From the wind-blasted peaks of Svaneti to the honeyed terraces of Kakheti, Georgia greets you with a palette of textures: cool stone churches, sun-warmed clay amphorae, and the rough wool of mountain shepherds.

Walk through Tbilisi’s Abanotubani (sulfur baths) quarter and you’ll smell wood smoke, fresh bread, and the tannic whisper of qvevri wine being poured from a marani; the city’s Dry Bridge flea market hums with lacquered icons, Soviet-era curios, and hand-painted enamel that catch the light like tiny stories.

Markets here are tactile — fingers tracing the ridges of a hand-thrown jug, the sticky sheen of churchkhela strings drying in a sunlit window, the soft nap of a felted Svan cap.

Georgia’s long tradition of winemaking, cloisonné enamel (minankari), and mountain crafts means every item carries a landscape and a maker’s name, making Georgia souvenirs rich with provenance and character. Here’s what to buy in Georgia to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Qvevri Wine (Clay Amphora Bottled Wine)

Why pick this up:
Qvevri wine encapsulates Georgia’s 8,000-year vinicultural history; wine fermented and aged in clay amphorae from Kakheti tastes earthy, textural, and uniquely Georgian. Buying a bottle is like taking home a tiny marani with its terroir and grape variety intact.

What to look for:
Seek labels that note “qvevri” and the grape (e.g., Saperavi or Rkatsiteli), a marani or producer’s name, and a clay amphora origin; unfiltered, amber “orange” wines are a specialty. Check for a producer in Telavi, Kvareli, or Sighnaghi and ask about vintage and storage.

Price bracket (2025):
₾30–₾200

Where to find it:
Kakheti wineries and marani tours, Tbilisi wine bars, Dezerter Bazaar wine stalls, and specialty wine shops.

2. Chacha (Georgian Grape Pomace Brandy)

Why pick this up:
Chacha is Georgia’s potent distilled spirit — sharp, aromatic, and often home-distilled in village marani after the harvest. It’s both a cultural emblem and a digestive that locals sip after feasts.

What to look for:
Buy chacha from licensed producers or marani with clear labeling; bottled chacha will note alcohol content and origin, while artisanal village chacha may be stronger and packaged in simple glass. Ask about flavored chacha (pear, walnut) for a more souvenir-friendly option.

Price bracket (2025):
₾25–₾120

Where to find it:
Kakheti cellars, Tbilisi markets, local liquor shops, and Batumi bazaars.

3. Churchkhela (Walnut-and-Grape Candy)

Why pick this up:
Churchkhela — nuts threaded on a cord and dipped in concentrated grape must — is a chewy, sweet snapshot of Georgia’s grape harvest and makes a portable, photogenic souvenir. It travels well when properly wrapped and carries regional flavors from Kakheti to Imereti.

What to look for:
Look for firm, evenly-coated strings with whole walnuts or hazelnuts and a glossy natural glaze; ask vendors about the grape must source (saperavi or rkatsiteli). Avoid overly soft or moldy pieces and choose freshly made batches from reputable stalls.

Price bracket (2025):
₾4–₾20 each or ₾12–₾60 for mixed packs

Where to find it:
Dezerter Bazaar (Tbilisi), Kakheti markets, Batumi Central Market, and street stalls in Sighnaghi.

4. Minankari (Georgian Enamel) Jewelry & Objects

Why pick this up:
Minankari — the Georgian form of cloisonné enamel — produces vivid, finely detailed jewelry and icons that shimmer with centuries-old techniques. Each piece is wearable folk art, linking Byzantine and Persian influences with Georgian motifs.

What to look for:
Check for hand-applied enamel over a copper base, fine wire partitions, and a slightly irregular finish that signals handcrafting. Avoid perfectly uniform, machine-made pieces; authentic minankari will have a maker’s mark or shop provenance in Tbilisi’s artisan quarters.

