The short version: Prague’s Christmas markets are the most fairytale in Europe, centred on Old Town Square under the astronomical clock and a giant tree. Drink svarak (Czech mulled wine) or warming medovina honey mead, and eat a trdelnik, a grilled klobasa sausage, a bramborak potato pancake or a hot ham carved off the bone. Here is what to eat and drink.
At a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Drink | Svarak (mulled wine), medovina (honey mead), Czech beer |
| Street food | Klobasa sausage, prazska sunka (spit-roast ham), bramborak |
| Sweet | Trdelnik (chimney cake), gingerbread (pernik) |
| Best markets | Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Prague Castle |
| When | Late November to early January |
What to drink
Svarak is Czech mulled wine, hot and spiced, the default market drink. For something different try medovina, a warming honey mead, or simply a good Czech beer, since this is one of the great beer nations. Mugs usually carry a small deposit you get back, or keep as a souvenir.
What to eat
The smell that pulls you in is trdelnik, a sugar-and-cinnamon spiral baked on a spit (a tourist favourite rather than an old tradition, but delicious warm). More traditional are a grilled klobasa sausage with mustard and rye bread, prazska sunka (Prague ham roasted on the bone and carved to order), a crisp bramborak potato pancake, and pernik decorated gingerbread to take home.
Which markets to visit
The Old Town Square market is the showpiece, set under the astronomical clock and a towering decorated tree, with a stage and carols. Wenceslas Square has a larger, more food-focused market a few minutes away, and there is a smaller, atmospheric one up at Prague Castle. They are all walkable, so a guided market tour is a relaxed way to taste your way around.
Our pick: the Magical Prague Christmas Markets Tour with Locals (a GetYourGuide Top Pick) takes you around the Old Town and Wenceslas Square markets with tastings.
Frequently asked questions
What do you eat at Prague Christmas markets?
Trdelnik chimney cake, grilled klobasa sausage, spit-roasted Prague ham, bramborak potato pancakes and gingerbread, with svarak mulled wine or honey mead to drink.
When are the Prague Christmas markets open?
Typically from late November to early January, with the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square markets open daily through the holidays.
What is svarak?
Svarak is Czech mulled wine, hot red wine spiced with cinnamon, cloves and citrus, the classic Prague Christmas market drink.
Plan your Prague trip
See the best Christmas markets in Europe for food and wine, and compare Christmas market tours below.
