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Are you headed to Prague for your next European adventure? Before you book your trip and go, it’s important to know some helpful travel tips to make sure you’ve planned your trip for the best time of the year.
To enjoy a trip to the fullest, you need to know which months have perfect weather, lower prices, and fewer crowds. In this guide, we’ll help prepare you for the best travel experience, no matter your style of travel.
If you plan your trip right, you will want to return to Prague year after year. Let us show you your soon-to-be favorite travel destination!
Why You Should Visit Prague
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Prague is the center (the heart) of the European continent. From its deeply rooted beer culture to the looming views of a one-thousand-year-old castle, the city will rope you in before you notice.
Prague (also called Praha & Praga) shows off a mixture of modern and historic architecture. Trendy pop-up shops and bars embedded into the cobblestone walls with tilting glass doors align the river.
Within the historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage site), you’ll gaze upon Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo architecture. In recent years, the city has ranked as one of the most liveable cities in Europe.
For Czechs and foreigners alike, it constantly has something to offer everyone. You can stay in local apartments, hostels, or high-end hotels. Tourists flock to Prague for cheap beer (cheaper than water), perfect summers, winter Christmas markets, and endless sunsets.
The city is the ideal size, with a population of 1.3 million. Public transportation is one of the most efficient in all of Europe, allowing you to go from one side to another in less than 40 minutes.
Ride the metro, old and new trams, buses, or private car applications like Uber and Bolt. And if public transportation isn’t your thing, don’t worry! You can easily walk most of the city or drive it yourself.
Whether you want to sit on the Vltava and have a beer with your friends or check out the quirky art displayed throughout the city, you won’t feel disappointed with what Prague has to offer.
Overall Best Time to Visit Prague
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The overall best time to visit Prague is in either late spring or early fall. During this time, you’ll experience the city’s best weather.
Tourists are most present during the summer months of June through August, forcing a peak season in most European destinations. The weather is at its warmest and the days are the longest during the summer.
May and September provide tourists with the best time of experiencing the city. Temperatures are mild in the spring with everything slowly becoming alive again. The average temperature is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit, making the weather comfortable.
Early September is also a great time to visit because of the comfortable temperatures. September averages around the same as summer but it isn’t uncommon to see abnormal days in the 80s and 90s.
Avoiding the large crowds of people during summer will give you the best travel experience. During May and June, children are in school and people have fewer vacations.
You’ll find the small cobblestone streets less crowded and even empty at times of the day. One thing you should note is that rainfall becomes more prominent in May. Make sure you bring an umbrella so you can stay dry during your day of walking.
Cheapest Time to Visit Prague
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If you want to beat the high costs of peak season and get more of your money’s worth, visit Prague in the low season — November to March.
If you want to travel to Prague and pinch every penny possible, then the winter season is for you. Grab your winter jacket, gloves, hat, and boots because you’ll need them. This time of the year is the cheapest to visit the city.
November and December can be a little busier than January through March, but still not overwhelming like summertime. Travelers will head to Prague to get a taste of the December Christmas markets.
Once Christmas and New Year pass, Prague becomes a bit dark, cold, and let’s face it, not as fun. You’ll find affordable low prices on accommodations, flights, rentals, and specific activities during the winter.
Expect temperatures to hover around 30 degrees Fahrenheit with some days dipping into the negatives. If you are lucky (or unlucky depending on your preference), you might experience Prague in full winter mode. If there is snow, get outside and enjoy the beautiful views!
Since most tourists aren’t brave enough to face the cold winds and temperatures of a Prague winter, you’ll have a very affordable trip compared to the most expensive time to visit (Summer months).
There will be more accommodation options, no long lines, and a quiet atmosphere. As the days are cold and short, fewer activities are available, lowering your costs.
One good thing is that if you live in Europe, wintertime is the best time to score deals on flights as companies try to fill their planes to winter destinations like the Czech Republic. You can expect to score flight deals for less than $50 from other European capitals.
Least Busy Time to Visit Prague
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If you’re not fond of brushing up against people in crowds, then consider traveling during the slow season (January to March).
Although summertime tends to gather the biggest crowd, other times of the year (December) can attract big groups of tourists. In December, Czechs and tourists are Christmas crazy. The unique Christmas markets bring in thousands of tourists in the four weeks leading up to the holiday.
After New Year, the streets will look empty, bare, and like everyone has left. The truth is that during winter months, people spend little time outside. Why go outdoors when it’s so cold?
Most people go back to work and school. Restaurants become emptier daily and you can walk around without bumping into anyone.
Winter months are the perfect time to visit famous places within the city, finally allowing you to take your photo with no one in the background or waiting for the thirty people before you to take one-hundred photos each.
With January, February, and March being cold, you’ll see flight, hotel, and rental prices continuing to drop. If you want to save some money during your travels, this option is a bonus for you.
