A grassy field with a house and mountains in the background
a street with houses on both sides of it
a large green field with buildings and trees in the background
a green field with mountains in the background
an aerial view of a small town in the mountains
Photo by Fli Hi on Unsplash

Holiday in Mestia (Svaneti)

Area in Georgia — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇬🇪

Country

Georgia

Type

Area

Best time to travel

June to September (hiking), January to March (skiing)

Budget/day

60-90€: Boutique hotel, guided trekking tours, local wines

Getting there from Germany

Flight to Kutaisi (approx. 4h with a layover), then marshrutka/rental car to Mestia (approx. 4h of winding roads)

About Mestia (Svaneti)

Mestia is the heart of Svaneti, one of the wildest and most remote mountain regions of the Caucasus. The village at an altitude of 1,500 meters is famous for its medieval defense towers that have shaped the landscape for centuries. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks like Ushba and Tetnuldi, Mestia offers spectacular hikes, including the multi-day trek to Ushguli, the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe. In winter, the young ski resort Hatsvali attracts visitors with affordable prices and empty slopes.

Nature
98
Adventure
95
Winter
75
Culture
70
Romance
70

Top 4 highlights in Mestia (Svaneti)

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Trek to Ushguli

Three-day hike to the UNESCO World Heritage site Ushguli at 2,200m — defense towers against the backdrop of the Shkhara Glacier.

2

Svaneti Defense Towers

Medieval stone towers from the 9th to 12th century, where families sought refuge from invaders.

3

Koruldi Lakes

Alpine hike to emerald green mountain lakes with panoramic views of the main Caucasus range.

4

Hatsvali Ski Resort

Georgia's emerging ski resort with affordable lift passes and a grandiose Caucasus backdrop.

Hotels in Mestia (Svaneti)

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Hotels in Mestia (Svaneti) vergleichen

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Reise-SIM für Mestia (Svaneti)

Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to travel for Mestia (Svaneti)

Recommended travel time

June to September (hiking), January to March (skiing)

Summer

Mild and sunny, 15-25°C, ideal for hiking

Winter

Cold and snowy, -10 to 0°C, ski resort open

How much does a holiday in Mestia (Svaneti) cost?

Average costs per person per day

🎒

Budget

25-40€: Guesthouse with half board, hiking on your own

Hostel, Street food, Public transport

🏨

Mid-range

60-90€: Boutique hotel, guided trekking tours, local wines

Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions

🌟

Luxury

150€+: Luxury lodge, helicopter flight, private guide

Boutique hotel, Fine dining

Book a package holiday to Mestia (Svaneti)

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4 travel tips for Mestia (Svaneti)

Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.

The road to Mestia is winding but paved — a head for heights helps

Local guesthouses offer great Georgian cuisine with half board

For the Ushguli trek, download a GPS track — markings are sparse

Chacha (grape brandy) is offered by every host — enjoy with caution

Food & drink in Mestia (Svaneti)

These specialties you must try!

Kubdari — Svanetian meat pie filled with seasoned beef and pork
Tashmjabi — Mashed potatoes with Svanetian salt and melted cheese
Khachapuri — Georgian cheese bread, here in the Imeruli variant
Chacha — High-proof grape brandy, homemade by every household
Suitable for:CaucasusHikingDefense TowersGeorgiaSkiingUNESCOMountainsTrekking

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