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Voykit pocket guide · Georgia
Shemokmedi
Spend a half‑day in Shemokmedi to see the 12th‑century cathedral and stone wine‑press; stay in nearby Ozurgeti if you need a night.
Shemokmedi is a small Gurian village famous for its medieval monastery complex and a massive stone wine‑press. The sights are within walking distance, so a few hours suffice. Overnight visitors usually base in Ozurgeti, 6 km away, where budget lodging is available.
- Country
- Georgia
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, limited services)
- Stay
- 0–1 (overnight only if staying in Ozurgeti) nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- GEL
- Money
- Currency is the Georgian lari (₾, GEL). Change money at banks or exchange offices, not in the airport hall.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₾15–25 excl. bed · Mid ₾25–45 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Magti, Silknet (Geocell) and Cellfie sell SIMs with a passport; cheap data.
- Emergency
- Police / ambulance / fire 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz · European plugs fit.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: Check the bill for a service charge; otherwise 10%.; Drivers and guides: GEL 10–30 a day.
- Water
- Tap water is widely drunk in Tbilisi and mountain towns (check locally); bottled is cheap.
- Toilets
- Free in cafés for customers; small fees at stations.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at local café | ₾2–4 |
| Bottle of homemade vodka (Gomi) | ₾5–8 |
| Bus ticket Ozurgeti → Shemokmedi | ₾2–3 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KUT · Kutaisi International Airport
- Nearest airport with scheduled flights; about 40 km (25 mi) from Ozurgeti, roughly 1 h by road (check)Nearest airport with scheduled flights; about 25 mi (40 km) from Ozurgeti, roughly 1 h by road (check)
- BUS · No airport at Shemokmedi
- Shemokmedi has no airport; nearest train station is in Ozurgeti, 6 km (3.7 mi) away, and buses run from Ozurgeti several times a day (check)Shemokmedi has no airport; nearest train station is in Ozurgeti, 3.7 mi (6 km) away, and buses run from Ozurgeti several times a day (check)
Typical fares
- Bus Ozurgeti → Shemokmedi
- about ₾2–3, 10 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The village is walkable; bicycles are common. Roads to Ozurgeti are paved and suitable for cars.
See and do
Known for
- Shemokmedi Cathedral
- Stone wine‑press
- Gorisferdi church
- Bzhuzhi hydro‑power plant ruins
- Chala‑Sakdari medieval belltower
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gomismta mountain resort | Car via regional road, about 30 km (19 mi), 45 minCar via regional road, about 19 mi (30 km), 45 min | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Ozurgeti
- Small town 6 km (3.7 mi) north; guesthouses and budget hotels suitable for one night.Small town 3.7 mi (6 km) north; guesthouses and budget hotels suitable for one night.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | ბოდიშიbodishi |
| Thank you | გმადლობთgmadlobt |
| How much is it? | რამდენია?ramdenia? |
| Where is the bus stop? | სად არის ავტობუსის გაჩერება?sad aris avtobusis gachereba? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Refusing hospitality outright
- Church: Cover up; do not turn your back to the altar; avoid: Shorts, bare shoulders, loud talk
- Supra: Follow the tamada; drink on toasts; avoid: Toasting with beer; leaving early without thanks
- History: Listen; avoid: Calling Georgia part of Russia or the region 'post-Soviet' casually
Scams and watch-outs
- Public transport runs only a few times daily; check bus schedules in Ozurgeti.
- Facilities (shops, restaurants) are limited; bring water and snacks.
Generally safe; watch for stray dogs and keep valuables locked in accommodation.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Shemokmedi yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 (overnight only if staying in Ozurgeti) nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Shemokmedi Cathedral
- Stone wine‑press
- Gorisferdi church
- Bzhuzhi hydro‑power plant ruins
- Chala‑Sakdari medieval belltower
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Shemokmedi, revision 4992899 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4992899
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Shemokmedi
გთხოვთ, მიჰყევით ამ მისამართს
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / ambulance / fire112
US consulate in Tbilisi; Georgian embassy in Washington, D.C.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/shemokmedi). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.