Georgia is a land of incredible diversity, and if you ask me what makes the area around Kutaisi truly stand out, I would say it’s nature. When we began our journey from Batumi to Kutaisi, we were beyond excited to immerse ourselves in the country’s breathtaking landscapes and explore all the incredible things to see near Kutaisi.
I had my mind set on some awe-inspiring canyons that seemed straight out of a dream… but then, as if on cue, the rain decided to make its entrance, forcing us to pivot and rethink our plans. Instead of letting the weather get in our way, we embraced the change and uncovered even more hidden gems on our way to Kutaisi. We focused on attractions that could still be enjoyed in the rain—like steaming sulfur springs, a magical hot waterfall, panoramic views from ancient fortress walls, and mesmerizing stalactite caves. These spontaneous detours ended up being a highlight of our trip—we were anything but disappointed!
So, join me on a virtual journey as we explore some of the must-see sights near Kutaisi, Georgia!
Cost: Hot springs are free, the rest has an entrance fee
Length: 1 day
How to get there: By car
Attractions Along the Route from Batumi to Kutaisi
We rented a car and drove from Batumi to Kutaisi, where we spent one night. Along the way, we made stops listed in this itinerary. But since all the points of interest are located near Kutaisi, with the farthest being about an hour’s drive away, this route is ideal for those staying in Kutaisi as well. And if you’d rather not stress about driving, any taxi driver we met in Georgia was more than happy to take us on a tour to wherever we wanted to go. So, finding a driver to visit attractions near Kutaisi should be no problem at all.
Where to See Hot Springs Near Kutaisi : Nokalakevi Sulfur Springs & The Hot Waterfall
Nokalakevi hot sulfur spring location
Attraction ~54km from Kutaisi
Have you ever seen a waterfall where the water is so hot that you can see steam rising from it from a distance? What? A hot waterfall? Is that even possible? Well, yes—it absolutely is! And Nokalakevi hot waterfall near Kutaisi is one of the most surreal and fascinating natural wonders I’ve encountered.
As we drive toward the Nokalakevi sulfur springs, we can already see the steam rising above the treetops in the distance, like some mythical mountain trolls are boiling a giant pot of soup up there. The anticipation builds! After a wild, heart-pounding drive down the mountain (seriously, you need to be confident in your driving skills for this one), we park by the roadside near two smoking stone huts—as that’s where everyone else has parked.
We walk over to touch the water flowing from the stone huts, and it’s boiling hot—like, “I’d better not dip my fingers in too long, or they’ll melt” kind of hot.
From here, we continue our journey on foot toward the Nokalakevi hot waterfall. As we make our way down, we spot a reckless adventurer who somehow managed to drive all the way to the bottom of the river valley… and, predictably, got himself completely stuck.
Naturally, we pause to watch as the fire brigade arrives to help dig him out. Everyone’s got their own adventure, I guess!
When we finally reach the bottom, we are greeted by a breathtaking river valley that looks like something out of a dream. The water has this impossibly blue hue, the kind you’d never expect to see outside of a postcard. TAcross the river, small rock outcrops dot the landscape, and in the distance, misty mountains cloaked in green trees slowly fade into the rain-soaked fog. My heart leaps with joy—I think we’ve just stumbled upon one of the most stunning spots near Kutaisi.
Un aiz stūra dabas brīnums – karstais ūdenskritums, no kura gaisā paceļas tvaika mākoņi. Pieejot tuvāk, var just arī karstumu, ko tas izstaro. Minerāļu nosēdumi piešķir tam neparastu formu.
And then, as if nature is saving the best for last, around the corner comes the true wonder—the Nokalakevi hot waterfall, sending steam into the air like something straight out of a fairytale. As we get closer, we can literally feel the heat radiating from the water. The mineral deposits around the waterfall give it this surreal, almost otherworldly shape. It’s hard to explain, it’s a bit like foam—except it’s solid foam. It’s almost like the waterfall is both bubbling and frozen in time.
From the waterfall, hot water cascades down through the rocks, blending with the cold river water below. Along the riverbank, small natural pools have formed where the two waters meet, creating the perfect, soothing temperature. These are the Nokalakevi natural thermal pools, known for their sulfur-rich waters that people come to soak in. Unfortunately, I’m not wearing a swimsuit, and there are no changing rooms nearby, so for now, we’ll have to settle for dipping just our feet into the healing waters.
