Best time to visit · Prague · Czechia
The best time to visit Prague
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Stanislav Jelen, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Prague are May, June and September, when days are mild, beer gardens are open and crowds are lighter than in July and August. December is popular for the Christmas markets despite the cold, while January to March is the quietest and lowest-priced season.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–June and September
- Shoulder season
- April, October and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 25°C (77°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 2°C (36°F))
- Rainiest month
- June (~9 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Seasons
Prague has a central European climate: cold winters around freezing with occasional snow, warm summers with thundery showers, and mild but changeable springs and autumns.
March–May
Spring
Cold in March, warming quickly with blossom on Petřín in April and May; the Prague Spring music festival begins in May.
June–August
Summer
Warm days, long evenings and beer gardens, but the heaviest crowds and highest prices, with occasional thunderstorms.
September–November
Autumn
Mild, often sunny September, golden October and cold, grey November with far fewer visitors.
December–February
Winter
Freezing temperatures and short days, but Christmas markets in December and the lowest prices in January and February.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2°C | -3°C | 7 | 8.5 h | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| February | 4°C | -2°C | 6 | 10 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| March | 9°C | 1°C | 7 | 11.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 15°C | 4°C | 6 | 13.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 20°C | 9°C | 8 | 15.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 23°C | 12°C | 9 | 16.4 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| July | 25°C | 14°C | 9 | 16 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 25°C | 14°C | 8 | 14.5 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 19°C | 10°C | 6 | 12.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 13°C | 5°C | 6 | 10.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 7°C | 1°C | 7 | 8.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 3°C | -2°C | 7 | 8.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Christmas markets close (usually early January) |
| February | Masopust — traditional carnival processions in some neighbourhoods (February, before Lent) |
| March | Easter markets in the Old Town (March or April, depending on Easter) |
| April | Easter markets and Easter traditions (March or April); Burning of the Witches bonfires (30 April) |
| May | Prague Spring International Music Festival (usually opens 12 May and runs into early June); Prague Marathon (usually early May) |
| June | Prague Spring festival closes (early June) |
| August | Prague Pride (usually August) |
| September | Dvořák Prague international music festival (usually September) |
| October | Signal Festival — light installations around the city (usually October); Independence Day (28 October) |
| November | Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution — commemorations on Národní třída (17 November); Christmas markets open (usually late November) |
| December | Christmas markets on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square (December); Carp sellers in the streets before Christmas Eve (around 20–24 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February, and the sights are quietest in February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Prague?
The best times to visit Prague are May, June and September, when days are mild, beer gardens are open and crowds are lighter than in July and August. December is popular for the Christmas markets despite the cold, while January to March is the quietest and lowest-priced season.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Prague?
Usually in January–February. Cold and often grey, with occasional snow on the castle roofs; quiet streets and the lowest hotel prices once the Christmas markets close.
+What is the rainiest month in Prague?
June, with about 9 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Prague get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 25°C (77°F) and lows of 14°C (57°F).