Georgia is a country with deep artisan traditions. Cloisonné enamel jewelry, wool goods from Tusheti, ceramics from Signagi, spices and tea from Adjara — there is plenty worth bringing home. Tbilisi is a treasure trove for those who know where to look.
Timur knows the vendors, the fair prices, and how to navigate the language barrier. No tourist-price traps, no souvenir magnets. The guide helps you find authentic pieces and explains the cultural significance behind each Georgian craft.
Route: Deserters' Bazaar → Dry Bridge → Kote Afkhazi St → Shardeni St
Tbilisi's main market is where locals shop for everything. Spices — Svan salt, khmeli-suneli, adjika — cost 3 to 4 times less here than in the tourist shops of the Old Town. Timur will introduce you to trusted vendors and explain which spices are worth taking home.
The wine section is a revelation: home wines sold straight from 5- and 10-litre plastic canisters. It sounds odd, but this is often the best wine you can buy in Tbilisi. Timur knows which sellers bring their own product — not resold bulk wine. You can fill a bottle on the spot.
In the lanes of the Old Town, craftsmen still make jewelry entirely by hand. The traditional Georgian technique — cloisonné enamel (minankari) — produces unique patterns featuring the pomegranate flower, a national symbol. Prices: rings ₾40–80, earrings ₾60–120, bracelets ₾80–150. Each piece is the work of a specific artisan, not a factory product.
The antique rows near the market hold Soviet-era badges, Georgian coins, old icons (replicas — originals may not be exported), and vintage household items. Timur will help you tell the genuine from the copy and negotiate a fair price.
10:00 — Dezertirebi Bazaar (David Agmashenebeli Avenue, 125). Tbilisi's main food market. Ground floor: seasonal fruit and vegetables (in August — figs, ₾3/kg), cheeses (sulguni from ₾8/kg, Imeretian from ₾6/kg). Upper floor: spices. Svan salt (a blend of salt, mountain herbs, and garlic) — ₾3–4 per 200 g; in Old Town souvenir shops the same product costs ₾10–15. Khmeli-suneli — ₾2–3. Adjika — fresh from ₾4, dry from ₾2.
11:00 — Home wine at Dezertirebi. In the lower section, vendors sell home wines from 5- and 10-litre containers. Red Saperavi ₾3–5/litre, white Rkatsiteli ₾3–4/litre. Timur knows which sellers bring their own wine rather than re-sell. You can take it in a plastic bottle of your choice.
11:30 — Dry Bridge Market (Kura embankment near Metechi Bridge). Open-air flea market: Soviet porcelain, Georgian jewelry, old books in Georgian and Russian. Open daily 10:00–17:00. Bargaining is standard — opening prices are typically inflated 2–3x. Timur negotiates in Georgian, which saves 30–50% compared to tourist pricing.
12:30 — Old Town Jewelry Workshops (Kote Afkhazi and Leselidze streets). Open 10:00–18:00. The cloisonné enamel technique: copper base + glass paste + kiln firing. The signature motif is the pomegranate flower. Rings ₾40–80, earrings ₾60–120, bracelets ₾80–150. This is handmade work by individual craftsmen.
13:30 — Georgian Designer Boutiques (Shardeni Street). Five to six boutiques carrying Georgian clothing, ceramics, and jewelry from local brands. Prices are higher than the market, but quality is consistent and provenance is guaranteed. Names to remember: "Tbilisi' 87", "Manavis", "Gori Dachi".
Without a guide you end up buying fridge magnets on Rustaveli and paying triple. With Timur — Dezertirebi Market (spices 5x cheaper than at the airport), wine cellars with genuine qvevri wine (₾15–25 per bottle vs ₾50 in tourist shops), antique lanes with silver and enamel. Timur shows you where to buy churchkhela, Svan salt, adjika, tkemali, and tea — all fresh, from producers.
The key stops: Dry Bridge Market (antiques, silver, carpets — bargain hard!), Meidan Bazaar (spices, churchkhela), and Galleria mall (international brands if needed). For silver jewelry: rings ₾30–80, minankari enamel pieces from ₾50. Always come to the market with cash in small denominations — vendors rarely have change for large bills.
Ready to book?
Timur is a private English-speaking guide with a 4.9 rating. Groups up to 7 people, hotel pickup available, 10% deposit to confirm.
More about the private tours in Tbilisi →Georgian wines, chacha brandy, churchkhela, spices, adjika, ceramics, wool goods, cloisonné enamel jewelry, and souvenirs from the Old Town. The best value purchases are spices and home wine at Dezertirebi Market.
Dry Bridge Market (antiques and unique finds), Dezertirebi Market (spices, cheeses, wines), and boutiques of Georgian designers in the Old Town around Shardeni and Leselidze streets.
Yes, Timur knows the real prices and will help you avoid overpaying at the markets. Bargaining is expected at Dry Bridge — the guide will show you how it is done and negotiate on your behalf in Georgian, which typically saves 30–50%.
Yes, every day from approximately 10:00 to 17:00. Saturdays have the largest selection and the most vendors. Rainy days also attract sellers — they bring covered stalls.
Many guests spend ₾50–150 on spices, wine, and small gifts. For quality enamel jewelry or antiques, budget ₾100–400. Timur will help you understand what a fair price looks like for each category.
Route: Dezertirebi Bazaar (largest market in the Caucasus — spices from ₾3/100g, churchkhela ₾2–4, sulguni ₾8–12/kg), Meidan district (antiques, handmade carpets from ₾200), Shardeni Street (Georgian designer boutiques: Materiel, Situationist). Separately — wine shop "8000 Vintages" (vintage wines from ₾15, unique qvevri wines from ₾40). Souvenirs: wine horn (from ₾25), Shrosh ceramics (from ₾15), minankari cloisonné enamel (from ₾50). Timur helps negotiate at the bazaar — a 20–30% discount is realistic.
The tour departs from your hotel in Tbilisi. Timur arrives in a comfortable air-conditioned car. Groups of up to 7 people, families with children welcome. Payment in lari (₾) in cash or by bank transfer. Booking via WhatsApp — response within 10–15 minutes, confirmation sent with full itinerary details.
In high season (May–October) we recommend booking 3–5 days in advance. In winter and the shoulder season, one day's notice is usually enough. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. In case of rain or bad weather, we reschedule at no extra cost.
Hotel pickup and drop-off, English-speaking guide services, all admission fees along the route, bottled water. Not included: lunch (average restaurant bill ₾25–40), personal purchases and souvenirs.
See also:
Related Tours
Old Tbilisi Walking Tour · Kazbegi Day Trip from Tbilisi · Night Tour of Tbilisi · Kakheti Wine Region Tour
Wonderful trip to Kakheti! The wine was amazing — everyone should visit Georgian vineyards at least once.
You have no idea how much I enjoyed it. Nice tiredness, nice people, delicious food. Thank you very much.
Wonderful excursion, thank you so much! Everything was top-notch.
Excellent guide. Showed and told us everything about sunny Georgia. Speaks great English and Russian.
Very good guide. We had a great time! The program was tailored to us, recommend!
Highly recommend if you want the best advice and travel services across Georgia.