Prague Christmas Markets: A Food Lovers Guide!
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Unbutton that top button of your jeans, you’ll need the extra room – that’s the Prague Christmas Market food experience! 🤤
It has been my dream to visit the iconic Christmas Markets in Prague and stuff my face full of carbs, meats, and mulled wine, but I just haven’t made it yet. I have been to the Prague Easter Markets in April, which were amazing (and with similar food!), and visited the city multiple times in the summer, but alas, no Christmas. So I asked my friend Joey to report back from his holiday trip!
Howdy! I’m Joey, a writer who loves to travel. I’ve covered some pretty neat stuff, from a delightful pun competition to trying my hand at a textile-free spa. While traversing around Europe this past winter, I made sure to visit the Christmas markets. Thankfully, my last trip happened when the markets were up and running in December, and as a result, I got an up-close and personal look!
This post is focused on what food and drinks to look for and try at the Prague Christmas Market stalls, where the different Christmas Markets are scattered around Prague (there are quite a few good ones!), the best places to stay to maximize your market experience, and what to expect.
🥨 Prague Christmas Market: Food To Try
I fell in love with Prague the first time I visited. If you’re anything like me, a charming wackadoo, you’ll feel the same way. The Christmas markets are a special part of the Prague experience, and I’m here to help you navigate them like a true pro—at the very least, I’ll share the best foods and drinks to try. Let’s get to it!
✅ Klobása
Sometimes, the non-frills snacks are the most satisfying. Klobása is a Czech sausage paired with bread, ketchup, and mustard. It’s similar to Polish kielbasa and German wurst and is a common sight at the Prague Christmas markets.
Klobása is fairly affordable, too, running between 80 and 100 CZK (about $3.50 to $4.30).
✅ Langoš
Langoš is a Hungarian flatbread, though you’ll also find it at the Prague Christmas markets. These disc-shaped snacks are simple, but oh so worth it. The classic recipe includes a garlic baste topped with sour cream and cheese, though some stalls may offer variants on that flavor.
Theoretically, you could try to catch these in your mouth like a dog catching a frisbee. But there’s a chance the toppings will all fall onto the ground, and that’s a risk I’m not willing to take. These snacks cost about 150 CZK.
✅ Vánočka
This treat’s name is a variant of Vánoce, or “Christmas” in Czech. When going to a Christmas market, you may as well eat the holiday itself. Luckily, Vánočka is quite tasty. It’s a sweet, braided bread, a bit like challah.
This version usually includes almonds and raisins. It goes perfectly with one of the drink options below and costs about 60 to 80 CZK.
✅ Goulash Soup
Goulash always seems to be the punch line in TV shows, presented as a lifeless, putrid food offering. “We have goulash today,” a sullen lunch lady would mutter as kids lined up for this awful gruel. And this is why you can’t believe everything you see on TV.
Goulash is fantastic. It’s similar to a beef stew, with veggies and chunks of meat, served with rye bread. You can also get it in a bread bowl, which is primarily a gimmick for tourists, but hey, if you’re feeling a heavy bread mood, why not go for it?
Most stalls sell this for around 70 to 100 CZK, or more if you opt for the bread bowl.
✅ Trdelnik
Trdelniks are hit or miss for me, but when they’re on, they’re SO GOOD. They’re made from a spiral of dough on a pole that gets heated up and rolled with cinnamon and sugar.
At the Christmas markets, you’ll usually find options with fillings, such as whipped cream and strawberries. I highly recommend going with a stuffed option instead of just the pastry itself. The trick is to eat them immediately when they’re hot and fresh. Depending on your fillings, these will cost about 80-120 CZK.
🍺 Prague Christmas Market: Drinks To Try
Now on the delicious beverages served at the Prague Christmas Markets!
✅ Medovina
This may come as a shock to you, but winter in Prague is a cold time. Luckily, there are lots of good drinks that can warm your soul. At the top of my list is Medovina, the almond honey wine that you can find at just about any stall that sells honey (and at a few that don’t).
It tastes like mead, and the pairing of honey and almond is just delightful. These drinks come in a souvenir cup that you pay a deposit on. You can either keep the cup or return it to get your deposit back. One serving will run you 130 CZK, or about $5.50.
✅ Hot Chocolate
A perfect drink for kids, you can indulge in an “adult” version by adding a little something extra, such as Bailey’s Irish Cream or Becherovka, a Czech digestif. You can usually get the hot cocoa on its own for 60-80 CZK; adding alcohol can double or even triple the cost. Bonus points if you listen to the song “You Sexy Thing” by the band Hot Chocolate while sipping on your cocoa.
✅ Grog
Grog is the closest thing to a hot toddy in Prague. If you’ve got a tickle in your throat (perhaps from screaming in delight at the city’s beauty), a cup of grog, made with Czech rum, hot water, sugar, and lemon, is an excellent remedy. Vendors may also give you a black tea bag to include in the drink. You’ll spend around 70 to 100 CZK for a serving.
✅ Vanocni Most
You might see this drink billed as a few different things, like Christmas Punch or Christmas Juice. Or you can just call it “Delicious Drink” because that’s an apt name for it. Vanocni Most pairs hot spiced apple juice and brandy made from apples or plums, and it’ll deliver a soothing calm to your body and soul. I’d recommend either this or the Medovina as your nightcap.
Where Are The Prague Christmas Markets?
There are quite a few different Christmas Markets around the little neighborhoods that make up Prague. Below is a map of the Prague Christmas markets I visited in the Old Town (Prague 1), what I liked about each one, and what you can expect.
➡️ PRO TIP: Most of the Prague Christmas Markets are open from late November to very early January.
