What to do in the Czech Republic for the new year. Who spent New Year's holidays in Prague? Reviews of tourists

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How to celebrate the New Year in Prague: where to go, how to save money and why the Czech Republic?

The tradition, or rather the habit, of celebrating the New Year at home among Russians remains in the past. Everything every year large quantity people prefer to go somewhere, albeit not far away, but just to go. Someone goes to another city in the country, others rush to Sochi for ski resorts, third in warm countries, which are located in the south of Asia, and another group prefers to celebrate the new year in the Czech Republic. Prague for the new year 2020 is not just an ordinary trip, it is an amusing trip that you will remember for the rest of your life. On New Year's Eve, the whole city turns into an illustrated fairy tale. Lanterns shine everywhere here, each street is decorated and unique in its own way. There is a decorated Christmas tree on the main square, and people walk nicely under the slowly falling snow. Do you want to fly to the Czech Republic? First, find out what else is interesting there, what are the prices for Christmas and whether it is worth going so far.

Why is Prague attractive for the new year?

She is attractive to everyone. Buildings in the Czech Republic are very similar to Gothic. They are tall and their roofs are unique and have a shape that can only be found here. In winter, when the snow falls, the roofs become even more beautiful and this view is so good that absolutely all tourists take hundreds of pictures of the snow-covered roofs of the Czech capital.

Charles Bridge is a favorite place for both tourists and local residents. In a snowy winter, it changes its appearance and becomes the bridge from the picture. The river under the bridge freezes and it is also very beautiful.
All the streets of the city on New Year's Eve become bright and decorated with toys and lights. At night, when it gets dark, the lights turn on and the city becomes a fairy tale come to life. The only thing missing is elves and old carriages with people.

Starting from December 20, all kinds of shows will start in Prague. On the streets of the city, local actors arrange historical reenactments that show middle age. Most of productions are an exact copy of long-standing events.
Music and dance shows can be viewed both outdoors and indoors. Czech bands perform at local venues, as well as visitors who play organ instruments, sing operas and give amazing concerts.

The main treat of the capital is Czech gingerbread. So many of them are baked on New Year's Eve that a delicious smell comes from all cafes. Plus, you will be treated to delicious coffee and rich tea. How many different national dishes you will be offered - it is difficult to count them, but it is even more difficult to try everything.
But the main place of all events is the Old Town Square. It is here that visitors and residents of the city come. It stands here main tree countries and the biggest stage where the best musicians and dancers of Europe dance and sing.

Have you ever heard of the Christmas Market? If you go to Prague for the new year, you can even participate in it. Everything is sold at the holiday fair. But national souvenirs and an amazing drink - mulled wine are in great demand. Who does not know, mulled wine is an alcoholic drink that was specially invented to treat guests at events that take place in the winter on fresh air. Wine drink is served warm, so it warms perfectly. And spices are also added to it so that the taste is brighter and richer.
Also at the fairs you can ride all over Prague in horse teams in old carriages. The wheels creak, the cart moves, and it is driven by a specially trained person who knows what to show you and where to take you.

Restaurants of the city for the new year are also carefully prepared. You will not find a single institution in the city where there will be no musical and festive program. But you need to book a table in a restaurant in advance, as there are many people who want to, and there are not enough restaurants for everyone.

Do you want to celebrate the New Year in Sochi? that are in the city and you will see that perhaps this is your option.

But not only the new year is a bright event in the city. All winter in Prague is something special. Many tourists have noticed that even just looking at the city from the hotel window is an amazing sight. The city is especially good in cloudy weather and when it snows. In any other city, in cloudy weather in winter, you want to stay at home, but here you want to go for a walk as soon as possible.

Prices and tour to Prague for the new year

All travel agencies offer tours to Prague for the new year. Applications begin well before winter. Already in the summer, you can start looking for tours and pick up hotels. Potential tourists are in a hurry not only to save money, but also to book best rooms and take best hotels cities.
Of course, the cost of a trip is sometimes expensive, but there are options to save money. It's easy to do: you need to book everything in person. Now there are many services on the Internet that help you find hotels. With their help, you can easily find and book cheap flights to the Czech Republic and book a hotel room. Believe me, there is nothing complicated. And your savings will be significant.
Buying a tour through a company has its advantages. For example, you won't need to do anything. Just pay money and wait. You can also buy a tour, which will include excursions, festive new year's dinner and entertainment. Plus you will be taken from the airport to the hotel and back. But you can do all this on your own. As for the gala dinner, new year's eve it is better to take a walk around the city, and if you really need to, then book a table in the restaurant of your hotel.

