Always fancied doing Prague’s Christmas markets? You’re in for a treat. In December, the city of a hundred spires looks like a scene straight from The Nutcracker. Seasonal stalls pop up all over the Czech capital and the whole place is festooned in a blanket of fairy lights.
Things usually kick off on the first Saturday of Advent, and the bigger markets run until about a week after New Year’s Day. That means you’ve got a month and a bit to make the most of them. As for where to start, there are big-name markets selling everything from handmade Christmas decs to steaming mugs of mulled wine, plus some more hush-hush spots worth scoping out.
If you’re ready to get your shopping fix in Prague, here are our top picks of the best Christmas markets to visit. Just remember to leave some space in your case for your festive haul…
Best for selfies: Old Town Square Christmas Market
Right in the centre of Prague’s Old Town, this buzzy square – called Staroměstské náměstí – dates back to the 10th century. Crammed with architectural greats like the Old Town Hall and St Nicholas Church, it’s gorgeous all year round. But it’s something else at Christmas, when the place fills with quaint market stalls, traditional nativity scenes and loads of fairy lights. Fill up with gingerbread, smoked ham and traditional sweet pastries – not necessarily in that order – and shop for stocking fillers to take home. Then get that all-important shot of you in front of the massive Christmas tree in the middle. Our tip? Wait ‘til dusk, when it glitters with – you guessed it – fairy lights.
Best for shopping: Wenceslas Square Christmas Market
Prague’s other main square, Wenceslas, is a five-minute wander from the Old Town Square – so it’s a two-for-one affair. It’s essentially a smaller version of its big sister, so you can expect more in the way of handmade gifts and foodie finds, except this one bookends Prague’s shopping district. That means as well as stocking up on one-off finds from the wooden market huts, you can splurge in some of the city’s biggest and best department stores. These places tend to go all-out on Christmas displays, too, so they definitely count as a festive stop on your shopping trip.
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Best for avoiding the crowds: Republic Square Christmas Market
Follow the stalls and shops along Wenceslas Square and Na Příkopě street into Republic Square and you’ll land at one of Prague’s smallest Christmas markets. A clutch of about 30 stalls, Republic Square market’s much quieter than the biggies – but no less festive. Snap up some sheepskin slippers, stock up on hand-poured candles, or figure out how you’re going to squeeze a huge and very delicate festive wreath in your hand luggage. There’s loads more room to breathe here, and you’ll spend less time in a queue.
Best for mingling with the locals: Namesti Miru Christmas Market
While Prague’s central Christmas markets draw a tourist-heavy crowd, there are plenty of out-of-town spots with a more authentic vibe. Namesti Miru market is one of those, partly because it’s a bit of an uphill walk – or a trip on the tram – to get to it in Peace Square. Once you arrive, ditch the map and let your nose lead you around 60-odd stalls tempting hungry shoppers with wafts of roasted chestnuts, barbecued meats and spiced mulled wine. And once you’ve had your fill of food, shop for festive wares like handcrafted wooden tree decs and advent calendars so ornate you’ll want to reuse them every year.
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Best for sightseeing: Prague Castle Christmas Market
It’d be rude not to tick off some of Prague’s A-list sights while you’re in town, and Prague Castle is top of the list. It’s the biggest castle complex in the world, and its hillside setting gives it a bird’s-eye view. That means when you visit, you get a close-up look at places like the insanely beautiful St. Vitus Cathedral as well as whole list of top sights down in the city below. The Christmas market here fills one area of the complex – St George’s Square – with stallholders, carol singers and savvy shoppers. Book a Prague Castle tour before you go and you can tick off sightseeing and shopping in one trip, without stressing about on-the-day tickets.
Ready to hit Prague’s Christmas markets?
Check out all our Czech Republic holidays. For more inspo, take a look at the best Christmas markets in Budapest or the best Christmas markets in Berlin.
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Author: Katie Gregory
Last updated: 23/10/23
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