Prague plans weekend traffic restrictions near Old Town Christmas markets

Prague 1 plans to restrict vehicle access from Pařížská street toward Old Town Square on weekend evenings during the Christmas market season, creating more space for pedestrians.

The proposed restriction would apply Fridays through Sundays from 4 to 10 p.m., between Nov. 27 and Jan. 3, 2027. It would begin around the junction of Pařížská and Široká streets.

The district is preparing the traffic measure, which still requires approval. It would operate as a trial, with its effects assessed throughout the festive season.

Old Town Square’s Christmas markets open Nov. 28. According to Prague 1, weekend evenings bring particularly heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic to the approach from Pařížská.

Some drivers attempt to park as close to the square as possible, adding to congestion where large numbers of visitors are walking.

“The planned measure aims to reduce this traffic during the busiest hours and create more space for pedestrians,” the district said in its announcement.

The proposal concerns access toward the square from Pařížská during the specified hours. It is not a blanket closure of the street throughout the Christmas season.

Access would remain available for vehicles serving the area under the local-access exemption, but taxis would not qualify for that exception.

Drivers heading toward Dlouhá would be able to turn left from Pařížská into Široká, then right into Dušní and left into Dlouhá.

Municipal police officers would help enforce the temporary arrangements on site, according to the district.

Prague 1 described the proposal as an experimental measure intended to address the busiest periods around the markets. Its operation would be reviewed as the season progresses.

For visitors arriving by taxi, the planned exclusion means vehicles would not be permitted to continue toward the square through the restricted section during Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

The restrictions remain subject to approval, so the announced dates and hours represent the district’s proposed arrangements rather than a traffic order already in force.