Stores close, Prague stays open: How to make the most of the city this Christmas

Today marks Golden Sunday, Dec. 21, as Czechia lights the final Advent candle and the season draws near to Christmas Eve. Traditionally a time of reflection, the day also draws visitors to markets, concerts, and holiday tours nationwide.

For those who observe the Christian holiday, four Advent Sundays (Iron, Bronze, Silver, and Gold) symbolize hope, love, joy, and peace, marking the spiritual journey toward the birth of Christ.

In Prague, however, sightseeing and festive explorations of the holiday-bedecked city continue well beyond Golden Sunday. For anyone looking to spend the holidays on the tourist trail, several landmarks and institutions have announced discounted admission. A number of Czech restaurants have also announced that they will stay open due to the holiday falling near the weekend.

In Prague, sightseeing and festive activities continue through Christmas Eve. Many monuments, museums, and gardens will be open, some with discounted admission, providing locals and visitors with an opportunity to explore the city during the holidays.

Monuments managed by Prague City Tourism will be open to visitors on Dec. 24. The Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock and the Klementinum will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Powder Gate and Prague towers from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and the Petřín Lookout Tower from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Full opening hours are listed on the company’s website.

The Troja Botanical Garden will open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., showcasing conifers, evergreen trees, winter flowers, and colorful berries. Visitors can also stop by the St. Clara wine shop and Café Ornament.

The Prague Zoo will welcome visitors from 9 a.m. with a special Christmas Eve admission of CZK 100 for adults and just one crown for children under 15. Guests can bring food for the animals, which will be distributed over the following days; carrots, apples, and unsweetened dry pastries are recommended. Animal pavilions close at 2 p.m., though grounds remain open until 4 p.m.

The main Christmas markets on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the Kampa Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the Public Transport Museum from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Note that Prague Castle is closed on Dec. 24 but will be open the following day; holiday hours are here. The Castle Grounds typically remain open for walkers from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

If you are traveling outside the capital, several castles and monasteries are hosting “non-traditional” tours. Highlights include live nativity scenes at Telč Castle, exhibitions at Vizovice, and special Advent tours at Valtice, Litomyšl, and Třeboň.

As St. Stephen’s Day approaches on Dec. 26, more restaurants in Prague are expected to open than last year, as the holiday falls on a Friday, the busiest day of the week for eateries. About half of the city’s restaurants are projected to welcome guests, up from 45 percent in 2024, according to cash register company Dotykačka. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day openings will remain around 30 percent.

Popular spots, including L’Osteria branches in Palác Kinsky and Old Town Square, plan full service during the holidays, catering mainly to families seeking festive meals without the hassle of home cooking, the restaurant told the Czech Press Agency.

Interest in seasonal dishes continues to grow, with traditional Czech classics, international specialties, tasting menus, and even snail dishes attracting diners, says Václav Stárek of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants. Between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, Prague expects roughly 200,000 domestic and international visitors, including up to 100,000 on New Year’s Eve alone.

If you need to stock up on supplies, timing is everything. Under Czech law, large stores must close early for the holidays.