Zugdidi

Zugdidi (Georgian: ზუგდიდი; Mingrelian: ზუგდიდი or ზუგიდი) is a city in the Samegrelo region of Georgia.

Understand

Zugdidi, a city of about 43,000 (2014), is the capital of the region.

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.

Get in

By train

Trains run to Tbilisi and all stops on the way. Night trains are also available, and are the most popular way to get from Tbilisi to Zugdidi, since the marshrutkas to Mestia are coordinated with them (see Go next section). Arrival in Zugdidi is at 6:25 (as of 2014). Marshrutkas and buses are also available to most major cities in Georgia.

By bus

Besides getting in by Marshrutka (mini bus) there is a bus line (coaches) from Tbilisi: Metro Bus departs three times a day (5 h, 20 lari) and tickets can be purchased online. Same from Zugdidi to Tbilisi.

Get around

See

• 🌍 Museum Dadiani, 2, Zviad Gamsakhurdia str. (500m beyond the north end of Zviad Gamsakhurdia), ☎ [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 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 schoolchildren 1 lari.  
• 🌍 Botanical garden (east of the Dadiani Palace).  
• Zugdidi bazaar. Between the new train station and the center of town, sells mainly vegetables. (updated Oct 2017)

Do

• Vlakernoba in Zugdidi (the day of the Blachernae's Virgin Mary) (Georgian: ვლაქერნობა). 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. 

Buy

There is a 24/7 small supermarket just at the crossroad with the road to Mestia.

The bazzar in the center of town next to the main bridge sells all kinds of fresh food, home produce and sundry

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

Eat

Sleep

There are a few hotels and one hostel in this town.

• 🌍 Zugdidi Hostel, Rustaveli 8 (10-15 min walk from city centre, bus/train station), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. This is a place where people get together, party and have a good time, storytelling and Georgian wine tasting. Soft beds, a vineyard, cozy old Asian atmosphere and funny staff; tips on travelling, tours of the region and maps are also available. Hostel: 15-25 lari, bed in dorm: 20 lari, bed in single/double room: 25 lari. 
• Mymoon Hostel,67 Rustaveli str, 2100 Zugdidi (main road that the new train station is on, across town past the tourist information center) friendly home style hostel, often full of local travelers, has computer, services available, about 30 lari/night

Connect

It can be hard to find Wi-Fi access in town, except in a few cafés.

Go next

• 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. The marshrutka to Jvari leaves a minute's walk from the main marshrutka station in Zugdidi. It is located just across the bridge, but just ask "sad aris Jvari marshrutka". This journey is just 32km and will take 30 minutes and cost 2 Lari. It is on the way to Mestia.
• Mestia. Marshrutki to Mestia wait in front of the train station. The price is 20 lari (March 2015). Note that these marshrutki will only go if there are enough passengers. Therefore expect some hours of waiting in the worst case. Duration: 4 hours. An alternative is a shared minivan (also called marshrutka by the locals). They start at a fixed time in the Gulua street at the crossing with the Dutu Megreli street. (Go from the train station to the main road (Rustaveli street), turn left and follow it towards the city, just before the bridge turn left and go in the Gulua street about 200 m, there should be a sign on the right side at a kiosk.)
• Kutaisi: at least one marshrutka per day, or you can catch the train for 2 lari.