| | |
| | |
Prague Easter Markets » 5th April - 27th April 2025
The Prague Easter Markets are open daily at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. The warm ambience of spring awaits, for visitors to browse the stalls for hand-crafted goods, sample local food and drinks, and discover delightful Czech Easter traditions - Easter photos |
| | | |
Old Town Easter Markets | |
Easter Markets 2025
The Prague Easter Markets are open daily from 5th April to 27th April 2025, including every day of the Easter weekend.
The main Easter markets are held at the Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) and Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí), in the heart of the city.
The two squares are just 5 minutes walk from each other.
At Wenceslas Square, there are markets at both the top and the bottom of the square.
Opening hours are 10:00-22:00. Entry is free. |
| | In addition, small and local Easter markets are held at several other locations in Prague:
Small Easter markets in the city centre:
• Mariánské Square (Mariánské náměstí) in the Old Town.
5th-27th April 2025. Opening hours are daily 11:00-19:00
• Na Kampě Square (Na Kampě) by Charles Bridge in the Lesser Town.
5th-27th April 2025. Opening hours are daily 10:00-20:00.
• Havel's Market (Havelské tržiště) at Havelska street in the Old Town (between Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square). The only permanent market in the city centre, it adopts an Easter feel from early April. Opening hours are daily 06:00-18:30.
Local Easter market located near the city centre (the following market is aimed at Czech people, although everyone is welcome):
• Peace Square (Náměstí Míru) - 15 minutes walk from Wenceslas Square.
5th-27th April 2025. Opening hours are daily 10:00-20:00.
*Note: The dates of the main Easter Markets are fixed. The small and local markets may start a few days earlier (exact dates will be posted here in mid-March). | | | |
What are the Prague Easter Markets?
Easter markets (Velikonoční trhy) celebrate the arrival of spring in Czechia, and the Prague markets are the most impressive in the country. They brighten up the city, bringing locals and visitors together in an uplifting, historic setting. | |
Prague Easter Markets at night | |
The Prague Easter Markets consist of wooden huts decorated with the vibrant colours of spring, and stocked with local handicrafts and traditional Easter treats.
Among the wares on display are ceramics, jewellery, glassware, embroidered lace, wooden toys, candles, and puppets and dolls dressed in traditional costumes.
The most common item, though, is Easter eggs. Made from the shells of hen eggs or wood, they are hand-painted in a variety of colours and festive designs. |
| | Surrounding the market huts, in and around the squares, are trees in blossom, and an abundance of flowers and colourful ribbons are tied to the branches of birch trees. | | Easter eggs and ribbons | |
While you can find lovely souvenirs on the stalls, to take home to decorate your house with or to use as Easter gifts, the markets are about more than simply shopping. All manner of hearty local cuisine and refreshing drinks are available to sample. And much of the food is prepared in front of you.
Popular Czech foods on offer include: large hams roasted on spits (šunka); terribly unhealthy but wonderfully tasty barbecued sausages (klobása); flatbread topped with garlic, cheese and ketchup (langoš); chips (hranolky); smoked meat dumplings (knedlíky plněné uzeným masem); sweet dumplings (sladké knedlíky); and pancakes or crêpes (palačinky). |
| | There are plenty of cakes and sweets too, such as spicy gingerbread (perníčky) and a hot sweet pastry called chimney cake (trdelník). | |
Chimney cake (Trdelník) | |
Trdelník is made from rolled dough that is wrapped around a stick, baked on an open fire, then topped with a sugar and walnut mix. It is delicious on its own, but it can have chocolate sauce spread inside it, and/or be filled with ice-cream.
A word of warning to parents: once a child has tasted trdelník, there is no going back - its comforting, sweet addictive nature means you will be pestered endlessly for another hit!
For drinks, visitors can sample famous Czech beers like Pilsner Urquell, Budvar and Staropramen (brewed in Prague). |
| | Alternatively, opt for a hot drink: mulled wine (svařák or svařené víno); hot chocolate (horká čokoláda); honey wine (medovina); hot apple (jablíčko); punch (punč); or grog - hot water, rum, lemon and sugar. | |
Easter Market's drinks hut | |
Outdoor shopping is so much nicer with a hot mulled wine or cold beer in hand!
Eco Markets
Food and drink at the markets is served with 100% biodegradable plates, cutlery, cups and straws.
