Where do local Georgians go to shop? That’s right, to the market. It’s a good deal because the goods will be much cheaper, and the products will be very tasty, fresh and natural. Visiting them will also be useful for visitors in terms of education: you will learn a couple of Georgian words, and maybe even learn to read some letters. Remember the phrase “ra khirs?” (how much is it?), “madloba” (thank you) and “minda” (I want, need). The sellers really like it when you try to speak their language, most likely they will give you a discount for it.
Tbilisi markets are famous and offer a wide range of products, but they are known not only for their products. In this article, I will tell you about the most popular of them.
List of Tbilisi markets
All markets are diverse, many specialize in specific goods.
Here is a list of the main markets in Tbilisi:
- Central (Deserter) Market
- Lilo Mall
- Flea Market or Dry Bridge
- Golden Market
- Eliava Construction Market
- Samgori Market
- Auto Parts Bazaar on Isani
- Didube Market
- Flower Market on Delisi
- Souvenir Fair on Freedom Square
Central (Deserter) Market in Tbilisi
“Deserterka” is over a hundred years old, it appeared during the civil war, in 1920. Deserters, who fled from mobilization and the battlefield, came to the city train station. They sold their war trophies, stolen soldiers’ clothing and other valuables. Naturally, they were often raided by the police – it was thanks to this hype that the market got its name.
The war ended, but the Deserter Market continued to exist. It developed and grew to 2,000 square meters. The Deserter Market is a kingdom of chaos, with trading rows everywhere: near the metro and a little further away from it, in underground passages and even outside the rows, with goods laid out right on cardboard boxes. Keep in mind that the underground bazaar is just as big as the above-ground one, so as not to get lost in the passages, it is better to ask the locals for directions.
The central market of Tbilisi consists of many sections with food, clothes and shoes, equipment and its repair, books, accessories and various small items.
It is noted that the lowest prices for churchkhela are on Dezertirsky, and if you buy it in bulk, it will be very profitable. Drop in here for delicious dairy products, meat and fish, fresh vegetables and fruits. The prices are really pleasing: for example, in season, a kilo of figs can be bought for only 1 lari.
Some recommendations::
- Don’t buy groceries right next to the station, it’s better to walk further (it will be cheaper there)
- ask the locals for directions, it is difficult to find your way in this chaos, especially in the underground labyrinths
- If possible, you can and should bargain, otherwise sellers like to jack up the price for visitors
Address: Abastumani 5 (near the metro Station Square).
Working hours: 07:00 – 18:00 (the best selection will be in the morning, and if you come after lunch, you can get discounts).
Lilo Mall Tbilisi
If you ask a local where you can buy this or that clothing, furniture, home items, etc., he will confidently send you to Lilo. Lilo Market in Tbilisi is considered the best in Georgia. You should go here if you want to update your wardrobe, but do not chase famous brands.
The clothing market offers a choice of clothes and shoes for every taste, and the prices will pleasantly surprise you. Due to the fact that the products are imported in bulk, they are 30-40 percent cheaper than in any other place. The goods are imported from Turkey, China or the Emirates, if you search, you will find things of very good quality.
Shop owners from all over the country even come to this bazaar to buy goods, so that they can resell them in the city with a big markup. The bazaar is really huge – it stretches over 35 hectares, and the total number of shops is more than 6,000.
In addition to clothes, you can also buy household appliances, dishes, children’s toys, fabrics, carpets, furniture and much, much more. They are also sold without a markup, so buying them here will be much more profitable.
Lilo Clothing Market (Tbilisi) – Tips and How to Get There
You will see the Lilo map at the entrance to the bazaar, and inside it, there are signs hanging from above indicating the locations of the sectors. But even all these measures do not guarantee that you will not get confused, so do not be shy about asking the merchants for directions.
The local shawarma made from shashlik is very famous, locals often order it to have a snack after shopping. You will find it by the delicious smell at the central entrance.
Lilo Market is the furthest from the city center, so it is best to go there to buy a lot, with a large list of necessary things. It takes a long time to get there (from the center – 30 minutes), right on the outskirts of the city, but you can do it without your own car. From the metro stations “Didube”, “Avlabari”, “Freedom Square”, “Varketili” and others, there are direct buses to Lilo City.
By car: parking is paid – 5 lari. Prepare in advance coins of 1 or 2 lari. If you do not have them, then in the machine next to the payment you can change five or ten lari notes.
Address: Kakheti Highway, 112 (not far from Tbilisi Airport).
Official opening hours: 07:00 to 18:00, but traders may come and go at different times. Most start working at 10 am. And some, even at 11. And close after 16:00.
Flea Market or Dry Bridge
Georgia is famous for its color, national jewelry and souvenirs. This is why it is worth coming to the flea market – “Dry Bridge”. This place has its own interesting history: in 1881, a stone bridge was built across the Kura River.
During the Soviet era, the river channel was drained, which is why the bridge was called “Dry”. It became a flea market when the city plunged into crisis in the 90s and people rushed to sell all the valuables they had. Then, the bad times went away, but the market remained.
