PRAGUE CHRISTMAS MARKET

Prague is a popular destination in Europe! Located in Central Europe, you can travel to Prague from surrounding cities by either train or bus. While the train is generally quicker, it’s oftentimes more expensive. As far as buses go, I’ve found FlixBus and RegioJet to be reliable throughout my European travels.

You can visit Prague on a trip to the Czech Republic by pairing it with a few of the many adorable towns in the country. Since the Czech Republic is a pretty small country, there are a ton of small towns a quick few hours from Prague. Outside of the Czech Republic, Dresden, Germany is a great place to pair a trip to Prague with during Christmas. It’s less than two hours from Prague and considered one of the best Christmas Markets in Germany. You can also travel to Prague with cities like Munich, Vienna, and Budapest as they’re a quick trip away. Munich and Vienna are 4 hours from Prague whereas Budapest is roughly 5 hours away.

The Christmas Market opens the last weekend in November, on Saturday November 30th. Luckily, the Christmas Market is nice and long running through the New Year. As such, there is plenty of time to visit! The Christmas Markets in Old Town and Wenceslas Square are open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. The Prague Castle Market opens at 9 am and closes at 6 pm daily.

Market Dates 2023: December 2nd, 2023 – January 6th, 2024

I recommend spending three days in Prague to fully experience the Christmas Markets and city. In comparison to other major European cities, the markets are medium sized. There are three main markets in Prague which I will discuss in detail below. With only three markets in town, this is plenty of time to hit the markets and most tourist attractions.

Travel Tip: I’m not going to lie, the market in Old Town gets extremely busy. If you don’t like crowds, I recommend avoiding the market between 6 and 8 pm. Grab dinner from one of the many restaurants in town and head to the market after dinner for dessert and a drink! While the market is busy at night, it is also the best time to visit. The Old Town Square lights up at night making for a magical experience.

As I mentioned, there are three main markets in Prague so I recommend hitting them all! The most popular markets are near major attractions in town making them hard to miss. While the markets offer similar food and drink, they are very different from one another. The market in Old Town is the heart of Christmas in Prague whereas, the market at the Castle is enchanting!

It is also worth nothing, there are a few smaller markets around the city. I have been to a few but wanted to touch on the main markets since they are the center of the festivities!

OLD TOWN: The Christmas Market in Old Town is the largest and most popular market in Prague. At the center of the Old Town, it is hard to miss! As you walk into the market, you will be overwhelmed with Christmas joy. The square transforms into a winter wonderland with holiday lighting and decor. The market is bustling with holiday festivities at all hours of the day.

WENCELES SQUARE: Approximately ten minutes from Old Town, is the Christmas Market at Wenceles Square! This market is not as busy as the market in Old Town since it is outside the main square. The market shines as a row of trees glisten with lights on both sides of the market. It is a smaller market but it has all the basics!

CASTLE: Walking around the Christmas Market at the Prague Castle is pure magic. It is hard not to feel the spirit of Christmas while standing in the courtyard of a castle surrounded by a Christmas Market. I have been to the market a handful of times and it has not been overly crowded. I am not sure if I have gotten lucky or if it is generally not overly crowded. It is a great market to visit during the day! You can explore the castle area while also enjoying the market. It is free to walk around however, you have to purchase a ticket to enter the castle as well as the churches. The market is smaller than Old Town, however there are plenty of booths to bring you holiday cheer!

The food at the Prague Christmas Market is pretty standard but delicious. You will find a mix of local cuisine as well as popular dishes from surrounding countries. One of the most well known staples at the markets in Prague is Langos. This deep fried dough is actually a traditional Hungarian dish. Along with cuisine from surrounding countries, you’ll also find classics with a twist! Such as burgers and chicken sandwiches. Some of the most popular desserts include mini pancakes and chocolate dipped waffles. If you prefer savory to sweet you are in luck! A handful of stands sell potato spirals aka freshly made potato chips, which are delicious! You will notice similar cuisine between the markets in Prague allowing plenty of time to try the basics. But, with that, lets get into it!

