3-Day Prague Christmas Itinerary

It’s officially my favorite time of year…Christmas market season! Towns all over Europe have opened their Christmas markets, and people are flocking from near and far to visit these magical, festive destinations. At the top of my list of favorite Christmas markets is Prague. I visited in 2022 as the first stop on my Christmas market trip and fell instantly in love (with the city and the cute Scottish boy I met there LOL). Though this 3-day Prague Christmas market itinerary is not guaranteed to create the Hallmark movie romance that I had, it will certainly take you to the highlights of this charming capital city and create winter memories to last a lifetime.

Why Should I Visit the Prague Christmas Markets?

While many consider larger Christmas markets, such as those in Nuremberg or Vienna, to be the best of the best, Prague’s markets should not be overlooked. The intimate atmosphere of Prague’s smaller markets is magical in its own special way and contributes to the allure. The giant 25-meter Christmas tree against the striking backdrop of the Gothic cathedral is sure to take your breath away the moment you step into Old Town Square. This iconic view, unique culture, and Christmas spirit make Prague a must-visit destination in December.

This 3-day Prague Christmas itinerary will help you plan the perfect winter getaway while also managing your expectations of the number of sights you can realistically make it to in 3 days. Keep in mind that the sun sets around 4:00 p.m. during the winter, so sightseeing days are much shorter. During my trip planning phase, I was very ambitious and did not make it to everything on my list. But that’s okay! It gives me a reason to come back. 

I am sharing my actual itinerary, and you can tailor it to fit the style of trip YOU want to have. While you could fit in more places than this in 3 days, don’t forget to stop and savor the moments.

Arriving in the Winter Wonderland

First, let’s briefly touch on what to pack for a trip to the Prague Christmas markets. Prague in December is COLD. Pack accordingly! I promise you will want that beanie that you’re debating leaving behind. Especially if you’re not used to cold climates, ear warmers won’t be enough to keep you warm when you’re out sightseeing all day. I recommend bringing two heavy-duty coats, gloves, a beanie, and wool socks. I say two coats because you will be wearing one in every single photo, so if you want variety, the outfits underneath are less important than the coats on top.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see Prague as a winter wonderland with snow-capped buildings and flurries amongst the Christmas lights. Though more likely later in December, we still saw a light dusting of snow the first week of December. Nothing beats the view from Prague Castle where you can see the entire city covered in snow.

Old Town Square

Coming from the United States, you’ll likely be arriving in Prague pretty late in the evening like I did. When you arrive, you can take a bus or an Uber to the city center, which will take approximately 30 minutes. After checking into your accommodation, head over to the famous Old Town Square for your first magical Christmas market experience. This market is the largest in the Czech Republic and the highlight of this Prague Christmas itinerary. It’s a great place to grab a quick dinner and a treat before heading back to your accommodation to fight jetlag and rest up for the days of exploring ahead. What better way to start off your trip than sampling traditional Czech holiday treats like trdelník and mulled wine?

Day 1

New City Hall

Starting strong on day 1 with a lovely stroll through the old town. The first stop is Prague’s New City Hall to experience the “Elevator of Death,” the historic paternoster lift that operates on a continuous loop without stopping. It’s quite nerve-wracking at first but fun once you get the hang of it!

Municipal Library of Prague

After riding the Elevator of Death, pop across the street to the Municipal Library of Prague to see the mind-bending infinity book tower. Don’t fall in!

Klementinum Library Tour

Just a few blocks away is the Klementinum Library. You’ll want to book this in advance as you’re only allowed access to the library with a guided tour. The tour lasts approximately 50 minutes and costs 270 Kč ($11.50) with the online purchase discount. The first tour of the day at 9:00 a.m. is only 150 Kč ($6.50) if you want to save some money with an early morning. Your tour guide will walk you through the Klementinum Complex, teaching you about its rich history along the way, before taking you to see the Baroque Library, which is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the world. To finish off the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to climb to the top of the Klementinum Astronomical Tower for a stunning 360-degree view of the city.

Time to refuel for the rest of the day. Pop inside one of Prague’s many charming cafes to warm up and enjoy a coffee and a pastry. I went to Černá Madona not far from Old Town Square. Though it was crowded, we were able to be seated right away, and the coffee was warm and delicious.

