Westfield Chodov: The Best Shopping Mall in Prague

Shopping in Prague: The Complete Guide to Westfield Chodov, the City's Biggest Mall

Planning some shopping in Prague and keep hearing the same advice? "Go to Chodov." There is a good reason for that. But before you spend a whole day in an enormous mall you have never seen, there are a few things worth knowing that will save you time, money, and the frustration of wandering for an hour with no idea where to go. Among other things, you will find out where to eat properly inside the mall, which store hides dozens of premium fashion brands under one roof, and how to walk out of the supermarket with authentic Czech souvenirs at a fraction of what you would pay in the Old Town.

Westfield Chodov, formerly known as Centrum Chodov, is not just another suburban shopping center. It is one of the largest malls in the entire Czech Republic, home to more than 250 stores and businesses, a food court that could feed a small town, and a full hypermarket where locals do their weekly shopping. It sits in the southeast of Prague, in the Prague 11 district, far enough from the tourist center to keep prices reasonable, and close enough that you can reach it by metro in under twenty minutes.

This guide walks you through everything step by step, from the moment you exit the metro to the last bite of your meal. Read to the end, because the most useful parts, the VAT refund for tourists and the ready made day plan, are waiting further down.

Westfield Chodov

Why Westfield Chodov, and not another Prague mall?

Prague has several large malls, so it is fair to ask why you should choose Chodov. Here is the honest answer.

Palladium sits right in the heart of the city near Republic Square, which is convenient if you are already exploring the center, but it is smaller, more crowded, and surrounded by higher prices. Arkády Pankrác and Nový Smíchov are decent options, but more limited in variety. Westfield Chodov, compared to all of them, is simply the biggest and most complete. If you want one place that has nearly every brand, real dining variety, a full hypermarket, and easy parking, Chodov wins by a wide margin.

There is also a less obvious advantage. Because Chodov is not in the tourist center, the crowd is mostly local, the prices are realistic, and the atmosphere is relaxed. You are not squeezed between hundreds of tourists, and you are not paying a premium on every coffee just because you are next to Charles Bridge. That makes it the smart choice for anyone who comes to actually shop, and not only to take photos.

How to get to Westfield Chodov

The accessibility of Chodov is one of the main reasons for its popularity, and it could not be simpler.

By metro, the recommended way

The red metro line (Line C) stops at Chodov station, located right next to the mall entrance. You exit the station and walk almost directly into the building, with no long walk and no road crossing. From the center, for example from Muzeum or I.P. Pavlova station, the ride takes about fifteen to twenty minutes. This is the fastest, cheapest, and easiest way, and I recommend it to anyone without a car.

A small tip for visitors coming from the center: buy a public transport ticket in advance, either at the ticket machines in the stations or through the PID Lítačka app. It saves money and hassle, especially if you plan to return loaded with bags.

By car

Chodov has an enormous parking complex, both underground and above ground, with thousands of spaces. Usually the first hour or two are free (this changes with promotions, so read the signage at the entrance), and after that you pay by the hour. The complex is easy to reach from the Prague ring road, Pražský okruh, so if you are arriving from outside the city, say from the airport or an intercity trip, you drive straight to the parking without dealing with the traffic in the center.

By taxi or ride apps

Bolt and Uber are very active in Prague, relatively cheap, and reach Chodov quickly. If you are traveling in a group or returning with a lot of shopping, this is often the most sensible choice, financially too.

Opening hours, and the best time to visit

The mall is generally open from nine in the morning until nine in the evening, almost every day of the week, including weekends. The Albert hypermarket inside opens even earlier, from seven in the morning until ten at night. That said, certain Czech public holidays require large stores to close by law, and Sunday hours can occasionally differ. If you plan to visit on a holiday or a special date, it is worth checking in advance on the official site, chodov.cz.

When is it most pleasant? If you want to avoid the peak, skip weekday lunch hours, when office workers from the area fill the food court, and weekend afternoons, which are the busiest time for local families. A weekday morning is the quietest and most pleasant time, especially if you want to try on clothes in peace or sit down to eat without a queue.

Fashion and high street brands: you will find almost everything here

Chodov is home to most of the big brands you already know from across Europe, which is one of the reasons that people searching for where to shop in Prague come here rather than staying only in the tourist streets, where prices are inflated and the selection is thin.

