Zugdidi
Samegrelo's lively capital and the gateway to Svaneti, known for the Dadiani Palace, its botanical garden and spicy Megrelian cooking.
ZugdidiPhoto: Nanika Matua, CC BY-SA 4.0Zugdidi is the capital of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and the last sizeable town before the mountain road to Mestia. It is a busy, low-lying place at about 100 m above sea level, with around 40,000 people, broad tree-lined streets and a warm, humid climate. Most travellers stop here for a night or a long lunch to break the drive from Tbilisi to Svaneti. The main sight is the Dadiani Palace complex and its large botanical garden at the edge of the centre. The town market is a good place to buy ajika, Megrelian cheese and spice mixes.
Zugdidi is one of the best places in Georgia to eat Megrelian food. Local restaurants serve elarji, gebzhalia, kharcho and Megrelian khachapuri, which has extra cheese baked on top. The town is also the main transport hub for Svaneti: the train from Tbilisi ends here, and marshrutkas to Mestia leave from near the station. On 15 July, the feast of Vlakernoba, believers gather as a relic venerated as the robe of the Virgin Mary is carried from the Dadiani Palace to the cathedral.
History
Zugdidi was the seat of the Dadiani family, who ruled Odishi, later the Principality of Mingrelia, for centuries. It remained their capital until 1867, when the Russian Empire abolished the principality. The Dadianis rebuilt their palaces and laid out the botanical garden here in the 19th century. After the 1992 to 1993 war in Abkhazia, many displaced families settled in Zugdidi, and they remain a large part of the town's population today.
What to see and do
- Dadiani Palace museum and botanical garden
- Zugdidi market for ajika, sulguni and spice mixes
- Megrelian restaurants serving elarji, gebzhalia and kharcho
- The Vlakernoba procession on 15 July
How to visit
Getting there
Zugdidi is about 320 km west of Tbilisi, around 5 hours by car or about 5.5 hours on the daily train. From Kutaisi it is roughly 100 km, about 1.5 hours by car.
When to go
April to June and September to October; summers are hot and humid. Plan half a day to 1 day here.
- Use Zugdidi to split the long drive from Tbilisi to Mestia, so you reach the mountains fresh the next morning.
- Megrelian food is spicy; ask for less ajika if you prefer milder dishes.
- The administrative boundary line with occupied Abkhazia runs along the Enguri River west of town; check your government's travel advice and do not try to cross it.
- Marshrutkas to Mestia leave mostly in the morning and around the arrival of the train from Tbilisi.
Zugdidi: FAQ
Is Zugdidi worth visiting?
Yes, for a few hours or a night. The Dadiani Palace and botanical garden are worth seeing, the Megrelian food is excellent, and it is the natural overnight stop between Tbilisi and Mestia.
How far is Zugdidi from Mestia?
About 130 km. The paved mountain road takes around 3 hours by car and 3.5 to 4 hours by marshrutka, passing the Enguri Dam on the way.
Read more in our guides
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Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Zugdidi.
