Welcome to Mestia
The 'capital' of Upper Svaneti, Mestia is a 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. Recent government-sponsored tourism development has seen Mestia's central square Setis moedani rebuilt, and an airport and a... Read More
Top experiences in Mestia
Mestia activities
Multi-Day Jeep Tour to Mestia from Tbilisi
Day 1: Becho-Mestia. You'll be picked up at your location of choice in Tbilisi, then set off directly for Mestia. The road passes the Enguri Hydro Power Plant dam as you enter the Enguri River valley. Then you'll visit the village of Becho, famous for its magnificent view of the spear-shaped double summit of Mt. Ushba. From there, the road passes through medieval villages, giving you an up-close look at towers built between the 9th and 12th centuries. The famous towers, with their unique architecture and historical role in Georgia, represent UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You'll arrive by evening in Mestia, the main town of the Svaneti region.Day 2: Mestia. Spend the day getting to know the incredible mountain town of Mestia and its surrounding villages. You'll start by visiting the Margiani Tower Museum, followed by the globally famous Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, Mestia. The trip will continue to neighboring villages, where you'll have a chance to explore medieval churches and chapels.Day 3: Mestia-Ushguli. From Mestia, you'll travel to Ushguli, the highest-altitude inhabited village in Europe, at 2,100 meters. Ushguli sits at the bottom of Mount Shkhara, and consists of four villages: Chvibani, Zhibani, Chazhashi and Murqmeli. Enjoy stunning views of Mount Shkhara, before returning to Mestia.Day 4: Zugdidi-Archeopolis. Descend from the mountain region around Mestia to Zugdidi, the central town of the Samegrelo region. Here you'll see a medieval castle and the Dadiani Dukes Palace, and will also be able to visit the Zugdidi Museum where you'll encounter the famous Napoleon's Mask. Your next destination is Archeopolis in the ancient town of Kolheti – the site of the Golden Fleece in Greek mythology. Learn about this fascinating city that played a pivotal role in the 7th century Byzantine-Sasanian War. You will stay the night in Kutaisi.Day 5: Kutaisi-Gelati-Tbilisi. Start the day with a visit to Bagrat Cathedral, the masterpiece of Georgian medieval architecture, built in the 11th century. Next, you'll visit the famous Motsameta and Gelati monasteries, founded by King David IV, which served as the cultural and intellectual center of Georgia. Return to Tbilisi.The tour includes all transportation, full-time guide and accommodation.
4-day Private Tour to Svaneti Highlands from Batumi
Itinerary Day 1: Batumi-Zugdidi-Mestia After breakfast at the hotel your driver and guide will meet you at the lobby and you’ll start the journey to the north – Svaneti region. Svaneti is notable for its picturesque landscape, untouched nature and defensive towers scattered all over Upper Svaneti which are unique to the region. En route you’ll stop in Zugdidi take a guided tour in Dadiani Palaces Historical and Architectural Museum. Continue your way and pass through Enguri dam and stop to enjoy beautiful views on Enguri reservoir. Arrive in Mestia – the center of Svaneti region. The town contains a number of medieval monuments. Today you’ll visit Svan tower-museum of Margiani family from 12th c. The existence of these defensive towers is explained by the need of protection from invaders and natural disasters. Check-in at your hotel in Mestia, have dinner and relax. Overnight: 3* hotel in Mestia Day 2: Mestia-Ushguli-Mestia After breakfast at the hotel explore the Svaneti region. Start a 4x4 adventure on ground roads to Ushguli village – the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe. The whole village with its defensive fortifications is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Upon arrival