Ushguli

უშგული

A UNESCO-listed community of stone-tower villages claimed to be among the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. Its dramatic setting beneath Mount Shkhara and its cluster of Svan towers make it one of Georgia's most iconic sights.

Things to do

• Visit the Lamaria Church — Walk up to the medieval Church of the Mother of God on a hill above Ushguli, framed by Svan towers and Mount Shkhara behind it.
• Hike to the Shkhara Glacier — Follow the valley trail roughly 8 km from the village to the foot of the Shkhara Glacier, the source of the Enguri River.
• Explore the Svan Towers — Wander the clustered defensive stone towers of the four hamlets (Murkmeli, Chazhashi, Chvibiani, and Zhibiani) that date back centuries.
• Visit the Ethnographic Museum — See ancient icons, crosses, and manuscripts in the small museum housed in a tower in the Zhibiani hamlet.
• Photograph Chazhashi hamlet — Chazhashi is the best-preserved of the four villages and a UNESCO-protected core with the densest concentration of towers.
• Horseback ride toward Shkhara — Rent a horse from local villagers for the scenic ride up the valley toward the glacier and mountain viewpoints.
• Watch Mount Shkhara at sunrise — Catch the early light hitting Georgia's highest peak (5,193 m) from the fields above the village.

Food to try

• Kubdari — The signature Svan meat pie stuffed with spiced chopped beef or pork, considered the region's most famous dish.
• Chvishtari — Cornbread fried with melted Sulguni cheese inside, a hearty Svan staple served warm.
• Tashmijabi — A rich Svan mashed potato dish blended with molten cheese, similar in spirit to Georgian elarji.
• Svan salt (Svanuri marili) — A fragrant blend of salt with garlic, coriander, blue fenugreek, and chili used on nearly everything—buy some to take home.
• Guesthouse home cooking — Family-run guesthouses serve multi-dish home-cooked dinners with homemade cheese, bread, and often chacha or wine.

Local customs & good to know

• Come prepared for isolation — Ushguli sits at around 2,100 m and the rough mountain road from Mestia can be impassable in winter, so plan for limited services and cash-only payments.
• Respect the towers and homes — Many towers and houses are private family property, so ask before entering or photographing people and their livestock closely.
• Dress modestly for churches — Cover shoulders and knees when visiting Lamaria Church, and women should carry a headscarf as a sign of respect.
• Hire a local guide or driver — Svan hospitality is strong but the community is small and traditional, so engaging locals for hikes, horses, or transfers supports them directly.

Nearby

• Svan Towers of Latali and Ipari — 16 km
• Hatsvali Ski Resort — 26 km
• Mestia — 27 km
• Koruldi Lakes — 29 km