Shopping in Borjomi has transformed dramatically since the town’s tourism boom following new rail connections to Tbilisi in 2025. What once felt like hunting for souvenirs in a sleepy spa town now offers genuine variety, from traditional Georgian crafts to unique mineral water products you won’t find elsewhere in the country.
Borjomi Park Central Market
The heart of Borjomi shopping sits directly opposite the main entrance to Borjomi Central Park. This compact market operates daily from 9:00 to 19:00, with vendors selling everything from hand-carved wooden wine cups to bottles of mineral water straight from lesser-known local springs.
The wooden stalls closest to the park entrance focus on tourist essentials. Here you’ll find the standard Georgian souvenirs: horn drinking vessels, traditional hats, and miniature replicas of Georgian churches. Prices start around 15 GEL for small items and climb to 200 GEL for quality carved pieces.
The real treasures hide in the back rows. Local artisans from surrounding Samtskhe-Javakheti villages bring handmade felt slippers, woven wool socks, and traditional Georgian supra tablecloths. The elderly woman in the third row from the entrance sells authentic churchkhela made with fresh walnuts and grape juice from Akhalkalaki vineyards. Her strings of Georgian “snickers” taste nothing like the mass-produced versions sold in Tbilisi shops.
The mineral water vendors deserve special attention. While every shop in town sells standard Borjomi bottles, the market stalls offer water from smaller local springs. Try the slightly sweeter water from Tsaghveri spring or the iron-rich variety from Likani. Locals swear by their different healing properties, and at 3-5 GEL per bottle, they make unique souvenirs.
Local Pottery and Ceramics
Borjomi’s pottery tradition connects directly to the region’s clay-rich soil and centuries of ceramic production. The best place to explore authentic Georgian earthenware is Keramika Studio on Rustaveli Street, run by master potter Giorgi Kvinikadze since 2018.
Kvinikadze specialises in traditional Georgian wine vessels and everyday pottery using clay from the nearby Mtkvari river valley. His qvevri-shaped wine jugs range from decorative 500ml pieces (45 GEL) to functional 2-litre vessels (120 GEL). Each piece carries the distinctive reddish-brown colour that comes from local iron-rich clay fired in traditional kilns.
The studio also produces practical items that make excellent souvenirs. Georgian bread-baking pans, designed for tone ovens, cost around 35 GEL. Traditional water cooling jars, still used in many Georgian homes, range from 60-90 GEL depending on size. Watching Kvinikadze work the pottery wheel while explaining Georgian ceramic techniques adds educational value to any purchase.
For more affordable options, check the pottery section at Borjomi Crafts Collective near the train station. Local artisans sell simpler pieces starting at 15 GEL. The quality varies, but you can find genuine handmade bowls, cups, and decorative plates that capture traditional Georgian designs without breaking your travel budget.
Mineral Water Products and Health Items
Borjomi’s fame rests on its mineral water, but the town offers far more than basic bottles. The Borjomi Visitor Centre, rebuilt in 2024, stocks an impressive range of water-based products developed specifically for the Georgian market.
Borjomi mineral water cosmetics deserve serious consideration. The locally-produced face masks, made with actual Borjomi water and Dead Sea minerals, cost 25 GEL per packet. Borjomi bath salts, infused with the same minerals found in the famous springs, sell for 18 GEL per 500g bag. These products use genuine mineral water in their production, not just marketing.
The most unusual find is Borjomi water concentrate, sold in small 100ml bottles for 15 GEL. Local health enthusiasts mix this concentrated mineral solution with regular water to create homemade mineral water. Whether it actually works remains debatable, but it makes a conversation-starting souvenir.
Glass bottles of Borjomi with commemorative labels cost slightly more than standard plastic bottles but last indefinitely as souvenirs. Limited edition labels celebrating Georgian holidays or historical events appear seasonally. The 2026 Georgian Independence Day edition, featuring traditional Georgian script, costs 8 GEL compared to 3 GEL for regular bottles.
