Updated: December 29, 2023
I'll tell you about all the markets in Tbilisi, food, souvenirs, Soviet and Christmas antiques, with schedules and prices.
Tbilisi was one of the Georgian cities that were on the Silk Road, a famous trade route popular in the 2nd century that linked Asia from China to Mediterranean Europe.
Although the main route passed further south, specifically through what is today Iran and Syria.
There is also evidence that some branches of the route in the 4th century that passed through the Caucasus area, including Georgia.
That route helped the development of several cities in the country and enhanced the commercial spirit of the Georgians, although not as marked as that of their neighbors.
In Tbilisi you will find many indoor and outdoor markets, some permanent that operate every day and others one-off.
Here I tell you about each of the best markets in Tbilisi so you can enjoy Georgian culture and its bazaars in their purest form, everything based on my experience of living in Georgia for a year.
As always, below I leave you the map with each of the places.
✅ Tbilisi Old Town Tour with wine tasting
✅ Tbilisi Food Tour to try Georgian food and wines 😋
✅ Soviet and urbex tour of Tbilisi, only for curious travelers
1. Dezerter Bazaar
The largest and most important market in Tbilisi It is the Dezerter Bazaar where you will find almost anything you need.
Hence it is a shopping place popular with local people Georgian and foreigners living in the city.
The Dezerter Bazaar is very peculiar with characteristics typical of European markets.
Although At times you feel as if you have been transported to some Asian market, bustling, chaotic and with a wonderful explosion of aromas and colors everywhere.
What do they sell there?
There you will find an area of fresh fruits and vegetables, one of the greatest pride of Georgians for its great quality.
The secret is that they are seasonal foods that are locally produced, non-GMO (genetically altered) and without pesticides.
This has the disadvantage that you will not find a great variety of foods, however, The price and flavor are unbeatable.
In the market there is also an area with meat, fish, pickles and spices. In addition to Typical Georgian foods such as churchkhelas, cheeses and wines.
There are also other areas for clothing, footwear, handmade products made of wool and electronic products.
When to visit it?
If you like markets, you can't miss a visit to this authentic market, and if you take it easy you can spend an entire morning (or afternoon) there.
I I recommend that you go in the morning to see it at its greatest fervor, although not too soon as Georgians get up late. Very late! 😅
- Opening Hours: every day between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Nearest metro stop: Station Square
👉 If you want to know more about their cuisine, I recommend this gastronomic tour which includes 9 tastings with explanation by a local guide.
2. Dry Bridge Trail
The extraordinary Dry Bridge Antiques Market is my favorite market in the city.
If you are traveling to Tbilisi with little time and can see only one market, I recommend visiting this one.
The peculiarity of this flea market or flea market is that The main antiques you will find there belong to the Soviet era.
Originally, the market was a place where locals sold their possessions to make a little money.
Especially when Georgia belonged to the USSR, when people went through difficult times of famine and scarcity.
Now, most of the sellers who are there do so permanently.
What do they sell there?
Some of the most striking things are Soviet antiques, such as decorative medals, old photos, helmets, gas masks and countless unimaginable things.
To give you an idea of prices, the gas masks cost me between 35 and 40 lari depending on the model (between 12.22 and 13.97 euros).
You will also find more common antiques such as musical instruments, cameras, sculptures, ceramics and coins.
Then, another thing that draws attention is the typical Georgian swords, daggers and metal chalices.
Although searching you can find some old ones, many They are new mass produced, but they look very pretty.
Market areas
The main market area is the part of the bridge that is between the two parks (Dedaena and 9 de Marzo) and then the street closest to the river that borders the 9 de Marzo park.
Inside the 9 de Marzo park there are also stalls. handmade wool products that are one of the best things you can take with you as a souvenir or as gifts, jewelry, rugs and paintings.
I'm not one to buy many things because I'm a nomad, but I did buy a medium-sized jewelry box like the ones in the photo and to give you an idea of the prices, it cost me 25 lari (8.73 euros).
