Prague Christmas Markets: Everything You Need to Know
Do you want to celebrate the festive advent season in Prague, Czech Republic? Our guide will help you to visit the best Christmas Markets in Prague such as Old Town Christmas Markets including information on opening hours, what to expect, what to buy, traditional food, where to find top winter marketplaces, how to avoid common scams, useful tips to save money and stay safe.
Christmas holiday season in Prague is upon us, and it wouldn't be complete without Christmas Markets!
Temperatures are already dropping below freezing, and the smell of the cinnamon, mulled wine, potpourri, roasted chestnuts, mead, and grilled pork with potatoes has filled the air around the cobblestone streets of Prague.
As every year, Prague becomes a home for one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe, which makes it a perfect travel destination around the holidays.
What can you expect from Prague Christmas Markets? And why the markets are one of the main reasons people travel to Prague in winter?
Festive food, handmade gifts, live concerts, Christmas carols, advent atmosphere, Christmas lights, and much more. You can also hope for snow, which covers the red-tiled roof and medieval towers in a white soft blanket, that turns Prague into winter wonderland.
Yes, Prague in winter is just magical.
The Christmas Markets in Prague officially start on Saturday of the first advent (usually the end of November or the very beginning of December) and end around Christmas Day or continue till the 6th of January, though there are some exceptions to that.
We tried our best to create a complete and honest guide to Prague Christmas Markets, and include all the essential information you should know to help you get the most of your trip.
PRAGUE CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Although you will find Christmas Markets in every city and town in the Czech Republic, the most famous ones are in Prague.
Lately, Christmas Markets have become quite popular among travelers, so every destination in Europe lights up the city and enhances the atmosphere to persuade people from all around the world to come.
And we must say Prague is doing it very well. And that's what this article is going to be about today, although, we might eventually make a list of popular markets around the country someday in the future.
Prague is wonderful any time of the year, however, advent time is a little bit more special, and brings that hard-to-describe magical atmosphere that turns the city into a fairytale.
Even if you decide not to buy anything and just leisurely walk around, the Christmas mood will overcome you, and you will fall in love with the city. (Check out 15 Free Things to Do in Prague).
The markets are getting more popular every year, and there are a few issues you should know before you go as well, and it's good to be prepared.
But first things first, here is a list of the best Christmas Markets you should visit in Prague when in the city during this time.
Markets are for sure one of the best things to see and do when in Prague in winter, so put this attraction on your bucket list!
OLD TOWN CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Ever since CNN published that first article about the best Christmas Markets in Europe and Prague was rated among the world's best ones for the first time, the popularity of the markets skyrocketed.
Christmas Markets on Old Town Square start on Saturday of the first advent and last till the Three Kings day in January, so you have a whole month to visit them.
And what to expect?
Old Town Square is home to a tall beautifully decorated live Christmas tree, and the square will be full to bursting with many stalls offering food and souvenirs.
You should try hot wine or one of the local specialties such as Prague Ham or roasted pork, you can also watch theatre plays and concerts on the open stage near the Jan Hus Monument, climb the stairs to a small viewing platform to get a better view.
Or even better climb the Old Town Hall Tower to get a bird's eye perspective of the markets - yes, this is the place where the famous photo was taken from.
In other words, Old Town Square is a must-visit place in Prague.
When: November 30 to January 6
Opening hours: 10 AM - 10 PM (food stalls are open till midnight)
WENCESLAS SQUARE CHRISTMAS MARKETS
This year you will find two spots with Christmas Markets on Wenceslas Square.
The first place is at the upper part close to the Saint Wenceslas horse statue, the second spot is at the bottom of the square near the Mustek Metro Entrance.
Try a local sausage (klobása) with mustard and bread or spiced potatoes, wash it down with traditional mulled wine, and have roasted chestnuts as a dessert. These are some of the most traditional foods and drinks you can have at the Christmas Markets. We are not saying it is healthy, but this is hopefully not what you are looking for here.
Markets on the Prague's main square are much smaller than on the Old Town Square, but they are for sure worth your time, we think you are going to visit this place when exploring the city anyway.
For more information on when to go and what to see in Prague, check out our ultimate 3-day Prague itinerary.
When: November 30 to January 6
Opening hours: 10 AM - 10 PM (food stalls are open till midnight)
PRAGUE CASTLE CHRISTMAS MARKETS
It's funny how things are changing, and the travel destinations adapt to the tourism demand.
