What to Buy in Kutaisi: Top 10 Must-Have Georgian Souvenirs

💰 Click here to see Georgia Budget Breakdown

💰 Prices updated: August, 2026. Budget figures are estimates — always verify before travel.

Exchange Rate: $1 USD = ₾2.62

Daily Budget (per person)

Shoestring: ₾80.00 – ₾120.00 ($30.53 – $45.80)

Mid-range: ₾150.00 – ₾300.00 ($57.25 – $114.50)

Comfortable: ₾500.00 – ₾1,000.00 ($190.84 – $381.68)

Accommodation (per night)

Hostel/guesthouse: ₾30.00 – ₾60.00 ($11.45 – $22.90)

Mid-range hotel: ₾140.00 – ₾200.00 ($53.44 – $76.34)

Food (per meal)

Budget meal: ₾15.00 ($5.73)

Mid-range meal: ₾55.00 ($20.99)

Upscale meal: ₾100.00 ($38.17)

Transport

Single metro/bus trip: ₾1.00 ($0.38)

Monthly transport pass: ₾40.00 ($15.27)

Kutaisi‘s souvenir scene in 2026 is genuinely better than it was two years ago — new artisan vendors have set up around the revamped central market, and the city finally has a dedicated craft corridor near Colchic Square. But the tourist trap problem hasn’t gone away. Plenty of shops near Bagrati Cathedral still sell the same mass-produced magnets and plastic wine stoppers you’ll find in every Tbilisi airport kiosk. This guide cuts straight to what’s actually worth buying, where to find it, and what to pay.

Churchkhela — Georgia’s Original Energy Bar

Churchkhela is everywhere in Georgia, but the Imeretian version sold in Kutaisi has a noticeably thicker walnut filling and a grape-must shell that’s less sweet and more tannic than the Kakheti variety. The flavour comes from the specific grape strains grown in western Georgia — mostly Tsitska and Tsolikouri — which give the coating a sharper, almost tart finish.

Buy it fresh from vendors at Kutaisi Central Market (Centrale Bazari) on Giorgi Mtatsmindeli Street. Fresh churchkhela is soft to the touch and slightly sticky. If it feels rock hard and crumbles when you bend it, it’s been sitting in the sun for weeks. A single strand costs between 3 and 6 GEL. For travel, look for strands that have dried at least two days — the outer shell holds together better in a bag.

Imeretian Wine from Small Producers

Kutaisi sits in the heart of Imereti, a wine region that operates almost entirely outside the export market. That means the bottles you find here — Tsolikouri, Krakhuna, Tsitska — rarely appear on shelves in Europe or elsewhere, and buying them in Kutaisi is often the only practical way to get them. Several small producers now sell directly from market stalls or dedicated wine shops along Davit Aghmashenebeli Street.

Amber wines made by the traditional qvevri method are the standout buy. The smell when you open a good Krakhuna is something between dried apricot and raw almonds — genuinely unlike any other white wine style in the world. Prices at source run from 15 GEL for a basic table wine to 60–80 GEL for a single-producer qvevri-aged bottle. Avoid bottles with no producer name on the label — those are usually bulk wine repackaged for tourists.

Handwoven Textiles and Mingrelian Wool Goods

Western Georgia has a distinct weaving tradition separate from the more famous carpets of the Caucasus highlands. Look for wool shawls and small decorative rugs woven in earthy browns, deep reds, and undyed cream tones — patterns that reflect Mingrelian and Imeretian folk motifs rather than the geometric highland styles most tourists associate with Georgian textiles.

The craft market near Kutaisi’s White Bridge (Tetri Khidi) has several weavers who work on-site, and you can watch the process. A mid-sized shawl runs 80–150 GEL. Machine-made imitations are common — pull a few threads loose at a corner edge to check; genuine hand-weaving has slight irregularities in the tension that machines can’t replicate.

Georgian Spice Blends and Condiments

Khmeli-suneli, the ubiquitous Georgian spice mix, is sold everywhere — but the version blended fresh at Kutaisi market bears no resemblance to the pre-packaged dusty powder in most tourist shops. Freshly ground khmeli-suneli smells intensely of fenugreek, dried marigold petals, and coriander seed. Vendors will often let you smell different blends before buying.

