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Mestia

The 'capital' of Upper Svaneti, Mestia is a sprawling conglomeration of at least 10 hamlets, dotted with picturesque Svan towers. The oldest of the hamlets, with most of the towers, are above the river on the northern side of town: Lekhtagi in the northwest, and Lanchvali and Lagami to the northeast. Government-sponsored tourism development has seen Mestia's central square Setis moedani rebuilt, a rush of new hotels, and the construction of ski resorts and a small airport. While you'll no longer really feel you're exploring the remote Svaneti of legend here, it's a great base for hiking and other activities that do take you into the rest of the region, where in so many places time really has stood still.

Explore Mestia

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Mestia.

  • Restaurants

  • Georgian

    Lushnu Qor

    Definitely one of Mestia's more interesting restaurants, this German-owned spot stands out from the crowd with its friendly service and good food. Its…

  • Georgian

    Cafe Laila

    A hugely popular gathering place on the central square where it can be hard to get a table on summer evenings when local musicians often perform. The food…

  • Georgian

    REA Cafe Bar

    This pint-sized cafe is perfect for a relaxing meal. Its handwritten menu offers Georgian treats such as shkmeruli (chicken in a creamy garlic sauce) and…

  • Georgian

    Cafe Ushba

    Favoured for its good kebabs, this friendly guesthouse has all the main Georgian favourites including delicious khinkali and plenty of vegetarian choice…

  • Cafe

    Café Lanchvali

    A lovely place to sit on the spic-and-span, timber-built, upstairs deck and enjoy a coffee, a cool drink or an inexpensive meal while looking straight out…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Mestia.

  • Activities