Prague for the Holidays
The beautiful Christmas market on Old Town Square Photo: Yaennckew
AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAMER
Prague for the Holidays
making a list-Czeching it twice!
When I got an email during the summer with some unbelievable air deals with SAS for Prague, I snagged two in a hurry. Yes, we have lived there but haven’t returned for Christmas with friends and family in forever. I knew it would be a lovely gift to ourselves, full of fabulous decorations and Christmas markets for shopping. There is so much to see, eat and do in this architectural beauty of a city, I could never tell you all but here are some of my favorites.
Prague is known for its architecture and the wonderful Christmas markets
WHERE TO STAY
There are any number of fantastic hotels but I prefer to look for more quirky options that offer studios and apartments when visiting the city. I like to be able to have breakfast before venturing out to see the sights or have a glass of wine on a balcony or in the garden in the afternoons. One of my favs is The Botanist by Adrez located just steps off Old Town Square.
Not only is it good value for the money considering the excellent location but it also has that artsy quality I want in the properties I recommend. You can pick from six different studio floor plans that offer spacious rooms with living, dining and kitchens. King beds with lux linens and large walk-in showers are a super plus and everything you need to make breakfasts and simple meals with microwaves and electric kettles are waiting for you too.
Not big enough? There are two different one bedroom apartments and a lovely suite that will give you more room to spread out you and your stuff. Some of these places have shared garden spaces and city views with full kitchens for longer stays and kids in tow. I love the clean contemporary lines of the design and from $120 a night and up, you can’t go wrong.
Shout out to our choice for a New Years celebration is Malevil Resort about two hours outside of Prague. Its all about the fireplaces, comfy rooms and rustic elegant dining choices. Year round amenities and beautiful views of the various local mountain ranges with a solid chance of a coating of snow makes for the perfect holiday and at a $119 a night holiday rate….run don’t walk. Cheers!
Wenceslas and old town squares
Another enjoyable aspect of where we stay is how easy it is to walk around the Old Town and Wenceslas Square neighborhoods for holiday spirit with decorations, lights, food, music and shopping. Both are pedestrians only but you will have to fight with some horse carriage traffic which is fine for taking a grand tour yourself if you want an easy lay-of-the-land start to your visit.
I will do most of my gifts from browsing the Christmas market stalls set up on Old Town all around the famous Astronomical Clock located in the only building that sustained any damage during World War II. The crowds gather on the hour to watch the clock do its thing while sipping on some hot mulled wine with spices and fruits called Gluhwein.
Paper products are a favorite of mine and there are plenty of journals, watercolors, books, pencils and pens for your creative friends. Scarves, gloves, sweaters and jackets are available everywhere. Rugs, leather handbags and wallets are popular as well as Czech foods and glass.
They have some of the cutest handmade wooden toys for children. Stall after stall have jewelry of all types, styles and price points. Pretty necklaces, earrings and bracelets make for great stocking stuffers. I love the year-round Havel’s market located between the two squares and hit it most days for seasonal foods, fruit and veggies as well as handmade art, clothes and gifts.
CHARLES BRIDGE & MALA STRANA
The Charles Bridge is one of the most recognized pieces of architecture in Prague and is even more beautiful after a winter snowfall. The medieval stone arched bridge crosses the Vltava River and connects to Mala Strana or Lesser Town as it is known by in English. Built under the auspices of King Charles IV, it was finished in the early 15th century.
There are many vendors and street performers spread out across it giving you another option for gift browsing. Mala Strana is for glass lovers and is full of galleries, shops and restaurants where you can eat some of the best traditional foods in the city.
The area historically housed many of the ethnic German and Italian citizens and you will still find many of the noble palaces nestled in the hills that rise to meet The Castle above it. Duck into stores offering traditional Czech glassware if you want to ship some home. I prefer the contemporary glass shops that are found around the base of the bridge where you will find both cast and brightly colored blown pieces.