Price bracket (2025):
₾40–₾250

Where to find it:
Dry Bridge Market, artisan shops in Old Tbilisi (near Fabrika and Abanotubani), and museum gift stores.

5. Svanetian Felt Hats & Wool Goods

Why pick this up:
From thick felt hats to woven scarves, Svaneti’s highland wool goods are built for the mountains — warm, durable, and patterned with local motifs. They reflect centuries of shepherding traditions and Svan pattern language.

What to look for:
Choose densely felted pieces with natural wool dyes and hand-stitched seams; authentic Svan pieces often feature geometric embroidery or traditional patterns. Beware mass-produced imitations from synthetic fibers.

Price bracket (2025):
₾30–₾180

Where to find it:
Mestia craft stalls, Svaneti workshops, and Tbilisi artisan boutiques.

6. Pirosmani Prints & Folk Paintings

Why pick this up:
Reproductions and inspired works by Niko Pirosmani — Georgia’s beloved primitive painter — and local folk artists carry the country’s rustic narratives: market scenes, animals, and feasts. They’re intimate souvenirs that double as wall-ready stories.

What to look for:
Look for signed prints or provenance from known galleries; hand-painted works will show brush texture and irregularities. Avoid glossy mass-printed posters that lack artist or gallery attribution.

Price bracket (2025):
₾15–₾200

Where to find it:
Tbilisi galleries, Dry Bridge Market (prints), Sighnaghi art stalls, and museum shops.

7. Handwoven Rugs & Kilims

Why pick this up:
Georgian rugs — from Kazbegi to Kakheti — are hand-knotted expressions of tribal motifs, natural dyes, and mountain wool; they’re functional art that ages beautifully. Rugs are a lasting way to bring Georgian color and texture into your home.

What to look for:
Inspect the back for knot density, natural wool and vegetable dyes, and irregularities that show handcrafting. Ask vendors about region-of-origin (e.g., Pshavi, Tusheti) and request a care note.

Price bracket (2025):
₾150–₾1,200

Where to find it:
Dezerter Bazaar, specialist rug shops in Tbilisi, and craft villages in Kazbegi and Svaneti.

8. Copperware (Ketsi, Coffee Pots & Decorative Pieces)

Why pick this up:
Polished copper vessels — from traditional cooking ketsi to coffee pots — are staples in Georgian kitchens and display a warm patina that develops with use. They make practical mementos and are tied to local metalworking traditions.

What to look for:
Seek solid-copper items with hand-hammered textures and a hallmark or maker’s stamp; avoid thin, plated goods that dent easily. Ask about food-safe lining if you plan to cook with them.

Price bracket (2025):
₾50–₾400

Where to find it:
Old Tbilisi workshops, Dry Bridge Market, and regional bazaars in Batumi and Kutaisi.

9. Georgian Spice Blends & Adjika

Why pick this up:
A jar of khmeli-suneli, blue fenugreek (utskho suneli), or spicy adjika paste brings the flavors of Georgian feasts home, from tender mtsvadi to bean stews. Spices are compact, packable, and instantly useful in your kitchen.

What to look for:
Choose sealed jars from reputable stalls and check ingredient lists for pure herbs (no excessive fillers). Look for region-specific blends labeled from Adjara, Imereti, or Kakheti for distinct flavor profiles.

Price bracket (2025):
₾6–₾40 per jar

Where to find it:
Dezerter Bazaar, city markets, and artisan food shops.

10. Papakha (Traditional Sheepskin Hat)

Why pick this up:
The papakha — a tall, warm sheepskin hat worn across the Caucasus — is an iconic, tactile piece of mountain garb and a dramatic souvenir that nods to regional identity. It’s both a costume piece and a practical winter hat.

What to look for:
Look for natural sheepskin, tight fur, and secure stitching; authentic papakhas are hefty and well-constructed. Avoid faux-shearling imitations if you want an authentic piece.

Price bracket (2025):
₾60–₾300

Where to find it:
Mestia and Svaneti markets, Tbilisi craft shops, and specialty leather workshops.