explore Ushguli and its fortifications and then take a short walk towards Shkhara Glacier - the highest of peaks in Georgia. In the evening, get back to Mestia town for dinner and overnight at the hotel. Overnight: 3* hotel in Mestia Day 3: Mestia and its surroundings After breakfast at the hotel explore Mestia and its surroundings. Start your tour with a visit to Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography. The Museum's collections include important archeological and ethnographic materials and a rich collection of Georgian manuscripts. Drive to small villages to explore several churches decorated with medieval frescos and murals and then back to Mestia. Ride up to Hatsvali ski station by aerial tramway to enjoy panoramic views over the mountains and the Ushba glacier. Get back to Mestia for dinner and overnight at the hotel. Overnight: 3* hotel in Mestia Day 4: Mestia - Batumi After breakfast at the hotel leave Mestia for Batumi. Arrive in Batumi and before you end the tour enjoy a walk in Batumi Botanical Garden – a beautiful and calm place for you to relax after a bit of a tiring journey. In the evening the guide and driver will drop you off at your place of stay in Batumi.Note: Svaneti museum photo is the courtesy of the Naional Museum of Georgia
4-day Private Tour to Svaneti from Kutaisi
ItineraryDay 1: Kutaisi-Zugdidi-MestiaAfter breakfast your driver and guide will meet you at your place of stay in Kutaisi and you’ll start your journey to the one of the remote regions of Georgia – Svaneti. The region is notable for its beautiful nature and unique defensive fortifications. Your first stop is Zugdidi town – the center of Samegrelo region. Here you’ll have guided excursion in Dadiani Palaces Historical and Architectural Museum which houses some important exhibits of natural cultural heritage of Georgia. Continue driving and reach Enguri dam, the second highest concrete arc dam in the world. Stop here to enjoy beautiful views on Enguri reservoir and continue to Mestia – the center of Svaneti region. Mestia was an important center of Georgian culture for centuries and contains a number of medieval monuments. Arrive in Mestia and visit tower-museum of Margiani family, which dates back to 12th century. Explore the tower and check-in at your hotel in Mestia, have dinner and relax. Overnight: 3* hotel in MestiaDay 2: Mestia-Ushguli-MestiaAfter breakfast at the hotel change the transport to 4x4 vehicles and start journey to Ushguli. Ushguli village is the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe. The whole village is included UNESCO World Heritage Sites list and preserves numerous Svan defensive towers. Arrive in Ushguli and explore the village. Then take a walk towards the foothills of Shkhara Glacier – the highest of peaks in Georgia (5193 m. above sea level). In the evening, get back to Mestia town for dinner and overnight at the hotel. Overnight: 3* hotel in MestiaDay 3: Mestia and its surroundingsAfter breakfast at the hotel have Mestia tour and start with a visit to Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography. The Museum's collections include important archeological and ethnographic materials, a rich collection of Georgian manuscripts, and Georgian Orthodox icons painted in the unique Svan style. Drive to small villages to explore several churches decorated with medieval frescos and murals. Drive back to Mestia and ride up to Hatsvali ski station by aerial tramway to enjoy panoramic views over the mountains and the Ushba glacier. Get back to Mestia for dinner and overnight at the hotel. Overnight: 3* hotel in MestiaDay 4: Mestia - KutaisiAfter breakfast at the hotel leave Mestia for Kutaisi. Arrive in Kutaisi and before you end your tour enjoy sightseeing in Bagrati Cathedral – a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to 11th century. In the evening the guide and driver will drop you off at your place of stay in Kutaisi.