Astronomical Clock Tower

Next, savor more views atop the Astronomical Clock Tower that overlooks Old Town Square. This famous medieval clock from 1410 displays the date and time as well as other astronomical details, such as the position of the sun and moon. It also has a surprise at the top of every hour that you’ll want to see at least once!

You can buy tickets in person to climb to the top of the tower for 300 Kč ($12.80). You receive a 50% discount for the first hour after opening Tuesday-Sunday as well. The ticket includes a brief self-tour of the Old Town Hall and entry to the top of the clock tower. During the Christmas season, the view from the top is especially remarkable as you look out over the Old Town Square Christmas market and capture an iconic photo like the one below.

By this point, you’ll have worked up one heck of an appetite, so it’s time for lunch. Just one block away from the Astronomical Clock Tower, you’ll find a comforting Italian restaurant, Ristorante Pizzeria Giovanni, serving up cheap beer and delicious pizza. If you get a second wind after lunch, you can certainly continue exploring the city. However, at this point, I went back to my accommodation to rest and freshen up for the evening.

Charles Bridge

During the Advent season in December, Prague has a special tradition. A lamplighter dressed in a traditional uniform comes down Charles Bridge at sunset to light each of the gas lamps. This usually happens around 4-4:15 p.m. and brings large crowds, so be sure to get there early. (Pro tip: he lights all of the lamps, so the ones further across the bridge usually see less crowds.)

After the lamp lighting, take a relaxing stroll along the river and enjoy the beauty of the illuminated city. When you’ve wandered to your heart’s content, find a cozy Czech restaurant to settle down at for dinner. On this night, I took part in the group dinner with my hostel, Roadhouse Prague. I highly recommend this if you’re staying at a hostel as it was a great way to meet friends.

If you’re not staying in a hostel, I have some Czech restaurant recommendations on days 2 and 3 below. 

Nightlife (Dog Bar)

If you’re familiar with Prague, you may have heard that it is quite popular for nightlife. This is another reason I recommend staying in a hostel to participate in all of the evening activities they arrange. Whether you go with your hostel or on your own, Dog Bar is a very popular location for nightlife. This underground bar has numerous rooms with different themes including live music and games. And who knows?! You just might meet your soulmate here like I did. 😉

Day 2

Cafe Savoy

This famous cafe, Cafe Savoy, across the Legion Bridge is most known for its Větrník, a delicious choux pastry filled with vanilla creme and topped with caramel. You can stop here and grab a coffee and pastry to-go from the window outside. If you’d prefer to dine in, be sure to make a reservation for this ahead of time.

Narrowest Street

Along your walk, you’ll happen upon the “Narrowest Street in Prague”, which is an entryway to a local restaurant. Comically, the street is so small it requires a stop light on each side to avoid a pedestrian traffic jam. Keep your eyes peeled because even if you’re looking for it, you still might miss it!

Lennon Wall

Not too far from the Narrowest Street is the Lennon Wall. This landmark dating back to the 1960s originated as a platform for sharing love poems and other inspirational graffiti. Following the assassination of John Lennon in 1980, the wall was transformed with a painting of the famous singer and his lyrics. At this time, the wall represented a desire for freedom and a place to air grievances against the communist regime. Since then, the wall has become an artistic outlet for all who wish to contribute and serves as a place of unity promoting peace and love. Take a picture in front of the wall on your trip to see how much it’s changed the next time you return to Prague.

Prague Castle

It’s time for the main attraction of the day: Prague Castle. On your way to the top of the hill, stop and take in the breathtaking views of the city. If you’re lucky, it’ll be covered in snow making it all the more magical. I recommend trying to arrive early as there will be a long queue to get in. You will not need to purchase tickets, but the brief security screening which slows down entry. You’ll want to spend your whole morning here because there is so much to see and so much history to learn about the largest ancient castle in the world.

St. Vitus Cathedral

Inside of the Prague Castle grounds, is St. Vitus Cathedral decked out in festive decorations. Take your time snapping photos of the magnificent exterior before heading inside to revel in the beauty of the cathedral’s Gothic architecture and intricate stained glass windows. Afterward, enjoy some traditional Christmas market food at the small market by the cathedral.

