The Czech Republic is very famous for its long tradition in glass making, Czech crystal is something absolutely world unique. Also, jewelry, especially Czech garnets, is a very popular gift from the Czech Republic. But there are also other original and less known things you can bring back home as great souvenirs from Prague.
My name is Dana and I am a licenced Prague guide designing original (less touristy) tours of Prague downtown. With my services I strive to support sustainable and responsible tourism in Prague. No mass tourism. Besides guiding, I am also blogging about my hometown. Especially about all the less known things related to Prague tourism. Today about souvenirs and gifts from Prague.
You can skip this if you are a fridge magnet person
I´ve traveled a lot myself and never been a „fridge magnet“ person. I always wanted to bring back home something authentic or unusual. Something what locals consider to be great. Not what souvenir shop owners think we should buy.
So, the first thing you need to do before your “souvenir hunt” in Prague, is to avoid the touristy places full of “I love Prague” T-shirts and fake absinthe bottles. Done? Welcome back to the real world. This is my personal shopping guide for what is worth buying while in Prague. With the Made in the Czech Republic label!
1. Net bags: did you know they are originally from the Czechoslovakia?
Really! Net bag was invented in Czechoslovakia in 1926. By Mr. Vavřín Krčil, who had a successful business with hair nets (fine nets worn over long hair to hold it in place during sleeping), which he even exported abroad. However, later short hair came into fashion and he basically didn´t have enough customers. So, he got the idea to attach two handles to his hair nets and voilá, the very first net bag was born.
Now, when single use plastic bags are completely out of fashion, net bags are extremely popular again. Get your first one in Prague. Practical, light, uncreasable and affordable souvenir from Prague.
Price: around 300 – 400 CZK (15 euro). The original Czech net bag (hand-made) you can get in one glass shop on Mostecká street, this is a street leading from Charles bridge. Address: Bohemia Crystal shop Malostranské náměstí 272/1, Prague 1. The shop is rather a souvenir shop but they have a huge selection of the net bags (on the top shelves above the counter). My recent discovery! Sometime my clients ask me to stop there during my tours. So I do!! See the happy face in the picture!
2. Rybička: Cute Czech pocket knife every Czech has at home
Rybička (“little fish”) is a cute pocket knife with a handle shaped like a fish. We all had one when we were kids. Not for defense or fights but for cutting things like branches, mushrooms, fruit, veggies or to spread butter over bread when camping. This is an absolutely cult Czech thing even nowadays. Like Swiss army knifes in Switzerland. The difference between these two knifes is that our Rybička only has two functions: to cut and to be cute.
Price: ca 180 CZK (7 euro). Where to buy it? The best location downtown is DIY shop Kutil Florenc, Sokolská 7, Prague 8. Or a shop close to Charles Bridge called U Mostu Souvenir Shop.
3. Alpa: healing souvenir from a pharmacy
Alpa is a beloved Czech product with a century-old tradition. This natural herbal embrocation is one I personally rely on whenever my legs feel fatigued from long days of guiding. The formula consists of an alcoholic solution infused with essential oils, volatile oils, aromatic substances, 19 different herbs, and natural menthol. It comes in a vintage glass bottle, and its design and recipe have remained unchanged since my grandparents’ childhood:-)
Alpa serves various purposes, including:
- Massaging sore muscles and rheumatic pain
- Providing relief after hiking
- Disinfecting and serving as a mouthwash
- Reducing foot perspiration
- Alleviating discomfort in joints and muscles
You can find it at any drugstore or pharmacy, making it an excellent choice not just as a souvenir from Prague, but also for your personal use after a day of walking and sightseeing.
Price: 60 CZK (2.50 euro). Where to buy it? In every drug store or pharmacy.
4. Deelive: Czech design from local artists
If you are into fresh young design, I can highly recommend you Deelive design store offering original products of up & coming Czech / Slovak designers (glass, jewelry, 3D prints, clothing, porcelain, accessories, cosmetics, bags and much more). If you want to support the young generation of local designers, pay it a visit. The Deelive design store is conveniently situated just a five-minute walk from Charles Bridge.
Address: Smetanovo nábřeží 334/4, Prague 1. Here are my top recommendations for purchases: consider the 3D printed vases (very light, durable and original) created by my former university mate, Martin Žampach. Additionally, I highly recommend the jewelry by Janja Prokič and the artisanal, natural cosmetics from JAGAIA.
5. Herbal tea made of the national tree of the Czech Republic
Souvenirs from Prague can be very healthy! Linden tree (Tilia) is a national tree of the Czech Republic. It´s a symbol of love, protection and help. When lindens are blooming, we pick the blossoms, dry them and make healthy herbal tea from them.
Linden tea cures fever, helps with breathing problems or soothes when you have a flu. Linden tea is delicious with honey and a few drops of lemon. Lovely winter drink for cozy evenings at home.
You can buy the dry blossoms in a small herbal shop close to Old Town square at Herbata, address: Dlouhá 612/6, Prague 1. Linden tea in Czech is called “lipový čaj”. Another option is shop called Sonnentor located close to Wenceslas Square or shop Country Life close to the Old Town Square.
Price: ca 100 CZK (4 euro)
6. Souvenirs from Prague supermarkets
Totally last minute thing. But why not. Affordable and easy to pack. One of the best souvenirs from Prague are the local retro sweets. For example Piknik (condensed milk packed in a metal “toothpaste” tube) or Antiperle (Czech Tic-Tac from the communism times). Or Metro dessert – a special dessert designed for Prague metro opening in 1974!!! You can buy them in every supermarket (Billa, Albert, Tesco, Žabka). They cost less than 2 euro! To learn more about them, please check my other blog post called Traditional and fun Czech sweets.
