Tskaltubo: Georgia's Abandoned Soviet Sanatoriums

TL;DR: Once the USSR's most prestigious spa resort, Tskaltubo's semi-abandoned sanatoriums and timeworn bathhouses now attract urban explorers and architecture lovers. Here's everything you need to plan the perfect visit.

Overview

Just 20 minutes from Kutaisi, Tskaltubo is Georgia's most fascinating dark tourism destination. Home to the famous "Waters of Immortality" and once the most sought-after R&R destination in the Soviet Union, the town, with its semi-abandoned sanatoriums and crumbling bathhouses, now attracts a very different kind of visitor.

After the Soviet collapse, the grand neoclassical buildings were left to decay. Internally displaced families from Abkhazia found shelter in the empty halls. Today, investors are circling, construction fences are going up, and Tskaltubo's days as an urbexer's paradise are numbered. If you want to see it, go now.

A Quick History of Tskaltubo

The ground beneath Tskaltubo (literally "a place of water") is coursing with radon-carbonate mineral springs at a natural temperature of 33-35°C. These waters have been documented since the 13th century and were first scientifically analysed in 1913 when Latvian chemist Robert Kuptsis detected radon.

In 1931, the territory was declared a balneotherapy centre. That same year, Joseph Stalin allegedly first visited for treatment. By the 1950s, 22 Soviet neoclassicist sanatoriums and hotels surrounded Central Park, and up to 125,000 people visited annually, there were even direct trains from Moscow.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, so did the spa industry. Buildings were stripped of tiles, pipes, and furniture. In 1992-93, between 9,000 and 12,000 internally displaced persons fleeing from Abkhazia were given refuge in the old sanatoriums. Decades later, some families still call these crumbling halls home.

Top Sanatoriums to Visit

Sanatorium Iveria

Built in 1962, Iveria is one of the most-photographed buildings in Tskaltubo. The main entrance hall features blue walls and a large round opening in the ceiling revealing the mezzanine floor. Note: Iveria is now surrounded by a metal fence and is sadly inaccessible from inside, though you can still view the impressive facade.

Sanatorium Shakhtiori (Miners' Sanatorium)

Completed in 1952, this is one of the largest and most impressive buildings in Tskaltubo. The front facade is extremely grand, a huge fountain, towering palms, symmetrical sweeping staircases, and infinite columns along every balcony. Inside, the concert hall with its red curtain and painted ceilings is the real highlight. Currently privately owned and fenced.

Sanatorium Metalurgist

The best-preserved sanatorium and a must-visit. The original moulding, wooden banisters, a humongous chandelier, exquisite plasterwork, "his and hers" blue and pink elevators, and incredible wrought-iron stairs are all still intact. A caretaker charges 5 GEL entry. On the western side, a beautiful greenhouse-like atrium has most of its glass windows still intact with a single tree sprouting from the concrete floor.

Sanatorium Gelati

Named after the UNESCO monastery near Kutaisi and completed in 1964. The highlight here is around the back: an incredible Soviet-era mosaic playground with rings, curved walls and angled blocks, the only period children's playground in Tskaltubo, as Gelati was the only facility dedicated to mothers and children.

Sanatorium Medea

A personal favourite. Built in 1955 and named after the mythological princess from Colchis (the ancient kingdom that once occupied western Georgia), Medea is one of the more architecturally striking buildings. The spiral staircase, arched windows, and overgrown courtyards make it incredibly photogenic.

Sanatorium Rkinigzeli (Railway Workers)

Built for railway staff, this sanatorium sits on the western edge of the park. It is one of the more accessible buildings, you can walk freely through the ground floor corridors and see remnants of the original tiled floors and decorative mouldings.

The Bathhouses

Nine bathhouses once operated inside Central Park. Today, springs 2 and 6 are still functioning and offer treatments. The other bathhouses, including the ornate Bathhouse No. 5 with its distinctive circular design, stand empty. You can visit the modern pavilion in Central Park to feel the warm mineral waters with your hand.

Planning Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Avoid July and August, Tskaltubo is blisteringly hot and everything is outdoors. Autumn (September-November) offers pleasant temperatures and spectacular fall foliage. Winter is also good: bare branches reveal architectural details otherwise hidden by leaves. Read our seasonal guide for more.

How Much Time Do You Need?

Most visitors come as a day trip from Kutaisi, which gives you enough time to explore four to six buildings in detail. If you want to see everything, plan for at least two full days.

What to Bring

• Enclosed walking shoes (debris and broken glass everywhere)
• Hat and sun protection
• Extra camera batteries
• Cash (5 GEL entry for Metalurgist; some places have no card machines)
• Water and snacks (though there are convenience stores in town)

Getting to Tskaltubo

From Kutaisi

Tskaltubo is just 15 km (20-25 minutes) north-west of Kutaisi. A Bolt taxi costs 15-20 GEL. Marshrutka #30 departs from the Red Bridge every 20 minutes (2 GEL). Marshrutka #34 leaves from Central Bus Station hourly.

From Tbilisi

At 240 km (4+ hours), Tskaltubo is not feasible as a day trip by public transport from Tbilisi. The best option is to rent a car in Kutaisi or pick up from Kutaisi Airport and combine Tskaltubo with other attractions in the Imereti region.

Getting Around

Most people explore on foot, the area is compact but deceptively large. If you have a rental car, street parking is easy to find throughout the town. A suggested route starts at the top of the park (Iveria and Shakhtiori) and works anticlockwise past Tbilisi, Geology, Gelati, Metalurgist, then down the western side to Medea.

