There’s good news… and then there’s bad news. The good news is that Prague is truly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, offering a unique blend of culture, architecture and foodie spots. The bad news is that everyone else wants to visit Prague and see these sights, too – and Prague can get really, really crowded. So when is the best time to visit Prague?
There’s beauty to be found in Prague no matter the season, but the best time of year to visit Prague will depend on what you want to see and what you want to do. Do you want to visit castles and tour the interiors? Or are you looking to experience the magic of the Prague Christmas market? Or are you simply looking to spend a day or two in Prague and see the sights?
No matter what you want to do in Prague, these are the best times to visit Prague, Czech Republic.
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The Best Time to Visit Prague, Czech Republic
As a Czech-American living in the Greater Prague area, I see tourists make the same mistakes over and over again: visiting Prague during the wrong time of year. These are the best times to visit Prague, Czech Republic – and the worst.
Planning a trip to Prague or Czech Republic, but don’t know what to pack? Studying abroad, but unsure what to toss in the suitcase? Packing for vacation is easily one of the most difficult parts about traveling, and you haven’t even gotten on the plane yet. My 17-page packing guide breaks down everything you need to know about visiting the Czech Republic, no matter the season! Grab it here.
The Spring Season: March to May
One of my favorite times to visit Prague is easily March to May, the early spring season. Expect chillier temperatures (a lighter jacket) and early blossoms as days start to get longer again and sun returns to the Czech Republic.
For me, the best time to go to Prague is all about fewer crowds and ideal weather (for the most part). The March to May season offers lovely weather (some days can be REALLY warm!), very few crowds aside from the early European city hoppers, and a general excitement about the coming summer. You’ll find plenty of reasonably priced hotels in Prague during this time, too.
Plus, the spring months mean the Prague Marathon and Prague Food Festival are around the corner. In addition, many castles around the Czech Republic will open their doors in late spring, making it the perfect time to extend your trip with a couple of day trips across the Czech Republic.
You truly can’t go wrong if you visit Prague during these months, especially if you want to beat the crowds!
The Summer Season: May to August
It takes a brave traveler to fight through crowds and record-breaking heat waves. During the summer months, Prague can be a challenging place to visit for even the most seasoned traveler. After all, those quaint little alleys can get crowded really quickly – and with the heat building it? It’s not always a pleasant experience.
That’s why, as a local, I always tell my friends: If you want to avoid crowds and long lines, do not visit during the summer months – especially June and July.
There are some perks to visiting during this time, though, if crowds don’t bother you. For example, the legendary Prague Spring music festival (hosted by the Czech Philharmonic) happens throughout May, Letní Letná springs up and Prague Pride takes place in July, too.
During the summer, you’ll also find generally pleasant weather (if not a bit hot) and longer days, making it easier to capitalize on all the sights to see throughout the city.
However, as most tourists tend to visit during June, July and August, it can be very busy. In recent years, too, tourists have flocked to Prague as early as May. May 2024, for example, saw Prague as busy as ever.
One thing to note: most tourists will flock to the city’s Old Town – and stay there. So if you do happen to visit during this time, there are plenty of spots outside of the city center that don’t feel as overwhelming. But if you want to focus on historical sights, and don’t want to feel stuffy, this season may not be best for you.
The Fall Season: August to November
Prague’s fall season can be dicey. Some years, it’s really beautiful and sunny with gorgeous fall foliage…and other years, it’s rainy and gray most of the weeks. However, it’s still a somewhat desirable time of year to visit Prague due to fewer crowds and longer days. Expect average highs ranging anywhere between the 60s and the low 40s, so plan to pack warmer clothes.
The fall also has a variety of popular festivals in Prague, as well: the annual Antonin Dvorak festival, Dvorakova Festival, and the popular lights festival, Signal Festival.
The Winter Season: November to March
If you’re looking to catch the beautiful Prague Christmas markets, late November and early December are the best times to visit Prague. There’s simply nothing more magical than strolling through the Christmas markets, coffee or cocoa in hand, as snow falls. In November and December, the weather starts turning quite cold in the Czech Republic, and it’s best to pack a thick jacket.
However, I’d recommend against visiting Prague in January to March, as this is easily the bleakest time of year to visit Prague. The days are short, the weather is often overcast and chilly, and most of the time, it rarely snows enough to stick. If you’re looking for almost no crowds, though, January to March truly has zero crowds – because the locals have all left town, too, either to visit somewhere tropical or head to the slopes.
Where to Stay in Prague
Looking for the best place to stay in Prague? I’ll break it down by neighborhood – and by individual hotels! Let’s dive in.
The Best Hotels in Prague
Prague has some of the best hotels in Europe, in my opinion! If you’re looking for a Prague hotel, consider one of these favorites:
- The luxury pick: The Mandarin Oriental: This might just be one of the best hotels in Prague, tucked away in the Mala Strana neighborhood. If you’re looking for a splurge, the presidential suite has a gorgeous private terrace to take in the sweeping views.
- The mid-tier pick: Prague Carlo IV (NH Collection): The grand Carlo IV is housed in the 19th-century neoclassical palazzo and former bank – and it’s just as impressive outside as it is inside. The hotel also has a fantastic location: close to major public transit as well as Prague’s Old Town. There are plenty of great restaurants nearby, including some of my favorite restaurants in Prague.
- The budget pick: Hotel Claris in Vinohrady or, in New Town, Seven Days or Hotel Caesar.
The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Prague
The oldest and most historic parts of Prague, like Stare Mesto and Mala Strana, may look like the perfect places to stay during your Prague trip. But these areas are often overpriced, noisy, and crowded due to the large number of tourists visiting Prague. Plus, at night, they are filled with partygoers and/or gentlemen’s nightclubs. It’s not always the charming or family-friendly experience that you want when visiting Prague.
Alternatively, areas like Vinohrady and Žižkov, located just 10 to 15 minutes outside of downtown Prague with the metro, offer much more peace and quiet…and much better restaurants, too!
Vinohrady is one of those aforementioned Prague hipster neighborhoods, but this beautiful Prague neighborhood – located just east of the river – is the perfect place to stay when visiting Prague. This relaxed neighborhood gets its name from the castle’s vineyards which once lined the hilly area above Old Town. It’s much quieter here – and there are great restaurants, shops and farmer’s markets here, too.
Read my full breakdown of where to stay in Prague here.
What to Do in Prague
When most people visit Czech Republic, they start in the city’s iconic capital, Prague. Nicknamed the City of a Thousand Spires, this cradle of Czech culture is home to countless treasures and historical sights. Find some of my favorite experiences below and check out my full blog post with the best things to do in Prague right here to plan the most unforgettable trip.
Samantha Tatro is a Czech-American third culture kid who grew up living and traveling abroad. Many years later, after living in California and working as a journalist, she decided to take the leap and move abroad again…this time to Prague, Czech Republic. Samantha started Undiscovered Path Home to help couples and solo female travelers find the courage to visit countries – and locations – off the beaten path. Her work has appeared in Bon Appetit, NBC News, The Adecco Group, and more.
2 comments
Hello, planning to visit early March since it’s my Dad’s birthday on Mar 3. So this time would be overcast and chilly and possible rain? Thank you!
This year, March was quite a bit warmer/sunnier. Sadly, in March, the weather can be unpredictable. Generally, it starts to get warmer during this time, but it does rain often. I hope this helps!!