As for the prices for tours, then for two the cost of the tour will be at least 50,000 thousand rubles. If you have a child, then the cost increases by 20-30 thousand rubles. Last year, the average price of a tour for two to Prague was 75,000 rubles.

The most popular option among tourists is a 7-night tour. Usually it is bought so that the departure was on December 29-30. Then you will celebrate Christmas in Russia.
Many tourists take tours for 3-4 nights. They want to celebrate the new year in Prague and return home. They also try to fly out on December 30th. Although 30% of tourists fly out of Russia on the 31st in the morning.

Hotels for the new year are sometimes expensive to rent, so tourists are looking for other options. In the Czech Republic, you can rent a house or apartment for a few days. It costs less than a hotel. Yes, and many apartments are rented in the city center. And if you want to rent a house, then they are located outside the city, and in the mountains, where there is stunning nature and ski slopes.

Should I go to Prague for the new year?

We will not advise you anything. After all, it's your money and it's up to you. If you want to know our opinion, then 7 people out of 10 in our department want to spend New Year's days in Prague. So think for yourself.

What could be more romantic than celebrating New Year in the Czech Republic? Of course, Prague is beautiful at any time of the year, but in winter it turns into an amazing snow fairy tale. Cheers cheers! Hello dear Prague! This means that the New Year will certainly be fabulous and bright. That is what we came here for. How did we celebrate the New Year in Prague? This is my story my friends...

So, a few simple steps separate you from celebrating the New Year in magnificent Prague and remembering this day for a long time ...

We buy tickets to Prague and book a hotel

First, you need to decide on the dates of the trip, choose suitable hotel for these dates and find the best-priced air tickets. It makes sense to first "monitor" the price of the flight. As a rule, this is the main item of travel expenses. And then look for a place to live.

For those who are not friendly with online services for finding tickets and accommodation, I suggest reading how we do it:

It's better to plan ahead. After all, the earlier air tickets are purchased before the departure date, the cheaper they are. Us a direct flight Czech Airlines(round trip) cost 42 thousand rubles for two (December 2015). You have the opportunity to compare prices today.

By the way, usually the cheapest flight from Moscow during the Christmas holidays is on December 31st. As they say, "from the ship to the ball."

As for housing. In Prague you can find cheap hotels, and luxurious luxury apartments. During the New Year holidays, there are many guests from all over the world in the country, so it is recommended to book accommodation in advance.

Our choice for the second time fell on four star hotel OREA Piramida, which is located in the Prague 6 district. Not for the lazy, because the distance to the Old Town is about 3.5 km from here. But you can get to the center by tram or bus to the Malostranská stop, and then walk about a kilometer.

A few words about why we choose the Orea Hotel Pyramida 4* not for the first time.

Relatively inexpensive for a four-star hotel during the New Year holidays.
A very good varied breakfast (and on the first of January - a saving hot soup).
The hotel is quite large, and despite the full employment, you feel quite comfortable here.

Airport named after Vaclav Havel (Ruzyne), we get to the hotel

So, on December 31, we landed safely in Prague, at the Vaclav Havel Airport (Ruzyne), passed all the standard customs procedures and went to the public transport stop, which is located near the terminal. We reached our hotel in about an hour with one transfer. It was not difficult, the bus number and the best route were suggested by google, there is also a schedule of public transport departing from the airport to the city.

The main thing is to make sure that you have cash in the form of crowns in advance, because tickets are purchased in special machines exclusively for Czech crowns.

If you do not want to bother with public transport at all, order private transfer. Today, the choice of companies providing these services both in Russia and in Europe is very large. Pick up the most best option and you can order a car online if you have an Internet connection, for example, here:

Walk in New Year's Prague

Practically in all hotels in Prague there are Russian-language channels and even some federal ones are broadcast, therefore, you feel at home here. And under the traditional for us "If you do not have an aunt ..." hands are asking to cook "herring under a fur coat." But seriously, after resting a little after a tireless flight, take a walk around winter Prague, the mood will immediately become festive.

We went for a walk in the center of the Old Town in order to feel the atmosphere of the holiday and then meet the New Year on the Old Town Square.

We set off on foot through our favorite beer restaurant in the Strahov Monastery. From good Czech beer and the mood is immediately good).

Prague is decorated long before the holidays. A huge, though not always snowy, Christmas tree on Old Town Square - main character New Year.

