Overview
A highland base for Svan defensive towers, glacier walks, and access to ski areas. Plan around mountain weather and use the town's guesthouses as a launch point for marked trails and longer valley outings.
Mountains · Trekking · Skiing · Architecture
Did you know?
- A cafe near the glacier sells refreshments even though there is no border post.
- Chaladi Glacier is a 2.5-hour walk north, reached across a swinging bridge.
- Medieval defensive towers share the skyline with routes toward Mount Ushba and glacier trails.
Why Go
Mestia is the regional capital and main tourist hub of Upper Svaneti, a mountainous region in northwestern Georgia. The town of around 2,600 inhabitants offers medieval Svan defensive towers, glacier treks to Mount Ushba, and access to ski resorts Tetnuldi and Hatsvali. Despite recent infrastructure investment including a new airport and improved mountain roads, rural character remains just behind the main street where cows and chickens wander.
Get In
Queen Tamar Airport opened in 2010 offers flights from Tbilisi (Natakhtari airfield) 4 times weekly at 90 lari one way (63 lari for children 3-12), including free transfer from Metro Station Rustaveli. Occasional flights from Kutaisi cost 50 lari one way. Marshrutkas depart Mestia daily: 08:00 to Zugdidi (30 lari), Kutaisi (40 lari), and Tbilisi (50 lari); more departures during high season. A ticket kiosk is on the main square.
Getting Around
Mestia is easy to navigate on foot. The town follows the Mulkhra River through three villages along a single main street where most guesthouses, hotels, and restaurants are located. Taxis cost around 30-40 lari for short trips including waiting time. The ski lift is 8 km away; a taxi with 2 hours waiting costs 30 lari.
When To Go
Summer (June-September) offers the best conditions for trekking to glaciers and lakes. Winter (December-March) brings skiing to Tetnuldi and Hatsvali resorts. Spring and autumn provide fewer crowds but some trails may be snow-covered. The town center has been renovated with new buildings, though streets behind the main road retain rural character year-round.
Where To Stay
Mestia has numerous guesthouses ranging from 5-40 lari per person. Budget options include Hostel Seti (10 EUR dorm bed) and Nest Hostel Mestia (9-11 EUR). Popular backpacker choices include Manoni's Guesthouse (10 lari dorm bed) and Roza Guesthouse (15-40 lari per person including meals). Several families rent rooms in their houses with prices typically including breakfast and dinner. Camping is possible at Gurami Khvintelani's Guesthouse (5 lari tent, 10 lari with shower).
Food And Drink
Restaurants and cafes line the main street. Budget travelers should seek unnamed bakeries and small shops along the main road which are cheaper than regular restaurants. As throughout Georgia, expect excellent Georgian wine, beer, and chacha (grape brandy). The Mountain Tourist Centre on Pereulok Stalina No. 7 sells folk art. A small market offers fresh fruit, vegetables, and drinks.
Things To Do
Popular hiking routes include the path to the cross (2+ hours one-way) and to the glacier. The Guli glacier and Ushba base path takes 3.5-4 hours one-way. Cross and Koruldi lakes offer a 2-hour one-way trek from the main square. Chaladi Glacier is a 2.5-hour walk north, crossing a swinging bridge. Tetnuldi ski resort has 4 lifts up to 3,160m with daily skipass at 40 lari; Hatsvali has a single difficult slope for 20-25 lari for foreigners. Museums include the Svaneti Historical-Ethnographic Museum (10 lari, Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00) with ancient Georgian manuscripts.
Safety
Mestia is generally safe for travelers. The main risks are mountain hiking hazards: glacial scree, loose rock on trails to Chaladi Glacier (hiking sticks recommended), and steep sections to Koruldi lakes. Trails are marked with cairns and white-orange paint. No border post exists near the glacier but a cafe offers refreshments. Hire a local guide if unsure on mountain routes.
Connectivity
WiFi availability is limited but several cafes, restaurants, and guesthouses offer free WiFi. Mobile coverage is decent with Geocell and Beeline providers having good signals in the area. Power plugs use European-style Type C/F (two-pin round plugs, 220V).
Buy
ATMs are now sufficient in the city with some charging no additional fees. One currency exchange office operates with marginally worse rates than elsewhere in Georgia. The Mountain Tourist Centre sells folk art. A small market offers fruit, vegetables, drinks, and necessities. Secondhand clothes shops line the main road toward Zugdidi, though hiking gear is rarely available.
Day Trips
From Mestia, several nearby destinations are accessible. Jvari (15 lari, 3 hours by marshrutka) offers Enguri Dam and Silver Lake alpine trek. Mazeri village provides the starting point for Mount Ushba glacier treks. Becho village (2.5km from the highway) has mountain hiking and the friendly Irine's Guesthouse. Latali features old beautiful churches; Lenjeri has many Svan towers.
Go Next
Daily marshrutkas at 08:00 go to Zugdidi (30 lari), Kutaisi (40 lari), and Tbilisi (50 lari). More departures during high season. Ushguli, Europe's highest inhabited point, is reachable via Mestia with its own ethnographic museum of 12th-century religious artwork. Taxi is needed for connections outside scheduled marshrutka times.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Sleep
Guesthouse Svaneti Peak-Mazeri
Great location under Mount Ushba, with gardens and meadows around, home-made natural traditional food. Horse-riding tours, trekking to waterfalls and Ushba glacier, and mountain river fishing are available.
Sleep
Gurami Khvintelani's Guesthouse
Rooms are quite spacious, with shower, a big garden, free coffee and tea. Beautiful view. If you would like, you can cook by yourself in the big kitchen. play table tennis in the garden and enjoy rocking in rocking-chair. Hostess speaks English and French and can help you to make plans for your trips, to find guides and provide information.
Price when recorded: 5 lari tent, 10 lari tent+shower; 20 lari room, 15 lari dinner+breakfast
Sleep
Hostel Seti
It's newly built. Have air conditioning in the hall and heater in the room. The room is large.
Price when recorded: €10 for a dorm bed
Sleep
Hotel "Mestia"
Sleep
House of Elguji Jorjoliani
Sleep
House of Irma Khergiani
Sleep
House of Ketevan Gabliani
Sleep
House of Malkhaza Argviliani
Before you go
Accommodation
Dorm beds from 5-10 EUR; guesthouses 15-40 lari per person often including meals. Camping possible at select guesthouses for 5-15 lari.
Activities
Treks to cross, glaciers, and lakes. Skiing at Tetnuldi (40 lari/day) and Hatsvali (20-25 lari). Museums open Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00.
Connectivity
Free WiFi at cafes and guesthouses. Geocell and Beeline have decent mobile coverage. Type C/F power plugs, 220V.
Food
Restaurants on main street; budget options include unnamed bakeries and small shops. Excellent Georgian wine, beer, and chacha available everywhere.
Money
ATMs available with some charging no fees. Currency exchange office on main street with slightly worse rates. Prices higher than other Georgian towns. Haggle less than elsewhere.
Safety
Generally safe. Mountain hiking hazards exist: glacial scree, steep sections. Use hiking sticks on Chaladi Glacier trail. Cairns and paint marks most routes.
Transport
Queen Tamar Airport has flights from Tbilisi (90 lari) and Kutaisi (50 lari). Marshrutkas at 08:00 to Zugdidi, Kutaisi, Tbilisi. Taxis around 30-40 lari for local trips.