There’s nothing quite like a wintry weekend away to get you in the festive mood. Prague is a beauty all year round but in December it sparkles with Christmas cheer thanks to crisp days, an ever-present chance of snow flurries and magical light displays on historic buildings. From November 30 you’ll be able to catch the traditional lighting of the gas lamps on the Charles Bridge, which happens from 4pm throughout Advent, while the main Christmas markets also open the same weekend.
Three nights’ room only, including flights from Heathrow and 23kg of hold luggage for the inevitable Christmas shopping, costs £669pp with British Airways, departing on November 30. An Uber from the airport costs about £20 each way or you can add a private car transfer when booking for £60 return.
This time of year can be crowded in Prague, but you’ll be staying in a quieter neighbourhood for much-needed R&R between sightseeing. The five-star Mandarin Oriental Prague is in a former Dominican monastery in the cobblestoned Mala Strana district, just below Prague Castle on the west bank of the Vltava River. The elegant hotel has vaulted ceilings, parquet floors and decor in tasteful cream, chocolate brown and deep blue. Rooms have views of the garden, Mala Strana or the castle. There’s a spa with the foundations of a 14th-century church visible under its glass floor and a contemporary Czech restaurant, Monastiq, which serves warming wintry specials such as duck with clove-marinated pear and chestnut mousse with caramel crème.
Rooms at the Mandarin Oriental Prague are decorated in soothing tones
LUKAS LEGI
Cross nearby Charles Bridge to stroll 20 minutes into the city’s old town, where Prague’s biggest Christmas market sells hand-blown tree ornaments, wooden crafts, pernicky (iced gingerbread cookies) and steaming svarak (mulled wine). Climb the Old Town Hall Tower for city views (£1; prague.eu), then watch the procession of 12 apostle figures emerge from the building’s 15th-century Astronomical Clock when it strikes the hour. The imposing baroque St Nicholas Cathedral, just across the square, is dedicated to the real-life saint who inspired Santa Claus (free; prague.eu).
Wenceslas Square is a 15-minute walk from there and is where both the country’s independence was declared in 1918 and a peaceful protest in 1989 helped to overthrow the communist government. Visit the National Museum to learn more about Czech history (£13; nm.cz), then take a whizz round the square’s ice rink (£7; kluzistepraha.cz). Stroll back to the river via Parizska Street for the best Christmas light displays, then hop on the tram at Malostranska (30-minute ride £1; pid.cz) to the fairytale Unesco-listed Prague Castle, which has a carved nativity scene and Advent carolling in the courtyard (from £11; hrad.cz). At dusk, see the city’s lights from the water on a festive cruise down the Vltava River with mulled wine, traditional sweets and Christmas carols (£20; getyourguide.com).
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What you get for £669pp
• Return Heathrow-Prague flights, departing on November 30
• 23kg of hold luggage
• Three nights’ room only at Mandarin Oriental Prague (britishairways.com)
• The best things to do in Prague this Christmas
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The £255 holiday
As well as unfussy rooms, Prague Centre Plaza also has a beer-themed spa
A 15-minute walk to Wenceslas Square, the three-star Prague Centre Plaza has the IP Pavlova metro station in strolling distance for easy access to other city sights. Unfussy rooms have pale oak furniture, large arched windows and soft furnishings in heather, duck egg blue and burnt orange. The restaurant serves a well-priced set menu (£9 for three courses). There’s also a beer-themed spa, which has a whirlpool, a Finnish sauna and a range of quirky treatments including unlimited pints while you wallow in a traditional oak bath of beer extracts.
Details Three nights’ B&B from £255pp, including flights, departing on December 1 (thomascook.com)
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The £1,225 holiday
Four Seasons Hotel Prague sits on the banks of the Vltava River
The old town is almost on the doorstep of Four Seasons Hotel Prague, which is on the banks of the Vltava River, just steps from the Charles Bridge. It has knockout castle views and bags of traditional charm, with bohemian crystal chandeliers, brocade fabrics, swagged curtains and a festively decorated marble lobby. Plus, there’s a refined Italian restaurant and a swish spa with a steam room and sauna for warming up after sightseeing. The hotel can arrange exclusive experiences including an after-hours visit to St Vitus Cathedral and a private ride on its own boat.
Details Three nights’ room only from £1,225pp, including flights, departing on November 30 (easyjet.com)
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