Christmas trees are everywhere. And in general, there are plenty of beautifully decorated places for New Year's photo shoots in Prague.

Touching Christmas nativity scenes can still be found throughout the city.

In December, there is a fair on the Old Town Square. Here you can not only buy sweets and Christmas decorations, but also see street theatrical performances.

Many hotels and restaurants offer guests to order a gala dinner and entertainment program. But if you are celebrating the New Year in Prague for the first time, then do it in the very heart of the Old Town, on.

Street food in Prague

Walking around New Year's Eve Prague, you can thoroughly eat right on the streets of the city. Although some people prefer to spend the evening in numerous Prague restaurants if they manage to find a free table.

New Year holidays are a great opportunity to taste national Czech dishes. Food is prepared and sold in almost all Prague squares. It is simply impossible to get hungry here. The best part is that it mainly serves traditional Czech cuisine. All natural, fresh, high-calorie and insanely delicious.

The real gastronomic brand of the country is the boar's knee. Czech - real paradise for meat eaters. Delicious sausages melt in your mouth. Klobasy, tlachenki and drowned people will please even gourmets.

You will be cut off a piece of this appetizing ham, the cost depends on the weight of the piece.

To visit Prague and not try the famous Czech delicacy trdlo is an unforgivable mistake. The sweet aroma of this delicacy with hints of vanilla and cinnamon hovers over the Old Town Square and stimulates the appetite. If you see a sign like this, feel free to get in line).

What is a traditional Czech trdlo?

Trdlo (or trdelnik) is a sweet treat with a hole in the middle. Strips of yeast dough are wound on a metal or wooden cylinder and baked over an open fire. Sprinkle them with nuts, sugar or cinnamon. Yummy! The cost is about 50 crowns.

It's funny, the Czech word trdlo can be translated as "fool", and Czech mothers sometimes call their restless children that.

You can buy a trdlo not only on the Old Town Square. It is baked in many other places in the city. Prices are about the same everywhere.

New Year's Eve and fireworks in Prague on the Old Town Square

The majority of tourists, like us, wander through the streets of Prague, enjoying the anticipation of magic. By evening, the city comes alive with colorful lights and garlands.

Closer to midnight, everyone starts to gather at the Old Town Square. It gets very crowded, even too much. Here is the main traditional place for New Year's Eve in Prague.

Fairs are open until night, you can try mulled wine, old-town potato pancakes and drink champagne. We had carefully stocked up with us).

Long before fireworks The Old Town Square becomes like a battlefield. I remember the roar from firecrackers and crackers did not stop for a minute. My heart skipped a beat as something suddenly exploded under my feet. It was very, very noisy. We were in a hurry to take a secluded safe place with a good view.

The crowd clearly distinguished Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian speech. As always, there are a lot of our compatriots in Prague.

And so, at twelve after midnight, under our loud “Hurrra !!!” fireworks went off. Happy New Year Prague!

Everyone rejoiced, raised their glasses, we too ... And, of course, made wishes ...

It was a little surprising that there were so few policemen that it was as if there weren’t any at all. Maybe a good disguise?

The completely drunk young people hardly behaved within the bounds of decency, but not aggressively. Everyone was drunk and happy. Champagne was flowing all around. Perhaps, in Russia we have already lost the habit of such “freedom”.

After 15-20 minutes, we, together with a crowd of citizens and guests of the city, moved in a friendly, seething stream to storm public transport stops. I was pleased that there were few passengers in our direction (BILA GORA) and we comfortably got to the hotel. Don't forget to purchase your tickets in advance.

The trams were on duty that night until morning. Everyone safely went home.

Just for the sake of fireworks, you should not go to the Old Town Square on New Year's Eve. After all, this is not the main New Year's fireworks in Prague. January 1 at six o'clock in the evening they launch from the Letensky Gardens. Here it is worth taking a look. Great pyrotechnic show!

That's all for today. Sleep, sleep... There are still a few more days of Prague holidays ahead. Sightseeing, familiarity with traditional Czech cuisine, shopping and much more. But that is another story.

The second of January is a great time for shopping. On this day, discounts and sales start. Here you can profitably buy clothes, Czech crystal, electronics and other goods.

Prague is one of the most beloved and famous European capitals, it has its own unique "face". Christmas and New Year's Prague is an enchanting spectacle that makes an indelible impression on those who first get to know the Czech Republic, and on those who have already visited this amazing country more than once.

Sights of Prague - what is worth seeing on New Year's holidays?

