Svaneti – the Georgian land of the past

Svaneti is one of the most picturesque corners of Georgia. A high-altitude valley that has preserved its natural beauty. There are no factories or high-rise buildings here; in this place, one feels at one with nature.

Svaneti is located on the southern slope of the Caucasus Mountains, near the Inguri River. Svaneti is currently divided into two parts: Zemo and Kvemo. Between them lies the Svaneti Mountain Range.

How to get there?

There are several ways to get to Svaneti:

• By plane. The flight takes just three hours, and a ticket costs 90 lari (approximately $29).
• By train, the journey takes eight hours, and tickets range from 9 to 35 lari (approximately $3-$12).
• By car. The journey takes approximately 7-8 hours. The average cost is 377 lari (approximately $136).

From Tbilisi to Mestia, flights depart from Natakhtari Airport. You can get to the airport by car sharing; the journey takes approximately 45 minutes. The flight itself takes approximately two hours.

To get to Mestia by train, you'll need to use a car sharing service, which will take you to the train station in Zugdidi. You can travel by train at any time of day, but tourists say it's more comfortable to travel at night, as trains are often overcrowded during the day, as most tourists want to enjoy Georgia's beautiful scenery.

If you're planning to travel from Tbilisi to Mestia by car, rest assured that during the journey, your full attention will be focused on the local scenery, not the road. Therefore, it's best to drive at a moderate speed to avoid accidents. This is also one of the most expensive options, costing around $130.

The Beauty of Svaneti

Svaneti is one of the most beautiful places in the Caucasus. Medieval towers, ancient villages, about 30 beautiful churches, and numerous stone buildings suggest that great kings once lived here. Because of its beautiful and tall towers, Svaneti has been nicknamed the "Land of a Thousand Towers." Svaneti is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are settlements in every part of Svaneti. Its capital is Mestia. The Main Caucasus Range, which forms the border between Georgia and Kabardino-Balkaria, with its famous peaks of Shkhara and Ushba, surrounds Upper Svaneti from the north and east. The remaining territory, from the beginning of the Tskhenistskali River gorge to the Muri Bridge, is Lower Svaneti.

The administrative center is Lentekhi.

When to visit Svaneti?

The best season to visit Svaneti is summer and early fall, from June to September. It's warm and fairly dry during this time of year, and the roads are passable.

Average temperatures range from 22 to 25 degrees Celsius. It's cooler at higher altitudes, of course. July and August are very busy in Svaneti, so it's best to book accommodations and flights several months in advance.

Sights of Svaneti

You should visit the Historical Ethnographic Museum. Here you'll see numerous items of great religious value, including ancient icons from the 7th to 10th centuries, various archaeological artifacts, and numerous ceramics. 3,000 unique pieces have been preserved.

• The museum is open daily from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Admission is 5 lari (approximately $1.85).

There's also the Margiani Family Svaneti Museum Complex. Here you can learn about the life of the ancient Svans and even climb one of the many watchtowers, though caution is advised.