Traditions and customs in Prague

1. Beer hall culture

The Czechs drink more beer per head than anyone else. In a traditional hall a fresh glass arrives until you put a beer mat on top.

• Tip: Ask for the tab at the end; the waiter tracks your marks on a slip left on the table.

2. Christmas markets

Old Town and Wenceslas squares fill with wooden stalls, trdelník and hot wine through Advent.

• Best time: Late November to early January

3. Puppetry

Czech marionette theatre is UNESCO-listed, with a long tradition of political satire under successive regimes.

4. Bohemian glass and garnet

Long-established crystal and deep-red garnet jewellery, both heavily counterfeited in tourist shops.

• Tip: Genuine Czech garnet comes with a certificate. Ask for it before buying.

5. Easter pomlázka

A braided willow whip and decorated eggs, in a spring custom that visitors usually find odder than locals do.

• Best time: Easter Monday