We present you national souvenirs, local markets, and shopping centers of Georgia. In short — everything you need to leave the country with one more suitcase.
- Top 5 tips for shopping in Georgia
- What to buy in Georgia
- Where to buy souvenirs in Georgia?
- Sales in Georgia
- Where to change money in Georgia?
- How does the Tax Free or VAT system work in Georgia?
- Other questions about shopping in Georgia
Top 5 tips for shopping in Georgia
Currency of Georgia
The national currency of Georgia is the Georgian lari. It is good if you have American dollars with you, as this currency has the most favorable exchange rate. Otherwise, bring any other currency and exchange it for local lari. In the text, prices will be given in Georgian currency.
Buying groceries in Georgia
In Batumi, Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi, Gori, Poti for food and non-food products, go to such supermarkets as “Carrefour”, “Liderfood”, “Goodwill”, “Nikora”, “Spar”, “Georgita”, “Populi”, “Agrohub”, “Smart” and other stores. For example, the network “Liderfood”, founded in 2009, produces more than fifty types of meat products made according to European technologies.
“Carrefour” and “Goodwill” are recognized as the best supermarkets in the country in terms of the price-quality ratio of fruits and vegetables. “Nikora” has been on the market since 1998. At first, the hypermarkets sold only sausages, but today there are 280 stores in the country with more than 500 products. The Dutch company “Spar” also has a good assortment, and the chain has optimal prices.
Opening hours of stores and markets in Georgia
As for the working hours of Georgian hypermarkets, they are usually open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, with some stores open until 10:00 pm. On Saturday and Sunday, many of them may close earlier — after lunch, at 15:00-16:00 hours. There are also 24-hour markets. Passages operate from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, and the mode of operation of local markets and fairs is from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Bargaining in Georgia
Where better than in Georgia to bargain? Talkative and good-natured sellers are just waiting for you to get into a conversation with them. The Caucasian market is a great place to show your wit, cunning, and excitement. Or don’t you need two things for the price of one?
Ban on Exporting Goods from Georgia
Now, for what is strictly prohibited to take out of Georgia. Icons, sculptures, paintings, souvenir weapons, and other items of heritage, history, and art cannot be taken out so easily. For these products, you need a permit from the Ministry of Culture of Georgia. Do not forget to declare jewelry and radio electronic devices of high frequencies or means of communication. Customs officers will not let a passenger take more than five kilograms of plant products and more than five kilograms of animal products with them. Only five kilograms per person! The weight of the imported goods and their total amount matters. By airplane, it is 50 kilograms and 10,000 euros, by car — 50 kilograms and 1,500 euros.
What to buy in Georgia
You should go to Georgia for delicious purchases — cheese, wine, sweets, adjika, and chacha, as well as for silver, beautiful chased daggers, and handmade carpets.
It is worth looking at Georgian designers who offer bold and original ideas. Or appreciate jewelry — Georgian stores offer beautiful inexpensive silver. Want something authentic? Check out minankari, unique cloisonné enamel jewelry.
Georgian carpets, ceramic dishes, wine horns, backgammon, Georgian national costumes, dolls in ethnic attire — these are just some of the ideas.
Read more: “What to bring from Georgia”
Grab a separate suitcase for tasty purchases. The most popular gastronomic souvenir, suluguni cheese, can be bought at any supermarket or market. There is a good selection of cheeses at Desertirka in Tbilisi, where you can buy spices to repeat at home “that kharcho” or lobio. Khmeli-suneli, cilantro, dry ajika, and Svan salt are more interesting and cheaper to buy at the market. In supermarkets, buy Georgian sauces like tkemali, sacebeli, or ajika. “Factory” packaging is more reliable for transportation.
Georgian sweets, first of all jam and honey, are worth a special mention. Supermarkets sell jam from walnuts, cornel, tangerines, figs, and honey of different varieties. Also, don’t miss churchkhela — these nuts strung on a string in grape juice are sold in Georgia at every turn.
Read more: “Food souvenirs from Georgia”
Of course, you can’t leave Georgia without wine. Hundreds of grape varieties are grown here, and it is impossible to count all the varieties of wine. Don’t miss Tsinandali, a light and slightly fruity classic, one of the most famous in Georgia. Connoisseurs of red dry wines will love “Saperavi”, a real “brand” of Georgia, as well as “Mukuzani” — red dry wine.
