What is the Best Time to Visit Prague?
Prague has a distinct charm at any time of the year. Here’s a quick rundown of the seasons in the City of a Thousand Spires.
By Charles Jackson; All photos by Moyan Brenn via Flickr
One of Europe’s most popular destinations for a city break, Prague is served by cheap flights year round within Europe. The Czech capital deserves its reputation as one of the world’s finest cities. With world-class cultural and entertainment venues and a plethora of things to see and do, there is something in Prague for anyone at any time of year. Prague has a distinct charm at any time of the year, so deciding when to go will likely be one of your biggest considerations.
Prague in Winter
If you are lucky enough to be in Prague after a fresh coat of snow, you will see just how charming the winter can be. Fortunately, it rarely gets extremely cold like northern Europe, but it is still noticeably colder than almost anywhere in the U.K. or coastal Western Europe. Christmas is a particularly good time to go to Prague, when the famous Christmas markets are in full swing, complete with great mulled wine, hearty street food and plenty of entertainment for the whole family.
Prague in Spring
March and early April are generally not ideal times of the year for visiting Prague, unless the weather is particularly good. Mid to late spring, however, is perhaps the best time of year of all to visit this fine city. The weather is often mild, making it perfect for sightseeing and exploring the city on foot. Not only is spring in Prague blossoming with flowers; it is also the time of year when there are many festivals. The Easter period is marked by lots of festivities and the Prague Beer Festival is held in the last two weeks of May.
Prague in Summer
Summer in Prague can get quite hot and it is, unsurprisingly, the busiest time of the year. The hordes of tourists may be off-putting to some, but if warm weather, sunny skies and some of Europe’s best beer gardens are your thing, then summer is not a bad time to go. However, if you are visiting Prague during the summer, you should try to squeeze in enough time to visit some other places. Český Krumlov, for example, about three hours by bus from Prague, is a great summer place for those who love rafting and canoeing.
Prague in Autumn
The weather in Prague can be quite mild until the middle of October, which is when the beer gardens close down. September is a good month to visit as well as, much like the spring, it is also a month of various festivities around the country. The weather is often ideal at this time of year, making it ideal for walking, hiking and exploring in general. The massive influx of tourists that pours into the city during the summer months is no longer quite so prevalent either.