About Mestia:
It was May of 2022, after the nightmare of Covid-19, it was our first step out of Doha, our second home after India. After all those horrible lockdown and restricted life, this vacation was badly needed. Hence Mestia, escaping the city hustle into the nature.
Perched high in the Caucasus🗻 at 1,500 meters, Mestia feels like a mountain fairytale come alive. Stone Svan towers rise above cobbled lanes, snowcapped peaks surround the town, and every corner whispers history and adventure. It’s the kind of place where culture, nature, and warm Georgian hospitality all meet — and you instantly feel at home.
What makes Mestia truly unique are its Svan towers – tall stone defensive structures, many dating back to the 9th–12th centuries. These towers, once used by families to protect themselves during conflicts, now stand as proud symbols of Georgia’s heritage and are recognized as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Getting To Mestia:
It’s a tricky part to get to Mestia.
– As it is up in the Caucasus, by road from Tbilisi it’s around 450 Kms and takes around 8hrs. including driving through rough mountain terrain. So better to avoid it unless you are a pro mountain driver 
.
– There is no direct train service from Tbilisi to Mestia. Easiest way is to get train from Tbilisi till Zugdid and then take a Minibus service till Mestia or can hire a taxi / car service till Mestia.
The train 870, runs between Tbilisi to Zugdid only once in a day at 08:20 am. Train fare roughly 25-30GEL for Second class and 50-75 GEL for First class. The train super slow and takes around 7 hrs. but the journey is amazing through forest, mountains and over countless bridges on rivers.
We took a Train which runs between Tbilisi and Zugdid, and then on a hired cab till Mestia. Trains can be booked online through
Where To Stay:
There are lot of options to stay, however if you like to have the essence of local culture and vibe best is choose among the homestays around.
Here are some options for hotels.
- Hotel Elite House
- Hotel Panorama
- Hotel Old Seti .
We Chose to stay at a Homestay kind of an arrangement “Riverside Mestia” mainly for trekkers and skiers. Hospitality was homely and my kid got a friend over there as well, the owners adorable lad. surrounding was pure nature, flowing river at stone throwing distance and snow clad mountains at distance.
What to do:
Hiking-
Svaneti / Mestia has lots of beautiful hiking trails and ski resorts. Here are few popular hiking trails Easy to Hard.
- The Cross Over Mestia. (Easy)
- Koruldi Lakes. (Medium)
- Chalaadi Glacier. (Hard)
Points to consider:
- It’s a half day hike(up & down), so pack your bag with food and liquid to sip.
- If you are planning this trip in winter and spring make sure to have snow boots.
- Ushguli is a cluster of five medieval villages nestled at the upper end of the Enguri Gorge in Svaneti, Georgia. It stands as one of the highest permanently inhabited settlements in Europe. Taxis are available at the town center to reach there at the cost of approximately 150-200 Gel.
- Tower Of Love Set amidst the picturesque landscapes of Svaneti, along the route from Mestia to Ushguli, rises the intriguing ‘Tower of Love’. Poised atop a massive boulder in the middle of the Enguri River, this structure carries an air of mystery and romance, steeped in centuries-old legends of unfulfilled love.
- Heshkili is a charming hilltop village near Mestia. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding Svaneti mountains.
How Many Days Are Enough
It depends! What’s your expectation?
Ideally to cover at least one Hiking trail, day trips to the must see points and to relax 4 Nights and 5 days should be good.
For us it was 4 Nights and days escape and we enjoyed every bit of it.
Need to keep it in mind that after almost a day long journey from Tbilisi to Mestia your body will ask for a relaxed evening and a late wake up in the next morning.
Food
It’s the most delicious part to talk about. Being a remote place its Mestia has a lot in it’s menu
Starting from Pizza to Kebab. A lot of good cafes, Bars and restaurants are there near the town center.
Local, fresh Cheese and dairy products worth trying. Local beer and wines are good as well.
- Svaneti Ritur Restaurant & Café
- Café Usba
- Café Bar Buba
We tried each of these places. Although Cafe Usba was our favorite spot to hang out but we can assure you you will enjoy their delicious food and drink.
The People: The Heart of the Destination
But the true heart of any destination lies in its people. Throughout our journey, we’ve had the privilege of meeting local artisans, passionate conservationists, and friendly locals who have shared their stories and welcomed us into their community. Their warmth and hospitality remind us that travel is not just about seeing new places, but about forming genuine connections along the way.
Reflections on the Journey
As our journey comes to an end, we’re left with more than just memories. We’ve gained a deeper understanding of the unique heritage, culture of Georgians, a greater appreciation for its diversity, and a renewed sense of wonder. And so, we head home, our hearts filled with stories to tell and a longing for our next adventure.
Points Worth To Note
- Being a remote place, the day starts early and winds up early. So plan ur supper accordingly.
- The shops prefer cash that to local currency that is GEL over card payment. Hope they have started taking payments through card by now.
- Local fruits are must try.
I hope this post will benefit you planning a trip to Svaneti Mestia.
Please leave your valuable comment and expectation to enrich the blog for our lovely readers and subscribers.
