Weather in Mestia

About Mestia

Mestia towers—six-storey defensive structures built by Svaneti clans for feudal warfare—dominate this mountain village at 1,500 metres altitude. The towers remain intact; narrow lanes wind between them. Skiing and trekking base in winter and summer; the village pulses with adventure-seeking visitors.

Country

Georgia

Best months to visit

Year-round

Currency

GEL

Language

Georgian, Russian, English

Things to do in Mestia

Climbing the ancient defensive towers for views across the Caucasus Trekking from Mestia across passes to Gergeti (multi-day expedition) Skiing on Tetnuldi Ski Resort slopes (December-March season) Visiting the Svaneti Museum showcasing tower-house life and medieval artifacts Eating khachapuri (cheese bread) and khash (meat soup) at family restaurants Staying in converted tower houses turned guesthouses with fireplaces

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

-1C

Cold, with some rainy days.

February

Cold, with some rainy days.

March

Cold, with regular rainfall.

April

Cold, with regular rainfall.

May

13C

Cool, with regular rainfall.

June

19C

Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.

July

22C

Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.

August

23C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

September

18C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

October

12C

Cool, with some rainy days.

November

Cold, with some rainy days.

December

Cold, with some rainy days.

Mestia is the main town of Upper Svaneti, a remote highland region of Georgia famous for its medieval stone defensive towers — clusters of them still stand in villages throughout the valley, built centuries ago as refuges against blood feuds and invasions. Surrounded by some of the Caucasus's highest peaks, including Ushba's distinctive twin summits, Mestia is the starting point for legendary multi-day treks (most famously to Ushguli, Europe's highest continuously inhabited settlement) as well as shorter day hikes and a small but growing ski area.

Best areas to stay in Mestia

Mestia Town Centre

The main town with guesthouses, the Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, and several preserved Svan towers within the settlement.

Ushguli

A cluster of villages at the end of the famous trek from Mestia, with the densest concentration of Svan towers and dramatic views of Mount Shkhara.

Hatsvali & Tetnuldi

Two ski areas near Mestia offering downhill skiing in winter and chairlift access to viewpoints in summer.

Chalaadi Glacier

A popular and relatively easy half-day hike from Mestia to the foot of a glacier flowing down from the Caucasus peaks.

Getting to Mestia

✈

Flights

Fly into Kutaisi International Airport (KUT) or Tbilisi (TBS) and continue overland; a small domestic airport at Mestia operates weather-permitting flights from Tbilisi/Natakhtari.

⏱

From London

~5-6 hours from London to Kutaisi/Tbilisi with one connection, plus 4-5 hours (from Kutaisi) or 8-9 hours (from Tbilisi) by road to Mestia.

🚕

Getting around

Shared marshrutkas connect Mestia with Kutaisi and Tbilisi (less frequent); local minibuses and jeeps run to Ushguli and other villages, with hiking the main way to move between trek stages.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Mestia?

June to September for trekking, when high passes are clear. Winter (December-March) is increasingly popular for skiing at the nearby Hatsvali and Tetnuldi resorts.

How do I get to Mestia from Tbilisi?

By shared marshrutka or private car (around 8-9 hours on a winding mountain road) or by domestic flight from Tbilisi to Mestia's small airport (when operating, weather-dependent) or Kutaisi with a road transfer.

What is the Mestia to Ushguli trek?

A renowned 3-4 day trek through Svan villages with their iconic stone towers, crossing high passes with views of Ushba and other Caucasus peaks, ending at Ushguli — often cited as Europe's highest permanently inhabited village.

Do I need a guide for the Ushguli trek?

Not essential — the route is increasingly well-marked and has guesthouses along the way, though a guide adds safety margin and local insight, especially in poor weather.

What are the Svan towers?

Medieval stone defensive towers, typically 4-5 storeys, built by Svan families for protection during feuds — many villages retain multiple towers, with Mestia and Ushguli having the best-preserved clusters.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

The trek from Mestia to Ushguli was the best multi-day hike I've ever done — Svan tower villages, huge mountain views every day, and simple guesthouse hospitality each night. Mestia itself is a charming base with its own towers.

Nika D. · August 2024

★★★★★

Ushba dominates the skyline from almost everywhere in Mestia — genuinely one of the most dramatic mountain settings I've seen. The Chalaadi Glacier walk was a great, less strenuous option on our rest day.

Claire B. · July 2023

★★★★☆

Came for skiing at Tetnuldi — small but uncrowded, with stunning views and good snow. The town feels properly remote in winter, snow piled everywhere and the towers looking like something from a fairy tale.

Otto F. · February 2024