Zugdidi

ზუგდიდი

The capital of Samegrelo and former seat of the Dadiani princely dynasty, home to the Dadiani Palace and its botanical garden. It is the main hub for reaching Svaneti and offers museum culture and Megrelian cuisine.

Things to do

• Dadiani Palace Museum — Explore the 19th-century residence of the Dadiani princely dynasty, housing royal artifacts including one of Napoleon Bonaparte's death masks.
• Dadiani Botanical Garden — Stroll through the leafy park surrounding the palace, planted with exotic and native species by the princely family.
• Blessed Virgin Church — Visit the palace-adjacent church associated with the Dadiani family and a revered icon and relic of the Virgin's robe.
• Zugdidi Central Market — Browse the bustling bazaar for spices, cheeses, churchkhela, and fresh Megrelian produce.
• Take the marshrutka to Mestia — Zugdidi is the main jumping-off point for Svaneti, with regular minibuses departing near the train station for the mountains.
• Rukhi Fortress excursion — Drive to the nearby ruined medieval fortress overlooking the Enguri River just outside the city.

Food to try

• Megrelian khachapuri — The local version of the cheese bread, topped with extra melted sulguni cheese on the crust.
• Elarji — A rich cornmeal and sulguni cheese porridge that stretches into long gooey strands when eaten.
• Gebzhalia — Rolls of sulguni cheese in a minty cornmeal sauce, a signature Megrelian appetizer.
• Kharcho (Megrelian) — A hearty walnut-thickened beef stew seasoned with the region's beloved spices.
• Ajika — The fiery Megrelian red pepper and garlic paste served as a condiment with nearly every meal.
• Churchkhela and honey — Nut strings dipped in grape must, found fresh at the central market alongside local honey.

Local customs & good to know

• Megrelian is spoken here — Locals often speak Megrelian, a Kartvelian language distinct from Georgian, though Georgian is understood everywhere.
• Expect spicy food — Megrelian cuisine is notably hotter than the rest of Georgia, so ask before adding ajika if you dislike heat.
• Plan Svaneti transport early — Marshrutkas to Mestia fill up and depart mostly in the morning, so book or arrive early for onward travel.
• Respect church dress codes — Cover shoulders and knees when visiting churches, and women may be offered a headscarf at the entrance.

Nearby

• Bedia Cathedral (Abkhazia) — 29 km
• Enguri Dam — 32 km
• Martvili Canyon (Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi & Kvemo Svaneti) — 42 km
• Okatse Canyon (Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi & Kvemo Svaneti) — 54 km