Prague's Coziest Christmas Market - How to Get There + What to Know Before You Go
Originally posted January 13, 2020
Visiting Prague feels a lot like stepping into one of your favorite childhood fairytales… and when the Christmas trees go up, the twinkly lights switch on, and the wooden chalets fill the city squares, this beautiful medieval city becomes even more magical.
The Czech capital was the sixth of seven cities on our month long journey about the Christmas markets of Europe with Urban Adventures. Though it wasn’t nearly as heavily decorated as some of the other cities on our trip, it lacked none of the holiday spirit or festive fun.
Watch now: Christmas Markets of Prague
The market squares in the Old Town are the biggest and most popular of Prague’s holiday celebrations… but their convenience and popularity also makes them the busiest. Just because they’re busy doesn’t mean they’re not worth visiting - these holiday markets are popular among visitors and locals alike - BUT, if you have time to venture out of the old town, you’ll find my favorite Christmas market in the city.
Peace Square (Námestí Míru)
Our favorite spot for festive fun in Prague was the Christmas market located in front of the Neo-Gothic Roman Catholic Church of St. Ludmila in Prague 2’s Peace Square.
This cozy Christmas market is primarily frequented by locals and is typically the first market to open each holiday season. Its off the well-beaten tourist track generally means smaller crowds, and the lack of crowds make it a great (and more affordable) place to shop for snacks, souvenirs… and festive beverages!
Here had our first (but not last) taste of mead and traditional Czech Christmas cookies (both of which were delicious), and even got the rest of our holiday souvenir shopping done! The best part is there were no lines or crowds to rub elbows with - a phenomenon that is unheard of at other popular Christmas market destinations in Europe!
Overall, our experience here felt much more authentic. It was nice to see the Christmas decorations by local school children, and to be able to browse the stalls without feeling rushed. The only downside to this Christmas market is that it ends early than most in the city. Whereas the Christmas markets in the Old Town often stay open until the first week of January, this market only runs until Christmas Eve!
To get to Peace Square, just head to Námestí Míru station on line A - Be sure to check out the interior of the church while you’re here!
For more information on all of Prague’s most popular festive celebrations (plus all the festive eats and drinks you’ll have to try for yourself), check out my Complete Guide to Prague’s Christmas Markets on the Urban Adventure’s blog.
Where to Stay
We stayed at Czech Inn Hostel (also in Prague 2), and I honestly can’t recommend this place enough. It’s hands down the best value for money I’ve ever gotten while staying in a hostel. We had a massive private room with a queen bed, additional seating, and loads of room for activities. It also had ensuite bathroom (complete with waterfall shower) AND an awesome view.
The common area and cafe downstairs was a great space to get some work done while waiting for our check in time, and the washer and drier in the laundry room could be used for an affordable rate. The staff was very friendly and hosted daily organizaed activities. We never had a chance to attend any of them, but it seemed like it would be a great opportunity to meet other travellers if you were there solo. When you pay a bit extra when booking, you can also have a delicious buffet breakfast included!
The one thing that I thought was this hostel’s only downside ended up being the biggest bonus - it’s location. It wasn’t near the old town, so we had to commute when going to see the major touristy sites. That being said, the commute was a breeze, and it turns out that the hostel was just a short walk away from Námestí Míru station (aka Peace Square and our favorite Christmas market mentioned above).
Being a bit outside of the Old Town meant that we were able to see a different area of Prague that some visitors may miss. Overall, 10/10 would recommend.
Getting Around
While in Prague we primarily got around via the metro or by foot, (though we did take the tram once while on our Merry Markets tour of the city with Urban Adventures).
Not really a tour person? 1. I totally understand… because I’m usually not either. 2. Don’t worry! - Getting around Prague is a breeze. We found the city and its public transportation extremely efficient and easy to navigate on our own.
Tickets for public transport are sold from machines at the metro stations, tram stops, as well as other shops and information offices, and are valid for the tram, metro, bus, and funicular. They are priced based on the amount of time you’ll need the ticket for.
A short ride (30 minute ticket) will cost you 24CZK and a long ride (90 minute ticket) is 32CZK, however, if you plan on using public transportation frequently, it may be worthwhile to purchase a 24-hour pass for 110CZK or a 72-hour pass for 310 CZK. Similarly, if you’ll be staying in Prague for a longer period of time, you can also purchase a public transport pass.
(Ticket rates listed are valid at time of publication. Please check the public transportation website for updated information on rates).
Be sure to validate your ticket and to always have your ticket or pass with you to avoid paying a hefty fine - We never saw anyone actually regulating this, but better to be safe than sorry!
One more thing! If you’re reading this before I’ve had the chance to get up a full city guide, here’s one more spot you won’t want to miss! The Dancing House! If you go all the way up to the top, there’s a cafe with an outdoor terrace that has a really cool view of the city. There’s no admission fee, but they do expect that you purchase at least one drink per person.
Planning a trip to Prague for the holidays?