Beyond khmeli-suneli, look for:

• Adjika paste — the Imeretian version is milder and more herb-forward than the fiery Adjarian red version
• Tkemali (wild plum sauce) in sealed jars — green and red varieties, excellent with meat and grilled fish
• Svanuri marili (Svan salt) — a pre-mixed seasoning salt with dried herbs and spices, widely sold and genuinely useful at home
• Dried marigold petals (Zafrana) — used in place of saffron in Georgian cooking, cheap and almost impossible to find outside Georgia

Sealed jars and vacuum-packed spices travel well and pass through EU customs without issues in 2026 under current regulations.

Colchic Gold Replica Jewellery

The ancient Colchis civilisation — the same culture behind the Golden Fleece myth — was centred in western Georgia, and Kutaisi was its capital. The Georgian National Museum’s Kutaisi branch holds original Colchic goldwork, and a handful of local jewellers now produce high-quality replicas of the filigree earrings, torque necklaces, and granulated pendants found in regional excavations.

These are not cheap trinkets. A well-made silver replica piece with gold plating runs 120–400 GEL depending on complexity. The best source in 2026 is the small jewellery workshop on Rustaveli Street near the State Museum — the owner, a trained goldsmith, works with archaeological references and can show you the source artefact for each design. Cheaper brass versions sold near Bagrati are decorative but not the same craft quality.

Traditional Pottery from the Imereti Region

Imeretian pottery uses a red-clay style distinct from the black-fired pottery of eastern Georgia. The characteristic pieces are wide-mouthed pitchers, shallow serving bowls with oxide glaze in deep greens and terracottas, and small qvevri-shaped miniatures used as decorative objects or wine cups. The clay fired at lower temperatures gives Imeretian pieces a warmer, more matte texture than the high-fire ceramics common in Tbilisi souvenir shops.

Sturdy pieces for travel are the smaller bowls and cups. Wrap them in wool shawls if you’ve bought both — the textile serves double duty as packing material. Expect to pay 25–70 GEL for a single piece from a local potter at the craft market.

Natural Beeswax Candles and Honey Varieties

Western Georgia’s forests produce polyfloral honey unlike anything from monoculture apiaries — the bees work linden, chestnut, and wildflower sources simultaneously. Chestnut honey from the Imereti foothills is particularly distinctive: dark amber, slightly bitter, and thick enough to sit in a solid dome when spooned out. Several vendors at the central market sell directly from their own hives, usually in 500g or 1kg glass jars (30–55 GEL).

Beeswax church candles are a secondary buy worth picking up. Hand-dipped in traditional cylindrical forms and sold at the monastery gift shops around Kutaisi, they burn for hours and smell faintly of warm wax and dried herbs. Gelati Monastery’s small shop near the entrance sells them for 5–12 GEL each.

Wood-Carved Household Items and Backgammon Sets

Backgammon (nardi) is played everywhere in Georgia — in courtyards, cafés, parks — and Kutaisi has a small community of woodworkers who make boards by hand using walnut and boxwood inlay. A quality handmade nardi set with carved pieces runs 180–350 GEL and is genuinely built to last decades. Compare the weight and fit of the board hinges before buying — a solid board closes with a firm click, not a rattle.

Smaller wood-carved items worth considering include salad spoons and serving utensils in boxwood (15–40 GEL), small decorative wine cups on turned stems, and hand-stamped bread boards with Georgian script engravings. These are practical, durable, and don’t scream “tourist souvenir” when you use them at home.

Medicinal Herbs and Botanical Tinctures

Georgian folk medicine draws on a deep knowledge of mountain and forest plants, and Kutaisi’s herbalists are among the most knowledgeable in the country. The central market’s herb section carries dozens of dried plants sold loose by weight: St. John’s wort, elderflower, lemon balm, nettle, and several endemic Caucasian species with no direct English equivalent.

Tinctures — alcohol-based herbal extracts sold in small dark glass bottles — are a more portable option. Common varieties include walnut leaf tincture (used for digestive issues), Echinacea preparations, and propolis extract from local beehives. Prices are negligible by international standards: 8–20 GEL per bottle. Note that tinctures count as liquids under airline carry-on rules — pack them in checked luggage.

