Christmas markets in Prague. Christmas markets in Prague Christmas markets on the map

Do you want to see the New Year's Czech Republic? Come a few days before Christmas, in the early 20s of December. Prague is transformed before Christmas, it is already ready for the New Year holidays - everything is decorated with multi-colored garlands, there are many live Christmas trees in tubs all around. Christmas melodies are heard from everywhere. A week before the celebration, a live Christmas tree is installed in the main square of the city.

How Christmas and New Year are celebrated in the Czech Republic

The eve of Christmas - st. Nicolas day(in Czech "Mikulas"). Catholics celebrate it December 6.

Starting from this day, children receive their first gifts - St. Nicholas and his retinue walk along the roads and congratulate the kids.

In Russia, Christmas begins two weeks later - due to the difference between the Gregorian and Julian calendars.

Catholic Christmas in the Czech Republic

The population of the Czech Republic is mostly atheists. According to the 2011 census, about 80% of respondents said they had no religion or refused to answer this question.

The largest number of believers are Catholics.

TO Christmas Eve, which is celebrated on December 24, carp are fattened all year round. A festive table is unthinkable without them.

The carp scales are not thrown away, but washed and placed under each guest’s plate, along with a small coin - for good luck.

This scale is sometimes carried in a wallet for the entire next year - so that money is not transferred.

Christmas Eve is also called Generous evening- on the table 12 Lenten dishes, and guests must try each of them. They also put out an extra plate for the occasional guest.

At Christmas in Prague, it is customary to buy young carp from traders in order to release them into the water a minute or two later.

In the city park, tame bears are treated to sweets. Bears were dangerous for the inhabitants of the medieval city; they tried to appease them so that they would not be “offended” and would not come to people.

The danger no longer exists, but the tradition remains. So Christmas Eve is also called Bear day.

And the very next day it’s the turn of the Christmas goose and other various cookies and rich sweets.

From December 25 until the New Year, numerous nativity scenes are open, and carolers walk the streets. If two “devils” meet each other, they can arrange a light brawl between themselves until the “Nicholas” separate them.

How would you like this option:

In the morning, go on a bus and walking tour of Prague. Price 10 euro per person.
After the tour, attend a master class on how to prepare a real Christmas dinner. Experienced chefs will teach you all the intricacies of local cuisine. The prepared dish can then be eaten with appetite. Cost of the master class - 45 Euro.
In the evening, go to a medieval show in Detenice. Show cost 35 euro per person. A lavish New Year's dinner, an interesting festive program, fireworks and fireworks awaits you.

Or this schedule:

Devote the morning to sightseeing.
Take a walk in one of the city parks. Each of them provides ski and skate rentals for active recreation enthusiasts. There are slopes for sledding.
Take a master class on baking zucchini. The cost of the course is 45 euros.
And in the evening, join the mysterious, and walk along the route of “Mystical Prague”. As a rule, it is conducted by a guide dressed as a skeleton. Price 15 euro per person.

And on January 1, in the late afternoon, fireworks begin throughout Prague. The most popular fireworks performance takes place on the banks of the Vltava River.

New Year's Prague for children

For Russian-speaking children during the Christmas holidays in the theater Coruni Traditional Christmas tree performances with Father Frost and Snow Maiden are held. Starts at 10.00 am.

A visit to the Prague Zoo will bring a lot of pleasure to your child. There are enclosures where pets roam free and you are allowed to interact with them. This zoo is the pride of Prague residents; you can spend half a day there unnoticed. Costs a ticket from 35 Euro.

Take your child to a cooking class, he will love it.

For lovers of classical opera and ballet, we recommend visiting the production of The Sleeping Beauty at the Prague State Opera (Státní opera Praha). Not everyone likes the modern production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” at the National Opera; they are often dissatisfied and believe that all that remains of the ballet is the music.

Preparing for your trip

The most convenient way to get from Russia to Prague is by plane from Moscow or St. Petersburg. It is better to entrust your trip to one of the time-tested tour operators.

