After a winter trip to Brussels in 2018, I am sold on winter travel in Europe. Cheap flights, great hotel deals, and non-existent crowds are enough reasons for me to pack a parka and head over! When I started to plan this year’s Europe trip, I knew Prague had to be on the itinerary. Literally, everyone I asked (except 1 person) just raved about Prague. All of Old Town Prague is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and that list hasn’t failed me yet! Knowing what a popular destination it is, I knew I would enjoy Prague in the winter without the crazy crowds of tourists. If you are visiting Prague for the first time, here are a few suggestions for the things I enjoyed, including Prague tours, where to eat in Prague, and where to stay in Prague.

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Sadly, I missed the Prague Christmas markets with mulled wine in Wenceslas Square, but I have a feeling that if there is such a thing as Prague winter crowds, they will be during the Christmas market season.

Prague Tours

Many people only visit Prague for a few days, so if you only have one day in Prague, I highly recommend taking advantage of some of the Prague tours that are available. I’m a big fan of day tours as they can help you be efficient with your time, and the tour guides are usually chock full of local tips and tricks. The bonus of visiting Prague in winter is that you will have much smaller tour groups, allowing for questions and photography stops. I took a food tour, with only 3 people and a city tour with just two of us. Small tour group sizes are a great reason to visit Prague in winter!

Browse Viator Prague Tours

Anytime I visit a new city, I first turn to Viator to find a good city tour. For my Prague tour, I chose the Small-Group Prague City Walking Tour Including Vltava River Cruise and Lunch. Our guide was local and had tons of great information about the history and culture of Prague. She guided a British gentleman and me around town, and although I had a small understanding of the local history, this Prague tour really helped me understand how Prague fits into Europe and how the Czech Republic came to be. If you only have one or two days in Prague, definitely check out this city tour which covers all the highlights, including Old Town Square and Old Town Bridge. After a traditional Czech lunch, the guide gave us tickets for a river cruise which departed near the Charles Bridge. Below are some of the Prague attractions we saw on the city tour.

• Charles Bridge (normally packed in the summer!)
• John Lennon Pub and John Lennon Wall (fun fact: John Lennon never set foot in Prague!)
• Prague Castle & St. Vitus Cathedral
• Jewish Quarter
• Prague Old Town
• The Astronomical Clock
• Vltava River Cruise

Where to Eat in Prague

I don't necessarily consider Prague to be a foodie destination, but there are a few key treats you should experience when you visit Prague. Traditional Czech food is heavy, hearty food...another good reason to visit in winter! The best way to experience local cuisine is to take a food tour. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that food tours are my favorite travel experience. I spent the day with Eating Prague and sampled several great restaurants. The parent company, Eating Europe also offers tours in Rome, Florence, Amsterdam, London, Strasbourg, and Paris. Our Prague food tour started in Prague's Old Town, and prior to the tour, I received detailed instructions and a map so that I could easily find the tour.

Here are a few favorite things to eat in Prague, and where to find them.

• Chlebíčky: open-faced sandwiches. Interesting combinations, from beet and goat cheese puree to classic ham, egg and potato salad on rye at Sisters. (Dlouhá 727/39)
• Duck with potato dumplings at Špejle (Jindřišská 937/16)
• Svíčková (Czech dumplings, braised beef, and cranberry compote) at Cafe Louvre (Národní 22)
• Sweet treats, like gingerbread and kolache at Perníčkův sen (Haštalská 757/21)
• Apple strudel at Cafe Louvre
• For a good American breakfast, check out Bohemia Bagel, just a block from the Charles Bridge gate in Male Strana.
• For a unique dining experience, check out Restaurant Zvonice, located at the top of a 16th-century bell tower. (Jindřišská věž)
• Cafe Savoy has a great atmosphere and good food in Male Strana

Book a Prague Food Tour or a Prague Cooking Class with Eating Europe!

Of course, you can't come to Prague without having a Trdelník! Even though this isn't a traditional local pastry, and it's totally touristy, you have to try one because they are everywhere! What is trdelník? It's kind of like a churro chimney, which you can get plain or filled with ice cream or other fillings. Unlike Brussels, where I had waffles every day, I only had one of these Prague treats. It was tasty, but the white chocolate inside was a bit much. In warmer weather, I would 100% choose a trdelník filled with ice cream!

Unique Things to See in Prague

I loved the whimsical side of Prague, which is evident in the street art and statues around town. Prague doesn't take itself too seriously, which is why it's such a popular destination for weekend travelers looking for a good time. Nearly every Prague tour will include Prague Castle and the city center, but it's fun to find random attractions as well. Here are a few fun spots around Prague that you can be on the lookout for as you wander the streets, or as the youngsters say, Instagrammable spots around Prague.

Franz Kafka Statues

The John Lennon Wall & River Troll

Where to Stay in Prague

I really lucked out with my Prague hotel. Some British friends recommended The Blue Oak in Mala Strana or the castle district. While I'm normally a points traveler and often stay at Marriott hotels, I took a chance on this cute apartment and I loved it! At first, the location seemed challenging, but that's just because of the winding narrow streets of Prague. In truth, it was a fantastic location, just five minutes from the Charles Bridge! (Just took me a bit to figure that out, though, lol!) The staff here was extremely helpful, especially when my phone stopped working and I needed help with directions and printing documents. I paid around $60 per night for a great apartment with a full kitchen. I definitely recommend The Blue Oak in Prague.

Check prices at Blue Oak Prague | Browse Prague Hotels

Travelling King has a comprehensive guide on where to stay in Prague!

Is Prague Expensive?

The short answer is no, Prague is not expensive, especially if you plan a winter Prague trip when prices are lower. It's one of the more affordable cities I've visited in Europe. The fact that the currency in Prague is the Czech Koruna, not the Euro, definitely helps. Here's a breakdown of what I spent for three days in Prague:

• $45 train ticket from Munich (spend one day in Munich before arriving in Prague!)
• $250 for four nights at the Blue Oak
• $53 for City Walking Tour
• $60 on food (average of $15/day, typically for two meals)
• $40 on transportation (Uber rides were around $5/each, I spent a bit more on taxis when my phone didn't work)
• $45 train ticket to Vienna (check out my Vienna itinerary and see why I fell in love with this city!)

That's a long weekend in Prague for under $500! And I had a few splurges you could easily avoid, such as the $20 transfer from the train station.

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I received a complimentary tour with Eating Prague food tour. These are solely my personal experiences and I was not financially compensated for this post.