Mestia is the main town of Upper Svaneti, a high mountain region in northwestern Georgia surrounded by the peaks of the Greater Caucasus. The town sits in a broad valley at about 1,500 meters above sea level, with snow-covered mountains, forested slopes, and alpine terrain extending in every direction. Mestia is known for its distinctive Svan towers, stone houses, and mountain setting, while its role as the regional center provides access to surrounding villages and trekking routes. The town is also the principal gateway for exploring the cultural landscape of Upper Svaneti.

Mestia preserves the traditions of the Svans, a Georgian highland community with distinctive customs, architecture, and cuisine. Svan defensive towers stand beside family homes throughout the town and neighboring villages, reflecting a traditional form of household fortification. The Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography houses archaeological finds, religious objects, manuscripts, weapons, and examples of traditional Svan life. Mestia is also close to several historic churches decorated with medieval murals and icons. The wider Upper Svaneti cultural landscape is recognized by UNESCO for its exceptional combination of traditional settlements, tower houses, churches, and mountain surroundings.

Mestia provides access to some of Georgia's most notable high mountain landscapes. Hiking routes lead from the town toward the villages of Zhabeshi, Adishi, Iprari, and Ushguli, passing through alpine meadows, forests, valleys, and mountain passes. The Hatsvali and Tetnuldi ski areas offer access to higher slopes and views of the Caucasus, while the Koruldi Lakes can be reached by a demanding hiking route above Mestia. Ushguli, one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe, lies farther along the mountain route and is known for its collection of traditional towers and views toward Mount Shkhara.

Svan cuisine gives Mestia a distinctive place within Georgian food traditions. Kubdari, a round bread filled with seasoned meat, is strongly associated with Svaneti, while chvishtari combines cornmeal and cheese in a simple mountain dish. Svan salt, a mixture of salt with herbs and spices, is widely used in regional cooking and gives local dishes a characteristic flavor. Dairy products, potatoes, beans, and locally produced meat also feature in traditional meals. Mestia's cultural identity remains closely tied to its mountain environment, where architecture, food, pastoral traditions, and seasonal travel have developed around the demanding conditions of Upper Svaneti.