Or a blog about Metro dessert: Fun and cult Prague pastry designed for Prague metro opening.
7. Knitted socks from Czech grannies
What can be a more original and practical gift from Prague than 100% hand-made warm socks from local grandmoms. Czech grannies love knitting and by buying their socks, you support organization called Elpida. Elpida empowers seniors to become valued members of society.
One of its initiatives, Socks from Grandma, provides meaningful work and a sense of purpose to 200 of Czech knitters while also supporting the Elpida Education and Cultural Centre. This unique space offers seniors the opportunity to learn languages, navigate computers and smartphones, take history and science classes, attend art courses, and much more!
Elpida even run their own café, where grandmothers and grandfathers work as baristas. It’s called Stará škola café, and you’re warmly invited to stop by, have a coffee and buy the socks!!!
Address: Na Bělidle 34, 150 00 Praha 5-Anděl or you can also order the socks online and come to pick them up.
But now back to the socks! The socks are made of unused cotton (recycled) and wrapped in paper / paper boxes! On each pair your will also find a name of the grandma who made your socks! Besides the sock they also knit baby sets (socks and caps) and handbags.
8. Jewelry made of old stage of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Upcycling in the practice. Amazing idea and absolutely authentic and original gift from Prague. A few months ago, the stage of Dvořák’s Hall at Rudolfinum, the esteemed home of the world-renowned Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, was renovated.. Can you imagine the pile of wood? Wood with a story, recalling memories of thousands of concerts. Talented Czech artisans crafted a limited edition collection of jewelry and accessories. Every piece is 100% unique and distinct. Made of the old stage.
Price: 800 – 3000 CZK.
Where to buy: within the Rudolfinum building, the gift shop is open daily from 2 PM to 6 PM. In addition to the jewelry available, you can find unique souvenirs crafted from upcycled banners, posters, and paper programs. Options include banana bags, notepads, and tote bags, all made from materials that previously served various purposes in the Rudolfinum. This shop offers a truly original experience worth exploring—no mass-produced trinkets from China here! Please ask the staff what each peace is made of and what is the meaning behind it. They have such original ideas!!
9. Honey made by a member of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
In the above paragraph I was writing about the Czech Philharmonic Orchersta and here we go again! On the Rudolfinum building you can find beehives! According to regular laboratory research, the local bees are producing high quality honey. Because they are only flying to the nearby parks Letná, and Petřín – places without pesticides. The main bee-keper is Mr. Vácha, viola player of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. The philharmonic honey you can purchase right inside Rudolfinum. Still available for 100 CZK in their gift shop!
Price: ca 100 CZK
10. Perfumed Prague: artisanal candles crafted in a workshop resembling an old pharmacy.
Nestled in a quaint back alley near Charles Bridge, a charming workshop known as Perfumed Prague specializes in hand-made candles, perfumes and interior perfumes. As you step inside this intimate space, you’ll find yourself surrounded by vintage pharmacy jars and enchanting scents. It feels like a blend of an antique pharmacy, a perfumery, and an alchemist’s workshop. However, there’s no need to worry about chemistry or harmful artificial ingredients – they only work with natural ingrediets and vegan / cruelty-free soy wax.
They now provide an impressive range of perfumes that are unisex, vegan, and cruelty-free. I selected Menton, which comes in a glass bottle and features a lid crafted from rice peels. Menton is a charming town on the French Riviera, where the shop owner completed a perfumery course.
The owner is always present there and writes all the candle labels manually on a historical typewriter. And yes, you can take these candles on the plane. I brought them last year to Italy as a gift and had absolutely no problem with carry on luggage. My tip: before visiting this workshop, please always check the opening hours and updates on Facebook / Instagram, they also organize various private workshops and the shop might be closed.
Where to find Perfumed Prague? They have two locations.
Downtown, close to Charles Bridge: address Karoliny Světlé 285/20, Prague 1
Prague 7: Milady Horákové 51, Prague 7 Holešovice
11. Last minute gifts: Prague Airport Terminal 2, a special shop with local products
In case you really don´t have time for shopping, there is still a great place where you can get some unique local gifts. Prague Airport, yeah! I just recently discovered this place on my way to Rome. If you are leaving from Terminal 2, there is a shop called Future is local where you can buy Czech cosmetics, jewelery, glass, clothing, toys…all in one place.
Future is local is conveniently located right next to the gates, so there’s no need to worry about liquids—it’s accessible after you pass through the security check! I highly recommend checking brands Kama (sustainable functional sport wear), Ababu (toys), Smyssly, Klara Rott (cosmetics), Klimchi (glass), Studio Malíská (porcelain), Lukáš Jabůrek (glass). It´s neighboring with a bit cheesy souvenir shop, so make sure you come to the right one:-)
Dana, owner and guide for Prague Behind The Scenes | small-group tours and experiences.
If you enjoy my content, you can also support my small business by treating me to a virtual coffee. I truly appreciate your generosity and wish you a wonderful time in my hometown.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or wish to see Prague in a more authentic way with me: dana@praguebehindthescenes.com
Where to next?
Where to exchange money in Prague (and how much)?
How to read the Astronomical Clock in Prague?
Metro dessert: cult Prague pastry undiscovered by travel bloggers!!!
5 original Czech drinks you have never heard about: what is mashroom, concrete or BMW?
4 Ideas for how to spend a rainy day in Prague.
Small-group tour of Prague with Dana from Prague Behind The Scenes