# Ozurgeti

Ozurgeti (ოზურგეთი, from 1934 to 1989 Makharadze მახარაძე) is the town of 15,000 people (2020) in Georgia, capital of Guria region. It is a good jumping off point for nearby beaches, mountain resorts, old monasteries and rural tourism.

## Understand

Ozurgeti was founded in the Middle Ages, 16th century. The city was the residence of the Prince of Guria and became a trading center in later centuries. Ozurgeti received its town charter in 1840, after becoming part of Russian Empire. The town was a strategic location in the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78). In the 19th century Ozurgeti became the hometown of tea producing and citrus growing in Georgia. In 1905 Ozurgeti was center of Georgian Social-Democratic Movement and capital of so called "Gurian Republic" which existed during Russian Revolution. From 1934 to 1989, the city was named after the Georgian Communist Party leader of the 1920s and 1930s, Philip Makharadze. Today's layout and image of the town was established during Soviet times. The largest employers in the city are government and financial institutions, and nut cultivation is the main economic activity.

## Get in
### By plane

The nearest major international airport is in Tbilisi (340 km), while Batumi (60 km) and Kutaisi (70 km) International Airports are the nearest accessible airports. Trabzon airport (250 km) in Turkey might be an option, also.
The following airlines operate service to/from Kutaisi International Airport:
* WizzAir (Athens, Barcelona, Berlin-Schoenefeld, Budapest, Dortmund, Katowice, Larnaca, London-Luton, Memmingen, Milan-Malpensa, Paris-Beauvais, Praha, Riga, Rome-Fiumicino, Thessaloniki, Vienna, Vilnius),
* Service Air (Mestia).

### By train

Ozurgeti has a railway station, which can be reached from Batumi and Tbilisi. Ozurgeti is end point of a branch line from Natanebi on the Black Sea coast.
There is a daily train pair each to Tbilisi (night and day trains) and Batumi (day train). The former holds the road, among others in Samtredia. The second one also in Kobuleti. Ticket prices from Tbilisi to Ozurgeti vary between 15-30 lari. Trains leave twice a day and take about 9 hours. Batumi-Ozurgeti train leaves once a day, only evenings and takes 2 hours. Tickets from both cities can be bought at stations and online.
41.927842.00521 The station a magnificent neoclassical building, approximately 500 m north of the center, at the end of the Ilia Chavchavadze Street. There is a ticket office and Mini Bus station over there. Taxis await incoming passengers. A taxi from the station to city costs 3-5 lari, to villages 4-20 lari.

### By bus

There are daily arrivals and departures in several directions: Kutaisi (from Kutaisi main station, behind the Mcdonalds, at 10:30 11:30, 13:10, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30), Samtredia, Kobuleti and Batumi, also Tbilisi, as well as marshrutkas to nearest villages and sites of tourist interest in the area. 41.9176142.001332 The main bus station is south of the city center next to the large roundabout.

### By car

Ozurgeti lies on the well-developed regional road "შ 2" (Kobuleti - Chokhatauri - Sadzhavakho - Samtredia), "შ 46" Ureki-Natanebi-Ozurgeti and "შ 84" Lanchkhuti - Lesa - Ozurgeti; about 7km east from the regional road 'შ 47" Nasakirali - Schuchuti. Roads are paved with asphalt, except "შ 84" which is paved with concrete. Roads are beautiful, but winding, and are ideal for a scenic drive.

#### filling stations

* 41.9138442.00161 Wissol (ვისოლი), Takaishvili Str. petrol (updated Aug 2015)
* 41.960842.06472 Gulf (გალფი). petrol (updated Aug 2015)
* 41.931641.98833 Lukoil (ლუკოილი), Kostava Str. petrol (updated Aug 2015)
* 41.916842.002194 Socar (სოკარი), Takaishvili Str. petrol (updated Aug 2015)
* 41.923142.01995 Rompetrol (რომპეტროლი), Aghmashenebeli Str. petrol (updated Aug 2015)
* 41.9054842.00166 Prometegas (პრომეთეგაზი), Takaishvili Str. gas (updated Aug 2015)
* 41.940442.05277 Prometegas (პრომეთეგაზი). gas (updated Aug 2015)