Trips to the Czech Republic of varying durations are offered, for example a New Year's tour - “Magnificent Prague”, cost 580-700 euros, you can pay in rubles.

As usual, the group leader will meet you at the airport and provide all the necessary information.

There are also bus tours to Prague. They depart from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad. These tours are much cheaper than traveling by plane.

If you plan to go on an independent trip, keep in mind that you will have to develop the entire program yourself.

You can stay in a hotel, hostel or rent luxury apartments, you just need to make a reservation in advance.

The cost of living will depend on the location of the hotel, its star rating, and of course on the choice of a specific room.

It is better to find a Russian-speaking guide in advance who will meet you and take you on a walk around Prague. This service must be arranged in advance.

Christmas atmosphere:

New Year in Prague - reviews from tourists

“We have long dreamed of going to Prague at Christmas. We couldn’t even imagine such a fairy tale - two weeks practically in the center of Europe. Live shops are just a sight for sore eyes. We ate some sweets and brought them with us. In every square we were treated to them. I’m taking home about a dozen recipes.”
Maria
“We stayed in a regular three-star hotel. The staff turned out to be wonderful, the boy at the reception desk, having learned that we were in Prague for the first time, gave us a map of the city and showed us what and where it was. And another remembered the phone number of the Russian guide and immediately called him. Everything was great, I enjoyed the trip. There were, of course, minor inconveniences, but they didn’t spoil our mood.”
Victor
“I never thought that New Year’s Prague is such a fascinating sight. And that I, a serious person over 45, suddenly wants to forget about everything and have fun like a five-year-old boy. And so become immersed in the history of the ancient medieval castle. And our guide is a funny old lady. It got us all excited, we remembered our youth, we had a blast. And we fell in love with Prague forever.”
It's very hot in Prague this summer, last week the temperature reached +40 and the air didn't move at all! Therefore, I decided to at least mentally return to winter and tell readers about the most popular Christmas markets in Prague and their prices. Moreover, the New Year is approaching, which means it’s time to make plans for the New Year holidays.

I have been to many Christmas markets in Europe: in Munich, ... In principle, they are not very different from each other: everywhere there are lights, national treats, aromatic mulled wine, a large Christmas tree and traditional crowds of people at Christmas time.

Prague markets attract tourists due to their accessibility (for 100 CZK you can eat a sausage and drink mulled wine) and timing. If the Germans and Austrians close markets literally immediately after Catholic Christmas on December 25, then the Czechs leave Christmas paraphernalia longer: until the first days of January. I think this is largely done for tourists from Russia who come at this time. Markets are open daily from approximately 10 am to 10 pm.

Now let's take a walk through the main markets of the Czech capital and find out their opening hours in 2018-2019. For now, I will give approximate dates for the markets, stay tuned for updates.

Christmas market on Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)
- Dates: 01.12.2018 – 06.01.2019
This market is located in the very heart of Prague next to the Prague Orla Astronomical Clock and the famous Tyn Church. The main Christmas tree of the country is installed every year. In 2018, the opening of the Christmas tree is scheduled for December 1.

The market has dozens of stalls selling both food: Wenceslas sausages, mulled wine, punch or strong mead, and Christmas paraphernalia: candles, embroidered tablecloths and napkins, gingerbread cookies, sheep wool slippers, gloves, ceramic houses.

Here you can both eat and buy nice souvenirs. Whenever possible, I always give gingerbreads from Czech markets to my friends in Omsk. Don’t be surprised that there are a lot of gingerbread cookies in the shape of piglets, chimney sweeps, and clovers, because all of them are symbols of good luck in the Czech Republic and Germany. They cost, depending on their size, from 30 to 300 CZK.

I advise you to climb the tower with the Prague Astronomical Clock and look at the markets from above: if you are lucky and it snows that day, beautiful shots are guaranteed. However, from my own experience, I want to say that on Catholic Christmas it is a rarity. Every evening the market on Old Town Square is illuminated with beautiful lighting.

