Zugdidi (Georgia) is a picturesque town located in the west of the country, in the valley of the Riona River, near the Black Sea. It is located at a distance of 332 kilometers from Tbilisi. The city’s population is just under 43,000, mostly native Georgians. This is an area with a rich historical past.
The city of Zugdidi has well-developed transport links. Every corner where there is a paved road can be reached by an inexpensive shuttle bus. Alternatively, you can travel to neighboring cities and the capital by bus or train.
Photos of Zugdidi perfectly convey the atmosphere and climate of the city. This is a warm but humid area, with frequent rains. In summer, in July and August, the air temperature rises to the highest level for these places, and on average is 26-27 degrees Celsius. In winter, it is relatively cold here, the temperature almost never falls below zero.
Zugdidi Attractions: what to see and where to go
Zugdidi is not a popular tourist city, but the most interesting thing here is the green streets and national Georgian flavor. The city has entertainment for those who love history or culture. When you are in Zugdidi in Georgia, it makes sense to visit the following attractions.
Dadiani Palace
Majestic monument and business card of the city, the castle-in the past the residence of a famous dynasty of local princes, relatives of Napoleon. The palace is designed in an aristocratic style and looks like European architecture of the 17th century. At the same time, the construction of the complex, which can be seen today, lasted from 1873 to 1878.
Inside the castle there is a museum that tells about the members of the dynasty and contains a large number of Georgian antiquities. There is also a huge library in one of the rooms. The total number of exhibits in the museum exceeds 40,000. The most interesting parts of the palace have passed the stage of reconstruction, they contain antique furniture, portraits, paintings, cutlery and dishes of princes.
On the territory of the castle there is a small botanical garden – one of the most popular places for taking photos in Georgia and Zugdidi. There is a small church nearby.
The best time to visit the Dadiani Palace is in the last months of spring. At this time, the ennobled territory of the castle blooms, trees and grass turn green, fountains start up, and the first flowers appear.
- Address of the attraction: Zviad Gamsakhurdia St., 2, Zugdidi 2100, Georgia.
- Opening hours: 9: 00-18: 00 daily, except Mondays.
Zugdidi Boulevard
Central Street is one of the most beautiful places in the city. Its length is 511 meters, it connects two large squares – the central one, where the drama theater and the alley to the Dadiani Palace are located nearby, and Freedom Square, where the local administration building is located. The boulevard is framed by many shady trees, shops, unusual sculptures, fountains are everywhere. In addition, there are several cafes, a post office and hotels. Zugdidi Boulevard is a great place for a relaxing walk with children.
Rukh Fortress
An ancient fortress destroyed in the late 18th century as a result of the Turkish-Georgian battle with the participation of King Solomon the Great. It is located 7 kilometers from the outskirts of Zugdidi, not far from the Abkhazian region. The fortress stands on a small hill, near the Inguri River.
This place is called “history set in stone”. Despite the fact that the fortress was badly damaged during the battle, several towers are still in good condition today. The territory of the fortress is surrounded by a defensive, very high 10-meter wall. You can pass through it from the highway side or from the river side.
To get to the Rukh Fortress, you need to use the Zugdidi Rukhi minibus or taxi services.
Due to the fact that Zugdidi is a young city, the infrastructure and entertainment here are at an elementary level. It is worth visiting to enjoy the alliance of Georgian culture and history, admire the green spaces and interesting architecture. For children, the sights of Zugdidi (Georgia) may seem boring.
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How to get to Zugdidi: all the ways
There is no airport in the city, so it is impossible to fly here directly from abroad. The most convenient route to get to Zugdidi is from the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.
By train
Two Tbilisi-Zugdidi trains are available daily for passengers:
- No. 870 fast, goes to 8:10, 13:38, 18:15 and 23: 55; travel time-5 h. 45 min., ticket price-15 GEL);
- No. 602 (passenger train, departure at 21: 45, trip takes 8 h. 15 min., price for one-10 GEL reserved seat, 20 GEL compartment).
It is better to buy tickets in advance, as this route is very popular and passenger check-in closes half an hour before departure. This can be done at a special ticket office at the railway station or on the Internet, on the official website of the Georgian railway tickets.railway.ge.
By bus
You can also get to the city by taking one of the Tbilisi-Zugdidi buses. Georgian transport services offer tourists the following options::
- Bus number 10. Departs from Tbilisi at one o’clock in the morning, travel time – 5 hours. It passes through several cities with stops. Comfortable seats, there is a TV. The price, as for all buses on this route, is GEL 15.
- No. 63. At 12:00, the bus departs from the Tbilisi city bus station “Didube “and arrives in Zugdidi at the” Old Bus Station ” at 17:00. Stops in 7 cities along the way.
- No. 65. Departure time-19: 00, arrival at 01:0. The bus has a TV.
Zugdidi (Georgia) is a great city for a short transit trip. Do you like nature and historical memorials? Then go on a trip to ancient Georgian places.
Interesting facts
- In Megrelian (the language of the historical region of Megrelia), Zugdidi means “big hill”
- Today, the garden on the territory of the Dadiani Palace is the Zugdidi Botanical Garden.
- During the Soviet era, many factories were built in the city. This led to an increase in the population, which reached the level of 100,000. To date, the number of residents has decreased by more than 2 times.
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