Prague is a magical place to visit at Christmas. In December, Christmas markets spring up around the city, shops and hotels are adorned with festive decorations, and add in a dusting of snow, and Prague becomes one of the best cities to visit in Europe during this holiday season.
A year earlier, we spent a week in London in December, visiting the Christmas markets and walking its streets lined with twinkling lights. It was wonderful and we wanted to repeat the experience, this time in a new city. On this most recent trip, we split our time between Prague and Vienna (another very festive city to visit in December).
In this guide, we share with you Prague’s best Christmas markets plus a few that we think are worth skipping.
Table of Contents
About the Prague Christmas Markets
There are two main Christmas markets in Prague, one at the Old Town Square and one at Wenceslas Square.
There are smaller markets located throughout the city, some near the city center (at the train station, in Republic Square, and at Na Kampě Square) and several markets farther out from the city center.
The main markets are open from early December through early January (December 2, 2023 to January 2, 2024). Some of the smaller markets open at the end of November. The markets are open from 10 am to 10 pm. There is no entrance fee.
In our opinion, the markets in Prague don’t quite stack up to those we saw in Vienna and London. The Prague Christmas markets are heavy on the food and light on holiday gifts, souvenirs, and ceramics. However, Prague is beautiful in December, with the decorations and markets, and if you are lucky to be here when it snows, then it is a magical experience.
If you are visiting Prague solely to visit Christmas markets, you only need a day to see the best of them. I think your time would be better spent in Vienna, London, or the legendary Christmas markets in Germany. But if you are on a tour through Central Europe in December, Prague just may be the highlight of your trip.
More Information for Your Trip to Prague:
Prague in December. During our visit to Prague in December 2023, Prague got several dustings of snow, making this colorful city even more beautiful.
Best Prague Christmas Markets
Old Town Square Christmas Market
Hours: 10 am to 10 pm
This is Prague’s liveliest Christmas market. It’s a must see, both during the day and at night, with its brilliant display of twinkling lights and Christmas tree.
The view over the Old Town Square from the Old Town Hall Tower | Christmas in Prague
The Old Town Square Christmas Market
Sitting throughout Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) are wooden stalls decorated with garland and lights. The stalls mostly sell food but there are a few stalls selling souvenirs and holiday gifts.
Foods to try include trdelníks (a pastry that also goes by the name of Chimney Cakes), klobása (grilled sausages), langoš (flatbread with cheese), palačinky (crepes), and šunka (roasted meat). We couldn’t resist the hot mulled wine. It’s also easy to find hot chocolate, grog (rum, water, lemon, and sugar), and punch.
The centerpiece of Old Town Square is the large Christmas tree, which is adorned with thousands of LED lights. Several times each evening, there is a tree lighting ceremony combined with music.
Prague Christmas Tree
Climb the small observation deck in the center of the square for an elevated view of the Christmas stalls, the Týn Church, and the Christmas tree. For an even better view, climb to the top of the Old Town Hall Tower for one of the best views in Prague.
The view from the elevated platform | Christmas in Prague
While at the Old Town Square, you can also see the astronomical clock (Pražský orloj) come to lift each hour on the hour, go shopping in the stores that surround the square, and tour the Old Town Hall.
Wenceslas Square Christmas Market
Hours: 10 am to 10 pm
This sprawling market runs along the length of Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí), a long, thin square with the Národní Muzeum at one end and a shopping street at the opposite end. It is the second main Christmas market in Prague.
Wenceslas Square | Christmas in Prague
Festively decorated wooden stalls run along the median of this square. Like the Christmas market in the Old Town Square, food is the predominant thing for sale, but we did see more shops here selling souvenirs, paintings, and holiday gifts. There is also a small ice-skating rink here.
In 2023, a large brilliantly lit Christmas tree sat on the northern end of Wenceslas Square.
Wenceslas Square Christmas Market
Things to do nearby include a visit to the Národní Muzeum (a natural history and science museum) or a visit to the nearby Mucha Museum. If you are looking for a cool bar to visit after your visit to this market, we recommend the Alchemist Bar, which is a short walk from Wenceslas Square. They serve very creative cocktails. Make a reservation in advance.
Republic Square Christmas Market
Hours: 10 am to 10 pm
Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) is a small square that is located a short walk east from the Old Town Square. This very small market sells a mix of food, hot drinks, and souvenir shops.
Republic Square Christmas Market | Christmas in Prague
It’s not worth going out of your way to visit this market, but it is worth quick stop if you will be in the area. This market is close to the Powder Tower (Prašná brána), the Municipal House, and Palladium, a shopping mall.
Na Kampě Square Christmas Market
This is a small Christmas market but it has a very nice setting. It sits on Na Kampě Square, on the west side of the Vltava River, just a few steps from Charles Bridge. Colorful buildings surround this small square, making this one of the most charming Christmas markets in Prague.
In 2023, the only things for sale were food and hot drinks.
If you go for a stroll across the Charles Bridge and want a snack or a hot drink, this is a great detour. It’s also fun to photograph from the Charles Bridge, since this bridge gives you a slightly elevated view over Na Kampě Square.
