7 Best Christmas Markets in Prague for Festive Shopping
- SHRADDHANVITA TIWARI
- UPDATED May 17, 2018
- 190 Views
Christmas comes with joy and celebration and when it comes to Christmas in Prague, it’s magical! The other day I was reading a book by Joyce Hannam, and guess what was the title of the book… "CHRISTMAS IN PRAGUE". :-) The story revolves around Carol, her husband Jan, and father Josef who want to go to Prague to celebrate Christmas and Josef narrates how one Christmas has changed his life forever. There must be something about Christmas in Prague that Hannam made it the title of his book, isn’t it? This capital city of Czech Republic is world famous for its Christmas markets. People from around the world gather in Prague during the Christmas season to purchase unique things for their Christmas celebration.
Be it Purpura (the Czech Christmas potpourri), medovina (warm honey liquor), scented candles or crafts for decoration, Christmas markets in Prague are unique in their own way. So, this Christmas, if you are in Prague, enjoy the festive atmosphere of these Christmas markets.
1. The Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí): The biggest Christmas Market
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Duration: November 26 to January 6
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Old Town Square is really old and so is the Christmas here. Surrounded by magnificent buildings, stunning churches, and historical sites that include the Old Town Hall Tower and the Astronomical Clock, the Old Town Square is home to one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Imagine yourself shopping in a market encircled by many Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic style buildings! You will surely stand in awe when this will take you to the ancient time. Being one of the main squares of Prague, the Old Town Square gets busy during the Christmas season. You can easily spend an entire evening here as every corner and every stall in this market will enchant you with its decoration. The shops are laden with Christmas trees. With plenty of cafes lining the streets of this market, you will never get tired of shopping as you will get to enjoy coffee or beer with some mouthwatering snacks.
What’s cool: Attend the Christmas concert and short plays performed at the center of the market.
2. Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí): the nightlife center of Prague
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Duration: November 26 to January 6
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
The distance of Wenceslas Square from the Old Town Square is just 5 minutes’ walk and it is considered as another wonderful market to head to when the Christmas Carol begins. Named after the statue of Saint Wenceslas, this square is known as the entertainment and nightlife center of Prague. If you are looking for the most beautiful Christmas trees in Prague, this market is where you will find them. Another reason for this market’s popularity is that it is located at the place from where you can get access to almost all the major attractions of Prague. During the Christmas season, the market is set around the National Museum and the Prague State Opera. You will get a variety of items to decorate your house on Christmas, wood-carved toys, glass-work, blacksmith´s ware, and many more.
What’s cool: Taste the traditional Czech food especially the barbecued pork, blood sausages, and Czech muffins to experience the best culinary delight of Prague.
3. Prague Castle (Prazsky hrad): the Christmas fantasy
Image Source: prebano66/flickr.com
Duration: November to December
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 am to 7 pm
Saturday to Sunday: 9 am to 8 pm
It snows in Prague in December, and that is the reason why the Christmas market of Prague Castle offers the snow-covered Christmas fantasy to all the visitors. If you want to soak up the December weather of Prague, Prague Castle is the best place. Do you love making friends or meeting new people? Then you will be able to do so in this “super-friendly” market. Even if you are not in a mood to buy anything, the amicable vendors will grab your attention with their sonorous and friendly voice and will make you get into the festive mood. This huge market situated inside this huge castle complex displays a high-quality range of Christmas products, be it the lights for decoration or cookies and cakes. The phenomenal setting of this market makes one feel as if he is living a fantasy. The opening time of the market varies on weekdays and weekends.
What’s cool: Tired of shopping? Sit at a cozy corner of the market with a glass of mulled wine and aromatic ham.
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4. Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky): one of the cheapest Christmas markets
Image Source: Monika Durickova/flickr.com
Duration: November 25 to December 24
Opening Hours: 10am to 7pm daily
You will get a lot of things to do in this Christmas market that is organized in the months of November and December every year on Republic Square. The market is just on a walking distance from the Old Town Square and the Náměstí Republiky metro station is also located nearby. What makes this Christmas market so special are the wooden houses that display beautiful art and crafts, decoration, and candles. Apart from this, you will find the shops to buy the best Christmas market food to make your Christmas more delicious. Although this is one of the smallest Christmas markets in Prague, it displays some of the best items to buy for a perfect celebration.
What’s cool: Running out of budget? Visit this market at evening and you will be able to grab the best market deals.
5. Peace Square (Náměstí Míru): for a peaceful Christmas
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Duration: November 20 to December 24
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
To be honest, this is Christmas market in Prague that I really love. You can reach after a 15 minutes’ walk from the Wenceslas Square. Unlike other markets, here you will find a lot of independent stalls selling local handicrafts and decorative items for Christmas celebration. True to its name, the atmosphere of Peace square is really peaceful. At the center of the market, you will see a beautiful Christmas tree decorated with beautiful lights. While purchasing some interesting items for your Christmas celebration, you can visit the church of St. Ludmila located here. Namesti miru metro is the closest stop to this market.
What’s cool: Listen to the locals singing Christmas Carol under the big Christmas tree.
Must Read: Best Places to Visit in Europe in December
6. Havel’s Market (Havelske Trziste): best to buy souvenir
Image Source: geograph.org.uk
Duration: November to December
Opening Hours: 6 a.m. to 7pm
What makes Christmas so exciting? It’s the gifts that you exchange with your loved ones. So, if you are in Prague this December and in search of a souvenir for your friends, this market is the perfect place. The stalls that are full of handmade things will captivate your heart and you will be compelled to buy some of these. There are some worthy restaurants lining the market where you can take off your shopping bags and enjoy a sumptuous meal. The Christmas eve in the market comes with a beautiful decoration and lights.
What’s cool: Don’t forget to buy a fresh fruit basket from here. And yes, bargain a lot!
Must Read: Best Souvenirs From Europe
7. Holešovice Exhibition Grounds (Výstaviště Holešovice): the spark of traditions
Duration: December 2 to 4
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
This is comparatively a smaller Christmas market in Prague. This is basically an exhibition organized especially during Christmas by the local Artist, Craftsmen, and Pottery makers. Walk through the market and you will see some beautiful small and big Christmas trees at every corner and in front of the shops. This is the market where you will feel the real spark of Prague’s tradition. Here, you will get an authentic shopping experience that is not possible in any luxurious shopping mall. The amusement park of Prague fairground is also located nearby.
What’s cool: Don’t make your shopping a boring activity. Attend the weekend entertainment program organized for both children and adults.
Although these are the main Christmas markets in Prague, the colors and enthusiasm of festive season is clearly visible throughout the city. So, visit these markets, gorge on the delicious ham with wine, choose a pretty Christmas tree, and get ready for the best Christmas celebration in ‘ever smiling’ city of Prague. Veselé Vánoce (Merry Christmas)
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SHRADDHANVITA TIWARI