Arriving in Prague, many tourists not only admire the sights, but also go shopping. It should be remembered that shopping in Prague is not an easy task. Prices are high here, discounts are rare, and there are not so many branded items as in Parisian or Milan stores. But if you wish, you can always buy inexpensive comfortable clothes, shoes, as well as costume jewelry, Bohemian glass, natural cosmetics and other things at quite reasonable prices.
How to shop in Prague
Czechs, like residents of many European countries, are surprisingly pragmatic and economical. They shop in expensive boutiques only when there are sales, while the bulk of clothes and shoes are sold in inexpensive shops where items of the "casual" style are presented.
The most popular products are Marks & Spencer, Zara, H&M, Vero moda, Mango, Benetton, and other brands of this level. It is better to look for them not in the tourist center of the city, but closer to the outskirts, although you can find them everywhere if you wish. Thus, the large Marks & Spencer shopping center is located on Wenceslas Square, and Mango, Benetton, Zara are located next to the Mustek metro station.
Czech crystal, Bohemian glass will be expensive in any store, it is best to take them in retail outlets at manufacturing factories. Cosmetics based on Karlovy Vary water are very popular - they are purchased in small shops scattered throughout the city. When buying pomegranates, be sure to check the certificates and remember: genuine Czech garnets do not exceed 5-7 mm in size.
When is the best time to go shopping
Sales in Prague take place in April, July, October, December-January. The occurrence of this event is indicated by the "%" sign on the store or the inscription Sleva. Sometimes these shopaholic-friendly signs also appear during off-season sales.
The end of April - the first days of May, as well as the beginning of October - are the time of spring and autumn sales, which attract the attention of millions of tourists. There is no official date for this event, so each store can start reducing prices on days convenient for it.
The winter fall in prices is due to the end of the Christmas holidays. This is the very end of December and the beginning of January. Summer sales kick off in early July when the city is packed with tourists.
So, when planning purchases that can be done cheaply, try to come to Prague during those periods when the "%" sign appears throughout the city.
Useful tip: you can use the services of the website slevomat.cz, which constantly offer coupons for goods and products that can be bought at a discount.
What souvenirs and gifts can be brought from Prague
Tourists often ask: what can you bring from the Czech capital to please your loved ones? The most common souvenirs are Czech glass, porcelain and crystal products, marionette dolls and wicker dolls, which have become symbols of the Czech Republic.
Drinks will be a pleasant gift: Becherovka, Fernet liqueur, Slivovitsa, Absinthe, beer. Karlovy Vary waffles in boxes are an original gift, inexpensive and tasty.
Women will be pleased to receive famous jewelry or garnet jewelry - take it set in silver or gold. Men will be pleased with beer mugs, smoking accessories. You can buy bright toys for your child, as well as baby clothes.
Where to shop
Fashion Arena Prague Outlet is the largest outlet in the Czech Republic, where branded products can be bought with discounts of up to 70%. It is sometimes called the Prague Discount Center. The assortment includes clothes, shoes, toys, cosmetics, jewelry, and other goods.
Address: Zamenhofova 440, Praha 10. Open from 10 am to 8 pm daily. Getting there by metro: line A, st. Depo Hostivař, from the metro station there is a Fashion Arena bus.
- Shopping and entertainment center "Black Bridge". There are dozens of shops with a variety of goods, where you can buy bijouterie, porcelain, electrical goods, and household goods. There is also a cafe, post office, and a cinema.
Address: Chlumecká 6, 190 00 Praha 9. Open from 9 am to 9 pm daily. To get there: metro Černý Most or by bus: 181, 202, 220, 221, 223, 240, 250, 261, H1, IKEA2.
- Not far from Wenceslas Square there is the Tourist Information and Service Center of Prague, which sells city maps, souvenirs, Czech jewelry Preciosa.
Address: Panska 6, Praha 1. Open daily from 10 am to 8 pm.
You can find goods at reasonable prices in the city center by walking from the pedestrian street in Prsikop to Wenceslas Square. Here you can find relatively inexpensive items from Zara, H&M, Kenvelo, Mango and others.
How to organize a shopping trip to Prague
You can go shopping in Prague in two ways: go on your own - in this case, you will have to complete all the documents, taking care of tickets, hotel; or ask for help in the travel agency - here managers will take care of all the troubles, offering you specific tour dates.
But with any choice, you will need a foreign passport and a Schengen visa. A biometric passport is enough for Ukrainian citizens.
When applying for a visa, you will need to fill out an appropriate application form, present internal and foreign passports, provide certificates and documents that will confirm your financial situation and the availability of the opportunity to go shopping in Prague.
Tax-free registration in Prague
Since most goods in the Czech Republic are taxed, non-EU residents can return 21% of the tax on purchases from 2000 CZK when returning home. When you are going to receive the amount of tax, it is worth considering the terms:
- the sales receipt is valid for 6 months;
- the purchased goods must be taken out within 3 months.
To get the amount in hand, save the store's receipt. Ask the seller for the Global Blue Tax Free Form and fill it out. A tax refund authorization will be issued to you at the airport at the customs office, where you will be asked to present your ticket and goods. After passing through passport control, you will receive money at the Duty Free exchange office.
If you leave the country by train, bus, you can issue a Tax-freе directly at the customs, while the money will be transferred to your bank account in the country of residence.
You can send the form and check by mail. Typically, there are Global Blue mailboxes next to customs. An envelope with a form and a check is lowered into them. Just in case, please include your email address so that we can contact you.
Conclusion
Shopping in Prague is a great opportunity to update your wardrobe, purchase crystal and glass products, women's natural cosmetics, bijouterie, original drinks and souvenirs for loved ones.
While shopping trips in Prague are not as popular as shopping in Milan, Barcelona or Paris, savvy shoppers will always find the opportunity to purchase essential items here at significant discounts.