I probably could have haggled, but it seemed like a good price. Below I tell you more about the topic of haggling.
When to go to the trail?
Although the trail is there every day, you will find many more stalls during the weekends.
If you go first thing in the morning, many stalls may not have arrived yet or may have just been set up, so it is better to go after 11 or 12 o'clock.
If you like old and different products, searching in the Dry Bridge you will surely find some treasure.
- Opening Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day if the weather is good
- Nearest metro stop: Liberty Square
3. Orbeliani Flower Market
In Orbeliani Square next to Vekua Street there is a small permanent fresh flower market and bouquets.
These are a few permanent positions in a covered area with black and white tiles, their charming appearance (at least to me) reminds me a little of Parisian flower stalls.
4. Bazari Orbeliani
Next to Orbeliani Square is the building where the Bazari Orbelini operates, which It's a covered market..
Inside you will find many restaurants, as well as stalls with exquisite Good quality and gourmet Georgian foods. 😋
The prices are more expensive than in other places, but they are selected products that you will not find anywhere else, except for some gourmet stores.
This is a perfect place to take a souvenir or give as a gift.
Be careful, if you want to buy wine, I recommend that you go to specialized wine stores.
One of the best is the 8000 Vintage, They have three stores in the city, one of them near the Opera House.
At 8000 Vintaje they have a huge selection of wines, probably better prices than at Bazari Orbeliani.
In addition, the staff is specialized in wines and can help you select the wine to drink there or take with you.
You can enter Bazari Orbeliani on Vekua Street, in front of where the flower market is, or else the main entrance is on Atoneli Street just above the Carrefour entrance.
👉 Do not miss it: on the top floor where the restaurants are, if you walk towards the Atoneli street side there is a door that leads to a terrace. On the terrace there is a high table along the railing that in good weather is a nice and more relaxed place to eat.
- Opening Hours: restaurants every day from 8 a.m. to midnight, stalls close earlier
- Nearest metro stop: Liberty Square
5. Markets in Plaza Orbeliani and Christmas Market
Let's continue a little more with Orbeliani Square that When it comes to temporary markets, it is the main place in the city.
Although most start at noon, the time Most of the markets in Orbeliani start to come to life in the early afternoon.
Here I tell you about the 3 main ones, but there are more markets in the square throughout the year.
Christmas Market
The most important market is the Christmas market, with decoration of the buildings and lights everywhere.
If you are in Tbilisi at Christmas and visit this market, you will surely be filled with the Christmas spirit. It's super cute! 🤩
The stalls sell mostly Christmas-themed souvenirs, but the best part is the stalls with delicious food and mulled wine.
There are also costumed characters and some attractions for the little ones.
This market They set it up at the end of December, a little before Catholic Christmas and until mid-January, because Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7.
The market runs from Atoneli Street next to Orbeliani Square to G. Leonidze Square and continues to the right joining the Dry Bridge flea market.
📢 Fact: At Christmas the main avenues of the city such as Rustaveli and Liberty Square look beautiful with all the lights that they put on, each year, with a different theme. Georgians take Christmas very seriously. 😍
Tbilisoba Flea Market
Next to Orbeliani Square they also set up other markets, such as in autumn the city festivals, Tbilisoba.
It is usually celebrated at the beginning of October and is the biggest festival in the city with multiple outdoor concerts, food stalls and lots of fireworks.
At the market in Orbeliani during Tbilisoba there are stalls with food and they set up a stage at the end of Atoneli Street with concerts at night.
Orthodox Easter Market
Another of the most notable markets in the square is the Orthodox Easter, which is celebrated between the end of April and the beginning of May.
Easter is a very important event in Georgia.
You will find markets and stalls with red painted eggs, purple flowers, dyes and easter decorations in many areas of the city, although the main one is Orbeliani.
6. New Wine Festival Market
In Georgia, wine has a lot of importance in its culture.
Every May in Tbilisi, the New Wine Festival is celebrated and they stage a large market on Rustaveli avenue They close it for the occasion.