Many plan in advance, already having a good idea of what kind of excursion program they want to get, what beauties of the capital to see. Of course, it is much more difficult to choose an entertainment program for beginners who will get to know the Czech Republic for the first time.

It is for those who doubt that the information of good people is most valuable. tourist guides, as well as reviews of experienced tourists.

There are a lot of sights that are in such a multifaceted and magnificent Prague. The question is not to find an interesting excursion for yourself, but to choose only a few of the most interesting ones from the huge number of proposed tourist routes for your vacation.

Each traveler begins to get acquainted with Prague from the Vltava River, or rather, from the view of the bridges thrown over it. In total, 18 beautiful, modern and very old bridges flew over the Vltava, but the most famous of them is The Charles Bridge. This beautiful building in the center of Prague is decorated with statues of many saints - the Virgin Mary, John of Nepomuk, Anna, Cyril and Methodius, Joseph, and others. As a rule, on the first sightseeing tour in the city, tourists come here - for beautiful photos and vivid impressions, because this bridge has never deceived their expectations. On the eve of the upcoming New Year holidays, it can be recalled that on New Year's Eve a huge queue of people who want to touch the monolithic bronze figure of the patron saint of Prague, St. If, however, to stroke the dog at the feet of this saint, as has long been claimed, then all pets will be in good health.

Another great attraction of the capital of the Czech Republic - Old Town Square. It hosts significant city events and holidays, including folk festivals on the most famous night of the year - New Year's Eve. On the Old Town Square there is an old Orloj astronomical clock with interesting figures of the apostles, Christ, a merchant and a dandy, a skeleton, which you can see and exact time, and the date and time of sunrise and sunset and the moon, and even the location of the zodiacal signs in the sky. It is these chimes that will attract thousands of glances of jubilant people on New Year's Eve, when they methodically begin to beat midnight. On the most famous square in Prague there is the Old Town Hall, which has been turned into a museum, the Gothic Tyn Cathedral (Church of the Virgin Mary), St. Vitus Cathedral, the Golts-Kinsky Palace, and a monument to Jan Hus was erected in the center of the Old Town Square.

During the New Year holidays, not far from Prague, those who wish can go skiing. These are places Mnichovice And Chotoun, which are located twenty kilometers from the capital, and have large hills with artificial white snow and ski tracks of 200-300 meters. Of course, professional skiing on this track will not work, but the joy and vivid emotions from this holiday will be provided to both adults and children. The cost of a ticket for 1 day is 190 - 280 kroons, which is 7.5 - 11 €.

Arriving in Prague for the holidays, you must definitely climb the high television tower to admire the bewitching beauty of the winter capital, with bright illumination and unique architectural ensembles. This tower has three observation cabins that allow you to view the city from a height of 93 meters.

Little travelers who came to celebrate the New Year holiday are waiting for golden street, reminiscent of a street from a fairy tale, where little gnomes live. There are small houses on the street, you can enter them, get acquainted with ancient tools and paintings, look at furniture and utensils, buy souvenirs. At the exit from this street is Toy Museum, it has a hall of toys of past eras, and halls of modern toys with their history - for example, Barbie dolls, tanks, etc. Golden Street is famous for the fact that the writer and philosopher F. Kafka lived on it.

How shops, restaurants, bars, banks, transport work in Prague on New Year's holidays

Excursions in Prague and attractions during the New Year holidays

A lot of people flock to the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, for the Catholic Christmas and the holidays of the New Year, who want not only to celebrate the holidays in an interesting and fun way, but also to get vivid impressions from getting to know the country.

IN last days outgoing year tourist and tour agencies provide very interesting programs, which charge with a pre-holiday mood, give positive emotions and allow you to get acquainted with a fairy tale. Most interesting: excursion to Cesky Krumlov (50 €); tour in Detenitsa, watching a medieval show (55 €).

On the last day of the outgoing year, you can perform a traditional ceremony and visit Charles Bridge touching the wish-fulfilling sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk. Along with this walk, you can go to walking tour" Prague Castle» (20 €), getting to know the city better, feeling the onset of the holiday.

On one of the evenings, or even on New Year's Eve, you can make boat trip on the Vltava river(25 €). You will be shown the surrounding views and sights, as well as fed a delicious dinner.

Where to celebrate New Year 2020 and Christmas in Prague? What are the prices for holidays for tourists? How much is airfare, hotel, entertainment? Let's find out where to go and calculate the budget when buying tours or self-booking all the components.

