Prague weather

• Essentials
  • Overview
  • Basics
  • Getting there
  • Getting around
• City sights
  • Top sights
  • Tourist trail
  • Offbeat sights
  • Nearby trips
• Things to do
  • Eating out
  • Cafe bars
  • Shopping
  • Nightlife
• Planning
  • When to go
  • Where to stay
  • Find a hotel

Prague weather

Prague has a typical central European climate - hot summers, cold winters and rainfall spread evenly throughout the year. Hot spells can result in poor air quality and summer temperatures have been known to hit 35°C.

Winter temperatures can dip well below freezing with plenty of snow and ice. The city can look picture perfect after a snowfall. May and September are probably the best months for city sightseeing; pleasantly warm with lots of sunshine.

When to go

Prague is very much a year-round city for a short holiday break. While summer is pleasant, Prague can get packed and there can be very hot spells.

Spring and autumn are ideal but winter has its own charms - the city is less crowded and can be very atmospheric. You may even be able to cross the Charles Bridge in relative peace!

Out of season it is also much easier to find decent accommodation in a good location. Hotels are generally booked-up at Easter, through the peak months of July and August and at Christmas. You do need to book well ahead if you take a city break at these times.

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Prague festivals and events

FEBRUARY Mazopust Prague's version of Carnival with an emphasis on beer and pork. It's also a big event in neighbouring villages.

APRIL Prague Writers' Festival celebrates literature from around the world. Easter Monday sees an unusual 'celebration' when Czech men give women a whipping with a willow switch!

MAY Liberation from the Germans in 1945 is celebrated on May 8 when those that died under the Nazi occupation are remembered.

MAY-JUNE Prague Spring International Music Festival. This three-week classical music festival traditionally starts with Smetana's Ma Vlast and ends with Beethoven's 9th.

JUNE Tanec Praha is an international dance event that gets bigger each year.

JULY Karlovy Vary (Karsbad) International Film Festival - there are hundreds of screenings in the spa town west of Prague. Jan Hus Day is on July 6 and involves lots of sausages.

SEPTEMBER In both Prague and Karlovy Vary - the Autumn Music Festival is a newer version of the spring event. The festival starts with a major vocal work, such as Dvorak's Requiem.

Also in September is the Street Theatre Festival - it includes a street parade of artists on stilts. September 28 is Czech Statehood Day with a celebration of Bohemian history.

NOVEMBER The Velvet Revolution in 1989 is remembered on November 17 with candles and flowers.

DECEMBER Mulled wine is a feature of Christmas, from St Nicholas' Day until Christmas Day. New Year is ushered in with a fireworks spectacle.