Visiting Martvili Canyon: The Ultimate Guide

Martvili Canyon is located in Georgia’s western region of Samegrelo, on the Abasha River massif. A two-and-a-half-kilometer-long rocky gorge surrounded by tall cliffs (some as high as 70 meters), it was granted national monument status in 2013. Over time, the site has built up a reputation as one of the most beautiful places in Georgia (Europe), in large part due to its sparkling turquoise waters.

Since reconstruction works were undertaken in 2019, Martvili Canyon has attracted increasing attention among both tourists and locals alike, emerging as one of the most popular day trip destinations. 

Best Time to Visit Martvili Canyon

This national park here is open all year round. Being one of the most visited tourist destinations in Georgia, it is particularly popular during the summer months. The lush green foliage and temperate weather make it the perfect spot to shelter from the heat. However, the high level of foot traffic at this time of year may limit the enjoyability of the experience, with the narrow walking routes often getting very crowded and the lines for boat rides stretching rather long during high season.

The ideal time to visit is during the shoulder season (from early April to late June and from mid-September to mid-November) when the number of visitors is a little lower, but the weather remains relatively warm and dry. 

That being said, as the park rarely (if ever) closes, you can include it in your Georgia travel itinerary regardless of the time of year, as long as you don’t mind mingling with crowds (in summer) and can handle cold well (in winter).

Martvili Canyon: Opening Hours and Ticket Prices

Martvili Canyon is open every day of the week from 10am to midnight. There are 3D light displays illuminating the landscape after dark. 

(If visiting during low season, double-check the opening hours before traveling as they may be reduced due to weather concerns, reconstruction work, or other reasons). 

Try to schedule your visit here for a weekday, and make it either early in the morning or after lunch. By doing so, you’ll have the best chance of avoiding large crowds.

Martvili Canyon Ticket prices as of 2024:

• Children under the age of 6 are FREE

• Children aged between 6 and 18 years cost 5.50 GEL

• Georgian citizens and residents of age cost 12 GEL

• Foreigners of age cost 20 GEL

Trekking Through Martvili Canyon

The walking route lies on the southern side of the national park. The path loops, and consists of a short hiking trail, several viewing platforms situated close to waterfalls, and metal bridges hanging over the gorge. 

The path is paved, making it easy for even inexperienced hikers to navigate. However, it can get slippery when there has been rain and/or snow, so be sure to wear good hiking shoes when visiting.

The route passes through the historic Dadiani Walkway, which the noble family that once ruled the Samegrelo region would use to reach Dadiani Baths - a gorgeous natural pool surrounded by rocks. Here, be on the lookout for the limestone staircase, which will indicate that you’re on the right historic trail. 

Importantly, do not try to enter the pool. The main part of the gorge is protected and swimming on the park territory is prohibited. 

Taking a Boat Ride Through Martvili Canyon

Martvili Canyon is perhaps best known for the enchanting boat rides it offers visitors. The service is not included in the ticket price and costs an additional 20 GEL, which is entirely worth it.

Children under five and shorter than 1 meter are not allowed to take a boat ride.

While the ride itself is short, lasting about 20 minutes, it takes you through the most impressive part of the gorge. Specifically, it goes through the northern part of the park’s territory, which is largely inaccessible by foot. Here, the twinkling turquoise waters are surrounded by steep rock walls and covered with tall green thickets. In contrast, the trekking route leads in the opposite direction and is in an elevated position, so you’re looking over the canyon instead of looking straight ahead at the water and cliffs. 

Rides are provided on small inflatable boats, each with a limited number of passengers. Everyone on board must wear a life jacket and be able to paddle themselves, although the staff member leading the ride does the lion’s share of work! so the paddlers’ experience and strength don’t matter much. The rides start and end at the same pier near the park entrance.  

While the national park is open in all seasons, the boat rides are dependent on the weather conditions. If there has been heavy precipitation leading to rising water levels and excessively strong currents, the boats won’t run.

For visitors, and particularly those interested in photography, this experience is not to be missed. Some of the most photogenic spots in Georgia are found in the section of the park covered by the boat ride, where nigh-untouched natural beauty is on full display. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times of day to get the photographs here. In the late morning, the sun is already high and the direct overhead light can obscure the full palate of colors. Nevertheless, even at this time of day, with the water reflecting much of the light and certain areas heavily shadowed by greenery, there are still certain spots that can be beautifully captured. 