## Get around

A small town, Ozurgeti is easily covered on foot. The town has no public transport system. Buses and mini-buses (Marschrutkas) go only in the surrounding area. Cycling can be an option, also, but there are no bike rentals, though. Bikes are sold in "Univermagi" for 250-300 lari. Taxis are cheap and cost 3-5 lari within the town.
Ozurgeti has following districts: the center, where government, financial, shopping and service provider institutions are based, Seri south from the center, located on the small hill, historical part of the town Ekadia, former village, now part of the town, south of river Bzhuzhi; Anaseuli - Soviet-era settlement with former tea factory and scientific institutions and sleeping districts: Lashe-Gakiruli in the eastern part of the town, Zvani in the western part and Moidanakhe on the northern hill, where the town's major cemeteries are located.

## See

The main sightseeing in the town is an archaeological site, 41.922842.005491 remains of Baths, which were built and used by rulers of Principality of Guria - Gurieli. Baths are on the central square of the town. Ruins are left open-air, so its free to visit. These baths must have been oldest building in the town. The oldest survived building of the town is 41.923542.001642 Palace of Dimitri Gurieli, built in 1863, used to be a residence of the noble family, which is now used as a residence of the local Bishop of Georgian Orthodox Church. 19th-century typical Gurian wooden houses, with balconies and tile roofs can be found scattered in the town.
The city center is dominated by a 41.9231842.00673 Dramatic Theater- the second largest theater building in Georgia, with statue of Alexander Tsutsunava, famous Georgian movie director, born in Ozurgeti. The city center extends along the Chavchavadze street north to the quite remarkable train station. All around are typical magnificent Soviet buildings of the 1930s to the 1960s, in the classical style, such as 41.9238542.004214 Former movie theater - built in 1930s and renovated 1980s, but nonfunctional yet and 41.92342.003965 former hotel - constructivist building from the 1970s. Slightly away from the town center is an industrial complex of a 41.929542.01736 clay factory with glorious Soviet residential and administrative buildings and wall mosaics. Also worthy is a 41.9269742.003297 mural at a sports school near the train station. Another Soviet industrial and administrative building can be found in 41.909841.98528 Anaseuli, an outskirt in south-western part of the town.
There are also two Postmodern architecture buildings: Police Office (2009) and Public Service Hall (2012).

### Museums and galleries

* 41.922442.0059 Historical Museum Of Ozurgeti (ოზურგეთის ისტორიული მუზეუმი), Chokhatauri Str, ☏ +995 496 75827, ozurgetimuseum@gmail.com. 10:00-18:00 everyday. The Historical Museum of Ozurgeti was founded in 1936. More than 6000 exhibits, from 9,000 BC until today, are stored in the museum. Numerous unique materials have been accumulated during 75 years in its collections, including Neolithic stone weapons, produced 7000 years ago, Best models of Kolkhian culture from Early, Middle and Late Bronze age, collections of Kolkhian axes; burial ground stocks aged with Late Bronze- Early Iron period; Golden and silver things of Antique period: golden breastplate, the fragment of golden bracelet (both of them are beautified with Almandine crystal); silver dish, measuring-glass; The water pipes, heads of the columns, the thing for incense, glass of the window, the brick for building; diversified numismatic collections: Kolkhian Tetri of 6th-3rd centuries BC, golden coin of Alexander Macedonian; the coins of Georgian kings; silver, rare European coins; well-known Rapier of Napoleon, many historical photos, documentary materials. free of charge. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9237642.0052210 Ozurgeti fine art Gallery (ოზურგეთის სახვითი ხელოვნების ცენტრი), #6 Shota Rustaveli Str, ☏ +995 496 74542, tandila2009@rambler.ru. M-F 10:00-17:00. free of charge. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.923242.001311 Ekvtime Takaishvili Archaeological Museum-Reserve (ექვთიმე თაყაიშვილის სახელობის არქეოლოგიური მუზეუმ-ნაკრძალი), #8 9th April Str, ☏ +995 590880118, guria@heritagesites.ge. M-F 10:00-17:00. free of charge. (updated Jul 2015)
Here are archaeological artifacts exhibited, as well as an exhibition on the life of Ektwmie Takaischwili can be seen. Museum is located in old Gurian type wooden house, with fireplace and balcony.

