10 Things to Do in Prague in the winter

Although Prague is an enchanting destination no matter what time of year you travel, you should visit at least once in winter.

In addition to almost all of the city's tours, during this season you can enjoy unique events and celebrations such as the carnival festivities and the magical Christmas markets. When planning your holiday, consider the list below and make as many plans as possible.

No matter what time of year you visit Prague, a trip to Prague Castle is a must on your list of things to see and do in the city. However, visiting this important historical monument in winter can be even more special than you might think.

For one thing, you'll find that there are very few tourists, which allows you to enjoy the beautiful interiors of the complex much more. In addition, one of Prague's most luxurious Christmas markets with the most exclusive products and the finest craftsmanship takes place in the Castle Complex in December.

Finally, during the winter snowfall, Prague Castle is dyed in a beautiful white mantle, which makes for a dreamlike postcard view. Book your ticket to Prague Castle and bring your camera! At the end of your tour you can take a walk through the Hradčany Quarter to discover one of the most beautiful areas of the city.

Winter in Prague is, without a doubt, my favourite time of year to tour the historic cafes that dot the city and enjoy the museums. The reason is that having plans to do indoors andescape the cold streets will always be a wonderful plan; additionally the low tourist influx in these days allows you to really sit in a café for a while or you can go to the museums without feeling rushed.

The best museums in Prague

• National Museum of Prague: Located in the historic Wenceslas Square, the National Museum is home to one of the most impressive zoological collections.
• Mucha Museum: If you like the Belle Epoque you can't miss the museum dedicated to the life and work of Alfons Mucha.
• Prague Museum of Communism: Historical museum dedicated to the oppressive years of the regime in the Czech Republic.
• Franz Kafka Museum: As peculiar as his own work, the best part of the Kafka Museum is the intense and confusing exhibition on his work The Metamorphosis.

Prague's historic cafés

• Kavárna Slavia: Popular as the oldest café in the city, you can find local artists performing Czech opera on stage.
• Café Savoy: It has one of the most beautiful interiors you will ever see in a café.
• Café Louvre: Famous for being the favourite haunt of historical figures such as Kafka and Einstein himself.

Although almost all of Prague has been electrically powered since the 1950s, the Charles Bridge and another 700 lamps in the older areas of the city continue to use the gas system. Throughout the year this system lights automatically, but with the arrival of winter a beautiful historical tradition is taken up again: the lighting of the lamps by the lantern keeper.

Historically, the task of the city lamplighter was assigned to the tallest man in the city, who had to go from torch to torch, lighting the lights along the way. From the last week of November until 23 December you can witness this romantic little spectacle.

Where it takes place

The tradition is to light up the entire King's Walk, which starts at the Powder Tower in Stare Mesto, goes through the streets on the way to the Old Town Square and from there to the climax at Charles Bridge. I recommend that you book a guided tour of Prague and enjoy the illumination of all these wonderful sights.

Prague boasts the longest Christmas market season in Europe and also one of the most beautiful. The markets usually start on 27 or 28 November and end after 6 January.

In the beautifully decorated houses with glitter, lights and colours, you can find everything: traditional Czech food, hot drinks, handicrafts, souvenirs, shows and entertainment.

The best Christmas Markets in Prague

My recommendation for you not to miss out on this wonderful tradition is to book a guided tour of Prague where they will tell you about the most important ones and can give you information on how to get there. You are also sure to pass by the most central ones along the way.

• Old Town Square Market The city's most vibrant and popular market is located on Old Town Square. At the stalls you will find food, handmade gifts, mulled wine, toys, jewellery and entertainment.
• Wenceslas Square Market A market specialising in handmade gifts made from wood and steel. You'll also find food stalls and hot drinks.
• Republic Square Market Here you will find a wide collection of Christmas products, everything you need to make presents and decorate your home; mistletoe, advent wreaths, scented candles, toys and more.
• Prague Castle Christmas Market The vendors at the Prague Castle Christmas Market are carefully selected to offer the public top-quality Christmas products.

The tradition of ballroom dancing has not been completely lost in Prague. Therefore, one of the most awaited social events is the traditional Opera Ball, which takes place year after year in winter, usually in February.

Everyone who wants to be seen in Prague will attend this important event, and although it lacks the prestige and international fame of the famous Vienna Ballroom Ball, the fact is that the glitzy glamour will always be the star of the evening.

The celebration is attended by people of all ages and each year a different theme is chosen, which guests and participants must strive to fulfil.

Where it takes place

This event always takes place in the best venues in Prague, the most luxurious and elegant halls. Favourite locations are the Lucerne Palace or the Marble Hall of the Prague State Opera.

How to buy tickets

The basic ticket for the general public usually costs more than 100 € and includes unlimited food and drinks. To purchase tickets, keep an eye on the official portals where details are shared on the upcoming dates.

And if you run out of seats, I recommend you book tickets for a concert in the Sala Mozart with dinner and do not miss the pleasure of classical music in this wonderful city.

The Prague Winter Festival began its traditional performances in 1972, during the years when the Czech Republic was under the communist regime. It is held every year in January, usually at the beginning.

January in Prague is synonymous with the coldest month of the year, so the Winter Festival is a perfect way to stay indoors and enjoy the enormous talent of Czech artists.

Performances include opera, ballet and classical music concerts. You can expect the festival to open in the first week of January, but to be on the safe side, check the official Prague Winter Festival website for details of this year's performances.

Where it takes place

The Prague Winter Festival performances take place in several venues, the main ones being the Prague National Theatre, the State Theatre and in the Dvořák concert hall at the Rudolfinum. The common feature of all these venues is undoubtedly the sumptuousness of their interiors. Remember that an alternative musical plan is to book tickets for a concert in the Mozart Hall with dinner.

