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Georgians are opinionated, fact. I say that as a Georgian citizen myself, and it is something that cannot be denied. Most locals have an opinion of a specific region, its culture, language and people. Yet, an opinion is exactly that: an opinion. Having traveled around this glorious country many times, I can happily say that Zugdidi, the largest city in Georgia’s Samegrelo region, is definitely worth a chance.
I’m going to lay the information out as I see it. Whilst Zugdidi may not be the most picturesque town in the country, it is one of the richest culture-wise. This is what I call the real Georgia, no fronts, no lies. It's a city that perfectly depicts its past, present and future all in one. It’s honest. Megrelian people are some of the friendliest and most hospitable in the country, which makes the destination a worthwhile visit itself. It reminds me somewhat of Tbilisi before Saakashvili invested so much money in rejuvenating the capital.
For those of you with a good ear, you may notice a difference in the way people speak here. Megrelian is actually classed as a separate language, not a dialect; but is still within the Kartvelian language family. The city has a pleasant main square, with a pedestrianized grass-lined walkway through the middle. McDonald’s opened in Zugdidi in 2016, something of a milestone for a city that had previously missed out on any kind of rejuvenation.
Megrelian cuisine is a must-try. Local specialties include Kharcho, a spicy soup made with beef, Ajika, a local spice that is made into a sauce, and Ghomi, a dish made with cornmeal and cheese.
As for things to see and do around the city, Dadiani Palace is one of the most historical sites, and well worth a visit. Zugdidi is compact, thus making it easy to both navigate and walk around without the need for public transport. As mentioned above though, the real gem of this city is the absolute representation it depicts of the real western Georgia, and the unique hospitality these wonderful people offer to you, their “gifts from God.”
By Tamzin Whitewood