### Parks and gardens

Ozurgeti is known for its gardens, some of them date back to XIX century. Scottish gardener Jacob Mar developed town garden in early 1810s fot his client Principal of Guria Mamia III Gurieli. That garden now is divided into three parts: 41.923442.004212 Platanus garden is in front of Theater building and has access to free Wi-Fi, platanus trees make a "მ" (M in Georgian Alphabet) shape; so called 41.9227842.0066813 Samkuthkha (triangle garden) is on the right side of the Theater building and has an open-air mini-football ground, there is, also, Statue of Alexander Tsutsunava, famous Georgian director, who was born in Ozurgeti and Ozurgeti dramatic Theater is named after him; and former 41.9233942.0027814 "Beria Park", which is located in front of Dimitri Gurieli's palace. Slightly south of the park, a car-free area with a Soviet-era 41.9230642.0022115 mermaid sculpture and musical fountain can be found.
Other parks are:
* 41.9262842.000216 Park of Culture and Resort (კულტურისა და დასვენების პარკი), #2 Kostava Str, ☏ +995 551106194, candrpark@gmail.com. 24/7. Created in 1930, it covers about 3 hectares in front of town hall building, #2 Kostava Str. It is used as children's amusement park. There is free WI-Fi available free of charge. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9219342.0046217 Park of 9th April, in the center of town, below of Museum and Public Service Hall
* 41.914941.992918 Ekadia Forest-Park, in the south of town, in Ekadia district. Forest-park was developed in 1960s, but now its not used. Good views of the town can be seen from the park

