Anaklia
Black Sea beach resort at the mouth of the Enguri River, with a long promenade, modern hotels and a quieter feel than Batumi.
AnakliaPhoto: Abramia Giorgi, CC BY-SA 4.0Anaklia is a small seaside resort on the left bank of the Enguri River where it meets the Black Sea, about 30 km southwest of Zugdidi. Once a fishing village, it now has around 8 km of coastline, a seafront promenade more than 1 km long and a line of modern hotels. It is the closest beach to Svaneti, so some travellers add a lazy day here at the end of a mountain trip. The town has hosted the GEM Fest electronic music festival, and a deep-sea port is being developed nearby.
Summer is the only real season. In July and August the beach and promenade fill with Georgian families, while in spring and autumn many hotels close and the town is very quiet. A long pedestrian bridge, about 540 m, crosses the Enguri to the village of Ganmukhuri. Ganmukhuri sits close to the administrative boundary line with occupied Abkhazia, so stay within the village and follow local advice.
History
People have lived at Anaklia since the Bronze Age, and it is identified with the classical town of Heraclea in Colchis. In the late Middle Ages it was a fortified port of the Principality of Mingrelia. The Ottomans captured it in 1723 and used it as a coastal outpost until the kingdom of Imereti regained control in 1770. The resort of hotels and promenades you see today is a recent creation.
What to see and do
- Swimming from the long Black Sea beach in summer
- Sunset walks on the seafront promenade
- The long pedestrian bridge over the Enguri River
- A beach day to finish a Svaneti trip
How to visit
Getting there
Anaklia is about 30 km (40 minutes) from Zugdidi and roughly 350 km (5.5 hours) from Tbilisi. Taxis and local marshrutkas run from Zugdidi.
When to go
July to September for swimming. Plan half a day to 2 days here.
- Outside summer many hotels and cafes close, so book ahead or plan a short visit.
- Do not approach the administrative boundary line with occupied Abkhazia near Ganmukhuri.
- Combine a beach day with the Dadiani Palace in Zugdidi.
Anaklia: FAQ
Is Anaklia good for swimming?
Yes, in summer. It has a long Black Sea beach and a promenade lined with hotels, and the season peaks in July and August.
Is Anaklia safe to visit?
Anaklia itself is an ordinary Georgian resort town. It lies close to the administrative boundary line with occupied Abkhazia, so stay in the resort and nearby villages and check your government's travel advice.
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Anaklia.
