This Gelati, Motsameta and Tskaltubo tour from Kutaisi brings together the best of Georgia's second city in a single, unhurried day: two of the country's most treasured monasteries, a stroll through the centre, a green afternoon in the Botanical Garden and a soak in the mineral waters of Tskaltubo. It is a private trip, so it is just your group, your guide and a route shaped around you.
It suits travellers who have flown into Kutaisi, couples who want history without rushing, and families who like a day that mixes churches with fresh air and something relaxing at the end. Western Georgia is greener and gentler than the east, and this is one of the easiest ways to see why people fall for it.
Highlights of the route
Gelati Monastery
Gelati was founded in 1106 by King David IV, remembered as David the Builder, and grew into one of the great centres of medieval Georgian learning. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the main church holds a celebrated mosaic of the Virgin and Child alongside walls of frescoes painted over several centuries. King David is buried at the monastery gate, by tradition so that everyone entering would step over him. Your guide will explain the stories behind the paintings and the academy that once stood here. It is an active monastery, so dress modestly.
White Bridge
The White Bridge crosses the Rioni River in the centre of Kutaisi and is a favourite meeting point for locals, which is how it earned its nickname, the "love bridge". It is a pleasant place to pause, look down at the river and get your bearings in the old part of town. From here it is a short walk to the city's central square and its colourful Colchis Fountain, and to cafés if you fancy a coffee or a slice of khachapuri before moving on.
Kutaisi Botanical Park
The Botanical Garden sits beside the Rioni and is a shady, peaceful break between monasteries. Paths wind between old trees and planted collections, and the garden is known for a tiny chapel built into the trunk of an ancient tree, which most visitors make a point of finding. It is an easy, mostly flat walk at whatever pace you like, and a good stop for children and older travellers alike. Spring and early summer are the greenest, but it is lovely in any season.
Motsameta Monastery
Motsameta stands on a wooded cliff above a sharp bend in the Tskaltsitela River, and the setting alone is worth the trip. The name means "place of the martyrs": the monastery is dedicated to the brothers David and Constantine, Georgian princes killed during the Arab invasions, and their relics are kept in the church. Visitors traditionally pass beneath the reliquary and make a wish. The approach involves some steps, so wear comfortable shoes and take your time. The views down into the gorge are among the loveliest near Kutaisi.
Hydromassage in Tskaltubo
Tskaltubo has been a spa town since Soviet times, when visitors came from across the Union for its warm mineral springs. Today it is a mix of working spa buildings and grand, faded sanatoriums that photographers love. A hydromassage here is a relaxing way to end a day on your feet. It is a gentle, restorative experience rather than a workout, and suits most ages. Pack swimwear and a towel, and let us know in advance if anyone would prefer to wander the town's leafy central park instead.
Make it your own
Nothing here is fixed. If you would rather spend longer at Gelati and skip the spa, or add a second monastery visit, we simply rebuild the day. Many travellers pair this route with our other Kutaisi tour, which covers Bagrati Cathedral, Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave, and spread the two across consecutive days with a night in Kutaisi or Tskaltubo. You might also ask us about adding Sataplia, the nature reserve known for its dinosaur footprints, or continuing on towards Racha.
Guides are available in English, Russian and Georgian, and the pace is set for your group, so families with young children or older travellers can take breaks whenever they like. See all our tours from Kutaisi, or book a private driver in Georgia for a more flexible trip across the west.
Good to know
- Gelati and Motsameta are working monasteries. Cover shoulders and knees; women are usually asked to cover their hair, and men to remove hats.
- Comfortable shoes help on the uneven stones and steps at both monasteries.
- Bring swimwear and a towel for Tskaltubo.
- Western Georgia is humid and green, and rain showers are common in spring and autumn, so a light waterproof is worth packing. Our month-by-month guide has more on timing.
Message us on WhatsApp with your dates, where you are staying and how many of you are travelling, and we will come back with a suggested plan and a quote.
