Samegrelo is a little-developed region next to its bustling neighbor Imereti, but it still has much to offer those willing to make the extra efforts to explore. Check out our top 10 choices below.
1) DADIANI PALACE & MUSEUM
Located in the heart of the city, the palace and the surrounding area are said to be “considered one of the most eminent palaces in Caucasus” – no small feat for the small Western city in Georgia.
The museum hosts both historical and architectural artefacts and attracts visitors from all over the region.
The museum complex includes: palaces of the Samegrelo queen Ekaterine Chavchavadze-Dadiani and Prince Niko Dadiani, court church, and the botanical garden, which is now undergoing rejuvenation. In 1850, Prince David Dadiani opened a museum in the palace and displayed unique numismatic materials from the present-day village Nokalakevi, the antique period town and Dadiani family collections of medieval European armor and weapons, ethnographic objects and fine art.
2) GANMUKHRI & ANAKLIA SEA RESORTS
These two seaside resorts are connected by a whopping 552m pedestrian bridge over the river. You'll find sandy-pebble beaches, a boulevard, top hotels, an aqua park and a yacht club.
3) KOLKHETI NATIONAL PARK
The Kolkheti National Park is a true sleeping beauty, protected by vigorous rangers. At the west side of the lake, the small town of Poti occupies the shores. Still undeveloped for tourists, it's not really the perfect immersion into a national park but, boarding a small white vessel for tourism transport, a ranger takes control of the rudder before motoring you up river to Lake Paliastomi, a hidden spot for tourists looking for a bit of tranquility. Also check out the fishing opportunities, wide variety of boating tours, bird watching and eco-educational tours.
4) THE SWINGING ROCK 'KUAKANTSALIA'
The rock stands on a limestone massif in Tsalenjikha, 27km outside Zugdidi. What makes it so special is that if you touch the rock, it wobbles and creates knocking sounds. It is located on Kvira Mountain, which offers a picturesque view of the Enguri River lowlands.
5) KHOBI MONASTERY
Dating back to the 13 -14th cc., this monastery is located in Nojikhevi village around 30km from Zugdidi. The beautiful frescoes and ornaments in the church make it well worth a visit. It is said that the monastery served as the seat of the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia during the Middle Ages.
6) SKURI
Curative Georgian waters here must be drunk, and then you can pop along to the remains of the 'White Fortress' in the Skuri Valley dating back to the 1st - 3 rd cc.
7) THE OTSINDALE COMPLEX
In the village of Tala, 45km from Zugdidi, at 640 m above sea level, this complex combines an 11th century church and an 8th century tower overlooking the Kolkheti Valley.
8) SHURUBUMU
One for the nature-lovers: an area of lush green moss and thousand-year-old buxus trees. There's also a cave to explore with numerous stalactites and stalagmites.
9) INTSRA CANYON
At the basin of the River Intsra is a cave containing stalactites, stalagmites and helictites and a flow of water which leaves the cave as a 26m-high waterfall. Check it out in the Chkvalevi village.
10) ENGURI HYDROPOWER PLANT
The Enguri Dam is the 2nd highest concrete arch dam in the world. It was built in the 1970s as part of the hydropower plant. The lush blue of the water makes it a sight worth capturing on film.