11. Georgian Ceramics (Kutaisi & Regional Pottery)

Why pick this up:
Glazed ceramics and simple earthenware from regions like Kutaisi combine everyday utility with folk decoration — bowls, jugs, and plates painted in local motifs make functional art. Pottery is a direct link to Georgia’s clay and kiln traditions.

What to look for:
Prefer hand-thrown marks, natural glazes, and small imperfections that signal authenticity; confirm food-safety for glazed pieces used with food. Distinctive regional patterns or a potter’s signature are pluses.

Price bracket (2025):
₾25–₾200

Where to find it:
Kutaisi markets, Tbilisi artisan bazaars, and weekend maker stalls around Fabrika.

Tip: Pack fragile wine and ceramics in clothing or padded sleeves and declare spirits like chacha at customs — sealed bottles travel best; check airline rules before flying ✈️

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Shopping in Georgia is as much about conversation as commerce: vendors enjoy explaining the origin story of a marani wine or the herd that supplied the wool, and many purchases are sealed with a cup of tea or a shot of chacha.

Bargaining exists, especially at flea markets like Dry Bridge and Dezerter Bazaar in Tbilisi or in open-air bazaars in Batumi and Kutaisi, but it’s done politely – start with a modest offer and expect to meet in the middle.

Weekends in cities often bring maker markets around Fabrika and Rustaveli, while regions like Kakheti center purchases around marani visits and Svaneti around family-run workshops.

Artisan villages remain vital: in Mestia and Ushguli you’ll find felt-makers and woodcarvers, while Kakheti’s marani culture supports coop-label wines and pottery. Museums and gallery shops in Tbilisi and Sighnaghi offer curated, provenance-led souvenirs for those seeking certified handmade pieces.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Look for material honesty and maker marks. Qvevri wines will often note the marani and vintage; real qvevri amphora bottles have earthy sediment and a clay provenance.

For enamel (minankari), check for a copper base and hand-applied enamel separated by fine wires – perfect uniformity usually means machine-made. Rugs should show uneven knots, natural wool, and vegetable dye irregularities; synthetic sheen and perfectly repeating patterns indicate factory production.

For foods, buy sealed packages or freshly made churchkhela and ask vendors about preservation. With spirits like chacha, prefer licensed producers with labels and volume information; undocumented bottles may be authentic but pose transport and safety issues.

Always ask about origin (village/town), watch artisans at work, and request a receipt or card so you can trace provenance later.

Where to Shop in Georgia

• Dry Bridge Market (Tbilisi) — antiques, folk art, prints, and enamel.
• Dezerter Bazaar (Tbilisi) — spices, produce, and pantry goods.
• Kakheti wine cellars and marani tours (Telavi, Sighnaghi, Kvareli) — qvevri wine and chacha.
• Fabrika and weekend maker markets (Tbilisi) — contemporary crafts and young designers.
• Mestia and Ushguli (Svaneti) — wool goods, felt, and mountain crafts.
• Batumi Central Market and Kutaisi Central Market — regional foods and ceramics.
• Georgian National Museum shop and gallery stores (Tbilisi) — curated souvenirs and prints.
• Tbilisi International Airport duty-free and gift shops — last-minute authentic items and bottled wines.

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Georgia expensive?
A: Prices vary widely: markets and bazaars offer great bargains, while gallery and museum pieces cost more; handcrafted rugs and large copperware are the priciest items.

Q: Is bargaining common in Georgia?
A: Yes, especially at open-air markets like Dry Bridge and Dezerter Bazaar; haggle respectfully and aim for a friendly middle ground rather than aggressive bargaining.

Q: How do I know if food or drink items can be taken home?
A: Sealed packaged foods are usually fine; bottled wine and chacha can be shipped or carried if you follow airline and customs rules — always declare spirits and check limits before flying.

Explore Georgia’s markets, marani, and mountain workshops for authentic finds — Georgia souvenirs will bring home the country’s warmth, history, and flavor.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!