What an adventure! This place will be tough to top! But let’s see if the next attraction near Kutaisi can live up to the high standard set by this spectacular spot.
Where to See Panoramic Views and Old Fortress Ruins Near Kutaisi: Nokalakevi Archaeological Site
Nokalakevi archeological museum location
Attraction ~51 km from Kutaisi
Has an entrance fee
It seems that Georgia doesn’t have many observation towers, but instead, you can enjoy panoramic views from the ruins of ancient fortresses.
We first spotted the ruins on our way to the Nokalakevi Sulfur Springs, but we hesitated to stop, as Georgia is full of fortress ruins. However, something about this one drew us in, so we decided to take a detour before heading on to Kutaisi and see what this place had to offer.
It turns out this is the Nokalakevi Archaeological Site – the remains of an ancient fortress and city, once known as Archaeopolis (or Tsikhegoji or Nokalakevi), with roots tracing back centuries. The area is vast, featuring ruins, massive Byzantine walls, a small church, and a tunnel leading down to the river. I can’t help but wonder if this tunnel was a secret passage or perhaps a route used to transport goods from the river to the fortress. Unfortunately, we’ll never know for sure, as the Nokalakevi Archaeological Site lacks detailed descriptions. While there are stands where information should be, no actual details are provided.
It’s fun to roam around the site not knowing what you may stumble upon, but if you’re not an archaeology enthusiast, your main interest might lie in the towering walls, which double as an observation platform at various levels. So, let’s climb up and stroll along the ancient walls, soaking in the breathtaking views from above, all made even more magical by the misty rain.
I am unsure if anything could compete with a boiling hot sulfur waterfall, but this still was a fun stop with a completely different vibe. But let’s drive further to see what the third attraction near Kutaisi has in store for us.
Where to See Stalactite Caves Near Kutaisi: Prometheus Caves
Attraction ~21km from Kutaisi
Has an entrance fee.
Let’s venture underground to play with the shadows.
Before visiting the Prometheus Caves near Kutaisi, I was a bit nervous as I’ve heard comments like, “A friend of mine was disappointed with the caves near Kutaisi…” But maybe they were talking about a different set of caves, because as for me, the Prometheus Caves were far from disappointing. That being said, these were the first karst caves I have visited, so I have nothing to compare them with.
The walking route stretches nearly 2 kilometers, leading you through several stunning chambers that have formed 60-70 million years ago , each one decorated with stalactites (those that hang down from the ceiling) and stalagmites (those that rise up from the ground). It feels like a game – “What does this shape look like to you?” A king’s throne? Torn rags? These caves enhanced with colourful lights are a mystical, shadowy world where you can easily imagine hidden pirate treasure or mythical creatures like dragons and fairies lurking in the depths.
On a practical note, you can only explore the caves with a guide, but we were able to get in without making a booking in advance. When you buy your tickets at the entrance, they’ll let you know when the next tour starts, and you simply join in. There is also a boat ride add-on available, but we didn’t had a chance to try that one on our trip to Kutaisi, so I can’t comment on the fun levels there.
And just like that, stop by stop we have arrived in Kutaisi. And while you’re in Kutaisi, Georgia…
Bonus : Don’t Forget to Stop By Colchis Fountain in the Heart of Kutaisi
If you have time for only one stop in Kutaisi (like we did, as we had to rush further to Tbilisi), the Colchis Fountain is an absolute must. This fountain stands out from others due to its unique feature – its water jets are accompanied by statues that are large-scale replicas of various archaeological finds discovered around Georgia. For example, at the very top, you’ll find two golden horses that are modeled after gold earrings.
Batumi stands out in my memory as the modern part of Georgia, Tbilisi as the historic one, and Kutaisi as the region where many fascinating and beautiful natural sights await. It’s been 2 years now when I am doing this translation and I still think about that hot waterfall at Nokalakevi Sulfur Springs. And if it hadn’t been for the rain, the possibilities would have been even greater.
Check out full Georgia road trip itinerary