As an increasingly popular destination for British visitors, there’s a lot to recommend this city when the Prague Christmas markets are being held.
Set against a backdrop of the historic and architectural grandeur, its cobbled streets play host to a festive wonderland that really does impress among a strong competition of other European Christmas markets.
If you want to know more about the Christmas markets in the capital of the Czech Republic, then the Christmas.co.uk team can help.
When are the Prague Christmas markets open in 2024?
Prague boasts several Christmas markets, each with its own unique character. The most famous is the Old Town Square Christmas Market in the heart of the city.
Other notable markets include the Wenceslas Square Christmas Market, along with the Namesti Republiky Christmas Market and the Prague Castle Christmas Market.
It’s important to note that the markets are open for four Sundays before Christmas day, that means in 2024, these are the open dates:
- Old Town Square: November 30 – January 6, 2025
- Wenceslas Square: November 30 – January 6, 2025
Where are the Christmas markets in Prague?
With several markets to enjoy, most visitors will focus on the two main ones.
- Old Town Square: The most famous market which is in the city centre. It is well-lit with lovely festive lights and a wide range of stalls. It’s also close to many attractions. The choirs and the skyline studded with spires create an impressive atmosphere and the food stalls are particularly good. It is also located close to many of the most famous attractions in Prague, making it a perfect place to start your visit in Prague.
- Wenceslas Square: You’ll find this quite close to the Old Town Square – but the route between the two can get quite crowded. It’s worth visiting because the square is magnificent and there’s a good range of stalls – we liked the creations from local artisans – including a blacksmith who was hard at work. If you want to make interesting discoveries to discuss at home, you’ll find something here.
Other Christmas markets in Prague:
- Havel’s Market: This is a permanent market, but it gets a facelift in December with a festive makeover. The usual traders are joined by ceramic and toy stalls.
- Peace Square Market: This one is a bit further away but has a traditional feel with great produce and gifts. You’ll find around 60 stalls offering something different – we found the Christmas tree decorations were excellent and well-priced.
- Republic Square Market: A smaller offering with around 30 stalls, this one has something of a rustic feel. It’s a short tram ride and the market has a lovely atmosphere.
We should also mention the Christmas market at Prague Castle, which is a small offering, but the stalls again offer unique goods, and the setting is very impressive.
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Top 5 Prague Christmas Markets in 2023
This is a great video from Real Prague Guides which promises to show visitors which are the best Christmas markets to visit in Prague.
Starting at Prague Castle, there’s a good overview of the market behind the cathedral – especially the food stalls. A sound choice if you are hungry in Prague!
We even noticed a stall selling fish and chips! A real home-from-home treat but we didn’t make this discovery when we visited. Sadly.
The presenter says this isn’t the cheapest market for visitors (that comes later), but it is worth visiting.
All of the prices are in crowns, but everything does seem to be reasonable, and it helps that many stalls carry prices in euros too.
This market gets busy as the evening approaches, so the presenter recommends leaving to visit a market in a nearby square.
The next one is still quite small but the trip to the Old Town Square market at dusk is certainly worth a visit. It’s also a lot busier and is the city’s biggest.
It’s also picturesque with lots of festive lights – there’s even a viewing platform to take a photo of the square (Note: the platform gets very busy).
The presenter highlights that the prices aren’t too bad, but the food stalls don’t focus on Czech dishes – they offer an ‘international’ choice. For ‘international’ read burgers, hot dogs and pizza.
Then it’s off to Republic Square where it’s less busy, and (slightly) cheaper prices.
The presenter then uses the metro to visit two more markets. He calls them advent markets, which some other cities do but they are just like Christmas markets except, perhaps, for having less festive paraphernalia of trees and lots of lights of other markets.
Of these, there’s a farmers’ market, which is usually there for a few days a week and the other market is one that sells traditional goods – there’s the potential to make a real find here.
There’s also a strong tip from the presenter to bring cash because not all stall holders will take cards – especially at the smaller, traditional markets that are geared to local visitors.
Finally, there’s a tip that everyone should check when the Christmas markets in Prague close with one ending in early January, and the others in the run-up to Christmas Day.
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Why visit Prague for its festive markets?
Prague is competing with bigger, better known Christmas markets but there’s a lot to like about a city that knows how to entertain visitors. You will get to enjoy:
Festive teats: Treat yourself with a steaming mug of svařené víno (mulled wine) infused with cinnamon, cloves and citrus. There are also additional Czech delicacies like trdelník (chimney cake – highly recommended), a sweet pastry dusted with sugar or cinnamon, and klobása (sausages) grilled and served in a warm bread roll with mustard and sauerkraut. Don’t miss out on medovník (honey cake), a rich and tasty layered dessert.
