Martvili Canyon is the emerald Abasha river in a limestone gorge in the Samegrelo region. The highlight is a boat ride among waterfalls and sheer walls. Entry is ~17 GEL, the boat another ~17 GEL, and the canyon is open 10:00–18:00. It's closest from Kutaisi (~45 km, one hour), and the best season is May to October.
Martvili Canyon is one of western Georgia's most photogenic spots. The vivid green Abasha river winds through a narrow limestone gorge, waterfalls spill from the walls, and boats glide along the water. The Dadiani princely family once bathed here — today it's a protected area and one of the region's most popular excursions.
What Martvili Canyon is
The gorge was carved by the Abasha river, cutting up to 40 metres into the limestone. The water is an intense turquoise-emerald thanks to dissolved minerals and limestone. Inside are small waterfalls, grottoes and sheer, overgrown walls. It's managed by Georgia's Protected Areas Agency, so the infrastructure is tidy: paths, stairs, bridges and a ticket office.
History: the Dadiani princes' bathing pool
Martvili is more than a natural sight. In the 19th century the narrow emerald pool served as the private bathing spot of the Mingrelian princely house of Dadiani, whose residence was in Zugdidi. The sheer walls formed a natural enclosed basin of ice-cold clear water — hence the canyon's second name, the 'Dadiani bathing pool'. Swimming is no longer allowed, only the boat, but the history gives the place character: you float where Georgian aristocracy relaxed a century and a half ago.
The boat ride — the main event
The heart of Martvili is a float on an inflatable boat along the turquoise water between sheer walls. It's short (about 700 metres, 15 minutes), but these are the shots you've seen online. A boatman guides you under overhanging cliffs and past small waterfalls; life vests are handed out at the dock. In high season there's a queue at the dock, so arrive right at opening.
Prices and opening hours 2026
| Service | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Entry ticket | ~17 GEL | Adult; kids discounted |
| Boat ride | ~17 GEL | Paid separately |
| Zipline | ~20 GEL | Optional, over the canyon |
Hours: 10:00–18:00 in summer, with the ticket office and boats closing earlier, around 17:00. Off-season days are shorter. Card and cash are accepted, but keep small notes on hand. Confirm exact fares at apa.gov.ge.
How to get to Martvili
| From | Distance | Time | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Kutaisi | ~45 km | ~1 h | Taxi / tour / rental |
| From Zugdidi | ~45 km | ~1 h | Taxi / minibus |
| From Batumi | ~150 km | ~2.5 h | Tour / car |
| From Tbilisi | ~250 km | ~4 h | Better with a Kutaisi overnight |
The best base is Kutaisi: from here the canyon combines logically with other wonders of Samegrelo and Imereti in a single day. Public transport is awkward (minibus to Martvili town plus a taxi to the canyon), so most people hire a taxi for the day or join an organised tour.
The upper canyon: trails and suspension bridges
Most people come for the boat and leave straight away — a mistake. The upper part of the canyon is a walking route on wooden decks and suspension bridges right above the turquoise water, where you see the canyon as a whole, from above. The trail is short (20–30 minutes at an easy pace), gentle, and fine even for older children. The best panoramic shots are here, with fewer people than at the boat dock. Tip: boat first (before the queue, at opening), then the upper trail.
Timing and seasons: when the water is brightest
Martvili is easy to 'rush' in 40 minutes and miss half of it — here's how to plan the day:
- Ideal timing. Arrive at 10:00, straight to the boat before the buses and queue, then the upper trail and bridges, then coffee by the entrance. Allow 1.5–2 hours for the canyon itself, 8–9 hours for a full day with nearby sights from Kutaisi.
- Spring (April–May). The river is fullest, the waterfalls strong, the colour deep — but the water is cold and turns murky after rain.
- Summer (June–August). Peak visitors and boat queues, but reliably clear skies and vivid colour in the sun. Only early morning helps.
- Autumn (September–October). My favourite: fewer people, soft light for photos, crimson foliage on the walls, water still bright.
- Winter. Open, but short days, boats may not run in bad weather, and the colour is muted.
- Weather. After heavy rain the colour fades for a day or two — plan your visit for clear days after a dry spell.
A day from Kutaisi: Martvili + Okatse hour by hour
So you don't have to guess how to fit it into one day, here's a tested route I run with guests:
- 08:30 — leave Kutaisi. The drive to Martvili is ~1 hour, with Imereti views on the way.
- 09:45 — arrive at opening, before the buses. Straight to the boat — 15 minutes on emerald water with no queue.
- 10:30 — the upper trail with suspension bridges, panoramic shots, coffee by the entrance.
- 11:30 — transfer to Okatse Canyon (~40 minutes).
- 12:30 — the Okatse cliff-edge walkway and viewpoint, then down to Kinchkha waterfall.
- 14:00 — lunch: Imeretian khachapuri, lobio, greens.
- 15:30 — optional stop at Prometheus Cave (stalactites, an underground river).
- 18:00 — back to Kutaisi.
This day covers the three main natural sights of western Georgia without rushing. With small children, drop Prometheus — they'll tire by evening, and the boat and bridges of Martvili are what they'll love most. You can do this route independently by taxi for the day (150–200 GEL per car) or as part of an organised tour.
What to see nearby in one day
Martvili is rarely visited alone — people combine it:
- Okatse Canyon — a suspended cliff-edge walkway and Kinchkha waterfall, 40 minutes away.
- Prometheus Cave — a huge illuminated stalactite cave with an underground river.
- Kinchkha waterfall — a multi-tier fall next to Okatse.
Martvili Canyon — the water is an unreal emerald, like it was photoshopped. The boat is short but the views are a 10/10. We came from Kutaisi at opening, no queues, and paired it with Okatse Canyon — the best nature day of the whole trip.
Planning western Georgia — stop by neighbouring Zugdidi and the Dadiani Palace and the overall what to see in Georgia guide.
Martvili and the canyons in one day with a guide
Martvili, Okatse and Prometheus in a single day is the western Georgia canyons tour; with a base in Kutaisi it's easy to take a Kutaisi tour from Tbilisi.