Christmas Markets in the Czech Republic

If you haven’t done so yet, it’s a high time to warm yourself with mulled wine, hot honey or punch in one of Christmas markets in Czech republic. In fact the selection is much more diversified and varied. Czechs presented their originality and innovation in creating alcoholic mixtures. Drinks such as Zjezdar or Spalena Malina are quite popular this year, but don’t you bother asking what’s inside, cause it’s pretty insane.

KIDS

Of course, no one forgets about kids. There’re plenty of beverages for them as well. Hot juices with gummy bears probably scores the highest number of points, but traditional hot chocolate is also served.

TRY THIS

Stop at one of the many Christmas booths to fill up your stomach with sweet or salty specialties. Bramborak and trdelnik are two best sellers at the Christmas markets in the Czech Republic. As far as I’m concerned long thin sausages called cigaro, smoked hot ham and pancakes are also placed quite high on popularity lists. Join the longest queue seeing that it’s likely the most delicious food on the whole square. It’s been two weeks since the opening, so people already get to know what’s best out there.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

You may combine business with pleasure and buy some Christmas gifts while indulging in your hot wine. Candles, hand-made scarfs, caps or gloves, Christmas decorations, toys, and books- those are only a few ideas among many.

AROUND

Every day from 9 a.m. to around 9 p.m during Advent you may visit Christmas markets in Prague, Brno, Ceske Budejovice, Cesky Krumlov, Olomouc and many others. Special events, Christmas concerts etc. also take place at Czech castles or in smaller cities. Those fairs don’t last the whole Advent, but only a particular weekend for example. Just follow one of the Czech event’s calendar http://www.kalendarakci.atlasceska.cz/ or http://www.kudyznudy.cz/Kalendar-akci.aspx . Unfortunately most of the sites are not available in English.

ATMOSPHERE

Whenever you choose to go, the atmosphere in the heart of the city is cheerful and merry. Some people have their ideal spot already chosen, some are still searching. Some people know exactly where they will eat perfectly baked trdelnik, others are still confused. Some people know which queue to join for a mulled wine spaced superbly, others are discoverers and would like to sample as much as they can. The key thing is that everyone is happy with their choice and the time they spend outside with friends and families.

COMPARE

This year we’ve been on Christmas markets in Brno and Olomouc. Even though food and beverages are the same, cities are not alike and thus it’s a great idea to set off for a one-day trip to see the difference with your own eyes. Olomouc is only around 70 kilometers away from Brno. The city centre with its Holy Trinity Column, which was included in the UNESCO list, is the second most important monument zone in the Czech Republic. Imagine an old Town Hall embellished with Christmas lights, booth dotted around the Holy Trinity Column and a merry-go-round in the heart of Olomouc. Just amazing. There’s much more to see if you find some time: Town hall Tower, astronomical clock, Baroque St. Michael’s Church, Baroque fountains and many others that may make your time more enjoyable.