Being one of the most popular Central European destinations, Prague has a lot to offer. Many say it rivals Paris in its architectural beauty. Prague has a unique allure, and whether it’s Prague’s iconic sites, the notoriously rich Czech comfort food, the culture, or the many bars and cafes, there is always something new to see in Prague.
So what are the best souvenirs and gifts to bring back home from your trip to Prague? We’ve assembled a list of best suggestions:
1. Beers and Beer Glasses
Beer in Prague is plentiful and cheap. Two of the most famous labels are Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser Budvar. In general, tmave pivo (dark beer) is usually sweet, while svetle pivo (a light, golden-color beer) is aromatic and bitter.
Czechs have their passionate beer drinking culture down to an art, so a beer glass is a great souvenir to remind you of the great atmosphere in Prague (and it’s also an ideal gift for your beer-loving friend or family member)!
You can find several types of beers and beer glasses here.
For an interesting twist to a beer or a beer glass, check out Manufaktura, a traditional Czech brand that produces beer cosmetics, which include shampoos, hair balms, and shower gels.
Click here to buy.
2. Czech Glass and Crystal
Elegant and beautiful, Czech glass and (bohemian) crystal are an excellent souvenir to bring back home from Prague. The word “crystal” is used here to refer to fine, high-quality glass that contains lead. One of the best brands is Moser Glass (Staroměstské náměstí 15 & Na Příkopě 12), a crystal manufacturer based in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. Their pieces are pricey but high-quality. They are all are made of lead-free hard crystal and are hand-polished.
Moser Glass is on the pricier side, so if you want to buy some traditional Czech glass and crystal without breaking the bank, you can look around most souvenir shops in the city.
Click here to buy
3. Garnet Jewelry
Garnet is a semi-precious stone, and in the Czech Republic, it has a long tradition as a royal gem. Czech garnets (also known as Prague garnets or Bohemian garnets) are usually deep red, but can also be black or transparent.
Garnets have been mined in the Czech Republic since the early 17th century. In modern-day Prague and the Czech Republic, garnet prices vary according to their quality, quantity, and size.
Today, garnet is used to make everything from paperweights to expensive pieces of jewelry, so most travelers can find something to fit their budget and taste.
Be careful when buying garnet! Always ask for a certificate of authenticity. Two reputable and proven shops to buy garnet in are Granat Turnov and Halada.
Click here to buy.
4. Becherovka Herbal Liqueur
Becherovka is not native to Prague, but it is loved and consumed in Prague. The recipe for Becherovka is a well-guarded secret, but it has undertones of ginger and a mixture of other spices and herbs. Drink it as a shot, since this drink has a high alcohol content.
Formerly, it was taken as stomach drops to improve digestion, but by patients gradually increasing the dosage, a tradition of serving it as an aperitif was created. Today, it is served cold or in mixed drinks.
You can find Becherovka everywhere, from supermarkets to souvenir shops. It is produced in small bottles too, which makes it much easier to bring back as a souvenir.
5. Classical Music CDs
If you are more into music than drinking (or you have a friend who is), classical music CDs are an ideal souvenir. The Czech Republic has produced many famous classical music composers: Bedrich Smetana, Antonin Dvorak, Leos Janacek, and Bohuslav Martinu, to name just the most famous ones.
Browse around for CDs in the local CD shops.
Click here to buy.
6. Marionettes
Puppetry is taken very seriously in Prague. Czech marionettes are pieces of three-dimensional art, and this art of marionette and puppet making goes back to the 18th century. They are traditionally hand-carved from wood or made from plaster.
Prague puppets are sold everywhere, and their sizes and prices can vary. Visit a big open market near Charles Bridge in the Old Town, or these puppet shops: Obchod loutkami (The Puppet Shop), Truhlář Marionety and Galerie Marionette, or Marionette Shop on Golden Lane.
Puppets also vary in theme. You can find everything from witches and wizards to political figures.
Wooden toys are also popular, and available at many souvenir shops, but also at weekend markets like Havel’s Market in the center of Prague.
Click here to buy.
7. Books
Like classical music CDs, you can never go wrong with buying a book as a souvenir from Prague. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is a great one to buy. Franz Kafka was born and lived most of his life in Prague, where he also wrote The Metamorphosis. In the Kafka Museum in Prague, you can also purchase other Kafka-related items: postcards, calendars, and other collectibles. You can also buy books written by Milan Kundera, Karel Capek, or Jaroslav Hasek.
Click here to buy.
8. Art Nouveau Paintings
Prague has had its fair share of famous inhabitants throughout the history, but very few surpass Alphonse Mucha. The work of this Art Nouveau painter can be found everywhere in Prague. He was one of the busiest and most iconic painters of his era (late 19th and early 20th century), doing a lot of his work in Prague and Paris. You can experience Mucha’s work first-hand in several interesting buildings throughout the city: The Alphonse Mucha Museum, Smetana Hall (The Municipal House), and the National Museum.
At the Alphonse Mucha Museum, you can buy a variety of different Mucha-inspired souvenirs: posters, greeting cards, trays, clips etc. Elsewhere in the city, you can also find wooden clocks, postcards, and beer mats.
Click here to buy.
9. Spa Wafers
Spa wafers are a special type of giant wafer cookies. They are very thin and large and can be found almost everywhere in Prague. They are usually produced manually and covered with a mixture of hazelnuts, vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar, and are among the traditional Czech specialties. Prague has its own original wafers called the Prague wafers. You can either buy them fresh from street vendors or look for them in grocery stores. You can also find spa wafers in Czech spa towns (hence their name), the most famous one being Karlovy Vary.
Click here to buy.
10. Tea and Tea Supplies
Czechs love their tea houses. This is something that many tourists don’t know, as they focus on the passionate beer drinking culture.
When in Prague, look for a sign with the word čajovny on it. In many bigger tea houses in Prague, you can sit down for a warm brew, but also purchase tea supplies: kettles, teacups, strainers etc.
Click here to buy.
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