The IVF process can be a challenging time for many couples, filled with emotions, stress and anticipation. You may have countless questions running through your mind, think about upcoming medical appointments or anxiously wait for your test results. Travelling abroad for treatment can make the whole experience feel even more overwhelming. But coming to Prague for IVF treatment doesn’t mean that your entire stay has to revolve around medical appointments. At Prague Fertility Centre, we understand that treatment can be an emotional and demanding experience. Your schedule will naturally be shaped by consultations, examinations and your individual treatment plan, but if you have some free time between appointments, you can also use it to slow down, relax and enjoy some time together.
If you’re visiting Prague in the weeks before Christmas, the city has a particularly special atmosphere. Festive lights, Christmas markets, cosy cafés and beautifully decorated streets create plenty of opportunities to enjoy Prague at a slower pace – whether you feel like taking a gentle walk, enjoying a warm drink or simply spending time together.
This is the idea behind our IVF Holiday: combining your treatment journey with a little time to experience Prague and enjoy the festive season. You don’t need a packed itinerary or a traditional holiday full of activities. Simply choose whatever feels enjoyable and comfortable for you on that particular day.
👉🏻If you would like to better understand what to expect during treatment, read our guide on how assisted reproduction works.
🎄 First of all, visit the Christmas markets
The most famous Christmas markets can be found at:
- Old Town Square (28 November – 6 January) - the most famous Christmas market in Prague and a great place to experience the city’s festive atmosphere for the first time. The market is surrounded by some of Prague’s most beautiful historic buildings and features a large Christmas tree, traditional decorations, food stalls and Christmas lights. It can get quite busy, especially in the evening, but the atmosphere is hard to beat.
- Wenceslas Square (28 November – 6 January) – located just a short walk from Old Town Square, this market is easy to combine with a visit to the city centre. The long square is lined with market stalls offering Christmas treats, gifts and hot drinks. It is a good choice if you want to combine the market with some shopping or continue towards the National Museum.
- Náměstí Míru (20 November – 24 December) – a smaller and generally more relaxed market held in front of the beautiful Church of St. Ludmila. It has a more local feel than the central markets and is a good option if you would prefer to avoid the biggest crowds. The square is also surrounded by cafés and restaurants, making it easy to combine your visit with a coffee or a relaxed meal.
- Náměstí Republiky (25 November – 24 December) – a convenient choice if you are already exploring the area around the Powder Tower, Municipal House or Palladium shopping centre. The market is smaller than the one at Old Town Square, so you can easily stop here for a short visit, grab something warm to drink and continue exploring the city.
Try some traditional Czech Christmas treats, such as trdelník, gingerbread, Prague ham or sausages, and warm up with mulled wine or a non-alcoholic Christmas punch.
Our tip: You don’t have to visit all of the markets. If you want the classic Prague Christmas experience, start with Old Town Square. If you prefer something quieter, try Náměstí Míru instead. Visiting in the evening, when the lights are on, makes the experience even more magical.
✨ Take a relaxed walk through Prague
You don’t need a packed sightseeing itinerary to experience Prague. If you feel like walking, a simple route through the historic centre can take you from:
Old Town Square → Charles Bridge → Malá Strana → Prague Castle
You can stop whenever you feel like it, find a café, take some photos or simply enjoy the atmosphere. And if your energy is limited, that’s perfectly fine too. Choose just one area and take it slowly.
An IVF Holiday isn’t about seeing everything – it’s about enjoying the time you have.
🏰 Explore Prague Castle and Golden Lane
Prague Castle is one of the city’s most iconic sights and offers beautiful views over Prague. Take a relaxed walk around the castle complex and visit Golden Lane, a charming historic street with small colourful houses. From Hradčany, you can continue towards Malá Strana and Charles Bridge.
Our tip: If you would rather avoid the busiest part of the day, consider visiting later in the afternoon or early evening.
🎭 Enjoy a little culture
If you prefer an indoor activity, Prague has plenty of cultural experiences to choose from. Depending on the programme during your stay, you could visit:
- The National Theatre for a performance such as The Nutcracker,
- The Municipal House for a classical music concert,
- Karlín Musical Theatre for a musical performance,
- or one of Prague’s historic churches for a Christmas concert, such as St. Nicholas Church.
A concert in a historic Prague church can be a particularly peaceful way to spend an evening.
🚤 See Prague from the Vltava
If you would like to see several of Prague’s landmarks without walking too far, consider a boat trip on the Vltava River.
From the water, you can see:
- Charles Bridge
- Prague Castle
- the National Theatre
- the historic city centre
- Prague´s bridges and riverfront
An evening cruise can be especially beautiful during winter, when the city lights create a completely different atmosphere.
☕ Take a break in a cosy café
Sometimes your IVF Holiday can be as simple as finding a comfortable café and doing absolutely nothing for an hour. So order a coffee, tea or hot chocolate, try a Czech dessert and give yourself permission to slow down.
You don’t have to make every free moment productive.
🍽️ Taste traditional Czech cuisine
Food is another easy way to experience Prague.
If you feel like going out for dinner, look for a traditional Czech restaurant and try some local specialities, such as:
- Czech goulash
- Svíčková
- Roast duck
- Czech dumplings
- Prague ham
Choose somewhere that feels comfortable and enjoy a relaxed meal together rather than trying to fit another activity into your schedule.
🌙 Discover Prague after dark
Prague becomes especially atmospheric after sunset.
If you want to get away from the busiest streets, take a gentle evening walk through Hradčany, Malá Strana, Kampa or around Charles Bridge. Historic buildings, street lamps and Christmas lights make winter evenings particularly beautiful.
And if you happen to be near Charles Bridge at around 4 p.m., on selected days you may even see the traditional hand-lighting of Prague’s historic gas lamps.
⛸️ Do something a little different
If you feel well and your treatment plan allows for some light activity, check out Prague’s seasonal outdoor ice rinks. Depending on the current programme, you may find skating at places such as:
- Letná,
- Ovocný trh,
- or Karlín.
There are also seasonal light installations and winter attractions around the city, such as one in Žluté lázně.
Of course, during your treatment, always follow the recommendations of your medical team and choose activities that are appropriate for you.
❤️ Enjoy Prague at your own pace
Your time in Prague will naturally be shaped by your appointments at Prague Fertility Centre and your individual treatment plan. But if you have some free time in between, why not use it to experience a little of what festive Prague has to offer? So take a walk through the city, stop for a coffee, visit a Christmas market, enjoy a relaxed dinner or spend an evening admiring Prague’s lights.
And if you don’t feel like going anywhere, that’s perfectly fine too. Sometimes the best part of a winter stay is simply slowing down and having nowhere else to be.
🔎Want to Learn More About IVF in Czech Republic?
If you’d like to learn more about fertility treatment and reproductive medicine, explore these helpful resources:
We hope you enjoy your time in Prague and that, alongside your treatment, you will also have the opportunity to experience the city and make some lovely memories together.
