DATE OF VISIT
16th December 2023
WHERE DID I STAY?
I did not stay anywhere, so really this section is not relevant to me for this entry. However, relatives were staying at the Maximillian Hotel, (https://www.maximilianhotel.com/) Haštalská 14, 110 00 Prague 1, and they could not speak highly enough about the hotel and said everything was just perfect.
The hotel is located within easy walking distance of Old Town Square, (which is nice to visit at anytime), but at this time of year is just magical. They had selected to stay in a room the view from which was looking at the floodlit church opposite, and was beautifully appointed. Quote: "The breakfasts are simply amazing!"
Should you decided to stay at the Maximillian Hotel, and you discover that it is full, then I recommend trying the Hotel Josef (https://www.hoteljosef.com/), Rybná 20, 110 00, Prague 1, which is the "sister" hotel of the Maximillian and the two are within a short walking distance of each other. Both the Maximillian Hotel and Hotel Josef, are quite excellent hotels for your stay or short visit to Prague.
PERSONAL FEEDBACK
The Christmas Market in Prague may not be one of the largest in Europe, (it is still large), but it has everything that you would want to enjoy at such a market. I think one of the nicest things about the market is that it is located in Old Town Square, (there are other markets throughout Prague), and surrounded by all the famous and iconic and historical buildings that Prague is famous for. These are all floodlit at night, and you do see the market at its best once the sun has gone down.
Every year the centre piece is the decorated Christmas Tree which stands at 24 meters in height and which this year was felled in the Liberec Region of Czechia before it was transported to Prague and set in place. Opposite the tree is a very nicely decorated bridge, which is a viewing platform which gives you a great view of both the market and the tree slightly higher up! If you are feeling particularly fit, then if you climb up the tower in which is located the "astronomical clock" you will then be looking down on all the festivities below.
The market is full of stalls for food & drink of all different types and it is possible to buy non-alcoholic hot drinks, (for this of you that have to drive after your visit!). In addition there are many stalls selling Christmas decorations; home decorative items; momentos of your visit to Prague and of course the famous Trdelník, which was originally a variety of "spit cake," made from dough, wrapped around a stick then baked and topped with a sugar and walnut mix. Although, today, Trdelník comes in all forms and varieties and can be filled with chocolate sauce, ice cream etc. - however you like to eat it!
I attach a link to "Prague Experience" where you can find many details about Christmas Markets for 2023 (https://www.pragueexperience.com/events/christmas-markets.asp).
All Christmas markets are very busy places with many hundreds of people visiting, and the main market in Old Town Square is no exception. If the crush, (or the queues for food and refreshment), become too much, I would like to recommend Týn Yard, Ungelt, which is a very short walk from Old Town Square, where another smaller, but equally wonderful Christmas market is located. Here the crush is not as bad as in Old Town Square and you can enjoy your refreshment at a more leisurely pace. I recommend that you use Google Maps to find Ungelt and even in the crowd it should take no more than 10 minutes to walk there.
Within the Christmas market in Old Town Square, there is a stage which is erected every year and where short concerts and choirs perform, (many by children), throughout the Christmas season. These concerts and musical interludes are often extremely good and really add to the overall festive season! Once you have purchased your refreshment, it is well worth manoeuvring so that you are closer to the stage which is located in close proximity to the Christmas tree.
Two quick tips to finish:
- If you intend to drive to Prague for the markets, please research parking venues in advance because parking is very restricted, if not impossible, in the immediate vicinity of Old Town Square. If you decide to stay at either the Maximillian Hotel or Hotel Josef, both hotels have small underground car parks but you will need to book a parking space in advance. A short walk, (in the crowds 10 - 15 minutes), from Old Town Square, there is the Palladium Shopping Mall (https://www.palladiumpraha.cz) which has a large parking garage. The price in the garage is CZK65 per hour. Also in the same vicinity is another large garage located under the Marriott Hotel at V Celnici 1028/10, 110 00, Prague 1
- Do please take care of your handbag/bags/belongings etc. all the time of course, but especially in the crowds at the markets
PLACES TO SEE
I have described for you the Christmas market in Old Town Square but from the square you can stroll through to the Charles Bridge (Karlův Most) or alternatively to stroll from Old Town Square to Wenceslas Square where you will find a further Christmas market in the centre of the square up towards the National Gallery at the top.
PLACES TO EAT
If "market food" is not your thing or you would prefer to sit in a restaurant and eat, please do not hesitate to contact me via the "Contact" page on my blog and I will do what I can to help you. It would be helpful if you would please highlight the type of food/meal that you have in mind when submitting your request - thank you.
LINKS
I repeat for you the links shown in the blog report above:
- Maximillian Hotel: https://www.maximilianhotel.com/
- Hotel Josef: https://www.hoteljosef.com/
- Prague Experience: https://www.pragueexperience.com/events/christmas-markets.asp
- Palladium Shopping Centre: https://www.palladiumpraha.cz
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