It was a cold, dark and quiet December morning. Looking out the window, I saw it was snowing. Large white flakes were falling gently to the ground. It was beautiful, much like a scene ripped out of an old fashioned black and white movie depicting a picture perfect winter wonderland. It seemed an appropriate time to curl up at home on the couch with a fuzzy blanket, a cup of hot tea and a good book.
While that would be a lovely way to spend a cold winter day, I wasn’t home but on holiday in Eastern Europe. And it was time to leave my hotel room and head out with my group for a tour of Prague Castle! Such a tough life …
I’d seen the castle from afar the day before while walking along the Charles Bridge during a Prague by Night tour. Perched on the banks of the Vltava river, the lit-up castle and it’s massive 70,000 square meter complex is impressive at a first glance.
Of course, it was love at first sight and I was eager to explore the castle the next morning. While grey skies and a winter snowstorm may keep some people holed up in their hotel room or on the couch at home, it couldn’t have been a better time to take the tour.
This was our swoon-worthy view as we approached the castle complex.
It was even decorated for Christmas!
Castle guards keeping watch.
It felt like I was looking into someone’s snow globe.
Walking in to the castle grounds, we came to Saint Vitus’ Cathedral where we slipped inside to view the interior and warm-up for a bit.
Wandering back outside, we learned more about the history of Prague Castle and were given time to take in all that Roman and Gothic architecture.
This Prague Castle tour was really like taking a walk through a winter wonderland and the weather just added to the experience. I wouldn’t have had it any other way!
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36 Comments
Cheryl,
It looks like you approached the castle from the north side. I like how big the snow bokeh is in those first few photos. Prague Castle is beautiful on its own, but is it just me or does the muted diffuse grey winter light seem to emphasize the yellows? Looked cold enough, too!
Thanks for your post!
It looks so much prettier in the snow!
@Christy and Henry – thanks for your comments! 🙂
Lovely photos 🙂
@Muza-chan and Denise – thanks for your comments. These cities are stunning all year round, but there’s something quite special about them in the winter.
I love the way you managed to capture the snow flakes on camera. I have mixed feelings about visiting cities in winter, especially when the city in question has very harsh ones. I feel actual, sharp physical pain wondering in the cold, but gosh aren’t cities like Prague, Budapest and Zurich stunning in the snow!
Gorgeous photos! I used to live in Prague and always loved the castle best in the snow. It’s so beautiful!
Looks like a great time to visit.
What a complex. i had no idea it was that big.
Fantastic photo inside the cathedral & loved your night time shot.
Ahhhh – so pretty!! We saw snow on a whole bunch of trees today just outside Vienna – looked magical =)
@Leigh – thanks so much! The complex is huge … we didn’t even scratch the surface on ou walk either. I hope to make it back someday.
@Andrea – Vienna is also beautiful during the winter. So lucky you go to see it! 🙂
awww. love this post. definitely need to visit Prague soon.
I’d really like to hop on a plane now and head to Prague. I love the snowing photos with the snowballs best. They make it so much more of a winter wanderland!
@Yvonne – let’s make it a girls get away weekend! 😀
@Sherry – it was like being inside a snow globe. Seriously!
Beautiful, I think most castles are even more beautiful in winter when covered with a bit of snow, and especially at Christmas when they’re decorated.
@Clara – it really is beautiful in the wintertime! Lucky that you got to live in Prague! 🙂
@Laurel – agree. Good thing us Canadian gals can withstand the cold winter and are up for checking out castles no matter how cold it is. 😉
I love visiting European cities in the winter. The first time I ever went to Prague was a snowy winter day in 1996. Your beautiful photographs brought back some nice memories. 🙂
Stunning shots. Love those snow flakes; perfect scenes for Christmas cards.
@Jenna – awww, glad I was able to bring back some good memories.
@Nancie – thank you so much! 🙂
Ah, when I lived there, I loved Prague most during Christmas time.
Looks gorgeous. Almost, makes me look forward to getting back to Europe and seeing snow. Almost, but would still prefer to stay here with the beaches 😉
@Roy – ahhhh, lucky you! I wouldn’t mind living there sometime myself. 🙂
@Jarmo – you are an Arctic Nomad, I’d thought you prefer the snow. LOL!
Gorgeous! I would be willing to brave the cold to see Prague again in the Winter.
@Stephanie – thanks! It’s sooooo nice there this time of year.
Brrrr – pretty though. Can’t wait to visit Prague. Just have to find the time, maybe winter would be the best after these photos 🙂
@Cole – it’s one of my favorite cities! I hope you’ll love it as much as I do. 🙂
I’m pretty sure every European city looks better covered in snow. Love the snow falling pictures!
@Jade – True dat! 😉 And thanks for your compliment!
I like very this and is great to see this too and woow very good picture
@Andreas – Thank you!
Beautiful pictures! I love them!
[…] awestruck and happy. Whether it be waking up really early to watch the sunrise in Costa Brava or walking through castle grounds in Prague on a snowy winter day, I absolutely live for these types of moments. They’re what inspires me to keep on […]
Prague at Christmas, the markets, the Castle, the wonderful myriad of streets, one of my Favourite places to visit. Your photos bring back wonderful memories.
@Sidonie – Prague is wonderful, isn’t it? Glad you enjoyed the post!
Nothing like snowflakes to make the setting look like a Christmas fairy tale.
@Jackie – It was such a happy moment. Being a new visitor to Europe, your first time visiting castles and the like are always really special but the snow just completed the mood.
[…] day but we were only in Prague for 2 days and I needed to experience the romance of it by night and walk in a winter wonderland as we toured the […]