PRAZSKA KLOBASA (PRAGUE SAUSAGE): Sausage is a staple at most Christmas Markets in Europe, and Prague is no different. You can choose between a sausage with herbs or paprika sausage.

PRAZSKA SUNKA (PRAGUE HAM): The smell of Pražská Šunka is so strong it’s hard to miss! The ham is smoked and roasted to perfection over an open fire.

GNOCCI, SAUSAGE & VEGGIES: This classic dish is one of my favorites! While it is pretty much self explanatory, it is delicious! Served from a hot pan, this dish is sure to warm you up on a cold day.

TRDELNIK (CHIMNEY CAKES): As one of the most popular items in Prague, it is no surprise you will find Trdelnik’s all over the market. Chimney Cakes are actually from Hungary however, they have become a staple in Prague. Made from rolled dough cooked over fire, Chimney Cakes are delicious! Topped with everything from sugar to cinnamon or walnuts they are best when hot. With that said, try to get one hot off the fire.

SVARAK (HOT WINE): Svařák is obviously the best way to warm up at the Christmas Market! A number of booths sell honey hot wine which is my personal favorite! As an alternative, you can warm up with a glass if hot chocolate.

OPLAKY: An Oplaky is a very thin crisp wafer sold in a variety of flavors. It is a traditional spa wafer from Karlovy Vary, which is a town in the Czech Republic about two hours from Prague.

PRAGUE CHOCOLATE: I may be biased but, Prague Chocolate is the best! You will find stores around town but you can also buy Prague Chocolate at the Christmas Market. The chocolate is reasonably priced and makes a great souvenir. My favorite is the chocolate covered raisins, I can not leave Prague without purchasing a box!

Considering the markets are in the touristy areas of Prague, items are reasonably priced. My husband and I are on a tight budget and felt like we were able to try a ton without breaking the bank. With that said, I felt like some of the desserts were a little pricey.

While the market is reasonably priced, pay attention to items priced per 100 grams. Since they scoop it for you, it adds up fast! I found it works best to tell them how many grams you want while ordering.

There are a handful of vendors that don’t take card, so I recommend keeping a little cash with you.

Here is the pricing for a few popular items:

• Basic sausage: 95 Koruna
• Chicken or sausage skewer with veggies – 120 Koruna
• Gnocci with sausage & veggies – 59 Koruna per 100 grams
• Mulled Wine – 70 Koruna
• Potato Spirals – 80 Koruna
• Chimney Cake – 70 – 80 Koruna (plain – additional for toppings)
• Waffles – Plain or sugar – 85 Koruna, Chocolate – 100 Koruna, Chocolate + topping – 120 Koruna

If you are spending more than 3 days in Prague, head outside the city! As I mentioned, adorable small towns flood the Czech Republic. While there are so many towns to see, my pick is Cesky Krumlov. The only way I can describe this dreamy town is it is a fairytale, especially during winter. The normal charm of Cesky Krumlov is intensified with a Christmas Market at the center of town. The market is small but has all the staples! It is a lively market with a handful of Christmas activities throughout the month. It is impossible not to feel the magic of the holidays while exploring Cesky Krumlov. While Cesky is 3 hours from Prague, it is doable in a day. If you have time, I recommend spending an evening in Cesky as it is one of a kind.

Getting There: Cesky Krumlov and Prague are well connected via bus. Another great option is to rent a car so you can make stops along the way! If you rent a car, Tabor is great add on trip from Prague to Cesky Krumlov.

I absolutely love experiencing Prague during the holiday season! There is something so magical about the medieval architecture in the city paired with adorably decorated Christmas booths. Something tells me I will be back! I hope you enjoy the Prague Market as much as I do!

Safe Travels,

Sarah :)

Looking for more Christmas Market inspiration? Below are links to some of my favorite European Markets!

• Ultimate Guide to the Vienna Christmas Market
• Why You Must Visit the Zagreb Christmas Market