7 Magical Things to Do During Winter in Prague

7 Magical Things to Do During Winter in Prague

Button up and don’t forget your hat – winter is coming, and Prague is the place to be…

Throw on your parka, find your favorite pair of mittens, and dig those wool socks out of the closet. It’s officially wintertime. Just because the weather has plummeted and the skies might be gray doesn’t mean you should stay inside all day reminiscing of summer sunshine.

There are plenty of winter activities to do, from outdoor excursions to indoor attractions, and no better place to than Prague. The city is full of things to do during the cold weather, making it a top destination for tourists across the world.

1. Stroll around the city in the snow-covered streets

The best thing to do to explore the city in the winter would be just to take a walk. Sounds simple enough – and it is. With beautiful architecture everywhere you look, people wandering around the charming streets, and twinkling lights celebrating the holidays, the picturesque places are endless.

You can hit up the Old Town, checking out the Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock. After you’ve seen the square’s character, you can take Charles Bridge across the Vltava River, noticing the statues lining the sides, and the live music and stands flanking the pedestrian pathway.

Once you’ve crossed the bridge, the Prague Castle looms overhead, and looks beautiful in the snow and winter weather. The 200 plus green spaces and parks in the city also make for great walking spots, with Letna Park boasting great views, Lenin Hill containing a tower in which to see panoramic views of the city, and Stromovka being placed directly in the center, providing an easily-accessible and beautiful spot to walk through the falling snow.

2. Warm up with some Czech beer

If you get a little tired from walking around the streets, you can warm up by drinking a famous Czech beer. Since the weather can get pretty chilly in the evening, it’s a great time to hit up a bar or club once the sun goes down.

For beer aficionados we recommend checking out the Beer Geek Bar, offering 32 taps containing both Czech and international beers to suit any palette. With both locations in Prague 3, you can head to this neighborhood and have no trouble finding some quality brews.

If you’re in the mood for a more festive drink, the Christmas markets sell mulled wine to keep your spirits high while shopping for your friends back home. Or yourself, either works.

3. Grab some gifts at the Christmas markets

For some more outdoor fun, the Christmas markets in Prague are some of the most famous attractions – making for a very popular and crowded time for the city. Despite having numerous tourists flocking to see the cute pop-up villages and stalls in the squares, it is worth it to see the charm, decorations, and traditional Czech food and souvenirs being sold underneath the massive Christmas tree.

Old Town Square has the most famous market, but there are also lesser-known spots for some holiday cheer. Jiřího z Poděbrad has a charming market, and Wenceslas Square has its fair share of vendors and decorations to make even the grumpiest Grinch a little happy.

With endless options of where to visit, we highly recommend checking out at least a couple of the markets in the city – after all, you should definitely get a gift for your in-laws this year. We don’t want a repeat of last year’s Christmas, do we?

4. Learn about the royals at the famous Prague Castle

For a taste of history and culture, head to Prague Castle and see just how magical it can be in the snowy weather. Even though this massive complex is beautiful all-year-round, there’s something about the cold, the chilly wind, and the darkening skies that make this historical building so mysterious and festive in the winter.

With huge castle walls also containing St. Vitus Cathedral, arguably one of the most beautiful in Europe, this is a stop you can’t miss. Walking up the hill to the castle will give you some of the best views of the city, and reaching the top won’t disappoint either. The sheer size of the castle combined with the birds-eye view of the city, boasting the red-roofed houses and three bridges, is sure to take your breath away.

5. Head inside to broaden your horizons at one of the many museums

If you’re a little cold from all of this outdoor exploring, brush up on some culture and knowledge with a trip to one of Prague’s many museums. The National Museum, right in the famous Wenceslas Square, is one of the most famous in the city, featuring scientific and historical collections throughout the building. Another one that history-lovers will enjoy (kind of) is the Prague Jewish Museum.

Despite being pretty depressing, the facts and stories told here are tearjerkers, it is especially important in understanding the country’s history. From old photographs to bone-chilling stories, this museum has it all. Not the best for the holiday spirit, but it might influence you to spread some good vibes throughout the city.

For those who like things a little – well, weirder – we recommend checking out The Sex Machines Museum for a once in a lifetime experience. We won’t describe this one because you can pretty much guess what it’s about, but it’ll definitely be a part of your trip you won’t forget. Hanging out inside a warm museum and learning some interesting facts is a great way to escape the cold and learn something about this beautiful city.

6. Sip on some crisp beer or hot soup in a cozy restaurant

When you feel a bit peckish after all of these adventures, there are plenty of Czech restaurants, bars, and pubs that will take care of that for ya. If you still want to stay outside in the snowy weather, there are plenty of street vendors and food stalls around the city, especially concentrated along the squares and historical parts of the city.

Look for one selling Pražská šunka, basically Czech ham, a delicacy that can only legally be sold in this city. This slow-roasted and crispy meat falls off the bone and is sure to warm you up from the cold wind. If you want a real treat on a blustery day, head to Cafe Savoy for some traditional Czech schnitzel, or get here early enough for some of the city’s best breakfast.

For a beer to wash everything down, you can head to Lokal for a few pints and fried cheese. Americans should love this snack, since we have everything deep-fried to make it better. The locals at this establishment took it to a new level with this concoction, so you have to try it at least once.

If you want something a bit more substantial, grab some beer goulash at Mincovna right at Old Town Square. With something for everyone, the city’s many traditional restaurants, cozy bars, and relaxing cafes provide some respite from the chill.

6. Escape the city and head to Kutna Hora

If you want to get out of the busy city for a day, rent a car and drive out to Kutna Hora, an hour’s drive from Prague. This beautiful city features an architecturally-stunning Cathedral of St. Barbara, setting the scene for a charming country town.

This town is much quieter in the winter, and you can explore the town’s famous Ossuary – a spectacle that comprises real human bones. It’s a sight you have to see to believe, and the colder weather and gray skies set the perfect scene for this kind of attraction.

7. Test your balance at one of the city’s skating rinks

Last up on winter activities in Prague, we recommend checking out one of the city’s many skating rinks. Bring out your inner child and head to one of the locations scattered around the city, showing off your ice skills for the locals or just attempting to make it one loop around without falling.

Na Frantisku is a popular spot among the Czech locals, located right in Old Town next to the Jewish Quarter. The surrounding buildings make this a great spot to see if you still got it. Another favorite is Ovocny trh – this rink has free entrance, making it accessible to everyone and anyone who wants to give it a try.

Check this spot out if you’re a budget traveler who wants to reenact a scene from Blades of Glory. No matter what location you choose, there is a spot for you – for couples on a first date to the aspiring professional, this city has an ice rink for you.

Pack some extra layers and book your flight to Prague – a true winter wonderland.

Prague is a beautiful city all-year-round, with sunshine, beer gardens, and boat rides in the summer, and colorful trees, crisp breezes, and cold Pilsners in the fall. Winter in Prague is in its own category however. The magic that comes with the snow seems to take over the whole city – the holiday lights stand out against the afternoon skies that darken early, with people bundled up next to their loved ones.

The squares come alive with the Christmas markets, the castle looms tall above the snow-capped roofs, and the mulled wine continues to flow. No matter what you’re in the mood for, Prague has an endless amount of activities to do during the winter months, beating the cold-weather blues and encouraging you to explore this buzzing city.