Aaah, Prague in December. Immerse yourself in cozy Christmas markets elegantly dabbled around the city while you sip on fresh mulled wine. Prague is one of the best winter destinations in Europe for its Christmas markets, cobbled streets and fairy-tale architecture, plus its inviting pubs and restaurants. It may be chilly, but bundle up and enjoy the Christmas ambiance of Prague.
Here is your essential trael guide on the best things to do in Prague in December.
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What to wear in Prague in December
First things first, winter in Prague is pretty darn cold, so use this guide to Prague in winter to help dress both for warmth and style.
The key to winter in Prague is layers.
Choose a long-sleeved base layer that isn’t cotton, as it absorbs moisture and will, as a result, make you colder. I prefer a merino wool base layer, like this cozy fitted thermal.
You’ll want a pair of tights or thermal leggings to wear under your pants as well.
Add a second layer. The main main purpose of this layer should be warmth. This can be a sweater or turtle neck, for example. If it’s really cold, add a thin insulated vest over this layer. I have a vest from Uniqlo that I’m sure I never took off during my entire winter trip.
Finally, the coat. Typically, you’ll want a long coat that covers your butt, and is both warm and water-resistant. I always bring two when I visit Prague in winter. One that is water resistant (I have this Mountain Warehouse coat in blue and I LOVE it) and one that’s more fuzzy, like pictured above.
As for accessories, a scarf, earmuffs or hat, plus warm gloves are necessary to stay comfortable when exploring Prague in December.
Prague Packing list for December:
Just to recap, here’s a quick rundown of what you should pack for Prague in December.
- Non-cotton base layer (preferably wool)
- A sweater
- A couple of warm long sleeved shirts (preferably turtlenecks)
- A thin, thermal vest for the coldest days
- A warm, water resistant coat; if you have more space bring another coat for options
- Warm gloves
- Warm tights or leggings
- Jeans
- Fuzzy socks
- Boots or sneakers; whatever is warm
- Ear muffs or winter hat
- Scarf, etc for accessories
Best Things to Do in Prague in December
Now let’s dive into the best ways to enjoy this magical fairytale city in the PRIME!
Visit the Christmas markets.
Scattered all around the city, you’ll find Christmas markets full of mulled wine (called svařák in Czech), a variety of food, and the ever-so-popular cinnamon rolls called tredelnik. You can find little trinkets, scarfs, hats, and a variety of handmade goodies in these markets, too.
The markets are open during the day until around 10 pm at night. For an in-depth experience, I highly recommend booking a Christmas Market tour with a local.
Prague’s Christmas markets are some of the most sought after Christmas markets in Europe and you’ll soon see why. Fairy lights stream along shopping streets, giant Christmas trees twinkle to the rhythm of traditional holiday music, and the jolly vibes just keep on coming.
My favorite Christmas markets in Prague are in the Old Town Square and across Charles Bridge on the left in Malá Strana. This area offers a delicious honeywine (medovina)!
Oh, and don’t forget to try Trdelník! This is a mouthwatering pastry you’ll find at the markets and being sold by vendors around the city during winter. It involves a rolled dough topped with cinnamon, sugar, and nuts that form these hollow cylinders that will rock your world.
Climb to the top of the Old Town Hall Tower.
Soak up the views around Prague 1 and look down at the ambiance of the Christmas markets below. This is a great spot for Insta-worthy photos of Prague and a chance to take in the beauty of this city.
The Old Town Hall Tower is also home to Prague’s astronomical clock. First installed in 1410, this astronomical clock is the third oldest in the world.
You can watch it “do its thing” every hour on the hour. Crowds with gather so get there in time to have a good spot if you’re hoping to record to take photos.
Do a Prague walking tour.
I’m ALL about doing a walking tour when I’m in a new city. And having been to Prague three different times, I’ve actually done a walking tour 2/3.
Your guide will fill you on all sorts of historical details of the places you pass by, while also sharing stories and insider tips along the way.
If it’s your first time in Prague, hop on this Old Town and Jewish Quarter walking tour. These are two of the city’s best areas to explore with old-world architecture, synagogues, and charming cobbled streets.
Keep warm in a Czech pub.
Did you know czechs are the world’s biggest beer drinkers? Yep! They consume more beer per capita than any other nation in the world. The country is the home of the pilsner after all. So, do as the locals and enjoy a pint (or two or three) on your trip to Prague. Try the original Budweiser, Pilsner Urquell, and if you like darker beer, Kozel Černý is the one of the best.
Insider tip: Wage whether or not you’re being overcharged or in a tourist trap by the price of the beer. A regular Czech beer should cost between 30-55 czk. If it’s more than than that, it’s probably a rip off.
Here are some of the best pubs to visit in Prauge.
If you’re looking for traditional, visit a classic beer hall called U Zlatéhp Tygra (The Golden Tiger). Here, the bartender will keep bringing you pints until you’re either on the floor or politely ask him to stop. 😉
Fun fact: When Bill Clinton came to the Czech Republic, Václav Havel wanted to show him a real Czech pub, so he brought him to U Zlatéhp Tygra. There’s even a picture of them hanging on the wall among other notable visitors. It’s true though, this bar may not look like anything special but it has quite a charming ambiance and sense of belongings as you surround yourself with fellow beer clinkers and jolly guests.
For a more quirky spot, head to Vzorkovna (Dog Bar). Arriving is a bit intimidating as you’ll first have to pay a small fee to a vary firm and straight-faced bouncer. But once in, you’ll follow the stairs down into a grungy, alternative, and cultural hodgepodge. The place is like a maze with many different rooms and bar areas. Some rooms have skateboard swings, others boast graffiti and foosball tables. The lights are dim and the space is eclectic. No matter your style, Vzorkovna is worth a visit on a trip to Prague in winter.
Explore Prague Castle.
Cross over the picturesque Charles Bridge and head up to Prague Castle, which offers a nice view of Prague 1 along with Christmas markets selling adorable bags, trinkets, drinks, and food.
The castle’s spires, towers, and stunning palaces stand tall above the city like a storybook fortress. As one of the best things to do in Prague, take some time to explore this side of town while you’re here and wander quiet streets in and soak in the colorful architecture.
Walk along Charles Bridge.
Charles Bridge is the iconic cobbled stone bridge crossing the river in Prague 1. Unfortunately, it’s extremely overcrowded during the day, so I recommend visiting early in the morning when you may actually have a chance to appreciate it.
Insider’s tip: Across the bridge in Malá Strana, you can find of beautiful swans hanging out beside the water.
Eat traditional Czech food.
Czech food is warm and hearty making it a perfect choice for a trip to Prague in winter. Check out the best traditional Czech restaurants in my article here.
Explore the Golden Lane.
Located on the other side of the river near Prague Castle, you’ll discover a quite the quaint and charming street. I stumbled upon this street by accident and later realized it’s quite popular yet not crowded at all. It still felt like a hidden gem.
The charm of this street are its peaceful streets and short colorful buildings. For Prague in winter, you can purchase mulled wine out of the windows of some people’s homes and enjoy other treats, too. How cute is that?
One of the best places to visit while on the Golden Lane in Prague is the Kavárna Nový Svět coffee shop pictured above. It’s the best coffee in Prague and the ambiance is an absolute delight.
Map em’ out!
More winter pics for inspiration!
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