Today, numismatists, philatelists and antique lovers flock here. If you are not a collector – no problem, you will also have something to do. The main goods are interesting vintage jewelry, silver rings, Soviet dishes, vinyl records, horns for drinking wine, rare books, knives.
The continuation of the bazaar is below the bridge, in the Deda Ena Park. On fine days, you will see a whole gallery of colorful handmade carpets, old maps and scientific manuals, and colorful paintings by local artists. You can bargain for each of the goods, and they almost always lower the price.
Be careful with silver jewelry, as stainless steel or aluminum alloy can often be sold under the guise of precious metal. Carefully check the silver for authenticity.
How to get there: The Dry Bridge is located on the right bank of the Kura, above the Deda Ena Park. You can walk there from Freedom or Rustaveli Square, and there are also buses to it.
Working hours: 08:00-17:00, during poor business the stalls are closed, as they are all without awnings.
Gold Market
Tbilisi Gold Market is located on the first floor of Tbilisi Central Railway Station. It is a room with long rows and bright lights, under which the jewelry sparkles beautifully and looks most attractive. Perhaps the room seems a little drab to you, as a place to sell jewelry, but it is difficult to organize better conditions in a train station.
On each counter of the Gold Exchange, under glass, lie all sorts of pendants, rings, earrings, chains, forks, spoons, knives made of silver and gold. Some items are complemented with precious stones (the sellers will tell you their name), and pearl jewelry can also be purchased here.
If you want to take a piece of Georgian national color with you, buy earrings or a pendant made of cloisonné enamel. Minankari or cloisonné enamel is an old Georgian technology of making jewelry. It consists of making a frame from thin silver wire, and then pouring melted enamel powder between the partitions. The enamel hardens and becomes like glass. This technique is very complex and painstaking, and the products are considered works of art.
The Gold Exchange is a place where you can buy jewelry at the lowest and most favorable prices. In addition, having bought them here, you will be 100% sure that they are genuine. Local residents themselves come here to buy gifts for their loved ones for the holidays. The main thing to note is that both new and used jewelry can be sold here. If you notice scratches and abrasions on the product, feel free to ask for a discount.
Eliava Construction Market
Eliava is the largest construction market in the city, famous for its low prices. People come here for construction materials, agricultural tools, spare parts for cars, and any equipment. Here they will also assemble kitchen and office furniture for you according to your measurements and design preferences.
There are 15 thousand people working here, so imagine what a range of goods there is. On Eliava you can find a general worker or even a whole team of builders. This is very convenient, because you can start repairs right away, “without leaving the cash register”, since you do not need to waste time looking for professionals.
There is also a section with auto repair shops. There are many of them, so you won’t have to wait long in line – they will serve you right away. The shopping area extends over 15 hectares on the left bank of the Kura. This is where you will buy everything you need at the lowest prices. In the near future, the Tbilisi City Hall promises to improve the shopping area and bring it up to European standards. This will be a pleasant bonus in the development of the territory.
Other markets in Tbilisi
- Samgori or Navtlugi. A food market, the second most famous after Dezertirsky. Home-grown fruits and vegetables, nuts, meat, spices and oriental sweets – and all this at low prices!
By the way, besides food, it is famous for its flea market, where you will find everything from vintage figurines to antique furniture and samovars. It is located opposite the Samgori metro station at the address Ketevan Tsamebuli Avenue, 91.
- Auto Parts Market in Isani. A large bazaar with rows of auto parts, plus in the middle of it there are broken, dented cars for dismantling. The parts are mostly used, that’s why they are so cheap, but you will find parts for almost any car. The assortment will please you, the prices too – a paradise for car lovers. It is located at the metro station “Isani”, coordinates.
- Didube Market is located near the metro station and bus station. The food market in Tbilisi is convenient because you can buy things for the road or just come shopping if you live nearby. The air smells of oriental spices, cheeses and fresh greens.
- Tsvetochny at the Delisi metro station is one of the largest floristic points in the city. Here you can find not only all sorts of fragrant flowers, but even seedlings of bushes, house plants and trees. In hot weather, bouquets are put in the refrigerator, so that they will wait for the buyer in their best form.
- Souvenir fair on Freedom Square, you will find it, a little walk to the left from the metro. All kinds of handmade bags and clothes, posters, essential oils, jewelry made of semi-precious stones, handmade bracelets are on display here. In winter, you can try delicious mulled wine and cinnabons at the fair.
More about Tbilisi and Georgia:
Best hotels in the mountains of Georgia
Souvenirs – what to bring from Georgia as a gift
Top 6 Restaurants for the Best Khinkali in Tbilisi
Best Hotels in the Center of Tbilisi
My name is Vitaly Kibitlevsky, I am a tour guide and creator of unique quests in Batumi. If you want to walk around the city with a fascinating storyteller or plunge into an exciting adventure, write to the mail: vitkibit@gmail.com
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