The fashion lineup includes all the usual names: Zara, H&M, Bershka, Pull and Bear, Stradivarius, Mango, Reserved, C&A, New Yorker, COS, Massimo Dutti, Marks and Spencer, GAP, Cropp, House, and more. Alongside them you will find large footwear stores such as Baťa, CCC, Deichmann, Humanic, Office Shoes, Ecco, and Geox, plus bags and accessories.

And speaking of deals, here is a local tip worth gold. The Czech Republic has two main sale seasons. The words worth knowing are Sleva (discount) and Výprodej (end of season clearance). The strong seasons are January to February, right after Christmas, and July to August, the end of the summer season. If your trip falls in one of these windows, you may find discounts of tens of percent on well known brands.

Peek and Cloppenburg: the must visit for premium fashion

If the fast fashion chains are not enough for you, Chodov has one clear address. Peek and Cloppenburg is a large and respected German fashion retailer that works like a department store of brands. Instead of one store for one brand, you get a large space that gathers dozens of quality and premium fashion brands under one roof, for both men and women. Coats, suits, dresses, shoes, and accessories from international designers, many of them at a more comfortable price than you would pay for the same item in the tourist center. If you only have half an hour to spend on the luxury side of the mall, start right here. This is one of the stores that makes people come back to Chodov again and again.

Luxury and designer brands

Many visitors are surprised to learn just how much premium and designer shopping Chodov actually offers. This is not only a high street mall.

Among the designer names you will find Dior, Karl Lagerfeld, Boss, Hugo, Michael Kors, Bogner, Woolrich, Weekend Max Mara, Sandro, Maje, Gant, Guess, Diesel, Lacoste, and Marc O'Polo. For jewelry and watches there is Swarovski, Pandora, Klenoty Aurum, Alo Diamonds, and several local jewelers. For beauty and fragrance, Sephora and Douglas carry not only the standard lines but also luxury houses, and there is a dedicated Jo Malone boutique as well as Estée Lauder and MAC.

There is also a layer worth seeking out, the local touch. Over the years the mall has woven in smaller Czech and boutique concepts, with pieces you will not find anywhere else in the world. If you are looking for a genuinely original gift, or a real Czech item rather than a mass tourist souvenir, it is worth slowing down and taking a look. These are exactly the things that separate someone who went shopping from someone who found something special.

Sport, electronics, and home: more than just clothes

Chodov is far more than a fashion mall, which is one of the reasons you can easily spend a full day there.

For sport there are large stores such as Sportisimo, Intersport, Nike, Under Armour, Foot Locker, Peak Performance, Fjällräven, and Alpine Pro. They are excellent for any sports gear, but also simply if your comfortable walking shoes have given out in the middle of touring Prague, which happens far more often than people expect on the cobblestones of the Old Town.

For electronics you will find the large Datart, the iSTYLE Apple Premium Partner for Apple products, and Samsung. For home and design there is Butlers, Bonami, Zara Home, Tescoma, and Potten and Pannen. And if you need a local SIM card for your visit, the mobile operators O2, T-Mobile, and Vodafone are all here. There is even a Cinema City multiplex inside the mall, so you can finish a shopping day with a film.

By now you roughly know what to expect from a big mall. But here comes the part that actually makes people plan their day around Chodov, and it has nothing to do with clothes.

KOBE and the food court: real dining, not just a snack

This is the surprise that most tourists, and frankly some locals too, do not know about. Inside Westfield Chodov there is a proper sit down restaurant called KOBE, an upscale Asian fusion restaurant known for sushi and high quality dishes, a clear step above the usual food court fare. If you want a real meal rather than a quick bite, after a day of shopping, this is where to sit down.

That said, the food court at Chodov is one of the largest in any Prague mall, and there is an option for nearly every taste and budget.

Fans of Asian cuisine will find Vietnamese, Chinese, and sushi counters, many with bento boxes, stir fried noodles, and fresh sushi at a comfortable and filling price. Alongside them are Italian style pizza stands, burger chains, and of course McDonald's and KFC for the kids who insist on the familiar.

But if you are in Prague, do not miss the stands serving local Czech food. Here you can taste a rich beef goulash, roast duck, the traditional Czech knedlíky dumplings, and smažený sýr, that fried cheese in a crispy coating that is a true local classic. It is a wonderful chance to taste Czech food without hunting for a special restaurant.