From semi-sweet wines, try “Kindzmarauli”, a popular Kakhetian wine, or elite “Khvanchkara” — for connoisseurs of noble drinks. And by the way, there is not only wine in the country, but also, for example, chacha and other drinks!
Read more: “Alcoholic souvenirs from Georgia”.
Where to buy souvenirs in Georgia?
The best areas for shopping in Georgia are city centers, colorful markets, shopping malls, and simple stores.
So, it is better to buy clothes of local brands in shopping malls, various souvenirs — in markets, and edible souvenirs — in ordinary stores, and also in markets.
Read about the best places to shop, the best shopping centers, and markets in Georgia in our article “The best areas for shopping in Georgia”.
Sales in Georgia
The practice of sales in this country is still just being introduced. Today, there are two discount seasons in the country: winter (from the beginning of January to the end of February) and summer (from the beginning of June to the end of August). Stores do not participate in sales en masse yet, but in large shopping centers and outlets of European brands, prices are usually reduced by 30-50 percent. Part of national holidays is also an occasion for promotions. Discounts at this time can reach up to 70%.
Where to change money in Georgia?
Bring dollars and euros, or Russian rubles, Belarusian rubles, Armenian drams, Uzbek sums, or any other foreign money to Georgia and exchange them for Georgian lari. You can, of course, arrive with already exchanged currency in advance.
As for exchange, the easiest way is to withdraw cash from an ATM. Such terminals work without breaks and weekends, and moreover, they are located in tourist areas. There are such ATMs in Tbilisi on Liberty Square and Shota Rustaveli Avenue, in Batumi on Primorsky Boulevard, or in Kutaisi on Tsereteli Street. ATMs usually charge 1-2% commission when withdrawing cash.
Local banks are a fairly favorable option. Look for institutions with the names “TBC Bank”, “Liberty Bank”, “Bank of Georgia”, “Ziraat Bank Georgia”, “VTB Bank-Georgia”, and “Basisbank”, there may be other banks. Local institutions work from Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. At the bank, you will be asked for your passport, so don’t forget to bring your document with you.
You can also use the services of exchange offices with bill acceptors — the most favorable rate at the exchange offices on Freedom Square in the capital. Or find an exchange office in a large supermarket. It is absolutely unprofitable to exchange money at airports, train stations, hotels, and shopping centers.
How does the Tax Free or VAT system work in Georgia?
And now a bonus for shopping lovers. The “Tax Free Global Blue” service has been operating in the country since 2011. Tourists whose stay does not exceed three months in the country can participate in the program.
To begin with, find a boutique with a signboard “Tax Free” (boutiques participating in the system are mainly located in Tbilisi and Batumi), then buy something in it for the amount of at least 200 Georgian lari. Then, fill out a form with your name, surname, place of temporary residence in Georgia, country of real residence, number of foreign passport, amount and date of purchase, and the amount of refund. At the airport, in the green terminals with the inscription “Tax Free”, show the receipt, unpacked purchases, and the form. After successful verification, the money will be credited to your account. If you cross the border by car, bus, or train, don’t forget to ask the customs officer to stamp your receipts.
VAT does not apply to precious stones, pure gold heavier than 125 grams, cars, and other vehicles, as well as fruits, vegetables, and other perishable products. In Georgia, the value-added tax is 13%.
Frequently asked questions about shopping in Georgia
What is the best currency to take to Georgia?
The most favorable exchange rate is traditionally the dollar, and the euro is also a good idea. The less popular the currency, the less favorable the exchange rate will be, and it is also more difficult to find an exchange point.
Are there any convenience stores in Georgia?
Yes, some small stores are open 24 hours a day, but these are mostly in Tbilisi and Batumi. There are also large 24-hour supermarkets like Agro Hub.
What is the most popular cheese in Georgia?
It is without a doubt suluguni. However, there are other varieties as well, according to many tourists — none the worse. It is worth trying all the cheeses that are sold in supermarkets.
Is there Tax Free in Georgia?
Yes, the Tax Free operator Global Blue has been working in the country since 2011. The minimum purchase amount for a refund of value-added tax at the airport is 200 GEL.
What wines should I bring from Georgia?
These are red wines: Kindzmarauli, Saperavi, Khvanchkara, Mukuzani, and Pirosmani, and from white wines, try Tsinandali, Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane.
Have a good jorney around Georgia and also read our shopping guides below!
