Czech souvenirs, led by Bohemia crystal, rank among world's most popular

The Czech Republic's souvenirs are among the world’s most popular, a report by online marketplace Ubuy has found. The shopping platform conducted a study across 51 countries to identify the top 10 destinations renowned for their souvenirs, with Czechia ranking in the top 10, largely owing to its famous Bohemia crystal.

Ubuy's research assessed the most sought-after souvenirs from each country, assessing its cost, the volume of international tourists visiting these nations annually, earnings related to global tourism, and the projected revenue generated from the sales of souvenirs. 

Additionally, the study considered the frequency of searches in 2024 for each specific souvenir. The Czech Republic came in ninth overall in rankings based on souvenir popularity. Additionally, estimated Czech earnings from souvenir sales are USD 837 million (around CZK 19.4 billion), the fourth-highest amount out of all countries on the list.

The Czech Bohemia crystal, renowned for its craftsmanship, dates back to the 13th century. Its origins lie in medieval glassmaking, with local artisans drawing on natural resources like quartz and potash from nearby forests.

In the 17th century, Bohemian glassmakers perfected techniques, producing high-quality, hand-cut crystal that rivaled Venetian glass. That same century, Caspar Lehmann, a gem cutter for Emperor Rudolf II in Prague, pioneered the art of engraving on glass, transforming Bohemia crystal into a luxury good.

By the 18th century, Bohemia crystal became internationally acclaimed for its brilliance, intricate designs, and ability to be engraved or cut into ornate patterns and was highly sought after in European courts and wealthy households. Today, Bohemia crystal is most often found in vases, chandeliers, jewelry, and stemware such as wine glasses.

In terms of other popular Czech souvenirs, marionettes, garnet jewelry, traditional wooden toys, and Czech porcelain are also popular products for tourists visiting the country.

Czechia attracts over 30 million international tourists annually and earns about CZK 140 billion from tourists’ expenditures alone. According to Ubuy's data, there have been 29,356 Internet searches for Czech souvenirs so far in 2024.

Overall, France topped the shopping platform's souvenir rankings, with Eiffel Tower keychains rating as the most popular souvenir worldwide. Czech neighbor Poland earns the most money from souvenirs, however, with its amber-made products proving extremely popular.