As shorter days signal winter’s approach, restaurant patios close, public garden gates lock, and the Vltava paddle boats retreat to storage, marking the city’s quiet transition into the colder months.
From December to February, Prague’s average temperatures range from 6 to -4 degrees Celsius– colder than the heart of a crush that left you on read. AAU students from sunny regions often report severe seasonal depression.
“I’ve never been anywhere this cold,” said Ana Sulvaran, a Mexican exchange student who would rather be enjoying ice cream, wearing sundresses, and basking in temperatures upwards of 20 degrees Celsius.“I miss the sun already and I know it’s gonna get worse.”
As winter returns to Prague, the city offers numerous indoor and outdoor activities that can help romanticize the season and keep students warm.
Wardrobe Winterization
Winter reinforces the classic cliche, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” It’s the perfect opportunity to explore some of Prague’s best thrift stores.
Trash Prague, a vintage store in Prague 1, has a collection of fluffy collared coats to stay warm and fashionable this winter. In Prague 7, the Vintage Shop adjacent to a Textile House is adorned with unique hats and a wide variety of hidden scarves in an old drawer to the left of the entrance.
Ice Skating
Once equipped with a winter outfit, the ice rink can be an enjoyable outdoor activity. There are several outdoor ice skating locations throughout Prague, including the courtyard of the Alchymist Grand Hotel in Malá Strana or beneath the Zizkov TV Tower. Rink operating hours have not been published yet, but are expected to open near the end of November. Letna’s ice rink, the largest in Prague, further boasts of its record three-month long season as compared to last year.
The O2 Arena offers ice hockey games for those who enjoy watching the ice but not being on it. Game tickets are available with some teams offering student discounts. The season lasts throughout the winter and well into April.
Christmas Markets
Wafts of mulled wine, cinnamon, and gingerbread sift through Prague’s Christmas markets, acting as a feast for the eyes and mouth. Lángos, a deep-fried flatbread, roasted chestnuts, or trdelník are edible excuses to visit various markets around the city.
Czech mulled wine, svařené víno, is a wintery alcoholic fusion of cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, nutmeg, cardamom, and fresh oranges or mandarins, providing an excuse for a beer break.
Old Town Square hosts the largest Christmas market, with its 22-meter-tall Christmas tree. November 30 marks the kick off to the Czech Republic’s markets, following the lighting ceremony at 16:00.
In addition to drinks and snacks, market stands also sell hand-painted tree ornaments, carved wooden artwork, hand-made candles, and jewelry.
Do-It-Yourself Gifts
The holidays offer the perfect opportunity to say thank you to your loved ones. Writing letters, making a photo calendar, or painting a mug– homemade gifts are always appreciated.
That’s what seven AAU students think also, as they met on a foggy Sunday morning in the cozy pottery studio of Smalterie, located next to AAU by Malostranské Náměstí. The cafe offers workshops to paint various ceramics like mugs, teapots, or even jewelry.
To accompany the hand-painted ceramics, instructor Marek Červený recommends purchasing a unique tea blend from Herbata, where visitors are greeted by two knowledgeable women who offer individual herbal remedies for a variety of issues, including weight loss, stress, and sleep management.
A student recommends the tea blend NERVINA to fight wintertime depression. The combination of lemon balm, devil’s weed, hops, and lavender flowers is said to improve the well-being of both body and mind.
Another student recommends the JS blend, said to improve liver function for those who find themselves drinking too many mulled wines this winter.
Czech Fairy Tales & Chill
Czech language and culture instructor Ivana Štěpánková recommends the films Malá Mořská Víla (1976), Princ a Večernice (1978), and Tri Orisky pro Popelku (1973) to cozy up to this winter.
Aside from their fantastical plots, the films offer an alternative interpretation of the traditional fairytale narrative, along with what Štěpánková describes as an emancipated image of women. The films also offer a “window to the past,” as they originated when Prague was under communism and were intended to distance themselves from Christian ideologies.
All three films are available on YouTube in Czech with English subtitles. Some versions offer subtitles in German or Norwegian. Links to view each film are provided below:
Malá Mořská Víla (1976)
Princ a Večernice (1978)
Tri Orisky pro Popelku (1973)
Winter in Prague can be as magical as the fairytales and often invites friends to huddle closer together, both for warmth and companionship. After December 21, the days will gradually become longer, and perhaps some students will find themselves missing the togetherness of Prague’s winter wonderland.
