Explore the Best of the Prague Czech Republic Christmas Market
Prague Christmas Markets are a festive and traditional part of the holiday season in Prague, offering an authentic experience for visitors. The main Christmas markets feature a variety of local goods, food, and drinks, as well as live music and entertainment.
Prague Czech Republic Christmas Market at night
Prague Christmas Markets are a must-visit during the holiday season, with two main markets and several smaller ones located throughout the city. In this post, we’ll go into detail on which Prague Christmas markets you should visit and how to fully enjoy this joyful festive experience.
What are Prague Christmas Markets?
Prague Christmas Markets are a festive and magical experience that transform the city’s historic squares and streets into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. These markets are a celebration of tradition and community, offering a wide range of traditional Czech goods, food, and drinks.
As you wander through the markets, you’ll find handmade crafts, local delicacies, and unique souvenirs, all set against the backdrop of twinkling lights and glowing Christmas decorations. The cozy atmosphere, filled with the sounds of Christmas carols and the scent of mulled wine, is perfect for getting into the holiday spirit and creating unforgettable memories.
History and Traditions of Christmas Markets in Prague
The history of Prague Christmas Markets dates back to the 13th century, making them one of the oldest holiday traditions in the city. These markets were initially established to bring together local artisans and merchants, providing them with a platform to sell their goods during the festive season. They were usually held in the city's main squares, such as Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, where they quickly became a bustling hub of activity and celebration.
The Prague Christmas Market in the evening
Christmas markets have been around for centuries in the Czech Republic, but even today they still offer handcrafted items, festive decorations, and traditional Czech food and drink. The Prague Christmas Markets are famous for their magical atmosphere, twinkling lights, festive music, and the smell of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts in the air.
Today the markets attract locals and visitors from all over the world who want to experience the Christmas markets and get into Prague’s cultural spirit. The most well-known is the Old Town Square Christmas Market, it draws the crowds with its big Christmas tree, live performances, and various stalls with unique gifts and food. As the holiday season approaches, the Prague Christmas Markets are a beloved tradition, celebrating Christmas in the heart of the city.
Best Christmas Markets to Visit in Prague
Old Town Square Christmas Market
Prague's Christmas markets can be found throughout the city, However, the biggest and most popular Christmas market is in the Old Town Square, featuring over 100 stalls selling local goods, food, and drinks. Every year visitors from all over the world flock to Prague to visit this beautiful Christmas market in the Old Town Square. This is widely considered the main Christmas market in Prague and is easily the most visited.
The market is located in the heart of the city, surrounded by the charming architecture of Prague's Old Town, with stalls offering a wide array of traditional Czech goods. Visitors can indulge in local delicacies such as mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and chimney cakes while browsing for unique souvenirs and handcrafted gifts. The market also hosts live performances, including Christmas carols and folk music, which add to the festive spirit.
The Old Town Square and the Prague Christmas Market in Czech Republic
The Old Town Square Christmas Market is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the best of Prague's holiday season. Its central location makes it easily accessible, and the vibrant atmosphere ensures a memorable experience for all ages. Whether you're exploring during the day or enjoying the enchanting lights in the evening, this market offers a quintessential Christmas experience in the heart of Prague.
Other Markets to Explore
The Wenceslas Square Christmas Market is located in the heart of the city centre and features a variety of stalls selling local goods, food, and drinks. The Wenceslas Square Christmas markets are easily accessible via public transport, with nearby metro stations including Můstek and Muzeum, and tram stops such as Václavské náměstí.
Night view of market stalls and crowds of people in the Prague Christmas Market
Na Kampě Square Christmas Market: This small market is located near Charles Bridge and offers a charming and intimate atmosphere. Its particularly convenient for those who are already visiting Charles Bridge and want to stop off at a nearby Christmas market, but the main old town square market is also near to Charles Bridge.
Havel’s Market: This outdoor market is open year-round but is especially festive during the holiday season, offering a variety of local goods and souvenirs.
What do they sell Prague Christmas Markets?
Traditional Czech Food and Drinks
Visitors can enjoy a variety of traditional Czech food and drinks, including mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and grilled sausages.
The markets also offer a range of sweet treats, including Christmas cookies and gingerbread. Don’t forget to try some traditional Czech beer and hot chocolate. The tastes offered at the Christmas markets in Prague are fantastic and are what visitors would likely expect from the festive season.
Stalls at the Prague Christmas Market
Keep in mind that this is not a regular street food market, and the flavors at the Christmas market are Christmas themed, meaning you will find Christmas foods and traditional Czech foods. If you prefer different types of cuisines, the nearby streets in the old town area have plenty of restaurants that offer a variety of international foods.
