My friends who have never been to Czech Republic constantly ask me the question: what is it the best time to visit Prague? Frankly speaking the task to answer the question is as much simple as complicated. Such scenic sites located in mild climate zone and not influenced much by a sea, an ocean or any other great powers of the Earth, attract certain people with certain season features.
Therefore I would only describe each season and will try to reveal the pros and cons of coming to Czechia in summer, autumn, winter and in spring. What time is the best time to visit Prague you will have to decide.
Summer in Prague: June, July, August
With no doubt, summer is the hottest period in Prague. On the one hand sometimes the sun surprises citizens and guests of Prague with abnormal +35°C (usual temperature in summer is between 23-28°C). But even a hot July or August can’t guarantee that it won’t rain cats and dogs. Of course it has has nothing to do with the rains like in London. Prague summer showers and thunderstorms are strong, but don’t last long.
If it rains in the morning, get ready for a hot afternoon and vice versa.
Local hide from summer heat in numerous parks of Prague, beer gardens hidden on the hills of the city. Vltava – the locals river stretching through the city centre, it is not recommended as a place to swim. It safer to visit one of the open air swimming pools or to rent a car go for a day trip to one of the lakes out of the city. So summer is absolutely one of the best time to visit Prague.
Weather in June
- Day average temperature: +22 °C;
- Night average temperature: +11 °C;
- Average umber of sunny days : 4;
- Rain: 67 mm;
- Average humidity: 65%.
Weather in July
- Day average temperature: +24 °C;
- Night average temperature: +14 °C;
- Average umber of sunny days : 4;
- Rain: 82 mm;
- Average humidity: 68%.
Weather in August
- Day average temperature: +24 °C;
- Night average temperature: +13 °C;
- Average umber of sunny days : 6;
- Rain: 66 mm;
- Average humidity: 70%.
What is the best thing to do in summer in Czech capital? To my mind every visitor after a city tour should take a sit on the stones of Old Town Square closer to 7-8 p.m, where street artists and musicians start their incredible shows and performances. Don’t hesitate to take a plastic glass of beer in the nearest tent or a bottle of cold local vine. It helps better and quicker to plunge into the ambience.
Autumn in Prague: September, October, November
It was late September when I first came to Prague and how huge my surprise was to face the sun and comfortable +23°C. Umbrellas, coats and jeans stayed in the suitcase. My official dress code for that visit was a summer look. In Autumn Prague turns the color tumbler from green (trees) and red (roofs) into all shades of yellow, orange and red everywhere. Morning fog on the river bank adds special fragrance, which can be felt only in Prague and only in Autumn.
Romantic and poetic autumn weather is changed in November with grey moody clouds rushing above the head somewhere to the east and bringing strong desire of staying at home. But! Even if you have a chance to travel to Czechia only in this period, don’t get upset to early. The city has a vast variety of indoor discovery, since there are lost of museums and galleries devoted to different spheres of Czech life and country’s history.
Weather in September
- Day average temperature: +20 °C;
- Night average temperature: +10 °C;
- Average umber of sunny days : 6;
- Rain: 38 mm;
- Average humidity: 73%.
Weather in October
- Day average temperature: +14 °C;
- Night average temperature: +8 °C;
- Average umber of sunny days : 3;
- Rain: 90 mm;
- Average humidity: 85%.
Weather in November
- Day average temperature: +10 °C;
- Night average temperature: +6 °C;
- Average umber of sunny days : 3;
- Rain: 90 mm;
- Average humidity: 85%.
Winter in Prague: December, January, February
Geographical location of Old Town which is the main target for tourists is very protected. The whole centre is surrounded by the hills which don’t let much snow fall in winter. Average temperature in winter in Prague is between – 5 and +5 which is quite comfortable. Though it can be windy and too humid. All warming accessories should be packed with or bought in the numerous local markets.
The biggest and strongest motivation to visit Czech capital in winter is — Christmas in Prague. In the second half of December the city turns into a huge open air stage of fairy-tale: trees are decorated with colorful lights, X-mas markets, spider-web of frippery link the houses in tiny streets and everyone is happy feeling the joy of upcoming holidays. It is really beautiful and magic period of the year for both for kids and for grownups.
Weather in December
- Day average temperature: +2 °C;
- Night average temperature: -2 °C;
- Average umber of sunny days : 3;
- Rain: 28 mm;
- Average humidity: 82%.
Weather in January
- Day average temperature: +1 °C;
- Night average temperature: -4 °C;
- Average umber of sunny days : 2;
- Rain: 23 mm;
- Average humidity: 80%.
Weather in February
- Day average temperature: +2 °C;
- Night average temperature: -3 °C;
- Average umber of sunny days : 2;
- Rain: 20 mm;
- Average humidity: 79%.
But you should be prepared to face thousands of fellow tourists attracted by the vibes and beauty of winter Prague. Markets, cafes, restaurants and shops are overcrowded. New Year night is total hell. With first minutes of new year, the crowd goes out. There are too many fireworks blowing up here and there, too much noise and fuss. If you are in a big loud company, that is your chance to burn the night. But if you dream of a romantic evening, choose a restaurant early in advance and enjoy the local dinner and performance.
But in any case don’t forget, that official fireworks usually take place on the 1. of January about 6 p.m. at Letna Park.
From the second half of January and till the end of February Prague is all about lonely strolls in company of clouds. So may be for you it is the best time to visit Prague?
Spring in Prague: March, April, May
I consider spring in Prague is the most beautiful period of time. Big number of parks and gardens in the city centre are the open air laboratory where one can see how nature awakes from winter cold. Beginning from late march and early April pastel shades soak up the first sun beams and become deeper. Days are getting longer and warmer, birds start to sing and more tourists arrive to experience all this beauty. So it is another answer to our question: what is the best time to visit Prague.
In the second half of April happens a miracle during one night. Here and the certain trees burn with pink fire. These are magnolia trees that break into flowers in April in Prague. As hard it is to describe with words the artistic view, so hard it is to stop gazing at these gorgeous trees.
Weather in March
- Day average temperature: +8 °C;
- Night average temperature: 0 °C;
- Average umber of sunny days : 5;
- Rain: 23 mm;
- Average humidity: 73%.
Weather in April
- Day average temperature: +14 °C;
- Night average temperature: +4 °C;
- Average umber of sunny days : 5;
- Rain: 32 mm;
- Average humidity: 67%.
Weather in May
- Day average temperature: +22 °C;
- Night average temperature: +10 °C;
- Average umber of sunny days : 10;
- Rain: 40 mm;
- Average humidity: 70%.
Best time to visit Prague sum up
I sincerely hope that this article will help you to choose the best time to visit Prague and to plan your visit in a comfortable and interesting way. In case you need assistance with booking of a proper hotel, finding the best tours in Prague with local guides, fell free to contact us at mail@vovanovaque.com
