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If you’re travelling to Georgia (the country) soon and wondering what to buy in Georgia for yourselves or your loved ones back home, this list of the top 21 Georgian souvenirs can save you valuable time.
In this article, we’ve included all kinds of Georgian souvenirs, starting with edible goodies and drinks that allow you to carry Georgia’s unique tastes and flavours back home with you.
Moreover, we’ve included gifts that are intertwined with Georgian culture and ancient crafts, but also antiques or brand new everyday items that relate to Georgia’s history and arts.
Trust us, there’s no way you won’t find a few souvenirs from Georgia to suit your preferences here. So, keep reading to find out what to buy in Georgia.
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What To Buy in Georgia – 21 Georgian Souvenirs To Take Back Home With You
1. Georgian Wine
With a wine-making history that goes back over 8000 years, Georgia is one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world. To honour this ancient legacy, one of the best things to buy in Georgia is, of course, wine.
But not just any wine. When in Georgia, make sure you try – and buy – the authentic Georgian wine that’s still produced using the iconic clay Qvevri jars. The latter are buried underground or installed under the floors of dark wine cellars.
Traditional Qvevri wine is an acquired taste and it’s quite strong. Furthermore, Georgian white wine has a characteristic amber colour.
You can buy Georgian wine at any supermarket in Georgia. However, the best place to buy Georgian wine is directly from a winery during a wine tour.
Alternatively, wine bars are also great places to buy superb local wine after you sample it.
In Tbilisi, 8000 Vintages and Nino Meris Wine Selection are among our favourite wine bars for wine tasting, delicious nibbles and a pleasant wine shopping experience.
2. Georgian Tea
Another Georgian product you should try and also buy to enjoy back home is Georgian tea.
Georgia is one of the world’s northernmost tea-growing areas. The country’s special climate and soil are responsible for rendering top-quality tea.
Back in Soviet times, Georgia was one of the world’s biggest tea producers. Sadly, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, most tea plantations were abandoned.
However, nowadays, a few passionate tea producers are on a mission to revive Georgia’s past tea-making glory.
But production is still quite small, which explains why Georgian tea is more expensive than its Sri Lankan or Chinese counterparts.
If you’re visiting Tbilisi in winter, there’s no better way to keep warm than a cup of hot Georgian tea at one of the city’s homelike cafés.
You can buy flavourful black or green tea at any market or supermarket in Georgia.
3. Georgian Spices & Herbs
Among the best Georgian souvenirs you can buy in this beautiful country are spices and dried herbs. Some of the most common among them are blue fenugreek, coriander, marigold, dried basil and dried parsley.
Yet, instead of buying separate spices or herbs, we recommend opting for the most popular spice and herb blends, which are unique to Georgia. Among them, Dried Ajika and Svanetian Salt stand out.
Dried Ajika is spicy with strong notes of garlic, while Svan Salt is a mix of herbs and spices that you can use instead of plain salt.
Apart from these two blends, markets and shops throughout Georgia sell several other inspired mixes.
Two of the best places to buy spices and herbs in Tbilisi are Meidan Bazaar, a historic tunnel-like market in the Old Town, and Bazari Orbeliani, a modern market and food court in the city centre.
Although you can find Svan Salt everywhere in Georgia, the best place to buy homemade versions of this special condiment is its birthplace, the region of Svaneti in northwestern Georgia.
4. Churchkhela
As you stroll through the streets of Tbilisi or other cities and towns across Georgia, you’ll notice colourful strings hanging over shop doors and windows. They don’t seem edible at first glance, but they are.
This is Churchkhela, Georgia’s go-to sweet snack. Churchkhela is made of walnut halves – or other dried nuts like hazelnuts – covered in thickened grape must.
Rich in calories, vitamins and protein, but also easy to carry and preserve for long periods, Churchkhela was sustenance for Georgian warriors back in the day.
Nowadays, Churchkhela is a snack that can satisfy your hunger in between meals and a tasty gift from Georgia.
You can buy Churchkhela at any traditional or modern market, supermarket or souvenir shop.
Make sure you refrain from buying any brightly coloured long string to avoid artificial food colouring. The original Churchkhela is brown.
5. Dried Fruit
Less fancy but equally nutritious, dried fruit – or Chiri – is a staple in Georgia, enjoyed by locals as everyday snacks or on festive occasions.
Traditionally, Chiri was made from fruit like apricots, apples, grapes, plums or figs. Nowadays, more exotic versions include bananas or even kiwis.
You can buy dried fruit at any supermarket or grocery store in Georgia.
