Winter is the coldest season of the year in Prague, Czech Republic, when average January temperatures are below freezing to approximately 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 degrees Celsius). Plan on layering if you travel to Prague this month.
The advantage of traveling to Prague in winter is that the city is practically free of tourists, which means that you will most likely not find many lines or large crowds at the main attractions of the city, and the prices of the hotels are so low as temperatures.
Although the weather is cold, the magical City of a Thousand Towers offers many places to warm up, be it cozy cafes, pubs, museums or an evening classical music concert.
Prague weather in January
Winter in Prague is extremely cold, with temperatures often below zero. With an average of just two to three hours of sunlight, low temperatures can seem colder than they are.
- Average High: 33 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius)
- Low Average: 22 degrees Fahrenheit (-5 degrees Celsius)
Visitors to the city during this time of year should group together. Many sights are best viewed on foot, and a tour of the Prague Castle grounds, for example, will require warm winter clothing.
It hardly rains in winter, but this is because instead of being drenched in rain, the city is covered in snow. Snow falls on average 11 days out of every winter month.
What to pack
The city’s average humidity at this time of year is 84 percent, which is relatively high, which means that temperatures will sometimes feel even colder than they already are, so be sure to pack wisely. Follow the usual guidelines and tips for winter clothing, be aware of your ability to layer your clothing, and bring the necessary items to protect your skin from the cold.
The must-have items for this time of year include:
- A long winter coat
- Warm, comfortable (and ideally waterproof) boots or shoes
- Wool socks
- A hat, gloves and a scarf.
January events in Prague
Prague still has some Christmas-centric events that take place in January, as well as many historical concerts and celebrations.
- New Year’s Day : January 1 is an official holiday throughout the Czech Republic. The beginning of the new year heralds the Bohemian Winter Festival. This is an annual festival that started in 1972 and focuses on the classical arts of dance, opera, ballet, and classical music. Generally these concerts take place at the National Theater in Prague.
- The Nutcracker : Performances of the classic, which are held at the Hybernia Theater in Prague, generally run until the end of January each year.
- Jan Palach Day: On January 19, the country remembers the student who set himself on fire in protest during the Soviet invasion of August 1968 and subsequently died. Many Czechs put flowers or light a candle in his memory on Wenceslas Square.
- Procession of the Three Wise Men : The annual event takes place on January 5, followed by the Feast of the Epiphany, which concludes the Christmas holidays in Prague. The procession ends at the Prague Loreto in the castle district.
January Travel Tips
- While in Prague during the winter, you will mainly be looking for ways to keep warm while sightseeing. We hope to enter the cafes to warm up with a cake and a hot drink. The hearty Czech cuisine is also a welcome reward for a long day of sightseeing.
- If you’re still feeling the Christmas spirit, many of Prague’s intricate beauties (like the ones at the Jindrisska Tower) are still on display in January and stay up until February.
- Another way to get out of the cold is to forgo walking to attractions and take advantage of Prague’s extensive public transport system if you want to avoid the cold weather as much as possible.
- It’s smart to check the operating hours of museums and other sights that you are interested in seeing, especially if you will have to walk around Prague (or even across the country) to see them.
- Spend a day shopping in New Town, as all the Christmas shopping crowds will have subsided.
- The best times to visit Prague and Eastern Europe are spring and early fall, when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. But, if you are traveling on a budget, then as you can imagine, winter will be the best time for the best deals. Other cities to consider visiting in January should include Bratislava, Budapest, and Moscow.
