Karolina Sedlackova
Becherovka + Slivovice
Airport duty free has decent prices on Becherovka; independent shops for craft Slivovice.
Puppets + wooden toys
Manufaktura shops carry authentic Czech puppets and toys.
Where to shop by neighborhood
Old Town + Pařížská
Luxury brands. Pařížská is Prague’s Champs-Élysées — Prada, Louis Vuitton, Hermès. Old Town side streets have jewelry and crystal shops.
Wenceslas Square
Mainstream fashion + department stores. Palladium mall + Nový Smíchov are the two big shopping malls.
Vinohrady
Independent boutiques + Czech design. Vinohradská boulevard and side streets. See our Vinohrady guide.
Karlín
New-wave independent shops. Sokolovská street. See our Karlín guide.
Havelské tržiště
Daily open-air market for fruit, cheap souvenirs, wooden toys.
Náplavka Saturday farmers market
Local produce, cheeses, honey, cured meats. Along the Vltava embankment; best on Saturday morning.
Tourist traps to avoid
- Any shop on Old Town Square selling “Bohemian crystal” at “50% off” — often not Czech crystal.
- “Traditional Czech marionettes” that are clearly mass-produced imports.
- Amber jewelry — amber is Baltic, not Czech.
- Matryoshka dolls — Russian, not Czech.
- Absinthe with “Czech traditional” labels — most Prague absinthe is post-Soviet novelty rather than historic.
Tax refund for non-EU shoppers
Non-EU tourists can claim VAT refunds on purchases over 2,000 CZK at participating shops. Ask for a Tax Free form; present at customs when leaving the EU.
Shopping-friendly gear
- Osprey Daylite Plus daypack — for carrying purchases home.
- Eagle Creek Pack-It compression cubes — for fitting new clothes in your case.
- Bottle protectors (WineSkin) — for Becherovka + wine.
FAQ
What should I buy in Prague?
Bohemian crystal (from a real shop), Czech garnet jewelry, Naše Maso cured meats, Becherovka, Kafka books.
Is shopping in Prague cheap?
Cheaper than Vienna or Berlin for most items. Luxury goods similar prices to other European capitals.
Where can I get authentic Bohemian crystal?
Moser flagship on Na Příkopě 12; Preciosa; airport duty free for smaller pieces.