Map of Prague Christmas Markets
I always visualize things better on a map, so here are my favorite Christmas markets in Prague and the neighborhoods they are in – you can walk from one to the other, or take the metro if it’s too cold. Basically, I didn’t think the distances were too bad on foot.
Old Town Christmas Market
The Old Town Christmas Market is Prague’s largest. It’s at the Old Town Square, and if you arrive a few days before the market officially starts — this season, it runs from November 30 to January 6 — you’ll get to see a little behind-the-scenes of the market being put together. Expect occasional long lines; however, there are so many stalls, you can usually find a place to walk up to and quickly order something.
Beyond food and drink, this market offers tons of photo opps, from festive signs to elevated snow-covered areas. Check out the market both during the day and at night since the backdrop looks mighty different when everything is lit up.
Wenceslas Square Christmas Market
The Wenceslas Square Christmas market is fun because it has a BONUS market. If you get bored with one, you can walk on down to the other. When you’re coming from the Prague National Museum and the King Wenceslas statue, you only need to walk a few hundred feet to hit the first market. The other one is at the bottom of the square.
Both markets offer traditional foods and drinks, and you can also pick up a few souvenirs to bring back home. Snap a picture in front of the brightly lit trees and if you’re lucky, you might catch some live music along the way. These markets tend to open a few days earlier than the Old Town markets, generally near the end of November to the beginning of January.
Namesti Republiky Christmas Market
Just a 10-15 minute walk from the Old Town Square, the Namesti Republiky market is slightly more subdued. You can still get some souvenirs here, though the crowds will be smaller and less chaotic.
It’s nice if you need to catch your breath or take a break from weaving between rows of people. This year, the market is open from November 30 to December 30.
For an even smaller market…ahem, head over to the stalls next to the Franz Kafka Rotating Head statue. This market has about eight to ten stalls that primarily provide food, drink, and clothing. It’s beside the Quadrio shopping center, so if the cold becomes too much, you can duck inside and warm up—hopefully with a hot chocolate or Medovina in hand!
Best Hotels In Prague for Christmas Markets
There are a couple of good places and areas to stay in Prague for Christmas Market maximization. If you’re there for a short period of time, or it’s your first time, I would recommend Prague 1 – here are my favorite hotels in the Old Town.
📍 Luxury: Four Seasons Prague (what a view!)
📍 Historic: Iron Gate Hotel & Suites
📍 Boutique & Chic: The Golden Wheel (my favorite)
What To Expect at Prague Christmas Markets
Because Prague is such an impressive destination, there are many people at the Christmas markets. The Old Town market tends to open up a little later than the others, so if you visit on the first day or two, it will be exceptionally crowded.
I always felt safe, though pay attention to your surroundings. If someone looks like they’re getting into mischief, move away from them and keep your hands in your pockets or on your bag. Some places only take cards, while others are cash-only. It’s a good idea to have both with you.
When interacting with merchants, be very clear on the price before you hand over your money. Most shops have prices listed on a sign or the items themselves. If it’s not obvious, don’t be afraid to double-check. I gave one vendor a 200 CZK note, and she said she needed to get change from another booth.
DID I GET SWINDLED? She packaged up my item and then asked for the money I had already given her. Thankfully, I could point to the note sitting on the table behind her, and she apologized for the confusion. After bringing my change back, she shorted me on what I was owed.
This scenario could have all been poor math skills and a bad memory, or it could have been her attempting to swindle a visitor.
It’ll also be COLD, so bundle up! I wore a long overcoat, a wool hat that covered my ears, and a pair of gloves, and I was feeling wonderful. When there’s snow on the ground, some areas are extra slippery, especially if you’re navigating around other people. Having a sore backside is not the kind of souvenir you want from a visit to Prague.
Best Things To Buy at Prague Christmas Markets
You’ll want to fill up on snacks and drinks—after all, you need energy to brave the cold and shop! Some vendors claim to offer handmade items, such as wooden crafts, jewelry, and Christmas tree ornaments. Feel free to chat with the vendors for a minute or two to learn a little about their work — they might have an interesting backstory about a particular piece they’re selling.
👉 MY BEST TIP: Inquire about something that looks interesting to you. Prague Christmas market souvenirs don’t have elaborate historical significance, but there are many options to commemorate your trip. I like the Christmas ornaments and the tasty treats!
Sometimes, you’ll buy something out of necessity. I visited Prague’s markets after other stops around Europe. When I was in Bratislava, the particularly aggressive wind forced me to buy a wool-knit cap from a vendor who cheerfully showed me several different choices. She insisted I wear the cap to stay warm and guess what? Thanks to that headwear, I was a toasty boy for the rest of the trip.
➡️ One other thing to look for: While it’s not necessarily unique to Prague, a couple of stalls sell gingerbread, which is a tasty treat to stock up on. Pair that with scented candles or spices and you’ll have the most pleasant-smelling aura in the whole city.
Be aware that some items you’ll see at markets can also be found at souvenir shops around town, though the markets usually offer a bit of a discount.
Conclusion: Are Prague Christmas markets worth it?
The Prague Christmas markets are definitely worth it! The city’s architecture makes for a fairytale setting. When highlighted by bright Christmas lights, trees, and snow falling from the sky—it’s an experience that’s hard to beat.
Every European Christmas market has a unique charm, and Prague is no exception. If the crowds start to overwhelm you, sneak off into the Prašná brána gate tower, which offers a bird’s-eye view of the city. It’s very cool to see how the markets look from hundreds of feet in the air.
If you’re planning a European Christmas market trip, make sure Prague is on your list. Maybe I’ll even see you there!