Private tour: 4 days in the Highlands of Georgia from Tbilisi
Day 1: Tbilisi – Zugdidi – MestiaPick up from the hotel in Tbilisi and departure to Svaneti. Way to Svaneti is long, so we will make a few stops on our way. First we arrive in Zugdidi – administrative center of Samegrelo region to visit Dadiani Palace History and Architectural Museum – the former residence of Mingrelian Kings and Queens. Have lunch in Zugdidi restaurant with local dishes and continue way to Caucasus highlands. On the way, stop near Enguri Dam, currently being world’s second highest concrete arch dam – 271.5 m in height.In the evening, you’ll arrive in Mestia, the center of Svaneti and check in the hotel. Have dinner at the hotel and prepare for next day’s off-road adventure.Day 2: Mestia – Ushguli – MestiaAfter breakfast at the hotel board 4x4 vehicles and start driving to one of the most remote places in Europe – Ushguli village. The whole village with its fortifications is included in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On the way, you’ll visit villages Ipari and Kala to see the churches rich with murals and frescos.After a picnic lunch en-route arrive in Ushguli. A short walk in the village leads to a small hilltop where the Lamaria Chapel is located, dating back to the 12th century. The Chapel is full of magnificent old frescoes. Explore the church and then take a relaxing walk towards the foothills of Shkhara glacier – the highest peak in Georgia (5068 m).Return back to Mestia in the evening for dinner and overnight at the hotel.Day 3: Mestia and its surroundings After breakfast at the hotel explore Mestia and its surroundings. First stop at Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, which houses old Georgian manuscripts, ethnographic and archaeological items, Georgian Orthodox icons painted in Svanetian style, and etc.Next, walk up to the tower-museum of Margiani (12th c.). Svan Towers are considered to be the symbol of Svaneti and a large portion of them date back to Medieval times. Explore the Margiani tower and take a break to have lunch in one of the local restaurants.After lunch you’ll visit the villages Latali and Lemjeri located near Mestia town. Visit several churches decorated with medieval frescos and murals and get back to Mestia for dinner and overnight.Day 4: Mestia – Zugdidi – Tbilisi After breakfast at the hotel start driving back to Tbilisi. On your way visit farmer’s market Zugdidi , where local ecologically clean fruit, vegetables and homemade Sulguni cheese are sold.Take a lunch break en-route and continue to Tbilisi. The tour ends with a drop off at your hotel in Tbilisi.
8-Day Tour to Georgian Highlands and Black Sea from Tbilisi
Day 1 Tbilisi City Tour (-/-/-)Pickup from Tbilisi hotel and start city tour. Drive to the main Orthodox Cathedral Sameba. Continue to Metekhi plateau overlooking Old Tbilisi. Ride up to Narikala fortress by the areal cable car. Take a stroll to the old city; visit Tbilisi Mosque, Legvtakhevi and Sulfur Bathhouses. Walk to the Maidan square, Sharden and The King Erekle II streets. Visit Sioni cathedral and head to Anchiskhati basilica. Visit Georgian National Museum.Overnight in Tbilisi hotel 3*Day 2 Tbilisi-Gori-Uplistsikhe-Kutaisi (B/-/D)After breakfast at the hotel drive to the West through Gori and visit house-museum of Joseph Stalin. Visit Uplistsikhe caves. In the evening arrive in Kutaisi. Enjoy the sunset in from the yard of Bagrati Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site).Dinner and overnight in Kutaisi guesthouse.Day 3 Kutaisi-Zugdidi-Mestia (B/-/D)After breakfast drive to Sataplia caves. Dinosaur footprints are conserved here. Arrive to Zugdidi. Visit Dadiani Palace Museum. Arrive in Mestia, Svaneti, which were used for defensive as well as dwelling purposes.Dinner and overnight in Mestia guesthouse.Day 4 Mestia-Ushguli-Mestia (B/-/D)Breakfast in Mestia. Today we have off-road adventure to the isolated village Ushguli. The whole area has been included in World Heritage Sites list by UNESCO. In the evening ride up to Hatsvali ski lift for panoramic views.Drive back to Mestia guesthouse for dinner and overnight.Day 5 Mestia-Batumi (B/-/-)After breakfast visit Margiani tower and Svanetian dwelling “Machubi”. Visit Svaneti Museum. Drive to Batumi.Overnight in Batumi hotel 3*.Day 6 Batumi-Kutaisi (B/-/D)After breakfast visit Gonio fortress. The oldest mention of Gonio has been made in 1st c. AD. Next excursion will be in Batumi Botanical Garden with beautiful views over the black sea shores. Drive to Kutaisi and visit Gelati Academy.Dinner and overnight in Kutaisi guesthouse.Day 7 Kutaisi-Tbilisi (B/-/-)After breakfast at the hotel drive back to Tbilisi. Visit Mtskheta town on the way, famous for its UNESCO World Heritage sites – Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery. Visit both sites and drive to Tbilisi. Free evening.Overnight in Tbilisi hotel 3*.Day 8 Tbilisi (B/-/-)Breakfast at the hotel and check.End of service.