“Prague is magical in every season, but winter has a charm all its own. While summer crowds flock to the city, winter reveals a quieter side—cozy streets, festive markets, and hidden corners that most visitors never see. Every alley and square seems to have a story waiting to be discovered.
From warm cafés tucked away in historic buildings to the soft glow of lights over the Vltava, Prague in winter feels intimate and unexpectedly enchanting. Here’s why this city truly shines when the air is crisp and the crowds have thinned.
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Why Prague Shines in Winter (Beyond the Summer Crowds)
Why visit Prague in the Winter?
The Czech Republic’s capital is magical. There is so much to do – it’s historically fascinating and cheap. However, there is something about winter that makes the city come alive, and yes, I am talking about the Christmas markets.
The city is laden with sparkly lights, pints of refreshing beer that warm your soul, and all the carbs and fried food you can eat! You may even see the city dusted in snow if you’re lucky.
Prague is a great city to visit year-round, but winter adds a special something. Here are my top recommendations for things to do in Prague during the winter.
13 Best things to do in Prague in Winter
#1 Food tour
Food tours are a fantastic way to explore Prague and gain a sense of the city. You receive the same information as a regular walking tour, but also get to indulge in delicious food. Food tours are often hidden gems and local hotspots, and the guide is always willing to answer any questions you may have about the city.
I have done a few food tours in Prague; my favorite is Urban Adventures. They focus on exploring lesser-known areas of the city and hire local guides who are familiar with the city’s inner workings.
#2 Take in the splendid architecture
Prague has been listed among the most beautiful cities in Europe, and for good reason. It’s freaking gorgeous.
It was one of the few cities in central Europe spared from the WW2 bombings, so most of the buildings in the old town are original. A few architectural gems that are worth checking out are:
- Powder Tower was built as one of 13 gates to the city. From the top, you can get excellent views.
- The Dancing House is one of Prague’s most notable landmarks, renowned for its distinctive, curvaceous exterior. It’s a popular place for tourists to take photos.
- St Vitus Cathedral is a beauty! It’s a Roman Catholic Cathedral located on the castle grounds, and its exterior will leave you speechless.
#3 Indulge in Czech food
Like many Central European cuisines, Czech food is hearty and served in generous portions. They eat many fried foods, meat soaked in creamy sauces, and bread. Prague has tons of places to indulge your taste buds.
- Sisters Bistro’s specialty is chlebíčky, an open-faced sandwich that locals enjoy for a quick, affordable, and filling bite. You can choose from various toppings, but traditionally, you will find them topped with potato salad, a hard-boiled egg, pickled cucumber, and a sprig of parsley. At Sisters, they offer a wide variety of toppings. They serve a tasting platter that features several small chlebíčky for you to try.
- Cafe Louvre may have a French name, but its Czech food is out of this world. They do Svikova, which is roast beef soaked in a cream sauce. It’s my favorite thing to eat there.
- Lokal is the restaurant every local will recommend to a first-time visitor to Prague. They serve traditional Czech food and big pints of Czech beer to wash it all down.
#4 Explore the Christmas markets
One of the best things to do in Prague in the winter is to explore the Christmas markets. There are several scattered throughout the city. You will love the Christmas markets if you enjoy sparkling lights, adorable chalets selling trinkets, steamy enough mulled wine for an army, and lots of carbs.
Urban Adventures offers a tour of some lesser-known markets for those who want to explore the Christmas Markets with a local. It’s a lot of fun! If you wish to explore independently, I have listed a few of my favorite Christmas markets below.
- Old Town Square Market is the primary market in Prague and, therefore, the busiest. This market is tourist central, but it’s still worth a wander. A giant Christmas tree towers over the square, and there are tons of traditional and delicious foods to stuff your face with.
- Tylovo Náměstí Christmas Market is one of Prague’s smallest markets, so you don’t have to worry about the crowds. It’s also much cheaper, so this market is worth checking out if you are on a budget.
- Jiřího z Poděbrad Christmas Market is another smaller, more affordable market that hosts numerous fun events, including choral concerts and live theatrical performances.
#5 Get cozy with some Czech beer
You can’t visit Prague without trying Czech beer. The Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption per capita globally; believe it or not, it’s cheaper than water.
It’s especially lovely to grab a pint during the winter and slowly drink the cold away or take a break from all that sightseeing. Either way, winter and beer go very well together.
#6 Go ice skating
Ice skating should be on everyone’s winter bucket list, wherever you are, and Prague is no different. Scattered around the city are several outdoor ice skating rinks that the tourists and locals flock to. If you want to get your skate on, here are some of Prague’s best ice skating rinks.
