Shopping · Prague · Czechia
Shopping in Prague
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matěj Baťha, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
Prague shopping mixes luxury boutiques on Pařížská, high-street brands on Na Příkopě and traditional Czech crafts such as Bohemian glass, garnets and wooden puppets. Many Old Town souvenir shops sell imported goods, so look for Czech-made labels. Best souvenirs: Bohemian glass and crystal, Bohemian garnets and Marionettes.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 4
- Markets
- 3
- Top souvenir
- Bohemian glass and crystal
Where to shop
Pařížská
Prague's luxury avenue in Josefov, with international fashion houses in Art Nouveau buildings.
Na Příkopě and Wenceslas Square
High-street stores, department stores and shopping arcades.
Old Town lanes
Crystal, garnet and puppet shops; quality varies, so look for established makers.
Vinohrady and Karlín
Independent design shops, bookshops and concept stores.
Markets
Náplavka farmers' market
Saturday-morning food market on the riverside embankment below the Dancing House.
Havelské tržiště
A small market in the Old Town selling souvenirs, crafts and some fruit and vegetables.
Christmas markets
Stalls of crafts, ornaments, mulled wine and grilled sausages on Old Town and Wenceslas squares in December.
What to buy
Bohemian glass and crystal
Cut crystal and hand-blown glass from long-established Czech glassworks; buy from flagship shops for genuine quality.
Bohemian garnets
Deep-red garnet jewellery; ask for a certificate of origin to avoid imitations.
Marionettes
Hand-carved wooden puppets reflect Prague's long puppet-theatre tradition.
Becherovka
The herbal liqueur from Karlovy Vary in its distinctive green bottle.
Krtek toys
Plush toys of the Little Mole, the beloved Czech cartoon character.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Street · New Town
Wenceslas Square and the National Museum
More boulevard than square, this long sloping avenue was the stage for the protests of 1968 and the 1989 Velvet Revolution.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Open sandwiches, Pickled cheese, Koláče and Czech beer. Traditional delicatessens (lahůdky) and modern sandwich bars in the New Town and Vinohrady. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Malá Strana | $$$$ | Baroque palaces, embassies and gardens below Prague Castle |
| New Town | $$ | Wenceslas Square, 19th-century boulevards and practical hotels |
| Vinohrady | $$ | Art Nouveau apartment blocks, cafés, wine bars and leafy parks |
| Žižkov | $ | Working-class pubs, the TV tower and the Vítkov hill monument |
| Karlín | $$ | Rebuilt riverside district of cafés, brunch spots and new restaurants |
| Holešovice | $$ | Former industrial district of galleries, markets and Letná park |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in CZK. Round up or add about 10% for good service, but tell the waiter the total you want to pay as you hand over money rather than leaving cash on the table. Check that service is not already included.
- Say 'Dobrý den' when entering a shop or restaurant and 'Na shledanou' when leaving.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in February; the busiest months are June–August.
- January: Christmas markets close (usually early January)
- March: Easter markets in the Old Town (March or April, depending on Easter)
- April: Easter markets and Easter traditions (March or April)
- May: Prague Spring International Music Festival (usually opens 12 May and runs into early June)
- June: Prague Spring festival closes (early June)
- September: Dvořák Prague international music festival (usually September)
Staying near the shops
$$ · Best for budget, shopping, first-timers and nightlife
New Town
Wenceslas Square, 19th-century boulevards and practical hotels
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Prague?
Bohemian glass and crystal, Bohemian garnets, Marionettes and Becherovka.
+Where is the best shopping in Prague?
Pařížská: Prague's luxury avenue in Josefov, with international fashion houses in Art Nouveau buildings.
+What are the best markets in Prague?
Náplavka farmers' market, Havelské tržiště and Christmas markets.