Traditional health items sold alongside mineral water include Georgian mountain herbs packaged for tea. Shops near the springs sell authentic collections of wild thyme, mint, and elderflower harvested from the Borjomi-Kharagauli mountains. Pre-packaged herb collections cost 20-30 GEL and make practical souvenirs for tea enthusiasts.
Traditional Textiles and Carpets
The textile tradition in Samtskhe-Javakheti produces some of Georgia’s finest handwoven goods, though finding authentic pieces requires knowing where to look. Borjomi Textile Workshop on Kostava Street represents the town’s best source for genuine handmade textiles.
Master weaver Nana Tatulashvili operates from her family workshop, continuing techniques passed down through four generations. Her traditional Georgian carpets, woven on wooden looms using natural wool dyes, range from small decorative pieces (150 GEL) to room-sized carpets (800-1200 GEL). Each carpet incorporates traditional Georgian patterns specific to the Samtskhe region.
More affordable textile options include hand-knitted wool socks made from local sheep wool. These thick, warm socks cost 25-35 GEL per pair and provide genuine utility beyond souvenir value. Traditional Georgian headwraps, still worn by older women in mountain villages, range from 40-70 GEL depending on complexity.
The workshop also produces modern interpretations of traditional Georgian textiles. Contemporary scarves featuring ancient Georgian script or traditional patterns cost 55-80 GEL. These pieces bridge traditional craftsmanship with modern fashion sensibilities, appealing to visitors who want authentic Georgian textiles without purely traditional designs.
For mass-market textile souvenirs, the shops along Rustaveli Street sell machine-made versions of traditional Georgian clothing. Chokha coats for children start around 80 GEL, while adult versions range from 200-400 GEL depending on materials and construction quality. These aren’t handmade but offer affordable options for those wanting traditional Georgian costume pieces.
Local Food Products and Preserves
Samtskhe-Javakheti’s unique climate and altitude create distinctive local foods worth taking home. The region produces several specialties unavailable elsewhere in Georgia, making food souvenirs from Borjomi genuinely unique rather than generic Georgian products.
Borjomi Mountain Honey deserves top billing among local food products. Local beekeepers harvest honey from wildflowers growing above 1,200 metres elevation, creating complex flavours impossible to replicate at lower altitudes. Artani Honey Farm, located just outside town, sells directly to visitors at their roadside stand. Their raw mountain honey costs 30 GEL per 500g jar, while specialty varieties like rhododendron honey command 45 GEL.
Local preserves reflect the region’s abundant wild fruit. Samtskhe-style cornelian cherry preserves, made from berries growing wild in the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, offer tart-sweet flavours unknown to most visitors. These preserves cost 18-25 GEL per jar and make excellent breakfast spreads or cheese accompaniments.
The altitude and volcanic soil around Borjomi produce exceptional potatoes, and several local producers make traditional Georgian potato vodka. While technically chacha, potato-based versions taste noticeably different from standard grape chacha. Local bottles range from 40-80 GEL depending on age and producer reputation.
Wild mushroom products represent another regional specialty. Dried mushroom mixes from the national park, including varieties that don’t grow elsewhere in Georgia, cost 35 GEL per package. These make excellent ingredients for soups and stews, though customs regulations may restrict importing them to some countries.
Local cheese producers offer small-batch versions of traditional Georgian cheeses aged in mountain caves. Imeruli cheese from high-altitude pastures tastes sharper and more complex than lowland versions. Vacuum-packed wheels suitable for travel cost 40-60 GEL depending on age and size.
Antiques and Vintage Soviet Memorabilia
Borjomi’s Soviet-era history as a premier health resort created a unique market for vintage memorabilia and antiques. The town’s antique scene centres around Retro Borjomi on Chavchavadze Street, operated by collector Levan Giorgadze since 2019.
Giorgadze’s shop feels like a museum where everything is for sale. Vintage Borjomi water bottles from the 1970s and 1980s, featuring different label designs, cost 25-50 GEL depending on condition. Original Soviet-era health resort promotional materials, including brochures and postcards in multiple languages, range from 15-40 GEL per item.
The most sought-after items are vintage medical equipment pieces from Borjomi’s sanatorium period. Antique glass syringes used for mineral water treatments, brass medical instruments, and ceramic therapeutic cups range from 60-200 GEL. These items appeal particularly to medical professionals and anyone interested in Soviet health tourism history.