In addition, a stage is installed on the square where concerts are held. Children can pet the animals housed in a special pen.

Within walking distance from the market are the Ventana Hotel Prague and Design Hotel Jewel Prague, where you can rent a double room for 99 - 132 Euros per night.

Christmas market on Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí)
- Dates: 01.12.2018 – 06.01.2019
How to have time to visit the Christmas market in Prague: opening and closing dates, venues. Christmas market #1 in Prague on Old Town Square.

Prague looks especially romantic and fairytale-like during the winter holidays. Christmas is a special time in the Czech Republic, and Christmas markets have become part of that festive magic. They work in many cities - in Cesky Krumlov, Brno, Marianske Lazne. But it is the Christmas market in Prague that is considered exemplary. And not only in the Czech Republic, but also in Europe.

This year there is still a chance to test this in practice: air tickets have not yet been sold out, and not all hotel rooms in Prague have skyrocketed in price.

#2. Wenceslas Square Terraces

Wenceslas Square Terraces - we're going to the fair in Prague!

Modern apartments in the area of Wenceslas Square (where, although not the main, but quite large Prague fair takes place). In addition to all kinds of amenities (bathroom, kitchen, air conditioning, wi-fi, etc.), each room has a balcony or terrace with panoramic views.

#3. Hotel Kampa

The hotel has an excellent location: close to attractions, but in a fairly quiet place. Landmark - Kampa Island and Charles Bridge. Main advantages: the food is very tasty, the rooms are clean and comfortable. It has its own bar and restaurant, parking and good wi-fi.

If you are still interested in the Old Town Square and the main Christmas market of Prague, then here is a map where all the hotels in the area are marked. Use the slider on the right to adjust the average placement price:

Early booking is one of the secrets of low prices. The second secret is searching for discounts. You can find them through the Hotellook search engine. There are always special offers there, regardless of the dates or season.

What to try at the Prague fair

Regardless of the time of year, Christmas markets and markets in Prague are famous for their fruits and berries. Here, in the middle of winter, the juicy colors of sweetish fruits are suddenly revealed, from which the trading stalls are literally bursting.

Even greater excitement is observed in the area of kiosks with “strong drinks”. Besides the classic , try Slovak (not Czech!) honey beer. It, as you might guess, is made from various types of honey, the taste is sweetish, with tart notes. The drink, of course, is not for everybody, but it goes great in a Christmas atmosphere and in the open air.

Another tradition of the Christmas market in Prague was the purchase sprigs of mistletoe. They decorate the house on the eve of Christmas. There is an opinion that if you generously add mistletoe to New Year's celebrations, then happiness will stride into the coming year.

Conduct an experiment, decorate your hotel room if you are staying in the Czech Republic for the entire New Year holidays. You can track the results over the next year.

Excursions in Prague and surrounding areas

The most worthwhile excursions you can find in Prague are those from locals. They are created by people who have something to tell about the city. The guides will show you around the area and tell you where to save money in Prague.

Find out where to rent housing in the area and how. Detailed information about holidays at the resort, and much more. - how to reduce costs.

(Náměstí Míru) 20.11.2018 - 24.12.2018, from 10:00 to 19:00.
(Palackého náměstí) 23.11.2018 - 24.12.2018, from 10:00 to 19:00.
(Tylovo náměstí) 11/23/2018 - 12/24/2018, from 10:00 to 19:00.
(Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad) 24.11.2018 - 24.12.2018, from 10:00 to 21:00.
(pedestrian zone) November 25, 2018 – December 23, 2018, from 10:00 to 19:00.
(Kampa) 12/7/2018 – 01/06/2019

Christmas markets on the map

(15.00 €, 4.5 hours)
(35.00 €, 10 hours)
(15.00 €, 2 hours)
(19.00 €, 3 hours)
(50.00 €, 15 hours)

Opening hours for most fairs: from 10:00 to 22:00, on Sunday – until 20:00. Food and drink stalls are open much longer, usually until midnight.

