What would a vacation be without a souvenir? Without souvenirs for your loved ones?
In Prague, the choice is huge and the abundance inexhaustible. Whether you are looking for classic or traditional souvenirs, you can find everything here.
As in any city, Prague's landmarks and sights are available as souvenirs, many forms. Whether as a cup, plate, glass, postcard, poster, T-shirt, bag, magnet, pocket knife, or keychain, everything can be found.
But there are also the souvenirs that tell something about Prague and are typical for the city and the country.
We have collected a few ideas for souvenirs for you, some have an interesting story.
1. Bohemian Garnet
Garnet is a semi-precious stone that has been used as jewelry since ancient times. The color of garnets ranges from shades of green to yellow and orange to almost black-looking dark red, but the most famous are the red garnets.
The garnet is considered the Czech national gemstone. The so-called Bohemian garnet is distinctive because of its intense red color, is found only in the region of Bohemia and is exported worldwide.
It is said to help with grief and promote happy, carefree thoughts.
Pay attention to the certificate so that you do not get a fake.
2. Czech Porcelain
Porcelain production began in the Czech Republic at the end of the 18th century. The first Czech porcelain was produced near Karlovy Vary, where the mineral resources necessary for porcelain production were also mined.
Particularly famous are designs with the onion pattern or flowers, painted mainly in the traditional blue shade. The design with Czech geese arranged in pairs and decorated with blue bows enjoys high popularity.
Pink porcelain is usually decorated with gold leaf and flower arrangements.
Genuine Czech porcelain is not cheap and should be purchased from a trustworthy store, as many cheap fakes are also sold.
3. Bohemian Glass
Bohemian glass is cut and engraved by hand in many small factories throughout the country. Rich decorations make Bohemian glass unique. Besides glasses and vases, chandeliers and jewelry are also made from this material.
The name crystal is used in the Czech Republic for fine, high-quality glass that contains a certain amount of lead. This makes the crystal easier to engrave and highly reflective.
Moser glass is one of the most famous manufacturers of Bohemian glass. Unlike other manufacturers, Moser glass does not contain lead. Moser's elegantly furnished flagship store is located in Černá Růže Passage on Na Příkopě Street, and its décor is more reminiscent of a museum than a store. Here you can find a wide selection of hand-blown drinking glasses and decorative items.
Near Prague, there are five Czech glass and crystal factories that can be visited.
Souvenir stores throughout Prague offer Czech crystal from other manufacturers.
4. The Little Mole
Everyone in Prague knows the cute black guy with the gray bib and red nose. He is sweet and solves unpleasant problems with wit.
The Little Mole was invented in 1957 by the Prague cartoonist, Zdeněk Miler. Since then, he has been seen on Czech television for more than 50 years, and for more than 30 years as part of the "Mouse Broadcast." In total, the character has become known in more than 80 countries around the world.
He exists in every form, as a T-shirt, cuddly toy, ballpoint pen, mug, cooking apron, and much more.
The little mole, which is called "Krtek" in Czech, is Czech cultural property.
5. Puppets
The Prague Puppet Theater gained worldwide fame with the play " Spejbl and Hurvinek. " It was performed in 31 countries and 21 languages. The plays are a mixture of grotesque humor and everyday satire with their dialogues between the father, Spejbl, who is very convinced of himself, and his son Hurvínek, who upsets the father's self-conviction with appropriate questions.
The handmade marionettes made of wood or cardboard are intended more for demanding adults than for children. They come in all sizes and in a variety of themes, from witches and demons to cartoons, literary characters and political figures.
In Prague, they say that it is not the buyer who chooses the doll, but the doll who chooses the buyer….
6. Wooden Toys - Matryoshka Dolls
Czech Republic is famous for its toys and is considered the largest toy exporter in Europe. With the store Hamley's on Na Příkopě Street opened in 2016. It is the largest toy store in Central Europe.
Particularly famous are wooden toys from Prague, which are sold in numerous souvenir stores and weekly markets, such as Havel's Market in the center of Prague. The Matryoshka doll to stack one inside the other is probably the most famous, even though it is actually a Russian toy.
7. Alfons Mucha Poster
Alfons Mucha (1860-1939) was a Czech poster artist, graphic designer, illustrator, painter, and amateur photographer. In 1896, Alfons Mucha designed a poster for Sarah Bernhardt, one of the most famous actresses in Paris at the time, as Lady of the Camellias, which is often considered one of the early highlights of Art Nouveau poster art. He is considered one of the outstanding representatives of Art Nouveau.
In his late period, from 1911 to 1928, he created a monumental epic on the history of the Slavic peoples. He donated the Slavic Epic, a cycle consisting of 20 huge paintings, to the city of Prague upon completion.
