Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti: Georgia’s Wild West & Land of Towers

Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti (Georgian: სამეგრელო-ზემო სვანეთი) is a land of dramatic contrasts—where lush subtropical forests meet icy 5,000m peaks, and spicy Megrelian cuisine fuels adventures to UNESCO-listed Svan towers.

Key Facts

Capital: Zugdidi (gateway to Svaneti & breakaway Abkhazia).

Population: ~330,000 (Megrelians & Svans).

Languages: Georgian + Megrelian & Svan (unwritten regional languages).

Famous For: Spicy food, Svanetian towers, and the Enguri Dam.

Why Visit?

UNESCO Svaneti – Europe’s highest villages & medieval towers.

Megrelian Fire Cuisine – The spiciest food in Georgia.

Off-Road Adventures – Hidden canyons, glacial hikes, Soviet ruins.

Top Places to Visit

1. Zugdidi & Dadiani Palace

Dadiani Palace Museum – Napoleon’s death mask & royal relics.

Enguri Dam – 5th tallest dam in the world (near Abkhazia border).

2. Martvili & Balda Canyons

Martvili Canyon – Turquoise waterfalls & boat rides.

Balda Canyon – Wild, less-touristed alternative.

3. Mestia & Upper Svaneti (UNESCO)

Svan Towers – 12th-century stone defense towers.

Koruldi Lakes – High-altitude hike with views of Mt. Ushba.

Hatsvali Ski Resort – Cheap, crowd-free skiing.

4. Ushguli (Europe’s Highest Village)

Lamaria Church – Medieval frescoes at 2,200m.

Shkhara Glacier – Trek to Georgia’s highest peak (5,193m).

5. Soviet & Natural Oddities

Tskhaltubo – Abandoned Stalin-era spa town (near Kutaisi).

Tobavarchkhili Lakes – Remote "Silver Lakes" for hardcore trekkers.

Culture & Traditions

Svan Warrior Heritage – Isolated clans kept medieval blood feuds until the 20th century.

Megrelian Spice Obsession – Adjika (hot pepper paste) on everything.

Svan Folk Singing – Deep polyphony, like Gurian but darker.

Must-Try Foods

Megrelian Khachapuri – Cheese bread topped with MORE cheese.

Elarji – Cornmeal & sulguni cheese stirred for hours.

Kupati – Spicy pork sausage with pomegranate.

Svanetian Salt – Garlic, wild blue fenugreek, and salt mix.

How to Get There?

From Tbilisi:

5-6h to Mestia (via Zugdidi).

4h to Martvili.

Marshrutka: From Tbilisi (Didube) or Kutaisi.

Flight: Tbilisi-Mestia (Vanilla Sky, unreliable in winter).

Best Time to Visit

July-Sept – Hiking, festivals (e.g., Svaneti Folk Festival).

Dec-Mar – Skiing in Mestia/Hatsvali.

Avoid Apr-May – Muddy trails from snowmelt.

This region is Georgia’s wildest frontier—where you’ll eat the spiciest meals, hike to medieval villages, and discover Soviet ruins in the jungle. Perfect for adventurers who want UNESCO sites without the crowds.