Church of the Holy Mother of God
🧭 Address, location map, visitor reviews and rating: Church of the Holy Mother of God in Abasha. See it on the map and …
Municipalities of Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti
Georgia's most contrasting region.
Subtropical Samegrelo with its tangerine groves in the west and high-mountain Svaneti with glaciers and medieval towers in the north.
Zugdidi with the Dadiani Palace, the Martvili Canyon with its turquoise river, and Mestia at the foot of Mount Ushba are just a few of the attractions that await travelers in the region's eight municipalities.
Upper Svaneti is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This region is perfect for those who want to experience several different Georgias in one trip—warm, mountainous, palatial, and almost legendary.
🌿 Abasha Municipality
Center — Abasha · Colchian Lowland
Abasha is located in the heart of the Colchian Lowland, among humid subtropical forests and agricultural lands.
A quiet and cozy corner of the Megrelian region, with traditional cuisine and warm hospitality.
This place is suitable for those who want to see the peaceful rural life of Samegrelo without the tourist bustle.
All settlements of the municipality
Abashispiri
Bulvani
Gagma-Zanati
Gagma-Kodori
Gamogma-Zanati
Gamogma-Kodori
Gautskinari
Gezati
Gugunakari
Guleikari
Gulukheti
Dzveli-Abasha
Dziguri
Kvishanchala
Ketilari
Kolobani
Maidani
Marani
Maranchala
Matskhovriskari
Naesakao
Ontopo
Norio
Pirveli-Maisi
Sabokuchavo
Sagvazavo
Samikao
Sepieti
Sujuna
Tkviri
Tkhmelari
Tsalikari
Tsilori
Tskemi
Etseri
Simon Chikovani St., 1, Abasha, Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti Region, Georgia
🏙️ Zugdidi Municipality
Center — Zugdidi · Capital of Samegrelo
Zugdidi is the main city of Samegrelo — lively and modern.
Dadiani Palace, with its collection of European art and personal belongings of Napoleon, the Botanical Garden and proximity to the sea make it a convenient base for exploring the entire region.
Minibuses to Mestia depart from here.
All settlements of the municipality
Abastumani
Alertkari
Akhali-Abastumani
Akhalkakhati
Akhalsopeli
Bagmarani
Bashi
Ganardjiis-Mukhuri
Davitiani
Darcheli
Jikhaskari
Jumi
Didi-Nedzi
Didi-Nedzis-Kakhati
Dikhagudzuba
Zeda-Etseri
Ingiri
Kakhati
Kirov
Koki
Kortskheli
Kulishkari
Menji
Mogiri
Narazeni
Natsatu
Natsuluku
Nachkadu
Odishi
Oireme
Oktomberi
Opachkhapu
Orsantia
Orulu
Palazoni
Rike
Rukhi
Sabechvaio
Sachurgulio
Tikori
Tkaia
Urta
Uchashona
Khetsera
Khurcha
Tsaishi
Tsatskhvi
Tsvane
Chakvinji
Chitatskari
Chkaduashi
Chkhoria
Chkhoushi
Shamadela
Shamgona
Ergeta
⛪ Martvili Municipality
Center — Martvili · Canyon and monastery
Martvili is known for two wonders: the 10th-century Martvili Monastery on a cliff and Martvili Canyon with its turquoise river, where you can take a boat ride.
This is one of the most photogenic places in Western Georgia.
It is worth coming here for beautiful natural views, ancient spiritual history and a route that works well even for a short trip.
All settlements of the municipality
Abedati
Alerti
Bandza
Boboti
Vakha
Vedidkari
Gachedili
Godogani
Dgvana
Jolevi
Didi-Inchkhuri
Didi-Chkoni
Doberazeni
Doshake
Zhinota
Zemo-Nagvazavo
Zemo-Khuntsi
Kvemo-Nagvazavo
Kvemo-Khuntsi
Kurzu
Lebache
Levakhane
Legulordave
Ledgebe
Lezhvanie
Lekajaie
Lekvantalie
Lekekele
Lekobale
Lemikave
Lepatarave
Lepochkhue
Leskhulukhe
Lekhaindravo
Letsave
Letsitskhvaie
Makhati
Meore-Balda
Meore-Gurdzemi
Meore-Kitsia
Mesame-Balda
Mukhurcha
Nageberavo
Najakhavo
Namikolavo-Meore
Namikolavo-Pirveli
Nakhunavo
Nakhurtsilavo
Nobulevi
Noga
Nojikhevi
Onogia
Orka
Oche
Patara-Zhinota
Patara-Inchkhuri
Patara-Oche
Patara-Tamakoni
Pirveli-Balda
Pirveli-Gurdzemi
Pirveli-Kitsia
Saberulavo
Salkhino
Sanachkebio
Sergieti
Skurdi
Stepasdabali
Taleri
Tamakoni
Targameuli
Tsachkhuri
Tsinakverkve
Chaburta
Etseri
🏔️ Mestia Municipality
Center — Mestia · Upper Svaneti
Mestia is the capital of Upper Svaneti and one of the most breathtaking corners of the Caucasus.
