Visiting Prague in winter is like a fairytale. There are beautiful lights and Christmas Markets everywhere! These are the best things to do in Prague in Winter.
Why would you visit Prague in Winter?
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is a city from a fairytale. It’s one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Although it’s a gorgeous city to visit all year round, visiting Prague in the winter months is a very good idea. During this time of year, the city is not as crowded as it is in the summer months and is magically lit. There are cozy Christmas markets and Christmas decorations everywhere. Winter is the best time for a romantic getaway to Prague.
Prague in Winter: Climate
What is the weather like when you visit Prague in Winter? The average temperature ranges between -1 to 5 degrees Celcius, with January being the coldest month. On average, Prague only gets about 5 days of rain in winter, so it’s usually dry. There’s also a chance of snow, which makes the city look even more magical.
Best time to visit Prague
Winter is a fantastic time to visit Prague. It can get quite crowded in the week between Christmas and New Year, but it’s definitely low season before Christmas and after New Year. The prices of hotels are lower and it’s not too crowded.
Best things to do in Prague in Winter
What are the best things to do in Prague in cold weather? These are the best places to visit and the most fun things to do in Prague in winter.
Visit Prague’s Christmas markets
If you want to visit a Christmas market in Central Europe, Prague is the place to go. From the last week of November till January 6, you can find some amazing Christmas Markets all over Prague. Lots of beautiful and colorful lights, many stalls with mulled wine and warm fruit drinks (I love the warm pear juice!), and delicious snacks. You can find the best Prague Christmas markets at Prague Castle, Old Town Square, Republic Square, and Wenceslas Square.
Go for a stroll on the Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge is the most famous bridge in the city and a great place to explore. Although most of the city has been connected to an electricity network, the historic lamps on the Charles Bridge are still fueled with gas. In the weeks before Christmas (in 2022 it was from November 27th until December 23rd) there’s a whole ceremony to light the lanterns.
A lamp lighter (a very tall man), walks a historic route from the Powder Tower all the way to Hradčanské Square. He wears a historic outfit and lights the lanterns with a long pole. He starts around 4 pm. Don’t miss it!
Prague Castle
Towering over the city, Prague Castle is a sight to behold. It’s the largest castle complex in the world (according to the Guinness Book of Records). You can easily spend the majority of the day here, there are so many buildings to explore, and the complex is also home to the famous Golden Lane. You’ll also find one of the best Christmas markets in Prague on the square right behind the Prague Cathedral.
Tip: Buy your tickets to Prague Castle in advance so you don’t have to stand in line.
Go ice skating on one of the ice rinks
The Czech love their ice sports and there are ice rinks everywhere in the city (indoor and outdoor). You don’t have to bring your ice skates, you can usually rent them at the ice rink. Some of the best open-air ice skating ranks are below Zizkov TV Tower and at Shopping Center Cerny most. Admission is 120 Czech korunas (about 5 euros).
Check this website for an overview of all the ice skating rinks in Prague.
Wenceslas Square
Wenceslas Square is a long square with a long history. It’s a traditional place for demonstrations and celebrations. It’s a very popular place for tourists because it’s surrounded by shops, which makes it a fantastic place for shopping. There’s also a large Christmas Market here.
Old Town Square
Old Town Square is the main square in Prague and you absolutely need to visit this place when you’re in Prague in the winter season. Check out the famous astronomical clock and the large Christmas market. A great place for shopping, you can buy some beautiful hand-crafted gifts.
Enjoy the traditional Czech food
Traditional Czech food is the perfect comfort food in winter. Large plates filled with stews and potatoes. When you want to warm up, get into one of the many restaurants and order a traditional 3-course meal with mulled wine and a Czech beer. A restaurant with great food is the perfect place to get warm and cozy.
Lokál Dlouhááá is a great restaurant and you can also choose to go on a food tour.
Visit the amazing museums
If you’re experiencing rain or really cold winter temperatures and want to stay warm and dry, it’s recommended to visit one of Prague’s amazing museums. Some great museums to visit are:
- The National Museum
- Franz Kafka Museum
- Jewish Museum
- Museum of Communism
Bohuslav Martinů Festival
Would you like to attend some amazing concerts during your Prague city trip? Make sure to visit the city during the last week of November and the first two weeks of December. That’s when the Bohuslav Martinů Festival takes place. You can visit concerts by great Czech musicians and soloists that play music by Martinů, and other famous Czech composers.
Check the official website for more information.
Climb Petřín hill for the best views
Petřín is a hill on the west side of the city center and a great place to go for a walk and enjoy the views of Prague Old Town. When I was in Prague in Winter, this was my favorite place to view the city, because of the cold temperatures, it was foggy around the Moldau river, which gave it such a mystical vibe!
Prague Winter Run
Do you like to go out for a run? Visit Prague in February and join the Prague Winter Run! It takes place in Park Ladronka, about 5 kilometers from the city center. You can choose to do one or two laps, each lap is 4.2 kilometers. Check out the website for dates and how to apply.
What to pack?
During your Prague city trip, you’ll probably be outside most of the time. It’s smart to wear many layers, because of the low temperatures. What to pack when you’re visiting Prague during the winter months?
- A warm coat.
- A scarf and a hat.
A warm sweater for cold nights. - Warm socks. I myself prefer Smartwool socks, they’re warm and they don’t smell.
- Comfortable (and warm) shoes or boots. You’ll walk a lot!
Book a trip to Prague
Are you excited to visit Prague in winter? Book your trip now!
✈️Plane tickets
Prague has a large international airport. Check WayAway to find the best deals on plane tickets.
From the airport, it’s really easy to travel to the city center by bus and metro.
🛤️Traveling by bus or train
Prague is also very accessible from all over Europe by bus or train. Check Busbud for bus tickets and Rail Europe for train tickets.
🛏️Where to stay in Prague?
Prague is a popular tourist destination and because of that, there are numerous places to stay. These are some of the best hotels in Prague:
- Loreta Hotel (3⭐) – Hotel in a building from 1384 in a great location near Prague Castle.
- Hotel CUBE Prague (4⭐) – Nicely decorated modern hotel within walking distance of many attractions.
- The Julius Prague (5⭐) – One of the most luxurious hotels in the city center, housed in a beautiful historic building.
Check Booking.com for availability, options, and prices.
💊Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is always an important part of every trip. Check Insubuy to find the best travel insurance that fits your needs.
🎡Tours & activities
A guided walking tour and a river cruise is the best way to learn more about the Czech capital. You can book the best tours through Get Your Guide.
If you plan on visiting many museums, check out the Prague Card. With this card, you can visit many of the city’s attractions for free or get a great discount.
Read more about Prague and the Czech Republic
Are you interested in visiting Prague and the Czech Republic? Get one of these fantastic travel guides filled with travel tips:
Fodor’s Prague: with the Best of the Czech Republic
You can also read more about Prague on this website. You might like to read these articles as well:
And if you’d like to visit other European cities as well, check out these posts:
- 25 Best things to do in Bucharest Romania
- 12 fun things to do in Luxembourg City
- 25 Best cities in France to spend the weekend
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