Prague is filled with tourists at the end of December for the celebration of the New Year and Christmas. Everyone can find entertainment to their liking: restaurants that offer delicious all-inclusive treats to tourists, parties, dancing, champagne and beer.

Here you can arrange a quiet romantic dinner in one of the establishments or party all night on the dance floor in a nightclub. You can also enjoy the beautiful views of the night lights of Prague, order a New Year's Eve dinner on a river cruise.

In this article I will tell you what you can do on holidays, how and where to relax. We will also consider hotels, flights and tours in late December - early January.

Holidays in Prague new year holidays will be remembered for a lifetime. This is an opportunity to plunge into an unprecedented atmosphere of fun, fairy tales and magic.

The main advantages of buying tours:

Affordable housing prices. The city has a very wide range of accommodation facilities. Cheap hotels offer convenient and comfortable rooms.
Short flight. From Moscow to the capital of the Czech Republic, you can fly in 2 hours 45 minutes. short distance between cities affects the cost of air tickets.
The country will surprise you with excellent national cuisine and beer. It should be noted that very large portions are served in restaurants and cafes.
The Czech Republic has a great cultural heritage and many attractions: castles, temples, monasteries, museums, galleries and much more.
Modern ski infrastructure.
Warm weather in winter. average temperature stays at 0, but sometimes it can rise to +10 degrees.

Celebrating Christmas in Prague and spending New Year's Eve will be an ideal solution for little money, consider the prices for air tickets to Prague from Moscow and other Russian cities.

Plane ticket to Prague from Moscow, prices

Cheap flights from Moscow to Prague for the New Year holidays can be found on Skyscanner.ru.

Consider the cost of tickets for the New Year holidays (the price is indicated both ways, the cost is current at the time of publication of the article):

12.17 - 04.01.18 - 14800 rubles;
12.17 - 03.01.18 - 13667 rubles;
12.17 - 03.01.18 - 14,500 rubles;
12.17 - 03.01.18 - 14600 rubles;
12.17 - 11.01.18 - 14600 rubles;
12.17 - 11.01.18 - 12600 rubles;
12.17 - 11.01.18 - 12900 rubles.

It is more profitable to buy round-trip tickets, you can save a decent amount, be sure to check tickets for neighboring dates, so you can find good options.

are made daily from Domodedovo.

Tickets can be purchased up to 45 days prior to departure for the promotion early booking with a 10% discount.

Cheaper tickets can be bought with a departure on Monday and Tuesday. The price goes up on weekends.

Most low prices airline offers tickets to Prague Air Serbia.

Hostels

are in great demand among students and active tourists. This option accommodation is suitable for those who agree on a minimum of amenities at a low price. The cost is indicated for a place in common rooms for 5 nights (see the links for the number of places for the date you need):

Hostel Boudnik - 6570r. Located 15 minutes from Wenceslas Square. Cozy clean rooms with free internet. The building has a shared kitchen.

Czech Inn Hostel 3 * - 6150 rubles. Guests are provided with free internet, a bar, buffet breakfasts.

Little Quarter Hostel 3 * - 6500 rubles. The hotel is located on the famous Royal Route. The building has a terrace from where you can admire the city.

Hotels

Below I have given a selection of hotels that are best suited for solitude with the family on New Year's Eve and celebrating with friends. Most of the options have cozy restaurants with a celebration program.

More good propositions with discounts:

Are you wondering what the capital of the Czech Republic has prepared for you on New Year's and Christmas Eve? Where to celebrate the new year in Prague? What to do and where to go, consider the most famous places capital Cities:

Christmas markets.

Christmas in Prague is a long-awaited time for shoppers. They are held in many parts of the city, but the most famous one is on Staromestskaya Square. This main square the old city, where next to the small stalls and tents stands the general Christmas tree.

Other fairs are held on Wenceslas Square, Republican Square, Peace Square.

Here you can buy knitted items, Christmas decorations, sweets, souvenirs, wooden toys and much more.

Christmas Gala Concert.

New Year's Fireworks.

Fireworks are arranged in several parts of the city by companies, sponsors, the residents of the city, as well as the government.

Restaurants and river cruises plan their entertainment program in such a way that guests can enjoy this spectacle.

The best vantage points are the river cruises, the banks of the river, the Charles Bridge, the terraces of the restaurants in the Prague Small Town, in the streets next to the Prague Castle.

City tours. WITH New Year's Eve everything is clear, the following days are ideal for festivities educational programs. The entire excursion program is directly possible. I recommend taking an overview of the city, historical and field trips.

