Martvili Canyon is the most photographed gorge in Georgia: the Abasha river has cut a corridor with sheer walls through the limestone, and the water in it is so emerald that people assume the photos are filtered. The main attraction is the boat ride between the cliffs, and that is where your time and money should go first. Fees went up in 2026, so we start with the current numbers, then cover the route, the roads and the tips.
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Why Martvili Canyon Is Famous
The canyon lies in the Samegrelo region near the town of Martvili; locals also know it by its old name, Gachedili. The gorge runs for more than two kilometers, the walls rise up to 40 meters, and boxwood and ivy close over the top, so even on a hot day a green half-light fills the corridor. Boats run through the upper part, while the lower part belongs to a walking route with waterfalls.
The place has an aristocratic past too: the Dadiani princes, rulers of Megrelia, bathed in the cool pools of the Abasha. Their "bathing spot", a natural stone tub, survives and is pointed out from the route. After the 2016 reconstruction the canyon became a fully equipped attraction: walkways, bridges, ticket offices and life jackets instead of a wild trail.
The Route: Walkways and Waterfalls
The walking part consists of suspended walkways and balconies along the cliff with views down to the river. Below, a cascade of small waterfalls rumbles, and at the viewing platforms the spray reaches the railings. An unhurried walk takes 40-60 minutes; the elevation changes are small, but there are plenty of steps.
Swimming inside the canyon is not allowed: the route is a managed site, the water is cold even in summer, and the current is stronger than it looks from the bank. For a swim, people head to the Nokalakevi hot springs or to the river pools outside the site.
The Boat Ride Through the Canyon
The boats run through the upper gorge: about 300 meters each way, 10-15 minutes in the narrowest and most beautiful corridor of the canyon. The boatman does the rowing, leaving passengers the oars for photos and the echo between the walls, in which you can hear every drop. Life jackets are mandatory and provided on site; children under one meter tall are not allowed on the boats, as there are no jackets in their size.
After heavy rain the boats may stop running because of high water, leaving only the walking route. If the ride is the point of your visit, check at the ticket office that it is operating before you buy.
Prices and Opening Hours in 2026
From April 1, 2026 the fees for the canyons and caves of western Georgia went up. Current prices for foreign visitors:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Entrance ticket (adult) | 40 GEL |
| Children under 6 | free |
| Boat ride | 30 GEL |
Georgian citizens and residents pay less for entry, 16 GEL. The canyon is open daily with no day off, roughly from 10 am; closing time floats with the season, and in summer the ticket office works into the evening. Tickets are sold on site, cards are accepted, but cash is the safer bet.
How to Get to Martvili Canyon
The canyon sits away from the main highways, and how easy the trip is depends on your starting point. If you are traveling without a tour and without your own car, the universal option from any city is to book a transfer with waiting on GoTrip.ge: the driver takes you on a city - canyon - city route, waits at the entrance as long as needed and brings you back, with the price per car fixed at booking.
From Batumi
About 150 km and 2.5-3 hours each way. There is no direct transport: first to Kutaisi or Senaki, then local minibus connections, and the day goes to the road. An organized trip is simpler: the tour with Prometheus Cave, Martvili Canyon and the hot spring gathers the best of Imereti and Samegrelo in one day, while the route with the monastery, hot springs and Ureki sands adds a swim to the canyon. All the programs are on the trips to Martvili Canyon from Batumi page.
From Kutaisi
The nearest base: 55 km, about an hour by car. Minibuses to Martvili leave from the Kutaisi bus station, and the last few kilometers to the ticket office are covered by taxi or on foot. If you are staying in Kutaisi, the canyon combines well with Prometheus Cave and Okatse in a single day.
From Tbilisi
The long option: about 280 km and 4.5-5 hours each way on the east-west highway. There is no direct transport to the canyon; by public transport go via Kutaisi, by train or minibus, and continue as from Kutaisi. The simplest way is an organized day tour: you can book a Martvili Canyon tour from Tbilisi on GetYourGuide with hotel pickup and the cave included. If you travel independently, plan Martvili with an overnight stay in Kutaisi.
By car
The roads are paved and there is parking at the entrance. For a self-paced Martvili + Okatse + Prometheus loop it is convenient to rent a car via Localrent: public transport will not cover those three points in a day.
Kutaisi makes a logical base for a couple of nights: the choice of accommodation is bigger than in Martvili itself, and the canyon is an hour away. Hotels and guesthouses are easy to find on Booking.com: the largest selection in Georgia, and most places take bookings without prepayment.
What to See Nearby
- Martvili Monastery (Chkondidi) on the hill above the town: a 7th-century monastery with valley views, 10 minutes from the canyon.
- Nokalakevi hot spring half an hour away - warm open-air baths with the fortress of ancient Archaeopolis next door.
- Prometheus Cave 45 km away: a kilometer and a half of underground halls, the classic same-day pairing with the canyon.
- Okatse Canyon with its suspended walkway over the gorge, if one canyon is not enough.
Tips for Visiting
- Come at opening time: between 11 am and 3 pm coach-tour queues build up at the boat pier, while in the morning the canyon corridor is nearly yours alone.
- Grippy shoes are a must, the walkways and steps by the water stay slippery all year.
- On the boat keep your phone on a strap or in a neck pouch: the water under you is deep, and nobody will dive for drowned electronics.
- The best light for photos is midday, when the sun drops vertically into the gorge and the water lights up emerald. Early morning and evening are gloomy down below.
- After rain the water turns murky and loses its color for a day or two; if you can, pick a date after a dry week.
A tour removes tickets, queues and connections from the equation: Travel Batumi guides handle the ticket office while the group works the viewpoints, and on the road a separate driver and guide each do their own job.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Martvili Canyon cost in 2026?
The adult ticket for foreign visitors is 40 GEL, children under 6 enter free, and the boat ride is another 30 GEL per person. Prices went up on April 1, 2026, so last year's numbers in reviews are outdated.
Do I have to take the boat?
No, the walking route with the viewpoints and waterfalls is covered by the entrance ticket. But the narrowest and most striking corridor of the canyon is only visible from the water, so almost everyone who passes the height limit takes the boat.
Can you swim in Martvili Canyon?
No, swimming is prohibited on the managed route, the water is cold and the current is strong. For a soak, head to the Nokalakevi hot springs half an hour away.
Can small children ride the boat?
Children under 100 cm tall are not allowed on the boats: there are no life jackets in their size. The walking route is open to everyone, though a stroller will struggle with the steps.
When is the best time to visit the canyon?
From May to October, in dry weather and at opening time. After heavy rain the water turns murky and the boats may be cancelled, and the famous emerald color comes back within a day or two.
How much time does a visit take?
An hour to an hour and a half on site: 40-60 minutes for the walking route and 10-15 minutes for the boat plus the queue. With the drive from Batumi it is a full-day trip, from Kutaisi half a day.
Martvili is an hour spent inside a postcard: emerald water, sheer walls and the echo of oars in a stone corridor. Book your trip from Batumi in advance, in season the boat slots and group seats go fast, and the canyon is at its best in the morning while it is still quiet.