Alfred Mucha is best known for his posters of beautiful women, reproductions of which are sold all over Prague. In the Mucha Museum store, you can find the largest selection.
8. Books
Czech prose is known far beyond the borders, including the works of Franz Kafka, Milan Kundera, and Jaroslav Hasek, whose most famous novel is "The Good Soldier Schwejk".
Many works of famous Czech literature can be purchased in Prague in German or English.
A nice souvenir for all literature-loving guests.
9. Classical Music
The Czech Republic has produced some famous composers. The development of Bedřich Smetana into a world-class talent in the mid-18th century was the birth of a national style that also produced Antonin Dvořák, who was discovered by Johannes Brahms at a composition contest in 1875. Later in the 20th century came Leoš Janáček and Bohuslav Martinů, who began composing at the age of 13.
CD's with the corresponding compositions are a good souvenir for all music-loving guests.
10. Beer Cosmetics
Beer cosmetics takes advantage of the moisturizing, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects of brewer's yeast and hop extracts on human skin. The vitamins contained in beer, especially vitamin B, support this positive effect.
Beer shampoos and hair balms, beer creams, beer bath salts, and much more are offered primarily by the leading Czech cosmetics brand, Manufaktura. While the products contain beer, they don't smell like it; instead, they have a slightly fruity, earthy aroma. Manufaktura stores can be found in shopping centers throughout Prague.
11. Kafka Souvenir
Those who come to Prague also visit the Kafka Museum. It's located right on the Vltava River very close to Charles Bridge. Franz Kafka was born in Prague and spent most of his life here. His famous work, "The Metamorphosis," was also written in Prague.
In the museum dedicated to him, you can admire original photos, letters, diaries, and much more. In the museum's souvenir store there are copies of them, as well as various Kafka-inspired souvenirs.
12. Prague Jesulein
The Prague Jesulein is one of the world's most famous images of Jesus. The 47-centimeter-high wooden statue, covered with a layer of colored wax, is the work of an unknown artist and is located in the Carmelite Monastery in Prague. Depicted is the infant Jesus, aged about 3 years, blessing with his right hand and holding in his left hand the orb with a cross, the symbol of world domination.
Souvenir stores sell replicas of this statue in different sizes and designs.
13. Karlovy Vary Wafers
The history of traditional Czech wafers dates back to 1856, when Karel Reitenberger began producing them on a large scale. The very thin wafers are covered by hand with an equally thin layer of cinnamon, sugar, hazelnuts and vanilla. They are also available in chocolate, vanilla, and various other flavors.
Karlovy Vary wafers are one of the traditional Czech specialties and are sold fresh at souvenir stands or packaged in supermarkets.
14. Short Wafers
Short wafers are a special kind of giant wafers, the best known are produced in the Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary, famous for its thermal springs.
Kurzwaffeln are at least as big as a dinner plate and are sold in a variety of flavors.
15. Beer
Beer - Pivo - is considered the national drink in the Czech Republic. Beer consumption per capita is the highest in the world at 159 liters per year. Thanks to internationally known brands such as Budweiser and Pilsner Urquell, Czech beer is world famous.
The degrees you read on beer refer to the original gravity:
So 10° beer has about 4% alcohol, 12° beer has about 5% alcohol.
One of the most famous Prague beers is Staropramen.
16. Becherovka
Becherovka is the famous herbal liqueur from Karlovy Vary with about 38% alcohol. The greenish-yellow herbal bitters has existed in this form for over 200 years. It is named after its inventor Josef Vitus Becher. The recipe is top secret but you can taste a little ginger. The drink is often drunk neat and iced.
17. Absinthe
Absinthe, also known as wormwood, is also called "The Green Fairy" because of its bright green color. Absinthe is made from wormwood, anise, fennel, and other various herbs and alcohol. The alcohol content is usually very high, between 45% and 89% alcohol.
Since it develops its full flavor only in combination with water, absinthe is not drunk pure, but diluted with water. Absinthe is said to have a euphoric, intoxicating, and stimulating effect, which can lead to hallucinations if consumed in excess.
In the Czech Republic, absinthe is a cultural asset.
18. Czech Wines
Wine growing in the Czech Republic looks back on a thousand-year tradition. Both sweet and dry wines are grown and South Moravia is the most important wine region of the country. There are red wines like Svatovavrinecké - St. Laurent and Frankovka - Blaufränkisch and white wines like Ryzlink vlašský - Welsch riesling and Veltlínské zelené - Green Valtellina.
Please do not forget to inquire about customs and import regulations for your country before purchasing alcoholic beverages.