Prague has always been one of Europe’s most beautiful and intriguing cities. Prague Christmas Market is one of the winter highlights with its wonderfully festive atmosphere and beautifully decorated squares.
Read on to find unconfirmed 2024 dates, all seven locations and what to expect while you’re there.
The first Christmas market I ever visited in my life was in Prague. That was several years ago now, and I’ve been back several times since, but I’ll never forget that first experience.
Winter in Prague is an incredible time to visit. There are generally fewer crowds at this time of year than in summer, but it’s still very busy.
Prague Christmas Market 2024
There are at least seven locations in Prague this year. If you were only to visit one, I’d make it Old Town Square (the most beautiful), followed by Prague Castle (the best views) and then Wenceslas Square (a convenient area). The others I’d treat as bonus locations.
1. Old Town Square
You cannot beat the beauty and historical significance of the Old Town Square, a wide-open square that is the oldest in Prague.
It’s unique for its Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo architecture, the famous Astronomical Clock, and the views of the iconic spires of the Church of Our Lady before Týn.
Prague Christmas Market dates: 1st December 2024 to 5th January 2025 (unconfirmed).
Location: Old Town Square.
Opening times: 10am to 10pm.
Christmas Day: Partially open.
Admission: Free.
Christmas lights: No specific switch on date.
Santa: Yes.
Ice skating: Not here, but at several other locations.
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of option.
Gluten free: Yes, but very limited. There are some dedicated GF cafes and bakeries in Prague.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Recommended tour: Book your Prague Castle ticket in advance to avoid the queues. This is the most popular attraction in Prague.
Specialities: Although originating from Transylvania, trdelník (chimney cake) is hugely popular in Prague.
Food tour: For a more in-depth experience of Czech food, I recommend this Prague food tour, one of the best I’ve ever taken.
Where to stay: The Julius Prague is a highly-rated hotel that is near both the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.
Where to Stay
Prague is a safe, walkable city with a great public transport system that makes getting around easy.
The city is divided into numbered districts. Prague 1 covers much of the historic old town, including Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge, plus Mala Strana and Prague Castle on the other side of the river. These are all excellent areas to stay in Prague.
Prague has many fantastic neighbourhoods outside the old town, like Karlin, Žižkov, Vinohrady and even Holešovice if you want to get off the beaten path. But if this is your first time in Prague, I suggest staying in Prague 1.
I recommend staying at Julius Prague as it’s in a central location and gets excellent reviews.
Alternatively, you could stay at the Golden Star if you want to be near Prague Castle. I stayed here on my last stay in Prague, and the view across the city was incredible (see the photo above). This hotel is just down from the castle and a 25-minute walk to the Old Town Square.
If you’d prefer to stay somewhere else, read my guide to hotels near Prague Christmas Market, which has lots of recommendations covering all budgets.
Location
Recommended Tours
I recommend taking this city tour of Prague to discover all of its highlights like the Astronomical Clock, Old Town Square, Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.
You could also take a food tour where you can explore Czech culture through its cuisine.
I took this Prague food tour a few years ago, and it’s one of the best I’ve ever taken.
2. Prague Castle
The largest castle complex in the world holds a compact market in front of the Basilica. You’ll want to spend a good couple of hours at the Castle. Be sure to check out the amazing views before you leave.
Prague Castle dates: 1st December 2024 to 5th January 2025 (unconfirmed).
Location: Prague Castle, in front of St George’s Basilica.
Opening times: 9am to 6pm.
Cost: Free entry.
3. Wenceslas Square
Another popular location is Wenceslas Square, with its prominent statue of St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia. This huge 14th-century square looks up the hill towards the National Museum.
The streets are lined with chalets serving hot drinks and snacks like roasted chestnuts and traditional Czech sweets.
Wenceslas Square dates: 1st December 2024 to 5th January 2025 (unconfirmed).
Location: Wenceslas Square.
Opening times: 10am to 10pm. Some food and drink stalls close at midnight.