Soviet-Era Postcards, Prints, and Vintage Books

Kutaisi has a surprisingly active second-hand paper market. On weekend mornings, collectors and casual sellers lay out collections near the central park and along the river embankment — a relaxed, unhurried scene that feels nothing like the curated antique shops of Tbilisi’s Dry Bridge. You’ll find Soviet-era tourist postcards of Kutaisi, Batumi, and Sukhumi; illustrated Georgian-language children’s books from the 1960s and 70s; propaganda posters; and hand-coloured lithographic prints of Caucasian landscapes.

Prices are negotiable and generally low: 5–30 GEL for individual postcards or prints, more for complete postcard sets in original envelopes. The Georgian text and Cyrillic-era printing make these genuinely unusual objects to bring home. Check paper quality before buying — humidity damage shows as brown foxing spots on the edges.

2026 Budget Reality — What to Spend Where

Kutaisi remains significantly cheaper than Tbilisi for artisan goods, partly because the tourist volume is lower and partly because fewer items have been repositioned for a premium export market. Here’s a realistic breakdown for 2026:

• Budget (under 30 GEL per item): Churchkhela, spice blends, dried herbs, honey (smaller jars), beeswax candles, vintage postcards
• Mid-range (30–120 GEL per item): Pottery pieces, wine bottles, wool shawls, wood-carved utensils, tinctures and herbal sets
• Comfortable (120–400 GEL per item): Handmade backgammon sets, Colchic replica jewellery, premium qvevri wines, larger woven textiles

Budget around 200–300 GEL total if you want a solid cross-section of genuinely local items without duplicating what you can find in Tbilisi. Most vendors at the central market accept card payments in 2026 following the city’s digital payment push, though smaller craft sellers still prefer cash — carry a mix.

Where to Shop in Kutaisi

Three locations cover most of what’s listed above:

1. Kutaisi Central Market (Centrale Bazari) — Giorgi Mtatsmindeli Street. Open daily, busiest Tuesday to Saturday mornings. Best for food items, spices, honey, churchkhela, and fresh herbs.
2. Craft corridor near Colchic Square — Established in late 2024 and expanded in 2025, this pedestrian stretch now has around 30 permanent artisan stalls. Best for textiles, pottery, jewellery, and wood goods.
3. Weekend paper market near Rioni Embankment — Saturday and Sunday only, roughly 9:00–14:00. Best for vintage prints, postcards, and second-hand books.

The shops immediately around Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery cater almost entirely to day-trippers and carry mostly generic stock. Worth walking through quickly, but don’t spend serious money there.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most unique souvenir to buy in Kutaisi that you can’t find elsewhere in Georgia?

Imeretian-style qvevri wines — particularly Krakhuna and Tsitska from small local producers — are the standout buy. These grape varieties are grown almost exclusively in western Georgia and rarely exported. Colchic replica jewellery based on local archaeological finds is another genuinely Kutaisi-specific option not widely available in Tbilisi.

Is it better to buy souvenirs at the central market or in shops near the tourist sites?

The central market and the craft corridor near Colchic Square consistently offer better quality and lower prices than shops near Bagrati Cathedral or Gelati Monastery. Tourist-site shops stock mostly generic items at inflated prices. For anything artisan-made, go to the market or the dedicated craft stalls in the city centre.

Can I bring Georgian food souvenirs back to Europe on the plane?

In 2026, sealed and commercially packaged food items — spice blends, honey in sealed jars, tkemali sauce, and churchkhela — clear EU customs without issues. Fresh or unpackaged meat and dairy are prohibited. Tinctures and liquid condiments must go in checked luggage if over 100ml. Always check your specific airline’s carry-on liquid rules before packing.

How do I avoid buying fake or low-quality Georgian souvenirs in Kutaisi?

For textiles, check for hand-weaving irregularities by examining the thread tension closely. For wine, only buy bottles with a named producer on the label. For pottery, genuine local pieces show slight asymmetry from hand-throwing. For churchkhela, freshness is the main indicator — it should bend slightly without cracking when handled gently.

What’s the best time of year to shop for souvenirs in Kutaisi?

Late September through November is ideal. Harvest season means fresh churchkhela, new-vintage wines straight from the producer, and peak activity at the central market. Summer brings more stock but also more tourist pricing. Winter is quieter and prices drop slightly, but some smaller artisan stalls close or reduce hours through January and February.

Explore more
The Ultimate Guide to Shopping in Kutaisi, Georgia
The Ultimate Guide to Day Trips from Kutaisi, Georgia
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📷 Featured image by Elina Ayupova on Unsplash.