Georgia is a captivating country in the Caucasus region where ancient traditions meet stunning mountain landscapes and world-class wine culture. From the charming cobblestone streets of Tbilisi to the dramatic peaks of the Greater Caucasus, Georgia offers extraordinary hospitality, unique cuisine, and eight millennia of winemaking heritage.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Qvevri Wine
Traditional Georgian wine fermented in clay qvevri jars using an 8,000-year-old method. Amber wines from Kakheti are uniquely Georgian and impossible to find elsewhere.
Price: $8-50 per bottle
Where: Wine shops on Rustaveli Ave, Kakheti wineries, Dry Bridge market
Churchkhela
Walnut-stuffed grape juice candy shaped like a sausage, often called Georgian Snickers. Available in many flavors using pomegranate or different grape varieties.
Price: $1-3 each
Where: Dezerter Bazaar, roadside stalls throughout Kakheti
Cloisonné Enamel Jewelry (Minankari)
Traditional Georgian enamelwork jewelry featuring intricate filigree patterns in brilliant colors. Brooches, earrings, and pendants are popular collector pieces.
Price: $20-200
Where: Dry Bridge Flea Market, craft shops in Old Tbilisi
Naqa Linen and Silk Scarves
Handwoven scarves and fabrics produced by Georgian artisans using traditional techniques. Vibrant patterns inspired by ancient Georgian ornamentation.
Price: $15-60
Where: Fabrika design shops, Rustaveli Ave boutiques
Hand-painted Georgian Pottery
Decorative pottery featuring scenes from Georgian folklore, wine culture, and national symbols painted in earthy tones. Plates, jugs, and bowls are popular.
Price: $10-50
Where: Dry Bridge market, Old Town craft stalls
Soviet Memorabilia
Vintage badges, medals, coins, stamps, and posters from the Soviet era found at Tbilisi's famous Dry Bridge flea market. Unique historical collectibles.
Price: $2-100
Where: Dry Bridge Flea Market, Tbilisi
Georgian Spice Mixes and Adjika
Fragrant spice blends including khmeli suneli (mixed herbs) and adjika chili paste. Essential Georgian condiments that make excellent kitchen souvenirs.
Price: $2-10
Where: Dezerter Bazaar, supermarkets, Zedazeni shop
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Dezerter Bazaar (Dezertirebi Market)
Tbilisi's most authentic and sprawling covered market selling fresh produce, spices, dairy, meat, nuts, and dried fruits. A sensory feast showcasing Georgia's agricultural bounty.
Where: 1 Tsinamdzgvrishvili St, Tbilisi
Hours: 7AM-5PM daily
Dry Bridge Flea Market
Famous open-air antique and flea market spread along an old bridge. Vendors sell Soviet memorabilia, antique jewelry, coins, artwork, and Georgian crafts.
Where: Dry Bridge, near Meidan, Tbilisi
Hours: 10AM-6PM daily, best weekends
Fabrika Weekend Flea Market
Hip weekly market in the Fabrika creative complex courtyard with vintage clothing, design objects, handmade crafts, and street food. Very popular with young Tbilisians.
Where: 8 Egnate Ninoshvili St, Tbilisi
Hours: Saturdays 12PM-6PM
Batumi Green Bazaar
Batumi's main fresh produce market offering Adjara region specialties including subtropical fruits, fresh herbs, local cheeses, and the Adjarian version of khachapuri.
Where: Gogebashvili St, Batumi
Hours: 7AM-3PM daily
Telavi Market (Kakheti)
Regional market in Georgia's wine capital where local farmers sell seasonal produce, homemade wines in plastic bottles, honey, walnuts, and regional Georgian foods.
Where: Central Market, Telavi
Hours: 8AM-4PM daily
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Rustaveli Avenue
Tbilisi's main thoroughfare lined with international brands, Georgian designers, bookshops, and galleries. The elegant 19th-century boulevard is the city's premier shopping and cultural street.
Best for: International brands, Georgian designers, bookshops
Old Town Craft Alley (Abanotubani)
Narrow streets below Narikala Fortress packed with small stalls and shops selling handmade souvenirs, Georgian jewelry, ceramics, and traditional crafts. Great for authentic Georgian gifts.
Best for: Handmade souvenirs, jewelry, ceramics
Fabrika Creative District
Former Soviet factory transformed into Tbilisi's hippest creative complex with independent boutiques, designers, vintage shops, and artisan food producers. Weekend flea market is popular.
Best for: Georgian design, vintage, independent boutiques
Batumi Boulevard
The 7km seaside promenade in Batumi lined with resort wear shops, souvenir stalls, and international boutiques. Busy in summer with beach-going crowds.
Best for: Resort wear, souvenirs, beachwear
Marjanishvili Street Area
Emerging shopping area around Marjanishvili Square with local boutiques, cafes, vintage stores, and independent Georgian fashion labels. Less touristy than Old Town.
Best for: Local Georgian fashion, independent boutiques
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Galleria Tbilisi
Tbilisi's premier upscale mall on Rustaveli Avenue featuring international luxury brands, Georgian designers, restaurants, and a cinema. Seven floors of retail in a modern building.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
East Point Mall
Large Western-style shopping mall in eastern Tbilisi with over 150 stores including fashion, electronics, supermarket, food court, and entertainment. Georgia's largest mall.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Batumi Mall
Modern shopping complex in central Batumi with Georgian and international brands, supermarket, food court, and cinema. Popular with locals and tourists seeking familiar brands.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
City Mall Tbilisi
Mid-range shopping mall in Tbilisi featuring fashion chains, homeware stores, a large supermarket, and a food court with Georgian and international cuisine options.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is acceptable at Dry Bridge flea market and street souvenir stalls - start at 50-60% of asking price
Fixed prices apply at malls, supermarkets, and established shops - do not try to negotiate
At Dezerter Bazaar, politely asking for a better price when buying multiple items is common
Always be respectful when negotiating - Georgians pride themselves on hospitality and may be offended by aggressive bargaining
Small bills are essential at markets - vendors rarely have change for large notes
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques and items of cultural or historical significance require a certificate of authenticity from the Cultural Heritage Ministry to export. Wine can be exported in reasonable quantities for personal use.
Tax Refund: Georgia has no tourist VAT refund scheme currently in place for visitors.
Duty Free: You can bring up to 200 cigarettes and 1 liter of spirits into Georgia duty-free. Exporting more than 10 liters of wine without documentation requires permits.
Shipping: DHL and FedEx operate from Tbilisi for international shipping. Georgia Post is cheaper but slower. Fabrika area has packing services available.