Samegrelo Kingdoms and Wetlands
From Nokalakevi and Dadiani heritage to Kolkheti wetlands.
- days
- 4 / 3 nights
- Total distance
- 480 km
- Total driving
- 09:30
- Car needed
- Economy class
- Season
- April–October
- Difficulty
- Easy
Click a marker for details. Coloured lines are ready-made road trips.
Four days of archaeology palaces canyon and Black Sea wetlands.
Day-by-day plan
Day 1: Nokalakevi → Salkhino. Day 2: Martvili. Day 3: Zugdidi. Day 4: Kolkheti → Poti.
Stops on this route
Nokalakevi (Archaeopolis)
A fortified city from the Lazic Wars above the Tekhuri river — walls, a secret tunnel and an active excavation.
2 h
Salkhino Dadiani Residence
The Dadiani summer estate north of Martvili, with Ojaleshi vines trained up trees and a monastery in the grounds.
1 h
Martvili Canyon
A turquoise river between limestone walls, with boardwalks and a short boat ride — Samegrelo's most visited natural site.
2 h
Dadiani Palace, Zugdidi
The residence of the princes of Mingrelia set in a botanical garden — Napoleon's death mask and the family collection.
2 h
Kolkheti National Park and Lake Paliastomi
Georgia’s great coastal wetland south of Poti — peat bogs, flooded alder forest and a brackish lagoon full of birds.
3 h
Poti
Georgia’s main sea port at the mouth of the Rioni, with an unusual circular street plan and a cathedral modelled on Hagia Sophia.
2 hTips
- Boat trips depend on weather.
- Visit Martvili early.
Best car for this trip
Cars in this category
Itineraries
Guides
- The Best Time to Visit Georgia, Counted Month by Month Georgia does not have one season. It has two countries: a 60% country from November to April and a 99% country
- Driving in Georgia: What the Distances Actually Cost You Georgia is a small country with slow roads. Here is what 267 measured drives from Tbilisi say about how long y
Pickup locations
Car Rental at Kutaisi Airport — 32 km (straight line)
Booking and enquiries
The easiest way to reach these places is by car — you pick the route and the stops.