Prometheus Cave

პრომეთეს მღვიმე

A vast illuminated karst cave near Tskaltubo filled with stalactites, stalagmites and an underground river you can tour by boat. Its dramatically lit halls make it one of Georgia's most popular natural attractions.

Things to do

• Walk the illuminated cave trail — Follow the 1.4 km lit pathway through six vast halls filled with stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone formations.
• Take the underground boat ride — Glide along the subterranean river at the end of the walking route for an optional extra-fee boat exit.
• Admire the colored light shows — See the dramatically lit chambers where changing colored lighting highlights the cave's dripstone shapes.
• Combine with Sataplia Cave — Visit nearby Sataplia Nature Reserve to see dinosaur footprints and another karst cave on the same day trip.
• Explore the Tskaltubo spa town — Wander the atmospheric abandoned Soviet-era sanatoriums and bathhouses in nearby Tskaltubo.
• Learn about Kolkheti mythology — Read the on-site displays tying the cave to the Greek myth of Prometheus and ancient Colchis legends.

Food to try

• Kubdari — A hearty Svan-style meat-filled bread seasoned with spices, common across western Georgia's mountain regions.
• Khachapuri Imeruli — The round, flat cheese-filled bread native to the surrounding Imereti region.
• Satsivi — Poultry served in a rich walnut sauce, a classic western Georgian specialty.
• Ojakhuri — A rustic skillet of roasted pork and potatoes often served in local Imeretian taverns.
• Imeretian wine — Try local Tsolikouri or Tsitska white wines from the vineyards around Kutaisi and Tskaltubo.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress warmly inside — The cave stays around 14°C year-round, so bring a jacket even in summer.
• Wear sturdy shoes — The paved paths can be wet, slippery and involve many steps, so proper footwear matters.
• Check boat availability — The underground boat ride is seasonal and weather-dependent, so confirm it's running before you go.
• Buy tickets on arrival — Entry is by timed guided groups, so arrive early in peak season to avoid long waits.

Nearby

• Tskaltubo — 4 km
• Sataplia Nature Reserve — 9 km
• Okatse Canyon — 11 km
• Bagrati Cathedral — 14 km