### Around the town

* 41.907542.060719 Shemokmedi Monastery (შემოქმედის მონასტერი). This 12th-to-16th-century monastery is on the hill in the eponymous village of Shemokmedi, about 7 km southeast of Ozurgeti. The monastery complex consists of two church buildings and a bell tower from the 16th century. The main church, a three-aisled basilica without cupola, was built in the 12th century. The walls are built of hewn stone, the floor is covered with marble. The second, smaller church called "zarzma" was built in the 16th century by the prince of Guria Vakhtang I. Gurieli as home to an icon of the Transfiguration of the Lord. In the Middle Ages, the monastery was one of the richest monasteries in Georgia. In the monastery there were several relics, such as very valuable icons, stored. Great views of Guria's villages can be seen from the hill. free of charge. (updated Jul 2015)
* 42.029741.985320 Jumati Monastery (ჯუმათის მონასტერი). This 16th-to-18th-century monastery is located on the hill in the village of Jumati, 14 km north of Ozurgeti. The monastery consists of a basilica of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, a bell tower and a wall. The facility was built in the early Middle Ages, while the frescoes date from the 16th to 18th centuries. The bell tower with a square base was built in 1904 and is partially destroyed today. Jumati Monastery was an important religious and cultural center of Guria. Here valuable icons, relics and documents, some of which also had secular significance, were kept. In the 20th century the monastery was robbed several times. Fragments of several icons from Jumati are now in the Hermitage at St. Petersburg, the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Beautiful views of Guria and Samegrelo lowlands of the Northwestern Georgia region and Black Sea can be seen from the hill. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.87211141.99611121 Likhauri fortress (ლიხაურის ციხე და ეკლესია). and 41.873342.007922 Likhauri church These are in the village of Likhauri, 5 km south offrom Ozurgeti. The church is in the center of the village, while the fortress is to the west, on the hill. St. Mary's Church of Lichauri was built in the 12th century of carved stone. It has a free-standing bell tower. The fortress was built in the 12th century, allegedly by Queen Tamar, so it is also called the Fortress of Tamar. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.83611142.00138923 Church of Achi (აჭის ეკლესია). Early medieval period. In the same village there is a one-nave hall church from the 13th-14th century. It has beautiful and well-preserved frescoes. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9334842.0589124 Two Churches is Dvabzu (დვაბზუს ეკლესიები), one of them is dated in VI century and one in 1874. Churches have local cultural heritage site status.
* 41.9219942.0593325 Chala church ruins (ჭალის ეკლესია), a 19th-century church ruins is 5 km west from Ozurgeti and is considered a local cultural heritage site.
* 41.9460241.93361226 Vashnari (ვაშნარი). Historic city consists of remains of a basilica, a monastery and civic buildings dating back to the 4th century. It is near the village of Gurianta, 6 km west of Ozurgeti. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.93198642.17378327 Askana fortress (ასკანის ციხე). With 6-m-high stone walls built in the 4th century. It is in the village of Mtispiri, 16 km southeast of Ozurgeti (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.979941.90328 Chanieturi Monastery (ჭანიეთურის მონასტერი). (updated Dec 2015)
* 42.069942.156129 Jikheti monastery (ჯიხეთის მონასტერი), a 19th-century monastery, is 40 km northeast from Ozurgeti
* 41.984942.272830 Erketi monastery (ერკეთის მონასტერი) was built in the 9th century and is in village Erketi, 32 km east of Ozurgeti.
* 42.050942.21431 Udabno Monastery (უდაბნოს მონასტერი) consist from two churches, one of them is caved. Monastery is in village Shua Amaghleba, 35 km northeast of Ozurgeti
* 42.0570541.9181632 Egnate Ninoshvili Museum (ეგნატე ნინოშვილის მუზეუმი) is in village Archeuli, 30 km north from Ozurgeti. Egnate Ninoshvili was most famous Gurian writer, one of the leaders of the social democratic movement of the late 19th century in Russian Empire. Museum is organized in an old house, where Ninoshvili was born
* 42.027342.09233 Our Saviors and 42.046242.096234 Saint George churches in Aketi. Village Aketi is 20 km northeast from Ozurgeti. Saint George church was built in developed middle ages and Our Saviors church was built in 1899.
* 42.007242.205835 Eristavi Palace and garden in Goraberezhouli, 25 km northeast from Ozurgeti, is only remained secular sightseeing in Guria. The territory consists a garden, stone fence, and a palace. It is dated from the 17th century.
* 41.844241.922836 Chekhedana (ჩეხედანა), vill. Tskhrapona, Kobuleti Municipality (from Kobuleti). Chekhedana church was built in 1609 by Mamia II Gurieli. The building was completely destroyed, then rebuilt in the 1990s. Free of charge. (updated Dec 2015)
* 41.833541.883537 Mamukas Castle (მამუკას ციხე), vill. Alambari, Kobuleti Municipality (from Kobuleti). 18th-century castle, which was owned by Mamuka Tavdgiridze, was destroyed in 1959 because of earthquake. Only its south wall is still standing. Free of charge. (updated Dec 2015)
* 41.720142.042738 Khino (ხინოწმინდა), vill. Khino, Kobuleti Municipality (from Kobuleti). Khino Cathedral was one among three Eparchial Centers of Guria. Nowadays the village lies in Kintrishi Reserve. Free of charge. (updated Dec 2015)

## Do
### Activities

* 41.9170241.998381 Enjoy the views from Ekadia Church. 24/7. This Orthodox church built in 2015 is on the hill in southern part of the town, where a Medieval Orthodox church used to stand. Excellent views of the town can be seen from there. free of charge.
* Cycle around the town there are no bike rentals. Bikes are sold in "Univermagi" for 250-300 lari.
* Swim in the rivers. If you are brave enough, swimming in the river Bzhuzhi in the southern part of the town during hot summer days makes you feel local.
* Fish in the small rivers such as Bzhizhi, Ochkhamura, Achi and Natanebi.