And for anyone who just wants to rest for a moment, there are cafes throughout the mall, including familiar names, along with local bakeries serving fresh pastries. Food court prices are far more comfortable than the tourist restaurants in the center, and it is one of the smartest meals you will have in Prague in terms of value for money.

The supermarket: Prague's cheap souvenir secret

This is one of the best tips I can give you, and most tourists miss it completely. At the heart of the mall there is a large hypermarket, Albert, the biggest hypermarket chain in the Czech Republic. It is not just a place for weekly groceries, it is a gold mine of souvenirs at real prices.

Instead of paying an inflated price for Czech beer in a souvenir shop in the Old Town, here you can buy bottles of Pilsner Urquell, Budvar, and even local craft beers at a fraction of the tourist price. The same principle applies to Czech chocolate, traditional wafers, tea, spices, and local sweets that make wonderful gifts. Add the fact that there are self checkout tills for small purchases, and you have a simple way to fill a suitcase with authentic souvenirs without overspending.

It is also worth knowing that there is a pharmacy, Lékárna in Czech, within the mall. If you need basic medicine, plasters, or something for a child in the middle of the day, it is a convenient solution that does not require searching the city.

VAT refund for tourists: money that comes back to you

This is the part I told you to wait for, and it can put real money back in your pocket. The Czech Republic is a member of the European Union, and tourists who are not EU residents are entitled, under certain conditions, to a refund of the value added tax, the Tax Free, on their purchases.

Here is how it works in brief. If you shop at a participating store above a certain minimum amount, you can ask the cashier for a Tax Free Form. Keep it together with your receipts. When you leave the European Union, usually at the airport, you present the forms, the receipts, and the goods, receive a customs stamp, and then submit for the refund. The refund can be in cash at an airport desk, or credited to your card.

A few things worth knowing. Not every store participates in the program, so it is best to ask at the till before paying. Keep the goods packed and the receipts organized until you clear customs. And arrive at the airport with a time margin, because the refund bureaucracy takes time during busy hours. For larger fashion purchases, especially at Peek and Cloppenburg or on luxury brands, the refund can add up to a nice sum. Always verify the current conditions and thresholds, as they change from time to time.

Visiting with children and families

If you are arriving with a family, Chodov is one of the most convenient places in Prague, and that is not a given in an old city with many stairs and cobblestones.

The mall is fully accessible with a stroller, there are elevators on every floor, wide seating areas, and changing facilities. The large food court suits families, with enough space and variety so that everyone, from the youngest child to the grandparents, finds something. Nearby there are also toy stores and children's fashion, so if the kids get bored while you shop, there are solutions. In short, it is a place that lets you have a real shopping day without the kids ruining it, and that is worth a lot.

A ready made day plan for Westfield Chodov

So that you do not have to plan it alone, here is a sensible plan for a day that starts in the morning and ends in the afternoon.

Arrive in the morning, around ten, while the mall is still quiet and pleasant. Start with the fashion floor, while your energy and patience are still with you, and go through the chains that interest you. Set aside time for Peek and Cloppenburg, which deserves some patience given the volume of items. If you are in a sale season, look for the Sleva signs.

Toward midday, before the crowd arrives, sit down to eat. If you feel like treating yourself, this is the time for KOBE, and if you want something quicker and cheaper, browse the food court stands and taste local Czech food. After the meal, when your energy returns, move on to electronics, sport, and home goods, the categories that require fewer fitting rooms and more decision making.

Toward the end, reserve time for the Albert supermarket for cheap souvenirs, beer, chocolate, and spices. And if you made large purchases and qualify for a VAT refund, make sure all your forms and receipts are organized for your departure from the country. You are done, and now you can hop on the metro or order a Bolt back to your hotel, loaded and satisfied.

Final tips before you go

Plan your time seriously. The mall is large, and if you want to both shop in peace and eat, three to four hours is a reasonable minimum. Do not arrive fifteen minutes before you need to leave.

As for payments, the Czech Republic is a very digital country, and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. That said, it is worth keeping a little cash in Czech koruna for small food court stands and parking. Note that many stores accept euros, but the exchange rate is usually less favorable than paying directly in koruna.

And finally, if you bought a lot, especially heavy items like bottles of beer or wine from the supermarket, do not be shy about taking a taxi back instead of carrying everything on the metro platforms. The price is reasonable, and your back will thank you.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Westfield Chodov located? At Roztylská 2321/19 in the Prague 11 district, in the southeast of the city. It is directly connected to the Chodov metro station on the red Line C.

