Why go
Kutaisi is worth more than an airport stop. Give the city a day of its own: browse the Green Bazaar, cross the Rioni and climb to Bagrati Cathedral above the older streets. The next day can take a different shape. Gelati's medieval monastery is an outing for art and history; Prometheus Cave near Tskaltubo is a separate choice for Imereti's underground landscape. Staying in town lets you choose rather than compressing every idea into a hurried circuit.
When to go
Spring and autumn are good choices for time outdoors in the city. Check the forecast for riverside walks and current access before setting out for Gelati or the cave.
Getting there
Arrive via Kutaisi Airport or travel overland from Tbilisi or another Georgian city. The airport lists shuttle options to Kutaisi, but check current departures and your arrival time before relying on a transfer.
The trade-off
Kutaisi's city sights are easy to enjoy on foot, but the monastery and cave are different excursions outside town. A one-night transit stop leaves little room for both the city and either outing.
