Prague Shopping
Basic Guide to Shopping in
Prague
Prague shopping is a lot like sightseeing. You can see the
standard stuff or look around for a remarkable view of
something more local and surprising. It's up to you.
We, of course, suggest getting off the beaten path for a
special gift or unusual souvenir. The tacky shops that sell
fake Czech glass and cheap knockoffs just aren't worth your
time.
Czech made and traditional goodies at Manufaktura.
There are two ways of looking at Prague's shopping scene -
the old and the new.
It's not the best description but there's some truth to it.
Honestly, Prague shopping culture is a bit divided into two:
old-school
small European
shops and new
modern
retail stores.
Czechs, for example, love their small shops owned and
operated by local people. These are the shops that have
traditional Czech items and local fashion that won't be
found outside the country - boutique shops, handmade items,
local art galleries, etc.
But at the same time, us locals seem to crave the American
style shopping malls as well. They are popping up all over
as Prague becomes an up-and-coming fashion conscious city.
We've got malls and franchise stores like everyone else -
H&M anyone?
This page will take a look at both elements of Prague
shopping and point you in the direction for both. Hopefully
you will find something memorable to take home.
Traditional and Unique Prague Shops
This is a list of Prague shops that you might take a moment
to find. There's an eclectic world here, but these are some
of our favorite local shops that might interest you.
Czech Amber and Garnet
These items are popular among locals and tourists alike.
There's something altogether fulfilling about these colors
whether they are set in earrings or on a necklace. You will
find a number of bright shops on Celetna street in Old Town.
For more affordable choices, venture away from the historic
center.
Czech Crystal and Czech Glass
There is a long history of wonderful crystal and glassworks
in this country. You can find a number of galleries and
shops offering all kinds of items from vases to chandeliers.
These shops are everywhere and it's best to search around
Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square.
One of the best places to start is
Moser on Na
příkopě 12. Moser is a well known manufacturer of
high quality glass. You might also stop in at
Crystalex shop on Male
namesti 1.
The Moser shop on Old Town Square is first rate.
Local Czech Fashion and Designers
The Czech Republic is famous for its models with fashion
possibly soon to follow. For young design visit Ivan
Follova's
fashion gallery
and shop at Vodickova 36 near Wenceslas Square.
You might also browse the collections of
Martina Nevarilova at
Krasonhorske 4 in Josefov and the
Tatiana Boutique at Dusni 1.
Nature and Beauty
Some of our best Prague shopping is done in one of the many
Botanicus shops.
These stores sell all kinds of nature based products
from bath salts to handmade paper. Their products use
traditional and organic elements and are produced from their
own farm in rural Czech Republic. You will find one store
just off of Old Town Square at Tyn 3. There's also one at
Prague airport.
Another local store with a popular following is
Manufaktura. They offer
a line of traditional Czech products ranging from wooden
toys and handicrafts to hand painted Easter eggs and
aromatic soaps. Find their shop in the old building at
Melantrichova 17, a short walk from Old Town Square.
Natural products at Botanicus in Old Town.
Alternative Stuff
Prague has a whole world of "
cool" shops too. There's just too many to
mention. For example, we like scouring the antiques at any
number of "
Antik"
shops. You'll find a smorgasbord of interesting items from
old postcards to paintings. Our favorite shop might actually
be the "
junk" shop
in Old Town called Bric a Brac. It's a tight little shop
filled with all kinds of marvels.
You might also look into one of the many
Antikvariat shops
throughout the city. These are like antique book shops, but
you might find an interesting map, poster or who-knows-what
inside.
The ever fun poster shop at Rybna 21, Old Town.
Prague Shopping Malls and More
The mecca of shopping in Prague is undoubtedly around
Wenceslas
Square. This boulevard-like square is lined with
stores ranging from the fashionable
H&M to jewelry
stores and huge bookshops.
The square offers plenty on the surface, but please explore
the
arcades and
passageways along the square. Inside most arcades
you will find tiny shops with a variety of unique items.
At the northern end of the square you will find more
shopping opportunities on Na Prikope street. There are a
variety of stores here that you will most likely recognize
like Benetton, Zara and Leiser shoes.
A short walk from Na Prikope will take you to Prague's
historic outdoor market Havelske Triste - shown below. Aside
from the reasonable fruit and veggies, you can find a few
traditional handicrafts - some tacky and some cute.
Havelske Trziste - a few steps from Wenceslas
Square.
In recent years Prague has added a few
malls to its repertoire
as well. Each mall has multiple floors of fashion and
accessories with food courts and cinemas too. Here's a list
of the most popular malls in Prague.
Palladium Praha
This new mall is just across from Obecni Dum (Municipal
House) and very close to Wenceslas Square. You can also
take the B metro here to stop Namesti Republiky.
Address:
nám. Republiky 1078/1, Prague 1, Nove Mesto
Web: www.palladiumpraha.cz
Novy Smichov
This mall is a popular place to shop for locals. It's
seemingly always busy and has a useful mix of shops
including a two floor Tesco and a few cafes and restaurants.
The mall calls itself a " 5 Star Shopping Centre." But,
we're not sure what that really means since it's pretty much
the same as all the other malls in Prague. Find it by either
tram or the B metro line to stop Andel.
Address: Plzeňská
8, Prague 5, Smichov
Web:
www.novysmichov.eu/en
Palac Flora
This "palace" is near the metro station Flora just outside
the historical center. It's another huge complex that makes
Prague shopping quite easy. Except the items inside may not
have the
Prague feeling
to them as you might hope. Regardless, there's a great IMAX
screen upstairs and plenty of fashionable shops here.
Address:
Vinohradská 1612/149, Praha 3, Žižkov
Web:
www.palacflora.cz
A mall is still a mall... even in Prague.