Nowadays you can visit the Christmas Markets even within the Prague Castle grounds. You will find them at the back of St. Vitus Cathedral on the Saint George Square, and they are quite compact.
When we visited visited Prague Castle last time to take pictures for this article, we realized that markets here are not a bad idea at all as the atmosphere here was very lively thanks to it (differently lively than usual), and people allowed themselves to slow down a bit, buy a drink, and talk to each other without an urge to constantly take photos and selfies.
There is another market at the north entrance to Prague Castle called Stajovy Dvur, and it's easily accessible from the U Prasneho Mostu street near the Prazsky Hrad tram stop.
Are you looking for information on how to get to Prague Castle? Well, here you go.
When: November 23 to January 6
Opening hours: 9 AM - 6 PM (9 AM - 7 PM on weekends)
NAMESTI REPUBLIKY CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Just in front of Palladium, one of the most popular shopping malls in Prague, you can find many stalls selling hot wine, dried fruit, Christmas candles, wool knit gloves, hats, and other traditional handmade Christmas-themed products.
You can then continue your shopping spree inside the shopping mall to buy last-minute Christmas gifts for your friends and relatives.
As this market is in the city center, and you will for sure visit it when on Namesti Republiky (Republic Square), do not be overwhelmed by hot drinks and the smell of cinnamon, but do not forget to look around as well.
This square is home to many beautiful buildings, and one of them is Municipal House, which deserves your attention.
When: November 30 to December 30
Opening hours: 10 AM - 10 PM
TYLOVO NAMESTI CHRISTMAS MARKETS
A traditional marketplace will be also set on Tylovo Square only a short walk from the busy I.P. Pavlova station.
Tylovo Namesti hosts farmer markets throughout the year, and in winter, you can enjoy traditional Christmas Markets offering wine punch, cakes, popular Trdelnik, paintings from local artists, or honey gingerbread cookies. You can also taste here a variety of festive meals and hot drinks.
This place is just a short walking distance from Wenceslas Square or Namesti Miru, but if you feel tired, it is possible to take the metro.
When: November 23 to January 6
Opening hours: 9 AM - 6 PM (9 AM - 7 PM on weekends)
JIRIHO Z PODEBRAD CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Also known as 'Vanocni trhy na Jiraku', a traditional all-year farmer market on Jiriho z Podebrad Square in front of the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord (a really cool church) will change the colors into a full advent marketplace, where local vendors sell handmade products, mead, and hot wine.
Although this place is close to the center, we know that not many tourists visit this area, so be adventurous, and learn more about how locals live here.
When: December 1 to December 24
Opening hours: 10 AM - 9 PM
NAMESTI MIRU CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Forget the hustle and bustle of the Old Town Markets, and enjoy a more peaceful Christmas atmosphere at the Peace Square (Namesti Miru) under the open sky at the Vinohrady district.
You can expect many stalls selling misletoe, punch wine, advent wreaths, toys, decorations or cookies, handmade products, traditional Christmas nativity scenes, and much more.
What's not to like?
When: November 20 to December 24
Opening hours: 10 AM - 7 PM
FOOD AND DRINKS
Let's admit it, one of the main reasons we travel is the food and drinks!
There's plenty of food and drink choice at Christmas Markets, and you can look forward to tasting a super popular Trdelník, traditional Apple strudel (štrůdl), a variety of Christmas cookies (ginger and honey for the win!) or roasted chestnuts, a popular festive snack.
If you are brave enough, get a traditional potato pancake (bramborák alias fried grounded potatoes), grilled pork or ham, and don't leave without having a grilled sausage with mustard, horseradish, and a slice of bread.
This year the variety of food is bigger than ever and you can try even not-so-traditional shrimps, oysters, burgers or waffles.
If you are going out for drinks, you have to try a traditional mulled wine (svařené víno or svařák) with a characteristic cinnamon smell and flavor. This is a typical Czech drink and one of the symbols of wintertime in the Czech Republic.
You will find many variations of this super popular drink, sometimes they add more fruit or brandy, and they are also referred to as hot wine or wine punch.
Mead (Medovina) is also a must-try while exploring Christmas Markets.
Grog is also another hot alcoholic beverage you should try, which is a mix of Czech rum and hot water, but only the bravest dare to try it.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PRAGUE CHRISTMAS MARKETS
We will talk about the most common scams on Prague Christmas Markets in a minute, as both sections of this article - things to know and scams - are unfortunately connected. So here are a few things you should know before you go.
The first thing is, that markets are usually cash only, and only a few vendors accept credit cards.
