North-west Georgia
Svaneti (Mestia)
Georgia's most remote and most beautiful region, and the hardest to reach. Villages ringed by thousand-year-old defensive stone towers, beneath peaks over 4,000 m. Not for every trip — but unforgettable.
6.5
hrs from TBS airport
0.5
hrs from BUS airport
2–3 nightsSuggested stay
Why visit Svaneti (Mestia)?
✓Stone towers found nowhere else in the world
✓Ushguli — the highest inhabited village in Europe
✓Mountain scenery beyond even Kazbegi
✓Ideal for repeat visitors wanting something new
What to see
1
Mestia towersDozens of stone towers inside the village itself.
2
Ushguli villageAt 2,100 m below Mount Shkhara — a 4x4 is required.
3
Hatsvali cable carA view over the entire Caucasus range.
4
Koruldi LakesA mountain hike for walkers.
Best time to visit
June–September only, for open roads. Winter is very hard and roads can close for days.
How to get to Svaneti (Mestia)
There is no train and no comfortable public transport between Georgian cities. The practical option for a family is a car with a driver who meets you at the airport, stays with you throughout, and knows the mountain roads.
Cars serving Svaneti (Mestia)
All ←Sedan with driver
$110 / day
Book now
Sedan with driver
$105 / day
Book now
Sedan with driver
$170 / day
Book now
Common questions about Svaneti (Mestia)
How far is it?
Far: about 8–9 hours from Tbilisi or 5 from Batumi. It therefore needs at least two nights.
Is it suitable for families with small children?
The road is long and winding. We recommend it for families with children over ten, or for couples.