Prague: Picture Perfect for a Pre-Christmas Shopping Trip

Prague is a great city to visit, especially in December when the city’s famous Christmas Markets are in full swing with lights, carols and spirit!

One of Europe’s most gorgeous cities is Prague – and no trip to Europe is complete without a visit there.

Think cobble stone streets, great beer, gorgeous historical architecture and some of the best hotels in the Czech Republic, and you’re only just scratching the surface of this gorgeous city.

Winter (or more specifically, December) is an excellent time to visit Prague because of the wonderful Christmas Markets hel there. The entire city center of Prague glows with Christmas lights and decorations. The Christmas Markets run daily during December in the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Havelske Trziste and Namesti Republiky.

Grab a cup of hot wine and spend some time outdoors shopping for gifts at the wooden stalls set up in the squares, enjoy the carols and feel the Christmas spirit!

And, of course, there’s more to Prague than excellent Christmas shopping (although, that is a good reason to visit Prague in December). There are loads of beautiful sites that are perfect all year round.

The Prague Astronomical Clock, found on the southern wall of the Old Town City Hall is a must see (it’s so beautiful that it’s rumored that the government purposely gouged out the clockmaker’s eyes so he couldn’t construct a similar clock for any other country)!

Right out of a fairy tale (and home of the Czech Crown Jewels) is the Prague Castle, which is one of the biggest castles in the world. It overlooks the Vltava River and gives visitors an excellent view of the area.

And, you will definitely want to take a stroll across the Charles Bridge, and visit the Old Town Bridge Tower, which is a gothic tower constructed in the 1300’s. This is where you can get the best views of the old town and the river.

For travelers looking for the best in accommodation, there are a few great luxury hotels in Prague, and visitors to the city definitely have their choice in both modern and historical types of places to stay!

The Mandarin Oriental Prague is a romantic boutique hotel on the left bank of the Vltava River. Set within a carefully restored 14^th Century monastery, all of the rooms and suites here are individually designed, and guests get excellent views of some of Prague’s most scenic streets from here.

Kempinsky Hybernska Prague is another good choice. This hotel is located right in the heart of the city and has maintained the original façade of the building, while totally modernizing the interior. Lovers of “old meets new” will really enjoy this boutique hotel. Most rooms here feature a separate bedroom and living area which is especially convenient if you plan on entertaining any friends during your stay.

And, for lovers of modern design, no trip to Prague is complete without a stay at Hotel Yasmin, which is conveniently located just around the corner from the Wenceslas Square. This particular hotel is really close to the markets, sites and tourist attractions in the city, which makes it a good base for sightseers.