And where possible, ingredients are sourced locally:
Czech meat is used in the sausages and hamburgers; the hams are from Czech pigs; the beer is exclusively Czech (of course!); and the wine hails from Moravia, including the wine in the svařák. |
| | Easter MUSIC and dance on the stage
Every day from 16:00 to 19:00, musicians, dance troupes and folk groups dressed in traditional costumes perform short routines on a stage at the Old Town Square. | |
Music at the Old Town Square | |
The programme features a variety of performances, with an emphasis on Czech Easter music and festive dance routines.
Most performers are
from Czechia, although some do hail from elsewhere in Europe, and from even further afield.
School choirs make several appearances, with the children dressed in traditional costumes travelling from all over the country to perform.
Music from the stage is relayed via speakers throughout the square, to enhance the festive feel for everyone. |
| | There is also a stage at Wenceslas Square, with performances on Thursday to Sunday, from 16:00-18:00. They are similar in nature to those at the Old Town Square, so it is worth taking your place in the crowd to watch the events unfold.
Easter activities for Children on the stage
Every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 15:00, there are Easter themed workshops for children at the Old Town Square, held either on the stage or inside one of the wooden huts.
Helpers teach young children how to paint Easter eggs and flower pots, cut ribbons, make Easter chicks, and weave traditional Easter baskets and whips. | |
Photo Opportunities | |
Observation Bridge, Old Town | |
The Observation Bridge (free to enter) at the Old Town Square is a terrific place from which to take photos of the Easter Markets. Climb the steps to the platform and take in the view.
For a higher vantage point, climb the Old Town Hall Tower (entrance fee applies). From the top, enjoy magnificent views over the Old Town Square and as far away as Prague Castle.
Street level photography is of course another option. Amongst the market stalls, you can take vivid, close up shots of the colourful wares on offer, and of food and drink being prepared. |
| | Weather at Easter in Prague
The weather at Easter in Prague is highly changeable. It is springtime and visitors can usually expect long spells of warm, sunny weather interspersed with dull days and heavy showers.
Average temperatures are 4°C (39°F) in March and 9°C (48°F) in April, although most days it feels much higher. Averages are dragged down by occasional cold spells when temperatures can drop to as low as -10°C (14°F) at night.
At the other end of the scale, as April progresses, the temperature can rise as high as 25°C (77°F).
Clothes to Wear
For sightseeing, entertainment and dining, most tourist establishments in Prague welcome visitors dressed in casual attire. However, you should dress reasonably smartly when attending the opera houses and grand concert halls, and at high-end restaurants.
Be prepared for the wide fluctuations in both temperature and weather conditions.
On fine days, visitors will find cool shirts, shorts, skirts and dresses most welcome. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and hats too. | |
Wenceslas Square Markets | |
In case of a cold snap or rain, bring a warm fleece and a waterproof jacket or umbrella.
If you get caught out by the weather, there are shops that can help. These include department stores like Marks & Spencer, shoe shops such as Bata, and specialist outdoor clothing and footwear stores like Rock Point.
Hats and umbrellas can also be purchased from market stalls and souvenir shops.
As Prague is a wonderful city to explore on foot, wear comfortable walking shoes or boots during the day.
|
| |
Where to Stay in Prague
The district of Prague 1 is the best place to stay in Prague. This is the city centre and it is where most of the sightseeing, entertainment and nightlife is located.
Prague 1 is also where the Easter Markets are held. | |
Hotels in Prague 1 | |
Prague 1 is compact and highly pedestrianised, and is itself split into several areas.
The two most popular areas to stay within Prague 1 are the Old Town, which has the Old Town Square at its heart, and the New Town, which has Wenceslas Square at its heart.
The third most popular area is the Lesser Town. This lies across the river from the Old Town, and can be easily reached from it by strolling across Charles Bridge.
All areas of Prague 1 are within easy walking distance of each other. |
| | By staying in Prague 1, whenever you fancy dropping in to the Easter Markets, you can leave your hotel and be in the midst of the action in minutes.
Browse the stalls, soak up the atmosphere, grab a drink and a hot snack, then when you're ready to freshen up it's just a short walk back to base.
And in Prague 1, the sights, tourist attractions, museums, theatres, concert halls, restaurants and shops will all be nearby. | | The sights are open in Prague | |
Sightseeing in Prague
Sightseeing is a wondrous experience in Prague, with magnificent squares and majestic monuments to visit, and a dramatic history waiting to be uncovered.