### Festivals and performances

* 41.9234242.006082 Ozurgeti Dramatic Theatre (ოზურგეთის დრამატული თეატრი), #1 Chavchavadze Str, ☏ +995 496273373. Nowadays the theater is only one working institution. The theatre hosts not only plays, but some concerts and performances as well. Information about upcoming events is available in front of the building on the information board. 3-5 lari.
* Alegro a city festival dates back from the 19th century. Allegro takes place in the center of the town in early autumn, September or October
* Giorgi Salukvadze Ethnographic Festival, in which the neighboring countries (Turkey, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan) participate, is held in the summertime

### Sports

Despite Georgia's failure to score a major success since independence, football (soccer) remains the most popular sport in the country, and in Ozurgeti as well. The town has two major sports clubs - Mertskhali (the swallow), which has the home ground 41.9245242.012543 Megobroba (friendship) and Rugby club Piralebi (robbers), which has the home ground 41.9266241.98194 Zvani field. The sports season in Georgia lasts from September to May.
* 41.9270941.999675 $^{[formerlydeadlink]}$ Sports Palace (სპორტის სასახლე). 10:00-22:00. Championships in some sports like volleyball, handball, indoor hockey are being held here. Posters are available in the building facade. free of charge. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9270742.005466 Chess club (საჭადრაკო კლუბი). 10:00-14:00. Chess and checkers can be played here for free. Sometimes championships in chess are being held too. free of charge. (updated Jul 2015)
Chess, Checkers, backgammon, also domino and card games are very common for Ozurgtei. You can find people sitting in yards and playing games. Feel free to join them, just avoid gambling.

## Buy

There are two supermarkets in Ozurgeti: 41.9225642.000021 "Chemi Marketi" (My Market) in the large shopping center on Guria Street and 41.9210342.002582 Moderni on Ekvtime Takaishvili Street. Locally made bread and pastry, named 41.9223342.003623 "Vasadze's Bread" can be found on Gabriel Episkoposi Str., below the church. 41.9225142.00364 Tee and Coffee House is near it.
* 41.9216942.001075 "Bazari" (ბაზარი), Guria Str. everyday, 08:00-16:00. An open-air market - among other things there are sold fruits, vegetables, clothing, meat, cheese. free of charge. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9223342.002876 Imedi (იმედი), 5, Giorgi Chanturia St. everyday 09:00-18:00. Old Soviet department store where is today Chinese rubbish mostly sold. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9220242.003737 Biblusi (ბიბლუსი), 9th April Park, ☏ +995 593100391, sofokostava@mail.ru. everyday 09:30-18:00. A small book shop. (updated Jul 2015)

### ATMs

* 41.9222142.001533 Bank of Georgia
* 41.9209942.00264 Bank of Georgia
* 41.9241842.00325 TBC Bank
* 41.9240842.00356 Liberty Bank
* 41.9226842.000227 VTB Bank
* 41.9222742.003458 ProCredit Bank

## Eat

Eating in Ozurgeti is very cheap. Prices per person may be vary from US$5-10. Do not buy wine in restaurants, its better to buy wine in a shop and take it in restaurant.
The best choices of food are Corn bread, cheese, cucumber and tomato salad, eggplant with nuts, barbecue, kebab, Khachapuri, Beef with potatoes (Ojakhuri), fried chicken in garlic (Shkmeruli).
The local khachapuri (cheese bread) speciality for this region is 'Guruli Khachapuri', a calzone-type pastry stuffed with typical Georgian sulguni cheese and boiled eggs. Positively delicious but potentially difficult to find, as it's traditionally a festive dish.

### Cafes

* 41.9240542.003681 Rvas + 1 (რვას+1), #3a Gabriel Episkoposi Str, ☏ +995 557602183, YPUozurgeti@yahoo.com. 10:00-20:00. Cafe has internet and library, is adapted for disabled people. 5-10 lari per person.
* 41.9240142.005422 Khachapuri House (ხაჭაპურის სახლი), #2 Chavchavadze Str. Cafe where Georgian national khachapuri and pizzas are sold.
* 41.9215542.006283 Shawarma Hub (შაურმა ჰაბი), Aghmashenebeli Str, ☏ +995 514 06 39 39. 10:00-00:00. Offers only shawarma (kebab). Café has delivery service 6, 8 and 10 Lari.
* 41.9241342.005394 Tiramisu (ტირამისუ), #2 Chavchavadze Str. Cafe and cake shop.

