This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Kutaisi is Georgia's second-largest city (after Tbilisi), but has a much slower pace and more of a sleepy vibe. Surrounded by lush green hills, Kutaisi has a lovely setting and some beautiful architecture throughout the city as well as a lively marketplace and friendly welcoming locals.
Hostels in Kutaisi are all reasonably priced and vary from inner-city hostels with dorms and private room to accommodation in local families' homes with a bed and breakfast atmosphere to traditional hotels of varying price. Kutaisi hostels are mainly centrally located and easily accessed from the bus and train station by foot or by taxis, which are reasonably priced; some of the family homestays are in the suburbs surrounding the centre, but still reasonably close to the action.
The spectacular Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati monastery are definite highlights of a trip to Kutaisi; both offer some great views across the city and to the surrounding areas from their hillside settings plus intricate carving and beautiful stonework.
Taking a trip from the centre of town across the river and up to the park in a cable car is also a favourite of tourists and locals alike and also offers a great view of the centre of the town and the park is a pleasant place to stroll around mingle with the locals.
Kutaisi is a good-sized city with plenty of choice for restaurants, cafes, and pubs and the friendly locals are sure to make you feel welcome. While not as hip and trendy as Tbilisi and some of the coastal towns, Kutaisi still has charm and is a great place to spend a night or two.
Written by local expertz for Kutaisi
michael cowgill
