4 / 5 - One review
How to get there
5hrs by car or public transport from Tbilisi
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
1 to 2 days
Zugdidi (Georgia)
©
Nicolas Landru
Practical information on Zugdidi
Reviews of Zugdidi
The capital of Mingrelia is a town that's home to 50,000; a vibrant, green hub that benefits from a sub-tropical climate. People come here for its lush, botanical gardens and the Dadiani Palace, a Georgian castle constructed in a European style.
My suggestion:
Take a tour of the market on Roustaveli Street - it's buzzing and authentic. And you must sample the tea, watermelons and locally grown citrus fruit!
My review
I arrived in Zougdidi under a blue sky. I had negative preconceptions, as this town borders Abkhazia and saw a massive influx of refugees during the 1990's. So I was delighted to discover a lovely urban setting, covered in sub-tropical vegetation, with huge houses on stilts, surrounded by terraces and gardens.
The greenery astonished me. And I found out why that very afternoon. In Zougdidi rain and shine go hand in hand! I was able to fully enjoy the Mingrelian welcome, as my hosts were, like most of their fellow countrymen, outgoing and cheerful, whilst the food was deliciously spicy.
What's more there's a lovely atmosphere in this Mingrelian town. I loved wandering around the lush botanical gardens, built during the 19th Century by the European-loving Dadiani princes who ruled over Mingrelia. What's more I stumbled upon a castle that looked like a miniature version of those in the French Loire Valley - the Dadiani Palace, a neo-Medieval style built by the princes, set in the heart of the Caucasus. It's a lovely place and its park, frequented by Zougdidi's youth during the summer months, is a romantic place for a walk - quite a rare find in the Caucasus.
©
Nicolas Landru