### Restaurants

* 41.9265742.005455 Natakhtari (ნატახტარი), Chavchavadze Str, ☏ +995 790 324 355. Georgian cuisine, beer on tap. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9227342.003446 Kalakuri (ქალაქური), #2 Gabriel Episkoposi Str, ☏ +995 592757878. everyday 10:00-00:00. An Asiatic restaurant, with live music at evenings. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.922841.998197 Tonus (ტონუსი), #25 Akaki Tsereteli Str, ☏ +995 496 276035, +995 496 273833, fax: +995 496 276035, amiranrokva@yahoo.com. everyday 09:00-23:00. Slightly away from the center, restaurant Tonusi has its own brewery. The building is a jewel of Soviet industrial architecture. Beer on tap is sold outside, also. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9276742.008628 Pirosmani (ფიროსმანი), Guramishvili Str. Restaurant with Georgian cuisine. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9216242.004839 Piralebi (ფირალები), Apolon Tsuladze Str. Traditional Gurian style restaurant, Georgian cuisine. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9223641.9989210 Gurulebis Ezo (გურულების ეზო), #8 Guria Str, ☏ +995 555327724. 10:00-00:00. You will find here a pleasant and warm atmosphere and delicious Georgian cuisine, specifically Gurian dishes. The restaurant offers delivery service and its own parking place. (updated Sep 2015)

## Drink

If you get invited in someones house, your host may also offer you Georgian "chacha," an outrageously potent vodka distilled from grapes.
* 41.927142.00571 Wine House (ღვინის სახლი), Bolkvadze Str. A well-stocked wine shop is opposite the train station.
* 41.9269542.00472 Terrace Pub (პაბი ტერასა), #9 Dolidze Str, ☏ +995 599 30 04 05. 11:00-22:00. Lunch menu 6 lari.

## Sleep

There is only one hotel in Ozurgeti and some guesthouses. Guesthouses are a good option for budget travelers. They are clean, safe and cheap, as well as giving the opportunity to meet local people. A wide range of accommodation are available in the beach resort towns Ureki and Kobuleti, where, however, many businesses are closed during winter.
* 41.9240242.011031 Hotel Sam (სემი), #25 Guramishvili Str, ☏ +995 496261126, info@hotelsam.ge. Opened in 2015, this is the only hotel in Ozurgeti. 60-70 lari. (updated Jul 2015)
* Guesthouse, Dimitri Bakradze Str, ☏ +995 593154345. 30-40 lari per night, breakfast included. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9211842.011912 Guesthouse, #55a David Aghmashenebeli Str, ☏ +995 496275411. 30-40 lari per night, breakfast included. (updated Jul 2015)
* Guesthouse, ☏ +995 496273499. 30-40 lari per night, breakfast included. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9243942.000543 Guesthouse, Dimitri Eristavi Str, ☏ +995 496275411. 30-40 lari per night, breakfast included. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.951242.05594 Guesthouse, Gagma Dvabzu, ☏ +995 599787516. Very nice guesthouse with rural activities is outside of town, in village Dvabzu. 30-40 lari per night, breakfast included. (updated Jul 2015)

## Talk

    See also: Georgian phrasebook
Gurians speak much more quickly than average Georgians from other regions, so it is more complicated to understand them. The older generation speaks Russian fluently, and Armenian as well. The younger generation now studies English. Almost every school in Ozurgeti has a native English-speaking teacher. There are some US and European volunteers who speak English as well. When in need for help, look for younger people; they are more likely to know some English.

## Learn

There are no universities in the town. Only one 41.9238342.00589 technical school operates. Wide range of driving schools is in Ozurgeti. It seems easier to get driver's license in Ozurgeti then in other towns in Georgia.