Specifically, the market is set up in the area near the Rustaveli metro to Liberty Square.
In the market Hundreds of wine producers gather They come from different regions of the country, including Kakheti, which is the most important region with the highest quality wines.
You will also find many craft stalls, music to liven up the evening and food to accompany the wines.
If you like wines, I recommend this one. wine tour with an expert, an interesting and fun gastronomic experience.
🥂 In this article you can read more about the visit to the wineries in Kakheti and everything there is to see in the area.
7. Isani Market
Near Tbilisi there is a farmers market which, from my point of view, is very better for fresh produce than the one at Dezerter Bazaar, this is the Isani market.
Even though it is outside of Tbilisi, It is very well connected to the metro.
The market includes the part of the Navtlughi farmers market (Farmer Market) with fresh foods and the Samgori Bazaar with more varied products such as household items.
The farmers market part, the stalls usually sell whole boxes because it is the market that supplies fruit and vegetable stalls in the area and in Tbilisi.
But you can also buy by the kilo.
Another thing that draws attention is an area where they have caged pigeons, which is a typical hobby in the area of having pet pigeons.
In this market it is ideal to buy typical Georgian products at a good price like cheese, churchkhelas, pickles and chacha.
In the case of chacha, you will see it packaged in reused soft drink bottles.
Here the churchkhelas cost me between 2 and 3 lari (0.70 and 1.05 euros) each depending on the ingredients.
Furthermore, the vendors were very friendly, eager to talk, and explained to me the ingredients of almost every churchkhela. 😅
This It is a very authentic market where you will hardly see tourists, it is mainly local people who go, but it is worth it to browse.
- Navtlughi Farmers Market Hours: every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Schedule Samgori Bazaar: every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Nearest metro stop: Samgori
8.- Market and celebration of Independence Day
Another important holiday of the country is Independence Day on May 26.
The biggest celebration takes place on Rustaveli Avenue, which closes the same section as for the Wine Festival (point 6).
There you will find shows, exhibitions, food stalls and a very large area with wines, as well as crafts.
This is a celebration that you cannot miss if you are in the city.
Furthermore, that day there is parades through the city and to culminate many fireworks.
Other markets, flea markets and fairs
The markets that I have told you about above are the ones that seem best to me, but they are not the only ones in the city or the surrounding area.
Other places that you might be interested in visiting are the following, all marked in green on the map:
1.- Underground Passages
Many of the crossing points in Rustaveli and other places are lined with small shops with an immense variety of products.
One of the most central and popular is Liberty Square. Although the largest is the one in Station Square.
2.- Rike Bazaar
In Rike Park there is a underground market with typical Georgian products like churchkhelas and some more gourmets.
In addition, you will find products from local designers.
3.- Rustaveli metro market
On the same Rustaveli Avenue just in front of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, there are several permanent stalls with crafts and antiques.
4.- Rustaveli Avenue Market
Then, from the Parliament area to the subway, Liberty Square is an area where They usually hold a craft market, souvenirs and gifts on specific dates such as Christmas, Easter and Tbilisoba.
But any excuse is good to set up the stalls, so you can find them on other dates.
5.- Lillo Market
It is the open-air market next to the Lillo Mall.
Between Lillo Market and the Mall they are the second most important shopping area in the city, although they are technically outside of Tbilisi.
To get there from the center it will take you approximately 1 hour, you will need to go by metro and bus or two buses.
Everything that the locals can't find in the Dezerter Bazaar they buy here, because it is the largest market in the country and probably in the Caucasus.
In that market you can find a lot of cheap clothes similar to those in Dezerter Bazaar, rugs, food and everything you can imagine.
6.- Didube Market
Is a fairly large and important market next to the metro of the same name and the main marshrutka (minibus) station of the city.
There they mainly have food, both fresh and churchkhelas, breads and cheeses.
7.- Meidan Bazaar
in this market in the old town You will find typical Georgian crafts and products.
It's a market Popular with tourists because it is very pretty, at least to look at.