Handcrafted treasures: Browse through a dazzling array of locally made treasures including unique wooden ornaments depicting Prague’s iconic landmarks, hand-blown glass baubles, intricate lace tablecloths and warm sheepskin hats (You might need these if it gets cold). Witness skilled artisans showcasing their craft in glassblowing, wood carving, and traditional embroidery – a perfect way to take a piece of Prague magic home.
- Festive entertainment: Enjoy the lively atmosphere with vibrant street performers, local choirs singing traditional carols and festive songs. There are also nativity scenes in intricate detail, and we also enjoyed light shows that illuminate the architecture.
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Christmas market in Prague, Czech Republic at night
We really enjoyed this high-resolution video shot by The Traveler at night.
The festive lights look impressive, and the crowds help to create the atmosphere.
Starting the Old Town Square viewing platform (As we mentioned above, it’s obviously very popular…), we get to see the spread of stalls, including the food offering. The stalls making chimney cakes on an open fire are very interesting.
There’s an ice rink to enjoy and lots of street sellers selling goodies – mainly for children.
We even get to see the clock performance.
There’s no commentary or presenter but this walking tour of the Christmas markets in Prague is certainly interesting.
When the traditional food stalls are shown we see that the menu is also in English, and some have euro prices.
This video focuses on the biggest market and some of the surrounding streets – and it does get very busy late on.
We also get to see the covered restaurants on and near the square – a great place to warm up though the prices are dear. We recommend one of the very good nearby bars instead.
We liked the crowds walking along the cobbled streets – this is a good take on what a visit to Prague at Christmas is really like.
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Prague Christmas markets – steeped in tradition
Prague’s Christmas markets boast a rich history dating back to the 14th century when they were established as a one-day market for locals to buy provisions for Christmas Eve.
Over the years, the markets evolved into a major tourist attraction while retaining their warm and welcoming spirit.
Some of the market stalls have passed down through generations, adding a touch of authenticity to the experience.
Why choose Prague this Christmas?
There are several factors that help make Prague’s Christmas markets stand out:
Architecture: We’ve already mentioned the city’s stunning architecture, and this really does impress as a market backdrop. There’s the majestic Prague Castle, Tyn Church’s Gothic spires and don’t miss the Astronomical Clock on Old Town Square.
Medieval charm: The architecture and warm atmosphere help to underline Prague’s medieval charm. Wander through narrow cobbled streets and explore historic bridges like the Charles Bridge which is covered with festive lights.
- Cultural heritage: All of this helps to create a rich cultural heritage. It’s worth taking time out from the markets to explore museums like the National Gallery and the Jewish Museum.
Be prepared for your visit to Prague
- Planning: It’s a good idea to visit the Christmas markets midweek to avoid weekend crowds. That means booking your accommodation well in advance.
- Clothing: Prague winters can be quite chilly, with temperatures hovering around freezing. Pack warm layers, including thermals, a warm coat, hat (You can buy a traditional Czech hat if you forget!), gloves and sturdy boots with good grip are essential.
- Currency: The Czech Republic uses the Czech Koruna (CZK). We’d recommend exchanging some currency before arriving – many stallholders will only accept cash. There are stalls accepting debit and credit cards, but it’s best to be prepared.
- Souvenirs: Keep an eye out for unique Czech keepsakes such as traditional marionettes, hand-painted wooden toys depicting Prague landmarks, or a bottle of Becherovka, a popular Czech herbal liqueur.
- Basic Czech phrases: It wouldn’t hurt to learn a few basic Czech phrases such as: “Dobrý den” (Good Day), “Prosím” (Please), “Děkuji” (Thank You), “Nemluvim česky” (I don’t speak Czech), and “Kolik to stojí?” (How much does this cost?).
We should mention that a lot of people speak a good standard of English, especially in bars and restaurants.
How to get to Prague’s festive markets
Flying: If you are flying from the UK to Prague for the Christmas markets, the selection of airports and carriers include Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, Manchester and Bristol.
British Airways flies from Heathrow (and some flights offer business class) for £68.
Wizz Air has flights from Luton for £71 and Ryanair flies from Stanstead for £107.
The cheapest flight we found using Flightsfrom.com was easyJet flying out of Gatwick for £61.
These flights are direct but there’s a much wider choice when including a stopover – and they are dearer.
Other UK airports flying to Prague in December include Birmingham, East Midlands and Manchester.
- Driving: Driving from the UK is also possible but be prepared for wintery road conditions and potentially expensive tolls. Driving from London will take around 15 hours.