4. Republic Square
Not far from Old Town Square is Republic Square. This is a quieter part of the city centre, but it’s a popular shopping area thanks to the Palladium Shopping Mall.
You might also like to visit the Museum of Communism while in this part of the city and venture over to the Onesip Coffee if you’re looking for great coffee.
Republic Square dates: 1st to 30th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky).
Opening times: 10am to 10pm.
5. Tyl’s Square
Just behind the National Museum Cross in Prague 2 is the Vinohrady district where you’ll find a small market popular with locals.
Tyl’s Square dates: 25th November to 24th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Tyl’s Square (Tylovo náměstí), Vinohrady, Prague 2.
Opening times: 10am to 6pm.
6. Peace Square
While you’re in Vinohrady, head over to Peace Square for more stalls.
Peace Square dates: 19th November to 24th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Peace Square (Náměstí Míru), Vinohrady, Prague 2.
Opening times: 10am to 6pm.
7. Smíchov
The Smíchov district is a little off the beaten path for most tourists. This area is mostly a mix of offices, shopping and a few residences. I stayed in this area one time and found it really easy to get around on the tram.
Smíchov dates: 23rd November to 24th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Anděl, Prague 5.
Opening times: 10am to 6pm.
Christmas in Prague
If you have a bit of extra time, take a day to Cesky Krumlov. This picturesque town is not far from Prague. Read my article on Cesky Krumlov Christmas Market if you want to plan a trip.
Czech Specialties
Trdelník (Chimney Cake): The scent of trdelník being cooked over an open flame is unmistakable. These sweet pastries are made from rolled dough, wrapped around a stick, and then grilled and rolled a sugar and with different toppings.
Svařák (Mulled Wine): Svařák warms you from the inside out on chilly days. This traditional drink is a blend of red wine, spices, and sometimes citrus peel, served hot.
Klobása (Czech Sausage): These sausages are a staple street food snack, usually served with bread and mustard.
Vánoční Perníčky (Gingerbread): Intricately decorated and spiced, these gingerbread cookies are as much a visual treat as a tasty one. They come in various shapes, from hearts to stars, and are often used as edible decorations. They also make for a nice gift or stocking filler.
Medovina (Honey Wine): Medovina, or mead, is an ancient drink made from fermented honey. Its sweet, rich flavour makes it a popular choice.
Bramborové Spirály (Potato Spirals): These are thinly sliced potatoes skewered and fried until crispy, then sprinkled with various flavourings. You’ve probably seen them at other markets and street food events.
České Palačinky (Czech Pancakes): Similar to French crêpes, these thin pancakes are usually filled with jam, fruit, chocolate, or Nutella.
Travel Information
Visit Czechia is the official website for tourism in Czechia. It’s an excellent resource for finding things to do in Prague and throughout the country. Find museums and galleries of interest, beautiful castles, learn about the local architecture of discover where to find the best Czech food.
Sustainability Tips
Here are some practical ways to visit Prague responsibly at Christmas.
Green Hotels: Look for hotels in Prague that are committed to sustainability. These might use renewable energy, have efficient waste management systems in place, and offer local and organic food options.
Food Waste: The markets will tempt you with a huge variety of traditional foods. Buy in moderation, and if you do want to sample widely, share portions with friends. This way, you get to taste everything without leaving leftovers.
Mindful Shopping: When visiting the stalls, purchase gifts that have a real use or emotional value. Prague is renowned for its artisanal products, so consider handmade items that support local makers without contributing to mass consumerism.
Eating Out: Eat at stalls and restaurants that use local and seasonal produce. Traditional Czech cuisine has many plant-based options that are delicious and have a lower environmental footprint.
Public Transport: Prague has a comprehensive network of trams, buses, and a metro system that makes getting around easy and efficient. Using these instead of taxis or rental cars helps reduce your carbon emissions.
Please comment below if you want to leave a review of Prague Xmas Market.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Prague, Czechia. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.
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