Where to shop

Nowadays there are many kinds of shops in the Czech Republic ranging from small shops to big shopping centers where you can get everything under one roof. The Czechs prefer to go shopping once a week, usually on Fridays, buying food for the following week. Hence the shops are crowded on Fridays and weekends as well.

The small shops are usually open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  and from 9 a.m. to noon on Sundays. The big supermarkets are open all the week round from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Some of the supermarkets are open non stop. If you don’t have any car available, there are often free buses going to big shopping malls.

In case you are demanding customer there are many branded shop especially in Prague. The most luxury street where all the luxury shops are situated is in Prague and is called Pařížská.

On the other hand, there are many second hand shops and even flea markets. The biggest one is in Prague open every weekend from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Kolbenova park (Prague 9).

Nowadays you can find most of the international shops like H&M, C&A, Marks&Spencer, Mango, etc. in the Czech Republic. Prices might be slightly higher than in the other European metropolies, especially concerning branded clothes. Generally, it is not bargain buying clothes in the CR. It is always better to do shopping in sales (after Christmas) when the prices are reduced.

For fresh fruit and vegetable go to some of the markets. There is always some in bigger towns. Although the tradition of markets is declining because of the EU directions, you still can find some traditional ones where you can get home made honey or pickles.

During Christmas there are always Christmas markets at the main squares of most of the cities like Prague, Brno or Olomouc. It is very traditional and you can always warm up with a cup of hot wine.

Prices of some basic commodities (in common supermarkets):
Bread                25 CZK (1 EUR)
Milk                15 CZK
Bottle of water        15 CZK
Hamburger (McDonald’s)    20 CZK
Bar of chocolate        20 CZK
1 Kg of apples            30 CZK