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| Home > City Guide - Prague - Shopping | ||
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Shopping Shopping in Prague can be frustrating or rewarding, depending on the approach taken. Western chains and large stores around Wenceslas Square do not offer bargains and shoppers should seek out the smaller shops to browse and patronise the cafés when it all becomes too much. Czech crystal and glassware are superb and often extremely good value. There are enough shops for one to spend an entire day on this alone. Cheap Czech crystal jewellery is found throughout the city. Czech garnets are considered the world’s best. Granat, Dlouha 30, Prague 1, are the specialists. Amber (jantar) can also sell at a bargain price, however, shoppers should stick to the Baltic variety – Russian shops sell a far more brittle and over-priced variety. Even in the markets it is possible to find beautiful and unique wood and ceramic pieces. The early post-Revolution days, when exquisite pieces of Art Nouveau Daum, Loetz glass or a set of duelling pistols could be purchased at one-sixth of their value, are long gone but antiques still can be good purchases. Jan Hunek Starozitnosti, Parízská 1, Prague 1, sells beautiful Czech glass from the 18th century to 1930s Art Deco. Alma, Vamentinská 7, Prague 1, specialises in porcelain, lace and folk costumes. Away from the centre, Bazars – glorified junk shops – occasionally turn up real finds. Time is needed for one to search them out but the rewards can be worthwhile. Antiquarian books and prints remain good buys but prices are rising. Antikvariat Galerie Mustek, 28, ríjna 13, Prague 1, and Antikvariat Karel Krenek, Celetna 31, Prague 1, both offer an excellent selection. Antikvariat Parízska, Parízska 8, Prague 1, specialises in prints and maps from the 16th to 19th centuries. Classical music CDs are often very low in price. The best selections are at Bonton Megastore, Palace Koruna, Vaclavske namestí 1, Prague 1 and Bontonland (Supraphon), Jungmannova 20, Prague 1. Supraphon, the privatised state recording company draws on a wealth of stunning Czech music in its archives (website: www.supraphon.cz). Shop opening hours vary widely but are generally Monday to Friday 0800-1000 and 1700-2000 and Saturday 1000-1400. Many tourist shops and larger stores remain open on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Most areas of the city have at least one 24-hour food shop. Almost everything closes on public holidays. Most markets only sell food and their hours generally correspond to standard shopping hours. The best markets for crafts, hand embroidery, leather goods and charming wooden toys are Havelska, Prague 1, and the craft stalls in Staromestska namestí. Christmas Markets throughout December are excellent for gifts but visitors should beware of the professional pickpockets and the strength of the hot grog. VAT stands at around 22% for most products and services. Goods must be removed from the Czech Republic within 30 days of purchase, in order for visitors to claim a tax refund. Bills must be confirmed at the Duty Free Tax desk of the Customs Office in the Departure Hall (Terminal North) of Ryzyne Airport upon departure. Actual VAT refunds must be realised by Global Refund at the Thomas Cook cash desk or the Czech Made Products shop in Finger A, or VAT MAX at the transfer desk of Menzies Aviations Group. In Terminal South, actual VAT is refunded in the transit space in Free Shop by Global Refund. |
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