Mestia
mountains
About Mestia
Set high in the Caucasus, Mestia is the heart of Svaneti, where stone defensive towers built between the 9th and 12th centuries still rise above the rooftops. The isolation that once protected the fiercely independent Svans also preserved a living culture you can still hear in their polyphonic singing and taste at a hearty feast. Spend your days exploring the Ethnographic and Margiani House museums, trekking to the Chalaadi Glacier, or skiing at Hatsvali, with the ancient village of Ushguli within easy reach.
Culture
Svans maintain their language, music, and customs, with tower houses symbolizing family pride. Festivals feature polyphonic singing and hearty feasts.
Travel Tips
Currency: GEL; cash only (limited ATMs). Language: Svan, Georgian; little English. Safety: Safe; rugged terrain. Transport: 4x4 or flight from Tbilisi, 6 hours by road.
Tours Including Mestia
View All ToursSvaneti Highland Expedition
Venture deep into Svaneti, Georgia's most remote and spectacular highland region in the heart of the Caucasus. This adventure begins in Mestia, the lively mountain hub famed for its medieval stone tower houses, then continues to Ushguli, one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. Surrounded by pristine alpine nature and centuries-old Svan traditions, you'll discover a culture and landscape unlike anywhere else in the country. Blending adventure, nature, and living heritage, this expedition reveals a Georgia few travelers ever reach.