Usually starting in November in Prague, the Bohuslav Martinů Festival runs a calendar of concerts until the second third of December.

If you are visiting Prague at this time and are interested in classical instrumental music with a modern twist, this is an event you must attend.

The most important performances usually take place in the last days of the festival (which usually lasts about four weeks). These last performances are given by the talented artists who are winners of the Bohuslav Martinů Prize of the foundation of the same name.

Where it takes place

The Bohuslav Martinů Festival takes place on the most beautiful stages and concert halls of the city. These include: the various venues of the Liechtenstein Palace, the Czech National Bank, the Rudolfinum, and Prague Castle itself.

How to buy tickets

Due to the diverse locations of the event, the festival organisers delegate ticket sales directly to the ticket office (virtual or physical) of the venue reserved for each performance.

Every year, at least one free performance among the 10 concerts is sold out, so it is advisable to check the programme of events on the Bohuslav Martinůc Foundation website in advance.

Although most people associate running with better weather like spring and summerin Prague, every year, at the end of February, the Winter Run, also known as Winter Run, takes place in Prague and is aimed at all lovers of the sport.

Running during the cold winter is more difficult than you might imagine and may require more physical exertion than expected. However, you'll feel great after the challenge and I bet you'll be running in the cold again as soon as you get the chance.

Where to do it

It's wise to check the official Winter Run website for full details regarding registration and exact dates. As for the location of the event and the circuits, the following are generally held:

• At Ladronka Park: an 8.4 km adult cross-country race and a 4.2 km cross-country race.
• In Ladronka Park: a children's 800 m race and a 400 m race.

During the winter season in Prague, almost always in February, you will have the opportunity to join in the Masopust celebrations, the Slavic name for the Carnival period, which is similar in concept to the popular Mardi Gras, a fun activity if you visit Prague with children.

Check the calendar in advance and if your visit to beautiful Prague coincides with the Masopust celebrations, attend one of the traditional parades and celebrations that take place all over the city.

Where it takes place

Shrove Tuesday or Masopust is the day on which a five-day period of celebration comes to an end. During the season, various events will take over the city. Here are the highlights.

• Parade on Jiriho z Podebrad Square

The most important and eye-catching parade takes place on Jiriho z Podebrad Square, located in the Zizkov Quarter. This is the place for the ceremonial parade of the masked figures. There is no shortage of monstrous figures in the form of demons, farm animals or other unique characters. Beautifully decorated floats will also parade through the area, all accompanied by music and dance.

• Mardi Gras in Letná

The National Technical Museum in Prague offers a varied entertainment programme including theatre performances, music and dance, traditional food and carnival parades with masks.

• Mardi Gras in Mala Strana

One of the most fun Mardi Gras celebrations takes place in the Mala Strana neighbourhood, starting at Loretanska Square and ending in the Kampa Park area.

It is no secret that the Czechs are very fond of ice sports, especially hockey. That's why one of the most fun and eagerly awaited activities in the winter season in Prague are the ice rinks that open all over the city when the temperatures start to drop. An added bonus you can see and do on your visit to Prague.

You'll find both indoor and outdoor rinks in both the old and modern areas of the city. The best part? You don't need to bring skates because many of them have equipment rental available.

Na Frantisku Rink

Located in the Jewish quarter of Josefov, this is one of the most popular rinks in the city where you can ice skate surrounded by medieval buildings.

• Size: 40 x 20 metres.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5.30 pm and weekends from 10 am to 7 pm.
• Price: 3 € admission, skate rental 3 €.

Zizkov Tower Rink

Located right next to the elegant MIMINOO restaurant, when you get tired of skating you can sit at the tables and enjoy a hot chocolate.

• Size: 30 x 14 metres.
• Opening hours: during the week from 12 noon to 7pm; on weekends from 9am to 7pm.
• Price: approximately €5 and €3 to rent skates.

Ovocny Trh rink

Another favourite rink of the locals is located in the very centre of Prague, run by the Prague City Council and is free of charge.

• Size: 30 X 14 metres.
• Opening hours: Every day from 10 am to 10 pm.
• Price: Free, skate rental from €3.

Harfa Shopping Centre Rink

A very special rink located on the rooftop of the shopping centre offering fantastic views of the city of Prague.

• Size: 30 X 20 metres.
• Opening hours: Every day from 1 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
• Price: Approximately €3 for access and €3 for skate rental.

Climate

The city of Prague is characterised by its continental climate, which means polar temperatures. Winters are very harsh and cold, while summers are really hot.

During the month of December in Prague, temperatures start to drop, but it will be the warmest month of the three, and the busiest. The coldest month of the winter in Prague will be January, with a record low of -4 degrees Celsius, and February will start to warm up but will still be colder than December.

What to bring

When packing your suitcase, bear in mind that winter in Prague is not just about cold and low temperatures, but also about snow, icy roads, hailstorms and rain.

You should be properly prepared to deal with all these scenarios by including in your suitcase the complete winter survival pack: wool jumpers and coats for the cold, waterproof clothes, warm and waterproof shoes, leggings, thermal underwear, jeans, gloves, winter hats, scarves and an umbrella.

The number of tourists in Prague during the winter season is the lowest of the year, except for the weeks around Christmas when the flow of tourists, both domestic and international, increases to visit the Christmas markets.

In January in Prague and February in P rague the city is a haven of tranquillity and an excellent time for those who prefer to enjoy the city without the hustle and bustle or are looking to save money on their holiday. Only if you have a good tolerance for the cold, this season could be the best time to visit Prague.