Zugdidi (Georgian: ზუგდიდი; Mingrelian: ზუგდიდი or ზუგიდი) is a city and the capital in Northwestern Georgia.
Zugdidi is a city of about 43,000 (2014) inhabitants. While Zugdidi is not a very popular city with tourists for itself, many pass through it on their way up to Mestia in Svaneti. It does have a few things to see, though, and is located near a national park. Zugdidi is also the gateway to Abkhazia.
Bertha von Suttner. apparently lived in Zugdidi for a while somewhere between 1876 and 1885, and some locals will proudly mention this fact to you.
Bertha von Suttner. apparently lived in Zugdidi for a while somewhere between 1876 and 1885, and some locals will proudly mention this fact to you.
- Museum Dadiani, 2, Zviad Gamsakhurdia str. (500m beyond the north end of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, +995 415 5 06 42, +995 415 5 16 95. Tu-Su 10:00 – 18:00. Exhibits of natural cultural heritage of Georgia – Tagiloni treasure materials, Mother of God holy vesture, the icon of queen Bordokhan – mother of queen Tamar of Georgia, manuscripts from 13th – 14th centuries, miniatures, memorial relics of Dadiani dynasty, and objects connected to emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte – brought to the palace by the husband of David Dadiani's daughter, prince Achille Murat, grandson of Napoleon's sister, Carolina. Adult 2 lari, students and pupils 1 lari.
- Botanical garden.
- Zugdidi bazaar. Between the new train station and the center of town, sells mainly vegetables.
- Rukhi fortress. Has a great view into Abkhazia and of the surrounding area. Great for sunsets.
- Chakvinji fortress. Has a great view of the surrounding area.
Rukhi fortress. Has a great view into Abkhazia and of the surrounding area. Great for sunsets.
Chakvinji fortress. Has a great view of the surrounding area.
Museum Dadiani, 2, Zviad Gamsakhurdia str. (500m beyond the north end of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, +995 415 5 06 42, +995 415 5 16 95. Tu-Su 10:00 – 18:00. Exhibits of natural cultural heritage of Georgia – Tagiloni treasure materials, Mother of God holy vesture, the icon of queen Bordokhan – mother of queen Tamar of Georgia, manuscripts from 13th – 14th centuries, miniatures, memorial relics of Dadiani dynasty, and objects connected to emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte – brought to the palace by the husband of David Dadiani's daughter, prince Achille Murat, grandson of Napoleon's sister, Carolina. Adult 2 lari, students and pupils 1 lari.
Botanical garden.
Zugdidi bazaar. Between the new train station and the center of town, sells mainly vegetables.
- Vlakernoba in Zugdidi (the day of the Blachernae's Virgin Mary). This is the main annual event in Zugdidi, an Orthodox Christian feast celebrated every year, on July 15. On this day, the robe of the Blessed Virgin Mary is taken from the Tower of Virgin of the Queen Palace (now a museum), where it is kept, to the Cathedral of the Blachernae Icon of the Mother of God.
Vlakernoba in Zugdidi (the day of the Blachernae's Virgin Mary). This is the main annual event in Zugdidi, an Orthodox Christian feast celebrated every year, on July 15. On this day, the robe of the Blessed Virgin Mary is taken from the Tower of Virgin of the Queen Palace (now a museum), where it is kept, to the Cathedral of the Blachernae Icon of the Mother of God.
There is a 24/7 small supermarket just at the crossroad with the road to Mestia.
The bazar in the center of town next to the main bridge sells all kinds of fresh food, home produce and sundry. There exist other market in Zugdidi as well.
There are a number of second hand shops here selling good quality clothes at a fraction of the cost of what they sell for in the bigger cities.
It can be hard to find Wi-Fi access in town, except in a few cafés.
- Tsaishi – Hot mineral sierra springs (not so much for taking a bath though), the Museum of Iona Meunargia, a Georgian poet and well known public person, the Old Tsaishi Church, picnic on the mountain Urta with amazing view to the Great Caucasus chain.
- Jvari – A small town with a couple of great attractions nearby, namely Enguri Dam and Silver Lake. The latter is one of the most impressive alpine treks that you can do in Georgia.
- Martvili – Popular for canyoning and white water rafting.
- Mestia – The "capital" of Svaneti and a UNESCO World Heritage site. 25 lari for marshrutka.
- Kutaisi – At least one marshrutka per day, or you can catch the train for 2 lari.