- Bus: Travelling by coach from London Victoria takes between 25 and 30 hours to Prague. We found deals on the Flixbus platform for £97 – and up to £132.
- Train: It’s quite an involved journey from St Pancras in London with a journey that takes 14 hours. The cheapest ticket we found (that had to be booked a month in advance) was £82 – the average is £103.
Accommodation: There’s a great range of accommodation available in Prague at Christmas to meet every budget.
Hotels: For budget travellers the Hostel Bílá Labuť (White Swan Hostel) is a great choice – it’s in the Old Town and very close to the market. Dorm beds start at £18 per night. Another great budget option is the Czech Inn which is in the New Town, close to Wenceslas Square. Private rooms start at £31. You should also check out Hotel Lippert.
Mid-range budget choices include the Hotel U Prince which is a charming hotel in the Old Town with rooms starting at £89. There’s also the modern Hotel Josef which is close to Wenceslas Square and prices start at £107.
We’d also add the Josephine Old Town Square Hotel and Hotel Rott.
For a luxury stay in Prague, check out the excellent Mandarin Oriental which is on the banks of the Vltava River with rooms starting at £267 – and great views of the city. There’s also the Four Seasons Hotel which is a 5-star offering in the Old Town with rooms starting at £358 – but there’s a spa and fitness centre to enjoy.
Airbnbs: Prague has a large selection of Airbnbs to choose from, with private rooms starting at around £27 per night. This can be a great option if you’re looking for a more local experience or want more space than a hostel dorm room. You’ll find Airbnbs all over the city, but the most popular areas for Christmas markets are Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. We found entire apartments starting at £45 per night – a great option if you’re travelling with a group or family. There are also some luxury Airbnbs available in Prague, with apartments starting at around £180 per night. Look for Airbnbs in the Old Town or New Town to be close to the Christmas markets.
Other things to do in Prague
Prague is a great city to visit all year round and offers a plethora of attractions beyond the Christmas markets:
- Prague Castle: This is a sprawling UNESCO World Heritage Site with stunning architectural styles, magnificent palaces and breathtaking views of the city.
- Charles Bridge: Take a stroll across the iconic Charles Bridge, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture which is adorned with baroque statues of saints. You’ll find local artists showcasing their work here and there are street performers adding to the lively atmosphere.
- Old Town Square: Along with the market, there’s the astronomical clock with its captivating hourly spectacle – and the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn has an impressive facade.
- Jewish Quarter: Explore the city’s historic Jewish Quarter, Josefov, home to the Pinkas Synagogue and the magnificent Old-New Synagogue – the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe.
- Vyšehrad: Escape the crowds and explore the Vyšehrad fortress with its panoramic city views, peaceful gardens and the Vyšehrad Cemetery, the resting place of many famous Czech personalities.
Other Christmas markets to visit
You could extend your festive experience by visiting other enchanting Christmas markets in the region:
- Vienna Christmas market: It’s possible to take a day trip to Vienna, Austria, and explore its renowned Christmas market at Rathausplatz, known for its elegant atmosphere.
- Dresden Christmas market: We loved Dresden for its Christmas market – one of the best and oldest in Europe.
Budgeting for your Prague Christmas trip
To help you plan, here’s a rough estimate for your trip to Prague’s Christmas markets in 2024. Please note that these are approximate costs and actual prices may vary.
Food: Traditional Czech foods such as roast pork, gingerbread and Trdelník (a popular Czech pastry) are available at the markets. The average cost of a meal is around £5.50.
Drink: You can enjoy hot mulled wine for £3 and a beer costs £2.50.
Accommodation: Accommodation prices can vary greatly depending on the type of hotel and its location. For a mid-range hotel, you should expect to pay £68 per night.
- Transport: Prague has an efficient public transport system. A 24-hour ticket costs £4.
- Souvenirs: Souvenirs such as wooden toys, hand-painted ceramics, and intricate glass ornaments are available and prices vary, but a nice souvenir will be around £15.
- Gifts: You might consider traditional Czech spirits such as Becherovka or Slivovitz with a bottle costing around £16.
Visiting the Christmas markets in Prague
Prague’s Christmas markets offer a great blend of festive cheer, historical charm and architectural grandeur that is hard to ignore.
We also think that the markets offer an authentic festive atmosphere – unlike larger markets in Germany or Austria.
Prague’s markets have a more intimate feel, with locals visiting alongside tourists and several of the markets are close to each other so you can walk between them.
Visitors will also find that the stunning historic centre of Prague, which is beautifully decorated for the season, provides a magical backdrop to the markets.
