Picturesque Prague, the capital city of the Czechia, has a huge holiday tradition, magnificent monuments that are lit up for weeks, and Christmas markets straight out of a Hallmark film!
Looking out for the perfect picturebook destination this winter? Prague, with its stunning architecture and fascinating history, has everything it takes to give your Christmas vacay that much-needed sparkle. Apart from the standard sights and Kafkaesque connections, here’s a check list on ways to make your Czech holiday truly memorable…
Vantage view
Go up to the top of the 70-metre tall tower of the Old Town Hall. From this gorgeous Gothic structure, you can see the festive lights of Prague’s New Town precinct. Time your visit so you can see the hour change on the Astronomical Clock below, one of Prague’s prime tourist attractions, and especially pretty if it’s a white Christmas.
Do a Christmas-centric walk
Explore the lanes and bylanes of Old Town and Lesser Town, allow the wafting aromas of mulled wine and cinnamony apple štrůdl entice you, walk around the Old Town Square to see the beautifully lit up trees, including the largest one in Prague.
Listen to St Nick’s music
The National Theatre and Czech Philharmonic Orchestra perform classical pieces composed by European musical greats such as Handel, Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, as well as Czech musicians such as Dvořák in the beautiful baroque church dedicated to Saint Nicholas. Or head to the Gothic church St Martin in the Wall for masterpieces by these composers and more played on the organ and violin by the Old Prague Music Ensemble, accompanied by Czech soprano Libuse Moravcova Myratska.
Take home the scent of Czech Christmas
Don’t forget to buy a bag of purpura — a blend of herbs, spices, tree bark, pine needles, and other naturally aromatic things — that is sold at almost every street corner in Prague at Christmastime. Heat it up on a square of tinfoil once you’re home, allow it to smoulder a bit, and you’ll have a piece of Prague all around your house.
Eat, drink, and be merry, Czech style!
Prague is full of the heady smells of cookies called cukrovi and especially perníčky (gingerbread cookies) baking in every home. Redolent of exotic spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and black pepper, and almonds and dried fruit from Asia, they are a must try. Buy yourself some from the iconic Myšák confectionary on Vodiková Street.
The traditional trdelnik cake, baked with rolled dough, and topped with powdered sugar and walnut, also goes very well with the hot wine that everyone is drinking at this time of the year. Meat eaters can try some delicious Czech svíčková (braised beef in a creamy sauce with honey cakes topped with cranberry confit), which seems to say Christmas at all times of the year!
Play it like Prague
Else, rein in temptation and go traditional… fast all day like the locals do, in the hope of spotting the golden pig of prosperity on the wall by evening. Then get set for a feast of carp soup and fried carp served with potato salad. But, be warned, once you sit down for the Christmas dinner, no one gets up until everyone has finished eating. If you do, you could attract bad luck! For the same reason, they always have even numbered place settings for this meal, so there’s only good vibes. Check under your plate for a coin or carp fish scale. The Czech keep these in their wallets, so more money is assured.
Kissing and wishing
While mistletoe is found across Europe at this time of the year, the Czech version called jmelí, is left on until the next Christmas. Kissing under it at Christmas and saying ‘Veselé Vánoce!’ is a tradition, the rest of the year, it can be called a habit!
The spirit of Christmas past
Discover the many delights of the magnificent Prague Castle… the Old Royal Palace, St Vitus Cathedral, St Georges Basilica, and Golden Lane, where the goldsmiths of the golden city once lived and worked. Charles Bridge, considered lucky at most times, is especially bewitching at this time of the year. A ride in one of their stately horse-drawn carriages can be a very quaint and romantic experience too.
Say ballet, ballet
Head to the Hybernia Theater in Central Prague for the quintessential Christmas classic The Nutcracker, or the ultimate Swan Lake experience, with world-class ballet dancers and soloists recreating the magical tales.
Sub-culture Christmas
Go beyond the touristy squares to a world deeply influenced by the Velvet Revolution, where the Czechs enjoy the freedom to express themselves through graffiti and street art, independent music, and cutting-edge fashion.
Explore artsy cafes, steam-punk underground clubs, sex museums, and more. The Holešovice district in the north of Prague has vibrant cultural spaces. From farmers’ markets to Christmas fashion markets, this is a neighbourhood known for its cool, new age options, even at this traditional time of the year. Winter is also a good time to try the floating sauna at Lázně na Lodi on a boat on the beautiful River Vltava.
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