Medieval towers, the Chalaadi Glacier, Mount Ushba and the Mestia–Ushguli route — one of the best treks in the world.
Svaneti is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
All settlements of the municipality
Adishi
Anili
Artskheli
Askarti
Atsi
Bagvdanari
Barjashi
Barshi
Bogreshi
Vichnashi
Gagma-Khaishi
Galashi
Gvalderi
Gvebaldi
Gvebra
Gentsvishi
Geshderi
Davberi
Devra
Jorkvali
Dizi
Dolasvipi
Doli
Zhabeshi
Zhamushi
Zhibiani
Zagari
Zardlashi
Zegani
Zeda-Vedi
Zeda-Lukha
Zeda-Khaishi
Zeda-Tsvirimindi
Zemo-Vedi
Zemo-Margi
Idliani
Ieli
Ienashi
Iprari
Ipkhi
Iskari
Kaeri
Kalashi
Kari
Kartvani
Katskhi
Kashveti
Kvana
Kvanchianari
Kveda-Vedi
Kveda-Ipari
Kveda-Lukha
Kveda-Tsvirimindi
Kvemo-Margi
Kvitsani
Kedani
Kichkhuldashi
Kurashi
Labskaldi
Ladreri
Lakvri
Lalkhorali
Lalkhori
Lamjurishi
Lamkheri
Lanteli
Lankhvri
Larilari
Lakhami
Lakhamula
Lakhani
Lakhili
Lakhiri
Lakhushdi
Lashtkhveri
Lashkhrashi
Lashkhreri
Latsomba
Leburtskhila
Lezgara
Lekulmakha
Lelbagi
Lemsia
Lenkvashi
Letperi
Leshukvi
Lukhi
Magardeli
Majvdieri
Mazeri
Matskhvarishi
Murkmeli
Murshkeli
Mukhashura
Naki
Nakipari
Nakra
Nalkorvali
Nankbuli
Nankvam-Zagrali
Nashikhvi
Nashtkoli
Nesguni
Nogari-Ketslani
Paledi
Pari
Pkhutreri
Svipi
Sgurishi
Sidianari
Skordzeti
Soli
Tavrali
Tvebishi
Tviberi
Tita
Tobari
Totani
Toteleshi
Ugvali
Usgviri
Ushkhvanari
Khaishi
Khalde
Khamashi
Khe
Khebudi
Khelra
Kherkhvashi
Kheshkili
Khosrari
Tsalanari
Tsaldashi
Tsaleri
Tsvirimi
Tsitskhvari
Tskhekvani
Chale
Chazhashi
Chvabiani
Chvibiani
Cheliri
Cheri
Chkidanari
Chobani
Cholashi
Chokhuldi
Shgedi
Shdikhiri
Shkaleri
🌊 Senaki Municipality
Center — Senaki · Western Georgia
Senaki is a small town at the crossroads between Zugdidi, Kutaisi and the coast.
Around it are villages with traditional houses and cuisine, and one of the best reasons to stop here is to try authentic Megrelian food.
This municipality is convenient as a quiet stop on a route through Western Georgia and a good place to discover the everyday life of Samegrelo.
All settlements of the municipality
Akhalsopeli
Bataria
Betlemi
Gakhomela
Gejeti
Golaskuri
Jikha
Jolevi
Dzveli-Senaki
Dzigideri
Didi-Khorshi
Zana
Zeda-Nakalakevi
Zeda-Sorta
Isula
Kvauti
Kveda-Sorta
Kotianeti
Lebagature
Legogie
Legogie-Nasadju
Legogine
Ledzadzame
Lekokaie
Lesajaie
Meore-Mokhashi
Mokhashi
Mukhuri
Nosiri
Patara-Zana
Pertuli
Pirveli-Nosiri
Potskho
Reka
Saadamio
Saadanaio
Sabeselio
Sagabeskirio
Sagvaramio
Sagvichio
Sagugunavo
Sakilasonio
Saodishario
Satkebuchavo
Sakharbedio
Satsuleiskirio
Satskhvitao
Sachikobavo
Sashurgaio
Saesebuo
Siriachkoni
Skuria
Teklati
Tkiri
Ushapati
Tsizeti
Shromiskari
Shua-Nosiri
Shua-Khorshi
Eki
Etseri
🌾 Khobi Municipality
Center — Khobi · Monastery and plain
Khobi is home to one of the significant Orthodox monasteries of Western Georgia — the 13th-century Khobi Monastery with surviving frescoes.
Around it stretches the fertile Colchian Plain with mandarin orchards.
This municipality is suitable for those who want to combine peaceful rural landscapes, ancient monastic architecture and the gentle character of Samegrelo.
