Kutaisi Day Trip from Tbilisi: 3 Landmarks in One Day

Three Western Georgia Landmarks in a Single Day

A private day trip from Tbilisi to Kutaisi takes you to three major sites: Bagrati Cathedral, a UNESCO-listed 10th-century landmark; Prometheus Cave, one of Europe's largest with stalactites, stalagmites, and illuminated chambers; and Martvili Canyon, where you ride a boat through turquoise waters between dramatic cliffs. The driver and guide handle the route and timing; hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Entry fees to the cave and canyon are paid separately at each site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Kutaisi's top attractions

• Explore Bagrati Cathedral
• Tour Prometheus Cave
• Enjoy Martvili Canyon boat trip

The Experience

The day starts with hotel pickup in Tbilisi and a drive west to Kutaisi, where Bagrati Cathedral sits on a hilltop overlooking the city. Built starting in the late 10th century under King Bagrat III, the first ruler of a united Georgia, it stands as both an architectural landmark and a symbol of Georgian history. From there, you move to Prometheus Cave, one of the largest in Europe, where the underground passages open into chambers lit to show off the formations—stalactites hanging from the ceiling, stalagmites rising from the floor, petrified waterfalls, and underground rivers and lakes. The cave is navigable for all fitness levels.

The final stop is Martvili Canyon, located 280 kilometers from Tbilisi in the Samegrelo region. The canyon's river runs deep green between high rock walls, and the main event is a boat trip down the Abasha River, where you drift past waterfalls and mountain scenery. The site was once a bathing place for Georgian nobility; now it draws visitors for the water and the views. The full day runs fourteen hours from pickup to drop-off, with the private vehicle and guide included throughout. If time allows, a short stop at Tskaltubo—an area of abandoned Soviet-era sanatoriums—can be added to the itinerary.

What’s included

• Private vehicle and driver throughout the day.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi.
• English-speaking guide.
• fuel surcharge.
• optional short stop at Tskaltubo if time permits.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by BB Georgia Travel

Is this one for you?Book this as a private tour when you want to see three major sites in one day without building the route, timing, or transport yourself—the fixed itinerary and included pickup mean the day stays on track from start to finish.

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Top questions

How long is the drive from Tbilisi to Kutaisi?

The day trip runs fourteen hours total from hotel pickup to drop-off, which includes the full drive, time at each of the three sites, and the return to Tbilisi. The drive itself takes several hours each way, with stops built into the schedule.

What is Bagrati Cathedral and why is it important?

Bagrati Cathedral is a UNESCO-listed monument overlooking Kutaisi, built starting in the late 10th century under King Bagrat III, who unified Georgia. It holds major significance in Georgian architectural and cultural history and sits as a landmark visible across the city.

What will I see inside Prometheus Cave?

Prometheus Cave is one of Europe's largest caves and features stalactites hanging from the ceiling, stalagmites rising from the floor, curtains of mineral deposits, petrified waterfalls, cave pearls, and underground rivers and lakes. The chambers are illuminated so the formations are clearly visible as you walk through.

What happens at Martvili Canyon?

Martvili Canyon is a natural gorge where the Abasha River runs between high cliffs with turquoise water. The main activity is a boat trip down the river, where you see waterfalls and mountain scenery from the water. The canyon was historically used as a bathing site by Georgian nobility.

What is included in the price, and what do I pay separately?

The tour includes private vehicle transport, the driver and guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, and fuel. Entry fees to Prometheus Cave (70 GEL per person) and Martvili Canyon (60 GEL per person) are paid separately at each site. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I add a stop to the itinerary?

Tskaltubo, an area of abandoned Soviet-era sanatoriums, can be added as a short stop if time allows during the day. This is optional and arranged with the guide based on the day's pace.