We are often asked when a good time is to go to Prague. When’s the weather at its best? Are the winters tolerable? Will there be snow at Christmas time? Prague is appealing in every season and has lots to offer throughout the year. Below are some of our tips based on what might be important to you.
Good Weather
As we mention in our Czech Weather section, the weather in Czechia cannot be predicted very far in advance and can vary noticeably from year to year. In general, your best chance of nice weather is in late spring and early fall, i.e. in the second half of May and the months of June and September. The weather is often quite pleasant then, with temperatures in the 20s°C/70s°F, sunny or partly sunny skies, and mild evenings. If you like it hot, you should visit in July and August, Prague’s warmest and statistically driest months. You may also want to consider the daylight hours, which are long in late spring and summer (it stays light till 9 p.m. in May, 10 p.m. in July) and shorter in the fall (8 p.m. in September).
Fewer Fellow Travelers
Prague is at its busiest in the summer months of July and August. Late spring and early fall are a little less touristy – still busy but not overwhelmingly so. The slowest times are during the cold months of November, January, February, and into March, so if you don’t mind the cold and prefer fewer tourists, this would be a good time for you to travel to Prague. The days are shorter in the winter and it gets dark between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. in the winter months.
Christmas Holidays
Prague has a special magic during Christmas time and when covered with snow. Christmas and snow unfortunately rarely come together. Even Prague residents hope for a white Christmas and get excited when it actually happens. The month before Christmas is beautiful even without the snow because Prague is decorated with Christmas lights and the Christmas markets are open. Visit our Prague Christmas section to read more about this special time of the year in Prague.
Prague Under Snow
There is usually some snow in Prague before Christmas and then again in January, February, and even March, but every Prague winter is different. The good news is that January and February are Prague’s least touristy months, so you may be able to book your trip at the last minute and come to Prague during a snowy spell. Make sure you dress appropriately for the weather – read our December Weather in Prague page for details.
Easter Holidays
If you are thinking of coming to Prague in early spring, you can schedule your trip around Easter when Prague is decorated and the Easter markets are open. This is usually two weeks before and one week after the Easter weekend. You can read more about Prague Easter in our Easter in Prague section.
Prague in the Fall
Prague is beautiful in the fall when the leaves on the trees change color. This usually happens in the second half of October. You can expect typical fall weather in October – a mixture of sunny and cloudy days, crisp air, possibly rain, and temperatures still above freezing. The autumn scenery is still beautiful in the first half of November when the colorful leaves cover the ground. November feels more wintry than October, so you’ll want to bring warm clothes and shoes with you.