Prague Winter Guide: Staroměstské náměstí

You can walk everywhere in Prague 1. It's a tight, compact maze where you can hike from Staroměstské náměstí to the Prague Castle in under 20 minutes. But wear good shoes. The city runs these markets like a military operation. For the 2025/2026 season, the main spots at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square open on November 29 and run until January 6. They stagger the openings to keep the crowds from crushing each other. It mostly works.

Eat the ham. You'll see Pražská šunka rotating over open flames everywhere. It's smoky, fatty pork served with thick rye bread. But watch the price. They sell it by weight, not by the slice. It's an EU-protected specialty, so it isn't cheap. You'll pay for the location too. A cup of svařák costs 100 CZK right by the clock. Walk twenty minutes to a neighborhood like Vinohrady and that same drink drops to 65 CZK. Do the math.

The damp air off the river will bite your face. You'll need a sanctuary. Head to Café Savoy or Grand Cafe Orient for thick hot chocolate and cake. If that isn't enough, try a beer spa. Places like the Original Beer Spa let you soak in a hot oak tub filled with hops and malt. It works. And don't miss the Charles Bridge at sunset. Look for the man in the historical coat. He still lights the gas lanterns by hand.

Prague stays alive after the lights come down. In January, grab some skates. You can hit the rinks at Letná Park or Ovocný trh and glide under the spires. Then comes Masopust. This is the Czech carnival where locals chase away winter with loud drums and chaos. You'll see masks and parades in Žižkov and Malá Strana. Look for the Bear and the Chimney Sweep. Everyone eats koblihy, which are jam-filled doughnuts. Eat three. It's tradition.