## Work

Working time in Ozurgeti starts at 09:00 or 10:00 and end at 16:00–18:00. Locals like to take an hour lunch break and enjoy their food while socializing with their co-workers. Approaches to punctuality used to be very relaxed. Summer (late July-August) and January are months when people take two weeks or a whole month off work to enjoy vacationing with family. A local wage in Ozurgeti will typically be around 300–400 lari a month, with only a small section of public servants making in the range of 800–1000 lari a month.
Foreigners working in Ozurgeti are employed as volunteers. There are volunteers from the US Peace Corps and EVS (European Volunteering Service) volunteers from Poland, Germany, and Lithuania. These volunteers mostly work for the NGOs Young Pedagogues Union, Guria Youth Resource Center and Student Youth Council.

## Connect

Free wireless internet is available in the Platanus garden and Culture and Resort Park, free internet is available in Public Service Hall, also.
* 41.9270342.005148 USAID Center for Civic Engagement (დემოკრატიული ჩართულობის ცენტრი), #14 Chavchavadze Str, ☏ +995 598538571, gmakharadze@cce.ge. M-Sa 10:00-19:00. Free Internet, desktop computers, wireless Internet, skype and headsets. Free of charge. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9237442.004659 Internet Cafe, #4 Rustaveli Str. Windows XP, slow connection, skype, webcams and headsets 1 lari per hour. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9238242.0054910 Internet Cafe, #2 Chavchavadze Str. Windows XP, skype, webcams and headsets 1 lari per hour. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9257542.0005111 Georgian Post Service Center (საქართველოს ფოსტა), #2 Gogebashvili Str. The Postal Code of Ozurgeti is 3500. 1 lari per hour. (updated Jul 2015)
There are 3 GSM operators of mobile phone service: Magticom, Geocell and Beeline. Their offices are near each other on the Chavchavadze Str.

## Stay safe

Ozurgeti is very safe for travelers. the crime rate is among the lowest in Europe. Most of the streets are illuminated at night. Police cars patrol the streets in the town and can help with any problem. Call 112 in any case of emergency (police, ambulance, fire).
* 41.924642.0058512 Police (პოლიცია), #5 Chavchavadze Str, ☏ +995 496275342. (updated Jul 2015)

## Stay healthy

Tap water is good for drinking in Ozurgeti. Ozurgeti has one of the best tap water among Georgia's cities.
You will find many gyms in the town. One of them is on the second floor of shopping mall on Eristavi Street, called My Fitness. Monthly ticket costs 70 lari. Olympic House is on 26 Rustaveli Street. Monthly ticket costs 60 lari. There is a gym in Sports Palace is on the second floor. Ticket costs 50 lari and covers 12 visit to the gym. You can work out in Park of Culture and Resort, where open-air training equipment is available.
Modernized 41.919342.007310 Hospital hospital is on the "Seri" hill and is seen from the town center.
There are four pharmacies open 24/7, in front of "Bazari", GPC, PSP, Impex and Aversi.

## Cope

There is no tourist office or travel agency in Ozurgeti. Nearest tourist offices are available in Ureki and Kobuleti, but only during summer.
* 41.9229742.0051613 Public Service Hall (იუსტიციის სახლი), #9 Petritsi Str. M-F 09:00-18:00. (updated Jul 2015)
* 41.9267942.0007514 $^{[deadlink]}$ Town Hall (ქალაქის მერია), #1 Kostava Str, ☏ +995 496274740. M-F 09:00-18:00. (updated Jul 2015)

## Go next
### In Guria

There are plenty of buses and minibuses to neighboring villages (generally 0.5-2 lari). Buses and minibuses leave from central bus station in the south part of the town, or from the station on Aghmashenebeli Str, near big roundabout. The best destination may include

#### villages and rural tourism

* Shemokmedi
* Likhauri
* Aketi
* Mtispiri

#### Mountain resorts

* Bakhmaro (only in summer)
* Gomismta (only in summer)
* Nasakirali
* Nabeghlavi

#### beach resorts (only in summer)

* Ureki
* Grigoleti
* Shekvetili

### Other regions

Outside of the Guria region, popular destinations may include Kobuleti and Batumi. There are plenty of minibuses, they leave in every hour from 8AM to 5PM to Batumi. Travel to Batumi costs 5 lari, to Kobuleti - 3 lari.