Remember, winter months in Central Europe can be as temperamental as your crazy aunt. Prepare yourself for short days of sunlight, gray skies, and blistering cold temperatures. You don’t want underdressing to ruin your trip.
Worst Time to Visit Prague
Prague, Czech Republic – June 2022: Crowds of tourists in old town square , Prague/Cristi Croitoru/Shutterstock
The worst time to visit Prague is up to the traveler and what they prefer. Most would say either summer or winter. We think that summer can be the worst time to visit.
Tourists are everywhere, temperatures are hot and sticky, rain is very likely, and prices are likely overpriced. If you visit during the summertime, we’ll give you some tips.
You can enjoy the best summer in Prague without crowds. Wake up early and hit the streets before everyone else. If you want to see an empty Charles Bridge, head there for sunrise and you’ll have it all to yourself. Eat where others won’t eat and go where others aren’t.
If you are visiting during the wintertime, best of luck! Just kidding! Wintertime might be the worst time to visit but the prices are worth it. No matter what time of the day it’s, you are unlikely to run into big crowds.
Dine at your favorite restaurant or attend a live event and wait no time to get in. To make your trip more worthwhile, look for indoor activities (which there are plenty of).
Whether you consider summer or winter to be the worst time to visit, there are more than enough ways to make your trip better. Sometimes the worst time to visit can make for the best travel memories. You never know!
Things to Consider
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You already know about the best and worst times to visit Prague, as well as the busiest and least busy. How about some extra tips to keep you safe and give you that extra edge over other tourists?
Check out these tips:
- Drink beer or wine. As mentioned earlier, beer is cheaper than water. Czechs have been brewing beer forever before you could even imagine. You’ll find cheap beer everywhere. Expect to pay between $1 to $5 depending on the quality of the bar or restaurant.
- Head off the beaten path. Prague is a small city with a lot to do. It’s easy to get swallowed up by the tourist attractions and high prices in the center. Head into the neighborhoods of Prague 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 to feel a more local vibe. You’ll get a glimpse of what Czechs and expats love the most about the city.
- Prague is very safe. The safety of the city is what keeps travelers coming back for more. Prague is a city for all, families, couples, and solo travelers. Whether you want to walk around with your children, take a night stroll, or go out for a night of drinking and clubbing, you shouldn’t have any issues. Always be aware of your surroundings.
- Public transportation isn’t free. The most efficient transportation in Europe? With quick access, you can hop from one mode to another in a few seconds. It’s convenient, reliable, and affordable. One thing to note is that you must always pay for your fare (even if you think you don’t need to). Trust me, there are transportation authorities checking tourists regularly and if they catch you, you’ll have to pay a fine.
- Always look up! Prague has eye-catching architecture everywhere. You can see gargoyles, figures hanging from umbrellas, and babies climbing up their Tv Tower. The art is truly amazing and unique. When you visit Prague, you must tour the different districts and look for the oddly interesting abstract art.
Frequently asked questions
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Here are five of the most common questions that tourists ask before visiting Prague.
What currency does Prague have?
The entire Czech Republic uses its currency apart from the European Union. You’ll need to exchange it for Czech Koruna when you go there. There are plenty of ATMs and exchange places. Be mindful of which exchange you choose as some charge higher rates.
What is Prague best known for?
Prague is best known for a little of everything. It’s a cultural city bringing in 8+ million tourists per year. You must try the food, beer, and wine, visit museums, and take a walk through the many green parks. You’ll have to head there yourself to see what is the best part about it.
Is English spoken in Prague?
Yes, they speak English there. You are more likely to find English spoken by younger Czechs and in tourism hotspots. You shouldn’t have difficulty communicating but it’s always a good idea to learn some Czech phrases. It’ll go a long way!
What’s the best area to stay in Prague?
If you are short on time and want to see as much as possible, locate yourself in the historic center of Prague 1. Transportation will be near your doorstep and activities will be endless.
How many days in Prague do I need to get to know the city?
The least amount of days recommended knowing the city’s landmarks and culture is five. You’ll be in a rush, but will be able to get a good sense of what Prague is about.
You can choose to stay as long as seven or even ten days, as the city has a ton of things to discover. You’ll have plenty of time to visit both indoor and outdoor places, as well as get a view of the outer limits of the Czech capital.
Is Prague a good city for pedestrians?
Prague is an excellent city to walk around. If you arrive at the heart of the city or rent an apartment nearby, you can walk about 30 minutes in any direction and land at the most important landmarks and cultural hotspots.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Prague?
There are endless reasons why you should visit. From the stunning architecture of the old bridges and castles to beautifully colored buildings, you’ll take a thousand photos.
Prague makes for a great holiday destination. While there are peak seasons, there’s really no bad time to go. After all, you’ll be greeted by rich history, amazing scenery, and tasty food. So what are you waiting for — book your trip to Prague today!