Prometheus Cave Georgia
Gamardjoba*!
I never miss a chance to go down into a dungeon. No, I’m not drawn to spelunking. I’m actually a bit scared of it. But I absolutely love that unreal feeling of an underground world with stalactites, stalagmites, and amazing lighting. In my personal ranking, the top caves are Postojna Cave in Slovenia and Prometheus Cave in Georgia.
Located near Kutaisi, the cave features impressive stalactites, underground rivers, and a boat tour through its depths. I share my experience to get there, what to expect, and tips for making the most of your visit.
*Gamardjoba means “Greetings!” in Georgian.
How to get to Prometheus Cave
By car
I rented a car here. I talked about all the details and nuances of driving in Georgia here.
Drive to the large parking lot (Google maps) in front of the Visitor Center (start there, that’s where the ticket office is). In summer, the parking can be crowded, so drive a bit further. Either way, you’ll find a spot to park.
By public transport
This isn’t the best option — it takes half a day. First, you need to get to Kutaisi.
Then take a minibus (marshrutka) from Kutaisi bus station to Tskaltubo: they leave every hour, and the ride takes about half an hour. From Tskaltubo, transfer to a minibus going to the cave. The minibus from Tskaltubo runs only four times a day: 7:00, 11:00, 14:00, 15:30. You can also arrange a taxi in Tskaltubo or walk 5 km. Crazy trip!
Taxi / private transfer
Don’t be afraid of the word “transfer” or think it’s something only for the wealthy. Arranging with random drivers will cost more. I recommend checking gotrip.ge. It’s an amazing service, I haven’t seen anything like it in other countries. You plan your own route — where you start and what you want to see. Prometheus Cave can be combined with the Martvili Canyons. It immediately shows the total price, allows stops along the way, and unlimited waiting. Think of it as renting a car with a driver. Highly recommended.
Excursions
Most likely more expensive than using gotrip. You can compare yourself — here are the current prices for excursions from Batumi and Tbilisi.
Opening hours
Daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Closed on Mondays.
Cost
- Adult: 23 GEL
- Children 6–18: 5.5 GEL
- Boat: 17.5 GEL
How the cave visit works
You can only enter the cave with a guided group. There’s no set start time. You pay for your ticket and wait for a group to form. In any case, a tour runs every hour. Just be aware that you might have to wait a bit.
There are several stair descents and ascents. They’re not difficult.
Inside, you’ll walk through six halls, the tallest of which reaches 20 meters. The guide gives enough time to explore each hall. There’s plenty of time to admire the shapes of stalactites and stalagmites, take photos, and enjoy the lighting that turns the cave into a true underground theater. Along the way, the guide speaks several languages — Georgian, Russian, and English — and tells you about the cave.
The entire route is 1,400 meters and takes about an hour.
At the end of the route, you exit either by stairs or by boat. The boat ride lasts about 10 minutes, floating through a lit-up underground passage. Tickets for the boat must be bought at the main ticket office in advance; you can’t pay on the spot. I liked it.
Whether you exit by boat or on foot, the exit is not at the same place as the entrance. A free shuttle will take you back to the entrance.
Prometheus Cave
How the cave was formed. There are two versions.
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The dull scientific one.
Over thousands of years, water carved passages in the limestone, forming a branched system of halls and corridors. The total length of these (explored) underground labyrinths reaches about 22 kilometers, with 17 halls.
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The mythological one.
According to legend, Prometheus was punished by Zeus for giving fire to humans. He was chained to a rock in the Caucasus, where an eagle pecked at his liver every day. This happened in that very place, and in his honor, the cave was named after the hero.
By the way, this legend has local Georgian versions too. For example, in the myth of Amirani, the hero is also chained in a cave and suffers similar torments, while his dog tries — unsuccessfully — to bite through the chains.
Either way, in 1983 the cave was discovered by a group of speleologists and was initially named Kumistavi, after the river flowing through the underground halls. Later, it was turned into a tourist attraction: paths were built, lighting installed, and safe crossings created.
The cave maintains a constant temperature of 14°C, even in summer. That’s why it’s recommended to bring a light sweater. I didn’t need one. In August, it was +40°C in Georgia, and being in the cave felt amazing — indescribable. I didn’t want to leave.
At the end of the route, part of the group who aren’t taking the boat exit to the surface via stairs, while the rest board the boat. I recommend not chattering away and, if possible, grabbing the front seats in the boat (you’ll thank me later).
