Mingrelia: Georgia's Least Discovered Region
Zugdidi is the capital of Mingrelia — a culturally distinct region of western Georgia with its own dialect, its own cuisine and a history that most tourists never encounter. It sits at the foot of the Caucasus range, 40 km from the Svaneti mountains, and was for centuries the seat of the powerful Dadiani princes who ruled the entire region.
This tour combines the history of the Dadiani Palace (which contains one of only four Napoleon death masks in the world) with the natural spectacle of Martvili Canyon — emerald water, 40-metre gorge walls, and a boat tour through a landscape that looks nothing like the rest of Georgia.
Tour Itinerary
Departure from Tbilisi
Pickup from your hotel. The drive to Zugdidi takes about 4 hours via the E60 highway through the Likhi Range.
Kutaisi (brief stop)
We pass through Kutaisi, the ancient capital of western Georgia. Optional quick stop for coffee or to see the Bagrati Cathedral from the road.
Dadiani Palace, Zugdidi
Entrance ₾7. The 19th century palace of the Dadiani princes — rulers of Mingrelia. The audio guide tells the story of Princess Salome Dadiani, who brought Napoleon's death mask from Paris after marrying into European aristocracy.
Palace Museum
Napoleon's death mask (one of four in the world), medieval weapons, royal jewelry, illuminated manuscripts and personal effects of the Dadiani family. One of the most unexpected museum collections in the Caucasus.
Botanical Garden
Founded in 1840, the Zugdidi botanical garden is the oldest in the Caucasus. Century-old sequoias, subtropical plants and a garden that feels completely out of place in Georgia — in the best possible way. Free with palace ticket.
Mingrelian Lunch
Traditional Mingrelian cuisine at a local restaurant — megrelian khachapuri, satsivi, fresh adjika. One of the spiciest and most distinctive regional cuisines in Georgia. Not included in tour price.
Martvili Canyon (optional)
Boat tour through an emerald-coloured river canyon with 40-metre walls. ₾10/person for the boat, plus ₾7 canyon entrance. One of the most photogenic sites in western Georgia. The 7th century Martvili monastery overlooks the gorge above — free to visit.
Return to Tbilisi
Arrival at your hotel or chosen drop-off point.
Included
- Private transfer from Tbilisi
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Dadiani Palace visit
- Botanical garden
- Photo stops along the route
- Martvili monastery (optional)
- Water in the car
Not included
- Palace entrance ₾7
- Food and drinks
- Martvili canyon entrance ₾7 + boat ₾10 (optional)
What to See in Zugdidi
Napoleon's Death Mask — The Most Unexpected Object in Georgia
The Dadiani Palace Museum contains one of only four death masks made of Napoleon Bonaparte after his death on Saint Helena in 1821. It was brought to Zugdidi by Princess Salome Dadiani, who married Prince Achille Murat (Napoleon's nephew) and later returned to Georgia with this extraordinary relic.
Most visitors to Georgia have never heard that a Napoleon death mask exists here. It is displayed alongside personal weapons, royal jewelry and illuminated manuscripts — a genuinely world-class collection in a place almost no one visits.
The Botanical Garden — Oldest in the Caucasus
Founded in 1840 by the Dadiani princes as part of the palace complex, the botanical garden contains plants from across the subtropical world — including century-old giant sequoias that tower over the Georgian countryside. Included with the palace entrance ticket and easy to miss if you do not know it is there.
Martvili Canyon — Emerald Water and 40-Metre Walls
About 40 km from Zugdidi, the Abasha river has carved a dramatic canyon through limestone and basalt. The water is a vivid emerald green — coloured by minerals dissolved from the canyon walls. A flat-bottomed boat carries you through the narrowest sections, where the walls close to just a few metres apart overhead.
Above the canyon stands Martvili monastery, built in the 7th century — one of the oldest Christian monastic complexes in western Georgia. The view from the monastery terrace over the gorge below is spectacular.
Mingrelian Food and the Zugdidi Market
Mingrelian cuisine is noticeably spicier than the rest of Georgian cooking. The signature dish is Megrelian khachapuri — the cheese bread is stuffed with fresh sulguni inside and topped with melted sulguni outside, then served with a raw egg cracked on top. Adjika (fresh chili paste) appears on every table.
Before leaving Zugdidi, stop at the local market: vacuum-packed smoked suluguni sells for ₾8–12/kg — three times cheaper than in Tbilisi shops and it keeps for weeks. The best edible souvenir from western Georgia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zugdidi worth a full day from Tbilisi?
Yes, especially combined with Martvili Canyon. The drive is long (4 hours each way) but the route through the Kolkheti lowlands is beautiful and the combination of the palace museum, botanical garden, Mingrelian food and the canyon makes for a genuinely full and varied day.
Can we combine Zugdidi with Svaneti?
Zugdidi is the gateway to Svaneti — it is the last major town before the mountain road into Mestia. If you are planning a Svaneti tour, Zugdidi can be a natural first stop. Ask Timur about combined itineraries.
What time does the tour return to Tbilisi?
With the Martvili Canyon stop included, we typically return to Tbilisi around 20:00–21:00. Without the canyon, arrival is around 19:00.
Want a private guide for Tbilisi?
Timur also leads private tours of the capital — Old Town, Narikala fortress and the sulfur baths district.
Private Guide Tbilisi →Book the Zugdidi Tour
Private group, your pace. 07:30 departure from your hotel.