All settlements of the municipality
Akhalsopeli
Akhal Khibula
Bia
Bia-Sashonio
Bulitsku
Bulishi
Gagma-Kariata
Gagma-Pirveli-Khorga
Gagma-Sajijao
Gagma-Shua-Khorga
Gamogma-Kariata
Gamogma-Pirveli-Khorga
Gamogma-Shua-Khorga
Gashperdi
Gvimaroni
Gimozgondzhili
Dasakhleba
Dgvaba
Japshakari
Dzveli Khibula
Durgana
Zemo-Bia
Zemo-Kvaloni
Zeni
Zubi
Kvemo-Kvaloni
Korati
Kulevi
Kutkhenojikhevi
Larchva
Meore-Guripuli
Naposhtu
Nojikhevi
Nochkhoni
Okhvamekari
Patara-Poti
Pirveli-Guripuli
Saalanio-Sapachulio
Sabajo
Sabukio
Sagvamichavo
Sagvichio
Sakvikvinio
Sakirio
Sakorkio
Sakukavo
Sakhocholavo
Sachochuo
Torsa
Shavgele
Khamiskuri
Kheta
Tsinagola
Chitaushkuri
Chikhu
🌲 Tsalenjikha Municipality
Center — Tsalenjikha · Mountainous Megrelia
Tsalenjikha lies where the plains of Samegrelo turn into the foothills of Svaneti.
Roads to the mountains begin here, while the town itself preserves a monastery with rare medieval frescoes.
This municipality is interesting for those who want to see a quieter, more mountainous and spiritual side of the Megrelian region.
All settlements of the municipality
Jagira
Jgali
Zgvaia
Zeda-Lia
Zeda-Mazandara
Zeda-Sachino
Kalagali
Kveda-Mazandara
Kukheshi
Lara
Legvinjile
Ledzadzamie
Lejolikhe
Lezha
Lekakule
Lekarde
Lesale
Letkanti
Lekharchile
Leshamuge
Lia
Lugera-Samtsatskhvi
Makharia
Medani
Mikava
Mujava
Naguru
Naka
Nakipu
Nandjaru
Nashamgu
Obuji
Olori
Ochane
Paluri
Pakhulani
Potskhoetseri
Sameskhio
Sachino
Uluria
Khviteri-Sakalandio
Tskoushi
Chale
Chvele
Chkvaleri
Etseri
Etserperdi
🏡 Chkhorotsku Municipality
Center — Chkhorotsku · Megrelian countryside
Chkhorotsku is one of the quietest and most authentic corners of Samegrelo.
Traditional Megrelian houses, homemade adjika and sulguni, old gardens and unhurried rural life.
Ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in the everyday life of real Western Georgia.
All settlements of the municipality
Akhuti
Garaha
Jumiti
Zumi
Kveda-Chkhorotsku
Kirtskhi
Koko
Leakhale
Legakhare
Ledarsale
Lejike
Lekarche
Lekobale
Lesichine
Letsurtsume
Meore-Lesichine
Meore-Choga
Moidanakhe
Mongiri
Mukhuri
Nagvazu
Nakiani
Napichkhovo
Ochkhomuri
Pirveli-Choga
Sarakoni
Taia
Khabume
Khantski
🗺️ 5 Frequently Asked Questions from Tourists about Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Municipalities
🤔 How many municipalities are there in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and how are they different?
💬 The region includes eight municipalities: Zugdidi (the administrative center), Mestia (the center of mountainous Svaneti), Poti (a port city on the Black Sea), Senaki (thermal springs), Chkhorotsku (nature reserves), Tsalenjikha (mountain gorges), Martvili (canyons and monasteries), and Abasha. The region is unique in that it combines the Black Sea coast, the relict forests of Colchis, and high-mountain Svaneti with glaciers and medieval towers.
🤔 What are Svan towers and how to get to them?
💬 The Svan towers are the main landmark of Svaneti, built from the 8th to the 13th centuries to defend against enemies and blood feuds. Today, all the towers are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are periodically restored. From Tbilisi, you can reach Mestia by minibus for 35 lari (8-9 hours), or take the train to Zugdidi and then transfer to a minibus to Mestia.
🤔 What is Martvili Canyon – is it worth going there?
💬 The Martvili Canyon is located 5 km from the city center on the Abasha River and consists of two parts—an upper section (boat tours) and a lower section (hiking along the shore)—with a total length of 2.4 km. Dinosaur footprints were recently discovered in Martvili, making it even more popular; a boat ride through the canyon starts at 25 lari.
🤔 What to see in Zugdidi – is there anything interesting there?
💬 Zugdidi's main attractions are the Dadiani Palace Museum, with its family history dating back to 1046, and the Botanical Garden. Nearby is the Nokalakevi Fortress, founded in the 3rd century BC. According to legend, Nokalakevi was where the famous Golden Fleece, the treasure Jason and the Argonauts sailed to find, was kept. It is one of the most mythologically rich monuments in all of Georgia.
🤔 What is Ushguli and why do tourists travel there from Mestia?
💬 The villages of the Svan community of Ushguli are considered the highest permanent settlement in Europe and a must-see on any itinerary in Svaneti—the architecture of Upper Svaneti is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated at an altitude of 2,200 meters, Ushguli feels like time has stood still—narrow streets, medieval towers, and views of the Shkhara Glacier create the atmosphere of another era.