ProSvaneti
Mestia Travel Guide
The administrative center and main tourist hub of Upper Svaneti, ringed by Caucasus peaks and famous for its medieval Svan towers.
Gallery
Why visit
- ✓ Medieval Svan tower houses in town
- ✓ The natural base for every Svaneti tour and hike
- ✓ Views of Ushba, Tetnuldi and the main Caucasus ridge
- ✓ Guesthouses, cafes and services in one walkable town
How to get there
Most travelers reach Mestia by transfer from Kutaisi (~4.5h), Zugdidi (~2.5h, connects with the overnight train), Tbilisi (~7–8h) or Batumi (~6h). A small weather-dependent plane also links Tbilisi and Mestia.
Best time to visit
June–September for hiking and clear trails; September–October for autumn colors and fewer crowds; November–March for skiing at Hatsvali and Tetnuldi. April–May is muddy as roads reopen.
Mestia is where a Svaneti trip begins. It's the region's main town — around 1,500 m, wrapped in Caucasus peaks — and it's compact enough to walk, with guesthouses, cafes and the iconic Svan towers all close together.
Almost everything else in this guide (Ushguli, the glaciers, the lakes, the ski areas) is a day trip from here. Use Mestia as your base, give yourself a few days, and plan around the weather rather than against it.
Things to do
- Walk the Svan towers and old quarter
- Day trip to Ushguli
- Hike to Chalaadi Glacier or Koruldi Lakes
- Ride to the Cross of Mestia viewpoint
- Ski at Hatsvali or Tetnuldi in winter
Tours here
Koruldi Lakes Tour from Mestia
High alpine lakes above Mestia with a front-row panorama of Mount Ushba — reachable by 4x4 to the ridge, then a short walk, or as a full-day hike.
Chalaadi Glacier Hike
The easiest glacier you'll reach in Svaneti — a gentle forest walk from near Mestia to a wall of ice, doable by most fitness levels.
Ushguli Day Tour from Mestia
One of Europe's highest permanently inhabited villages, a UNESCO site under Mount Shkhara — a full day of Svan towers and mountain road.
Transfers here
FAQ
How many days should I spend in Mestia?+
Three to four days lets you settle in and do the main trips (Ushguli, one hike, one viewpoint) without rushing. Two is enough only for a taste.
Is there an ATM in Mestia?+
There are ATMs, but they can run out of cash in peak season and mountain drivers often want cash in GEL. Withdraw a buffer in Kutaisi, Zugdidi or Tbilisi before you arrive.
Planning a trip to Mestia?
Tell us your dates — we'll suggest the realistic way to fit it into your Svaneti plan.