To give you proof that cash is the king, there is an even portable ATM installed on the Old Town Square near the Jan Hus Monument however, you should check first the exchange rates and withdrawal fees before you try to get any money out of it.
Our second advice is, don't pay in Euros.
Find the nearest ATM and withdraw cash, then pay with it, if you can't pay by credit card. The rates you get from the vendors are very unfavorable, and you will save a lot of money on this. For this situation is great to have a credit card, that allows you to withdraw money without paying any fees to the bank for the transaction.
Finally, the markets are going to be crowded (read: best ways to avoid crowds while traveling).
The most popular Christmas Market on the Old Town Square is also the most visited one, and the square is flocked with tourists to the point, that you can't sometimes barely move.
We are not saying this to put you off visiting, we just think you will enjoy your time here much better if you will come well prepared.
MOST COMMON SCAMS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
We would like to think, that there are honest vendors on the Prague Christmas Markets, but usually, a quick walk around the stalls will reveal the ugly truth.
And as locals, we don't share with you the excitement of something new and extraordinary, when you visit the markets for the first time, and we look at the markets with more realistic eyes.
So here is the list of the most commons scams on Prague Christmas Markets you should know about so you won't leave disappointed.
100 grams aka Pay by Weight
Probably the most notoriously known Prague scam is the Prague Ham scam on the Old Town Square Christmas Markets.
This is one of the smartest scams you can encounter, as the pricing is very misleading, and you will be paying not for the portion but only 100 grams.
Although the Prague Ham scam is the most popular one, vendors use this trick to sell other food too, so the rule of thumb is to stay away from these stalls and find a stall with set prices, or make sure you will get only 100 grames on your plate and not five or six times more.
Believe us, if you are asked to pay 40 euros for a plate of ham, walk away.
You are not buying gold nuggets but a portion of food from a stall, and for this price, you will get a nice two-course menu for two in a nice restaurant with great service.
Handmade in the Czech Republic
Your belly is so full, yet your brain is still somehow functioning, and you suddenly remembered, that you have relatives, wife, kids, partners, friends, and you should get them a souvenir.
Many stalls sell souvenirs, some of the vendors even claim, that they handmade the stuff they sell. It's usually some wooden forks and spoons, but here is the catch.
How can you tell, that it's really handmade and that it was actually made in the Czech Republic?
Well, since the handmade things usually don't have those small 'place of origin' tags you will find on all products in stores, you can't tell, and even those can be faked.
So at the end of the day, it's all about trust, and that's something you have to decide for yourself.
No Prices
Prices for the sausages and hot wine are somewhat standardized on the markets and usually publicly displayed, however, many vendors sell stuff without price tags.
If there is no price tag, how can you tell, how much things cost?
Obviously, vendors can put any price they want on the stuff they sell. They also can make up prices as they go along, if they think you have more money than the guy in front of you.
So if you think you are being overcharged, don't be afraid to haggle down the price or walk away.
Paying by Cash
The other day we witnessed a situation when a well-dressed tourist bought a few hot wines and paid with 1000 CZK bill note, the cashier took the money, gave her the drinks, and turned away.
She looked dumbstruck for a couple of seconds and then asked for the change.
The cashier ignored her, so she raised her voice and got his attention. After like a minute of intense arguing, he gave her some money back, though we seriously doubt she got all the money back.
Always know how much things cost, then count in your head how much you should pay, and how much should you get back in return.
WHERE TO STAY IN PRAGUE
Prague around Christmas is a very popular European destination and many best hotels might be sold out, so you should book your stay in advance, especially if you plan your visit on Friday and Saturday.
Try to book a room in a hotel near the Christmas Markets, so you can fully soak in the advent atmosphere.
Here is the list of the top of our hotel choices in Prague.
Budget | Hostel Boudnik - This hostel offers both dormitories and private rooms, and features free wifi- clean common areas and great location close to the city center.
Mid-range | Nyx Hotel Prague - It is quite hard to pick only one hotel in the mid-range category as there is simply too many of them, but this hotel lies in the center and beats the others with the unique design.
Luxury | Augustine Prague - A luxury hotel located close to Prague Castle set in an old monastery offers beautifully appointed rooms and apartments with stunning views over Prague.
BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN EUROPE
Although Prague Christmas Markets are one of the most popular ones in the world, you have plenty of choices where to go next.
Famous Christmas Markets are also in Vienna, Budapest, Dresden or Krakow. We believe that all markets have pros and cons, and there is no such thing, as a perfect Christmas Markets destination in Europe.
