Christmas in Prague: this is the place to be!
Prague, also called The Golden City and we fully understand that nickname of the Czech capital. It is a beautiful part of Europe. Beautiful architecture (we saw building styles that characterize different periods over the centuries: Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic details), many cozy restaurants with food and drinks for a remarkably nice (small) price. And although the city is beautiful all year round, we prefer to be there around the holidays. Then it is nothing less than a true winter wonderland with Christmas stalls, mood lighting and a huge Christmas tree on the Old Town Square wherever you look. In addition, you can eat and drink your fill thanks to a variety of Czech delicacies, right through the city. In short, a city trip in the winter? The answer is: Prague.
You will find it less than an hour and a half drive from Prague the fairytale North Bohemia: glass blowing has been elevated to a real art here, there are even more Christmas markets in Liberec and the nature is breathtakingly beautiful! Also a very good ski area for beginners and families.
Photo credits: Prague City Tourism
First some practical matters. Prague is divided into a new part and an old part. The new part is not that new (1348), but Charles IV, the Bohemian king and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, thought that the old part was becoming too busy, which is why the 'new' part was added. You can get around Prague very easily: it is a real walking city. In addition, public transport in Prague is top (with a capital T). You can go anywhere, it's clean, safe and cheap. The city is divided into different districts that are indicated by a number and therefore more than just the old and the new part.
Photo credits photo right: Prague City Tourism
Every large square has its own Christmas market, how fun! You can drink mulled wine or hot apple cider and there are numerous stalls here. Vinohrady District was added to Prague in 1922. The towers of the church were made so that the church is visible from below and to have a view of everything that happens below. Vinohrady District has a beautiful square: Namesti Miru, also Square of Peace, where there is a very nice Christmas market. The difference between this Christmas market and the others in Prague is mainly that here locals are. The offer here is therefore aimed at the local population. Primetime? Around 17.00 p.m., many people from the neighborhood come here to have a drink together after a hard day's work. Christmas markets remain open until (around) January 6.
As we said: Christmas markets galore! We call one Prague Castle. This is a very romantic spot, magically beautiful. Here again there are numerous stalls where you can eat and drink Czech specialties, such as svařák (mulled wine), punch, roasted chestnuts and klobása, a typical Czech sausage that is often served with horseradish. Of course you can also go here for Christmas decorations for the table or in the tree or a nice gift for home.
Generate more Winter Fun in Prague you will find here!
Photo credits: Prague City Tourism & Libor Svacek
Walk to the small but nice Christmas market Share, which is located on a wide sidewalk at the 'Andel' metro station. If this is not a Christmas market, you can go there for fruit and vegetables the rest of the year. During the winter, however, you can get the tastiest freshly baked Christmas bread and pastries here. You can also come here for a Christmas tree or the popular (silver-plated) mistletoes. On Tyl's square you will find another Christmas market, also in the Vinohrady district (wherever Namesti Miru sit). This one is also a bit smaller, and with many authentic sellers for truly unique bargains.
Photo credits above: Prague City Tourism
No Santa Claus here Little Jesus (in Czech, Ježíšek), which has everything to do with Christmas, but is not connected to the Christmas story as we know it; most people are not religious. Almost all Christmas decorations sold at the markets are handmade in the Czech Republic!
National Museum is the museum of Prague and stands prominently at the end of Wenceslas Square, or in Czech: Václavské Námesti. We compare the Václavské a bit with the Spanish ramblas. The National Museum consists of two buildings, the new building and the classic one. A tunnel runs between the buildings that shows the history of Prague on large screens. The tunnel is (especially under the locals) popular and carries a lot of emotion. Another tip for the National Museum: you can go all the way to the top of the dome and then you can look out over the entire city. By the way, the Czech Ramblas is also very pleasant. Christmas stalls, lights and street artists playing typical Czech Christmas music everywhere.
Celebrating Christmas in the Czech Republic is slightly different than we are used to here. The Czechs start celebrating four Sundays before Christmas and then it's a matter of decorating your house and getting into the kitchen. Because one of the most important traditions is baking Christmas cookies. Not to eat immediately, because that is not allowed until Christmas! If you are in Prague around the holidays and would like to try a cookie before Christmas, the best place to do it is cookie shop Gingerbread's dream doing. Tip: here they have gingerbread in all shapes and sizes and beautifully decorated...
The pine tree is also only decorated on Christmas Eve, and then with as many local decorations as possible. This is of course also easy if you live an hour and a half away from the Giant Mountains, where unique glass bead decorations have been made for more than a hundred years. And what is eaten during Christmas dinner? No turkey, but carp, fish soup and schnitzel with potato salad. And everyone remains seated until every guest has finished eating, because getting up earlier brings bad luck!
A bit touristy is of course not a bad thing, after all we are on a city trip. And then you really have to go Old Town Square. The smell of mulled wine and barbecue. The gigantic Christmas tree in the center of the square. Everyone dressed warmly. In short: the dream for every Christmas fanatic. Prague is safe, but be careful of pickpockets. So ladies and gentlemen: clasp bags under your arm while sipping mulled wine. The Old Town Square also houses the Astronomical Clock for a bit of history with a hot chocolate. You can enter the tower (you can also take the elevator) and have the best view over the square. Our tip? Take a seat upstairs café Mozart, at the window. This café is opposite the clock and every hour the clock puts on a show (it's worth it). Behind the square is Mariaplein, where you will find the town hall and the National Library. Nice to walk by.
Yes, and then the food... We could devote an entire article to it, but the very best tip we can give you is to go out with a local. We specify: a food tour with George or his wife Leona. They show you and taste the hidden gems of the city, are very enthusiastic and also provide a bit of history about the Golden City. As far as we're concerned, one black when you are in Prague. To give you a sneak peek, here are a few of our favorites (and soon yours too): food & drinks spots in Prague:
Mlýnec- a beautiful place for dinner on the Vltava. Everything here is fantastic: the wines, the food, the atmosphere and the service. You can go here for a three-course dinner, but make your choice a la carte. Tip from us: don't skip dessert! Oh, and as a nightcap you can take a beautiful evening walk over the infamous Charles Bridge. Grinder
Grand Café Orient – Everything here is in cubist style (even the cakes). You can go here for swing parties. No, none swinger parties, but dancing. There is often live music here and this is a top spot for a drink. In the summer also one for the list, then the balconies are open.
Eska – industrial interior (because former factory). The menu changes daily and you will find Eska in Karlín, one of Prague's hippest neighborhoods. A few minutes by metro (metro line B, Křižíkova station) and really worth it.
Kolacherie –a typical Czech delicacy that you can find in all bakeries, but here they are the tastiest, on Celetná street in the Old Town.
Photo credits: Libor Svacek
