Prague Shopping Guide

The main Prague shopping area runs down Wenceslas Square, along Na Prikope and into Republic Square. Parizska Street has luxury international boutique shops. While the Old Town Square and the Lesser Town (Mala Strana) have small shops & art galleries. The quantity and quality of products available in the Czech Republic has improved dramatically since the early 1990s. The most prominent changes are noticeable in Prague where many new hypermarkets and shopping malls have appeared in the last several years. The increased competition and consumer demand have resulted in a better selection, improving customer service and lower prices, making shopping a more enjoyable activity. Prague is a great place to shop for Czech souvenirs. The center of Prague is filled with souvenir shops offering all kinds of typical Czech products, from wooden toys to jewellery to expensive cut crystal and glass items. There are a number of regional associations of regional artists and craftspeople along with some excellent shops of glass and crystal. Other shopping choices include pottery (particularly from Straznice and Kolovec), geyser stone carvings from Karlovy Vary, needle embroidery and delicate lace work from many Moravian towns, as well as china ornaments, semi-precious stones from Bohemia and blood-red garnets. The Bazaars are fascinating to wander around, and you never know what one-of-a-kind treasures you may find. However, you must allow plenty of time as they are not always very well organized. Before setting off on your day shopping in Prague, it is advised to ensure that you have thoroughly researched their times of operation.

 

Wenceslas Square

Wenceslas Square in Prague is a vibrant area with hotels, apartments, galleries, restaurants, bars, shops and clubs. It is one of the 2 main squares in Prague. You will find is nightlife and entertainment all around Wenceslas Square and an array of international shops. Prague's main shopping area begins here. The square also offers easy walking access to Prague's famous sights and attractions and you can reach anywhere in the city centre. The 750m long and 60m wide boulevard that makes up Wenceslas Square was laid out over 600 years ago during the reign of Charles IV. It was originally used as the Prague horse market. Over the years Wenceslas Square has been a parade ground for all kinds of organisations and political parties. From anti-communist uprisings to celebrations of national sporting achievements, Wenceslas Square is where the Czech's come to let off steam. It holds up to 400,000 people. Na Prikope is the part-pedestrianised road that runs from the bottom of Wenceslas Square along to the Powder Tower.

 

The Old Town Square

The Old Square will send you back into time. The air is dramatic and permeates the history of Prague and will fill you with awe. This is the second of the 2 main squares in Prague that we spoke about above. The place has ancient buildings and magnificent churches, truly one of the most historic areas in Europe. Dating back to the late 12th century, the Old Town Square started life as the central marketplace for Prague. The Old Square has a permanent market on one side, selling arts and crafts, and souvenirs. There are also crystal shops and small boutiques in the streets leading up to the square.

 

Some malls worth a visit

Myslbek Shopping Gallery is a two-level shopping mall and the first mall that opened in Prague, featuring Next, Calvin Klein, Gant USA, H&M and Mothercare, along with several sports and outdoor activity shops. The shopping centre also has a few restaurants inside.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am to 8pm ,  Sun 10am to 7pm

Slovansky Dum Shopping Centre is Prague’s most extravagant shopping centre and it is very popular amongst the locals and tourists. There are many designer stores such as Mexx, Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, Miss Sixty, Cerruti Jeans and Beltissimo. The shopping centre also offers a large outdoor garden to relax in, as well as the Palace Multiplex cinema and a nightclub.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am to 10pm , Sun 9am to 9pm

Cerna Ruze Prague shopping centre on Na Prikope is a historical shopping centre. "The Black Rose" has two coffee shops but, no restaurant. It has shops spread over 3 floors many of which are fashion shops including Pierre Cardin. The biggest shop is Donate (interior decoration and furnishing). Many independent shops.

Kotva Prague shopping centre has four floors plus a small restaurant on the 5th. I think there are over 40 different shops in here now which makes it more likely to have what you want. It also incorporates and underground car park and basement "Albert" supermarket. This centre is open throughout the week and even offers a tax free shopping service on the ground floor.

The Palladium Shopping Centre opened in 2007 and is also located at Namesti Republiky. Underground parking for 900 cars. The centre itself has two floors below ground and two above. Featuring over 200 shops. Estée Lauder, Lush, Marks & Spencer, Guess, Calvin Klein, Body Shop, H&M, Promod, Orsay and many more make this the largest shopping area in Prague. The top floor is the food floor. Very good selection here with Mediterranean, Lebanese, Czech, Italian and Asian food.

Parizska is Prague's most fashionable (and expensive) street. The boutique shops of luxury brands like Cartier compete for attention with fine restaurants and cafés.

 

If you are looking for souvenir shops, you will find them in the city's historical centre - mostly around the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and the Castle (and especially on the way from the Old Town square to the Charles Bridge); many of those shops can also be found in the picturesque alleys of the Lesser Quarter. The selection of souvenirs is rich, even though most of it would pass for kitsch to be honest. Wooden toys, porcelain figurines and models of famous Prague sights, postcards. Also, many artists selling their works (some are quite nice, some are of very low quality) can be usually found on the Charles Bridge - mostly drawings or photos of Prague views, your own portrait, etc.

Stores in the center of Prague and in shopping malls have longer hours. Large supermarkets stay open until 8 or 10 p.m. and some are open 24 hours a day. Most stores in the Prague city center and tourist locations are open on weekends. Almost all stores are closed on Christmas Eve (December 24) and Easter Monday. Small shops in Prague open roughly 8 am or 9am  till 6pm or 7pm.  All stores open Monday to Saturday. Larger shops and shopping centres open on Sundays too.