Prague Markets

Abandon the stores and head to the stalls, with a little help from this basic guide to bargain hunting

Pražská tržnice v Holešovicích
(Prague Market at Holešovice)

Bubenské nábř. 306, Prague 7

Open: Mon to Fri 07:00 - 19:00; Sat 07:00 - 14:00

Venue Details

HOW TO GET THERE

Turn left out of the Vltavská metro station, heading away from the underpass, and walk straight down along the river, on Bubenské nábřeží, until you hit the big outdoor complex with a sign for the market on your left. You can’t miss it.

DETAILS

If you need to visit one market in Prague, this is it. With good public transport connections, it's well worth the visit. Overflowing with food, useless oddities, clothing, shoes, bits of electronics and probably just about everything else you could think of, you're sure to find everything you need, and come away with a bunch of extras that you don't.

Most of the clothing at this market consists of cheap imitations of name brands, most of it mind-numbingly ugly, but, if you have the time to scour the aisles and are able to bear the over-zealous stall-minders you may find a few gems tucked between those neon-yellow Hammer pants and the bright pink lacy number you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

The few pairs of highly-wearable jeans, one or two nice hoodies and a small selection of fairly cool shoes. Another plus is the location. There are number of other highly useful shops, including a branch of the clearance store Bankrot, in the neighborhood, plus restaurants. Need a break when you’re finished? I recommend Le Creperie, a cozy French café on Janovského 4 for a cup of coffee with whipped cream.

Tržnice Florenc

(Florenc Market)

Ústřední autobusové nádraží Praha Florenc, Křižíkova 2, Prague 8

Open: Mon to Fri 0600 - 18:00

Venue Details

HOW TO GET THERE

From Florenc metro, take the Autobusové nádraží (Bus Station) exit, and look for the covered stalls within a walled-in enclosure, underneath the Wilsonova underpass.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND

Sadly, this market is lacking in just about every department, unless you need a knife or, better yet, a knife with a lighter attached to it. Yes, that's right - they have knives of almost every shape, size, and color, most replete with a wide range of accoutrements.

Unfortunately, there's also no food - just a small selection of the usual assortment of clothing and shoes. If you tire of the flashy weaponry, take a break at the old man bar/kiosk tucked away in the market's back corner and enjoy a pint with the surly workers who drink there in droves at any time of the day.

Tržnice Pankrác

(Pankrác Market)

Na Pankráci 81/1693, Prague 4

Open: Mon to Fri 0800 - 1800; Sat 0800 - 1300

Venue Details

HOW TO GET THERE

It's just behind Pankrác metro station (line C) - you can't miss it.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND

A large indoor/outdoor market, probably second in size only to the one at Florenc. Once again, you'll find all the usual market treats - clothing, food, shoes, bags, underwear, plants, electronic parts and a few locally made products, like honey and cheese.

A plus side to this market is its used clothing stalls, located right at the back of the outdoor part of the grounds. Be prepared to fight for your purchases, however, as there are a number of pushy old women who wouldn't think twice about elbowing you in the ribs for that perfect find. Also, most of the clothing is dumped in heaps on tables or spread across blankets on the floor so it'll take a bit of manual labor to find what you're looking for. The prices are quite good so if you have the time, it's worth the struggle.

Bleší trh

(Flea Market)

Kolbenova, Praha 9

Open: Sat 07:00 - 14:00

HOW TO GET THERE

Turn right out of the Kolbenova metro station (line B), down the street of the same name, and cross to the other side. The market's in the old ČKD Trakce yard. There's a small gate and hut at the entrance; it costs 10 CZK to get in.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND

For all you garage sale junkies out there, this is the place! It's a massive, open-field extravaganza of antiques, clothes and new and used items of absolutely every sort. As a garage sale aficionado myself, I knew I'd hit the jackpot as soon as I saw the place.

Yes, I know it's difficult to get out of bed at such an ungodly hour on a Saturday but trust me, it's well worth the trouble. Check this out: I got a used Puma sweatshirt for 3 CZK, replacement razor blades (new ones, I assure you) for 100 CZK less than in the stores and a beer for 18 CZK at one of the market's lovely outdoor refreshment stands.

I would have bought much more if it hadn't been so bloody cold outside. Give yourself at least a couple of hours to get a good look at this place. I guarantee that you won't go away empty-handed.

Havelské tržiště

(Havelská Market)

Havelská 13, Prague 1

Open: Mon to Sun 10:00 - 18:00

Venue Details

HOW TO GET THERE

From the bottom of Wenceslas Square, follow Na Můstku street for one block.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND
Right in the centre of Old Town, this small assortment of stands will meet all of your inner tourist's needs. Clothes, mugs, fruit-and-vegetables, and those annoying motion-activated toys that let off strange sounds when you walk by are all sure to tempt you into talking a closer look. Just don't linger too long or you might walk away with some very unwanted Prague paraphernalia.

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