How do I get to Chodov mall from the center of Prague? The easiest way is the metro yellow Line C to Chodov station, about fifteen to twenty minutes from the center. You can also drive, with large free parking for the first hour or two, or take a Bolt or Uber.

What are the opening hours? The mall is generally open from nine in the morning until nine in the evening. The Albert hypermarket inside is open from seven in the morning until ten at night. Hours can differ on Czech public holidays.

Is Westfield Chodov good for luxury shopping? Yes. It carries designer brands including Dior, Boss, Hugo, Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors, Weekend Max Mara, Sandro, and Maje, plus the Peek and Cloppenburg department store of brands.

Can tourists get a VAT refund at Chodov? Non EU residents can claim a VAT refund (Tax Free) on qualifying purchases. Ask the cashier for a Tax Free Form, keep your receipts, and get a customs stamp when you leave the EU, usually at the airport.

In summary: why Chodov is the right answer for shopping in Prague

You made it to the end, and now you know what most guides to shopping in Prague do not bother to tell you. Westfield Chodov is not only a place to buy cheap jeans and face cream. It is a place where you can spend a whole day, from Zara to Peek and Cloppenburg, from the cheap Albert hypermarket to a proper sit down meal at KOBE, and even walk out with a VAT refund in your pocket.

Westfield Chodov fits perfectly as an independent day in your trip plan, or as a half day combined with something else in the area. The combination of international chains, premium fashion, luxury corners and local boutiques, a varied food court, and a real supermarket, all under one roof with excellent metro access, makes it a destination you cannot skip. If you planned some shopping in Prague and were still unsure where to go, here is your answer.

Have a great trip, and come back with a full suitcase.

The Complete Store List: Westfield Chodov (Prague's Biggest Mall)

Source: the mall's official website. Total of 251 stores and businesses. The list is organized into categories for convenience. Store names appear in their original form, exactly as they are shown in the mall.

Note: the mall is now officially called Westfield Chodov (formerly Centrum Chodov). Address: Roztylská 2321/19, Prague 11.

Fashion (Women, Men, General)

AFIFI, ANSON'S, ANTHONY'S, BLAZEK, BOGNER, BOSS, BUSHMAN, C&A, Calvin Klein Jeans, Calvin Klein Underwear, COS, CROPP, DIESEL, DUOS, ETAM Lingerie, FALCONERI, FUNNY SASSY, GANT, GAP, GUESS, HOUSE, HUGO, Intimissimi, Jack & Jones, KARA, KARL LAGERFELD, KENNETH COLE, KSISTERS, LACOSTE, Levi's Store, LINDEX, MAJE, MANGO, MANGO MAN, MARC O'POLO, Mark Pjetri, MARKS and SPENCER, Massimo Dutti, MAVUE, MICHAEL KORS, MOHITO, MONDO, NEW YORKER, Oysho, PEAK PERFORMANCE, Peek & Cloppenburg, PME LEGEND, PULL AND BEAR, REPLAY, RESERVED, SANDRO, Simone Pérèle, S'PORTOFINO, STEILMANN, Stradivarius, TATUUM, TEZENIS, TOMMY HILFIGER, TRIUMPH, UARECO, UNCS, Victoria's Secret, Weekend Max Mara, WOOLRICH, ZARA

Luxury and Designer Brands (worth highlighting for premium shoppers)

DIOR, KARL LAGERFELD, BOSS, HUGO, BOGNER, WOOLRICH, Weekend Max Mara, MICHAEL KORS, Massimo Dutti, COS, SANDRO, MAJE, GANT, GUESS, DIESEL, LACOSTE, MARC O'POLO, FALCONERI, Peek & Cloppenburg, JO MALONE, ESTEE LAUDER

Shoes and Bags

BAŤA, CCC, CROCS, DEICHMANN, ECCO, EOBUV.CZ, GEOX, HOGL, HUMANIC, KEEN, OFFICE SHOES, RIEKER, SAMSONITE, SKECHERS, VASKY, Foot Locker

Sport and Outdoor

ALPINE PRO, DAFIT, FJÄLL RÄVEN, Foot Locker, INTERSPORT, NEBBIA, NIKE STORE, NORDBLANC, NUTREND, ODLO, PEAK PERFORMANCE, SPORT VISION, SPORTISIMO, UNDER ARMOUR

