A mountain town in Upper Svaneti with medieval stone towers and glaciers. Base camp for trekking in the Caucasus Mountains and starting point for climbing expeditions.
The mountain town of Mestia sits at 1,500 meters in Georgia's Svaneti region. Walk past 45 medieval stone towers that punctuate the narrow streets, climb to Koruldi Lakes for views of Mount Ushba's twin peaks, or taste kubdari meat-filled bread in a local restaurant. In winter, ski the slopes of Hatsvali resort while in summer, hike to Chalaadi Glacier through pine forests and mountain meadows.
Medieval Stone Towers
The stone towers of Mestia, built between the 9th and 12th centuries, rise 24 meters above family compounds throughout the town. Each tower has multiple floors linked by wooden ladders, where Svan families once stored food and sought safety during raids. Today, you'll find these towers within family properties alongside traditional houses, barns, and stone walls. Some local families let visitors climb the towers' internal ladders for 360-degree views across the valley.
Getting to Mestia
Daily flights connect Mestia's Queen Tamar Airport with Tbilisi and Kutaisi. Most travelers take the overnight train to Zugdidi, followed by a four-hour minibus ride through the mountains. The road winds through several distinct zones: starting in subtropical lowlands with citrus trees, climbing through pine forests, and ending in alpine meadows. Snow plows clear the road daily in winter, though heavy snowfall can cause delays.
Hiking and Mountain Trails
The four-day trail from Mestia to Ushguli takes you past glaciers and through mountain villages. For day hikes, follow the 6-kilometer trail to Chalaadi Glacier, crossing mountain streams and walking through pine forests. The steeper path to Koruldi Lakes (8 kilometers) leads to an alpine zone at 2,740 meters, where you can see Mount Ushba's twin peaks. Take the ski lift year-round for views of Mount Shkhara (5,201 meters) and the surrounding Caucasus range.
Svan Food and Local Life
Try kubdari (bread filled with spiced meat and onions) and tashmjabi (cheese melted into mashed potatoes) at restaurants around town. Each evening, groups gather in the central square to perform traditional Svan polyphonic songs, accompanied by the chuniri, a three-stringed instrument. Many restaurants around the square host these performances during dinner hours.
Winter Sports
From December to April, ski at two nearby resorts. Hatsvali, 8 kilometers from town, has 6 kilometers of tree-lined runs ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers. Tetnuldi resort, 15 kilometers away, includes challenging off-piste sections across 25 kilometers of marked runs. Both resorts rent basic equipment and share a lift pass system. Local guides can direct you to safe routes and warn about avalanche risks.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography displays medieval manuscripts, religious icons, and jewelry from local churches. The museum building itself shows traditional Svan design with thick stone walls and wooden balconies. At the Mikheil Khergiani House Museum, climb the ladders inside a Svan tower to see original living quarters and learn about Georgia's most famous mountaineer.