Cafes, bars, restaurants

Consider the most the best restaurants cafes and bars where you can celebrate the New Year in Prague with fun:

Restaurant Sarah Bernhardt. Offers guests a combination of French and Czech cuisine, as well as a wide range of French wines.

Service according to the "buffet" system - guests pay only for the entrance to the restaurant. All night long you can enjoy live jazz music.

The cost is 295 euros.

Restaurant Kampa Park. Located near the Charles Bridge. Guests are offered a collection of wines, which consists of 150 different varieties. On New Year's Eve, you can enjoy fireworks from the restaurant's terrace.

The average check per person is 5500 CZK.

Restaurant & bar Crystal. A chic restaurant located in the Old Town. The interior is made in the style of pop art with a predominance of pink. Considered the best in the city.

The average check per person is 750 CZK.

Restaurace Charles Bridge. Located opposite the Charles Bridge. It offers tourists live folk music, a varied menu and a wine list.

The cost per person is 2200 CZK.

Below is a list of the best bars in Prague where you can celebrate the New Year:

Bugsy´s bar. Offers visitors a wide selection of cocktails and other alcoholic beverages. Here you will find a friendly atmosphere, friendly staff.

Bar La Casa de La Havana vieja. The Cuban Bar is located in the heart of the city. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Cuban classics, which is emphasized by traditional Cuban furniture and many photographs.

Guests can taste more than 100 varieties of rum, which are brought from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, etc.

Cloud 9 sky bar. Located on the roof of the Hilton Prague hotel. New Year's Eve is unique chance enjoy a gorgeous view of the decorated city. Guests are offered a chic dinner with a wide range of dishes, wines, champagnes and beers.

Consider the best cafes Prague for New Year's Eve:

Pastacaffe. It is located in the center next to the New Town Hall. Offers a wide selection of Italian dishes.
Mistral Cafe. Located in the Old Town near the Rudolfinum concert hall.

Guests are offered a wide selection of national dishes.

Cafe Slavie. The most famous coffee house in the city. Located on the banks of the Vltava River next to National Theater. The history of this institution goes back to the 19th century, when the intelligentsia and creative youth of the city liked to spend time here.

Be sure to book a table in the restaurant in advance.

Prices for New Year tours

If you prefer to buy a ticket to Prague at the end of December, then you should hurry. Right now tours can be purchased at favorable prices with an early booking offer. In addition, you can find the cheapest packages on the website.

The cost of tours includes airfare, hotel accommodation, medical insurance, transfer from airport. From many cities in Russia it will be cheaper to go to Prague for New Year and Christmas holidays with the help of package offers.

Consider the cost of tours to the Czech capital for the New Year for two:

Start 3* — 45,000 rubles;
Prague Hotel Krystal 3 * - 47700 rubles;
Iris Hotel Eden 4 * - 50,000 rubles;
Hotel Ilf 3 * - 51300 rubles.

You can find all the listed options and other offers for your needs at the link above. I will be glad for your support in in social networks and likes.

Winter holidays are one of the most wonderful periods in Prague. At this time, the city is transformed and seems to be filled with magic. Ancient buildings, cathedrals with high spiers, medieval narrow streets, severe Gothic towers - all this beauty at any time of the year resembles fabulous scenery. But during the celebration of Christmas and New Year, Prague opens up from a special side. It seems that a fairy tale has settled in these streets and squares. Haven't decided where to go for the New Year yet? Plan a trip to a fairy tale! In this article we will tell you about the peculiarities of Prague during the winter holidays and about important details that will help you when planning your trip.

How to organize a trip to Prague for New Year and Christmas:

Things to do in Prague during the winter holidays:

Organization of a trip to Prague for the New Year and Christmas

Choose the right travel time

Of course, travel dates depend on many factors and are often tied to your work schedule, ticket availability, etc. However, if you have a choice, try not to miss the very heat of events - the Czech Republic celebrates Christmas according to the Catholic tradition, on December 25th. And this day is celebrated especially solemnly and brightly. The New Year is not so magnificent, but still festive. Elegant Christmas trees, traditional fairs, fireworks and other attributes of the holiday are still "in place". But already in the first days of January, Prague returns to a completely everyday atmosphere and to ordinary city life.