6. Bottled Georgian Lemonade
Bottled lemonade is a favourite non-alcoholic beverage among locals. But don’t let its name fool you. Georgian lemonade isn’t always made of lemons.
Other flavours include pear, tarragon, grape, feijoa and, our favourite, cream. If you have room in your luggage, it’s worth buying one or two bottles of Georgian lemonade as souvenirs from Georgia.
You can find a wide variety of bottled Georgian lemonade at any supermarket or grocery store in Georgia.
7. Georgian Beer
Wine may be king in Georgia but the local beer isn’t bad either. During your trip to Georgia, we’d recommend enjoying craft beer produced in microbreweries and served on tap in pubs and bars throughout the country.
That said, there’s no harm in buying bottled beer from larger producers as a souvenir from Georgia. Some of the mass-produced beers we tried and liked in Georgia were Kazbegi, Natakhtari and Argo.
You can find these popular beer brands and several others at any supermarket or grocery store in Georgia.
8. Chacha
Produced in Georgia since the 17th century, Chacha is in essence Georgia’s take on vodka.
If you have friends back home who would appreciate a strong spirit with a sweet flavour, Chacha is one of the best Georgian souvenirs to buy for them.
It’s also a very symbolic gift as Chacha for Georgians is the epitome of hospitality, the most eloquent gesture of respect towards any guest.
You can buy Chacha at the same places where wine is sold: supermarkets, wineries and wine bars.
9. Georgian Brandy
Since we’re on the subject of strong spirits, Georgia also produces exquisite brandy.
It was the first country in the Russian Empire to produce cognac, all thanks to David Sarajishvili, a Georgian scientist and entrepreneur, who studied wine-making and learnt the secrets of brandy in France.
You can buy top-quality Georgian brandy at any supermarket in Georgia.
10. Georgian Cheese
Cheese is one of the best traditional products to buy in Georgia. There are many cheese types in Georgia, each bearing the characteristics of the region it originates from.
Apart from being an excellent pairing for the best Georgian wine, cheese is also the main ingredient for several traditional Georgian dishes, such as Khachapuri, Georgia’s divine cheese-filled bread.
It’s worth buying some cheese to take back home with you, for a chance to keep the memory of Georgia’s culinary wealth alive for a little while longer.
Some of the most popular types of cheese in Georgia are Sulguni, Imeruli and Guda.
You can buy Georgian cheese at any supermarket. However, make sure it’s vacuum-packed so it doesn’t go bad during your trip back home.
11. Georgian Blue Tablecloths
Introduced to Georgia by other Eastern countries – such as Turkey – in the 17th century, these emblematic blue tablecloths quickly became integral to Georgia’s rich culture.
If you ask us, there’s no better way to remember your trip to Georgia than sprinkling your home with items that are purely Georgian – like this blue tablecloth.
You can find blue tablecloths at any souvenir shop. However, the mass-produced items sold there may not even be made in Georgia.
Therefore, we’d recommend buying blue tablecloths at boutique shops that sell handmade items.
One such shop is Gallery 27 in Tbilisi, a cosy space owned by visionaries on a mission to preserve Georgia’s ancient crafts and support local artisans.
12. Woollen Slippers & Socks
As kids in Greece, we remember our grandmothers spending countless afternoons knitting wool sweaters, scarves and socks. Apparently, this was a favourite pastime of Georgian grandmothers, too.
Even if you don’t personally know a Georgian grandma, woollen slippers and socks are easy to find in Georgia and they can be the perfect gifts for your loved ones back home. Especially, if winter is near.
Again, you can find woollen slippers and socks at many souvenir shops. Yet, it’s best to buy handmade slippers and socks made of wool at boutique shops, like Social Concept Store ESKI or Ethnodesign in Tbilisi.
13. Felt Accessories & Toys
Apart from knitted, you can also find socks and slippers made of felt in Georgia. Felt is considered the oldest fabric in Georgia and it’s linked with crafts and traditions that have been around for centuries.
In Mestia, we had the pleasure of attending a Svan hat masterclass. You can read more about it in our article about visiting Mestia and Upper Svaneti in winter.
Svan hats are made of felt as are other items, such as handbags or even dolls.
In Tbilisi, it’s best to look for quality felt accessories and toys at small shops like those mentioned in number 11 above. In smaller towns, there will certainly be a local shop with handmade felt items, such as Shina Bodbe in Signagi.
14. Soviet-Era Memorabilia & Other Antiques
Some of the best souvenirs from Georgia are those that narrate the country’s history as one of the former Soviet Union’s member states.
From Soviet-era coins to vintage Russian-made cameras to tea sets and cutlery from countries whose names only exist in history books, like East Germany or Czechoslovakia, there are countless timeless treasures to buy in Georgia.
