The Best Independent Bookstores In Tbilisi

Georgia has a long publishing history. Some of its writers are world-renowned and have been translated into different languages. Literature here has always been a big part of the culture, and the independent bookstores scattered across Tbilisi add a unique flair to the city. Bookworms will discover exciting finds in these stores to keep you company during your journey throughout the country.

Prospero's Books and Caliban's Coffeehouse

Bookstore

Prospero’s Books was the very first bookstore that provided expats with English-language books in Tbilisi. Tucked into a small courtyard on the busy Rustaveli Avenue, the shop has a vast array of books. Here, you can find classic literature, recent bestsellers, self-help books, travel, history, biography, and books about Georgia as well. The prices here might seem a bit expensive compared to other bookstores in Tbilisi, but the selection is worth it. Moreover, you can ask them to order a specific book free of charge; you will just pay the price of the book.

Parnasi

Parnasi is one of those bookstores that offers a wide variety of both local and English-language books in a small space. Recent bestsellers, fiction, history, and movie tie-in books are few of the genres you can find here at a reasonable price.

Santa Esperanza

Opened in 2005, Santa Esperanza is located near the newly renovated Agmashenebeli Avenue and offers books from all the publishing houses that operate in the country. The choice of books in Georgian exceeds the English-language books, but you can still find some here. https://instagram.com/p/Bd2zBIEnV9f/

Bukinisturi Book House

Bookstore

The word bukinisturi means second-hand books in English. The shop provides an overflowing stack of books of all genres and languages. Here, you can even find very rare books that can’t be found anywhere else in the city or country. The section of English-language books here provide some very old publications, but the bookworms will still find browsing here exhilarating.

Book House on Bakhtrioni

Book House on Bakhtrioni is a small independent bookshop that also encompasses a small café to create a pleasant, peaceful atmosphere for you to pick up a book and start reading over a cup of coffee, tea, soft drinks, or even wine. Besides buying books, you can purchase various gifts for your book-loving friends or family members. https://instagram.com/p/BWmmXLgFrvS/

Bakur Sulakauri Publishing House Bookstore

Bookstore, Shop

Bakur Sulakauri Publishing House, established in 1999, is one of the leading publishing houses in Georgia. In the beginning, it concentrated on translating foreign writers into Georgian and publishing works of modern Georgian writers, but over time it changed and widened its scope. Very recently, on one of the central avenues of Tbilisi, the publishing house opened its shop, where besides their titles, you can find interesting books in a number of genres for any taste.

Ligamus

Bookstore

The bookstore Ligamus is a project of Ilia State University that encompasses several different spaces in one – a bookshop, a café, a reading hall, and a room for children. The store offers books published by the Ilia State University, as well as bestsellers and children’s books in both Georgian and foreign languages. An added bonus – during warm spring and summer days, you can enjoy your favorite book with a drink or a snack on their terrace.

About the author

Baia Dzagnidze

Writer

I am a travel blogger, content writer, food lover and a passionate photographer. Four years ago I quit my editorial job at the newspaper in order to pursue my passion of traveling through South East Asia. Check out my adventures at redfedoradiary.com or follow my daily rambling on Instagram @redfedoradiary.