Accordingly, in order to get the maximum impressions, it is worth coming to Prague at the beginning of the 20th of December. And if you have a lot of time to relax, and you want to contemplate how the city is gradually filling up fabulous atmosphere and anticipation of a miracle, then even earlier. But if you don’t have the opportunity to escape to Prague in December, don’t be discouraged. At the end of December and the first days of January, you will still find general fun. And after - you can take a break from the crowds of people densely filling the streets. And although there will be no more magnificent mass celebrations and wild fun in January, Prague will still not lose its unique winter charm.

Book in advance

This advice is, of course, obvious, but we cannot but recall it. You are not the only one dreaming of visiting Prague for the New Year and Christmas. Many tourists from different countries wish the same! And Prague, like some other cities, is not made of rubber! Hotel rooms should be chosen and booked in advance.

In advance, you need to decide on the how will you get to the Czech Republic. Winter holidays are a hot time, and it is better to buy tickets as early as possible in order to fly away reasonable prices. Check

If you plan a restaurant and want to spend Christmas or New Year's Eve there, book your table in advance. You will be able to attend the Christmas parties that are held in many establishments - just pay attention to the signs next to the restaurants to find out the details.

A few years ago, we would have advised you to also take care of excursion program , book excursions, find in advance Russian speaking guides…. If you are traveling with iPhone, now you don't have to worry about it. After all, there is a great alternative to group tours -. With it, you can learn a lot of interesting information about Prague, while you can listen to it at a convenient time, interrupting when necessary and jumping to a new topic when it is interesting. You don’t even need to think about what kind of attraction is in front of you - Travelry will determine where you are, show and tell you what is interesting nearby, and why, in fact, these objects are worthy of your attention.

Weather in Prague in winter

Although the winter in Prague is much milder than in Russia, you still need warm clothes. On New Year's Eve and during the winter holidays, the temperature averages up to +1 degrees during the day and can drop to -2-4 at night. However, do not forget about the high humidity, due to which this temperature is perceived to be several degrees lower. So do not rush to undress, especially if you are walking along or along the embankment of the Vltava River. You can learn more about the features of different seasons in Prague.

Read also:

What to do in Prague during the winter holidays

Where does the holiday live

Of course, the feeling of a holiday is born and lives in our heart! But you must admit that external attributes are very important for creating mood and atmosphere. In Prague, this mood literally fills everything central streets cities decorated with bright illumination and garlands. In the evenings, the squares of the city are flooded with light and fun - concerts are held, many festively dressed people walk around singing beautiful Christmas carols. Among them are many Father Frosts, Santa Claus, Mikulash and Hedgehogs - four images of the same person, beloved in Russia, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. I wonder if you can tell them apart?

holiday fairs fill the squares with noise, fun and pleasant pre-holiday fuss. Trays with local sweets beckon with magical aromas of cinnamon, ginger, roasted chestnuts and delicious pastries. This Christmas "aromatherapy" is complemented by the aromas of mulled wine and traditional fried sausages. Crowds of relaxed, idly (not, perhaps, even festively!) staggering tourists create a feeling of general fun. Some days this feeling is complemented colorful fireworks(as a rule, they paint the sky over Charles Bridge or Wenceslas Square).

The period of Christmas and New Year celebrations is also unique in Prague because at this time you can see such a rare and colorful character as a lamplighter! Dressed in a colorful frock coat and armed with a special long stick, he takes to the streets of the city in the evenings to light a live fire in gas lamps, which today illuminate many streets and squares in the city center. In particular, the streets Celetná, Melantrichova, Karlova, Jilská, Železná, Mostecká, Malostranska. They can be seen on Staromestskaya. Malaya, Hradchanskaya squares, Staraya Zamkova Stairs and other places.

Curious:

The profession of a lamplighter has existed since the 19th century, when the first gas lamps began to illuminate Prague. But with the advent of electricity, lanterns and, accordingly, lamplighters disappeared from the streets of the city. What was the joy of tourists, and the inhabitants of Prague themselves, when the profession of lamplighters was revived in the 2000s, as gas lamps reappeared on the streets. They filled the streets of ancient Prague not only with soft and lively light, but also with unique romance!

Happy tourists who meet a lamplighter can not only watch the action, but also take part in it themselves, lighting a fire in a lantern with a special long pole!

Let's not forget that Christmas (namely, this holiday in Prague is dedicated to the main fun) is a Christian holiday. Therefore, during this period it is worth looking into churches in Prague. They arrange beautiful nativity scenes, as well as festive masses, where you can hear an old organ. However, Prague churches, with their rich history, luxurious interiors and an abundance of works of art, are interesting in themselves. We talk about many of them in ours.

