Most of the businesses are open in Prague until noon on Christmas eve. After that, museums and other attractions close down. Snow is quite likely during Christmas in Prague. Yes, most restaurants in Prague are open on Christmas and offer special menus.
The main Prague Christmas Markets typically open towards the end of November, around the start of Advent (the first Saturday of Advent). They usually run daily through Christmas Day and often stay open until the Epiphany (January 6th).
Prague Christmas - Watch THIS Before You Visit (Prague in December)
Is everything closed in Prague on Christmas Day?
December 25 – 26 (Christmas Holidays)
Most museums, galleries, tourist attractions and restaurants in the center of Prague keep normal or slightly shortened opening hours. Many stores are closed by law. Banks and post offices are closed.
Most Christmas markets open up around mid- to late November. (With no Thanksgiving or "Black Friday" to kick off the holiday season, the start date can vary from place to place.) They carry on until around Christmas, with some continuing all the way into early January (no later than Epiphany, January 6).
While there is no strict dress code for visiting Prague Castle, it is important to dress appropriately, particularly when entering religious sites such as St. Vitus Cathedral. As a general rule, it is best to avoid wearing shorts, sleeveless tops, or other revealing clothing in these areas as a sign of respect.
You will need to get lucky to experience a white Christmas in Prague. Snow often comes and melts before Christmas or doesn't come at all until January.
Vrchlického sady, also known as Sherwood Forest Locals give this nickname to the park between the Main Railway Station and the centre. The spot provides refuge to homeless people and others in desperate situations.
Yes, just did Prague and Budapest in 7days. 3 was enough for Budapest but definitely not for Prague. That city deserves a week or more. There is the “tourist” stuff but then there is so much more that the city has to offer that you do not realize until you are there.
To visit Prague during the Christmas season is not going to hurt your budget greatly. Flights to Prague, or any other means of transportation from abroad, are significantly cheaper. Just one important rule of thumb to stick to: the earlier you book, the cheaper it gets!
A winter coat is essential to have for wintertime in Prague, and you should look for a layer with a waterproof outer shell (check if the coat has waterproof zippers and cuffs as well). A pair of good gloves will keep your hands warm and protect you from cold and wind.
April to May and September to October are better times to visit. Weather in Prague in spring and autumn: There are quite a few sunny days and relatively warm weather in spring and autumn in Prague (though bring a jacket and umbrella just in case). In May, days are comfortably warm but the nights are cool.
The Nuremberg Christmas Market, or "Christkindlesmarkt," in Germany is often regarded as the most famous Christmas market in Europe. It's known for its historical charm and traditional offerings.
Christmas market closing dates in Europe vary, most close on December 23rd or 24th, but some remain open until December 31st or January. Generally, the last day is December 23.
The traditional wooden chalets offer everything from culinary specialties and Christmas decorations to wooden toys, traditional Czech handicrafts, embroidery, ceramics, woollen clothing and local produce. Prague has 6 Christmas markets all over the city, but we chose to do just three over the weekend.
Few places can hold a candle to Prague at Christmas. There's something utterly magical about visiting the Czech capital during Christmas as the city transforms from its usual fantastic to the über fantabulous. It truly is a dream destination for the holiday season.
Most stores, restaurants and grocery chains are closed on Christmas Day across the U.S. And in 2024, the first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah will fall on the same day as Christmas for the first time since 2005.
Wondering “Is Prague expensive to visit”? Prague sits in a sweet spot: cheaper than Paris but pricier than Budapest. In 2025, mid-range travelers average €70–€140/day, while savvy backpackers thrive on €35/day.
Predictably, the cheapest rates for accommodation in Prague are in January and February. The second best is November and March (unless Easter is scheduled for this month), followed by already not-so-cheap October and April.
Aside from a few "card only" bars, payment in cash is still acceptable everywhere in Prague. Most shops, bars, cafés and tourist attractions only accept payment in Czech Crowns (CZK). Some larger hotels, shops and restaurants accept Euros (EUR) too, but not all.
Yeah, that's totally doable! Three full days in Prague will give you enough time to cover the major sites—Old Town, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and maybe a few off-the-path spots like Vyšehrad or Letná Park. You can mix in good food and a view or two without feeling rushed.