Guests at (Republiky namesti), near the shopping center, are provided with a warm welcome and a fabulous mood. Handmade toys, ceramic crafts, gingerbread, potato brambles, Czech meat dishes, including the famous boar's knee, and festive concerts will leave December in your memory for a long time.

Guests can appreciate the beauty of the Christmas decorative nativity scene. An interesting entertainment program is offered. Traditional Christmas gingerbread cookies in the shape of a heart will be a souvenir and a sweet treat - another manifestation of the Czech festive flavor. The smell of twisted "" with sugar icing and cinnamon is in the air. Hot wine, grog, honey liqueur, tea, pancakes with different fillings give warmth and good spirits.

In the brightly decorated houses on Peace Square (Námĕstí Míru), visitors can see with their own eyes the production of holiday crafts, choose souvenirs from Bohemian crystal, metal, embroidery, handmade Christmas tree decorations, dolls and puppets in national costumes, hats, gloves, jewelry, aroma candles. Baked ham, barbecued sausages and a glass of hot mulled wine will keep you in a good mood.

The old Prague market is open all year round, but in December it takes on a special charm. Visitors will find a whole scattering of gifts, interesting events, national delicacies and invigorating drinks. Another Czech Christmas tradition deserves mention - huge carp. On Christmas Eve, Czechs try to eat less meat, and fried carp with potatoes becomes the main dish of the table. It is sold at fairs, delighting tourists and local residents. There is no need to talk about the abundance of excellent beer of any variety. More about the market -

The capital of the Czech Republic is a city that captivates at first sight. For several centuries it has been considered one of the most beautiful corners of Europe. Swift cathedral spiers and tiny shops, cozy alleys and, of course, picturesque bridges - the distinctive views of the Czech capital cannot be confused with any others. And snowflakes fluttering in the air and silver frost on the statues only add festive charm to the landscape.

Prague in January is a great place to celebrate Christmas in a pleasant atmosphere, forget about problems and gain new strength. This tourist route is chosen by families with children, couples in love, and cheerful groups. And all because the Czech capital manages to find the key to the heart of every guest.

Advantages of a holiday in Prague

The popularity of the Czech Republic among residents of post-Soviet countries can also be explained by practical reasons. Firstly, this is the similarity of Slavic cultures and the knowledge of the Russian language by local residents. Prague residents over forty years old studied the great and mighty at school, so you definitely won’t have to express yourself with gestures.

Colorful Christmas lights in Prague

Secondly, geographical proximity. Three to four hours by plane - and you will already be greeted at Prague airport. You can also get to the Czech capital by train. Direct flights depart from Moscow with stops in Kyiv and Minsk. However, the duration of the trip (one and a half to two days) can scare away a novice tourist.

Thirdly, the Czech Republic has a rather mild climate: -2...-4 °C instead of our twenty degrees. Stock up on warm clothes, grab a glass of mulled wine - and you can wander around Prague all day. Finally, the number of unusual and beautiful places per square kilometer of the city is truly off scale. So be prepared for surprises!

Christmas traditions in Prague

Most Czechs are Catholics. All Christmas celebrations in the country take place on the 20th of December. At this time, the city squares are decorated with elegant fir trees, festive illuminations and countless tents of street vendors. The latter offer tourists to buy souvenirs and taste local delicacies. You can eat traditional food during your walk: honey gingerbread, vanilla bagels and nut nest cookies.

The festivities are accompanied by a huge number of native Czech rituals. For example, on the evening of December 24, Prague residents go to the banks of the Vltava to buy fish... and release it into the wild. This is how they celebrate Christmas Eve - “Generous Day”. The next morning, the aroma of spices wafts through the frosty air as Czechs, true to tradition, bake a goose and prepare cookies. And on December 26, the streets are filled with cheerful people. They are accompanied by careless men - on this day it is customary to drive them out of the door.

