were tortured there.

How much time do we spend at each monastery?

The entire tour is three hours total across all three sites, with transport between them included, so the guide paces the stops to fit the full route into that window without lingering at any single location for an extended period.

Is the guide fluent in English and what vehicle will we travel in?

Yes, the guide speaks English throughout the tour. You travel between the three monasteries in an air-conditioned vehicle, which is included in the booking.