When should you come for the best shopping in Prague? It depends on what you are looking for. If you want the biggest choice, it is better to come one or two months before a new season starts. At this time, shops begin to sell new collections and have many items in stock.
If you want the cheapest prices, it is better to come one month after the season begins. This is when the big sales start. Usually, these discounts last for about a month.
Shopping in Prague – Malls or Streets: Which is better?
There are pros and cons to both ways of shopping in Prague.
Shopping in the Center In the city center, there are always a lot of people. however, the shops are very large, so they have a wider assortment of clothes. One way to avoid the crowds is to go shopping in the morning. Most shops open at 10:00 AM. At this time, there are very few people, and it is much more relaxing.
Shopping Malls Shopping malls offer many different brands in one place. However, the individual stores inside a mall are often smaller than the big shops on the street. This means they might have fewer items on display. A big advantage of malls is the food court. Almost every mall has a floor dedicated to restaurants and fast food.
My Advice: If you want to avoid crowds, go to the malls outside of the center on weekdays before 6:00 PM (18:00), these places are usually quiet. One thing to remember: in these quieter malls, the staff might not speak much English. You might need to use a translation app on your phone to communicate.
Popular Shopping Streets
In the center of Prague, there are several streets full of shops. The main street is Václavské náměstí (Wenceslas Square). You can find many famous fashion brands on both sides of the square, such as:
- Baťa: Famous Czech shoes and accessories.
- Gate: A very popular shop for trendy and affordable fashion.
- Marc O’Polo: High-quality casual clothes made from natural materials.
- Half Price: A shop with many brands at discounted prices.
- Marks & Spencer: British fashion and food.
- C&A: Affordable family fashion.
- Primark and New Yorker: Very popular with young people.
- Foot Locker and Office Shoes: Popular shops that sell many different brands of shoes and sneakers.
Most of these shops are large and have several floors. You will also find many smaller boutiques nearby.
Tip: On this square, you will also see many jewelry and watch shops. They sell everything from famous luxury watches (like Rolex) to beautiful Czech garnets and silver jewelry.
Shopping in Prague: Na Příkopě Street
Next to Wenceslas Square is another famous street called Na Příkopě. There are two shopping malls here: Černá Růže and Slovanský dům. These malls have many different stores inside.
But one of the most popular streets to shopping in Prague – Na Příkopě. This is the list of shops:
- Mango & Zara: Famous global fashion brands for women and men.
- Peek & Cloppenburg: A very large store that sells many different luxury and casual brands in one building.
- H&M: Located inside the shopping gallery but has a large entrance facing the street.
- Ecco, Skechers, and Högl: Great options for high-quality and comfortable shoes.
- Vlaska: A unique Czech brand. It is a great place to find local fashion and original designs that you won’t see in other countries.
- Lacoste: Known for premium sportswear and classic polo shirts.
- Michael Kors & United Colors of Benetton: Popular brands for more classical and colorful fashion.
At the end of Na Příkopě street, you will find Náměstí Republiky (Republic Square). This is where the huge Palladium shopping mall is located. It has over 200 shops and many restaurants.
Pařížská: The Luxury Street
If you love expensive luxury brands, go to Pařížská. It starts at Old Town Square and leads to the Vltava River. Here, you will find famous names like Prada, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton.
The Best Shopping Malls in Prague
If you prefer to have everything in one place, Prague has several large shopping malls. These are the best ones because they have the most shops and are easy to reach by Metro.
1. Palladium (City Center)
This is the most famous mall in Prague. It is in a beautiful historical building right in the center. It has 5 floors and more than 200 shops.
- Best for: People who are already in the center and want a mix of fashion and food.
- Location: Metro B (yellow line), stop Náměstí Republiky.
2. Westfield Chodov (The Biggest)
This is the largest shopping mall in the Czech Republic. It is very modern and has many famous brands that you won’t find in smaller malls. It also has a huge cinema and a very large food court.
- Best for: A full day of shopping. It has everything.
- Location: Metro C (red line), stop Chodov.
I don’t really like to shop here. It is too big and too crowded. Also, the shops are quite small, probably because the rent is very high. However, it is the only mall where you can find some of the luxury brands from Pařížská street and many others.
3. Nový Smíchov
This mall is very popular because it is close to the city center but feels less “touristy” than Palladium. It has a very large Tesco supermarket and many fashion brands like Zara and H&M.
- Best for: A quick shopping trip near the center.
- Location: Metro B (yellow line), stop Anděl.
Nový Smíchov is one of my favorite places for shopping. It is not far from the center, easy to get to, and has many shops that I like. It can be crowded, but if you go in the morning, it is a very good place to shop.
4. Centrum Černý Most
This is a very large, modern mall on the edge of the city. It is very spacious, so it usually feels less crowded than the ones in the center.
- Best for: Families and people who want a quieter shopping experience.
- Location: Metro B (yellow line), final stop Černý Most.
5. Metropole Zličín
This mall is smaller than Chodov but still has a great selection of shops. It is located right at the end of the Metro line, so it is very easy to find.
- Best for: People staying on the west side of Prague or near the airport.
- Location: Metro B (yellow line), final stop Zličín.
This is my favorite mall. It is quite big but not very crowded. The shops are spacious, and there are many places to sit and relax if you are waiting for someone or need to take a break.
Shopping in Prague: Outlets
If you want even bigger discounts (up to 70%), you should visit the outlets. These shops sell clothes from older collections at much lower prices.
- Fashion Arena Prague Outlet: This is the largest outlet in the Czech Republic. It has over 200 brands like Nike, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, and Lacoste. It is located in the Štěrboholy area.
- How to get there: Take Metro A to the final station, Depo Hostivař. From there, you can take a free shuttle bus that runs every 30 minutes.
- I prefer this outlet. It is nice and comfortable, and it has a great choice of brands. There is a food court and several places to get coffee or snacks. It is not very easy to get to, but it is worth the effort..
- POP Airport (Premium Outlet Prague Airport): This outlet is very close to the Václav Havel Airport. It is beautiful because the interior looks like the old streets of Prague. It is usually quieter than Fashion Arena.
- How to get there: Take a bus (like line 312 or 322) from the Bořislavka or Nádraží Veleslavín metro stations.
- Freeport Fashion Outlet: This outlet is not in Prague; it is on the border with Austria (near the city of Znojmo). It is very large and popular for a full day of shopping if you are traveling south from Prague.
Helpful Tips for Shopping in Prague:
- Tax-Free: If you are from a country outside the European Union, you can ask for a “Tax-Free” form. This allows you to get some of your money back at the airport.
- Opening Hours: Most malls and outlets are open every day from 10:00 to 20:00 (8:00 PM), including weekends.