However, there is something to do in Prague during Orthodox Christmas. At the beginning of January, the festive bustle subsides, the crowds thin out and you can calmly stroll along the snow-covered streets and parks. There are seven Orthodox churches in different areas of Prague. The most notable of them is the Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the Nove Mesto area. The Christmas religious procession takes place in the very heart of the city - around the Church of St. Nicholas.

Sights of Prague

The starting point of most excursions is the Old Town, or Stare Mesto in Czech. It was here that the history of Prague began a thousand years ago. Among the labyrinth of streets hide real treasures: luxurious mansions, austere cathedrals and museums. These include a collection of works by the famous artist Alphonse Mucha.

All buildings were built in different eras, but still form harmonious ensembles. However, the most interesting thing awaits you behind the Powder Gate. This is Old Town Square - one of the city's tourist attractions and an example of Gothic architecture. The traveler can see the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary in front of Tyn, crowned with two pointed towers, a monument to the church reformer Jan Hus and the building of the Prague Town Hall.

The “oohs” and “aahs” of tourists are caused by the Astronomical Clock on its southern wall. For several hundred years, they show not only the time and date, but also the hour of sunset and sunrise, and the location of the zodiac signs. When the minute hand reaches the “12” mark, the chimes begin their chime and the ancient mechanisms are launched. The performance begins - the figures of biblical characters begin to move and act out the famous skit about human vices.

From the square it is a stone's throw to the Old Town Tower. It protects the entrance to the Charles Bridge. Every city has must-see attractions for every visitor, and this is one of them. The bridge was built back in the 14th century to connect the banks of the Vltava. By the standards of the time, it was a marvel of engineering, and was named after the then ruler, Charles IV. Three centuries later, the building was decorated with a sculpture gallery. Nowadays it includes thirty figures of Czech saints, who look at passers-by from pedestals.

On the other side of the river stands Prague Castle. One of the largest castles in the world was founded more than a thousand years ago and has gone through many reconstructions. For the Czech Republic it means the same as the Kremlin for Russia. Today it is a huge tourist complex, which includes several palaces (one of which belonged to the kings of the Czech Republic), traces of the early Middle Ages, the Basilica of St. George, Golden Lane and, of course, the Cathedral of St. Vita.

The latter will definitely convince you: prayer in stone is not just beautiful words. This is the very essence of Gothic architecture. The stained glass windows, sculptures and richly decorated vaults of the cathedral amaze guests to the core. The old Royal Palace was built by the already known Charles IV. The residence of the Czech monarchs gained fame thanks to its huge reception hall, which you can now stroll through with an entrance ticket.

Another interesting corner is Golden Street. A dozen colorful, tiny, toy-like houses under the snow caps will remind you of scenes from children's fairy tales. Be sure to look through their windows and squeeze through their doors. Some houses have preserved the interior of the beginning of the last century, while others contain museum exhibits or souvenir shops.

From the observation decks of Prague Castle you can see the Charles Bridge, the tiled roofs of ancient buildings, the domes and spiers of cathedrals. Hidden among the monumental buildings of the complex is the Toy Museum. His collection is one of the largest and most diverse in the world. Have you visited the residence of the Czech monarchs? Then it’s worth going down the hill not on one of the Prague trams, but on two of your own.

The residential areas of the city are full of architectural attractions and funny places like the narrowest street (only half a meter wide) or the very peculiar sculptures in the museum on Kampa Island. Do not forget that Prague is not only an administrative capital, but also a spiritual one. On the streets of the city there are many cultural institutions: the Kafka Museum, the Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts, the Museum of Alchemists and Magicians... A separate museum is dedicated to the favorite Czech drink - beer.

There are also plenty of souvenir shops in Prague. Among the stamped figurines and keychains, you can find something special here. For example, a watercolor landscape or a handmade puppet doll. As for the cuisine, on Christmas days you can order traditional Czech dishes. The menu includes fried carp with potato or mushroom salad, Black Cuba mushroom porridge, and wine sausage. For dessert, you can enjoy zucchini cookies and apple strudel.