Dancing House

This wonky structure was once an apartment building before being destroyed in 1945 by the U.S. bombing of Prague. Fifty years later, two architects designed this unique piece of architecture to symbolize the Czech Republic’s transition away from rigid Communism. Snap a few fun pictures out front before heading up to the rooftop bar to enjoy some hot chocolate and city views. You have to make a drink purchase to access the rooftop, but it’s worth it, I promise.

Franz Kafka Rotating Head

You can either hop on a tram or walk back toward the New Town center and stop by the Franz Kafka Rotating Head, one of many unique works of art by David Černý around Prague. This metallic sculpture of Prague-based writer, Franz Kafka, rotates twice an hour and puts on a great show. Each of its layers rotates independently, glistening in the sun and creating all sorts of formations. The show lasts 15 minutes before returning to its original orientation.

Wenceslas Square

The other main Christmas Market in Prague is held at Wenceslas Square. Stalls line the long strip selling traditional Czech Christmas treats and other goods. Grab some mulled wine and take a stroll up and down the length of the market enjoying the lights, smells, and holiday cheer.

Pivovar U Tří růží

When you’ve had enough Christmas markets for one day, head to one of my favorite restaurants, Pivovar U Tří růží, to savor a traditional Czech Christmas dinner. With its cozy atmosphere, this authentic pub-style restaurant will have you feeling like a true local. I highly recommend trying the fried cheese and red ale, they’re simply mouthwatering. Pro tip: this restaurant does not accept credit cards, so make sure you have plenty of cash on hand!

Day 3

Vyšehrad Fortress

This historic 10th-century fortress is situated about 4km outside of Prague’s Old Town and is a relaxing escape from all of the hustle and bustle of the city center. It’s a nice easy walk up to the top of the hill, and you can walk around the perimeter of the fortress taking in a 360-degree view of the surrounding suburbs. Also on site is the beautiful Saints Peter and Paul Basilica which is worth stopping in to admire the neo-gothic architecture.

Náměstí Míru

Truthfully, I did not make it to this Christmas market because we had quite a late start this morning. If you have time, stop by the Náměstí Míru Christmas market on your way back into town from the fortress. It is a smaller market, but, set against the stunning backdrop of the Basilica of St. Ludmila, it’s one I regret missing. Stay until dark for the treat of seeing the subtle lights in front of the bright glow of the cathedral.

Krčma

Saving the best for last, this was my absolute favorite meal I had during my entire trip. Krčma is a warm welcoming restaurant just a few blocks from Old Town Square offering the best Czech specialties. The main dining area is down in a dim, brick-walled basement, which only adds to the restaurant’s authentic charm. There are so many delicious Czech dishes to choose from. In my opinion, if you come here and don’t try the chicken schnitzel, you’re missing out. I’ve had other friends agree that it’s the most delicious dish they had in Prague, hands down.

Old Town Square 

If you’re sentimental like me, you’ll want to visit the Christmas market in Old Town Square one last time and reflect on your Christmas adventure in Prague. Soak in the iconic views and enjoy one more sugary, chocolatey trdelník under the glow of the towering Christmas tree.

There are so many other noteworthy sites in Prague, such as the Dripstone Wall, Petrin, and the Central Gallery, that will keep you coming back to explore more. This bite-sized 3-day Prague Christmas Itinerary will show you some of the most iconic spots in Prague, such as Prague Castle, Klementinum Library, and the Franz Kafka Rotating Head, while still leaving you time to relax and soak in all of the Christmas magic sprinkled across the city. With its twinkling lights and snow-capped roofs, this enchanting city will blow you away at Christmastime. Experience it for yourself and see why it’s considered a top winter destination.

If you’re heading to Prague this year, I hope this 3-day Prague Christmas itinerary gave you some inspiration and ideas. If you don’t have a visit planned yet, use this guide to plan a trip next Christmas season! I can’t wait for you to experience the festivities and create your own unforgettable Christmas memories in Prague.

Merry Christmas!🎄❄️