Those who know me are well aware of my obsession with Christmas and my new followers are guaranteed to have a hint after all of the recent Christmas market coverage! What’s not to love about a season where you gather with loved ones to spend quality time together and to nestle in warm homes to escape the winter chill? Europe takes that a step further with Christmas markets filled with spiced Glühwein aroma and the scent of roasted chestnuts in the air as you walk through stalls of food, regional crafts, and more Christmas joy.

One of the more popular destinations these days in Europe, and often during the Christmas season, is in Prague. I have been chasing a White Christmas since moving to Switzerland and was quickly drawn to the articles touting Prague as one of the best destinations for Christmas in Europe. While the majority of these lists tend to show photos of a snowy Prague we enjoyed a bit warmer holiday. If you are fortunate enough for it to snow during your visit it will be that much more magical!

Where To Stay

We are quite keen on staying in a lovely hotel when the price is suitable, but we got a fantastic deal on a centrally located AirBnB Plus Home overlooking the Christmas market in Old Town Square. Our favorite traveling mate, Wrigley (our 7-year old Miniature Schnauzer), was with us so this homemade for perfect lodging. This trip was also our first year as expats, so we wanted to have a kitchen to cook some traditional dishes we were accustomed to having on Christmas morning. We traveled by car and Simona, the homeowner, had the garage prepared ahead of time and even helped us get our luggage in and settled. It’s incredibly rare to find lodging in Old Town Square yet have convenient access to a garage nearby.

The welcome by Simona started our holiday off to a phenomenal start, and the home was absolutely perfect for our stay! The Old Town Square was central to locations on my agenda, and the views over the market were breathtaking. Being able to walk out of the front door and down into the market for food and drinks was a priceless bonus!

Where To Eat

If you only have one take away from this, it better be to make reservations at Sansho, but seriously keep reading because Prague is incredible. Okay, make the reservation and then continue reading!

1. Sansho

   Incredible, Innovative, Fresh, and Perfect. This self-proclaimed ‘Asian Fine Dining’ is easily one of those restaurants where you find yourself making a reservation each time you return to the city. They offer both lunch and dinner in a prix fixe format. Do make reservations in advance because it’s known by tourists and locals alike and for great reason. This is a Michelin Guide ranked restaurant that I would opt for it over several starred places we’ve been!

2. Aromi

   Beautiful, Elegant, Moderately Priced, and Excellent Service. Since Christmas is celebrated on the 24th of December in most European cities, many restaurants are closed or feature a prix fixe menu. After a bit of research, I chose Aromi for their popularity and excellent food. They had an incredible prix fixe menu that was reasonably priced for a Michelin Guide rated restaurant! Make reservations here.

3. Sad Man’s Tongue Bar & Bistro

   Super Chill, Cheap, Cold Beer, and Excellent Food. Enough said but I must expand… I’ve grown accustomed to paying too much (8+CHF) for beer in Basel so drinking local Pilsner Urquell for 10-20% of what I’m used to is a worthy celebration! I read that the rule was beer, by law, had to be cheaper than water. Celebration begins. Also note, the burgers and appetizers and incredible!

4. The Christmas Market

   It’s a no-brainer but an absolute must if in Prague over Christmas! The markets are open daily and feature regional fare like Klobása (Grilled Sausage), Palačinky (similar to French crêpes), and the phenomenal Trdelnik (Rolled and roasted Slovakian pastry). The line for the Trdelnik is a bit long and worth the wait.

What To Do

Prague naturally has an old, historical, and joyful feeling. Visiting at Christmas heightens that environment with sparkling lights, Christmas related activities, and of course marketplace celebrations. The classic to-dos definitely apply, but there are a few more to add to your list!

Christmas Exclusive To-Dos

• Christmas Concert

  There are literally countless concerts over the holiday season in Prague (Check out www.pragueticketoffice.com for up to date annual shows). We attended the ‘Prague Castle Concert’ at St. George’s Basilica the night of the 24th. Again, it was our first Expat Christmas, and we wanted to continue our Christmas Eve tradition of a church service before dinner. If you attend this one sit a bit further back than rows 1-5 as the artists are elevated so we couldn’t see, but it was an incredible show nonetheless.

• The Christmas Market

  Reviewed above and again, it’s a must-attend!
  

All Year in Prague

• Old Town Square

  You’ll find many points of interest here including St. Nicholas Church, Jan Hus Memorial, Old Town Hall, Astronomical Clock Tower, and Church of Our Lady before Tyn. This is where the market is held.

• Astronomical Clock Tower

  Go! For me! It was under renovation to the faces when I was there, so hopefully, it will be ready for you upon your visit! This beauty was installed in 1410, and people crowd around as each hour ticks past. I think the real prize of this is touring through it and making your way to the top for a beautiful view of Prague and the Old Town Square!

• Charles Bridge

  Dates back to 1357, made of stone, and spans across the Vltava Rivers. This is a favorite for selfies and the classic Instagram shot!

• Prague Castle

  Dating back to the 9th Century and the largest ancient castle in the world, per Guinness Book of Records. This alone warrants the visit!