Mestia

მესტია

The main town of Upper Svaneti, set amid high Caucasus peaks and studded with medieval stone defensive towers. It serves as the gateway for trekking, skiing and cultural tourism, with the excellent Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography.

Things to do

• Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography — Explore superb collections of medieval icons, illuminated manuscripts, and gold and silver religious artifacts saved in Svan towers.
• Climb a Svan defensive tower — Ascend one of the medieval machubi tower-houses to see how families once sheltered from raids and blood feuds.
• Trek to the Chalaadi Glacier — Hike through forest along the Mestiachala River to the tumbling ice tongue of this accessible glacier.
• Hike to the Koruldi Lakes — A steep day hike above town rewards you with alpine lakes and panoramas of Ushba and Tetnuldi peaks.
• Ride the Hatsvali cable car and ski — Take the gondola up to the Hatsvali ski area for winter skiing or summer viewpoints over the Caucasus.
• Day trip to Ushguli — Visit one of Europe's highest continuously inhabited villages, a UNESCO site clustered with towers beneath Mount Shkhara.
• Visit the Mikheil Khergiani House-Museum — Learn about the legendary Svan mountaineer and local climbing heritage in his former home.
• Wander Mestia's Lamaria and old quarters — Stroll among the stone towers of Lanchvali and Lagami neighborhoods and visit hillside churches.

Food to try

• Kubdari — The signature Svan meat pie, filled with chunks of spiced pork or beef rather than the mince used elsewhere in Georgia.
• Chvishtari — Cornmeal bread cakes stuffed and mixed with melted Sulguni cheese, a hearty mountain staple.
• Tashmijabi — A rich Svan comfort dish of mashed potatoes whipped together with stretchy melted cheese.
• Svan salt (svanuri marili) — A fragrant blend of salt with garlic, coriander, blue fenugreek and other herbs used on nearly everything.
• Kharcho and local honey — Try the walnut-thickened stews and buy pure mountain honey sold by local families.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect the towers as family heritage — Many koshki towers are private property, so ask before entering or photographing people's homes.
• Come prepared for changeable weather — Even in summer mountain conditions shift fast, so bring layers, rain gear and sturdy boots for treks.
• Toasts and the tamada matter — At a Svan feast a toastmaster leads structured toasts, so pace yourself and follow his lead with the chacha or wine.
• Carry cash and plan transport ahead — ATMs are limited and marshrutkas to Ushguli or Zugdidi run on set schedules, so arrange rides in advance.

Nearby

• Hatsvali Ski Resort — 3 km
• Koruldi Lakes — 4 km
• Mount Ushba — 7 km
• Chalaadi Glacier — 9 km