This is the oldest market in the Caucasus and the entire market runs along some tunnels under the old town.
The only bad thing about this market is that it is not very authentic, it is very focused on tourists and it is excessively expensive, but I am not going to deny that the selection of products it has is very wide.
In addition, it has another advantage, its location, if you have little time and need to buy some gifts it can be a good place.
8.- Factory
Fabrika is a multicultural space in the former Soviet sewing factory located in one of the city's trendy bohemian (hipster) neighborhoods.
In the building there is a hostel, a large coworking space on the ground floor, as well as a bar and restaurant.
Then in the patio area They hold quite a few events with markets where there is no shortage of good food, drink and crafts.
Some of the most popular are the Christmas market, Easter market, Tbilisoba and other dates. Normally, they tend to publish the markets in their Facebook page.
👍 Fact: If you like graffiti, around Fabrika you will find some of the best in the city.
Then you will find stalls everywhere. I bought some wool socks from this nice Georgian granny in the photo below when she left the subway.
They are completely handmade, 100% almost virgin wool that still smells like sheep, hahaha.
They are perfect to put on, to be around the house on a cold day or when you are like a blanket and a movie on the couch. 🥰
They cost me 15 lari (5.24 euros), they are probably a little expensive for Georgia, but with how warm they are there is no room for negotiation. Below I tell you more about the topic of haggling.
Tips and Precautions when visiting the Markets
1.- Haggling
Although Georgia is a country that belonged to the Silk Road, haggling is not the most common.
Furthermore, in general the prices in the markets are quite cheap and it is the livelihood of the locals to be able to eat and pay their bills.
I I don't recommend haggling at the stalls. except for Dry Bridge.
On the other hand, in physical stores the prices are fixed.
2.- Cash payment
You can use a card to pay only in the physical stores found in the Dezerter Bazaar and Bazari Orbeliani.
The vast majority of market stalls do not accept cards, you will need to carry cash with you.
3.- Language
On the Dry Bridge trail, in Bazari Orbeliani and some of the markets that are set up on specific dates, they are the only ones where you can find people who speak some English.
But in the rest of the markets people speak Georgian or Russian. You can easily solve this with some translator on the mobile and the calculator for prices.
4.- Treatment
In Georgia, the treatment in stores in some places leaves a lot to be desired.
Market stalls, especially those that are more accustomed to tourists, provide better service and treatment.
But don't be surprised if someone treats you rudely, it's nothing personal with you, it's quite common.
5.- Fruits and vegetables
Something very common in fruit and vegetable stalls is that the stallholder serves you the product you want, you don't select it.
Even with some fruits they go to the sack with a shovel, for example with strawberries and you end up buying a lot of rotten or crushed fruit that spoils quickly.
The positions that let you select are usually a little more expensive.
Although some of the things I just told you sound bad, Visiting the markets in general is a good experience.
These are just some details of Georgian culture that you have to take into account so you can enjoy these wonderful markets.
⭐ In case you have little time to see the city, I recommend this link excursion that take you to see the most interesting places and include wine tasting.
Map of Markets in Tbilisi
* To check the legend for each place, click the button in the top left corner of the map. To view this map on your phone or computer, tap the star on the right side of the title. Then go to Google Maps, select "Your Places" and "Maps" from the menu.
Final Thoughts
These are all the markets in Tbilisi where you can buy food, clothes and souvenirs from your trip.
You can continue reading more of my articles about this fascinating country in this Georgia Travel Guide travel on your own, they are organized there.
If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘
More about Georgia and the Caucasus
- What to do in Tbilisi: 24 must-visit places.
- Visit to the Batumi Markets
- Guide to Visiting Kazbegi and Ananuri
- Tips for Traveling to Georgia
- How to Get from Tbilisi to Yerevan: Fast, Cheap, and Comfortable
Hello, my name is Andrea, I am the creator and writer of Viajeros Activos (Active Travelers). I am a nomad, so I consider myself a full-time traveler, I am passionate about good food, and I am always looking for new adventures.