The perfect place to hunt for antiques and memorabilia is, without a doubt, the Dry Bridge Market.
A stroll through this open-air flea market allows you not only to shop for Georgian souvenirs but also to get acquainted with Georgia’s living history.
15. Cloisonne Enamel Jewellery
The technique of Georgian cloisonne dates back to the Middle Ages. Back then, Georgia was heavily influenced by Byzantine art.
This demanding method of enamelling has had its ups and downs throughout the centuries. Nowadays, its popularity has grown remarkably.
Cloisonne enamel jewellery is the perfect gift to yourselves or loved ones, especially if there’s a special occasion or memorable event to celebrate.
For handmade cloisonne enamel jewellery with traditional or contemporary design, make sure you choose a boutique craft shop, such as Gallery 27 mentioned earlier.
16. Georgian Carpets
Another old craft originating in Byzantine times is carpet weaving. Georgian carpets are brightly coloured, usually in shades of red, and very durable.
An authentic Georgian carpet takes over six months to weave, so you can imagine how much effort – but also love – goes into making these gorgeous carpets.
Therefore, even if this isn’t one of the easiest Georgian souvenirs to bring back home with you, it’s worth trying to fit at least one small Kilim rug in your luggage.
There are many carpet shops in Tbilisi – the capital city of Georgia – and the rest of the country.
17. Georgian Ceramics
The earliest clay vessels to be found in Georgia date back to Neolithic times and are related to the country’s wine-making traditions. When Georgia formed part of the Soviet Union, the production of local ceramics flourished.
However, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, most pottery factories shut their doors, as happened with most industries in the post-Soviet era.
Nowadays, Georgians are happy to revive the crafts of the past and ceramics are gradually becoming some of the most sought-after traditional souvenirs from Georgia.
You can find Georgian ceramics at any souvenir or boutique craft shop in Georgia.
18. Khinkali-Themed Items
One of the most beloved local dishes, Khinkali is a staple of Georgian cuisine with locals and tourists alike swearing by these juicy dumplings. Khinkali isn’t just a dish though. It’s Georgian pop culture at its best.
This is why you’ll find the characteristic print of traditional Georgian dumplings on a wide variety of souvenirs to buy in Georgia. From socks to T-shirts to tote bags. You can even find Khinkali-shaped salt and pepper shakers.
You can look for Khinkali gift ideas at any souvenir shop. Especially Khinkali socks are very easy to find. For salt and pepper shakers, head to Meidan Bazaar in Tbilisi if you struggle to find them anywhere else.
19. Stalin-Themed Items
One of the most controversial personalities in world history, Joseph Stalin was a Georgia native.
He was born in the town of Gori, where now a museum dedicated to his memory awaits to take you on a journey through his life and work.
The museum’s gift shop is abundant in Stalin-themed souvenirs that range from coffee mugs to fridge magnets.
But even if you don’t visit Gori during your trip to Georgia, you can still find Stalin-themed gifts throughout the country. For example, socks with Stalin’s face are omnipresent in Georgia.
In Tbilisi, you can find Stalin socks at souvenir shops or the Dry Bridge Market.
20. Items Inspired by The Georgian Alphabet
Georgians are very proud of their language and for good reason. The Georgian language is one of the world’s oldest.
The Georgian alphabet has three writing systems and, even if you can’t read it, it’s a masterpiece to look at. This is why the Georgian alphabet is featured on several items you can buy as unique gifts from Georgia.
At Gallery 27, you can find beautiful fridge magnets with Georgian scripts while Atare, a locally owned brand, creates the most beautiful Georgian alphabet bracelets.
21. Items Inspired by Niko Pirosmani
Even though he became famous after his death, Niko Pirosmani is considered the greatest Georgian painter of all time.
His paintings depict animals, everyday people, natural landscapes or scenes from rural life. Some of his paintings have become pop culture icons in Georgia, especially his famous Fisherman.
The latter can be found in countless versions. From wooden ornaments, bronze figurines and felt pillow covers to socks and T-shirts.
You can find Pirosmani-inspired gifts at most souvenir or boutique craft shops in Georgia.
No matter which souvenirs from Georgia you decide to buy, make sure you choose locally owned small businesses. This is a great way to support the local economy and stay true to the principles of ethical and sustainable travel.
We hope this list of the best Georgian souvenirs helps you on your quest to discover the finest gifts to buy from Georgia.
If you still haven’t booked your tickets to Georgia, read our article about why you should visit Georgia while it’s still an authentic and absolutely unspoilt destination waiting to be discovered.
WORDS & EDITING: Maria
IMAGES: Katerina