Where to celebrate Orthodox Christmas

If you are going to Prague not only for the New Year, but also for the entire period of the Russian winter holidays, you may also find Orthodox Christmas, which is celebrated on January 7th. In Prague, this day is not a holiday, but this does not mean at all that you cannot celebrate it. On this day, ceremonial services are held in Orthodox churches, of which there are several in Prague. Here are some of them:

Church of St. George at the Embassy of the Russian Federation
Address: Korunovační 34, Praha 6 - Bubeneč
Website: http://www.georgi-prague.orthodoxy.ru/

Temple of the Dormition Holy Mother of God at the Olshansky cemetery
Address: Olšanske hřbitovy, Prague 3
Website: http://www.pravoslavie.cz/

House church of St. Nicholas in Dejvice
Address: Rooseveltova 29, Prague 6 - Bubeneč

Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius
Address: Resslova 307/9a, 120 00 Praha 2

Shopping time

Many tourists who come to Prague for Christmas and New Year are not averse to shopping, looking for gifts for themselves and loved ones. When planning shopping in Prague, keep in mind that Catholic Christmas almost all shops are closed - the life of the whole city, including trade, switches to a festive mode. Before Christmas, all Czechs attack shops in search of gifts - this is the busiest time for trading. But after the New Year, many stores will please you with winter sales.

And here are a few ideas of what is unique to buy in Prague, what traditional Czech souvenirs to get:

Bohemian glass (famous Czech crystal).
Jewelry with stones traditional for the Czech Republic - red garnet and green vltavin.
Natural Carlsbad cosmetics - shampoos, various creams and masks.
Traditional Czech drinks are the famous beer, Becherovka liqueur.
Czech shoes.

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If you are going to Prague for New Year and Christmas, wander around the Christmas markets that are open during this period on many central squares cities. There you will find not only a lot of interesting souvenirs, handmade crafts, unique Christmas decorations, original puppets, but also a special festive atmosphere. It will not be difficult to find such fairs. Walking around the center, you will definitely see rows of brightly decorated stalls. Their largest concentration will be on the Old Town and Wenceslas squares. Just keep in mind that some street fairs are only open until Christmas (December 25), while others are open until January 1. Therefore, it is worth hurrying with some purchases. It is also worth a look at the old Havel market (it is open all the time).

If you want to not just walk around and choose gifts, but also listen about these places interesting stories, download - in it we talk about the amazing and rich history Old Town Square, Havel Market and many other places in the Old Town.

But jewelry, crystal, shoes and clothes are worth buying in stores. Great demand for popular items generates a large supply of fakes. But if you buy, for example, wine glasses in large mall or in a reputable store, you will most likely get real Bohemian glass. Before Christmas in Prague, you can get to very profitable sales - usually they are arranged in large stores.

Time for culinary delights

It seems that during the celebration of Christmas and New Year, the Czechs forget about the rules of healthy eating and allow themselves to eat even beyond measure. Although we note that Czech restaurants and cafes are already famous for huge portions! Basically, during this period, it is customary to lean on sweets - on the streets you will find many mini-kitchens where pastries will be prepared right in front of you. Try the famous waffles, honey gingerbread, hazelnut cookies, vanilla bagels…. And by the way, it's best not to look for something specific, but to take what you like. Everything here is delicious, everything perfectly energizes for walking along the winter streets.

One of the traditional Czech dishes for Christmas is carp. The tradition of fattening carps for Christmas has now given rise to another one - releasing them into the river. Near the Vltava, you can meet people who sell young fish specifically for this. Also, the festive tables of the inhabitants of Prague are rich in a variety of snacks, traditional sausages or sausages and all kinds of baked sweets.

Street food adds a lot of positivity, but do not ignore Prague's restaurants and cafes. It is a special feeling to sit in them in winter, sipping hot “winter” drinks and admiring the lights outside the window, snowflakes flying in the wind, people walking around, and not in a hurry to go anywhere, just relax. Among the mentioned “winter” drinks in Prague, Krampampuli punch is popular.

A traditional Christmas dinner is served on Catholic Christmas Eve, on the evening of December 24th. Usually these are lenten dishes, because the Advent ends on Christmas itself, that is, on December 25, on the very day of Christmas (in the Catholic tradition), they already eat geese and other meat delicacies. Those who observe the Orthodox Christmas fast will have a harder time, however, they will be able to choose among the many traditional Czech dishes suitable for themselves.