Responsible Travel Tips

• Some sanatoriums still house families, avoid clearly inhabited areas
• Ask permission before entering: say "Shadesleba shemovide?" and thank people with "Didi madloba"
• Do not photograph residents or their apartments without permission
• Do not trespass on fenced-off private property
• Support the local economy: eat at local restaurants, use local taxi drivers

Is Tskaltubo Safe?

Many buildings are in severe disrepair. Watch for holes in floors, caved-in concrete, and broken glass. Wear enclosed shoes. There are friendly street dogs everywhere, just be aware of territorial ones guarding livestock. In terms of personal safety, Georgia is generally very safe, but solo travellers may want to buddy up as some sanatoriums are down remote paths.

Combine Tskaltubo with a Road Trip

Tskaltubo is best visited as part of a wider Imereti road trip. Combine it with Kutaisi (Gelati Monastery, Bagrati Cathedral), the Prometheus Cave, Martvili Canyon, and the Sataplia Nature Reserve. For a longer trip, continue west to Batumi or south toward the mountains via 4x4.

We offer free delivery to Kutaisi Airport and anywhere in Kutaisi city. Full off-road insurance options, roof tents, camping equipment, no deposit, unlimited mileage, and prices from EUR 53/day. For more less-traveled ideas, read our less-visited places guide or our Kvemo Kartli guide.

Pros and cons

Rental car or self-drive

• Pros: Best for flexible timing, scenic stops, luggage, and routes that continue beyond one town or viewpoint. Groups can share the daily cost instead of paying per seat on every transfer.
• Cons: One traveler needs to manage navigation, parking, fuel, and local road conditions. It is less useful if the whole day stays inside a walkable city center.

Marshrutka, minivan, or bus

• Pros: Usually the cheapest choice for a simple point-to-point journey. Works well when the plan follows a known route and does not need extra stops.
• Cons: Schedules, luggage space, comfort, and exact arrival points are less flexible. Some services leave when full or require a station transfer.

Train

• Pros: A calm scheduled option when the route is served by rail. Good for travelers who prefer not to drive or negotiate with drivers.
• Cons: Rail does not reach every village, trailhead, winery, or hotel area. Station transfers and ticket availability still need to be planned.

City public transport

• Pros: Low-cost and useful for short city movements when stations match the route. It avoids parking and city traffic stress.
• Cons: It is less convenient with luggage, late-night arrivals, or multiple stops far from stations. Crowds, transfers, and payment cards can slow down a tight plan.

Walking

• Pros: Best for slow neighborhood detail, cafes, markets, viewpoints, and short historic centers. No parking, tickets, or driver coordination are needed.
• Cons: Weather, hills, uneven pavements, and luggage can make the day harder. It only works well when the main sights are close together.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to use this guide?

Use the guide before fixing dates, then check the latest weather, opening hours, event dates, and transport timing close to departure.

Is this route safe to drive?

Driving can work well when the route, season, road surface, luggage, and driver confidence match the plan. Avoid rushed days and night driving on unfamiliar rural or mountain roads, and choose a higher-clearance vehicle only when the route genuinely needs it.

Should I use public transport, a driver, or self-drive?

Public transport is usually cheaper, private drivers are easier for door-to-door timing, and self-drive gives the most control over stops and luggage. The best choice depends on distance, group size, comfort, and whether the route needs flexibility.

Can costs change after planning?

Yes. Fares, fuel, tickets, exchange rates, and seasonal prices can change, so treat any guide price as a planning reference and recheck the final cost before travel.

Rental pricing and feature reference

For trips like this guide, these are the current FSTA rental and add-on prices used across the website.

Service	Current price	Booking note
Full off-road insurance	EUR 29/day	For paved and off-road driving with no road restrictions; includes tires, glass, underbody, and scratches with EUR 0 responsibility for covered damage.
Roof tent	EUR 27/day	Available on eligible vehicles, subject to availability and route suitability.
Camping equipment	EUR 149 flat fee	Cooking and outdoor kit rented as one package.
Daily car rental	From EUR 53/day	Current starting rate from FSTA fleet data; model-specific rates are shown in the vehicle comparison table.
Standard Insurance	EUR 9/day	For paved-road trips only; off-road damage is not covered.
Cross-border documents	EUR 89 flat fee	Available for eligible cross-border trips with paperwork prepared before travel.
Yacht trip	EUR 250 flat fee	Private yacht or lake trip for up to 5 people where the selected country and city support it.
Helicopter tour	EUR 3,000 flat fee	Private 3-hour helicopter tour for up to 7 people, with route and takeoff details confirmed after request.
No deposit	Included	No blocked deposit in FSTA rental terms.
Unlimited mileage	Included	Useful for long self-drive routes and cross-country planning.
Free second driver	Included	A second driver can share the road without an extra daily fee.

Expert sources and local authority checks

This guide cites official transport, tourism, road, rail, park, or local travel references where relevant. Fares, travel times, opening hours, and road conditions can change, so FSTA checks these sources and local route notes before publishing.

• Tbilisi Transport Company standard tariff - official Tbilisi metro, bus, minibus, and ropeway fare rules.
• Georgian Railway passenger ticket portal - official train ticket search and passenger schedule checks.
• Roads Department of Georgia restrictions - official road restriction and closure notices for mountain and highway routes.
• Georgia Travel official destination guide - official country destination context for regions, cities, culture, and parks.
• National Parks of Georgia - official visitor information for protected areas and national parks.