Shopping in Prague
http://www.prague-guide.co.uk/articles/173/1/Shopping-in-Prague/Page1.html
By Steven Admin
Published on 05-Jul-07
What to buy in Prague? Bohemian glass, crystal and china, ceramics, wooden toys and local handicraft are one of the recommended.
What not to buy? If you want to buy luxury clothing or electronics, you will find them definitely cheaper in the UK (or in the US).
Together with opening of economy after the collapse of communist regime the supply of all goods in Prague fundamentally extended. Recently, big western brands, luxury boutiques, fast food brands like KFC and McDonalds are appearing all around the city. Most shopping malls and arcades are located in the centre of Prague in Wenzeslas Square, in streets Na Poříčí, 28. října, Národní třída, Vinohradská (above of National Museum) and Pařížská and just on or in close vicinity of Old Town Square. You can find pretty much everything from clothes, electronics and music stores to glass shops and antiques. Close to tourist attractions there are many shops selling souvenirs, t-shirts with Franz Kafka, Mucha merchandise, Russian dolls, flaunting puppets, Czech porcelain and glass. If you’re looking for odd shopping you should head down hidden passages and to arcades, backstreet shops of Mala Strana and Old Town. In those little shops you can find many bargains and curious and interesting things. Prague shops open earliest 8am to 10am and usually close at 5pm, or some at 8pm.
Tax refund: There is VAT (value added tax) which is 19% on most services and products and 5% on nearly all foods, hotel charges, restaurants meals, telecommunication etc. You can claim VAT back if you purchase more than 1000 CZK in value (vat refund is not possible for EU residents). Tax free shops are displaying ‘Tax Free Shopping’ label. When you leave you have to present tax free form to customs for validation, it must be done within 30 days of purchase.
Additionally many large shopping centres are located as well in suburban areas easily reachable by Prague public transport. There are always big parking places available.
Did you know? Czech Republic is traditionally worldwide known by its production of glass and porcelain. The best glass and porcelain pieces are made in glassworks Moser in Karlovy Vary, by Crystalex in Nový Bor and Bohemia in Poděbrady. Czech garnets and bijouterie are also very popular worldwide.
Antiques and Artwork: Be careful when you buy antique or museum quality art. You might have a trouble with the customs on the way out. Mostly, everything made before 1920 may be non-exportable.
Gifts to buy, our picks:
Czech Classic Music
Good buys are classical CDs of the works of Czech composers (like Dvorak, Smetana, Martinu, Janacek) as well as folk music and brass bands. You can get CDs at any bookstore and many other stores in the city centre.
Art
At Art Decoratif (U Obecniho domu 1, Prague 1), the granddaughter of Alfons Mucha creates jewellery, lamps and other gifts with the art nouveau statements that made her grandfather famous. Although her work tends to be expensive, the quality, craftsmanship and name are all worth it.
Art
Prague, supposedly, boasts the only Cubist lamppost in the world. In addition, it has some great shops specializing in the art form from the early 1900s. At Kubista (Ovocny trh 19, Prague 1), you can find vases and tea sets that are geometrically stunning—and expensive. Pick a gift here for that boss who should give you a raise, or that secretary who has saved your career on more than one occasion.
Czech crystal, glass, porcelain, and ceramics
You can find Czech glass in many department stores and close to tourist spots. Also Czech handmade porcelain and ceramic are good gifts. Bohemian Glass is famous in the world for its uniqueness and quality. It is sold at many places in the city centre and prices are not radically different from a shop to shop. Some of the shops are even able to ship abroad.
Hand-painted Easter eggs
A nice little Czech souvenir that will come in especially handy at Easter is a box of beautiful hand-painted Easter eggs. Lots of them are true works of art. You will find them at markets and souvenir shops all year round.
Becherovka.
This herbal liquor from Karlovy Vary is good for health (good for digestion). It can be an acquired taste, so try a bit first. This is a good gift for spirits lovers.
Carlsbad spa wafers
If you like sweet, you will probably love the spa wafers, a tradition from Karlovy Vary. They come in several flavours, such as a vanilla/nut and chocolate. You can buy them fresh on the street, or look for them in a grocery store - in that case, make sure they are made by Opavia Company.
Czech Stamps, matches labels and old postcards (and even coins)
This can be great gift or item to your collection. Some old Czech stamps are really fabulous designed.
Absinthe
You don’t have to be absolutely insane to like absinthe, the potent, chemistry-lab green spirit, which is 70 percent alcohol. Buy it everywhere, give it to everyone, but drink it in moderation.
Czech marionettes
In a country where you can see operas that feature traditional Czech marionettes, these puppets make a good gift. You may know someone who would fancy one of these eerie, but unarguably artistic, creations. Obchod pod Lampou (U Luzickeho Seminare 5, Prague 1) has the best around, in all shapes, sizes and splendour.
Shops opening hours:
Most of shops are open 8:00-18:00 during working days and till 13:00 on Saturdays but it's not a general rule. Shopping centres are usually open 7 days a week at least till 20:00; some smaller shops extend their opening hours for 10:00-22:00 during the main tourist season.