Shopping at the Christmas Markets
The markets offer a wide range of shopping opportunities, including local handicrafts, souvenirs, and traditional Czech goods. You can find all sorts of shopping opportunities here, from local handicrafts to souvenirs and traditional Czech goods. Many stalls at the Christmas markets sell handmade crafts, from wooden toys to glass ornaments. These traditional goods are usually a reflection of the rich Czech culture.
The Christmas markets are also famous for their unique gifts, embroidered textiles, pottery, and jewelry made by skilled artisans. Traditional Czech goods, like the famous marionettes, make perfect souvenirs, and overall, the markets are a great place to buy some unique and original gifts for your loved ones.
Tips and Essentials for Visiting Prague Christmas Markets
When to Visit
The Prague Christmas Markets typically run from late November to early January. The best time to visit is during the week, when the markets are less crowded. Visitors can also enjoy the markets in the evening, when they are lit up and especially festive.
What to Wear and Bring
The weather during Christmas in Prague is particularly cold, and some years it even snows heavily. Visitors should dress warmly, as the markets can be chilly, especially in the evenings. It's a good idea to bring a scarf, hat, and gloves to keep warm. You might even need several layers of clothing just to spend a few hours at the market, so if you're sensitive to the cold, then don't forget to wrap up warm.
The Christmas markets don't require you to bring anything particularly, but it would be wise to bring some cash, as not all stalls accept credit or debit cards. Having a camera at hand or a fully charged phone you can use as a camera would also be useful. This magical atmosphere presents some beautiful scenes to capture, and it would be a shame not to bring some sort of camera.
Getting to and Around Prague
Prague is a relatively small city, making it easy to navigate on foot or by using its efficient public transportation system. Whether you’re exploring the historic center or venturing to the outskirts, getting around Prague is convenient and straightforward. The Old Town Square Christmas Market is located in the heart of the Old Town, and there are multiple transportation options you could use to get there.
Hotels Near the Christmas Markets
The main Christmas market is located in the Old Town Square, this makes it easy for visitors as they can stay in the city center, near the main squares and markets. There are a huge range of accommodation options available in the old town area, including luxury hotels, budget hotels, hostels, and apartments.
Christmas in Prague is a very busy time of year, mostly because of the market; this means you should book in advance if you want to get a good price for the hotel room. Hotel prices usually get more expensive nearer to Christmas, so it's important to keep that in mind.
Photo Opportunities
Best Spots for Photos
The main squares, including the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, offer a range of photo opportunities, including festive lights and decorations.
For a truly unique view of the Old Town Square and its Christmas Market, head up to the Town Hall Tower. The tower offers some incredible views of Christmas markets and Prague's old town. It's a great place to get a birds-eye view of the market stalls and capture some unique shots.
Tips for Taking Great Photos
The evening at the Czech Christmas market is the most magical time to capture beautiful photos. It's the time when the market stalls start to gather customers and turn their lights on in anticipation of a cheerful night ahead. The Christmas festivities are coming to life around this time, and the blueish skylights against the yellow market lights are particularly beautiful, so it's the perfect time to start photographing.
Aerial view of the Prague Old Town Square and Christmas Market stalls
Aside from the evening, night photography works great for the markets and festive events. The night brings the stalls to life and provides a chance to capture some great images.
Taking photos of the local food and drinks, as well as the traditional Czech goods and souvenirs, is another great way to photograph the Christmas markets. In terms of unique images, the lit-up market stalls with traditional Czech goods do provide some awesome subject matter.
Summary
The Prague Christmas Markets are among the best in Europe, they are joyful, have plenty of food, and sell great souvenirs. Visiting the Old Town Square Christmas Market is a truly unique experience, and some of the smaller markets around the city are also great. Overall, the winter time is a great season to visit the Czech Republic, especially if you can time it to visit a Prague Christmas Market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prague Christmas Market worth visiting?
Yes, the Prague Christmas Market in the Old Town Square is one of the most charming Christmas markets in Europe.
What dates do the Christmas markets start in Prague?
The Prague Christmas Markets usually open at the end of November and close in early January.
Is Prague expensive at Christmas?
Hotels and flights to Prague can be more expensive during Christmas time, as it is a popular time of year due to the Christmas markets and snowy weather.
Is Prague a good place to spend Christmas?
Prague is a great place to spend Christmas; it's full of beautiful Christmas markets and festive decorations.