NAMESTI REPUBLIKY
Next up is the Namesti Republiky area where Obecni Dum is located. This famous Municipal House was fully restored to its previous Art Nouveau glory after the Velvet Revolution in 1989. Here you will find the lovely Smetana Hall for glorious musical events, the American Bar for the best martinis around and the fancy French restaurant where President Obama once dined.
A night shot of the famous Municipal House Obecni Dum in Namesti Republiky Photo: Courtesy Prague Tourism
I like to sit and have lunch, brunch or high tea just to watch the people come and go. Drop in for holiday drinks while shopping or purchase tickets for an evening concert. Art galleries in the area are where you can find affordable signed pieces of glass, drawings, photographs, sculpture and paintings. Don’t miss the Palladium mall for festive decorations, delicious bakery delicacies, excellent espresso and the latest in European fashion.
Shout out to the Hotel Paris. This is hands down my favorite fancy shmancy place to see and be seen. Built in 1904, it was totally renovated in the same Art Nouveau style and is the five star, luxury, UNESCO World Heritage property of your dreams. Don’t miss it for tea, drinks or dinner.
the castle & golden lane
One never goes to Prague without a visit to The Castle starting with the changing of the guard which always draws big crowds. Built in the 9th century, the complex is the seat and official residence of the current President. The “Hrad” houses the Bohemian Crown Jewels in a hidden room and is one of the largest castles in the world with over 750,000 square feet (lookin’ at you PT with your silly ballroom addition!)
A night shot of the lovely Castle at Christmas
There are areas you can freely access along with a tour of St. Vitus Cathedral where patron saints and archbishops are buried. The most important temple in the Czech Republic, this is where the coronations of kings and queens took place and is simply breathtaking from an architectural standpoint. The complex also houses the Basilica of St. George, Powder Tower and the Old and New Royal Palaces including Spanish Hall.
Continue walking towards the back of the complex to Golden Lane where you find the tiny colorful homes that once housed the servants of the castle and even the famous Franz Kafka at one time. They are shops with wonderful handmade gifts from decor, nutcrackers and nativity sets to puppets, books and candies. End your tour with a wander down the picturesque Old Prague steps that connect The Castle to Lesser Town.
EATING IN prague
First stop for food is always Kulatak in Prague 7 for our first traditional Czech meal of every trip. The area is where most the pretty embassies are located and there is a whole slew of great restaurants to choose from because of that. It is the place for roast duck, dumplings and red cabbage. Top if all off with a Pilsner Urquell, the best beer anywhere, and you’re in heaven!
The spot for classic Czech duck with dumplings and red cabbage is Kulatak
Just cause you are in Prague doesn’t mean you have to go without your ethnic food fixes either. We love Mexican and you can’t beat Agave for top of its kind. Their street tacos are simply sublime with their homemade salsas and a fresh squeeze of lime. Signature cocktails are fantastic of the tequila variety. The spicy bowls of Yam Yam are also a favorite with their extensive menu and a location at the underground station at Vysehrad, where you can visit the old fort and the cemetery where Dvorak is buried.
There used to be a fabulous Indian place right off Old Town Square where we once ran into Wesley Snipes and Chris Rock dining together. It’s gone now but the food is pretty darn close at Lal Qila in Vinohrady where we used to live. You’ll like both the prices and the underground cellar design features as well as the curries and papadums.
CONCLUSION
While many people might think Prague is only worth visiting during the spring and summer, I have found fall and winter to be a lovely time. The holidays, while more crowded because of the Christmas markets, still beckon you in ways that other cities simply can’t hold a candle to.
The stalls and the foods are fabulous at Christmas in Prague
To wrap it all up, the beauty of the architecture and the holiday spirit are magical. Don’t be afraid to visit as I highly recommend spending your holidays in the fabulous city of Prague so make your plans and Czech it out!
If you enjoyed what you read, you might enjoy other posts under Explore the World. There you will find my tips and guides on exciting places to visit with an emphasis on art and food as well. I also give you a taste of some fabulous spots under Snap Shot which will help you add to your bucket list. Until next time…
Cheers!
ArtsyChowRoamer
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