Local Concierge Tips... Prague
21st November, 2019
Why is Prague such a magical place to visit in the
winter?
I think that winter is much better than high summer to visit the
city. Although we haven't experienced any in a few years, Prague is
even more beautiful when covered by snow. When visiting in
December, you can enjoy the many Christmas markets scattered
throughout the city centre.
We know there is much going on at Christmas, such as the
Wenceslas Square market for one. What are your
must-visits?
The best - and busiest - market is in Old Town Square. I recommend
visiting during the week rather than weekends.
Prague Castle is definitely a must-see, especially St. Vitus
Cathedral and Golden Lane.
Charles Bridge, in the early morning before the tourist rush, is an
excellent place to visit too.
What should we be eating and drinking at Christmas time
in Prague?
There are a lot of options; I prefer svařák which is a hot wine
typical for winter. Medovina is also nice which is a honey wine.
Trdelnik, a kind of spit cake, has become really famous and
although it's not very traditional, it's worth a try. Other
typically Czech sweet treats are gingerbread or apple
pie…delicious!
Potato salad is best eaten with wiener schnitzel at the Café Savoy. If that's a little
fancy for your liking, you can also try it at the local pub.
Where is your favourite spot to watch the world go
by?
Wenceslas Square, the centre of the business and cultural
communities, or Republic Square. SAPA market is also worth
visiting, it is like a small Vietnamese city in Prague and I find
it really interesting.
Where is the best restaurant for traditional Czech
cuisine?
The slightly cheaper - but very good! - options are Mincovna or
Pork's Pub. For more fine dining, Café Savoy or Kalina Kampa are both great
places to eat.
Do you have any secret hotspots you wouldn't usually
find in a guide book?
The best spots are the hidden narrow canals on the Moldau River,
such as Čertovka which is sometimes called 'Little Prague Venice'
in English.
The university-based Café
Hamu or Café Louvre
are good places to get your caffeine fix, and the street Novy Svet
is close to Prague Castle but far from the madding crowds!
Are there any places nearby and outside of the city that
are worth travelling to?
A beloved trip for me is Dresden, Germany. It is only about 80
minutes away by car and has a wonderful Christmas market with
different cuisine and vendors. If this feels a little far, the
gothic Karlštejn
Castle is a 40 minute-drive away and considered to be one of
the most beautiful castles in the country.
Terezín is a former military fortress and has an extremely chilling
atmosphere as it was once used as a concentration camp.
Is there anything else you would like to add about the
city?
The general rule in Prague is 'the smaller the better', and that
applies to cafes, restaurants, boats and guided tours. The most
romantic area of the city is Mala Strana and this is the main
reason I love Prague. Everything here is nearby and walking is the
best way to enjoy and explore the city.
There is no better time than the festive season to visit the vibrant Czech capital. Magical and mysterious - albeit slightly chilly! - and perhaps even more charming than usual.
