Day 1 · Thursday 31 December10:00–00:40
New Year’s Eve: Market, Shopping and Midnight
Two main stops: the Old Town market and Charles Bridge. Shopping and a long lunch in between, a rest in the afternoon; somewhere warm after dinner, then the riverbank just before midnight.
Running late? Skip these first: Old Town Square by Night. The rest of the day still works.
- 10:00
Old Town Square: Christmas Market and Astronomical Clock 60 min
Your first mulled wine (svařák) and a trdelník at the market; the Astronomical Clock show on the hour, the towers of Týn Church and handmade ornaments. Catch the 10 am show here; be in front of the clock a few minutes early.
Stalls · Astronomical Clock show on the hour · Týn Church (outside)
Want to climb the clock tower (Old Town Hall Tower)? Add 40 minutes for a bird’s-eye view of the square and the market. Open until 3 pm on 24 December and 4 pm on 31 December. - 11:00
Shopping on Celetná 75 min
Bohemian crystal, Czech glass and Christmas ornaments; browse shop by shop without rushing. On 31 December large stores close at 5–6 pm.
- 12:15
Walk · 5 min
On foot.
- 12:20
Lunch, Old Town 90 min
Czech cooking: goulash, svíčková, dumplings. Book ahead in the holiday weeks.
- 13:50
Walk · 10 min
Down Karlova past its little shops to the bridge.
- 14:00
Charles Bridge 40 min
Walk to the middle of the bridge for the statues, the river and the castle view, then come back the same way.
Fancy the view? Climb the tower at the Old Town end of the bridge: +25 minutes, tickets at the door (250 CZK); best at sunset. Open until 2:30 pm on 24 December and 4 pm on 31 December.
- 14:40
Walk · 15 min
Back to the hotel.
- 14:55
Rest at the Hotel 180 min
Drop off your shopping and rest before the night.
- 17:55
Walk · 5 min
On foot.
- 18:00
Old Town Square by Night 45 min Optional
The market at its best, with the tree and the square lit up. Sausages, trdelník, mulled wine and last souvenirs.
- 18:45
Aperitif: Beer Hall or Bar 40 min
A Czech beer or a glass of wine before dinner. Options: a wine bar or a mulled-wine stall.
- 19:25
Walk · 10 min
On foot.
- 19:35
New Year’s Eve Dinner 150 min
Most restaurants serve a set menu and fill up in November: book in October or November.
- 22:05
Somewhere Warm Until Midnight 85 min
Stay on at the restaurant or move to a nearby bar or café. Rather than waiting two hours in the cold, head out for midnight in the last half hour.
- 23:30
Walk · 10 min
To the Smetana Embankment; 7–10 minutes from the Old Town.
- 23:40
Midnight: Smetana Embankment 45 min Our pick
7 minutes from the Old Town: the castle and Charles Bridge across the river, fireworks above the water. Arrive around 11:30 pm so you don’t wait long in the cold. Prague has no official fireworks display; at midnight people set off fireworks all over the city. Watch out for fireworks in the crowd.
- 00:25
Walk · 15 min
Back to your Old Town hotel on foot. The metro runs until about 2 am, then night trams take over.