Jewelry and Watches

ALO Diamonds, APART, AURELA Jewelry, BIJOU BRIGITTE, KLENOTY AURIOR, KLENOTY AURUM, KLENOTY JOLLEO, PANDORA, PANOYAN JEWELLERY, PRINCESS JEWELLERY, RÝDL Jewelry, SWAROVSKI, VIVANTIS, YES JEWELLERY, ZEN DIAMOND

Beauty, Cosmetics and Fragrance

BATH & BODY WORKS, BLISS, CURAPROX, DOUGLAS, ESTEE LAUDER, FAnn Beauty Atelier, JO MALONE, KIKO MILANO, L'OCCITANE, LUSH, MAC, MANUFAKTURA, MOOYYY, NOTINO, OXALIS DESSOUS, PROFIMED, RITUALS, SEPHORA, Valmont, YVES ROCHER

Health, Pharmacy and Optics

BENU Pharmacy, BENU Pharmacy M, BJUT by Dr. Max, Dr. Max Box, FIELMANN (optics), GRANDOPTICAL (optics), HAVLÍKOVA Natural Apothecary, EUROPLASMA (donation center)

Electronics, Mobile and Photo

DATART, iSTYLE Apple Premium Partner, SAMSUNG, Smarty JRC, O2, T-MOBILE, VODAFONE, Vodafone PLAYzone Arena, IQOS kiosk, IQOS store, VAPESTYLE, SELFIE SHOP, CEWE (photo)

Home, Kitchen and Design

BONAMI, BUTLERS, IKEA Planning Studio, KAMALION, MOJE KREDENC, POTTEN & PANNEN – Staněk, SCANquilt, TEFAL, TESCOMA, Zara Home

Toys, Kids, Books, Gifts and Hobbies

ALBI, ALBI PÁRTY, BAMBULE, BIBELOT, BRIGHT, BUZZ, Comics Point, FLYING TIGER COPENHAGEN, FOKUS, INSPIRATION STORE, KITIKATE (baby), LEGO, LUXOR Bookstore, MCPEN Stationery, MOMENT, PAPÍRNICTVÍ AKM (stationery), PARTY Celebrations & Carnival, RELAX, RŮŽOVÝ SLON, Time Out kids corner, Veselá Veverka, Yankee Candle, CITYZEN, CHANTALL, COMTESSA

Food, Supermarket and Specialty Grocery

ALBERT HYPERMARKET (main hypermarket), ASIAN SHOP, DELMART SUPERMARKET, GURMETUM, Jakub Vobořil chocolatier, LINDT (chocolate), MEZINÁRODNÍ POTRAVINY (international food), MINIMUM WASTE, OXALIS Tea & Coffee, NESPRESSO BOUTIQUE (coffee), PEKÁRNA KABÁT (bakery), RODINNÁ FARMA (family farm), ŘEZNICTVÍ MÚÚÚ (butcher), WATERDROP, GECO TABÁK (tobacco)

Banks, Money and Postal Services

AIR BANK, ČESKÁ SPOŘITELNA, ČSOB, KOMERČNÍ BANKA, mBank, MONETA Money Bank, RAIFFEISENBANK, Currency Exchange (Směnárna), Czech Post, DHL Box

Travel Agencies

BLUE STYLE, CK ČEDOK, CK FISCHER, EXIM tours, INVIA, TUI

Services (Hair, Nails, Cleaning, Repairs and more)

Automyčka Express (car wash), CLICK & SERVICES, COPY CENTRUM, Dry Cleaning (Čistírna Prádelna), iLoveServis, KADEŘNICTVÍ KLIER (hair salon), Tailoring Services (Krejčovské služby), NAIL JARDIN, NAILOUNGE, Original Barber Point, THE ORIGINAL BARBER, PROFIMED, QUICKWASH (laundry & cleaning), PET CENTER (pet supplies), ALLWYN, FORTUNA (betting)

Entertainment and Culture

Cinema City (cinema), Vodafone PLAYzone Arena (gaming), Time Out kids corner, Prague Municipal Library self service point

Information and Institutions

INFO POINT, Municipal Police

Please note: store identity, opening hours, parking rates, VAT refund details, and sale seasons may change from time to time. Before visiting, and especially close to holidays, it is recommended to verify the current details on the official site,https://www.westfield.com/cz/czech-republic/chodov