My husband and I will be visiting our daughter in Prague during our Christmas break. I've heard that many businesses close down around Christmas. Will we be able to find restaurants open for day trips to Loket and Pilsen?
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20175 posts
The only way to know for certain is to research restaurants and email them. We go to the region about every other Christmas and it is always something we have to do. The region is beautiful in the Season. Generally speaking in the major cities at least, there will be restaurants open on Christmas eve and Christmas night. Not a lot, but many. Again, very generally speaking most things close down about 2 pm on Christmas eve and open either in the evening of the 25 (if its an evening sort of business) or at the regular times on the 26th. But hopefully some one will give you specific information. If you strike out then pack up your husband and daughter and come to Budapest and we will help you have a wonderful holiday ;-)
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
December 25th, 26th and January 1st are major holidays. Dec 24th is not officially holiday but people either take day off or finish work early. In the evening of 24th people eat their traditional Christmas dinner and then share presents under their Christmas tree. Many people who usually don't go to church make exception and go for Christmas mass. By the evening of 24th Dec. most businesses are closed and stay closed through 25,26th of Dec. Some restaurants, coffee houses etc. will certainly be open. Especially in Prague, fewer in Pilsen and even fewer in Loket. Trains and buses will be on holiday schedule. To have more options (trains, buses, restaurants) I would recommend to do your day trips on Dec.23rd, 27th and 30th which are normal weekdays.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20175 posts
This was interesting: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2507853/Festive-cheer-budget-Budapest-named-cheapest-Christmas-market-city.html
Also, in Budapest the bath houses are open on the 24th, 25th and 26th.
The Dohany Street Synagogue (the Great Synagogue) is open on the 26th
The Opera and the theaters have productions on the 24th, 25th and 26th.
If my memory isn't wrong the Christmas markets close about 2pm on the 24th and the food stall reopen again the morning of the 27th and run to through the 31st
And we have never had a hard time finding a good meal on the 24th, 25th or 26th.
Another thing to keep in mind, not related to Christmas, is that there is always a lot closed on Monday's.
I know you aren't going to Budapest but I would expect the same sort of hours through out the region.
Have a Blast