The Final Information to the Christmas Markets in Prague…
Christmas is coming rapidly and there’s no higher place to benefit from the festive spirit than in European Christmas markets.
When planning your subsequent winter getaway, why not go to probably the most lovely markets on this planet?
The Christmas markets in Prague within the Czech Republic with their magical ambiance, native Christmas traditions, nice buying and scrumptious meals are among the finest Christmas markets in Europe.
As Czechs, who’ve been dwelling in Prague for just a few years, we visited the Christmas markets within the Czech capital many occasions. And we’re planning to go there once more this 12 months as a result of it’s an enormous a part of Czech Christmas custom.
Additionally, it by no means will get boring!
It’s a fantastic place to unwind from the pre-Christmas buying insanity, get into the festive temper and have a cup (or two) of mulled wine.
Why select Prague for Christmas Markets
However why do you have to journey to Prague when there are such a lot of Christmas markets in Europe?
The principle purpose why we love the Prague Christmas markets is that they aren’t as huge as these in Germany or Austria, so you may get a extra genuine expertise right here.
The preferred markets are situated shut to one another and you may simply stroll from one to a different, there isn’t a want to make use of public transportation.
You can too discover a fantastic choice of Christmas merchandise, items, meals and drinks accompanied by festive-themed leisure right here.
Normally, costs within the Czech Republic are decrease than in Western Europe so you’re going to get a lot better worth in your cash in Prague.
And we aren’t speaking solely about costs of Christmas merchandise or meals. The top of the 12 months (aside from Christmas time and New 12 months’s Eve) is taken into account because the off-season so you possibly can seize a cut price in your flights or lodging.
To not point out the gorgeous historic heart is among the prime Prague points of interest, probably the most lovely cities on this planet, you could discover whenever you get uninterested in Christmas carols.
You may get impressed by our one-day itinerary.
When to go to the Prague Christmas Markets
The Christmas markets in Prague (‘vanocni trhy’ within the Czech language) begin nicely earlier than the vacations so you’ve got loads of time to get into the merry temper.
There are numerous markets unfold throughout town, they’re open day by day, the entry is free, and they’re among the finest issues to do in Prague.
Usually, the most important and the preferred Christmas markets in Prague (Outdated City Sq., Wenceslas Sq., Republic Sq.) begin originally of December and final till the start of January.
The smaller markets (Peace Sq., Tyl’s Sq. and others) already begin on the finish of November however end at Christmas Eve.
Earlier than you guide your flights verify the opening occasions of the Prague markets right here.
The place are the most effective Christmas markets in Prague?
Christmas markets are an necessary a part of Christmas custom within the Czech Republic and a should do in Prague, and that’s why you will discover them in most cities and cities throughout the nation.
These in Prague are the most important they usually supply the most effective choice of Christmas merchandise.
You could find them in lots of locations (particularly squares) all around the metropolis, the preferred markets are situated within the districts of Prague 1 and a pair of.
You shouldn’t miss the next markets – these are the most effective Christmas markets, the most important and hottest, but in addition the busiest as most vacationers head right here:
Outdated City Sq. (Staromestske namesti)
The biggest and most crowded Christmas market in Prague is unfold across the Jan Hus Memorial close to the Outdated City Corridor and Astronomical clock.
Closest metro stations: Staromestska, Mustek
Wenceslas Sq. (Vaclavske namesti)
Held on the decrease a part of Wenceslas Sq., only a brief stroll from Outdated City Sq..
Closest metro stations: Mustek, Muzeum
Republic Sq. (Namesti Republiky)
One a part of the market may be present in entrance of the buying centre Palladium, the opposite close to the Outdated Customs Home (Stara Celnice). Inside strolling distance from each Outdated City and Wenceslas Squares.
Closest metro station: Namesti Republiky
Prague Citadel (Prazsky hrad)
Situated at St. George’s Sq. (Namesti sv. Jiri) behind the St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrala sv. Vita).
Closest metro stations: Hradcanska, Malostranska
Picture 5: Christmas-markets-in-Prague-6.jpg (Alt Textual content: Christmas decorations on the market, Christmas markets in Prague)
If you wish to see the place native individuals go, try a few of the smaller Christmas markets for extra genuine expertise, for instance:
Peace Sq. (Namesti Miru)
Held in entrance of the Church of St. Ludmila (Kostel sv. Ludmily) within the Vinohrady district. That is normally the primary Christmas market of the season.
Closest metro station: Namesti Miru
Tyl’s Sq. (Tylovo namesti)
One other small market in Vinohrady.
Closest metro station: I. P. Pavlova
These are simply a few of the hottest Christmas markets in Prague however there are a lot of extra of them as each metropolis district normally holds their very own.
What Czech Christmas markets appear like
Czech Christmas markets are normally nestled round a adorned and lit Christmas tree, and one of many nicest issues to see in Prague.
The most important and probably the most well-known is the one in Outdated City Sq..
There’s even a contest held yearly when individuals can ship their ideas for the correct Christmas tree and the one who discovered the chosen tree wins some cash.
The lighting of the Christmas tree through the first night of the market is an enormous occasion that begins the actual Christmas market. Should you can, don’t miss the primary ceremonial tree illumination in Outdated City Sq..
You possibly can normally discover some type of a Nativity scene, both static or stay, and it’s normally situated close to the Christmas tree.
Christmas markets encompass wood stalls or huts adorned with Christmas ornaments, the place numerous Christmas merchandise (normally handmade) or refreshment are on supply.
The most common objects are Christmas tree decorations, handicrafts, glassware, wood toys, winter equipment, gingerbread, sweets, and so forth.
We prefer to drop into a few of the refreshment stalls to get a roasted ham or sausage. Petr washes it down with Czech beer (strive Pilsner Urquell), whereas Kat is a fan of mulled wine.
