If you are planning a trip to Prague, the first decision you need to make is when to go. The answer depends on your budget, your tolerance for crowds or cold weather, and your desire to experience seasonal activities and events. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of traveling during each of the four seasons to decide which season best suits your priorities. The most expensive time to travel to Prague is from June to August, and November, January and February offer the best deals.
Summer
Traveling to Prague in summer is a good option if you prefer warm weather on your vacation. Between June and August, Prague experiences the warmest weather of the year, with afternoon highs of over 70 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of up to 50. This means you can pack light and have longer days for sightseeing or just strolling. by the city. You will probably spend most of your time outdoors, exploring Prague’s neighborhoods or dining al fresco on summer terraces set up in historic squares.
But summer has its drawbacks. Summer is the busiest travel season in Prague. That means you’ll have to fight the crowds, wait in lines, and make sure to make restaurant reservations. You’ll also pay more for airfare and hotel rooms, and centrally located accommodations can be harder to come by unless you book early. The summer months are also the wettest months of the year in Prague, averaging over 2.5 inches each month, but the rain will be warm.
Spring and fall
Plan your trip to Prague in late spring or early fall if you want some savings through airfare and hotel reservations or if you want relatively mild weather but don’t like crowds. Average daily highs in May and September are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with lows in the 1940s. It rains heavily in May, averaging 2.72 inches for the month. September is much drier, with just 1.54 inches of rain, on average. Average highs in April and October are in the 50s, so it’s best to schedule a spring or fall trip in May or September if you want to avoid cold weather.
If you are there at the right time, you can experience one of Prague’s seasonal music festivals: Prague Spring or Prague Autumn. Even if the weather turns cold, you can entertain yourself indoors in museums and churches, go to concerts, or warm up in a cafe. The hot mulled wine is tasty accompanied by a trdelnik cake.
If your schedule is flexible, play around with your reservation dates to see when you can get the best deal on room rates and airfare. During this season, you will have good luck finding a hotel located near the places of interest that most interest you. Pick up a city map when you book – Old Town Prague is sprawling, but walkable if you have plenty of time and energy. Plus, each part of the city has its own personality, which means that where you stay will have an effect on your overall experience.
The further out of summer you plan to travel, the colder the weather will be and the greater the risk of a cold front dropping below-average temperatures. This means that you will have to pack versatile clothing for your trip, which will take up space in your suitcase. On the other hand, the closer you travel to summer, the thicker the crowd will be. The best scenario is to find a compromise in shoulder season that means minimal crowd but warmer weather.
Winter
If visiting the Prague Christmas Market is on your bucket list, winter is the time to go, when you will also find musical performances of the winter season. Prague is also lovely under a fresh layer of snow, ideally viewed from above, from one of the towers or from the observation deck of the Castle District. Average daily highs are in the mid-30s in December. Due to the Christmas attractions, December is a very busy travel month.
January and February are the least crowded times in Prague, and hotel prices and airfares reflect this low season. January highs are about the same as December highs, and February is slightly warmer.
If you have a low tolerance for freezing temperatures and snow, winter is not the time to travel to Prague. This season also calls for thicker clothing, which means packing harder. Boots, coats, gloves, hats, and sweaters are a must for winter travel. Sightseeing can be inconvenient with snow and ice covered sidewalks, and the days are very short in Prague during winter, which also limits the time you have for sightseeing.
