Tbilisi Podcast · Eat This! Food & Wine Tours Georgia

Things to do In Kutaisi - Imereti Attractions Part 1

·30 min·2 clips

Emily reveals why Kutaisi's city center, with its Colchis Fountain and Bagrati Cathedral, is a must-see for any visitor.

This episode focuses on attractions in and around Kutaisi, Georgia's second-largest city, with host Tom interviewing travel writer Emily Lush. Emily is a prominent blogger whose content frequently appears in searches about Georgian tourism. The conversation serves as the first part of a two-episode guide to the Imereti region. Emily's top recommendation is a self-guided walking tour of Kutaisi's compact historical center, highlighting the Green Bazaar agricultural market and the Colchis Fountain, which features gold ornament replicas from ancient burial sites. She emphasizes visiting the UNESCO-listed Gelati Monastery, a 15-20 minute drive from the city, and the nearby Motsameta Monastery for its picturesque forest setting. Key city landmarks include the Bagrati Cathedral for sunset views, a Soviet-era theater with a notable interior, and distinct bridges like the White Bridge over the Rioni River. The episode details specific districts, including a historic Jewish quarter with three synagogues and a Catholic quarter centered around the Church of Assumption. Interesting culinary spots include Sisters restaurant, known for Imeretian cuisine in a historic building, and Palati, which offers large tasting boards of local food. A unique, budget-friendly eatery called Iquentis serves only kebabs with spicy sauce and beer in a canteen-style setting. For offbeat exploration, Emily mentions a chaotic agricultural market across the river with unusual artwork and fountains, plus streets with Soviet-era mosaics and abandoned factory relics. The city's small museums, like the Museum of Sports, are run by dedicated locals and reflect Kutaisi's athletic history. Kutaisi is described as having a "big village" feel with a population around 180,000, a humid climate, and lush greenery contrasting with Soviet industrial areas. The city's history is tied to the Greek myth of Jason and the Golden Fleece, with a large bas-relief at the market depicting the story. Emily notes the city's rich literary and theatrical heritage, including a cable car leading to a small amusement park reminiscent of Tbilisi's Mtatsminda. The tone is conversational and informational, structured as a friendly interview where an expert shares detailed, practical advice for tourists and expats. The style is educational, focusing on specific recommendations for sights, food, and cultural experiences. This episode is ideal for travelers planning a visit to western Georgia or expats seeking to explore Kutaisi's landmarks and hidden gems. Listeners looking for action-packed adventure travel or those solely interested in day trips outside the city might prefer the second part of this series.

As heard by us

Kutaisi comes across as an easy city center stop, with the bridges, river, palace grounds, and cable car doing most of the work.

Kutaisi works well as a city to move through on foot. Tom and Emily keep their focus on the center, the Rioni River, and a small cluster of sights that are easy to picture: the bridges, including the white bridge that is not especially white, the stones in the river below, the…

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Start here if you want Kutaisi's center before the day-trip part.

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