What to Wear and Bring to the Canyon

Comfortable, sturdy shoes with thick soles and good grip are a must, regardless of the weather conditions. Although the walking tracks here are considered easy even for beginners, they are prone to getting muddy and slippery, even in summer. 

Have a rain jacket, or at least a windbreaker, with you if the forecast suggests even a slight chance of rain, as when rain comes the temperature tends to drop quickly at the site. 

Even though the territory is largely covered by thick green foliage and the routes are mostly shaded, it would still be wise to bring a hat if visiting in summer.

Last, but not least, pack bottled water and snacks. There are stalls set up near the entrance selling water, snacks, and soft drinks, but they don’t keep regular hours, so it’s best to prepare with that in mind.

How to Get to Martvili Canyon from Tbilisi

The distance between Tbilisi city center and Martvili Canyon is around 277 km (approximately 172 miles). Depending on the mode of transportation, the journey can take from 4 to 6 hours. 

The quickest (and the only direct) way to get to Martvili Canyon is by car. There are various options in this regard. You can book a private taxi with a service like Bolt (though keep in mind that this will likely cost hundreds of GEL), share a taxi with other visitors, or rent a car and drive yourself. The roads on the route towards Martvili are in reasonably good condition, with the highway covering a significant proportion of it. 

The second quickest option is to catch a minivan (marshrutka) to Tskaltubo at Didube station in Tbilisi, and then switch to a taxi (either private or shared) from Tskaltubo for the remaining 50 km to Martvili Canyon. This route would likely take somewhere between four-and-a-half to five-and-a-half hours.

Another way to get there would be to take a train to the town of Abasha in Samegrelo first, and then catch a taxi to your final destination from there. The train takes around four-and-a-half hours, and the taxi ride for the final leg requires an additional 45 minutes. There are two daily trains from Tbilisi to Abasha, one in the early morning, and another in the afternoon. Unlike many other routes, tickets for this service can be relatively easy to book online or purchase at the station at the last minute. 

How to Get to Martvili Canyon from Batumi

The distance between Batumi city center and Martvili Canyon is around 145 km (90 miles). The journey can typically take anywhere between 2.5 and 4 hours.

Once again, going by car is the easiest way to get to the destination. The journey takes around two-and-a-half hours. Similarly, you can use a rideshare service, but this will be considerably less budget-friendly. With that in mind, sharing a taxi with a group of fellow travelers may be the most optimal approach.

Another option is to take the train to Samtredia (which takes about 3 hours), and then catch a taxi from there. However, as there is only one daily train to Samtredia, which leaves at 3pm, this option is less logistically viable.

How to Get to Martvili Canyon from Kutaisi

The distance between Kutaisi city center and Martvili Canyon is around 50 km (31 miles). Typically, the journey takes 1 to 1.5 hours.

There is no public transportation from Kutaisi that’ll take you anywhere nearby. One viable option is to catch a minivan (marshrutka) to Tskaltubo and grab a taxi for the remainder of the trip.

Another option is to go by car from Kutaisi directly to the monument, either using a rental car or booking a rideshare, which will cost you somewhere between 60 and 100 GEL, depending on the time of day and the season. 

Where to Go Next: Nearby Attractions

Aside from the canyon, there are plenty of sites to explore in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, including the town of Martvili itself and Martvili Monastery.

Other destinations nearby that people tend to include in their itineraries when in this area are as follows:

Balda Canyon is another natural wonder on the Abasha River. Except, unlike Martvili Canyon, you can swim here! There are several designated swimming zones here, as well as hiking trails and several waterfalls. Balda Canyon is only about a 15-minute drive from Martvili Canyon. 

Okatse Canyon is another famous natural site in the neighboring Imereti region and a popular destination to pair with Martvili Canyon. It’s well known for its 780-meter-long wooden walkway that hangs at the side of the cliffs surrounding the gorge. Okatse Canyon lies approximately a 45-minute drive away from Martvili.

Kinchkha Waterfall, also known as “Big Okatse Waterfall,” is one of the grandest waterfalls in Georgia. It’s a three-layer cascade, with the first section dropping 25 meters, the second 70 meters, and the third 35 meters. Kinchkha Waterfall is a 10-minute drive from Okatse Canyon and about an hour's drive from the town of Martvili.

Prometheus Cave is a 60-to-70-million-year-old karst cave near Kutaisi, about an hour's drive away from the town of Martvili. It consists of 22 caverns, six of which are open to tourists. The cave is 40 meters deep and 1.8 km long, with an underground 380-meter-long river route on which visitors can take a boat ride.