Prague is an incredible, stunning delight for all those who come to visit the Lands of the Bohemian Crown. Located in the breathtaking Old Town Square, going to the Prague Christmas Market is an elegant and charming way to celebrate the Holiday Season! It is also open now until January 3!
Christmas Spirit in Czech
Tourists from around the world and also locals come to this square to take in the beauty and see the bright lights in the market. If you feel that you have conquered your German Christmas Market bucket list, then visiting this market is a perfect idea as you feel their version of the Christmas spirit.
Visiting Prague’s Old Town Square anytime of the year is an incredible site to see. Now seeing the square dazzling in Christmas lights just takes the experience to the next level! You can experience the twinkling lights flicker on the illuminated stone buildings while hovering above the dark skyline of Prague’s Gothic architecture.
Items at the Market
The beautifully decorated, rustic looking wooden stalls have many items including hand-carved wood, fine jewelry, lace cloth, puppets, colorful candles, Christmas tree ornaments and much more. Euros cannot be used at the stalls, so make sure you have enough Czech Koruna ahead of time.
In the center of the market there is a platform with steps you can climb to view market and take a great photo! This is a very lively part of the market because of the hustle and bustle of the people and the music played by a live band underneath.
Food and Drinks
There was a separate area for drinks, which I thought worked out really well because it kept the flow of traffic around the shopping stalls moving well. You could quench your thirst with famous Czech beers like Pilsner Urquell, but warmer drinks like mulled wine might be a better option for cold nights in the square.
Sausages and hot grilled food was available, but the star of this market is the Trdelník! This is my favorite Czech Christmas Market treat hands down. Found at many food stands, this traditional Slovak pastry is made from rolled dough. It is wrapped around a stick, grilled on open flames and then topped with sugar and a walnut mix. The one I had was warm and soft right off the stick, which also came with a complimentary warm punch! It was so filling that I skipped dinner and didn’t eat for the next six hours.
Here’s a Trdelník recipe you can try yourself at home!
Also See the Astronomical Clock
Located also in the same square on the market (on wall of the Old Town Hall) is the Astronomical Clock, a year round main attraction. I’ve seen astronomical clocks before around Europe, but this one is my favorite by far. It was installed in 1410 and it is the third oldest in the world… and it is the oldest one that is still ticking!
There are many moving pieces to the clock but my favorite is the skeleton (death or Grim Reaper) that comes out and strikes the time on each hour. Even though Mr. Reaper was not wearing a Santa hat when he came out, this clock is most definitely a part of the Christmas Market experience. You are also able to walk up the many steps of the Old Town Hall to get a bird’s-eye view of the market! I was able to buy an Astronomical Clock magnet at the market for my fridge. (Score!)
How to Get There
Address: Staroměstské nám., 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic
The drive to Prague is just over a 5 hour drive east of Wiesbaden, 5 hours and 30 minutes east of Kaiserslautern and 4 hours and 35 minutes northeast of Stuttgart.
Author’s Profile: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.
Featured Image Photo Credit: © Gemma