The colours of spring lend the city an even greater charm than normal, so be sure to allow enough time in your itinerary simply to wander and explore the city by yourself.
Having said this, we do advise booking at least one Prague tour. There are fascinating historical tales wrapped up in the monuments, many of which require an expert to reveal them. A professional local guide truly can bring Prague to life for you.
All the sights and attractions are open throughout the Easter season, except on Good Friday and Easter Monday when only some places operate.
|
| | River Cruises At Easter
The Vltava River flows through the heart of the city, and many famous sights line its banks. This can make river cruises an ideal way to experience the unique ambience of Prague.
| |
Easter River Cruises | |
A boat trip is also the easiest way to see the sights: just sit back and relax with a drink in hand, and take it all in!
River cruises range from sightseeing trips and lunch cruises to a dinner cruise with live music aboard a luxurious, ultra-modern boat. They run every day, including over the Easter weekend.
Boats are either heated or air-conditioned depending on the weather, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience in all conditions. |
| | From walking tours to bus tours to river cruises, there are many ways to uncover the wonder of Prague this Easter. | |
Entertainment in Prague
Throughout the time of the Easter markets, there is entertainment galore in Prague, including traditional Czech and Medieval nights, and highly atmospheric Easter concerts.
Classical Concerts
We particularly recommend attending a classical concert in Prague. Performances are staged in grand concert halls, ornate opera houses and theatres, Baroque palaces, and ancient churches, and are simply magical at this time of the year. | | | | The best classical concerts do sell out, so we strongly advise booking tickets in advance:
• Easter Concerts
Opera & Ballet
The opera and ballet season is also in full swing, with spectacular performances staged at all three opera houses: Prague State Opera, National Theatre and Estates Theatre:
• Easter Opera & Ballet
Black Light Theatre
If you are seeking a typically Czech experience, black light theatres in Prague put on shows that are highly visual. They can be enjoyed by all ages and nationalities:
• Easter Theatre | | TRADITIONAL Czech nights & Medieval shows
For the best in local hospitality, consider the Traditional Czech Night and the Medieval Tavern. Both are 'all-inclusive' events. | | MORE EVENTS AROUND EASTER
Find out what's open in Prague throughout April 2025:
Easter events | |
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Old Town Square Easter markets:
Metro station: Staroměstská (line A), Můstek (lines A & B), Namesti Republiky (line B)
Tram stop: Staroměstská (trams 2,17,18)
Wenceslas Square EASTER markets:
Metro station: Muzeum (lines A & C), Můstek (lines A & B)
Tram stop: Václavské namesti (trams 3,5,6,9,14,24). | | | |
ORIGINS OF THE Prague EASTER MARKETS
The origins of the Prague Easter markets can be traced back to the Late Middle Ages, when they were deeply tied to religious festivities.
Despite the city's eventful history, the markets mostly prospered until the Communist era in the 20th century, when they suffered a sudden demise. Religious aspects of Easter were banned and consumerism was frowned upon, meaning the Easter celebrations were officially limited to the welcoming of spring.
Following the liberalisation of the country, the Easter markets have enjoyed a renaissance. And today, Czechs and visitors alike gather in Prague in their thousands to browse the colourful market stalls and soak up the magical atmosphere. | | | |
WHAT'S ON AT EASTER IN PRAGUE: 18th-21st April 2025
View our guide to spending Easter in Prague. | | | |
More Information
For an introduction to the city: Prague tourism information.
For practical information, including advice on currency exchange: Prague tourist information.
For travel information: Travel around Prague by public transport and Travel to Prague.
For an easy way to visit Prague, the Prague Package includes a hotel, Prague airport transfers, sightseeing and entertainment. |
| |
| |
|
EASTER 2025 KEY DATES | |
EASTER MARKETS
Old Town Square & Wenceslas Square
05-27 April 2025
Daily 10:00-22:00 | |
SMALL & LOCAL MARKETS
Mariánské Square
05-27 April 2025
Daily 11:00-19:00
Na Kampě Square
05-27 April 2025
Daily 10:00-20:00
Peace Square
05-27 April 2025
Daily 10:00-20:00 | |
| |
EASTER 2025
18-21 April 2025 | |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|