Na Kampě Square Christmas Market | Christmas in Prague
Na Kampě Square Christmas Market
Havel’s Market (Havelské tržiště)
Hours: 6 am to 6:30 pm
Havel’s Market is an outdoor market that is open year round in Prague. In December, it is decorated for Christmas, making it especially festive this time of year.
Havel’s Market | Prague Christmas Markets
For sale are tons of souvenirs, from ceramics to smaller versions of the Astronomical Clock to Christmas ornaments and much, much more. If you want to purchase souvenirs from Prague, this is the best market to visit.
There is little in the way of food here since souvenirs and Czech knick-knacks are the main things for sale.
This market is located in between the Old Town Square Christmas market and the Wenceslas Square Christmas market.
More Prague Christmas Markets to Know About
These are markets that we either visited and weren’t impressed with or came up in our research but skipped for various reasons.
Prague Train Station Christmas Market
This tiny Christmas market is located in front of the Prague train station and is home to just a few food and beverage stalls. Again, it’s not worth going out of your way to visit this Prague Christmas market and even if you will be at the train station, it’s not really worth coming here, in our opinion.
Prague Train Station Christmas Market
Náměstí Míru (Peace Square) Christmas Market
This is a local Christmas market and in photos, looks like a great Christmas market to visit. However, it is located farther from the city center, so you will have to do more walking or ride the metro to get here. But if you want to avoid some of the crowds that flock to the Old Town Square Christmas market or the Wenceslas Square Christmas market, this is a market to add to your list.
Prague Castle Christmas Market
Before our trip to Prague in 2023, we heard wonderful things about the Prague Castle Christmas market. However, we were disappointed to find no market in the square, just a Christmas tree sitting in front of the basilica. I am not sure if the market just wasn’t erected in 2023, or if its absence will be permanent.
Markets Located Outside of the City Center
There are also a few Christmas markets located outside of the city center, such as the Christmas markets at Tyl Square (Tylovo náměstí), the Anděl Christmas Market, and Manifesto Market Anděl. We skipped these, since there are so many other things to do in Prague (such as touring the Prague Castle, strolling across Charles Bridge, visiting the museums, and touring the Jewish ghetto) and we wanted to do more than just visit Christmas markets.
Best Prague Christmas Markets: On a Map
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Our Favorite Prague Christmas Markets
If you only have time for one Prague Christmas market, don’t miss the market at Old Town Square. The market in Wenceslas Square is also nice. For a small market with a wonderful setting, visit the Na Kampě Square Christmas Market. And if you want to shop for souvenirs, then put Havel’s Market on your list.
More Christmas Markets in Europe
Vienna is another festive city to visit in December and just a short train ride away from Prague. Learn more about what it is like to visit Vienna at Christmas and the best Christmas markets to visit in Vienna.
London is also a wonderful place to visit in December. This city is filled with small Christmas markets and the streets are lined with thousands of twinkling lights. Plan your trip with our London Christmas Itinerary.
Christmas in Prague: More Things to Do
Stroll across the Charles Bridge
This is one of Prague’s must-have experiences. Strolling across Charles Bridge is an unforgettable experience, as you are treated to stunning views of the city and the statues that line the bridge. It’s great during the day and in the evening.
Charles Bridge
The view from the Old Town Bridge Tower
Climb to the Top of One of Prague’s Many Towers
For an aerial view of Prague, climb to the top of at least one of its towers. The Old Town Hall Tower gives you an amazing view over the Christmas market at Old Town Square. We love the view from the Lesser Town Bridge Tower and the tower of St. Vitus Cathedral.
View from the Lesser Town Bridge Tower
Tour Prague Castle
Touring Prague Castle is another must-do on a visit to Prague. This is typically a very festive place in December, with a Christmas market and large, decorated Christmas tree. On our visit in 2023, just a Christmas tree sat in the square, but we are hoping that in 2024 the market will return to the castle.
The Golden Lane at Prague Castle
Drink Hot Wine & Eat a Trdelníks
Trdelníks, also called Chimney Cakes, are Prague’s best sweet treat. Dough is wrapped around a large stick and then baked over an open fire, slowly rotating, similar to a rotisserie chicken. It is then topped with sugar and walnuts. You can eat it plain or have it filled with ice cream.
Hot mulled wine can be found at most Christmas markets and is a great way to warm up in the cold, winter months.
Trdelníks
If you have any questions about the best Prague Christmas markets, or if you want to share your favorites, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information for Your Trip to Prague
PRAGUE: Get started with our article Best Things to Do in Prague. Take a look at our Guide to Prague Castle for lots of helpful tips for your visit. And here are the 10 best views of Prague.
CESKY KRUMLOV: In our Guide to Cesky Krumlov, learn how to plan your day trip from Prague.
AUSTRIA: Learn how to spend one day in Hallstatt, one day in Salzburg, and get a list of the top 10 things to do in Vienna. We also have a guide to the best things to do in Innsbruck.
CENTRAL EUROPE ITINERARY: Learn how to put together Budapest, Vienna, and Prague together in our 10 day Central Europe Itinerary.
LONDON AT CHRISTMAS: For an overview of what to do, here are 15 things to do in London at Christmas. We also have guides to the best Christmas lights and best Christmas markets. Learn how to put it all together in our London Christmas Itinerary.
Read all of our articles about the Czech Republic in our Czech Republic Travel Guide.
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