There is something timeless about afternoon tea—tiered trays of cakes, delicate sandwiches, warm scones, and steaming cups poured with care. Yet enjoying this ritual on a snowy winter’s day in Prague makes it even more magical. And for me, there is no better place to indulge than the Four Seasons Hotel Prague, a property that offers not just one of the city’s finest afternoon teas, but also a sense of warmth and belonging that lingers long after you leave.
Prague in winter feels like a fairy tale. Cobblestone streets sparkle with snow, lanterns glow at dusk, and spires rise into silver skies. Add to this the comfort of an elegant tea service by the piano, and the experience becomes unforgettable.
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My Favourite Hotel in Prague
That afternoon tea reminded me why the Four Seasons Prague is my favourite hotel in the city. It isn’t only about its location, with sweeping views of the Vltava River and Prague Castle. Nor is it just about the beautiful rooms, though I’ve always loved the Renaissance-style suites in calming blue and white.
What sets this hotel apart is its service—seamless, personal, and genuine. Somehow, the staff always seem to know who you are from the moment you arrive. It’s the kind of welcome that makes a grand hotel feel intimate. I’ve stayed in many fine properties, but only a few offer this kind of connection. The Four Seasons Prague is one of them, which is why I return again and again.
Top 5 Things to Do in Prague in the Winter
📌 Visit the Old Town Christmas Market
Prague’s Old Town Square transforms into one of Europe’s most famous Christmas markets. Wooden stalls sell mulled wine, trdelník pastries, and handmade gifts.
📌 Walk Across the Charles Bridge in the Snow
Early mornings or evenings are magical, with statues dusted in white and views of Prague Castle glowing above the river.
📌 Tour Prague Castle at Sunset
Explore the courtyards, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Golden Lane as twilight falls. The winter light makes the Gothic spires unforgettable.
📌 Warm Up in a Historic Café
Try Café Slavia or Café Louvre, both legendary haunts for artists and writers. Order hot chocolate or traditional Czech pastries.
📌 Take a Vltava River Cruise
Even in winter, heated boats glide past Prague’s skyline of domes, bridges, and spires. At night, the city lights make it spectacular.
Four Seasons Prague: Just Like Home
I checked in just after 11 a.m., and from that moment everyone already knew my name. From the bellman to the concierge to the staff in the lounge, each person greeted me as if I were a returning friend.
We dropped our bags, pulled on our coats, and walked toward the Charles Bridge, only minutes away. Snow fell gently on its ancient statues, and across the river, Prague Castle shimmered in white. Walking the bridge in winter felt like stepping into a fairy tale—one of those moments when Prague shows why she has captivated travelers for centuries.
As we left, the doorman smiled and called me by name. Then he said: “You’re just in time for your first afternoon tea in Prague.”
A small gesture, but it captured the essence of the Four Seasons Prague: thoughtful, attentive, and quietly memorable. This hotel doesn’t just welcome you—it makes you feel at home. And what a home it is.
A Proper Czech Afternoon Tea
After our walk, we returned to the lobby for afternoon tea in Prague. The light outside had softened into a golden winter glow, and the piano filled the flower-lined space with warmth.
We began with steaming cups of thick hot chocolate and then let our eyes wander to the dessert trolley. Temptation won quickly. We sampled a little of everything: a deceptively simple chocolate cake laced with liquor, biscuits, pastries, and strudels. I admit—I had two slices of that chocolate cake. But my favourite was a traditional Czech Christmas cake, soaked in syrup and topped with bright icing. Festive, unusual, and unforgettable.
📌 What is a Czech Christmas Cake?
Known as vánočka, the Czech Christmas cake is a sweet braided bread made with flour, eggs, butter, raisins, almonds, and sometimes rum. It is dusted with powdered sugar or finished with icing at Christmas. Served for centuries, it remains a symbol of Czech holiday tradition.
📌 What is a Traditional Czech Afternoon Tea?
A Czech afternoon tea differs from the British style. Expect cakes filled with cream or liquor, nut pastries, strudels, and biscuits. Hot chocolate, coffee, or strong black tea are common. In winter, mulled wine or rum-spiked cocoa adds a festive touch.
As we lingered over sweets and hot drinks, the world outside disappeared. For a while, it was just us, the piano music, and the glow of a perfect winter afternoon in Prague. A #Travelife moment: indulgent, memorable, and never-endingly eventful.
Read more stories about traveling around the Czech Republic in Travelife Magazine
Hotel photos credit: Four Seasons Prague
