Kutaisi
Kutaisi ( ; ) is a city in the Imereti region of the Republic of Georgia. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, it is the 3rd-largest city in Georgia after Tbilisi and Batumi with a population of 123,000 as of 2025. It lies west of Tbilisi, on the Rioni River, and is the capital of Imereti.
AI overview
Kutaisi is a major city in western Georgia with a population of about 123,000, making it the country's third-largest city after Tbilisi and Batumi. As one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities and the capital of the Imereti region, it holds historical significance and serves as an important urban center in Georgia.
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Travel guide
Understand
thumbnail|360px|Kutaisi old town thumbnail|300px|Downtown Kutaisi Kutaisi is the traditional rival of Tbilisi for capital status. Since the days of the Golden Fleece, Kutaisi has been considered the capital of Western Georgia (then Ancient Colchis). It is Georgia's third largest city (after Tbilisi and Batumi), but, to the irritation of the proud locals, it does not come even close to Tbilisi's present size and wealth. Nevertheless, Kutaisi is more respectful of pedestrians than Tbilisi. Its sidewalks are generally even and flat with very few cars parked on them, whereas in Tbilisi pedestrians are often forced into the streets because of cars sitting on sidewalks. Kutaisi drivers generally stop in front of crosswalks to let pedestrians cross, whereas in Tbilisi pedestrians have to be in the middle of the street to get a car to slow down for them.
Since the Georgian Parliament moved to Kutaisi in 2012, there has been a lot of work on restoring streets, buildings, parks and monuments in the city, and it has become much safer. There seems to be a bit more variety in the materials, facades, and designs of the buildings along Kutaisi's streets. In Kutaisi as in Tbilisi, a look up to the second floor can reveal balconies of elaborate ironwork. Kutaisi's central park is a nice (and safe) place to sit and watch people.
Get around
The interesting parts of the town are walkable. To visit the monasteries in the mountains nearby booking a day-tour may be a time-saving option.
See
thumb|Bagrati Cathedral thumbnail|White bridge
Buy
The homemade wine in the bazaar in Kutaisi is apparently not that good, because more than often they mix with sugar and other stuff. This is at least what some locals are saying.
Eat
Kutaisi has quite a number of decent restaurants. They are mainly in the city center, but a bit spread out, so just walk around to find what you're looking for.
In the city center is a US fast food chain which is less common worldwide: .
Drink
Kutaisi does not have a great bar or club culture like Tbilisi, but you can check out the following:
~20 min read
Article
30 sectionsContents
- History
- Culture
- Landmarks
- Museums and other cultural institutions
- Theatres and cinema
- Education
- Professional unions and public organizations
- Media
- Geography
- Landscape
- Climate
- Demographics
- Administrative division
- Politics
- Mayor
- City council
- Economy
- Transport
- Airport
- Railway
- Sport
- Local celebrations
- Notable people
- International relations
- Twin towns – sister cities
- Cooperation agreements
- See also
- Explanatory notes
- References
- External links
Kutaisi ( ; ) is a city in the Imereti region of the Republic of Georgia. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, it is the 3rd-largest city in Georgia after Tbilisi and Batumi with a population of 123,000 as of 2025. It lies west of Tbilisi, on the Rioni River, and is the capital of Imereti.
Historically one of the major cities of Georgia, it served as the political center of Colchis in the Middle Ages as the capital of the Kingdom of Abkhazia and Kingdom of Georgia and later as the capital of the Kingdom of Imereti. From October 2012 to December 2018, Kutaisi was the seat of the Parliament of Georgia as an effort to decentralize the Georgian government.
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