What to buy in Prague? Bohemian glass, crystal and china, ceramics, wooden toys and local handicraft are one of the recommended.
What to buy in Prague? Bohemian glass, crystal and china, ceramics, wooden toys and local handicraft are one of the recommended. What not to buy? If you want to buy luxury clothing or electronics, you will find them definitely cheaper in the UK (or in the US).
Together with opening of economy after the collapse of communist regime the supply of all goods in Prague fundamentally extended. Recently, big western brands, luxury boutiques, fast food brands like KFC and McDonalds are appearing all around the city. Most shopping malls and arcades are located in the centre of Prague in Wenzeslas Square, in streets Na Poříčí, 28. října, Národní třída, Vinohradská (above of National Museum) and Pařížská and just on or in close vicinity of Old Town Square. You can find pretty much everything from clothes, electronics and music stores to glass shops and antiques. Close to tourist attractions there are many shops selling souvenirs, t-shirts with Franz Kafka, Mucha merchandise, Russian dolls, flaunting puppets, Czech porcelain and glass. If you’re looking for odd shopping you should head down hidden passages and to arcades, backstreet shops of Mala Strana and Old Town. In those little shops you can find many bargains and curious and interesting things. Prague shops open earliest 8am to 10am and usually close at 5pm, or some at 8pm.
Tax refund: There is VAT (value added tax) which is 19% on most services and products and 5% on nearly all foods, hotel charges, restaurants meals, telecommunication etc. You can claim VAT back if you purchase more than 1000 CZK in value (vat refund is not possible for EU residents). Tax free shops are displaying ‘Tax Free Shopping’ label. When you leave you have to present tax free form to customs for validation, it must be done within 30 days of purchase.
Additionally many large shopping centres are located as well in suburban areas easily reachable by Prague public transport. There are always big parking places available.
Did you know? Czech Republic is traditionally worldwide known by its production of glass and porcelain. The best glass and porcelain pieces are made in glassworks Moser in Karlovy Vary, by Crystalex in Nový Bor and Bohemia in Poděbrady. Czech garnets and bijouterie are also very popular worldwide.
Antiques and Artwork: Be careful when you buy antique or museum quality art. You might have a trouble with the customs on the way out. Mostly, everything made before 1920 may be non-exportable.
Gifts to buy, our picks:
Czech Classic Music
Good buys are classical CDs of the works of Czech composers (like Dvorak, Smetana, Martinu, Janacek) as well as folk music and brass bands. You can get CDs at any bookstore and many other stores in the city centre.
Art
At Art Decoratif (U Obecniho domu 1, Prague 1), the granddaughter of Alfons Mucha creates jewellery, lamps and other gifts with the art nouveau statements that made her grandfather famous. Although her work tends to be expensive, the quality, craftsmanship and name are all worth it.
Art
Prague, supposedly, boasts the only Cubist lamppost in the world. In addition, it has some great shops specializing in the art form from the early 1900s. At Kubista (Ovocny trh 19, Prague 1), you can find vases and tea sets that are geometrically stunning—and expensive. Pick a gift here for that boss who should give you a raise, or that secretary who has saved your career on more than one occasion.
Czech crystal, glass, porcelain, and ceramics
You can find Czech glass in many department stores and close to tourist spots. Also Czech handmade porcelain and ceramic are good gifts. Bohemian Glass is famous in the world for its uniqueness and quality. It is sold at many places in the city centre and prices are not radically different from a shop to shop. Some of the shops are even able to ship abroad.
Hand-painted Easter eggs
A nice little Czech souvenir that will come in especially handy at Easter is a box of beautiful hand-painted Easter eggs. Lots of them are true works of art. You will find them at markets and souvenir shops all year round.
Becherovka.
This herbal liquor from Karlovy Vary is good for health (good for digestion). It can be an acquired taste, so try a bit first. This is a good gift for spirits lovers.
Carlsbad spa wafers
If you like sweet, you will probably love the spa wafers, a tradition from Karlovy Vary. They come in several flavours, such as a vanilla/nut and chocolate. You can buy them fresh on the street, or look for them in a grocery store - in that case, make sure they are made by Opavia Company.
Czech Stamps, matches labels and old postcards (and even coins)
This can be great gift or item to your collection. Some old Czech stamps are really fabulous designed.
Absinthe
You don’t have to be absolutely insane to like absinthe, the potent, chemistry-lab green spirit, which is 70 percent alcohol. Buy it everywhere, give it to everyone, but drink it in moderation.
Czech marionettes
In a country where you can see operas that feature traditional Czech marionettes, these puppets make a good gift. You may know someone who would fancy one of these eerie, but unarguably artistic, creations. Obchod pod Lampou (U Luzickeho Seminare 5, Prague 1) has the best around, in all shapes, sizes and splendour.
Shops opening hours:
Most of shops are open 8:00-18:00 during working days and till 13:00 on Saturdays but it's not a general rule. Shopping centres are usually open 7 days a week at least till 20:00; some smaller shops extend their opening hours for 10:00-22:00 during the main tourist season.