There are numerous leisure choices coming with Christmas markets – from live shows carried out primarily by youngsters or numerous choirs who sing Czech Christmas carols, family-oriented performances to native craftsmen showcasing their jobs (blacksmiths are the commonest and their stalls are additionally the warmest – simply saying!).
Most Christmas markets are family-friendly and there are many actions in your little ones.
They’ll pet sheep, goats or donkeys in animal stables, get busy in little one workshops, enter numerous competitions, style Christmas sweets and so forth.
You don’t have to spend all of your time in Christmas markets, there’s all the time a lot occurring within the festive season – don’t miss a few of the Introduction live shows carried out in historic buildings or church buildings, theatre, opera, ballet or exhibitions.
You possibly can even discover just a few out of doors ice-skating rinks throughout town – go to the one within the Fruit Market (Ovocny trh) within the Outdated City.
What to purchase on the Czech Christmas markets
You could be overwhelmed by the good choice of Christmas merchandise within the markets as a result of all of it seems so fairly and it’s arduous to resolve what to get.
The next are a few of the typical objects that it’s best to try (not solely) as a result of they make excellent Christmas items:
- Christmas tree ornaments
- Christmas decorations
- Introduction wreaths
- Handicrafts
- Picket toys
- Scented candles
- Glassware
- Ceramics
- Jewelry
- Winter equipment (scarves, hats, gloves)
- Gingerbread merchandise
What to eat and drink on the Christmas markets in Prague
Don’t miss out and do that typical Czech meals, which is obtainable in most Christmas markets:
- Spit-roasted ham (sunka)
- Barbecued sausages (klobasy)
- Salty potato pancakes (bramboraky)
- Conventional Czech Christmas braided cake ‘vanocka’
- Christmas cookies (vanocni cukrovi)
- Gingerbread (pernik)
Whereas visiting Prague, you will note ‘trdelnik’ round each nook. It’s a candy pastry constituted of dough that’s wrapped round a metallic stick (trdlo) and grilled over an open flame.
It’s introduced as sometimes Czech but it surely’s not completely true, it’s widespread in most of Central Europe.
‘Trdelnik’ acquired closely promoted in Prague throughout the previous few years and you will discover it in most touristy locations.
Nonetheless, it’s best to nonetheless give it a strive – you possibly can have it empty, sprinkled with sugar, or with a filling (ice cream is the preferred).
You possibly can watch ‘trdelnik’ being made in most markets and standing by the hearth may even heat you up.
The next Christmas drinks will enable you to maintain heat too:
- Mulled wine (svarene vino or svarak)
- Mead (medovina)
- Grog
- Punch
- Eggnog (vajecny konak)
Czech Christmas traditions
Czech Christmas traditions are completely different from these in Western Europe.
For us, a very powerful day of Christmas is Christmas Eve (24th December), particularly the night, when we now have household dinner, youngsters get their presents and a few households go to a midnight mass within the native church.
For Christmas dinner we get pleasure from fish soup and fried carp with potato salad – that’s why you possibly can see huge tanks with fish on the market in lots of locations just a few days earlier than Christmas.
Dwelling-made Christmas cookies are an enormous a part of the vacation in each family and every household has their very own ‘secret’ recipes for the most effective cookies.
There’s a Christmas tree colorfully adorned and lit in each home.
The principle determine of Czech Christmas is Child Jesus (Jezisek), not Santa Claus (though you can see Santa in most outlets).
Throughout Christmas Day (25th December) and St. Stephen’s Day (26th December) Czech individuals like to go to household and buddies.
Christmas is the time when households come collectively and luxuriate in quite a lot of good meals and likewise fairy tales (there are a lot of Czech fairy tales on TV throughout Christmas and we love watching them yearly).
Outlets are normally closed from the afternoon on 24th December till 25th December, a few of them open on 26th December (gross sales time!).
Additional tip: St. Nicholas Day
In case you are within the Czech Republic within the night of 5th December (a day earlier than St. Nicholas Day), you’ll most likely meet St. Nicholas (Mikulas) accompanied by an angel and a satan within the streets.
They ask youngsters in the event that they behaved through the 12 months – if that’s the case, they offer them a small current (normally a bag of sweets).
If the children have been naughty, they get a lump of coal or potatoes as an alternative (they nonetheless get some deal with in order that they aren’t too unhappy).
How one can benefit from Christmas markets in Prague
We hope we satisfied you that the Christmas markets in Prague must be in your bucket record. It’s a good way to begin the festive season and get some unique Christmas items or decorations.
It’s chilly within the Czech Republic in December (anticipate temperatures beneath zero diploma Celsius / 32 levels Fahrenheit), so costume warmly.
The Prague Christmas markets are very fashionable worldwide and that’s why they’ll get crowded, particularly in Outdated City and Wenceslas Squares.
Should you can, attempt to go to the markets throughout weekdays to keep away from the crowds (that’s what we do).
As locals, we want the smaller markets for extra genuine expertise and decrease costs. But when it’s your first time in Prague you shouldn’t miss the large markets too – it’s simply as much as you ways a lot time (and cash) you’ll spend there.
Most stalls don’t settle for bank cards as they’re simply small distributors, so carry money with you (the native forex is Czech koruna, not Euro).
We like to go to Christmas markets after it will get darkish and the stalls mild up, it’s a really magical expertise (particularly if it snows).
There’s nothing like absorbing the distinctive ambiance of medieval Prague, shopping the wood stalls, listening to Christmas carols, having fun with Czech conventional meals and sipping mulled wine.
In case you are searching for memorable experiences, Prague all the time delivers.
Planning a Journey to Prague
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