- Ovocny Trh is a huge rink right in front of the city hall. It’s free to skate if you have your own skates; rentals are available if you don’t. They also host many fun events on weekends. If you end up going to one rink, I recommend this one.
- Na Františku is located in the heart of the Old Town, next to the Vltava River. It’s a pretty big rink with skate rentals available. The location is definitely the best part. It’s right in the center of all the action.
#7 Check out some museums
Prague boasts some of the most unique and quirky museums. They are spread out all over the city, so no matter what part of Prague you’re exploring, you will most definitely find a museum nearby.
When I say Prague has some pretty quirky museums, I mean Prague has some QUIRKY museums. Here are a few of my favorites.
- The Czech Beer Museum is the place to go if you love beer. Here, you’ll learn the history of the popular beverage and the different processes to make it, and the best part is that you get to taste four generous portions of beer.
- The sex toys museum is precisely as you would expect. A museum filled with sex toys spanning decades. There is even a room dedicated to vintage porn.
- The Torture Museum is located in a dark, cellar-like space, and inside, there are over 100 different exhibitions and wax figurines that depict how the torture instruments were used. It’s a small museum, so it shouldn’t take more than an hour to walk through.
#8 Explore Prague Castle
Prague Castle is one of the most notable landmarks in the city. It always has a huge line to get inside, so I have never gone inside. However, the grounds are enormous, and there is a lot to explore, including the gardens and the free-to-enter Vitus Cathedral. Not to mention, you will get some of the city’s best views.
Winter or not, Prague Castle is a must-see attraction.
#9 Take a day trip to Cesky Krumlov
Český Krumlov is one of Prague’s most popular day trips and one of the finest and best-preserved medieval cities in the Czech Republic. It’s approximately a 3-hour train ride, so it’s best to leave early. Once you get there, you’ll have tons of options.
- The historic center is a UNESCO Heritage site, so you know it’s freaking gorgeous. Honestly, I was fine just walking around, gawking at the beautiful buildings and cute shops that sold handmade souvenirs.
- Bonbon Chocolate offers incredibly delicious handmade chocolates, ranging from pralines with a variety of fillings to chocolate bars and marzipan specialties. Be prepared to leave with a box full because you won’t be able to choose only one.
- Nonna Gina Italian restaurant serves delicious and affordable Italian food. It also features a lovely outdoor terrace where you can sit and enjoy your meal while taking in the view of the Vltava River.
- The castle is the main attraction in Cesky Krumlov. The town was built around the castle, and the castle grounds offer a fantastic view of the city. I have never been inside the castle, but you can take a guided tour if you want to.
#10 Check out the city views
I always say that one of the best ways to experience a city is through its views, and looking down at Prague from a lookout point has to be included in everyone’s trip to Prague. My absolute favorite place for stunning city views is Letna Park, but the castle also offers some incredible viewpoints.
#11 Listen to some classical music
Watching a classical performance is the perfect thing to do during the winter in Prague when it’s nippy out. Classical music shows are readily available in Prague.
People are selling tickets throughout the city center at pretty affordable prices. These shows typically take place in a concert venue, a church, or a palace.
#12 Appreciate some art
Prague boasts some intriguing art pieces scattered throughout the city, and among the most famous yet controversial sculptures are those by David Černý.
Some of his sculptures are well hidden, so your guide will point them out if you opt for a food or walking tour. To give you an idea of his work, he has created sculptures such as “Two Pissing Guys,” “Embryo,” and “Zizkov TV Tower with Crawling Babies.” I think those names speak for themselves.
#13 Soak in a tub of beer
One unique activity in Prague is the beer spa, where you essentially soak in a bathtub filled with beer. It’s the perfect thing to do in the winter. The best part of this experience is unlimited beer refills and a platter of beer bread!
Although the experience only lasts an hour, you will feel good afterward, and if everything goes as planned, you may even feel a bit tipsy.
Where to stay in Prague in Winter
Regarding accommodation in Prague, you have tons of options. Prague is a very walkable and public transportation-friendly city.
If you decide to stay outside the city center, you will still be able to get around easily. However, I would highly recommend staying in Prague 1 or 2, as these areas are where most of the city’s attractions are located. My favorite places to stay in Prague are:
- Madhouse is the absolute BEST hostel if you want to party.
- Boutique Hostel Constans is a charming boutique hotel with a killer breakfast. Included.
For this post, we partnered with fellow blogger Marika Devan of the blog “Clumsy Girl Travels” to showcase the best things to do in Prague during winter.