As the cities in Central Europe are very close to each other, you can plan your trip smart, and stay one night in Prague, the next day move to Vienna, and the last days spend in Budapest.
That's just one of the possibilities, and best ways to compare top Christmas Markets in Europe.
WHAT TO PACK FOR PRAGUE IN WINTER
December and January are one of the coldest months of the year in Prague, and you will be spending a lot of time standing and walking slowly around the stalls, so wear layers.
Don't rely on hot wine to keep you warm, wear a sweater or down jacket, warm wool socks, proper shoes or boots, a good winter coat, gloves, scarf, and winter hat.
To learn more about what to pack, read our guide on Prague winter packing list.
WEATHER IN WINTER IN PRAGUE
Each winter is quite different from the previous one in Prague, though winters in the Czech Republic are usually mild in general, at least compared to winter in Calgary, we had the privilege to experience.
The average temperature is about 0 Celsius, and the sunset can be as soon as at 4 PM (around mid-December), so you won't get much daylight, on the other hand, you do not have to stay up late to see the city enlightened by millions of lights.
You might get some snow while you are here, although it's very hard to predict.
Also, the streets can get covered by ice if it's raining, and the temperature drops below freezing during the night, so be careful when walking on the cobblestone streets, as they can be extremely slippery.
Said that winter is one of the best times of the year to visit Prague.
STAY SAFE
Prague Christmas Markets are very safe, though you should always watch out for pickpockets and petty theft, as those are the most common tourist-related crimes.
The Old Town Square gets super crowded at peak times, and it is probably the riskiest place of the bunch.
Never keep your wallet, cash, or phone in your back pocket.
Trust us, that's just stupid.
And always be aware of your surroundings. When someone gets too close, it's better to turn around or step away from him.
The dishonest people who will swipe your wallet in the blink of an eye usually don't work alone, they have great skills and a lot of practice, and it's really hard to outsmart them. Don't give them the opportunity to even try it.
You can also buy a travel pouch, though we think it's not necessary to have in Prague. Improve your odds of avoiding pickpockets by putting your wallet in your inside breast pocket, and try to minimize your exposure. That will do the trick.
If you bring a mirrorless camera, consider purchasing this camera wrist strap which I have, and it's super useful in crowded spaces.
I don't use it because of fear that someone will snatch the camera out of my hands, but mostly as a precaution if someone would bump into me and knock my camera off my hand.
And don’t forget to read this article about Prague safety: Is Prague Safe to Visit for Travelers?
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
PRAGUE MARKETS AND HOW LOCALS SEE IT?
What's the reality behind the Christmas Markets in Prague? Are they really that good like all the travel bloggers like to tell you?
To be brutally honest, the top Prague Christmas Markets are a typical example of touristy markets without locals, and the only Czech speaking people (sometimes even vendors can't speak Czech) on the markets are local tourists coming to visit the capital city before the holidays.
To experience something more authentic, you need to stay away from the city center.
The thing is that the markets outside of the historical part of Prague are maybe a little bit more traditional or authentic, but they completely lack the jaw-dropping medieval background of historical churches, cathedrals, and other fascinating structures, that the tourists love so much.
Then there are the crowds, and if you are a local, you don't go to the city center at this time of the year at all.
First, you usually don't have time for this kind of thing, as you are kind of busy with your work and family life, and you don't want to buy overpriced stuff which you can get elsewhere for the fraction of the price. And then, there are so many people around, which can be super annoying.
But that's just the local point of view, and if you are a tourist, you have to expect higher prices and crowds in the top travel destinations.
What we additionally find a little bit disappointing is the selection of the food you can purchase from the stalls. There are so many more traditional meals in the Czech Republic than a sausage with potatoes, ham, and roasted pork with cabbage.
PRAGUE CHRISTMAS MARKETS WORTH IT?
On the other hand, if you accept all these things and know what to expect, then go for it. Regardless if it's your first time in Prague or not, there will be always something new and exciting you can experience.
Prague is still incredibly beautiful and deserves all the attention. Winter in Prague is the unique time of the year when the city comes alive with the glow of Christmas Markets and advent atmosphere.
Everything is thriving, the markets are pulsing with life, and the ubiquitous sweet smell in the air will conjure up the Christmas nostalgia.
And if you are going to look for the flaws, you will always find them.
Enjoy your stay in Prague and happy holidays!
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Get Around: Buses and trains are an affordable way to get around the Czech Republic. Regiojet offers clean and modern buses and trains with all the amenities.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