Traditional Georgian antiques include wooden wine-making tools, vintage qvevri pottery fragments, and household items from the pre-Soviet era. Authentic pieces command high prices, with 19th-century wine cups starting around 150 GEL. The shop provides certificates of authenticity for valuable pieces, though determining genuine age requires expertise.
Less expensive vintage finds include Soviet-era badges, postcards, and small decorative items starting at 10-20 GEL. These make excellent affordable souvenirs for anyone interested in Soviet history or 20th-century Georgian culture.
Shopping Budget Guide
Understanding Borjomi’s pricing structure helps maximize shopping value while avoiding tourist traps. Prices in 2026 reflect the town’s increased tourism following improved transportation links, but bargains still exist for informed shoppers.
Budget Range (Under 50 GEL per item)
Basic souvenirs, standard mineral water products, small handicrafts, and food items fall into this category. Market stalls offer the best values, with hand-knitted socks (25-35 GEL), small pottery pieces (15-25 GEL), and local honey (30 GEL) providing authentic Georgian products without premium pricing. Vintage postcards and small Soviet memorabilia items typically cost 15-25 GEL.
Mid-Range Options (50-150 GEL per item)
Quality handicrafts, medium-sized pottery pieces, traditional textiles, and specialty food products occupy this price range. Hand-carved wooden wine cups (60-80 GEL), traditional Georgian scarves (55-80 GEL), and artisanal chacha bottles (40-80 GEL) represent good value for authentic Georgian craftsmanship. Commemorative mineral water bottles and small carpets also fall into this category.
Comfortable Purchases (150+ GEL per item)
Master-crafted pottery, large textiles, antique items, and premium regional products command higher prices. Traditional Georgian carpets start around 150 GEL for small pieces, while room-sized versions reach 800-1200 GEL. Authentic antiques, quality wine collections, and commissioned pottery pieces require budgets exceeding 200 GEL.
Money-Saving Strategies
Shopping on Saturday mornings at the central market provides access to better selections and lower prices. Buying directly from artisan workshops eliminates middleman markups common in tourist-focused shops. Purchasing multiple items from single vendors often results in informal discounts, especially for pottery and textile purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best unique souvenirs only available in Borjomi?
Genuine Borjomi mineral water concentrate, pottery made from local Mtkvari valley clay, mountain honey harvested above 1,200 metres elevation, and vintage Soviet health resort memorabilia represent items truly unique to Borjomi rather than generic Georgian souvenirs available nationwide.
When is the best time to shop for local crafts and foods?
Saturday mornings offer the best selection and prices at the central market when mountain village farmers bring fresh products. Weekday afternoons work best for visiting artisan workshops when craftspeople have time to explain their work and techniques.
How much should I budget for authentic Georgian handicrafts in Borjomi?
Budget 30-80 GEL for quality small handicrafts like pottery, textiles, or wooden items. Traditional carpets and large pottery pieces range from 150-800 GEL. Authentic antiques and master-crafted items exceed 200 GEL but offer genuine uniqueness and quality.
Can I find traditional Georgian clothing and costumes in Borjomi?
Yes, though selection focuses on accessories rather than complete outfits. Traditional headwraps, scarves with Georgian patterns, and children’s chokha coats are readily available. For complete traditional Georgian costumes, Tbilisi offers better selection and sizing options.
Are there any restrictions on taking local food products or alcohol home?
Georgian honey, preserves, and chacha generally travel well internationally, but check your destination country’s customs regulations regarding agricultural products and alcohol imports. Vacuum-packed cheeses and dried mushrooms may face restrictions in some countries.
Explore more
Where to Stay in Borjomi: Center, Likani, or a Spa Hotel? Your Ultimate Accommodation Guide
Borjomi Nightlife: From Quiet Evenings to Spa Hotel Bars & Family Fun
Borjomi Food Guide: Best Restaurants & Must-Try Traditional Georgian Dishes
📷 Featured image by Alina Makhatyrova on Unsplash.
