Best Time to Visit Czechia

Prague is the only city we cover

Right now our Czechia pages cover Prague, so that's where this guide focuses. September comes out as the best month. July is the hottest, at 26°C, and August is the wettest, at 86 mm. Brno, Český Krumlov and the Bohemian Switzerland trails will differ a little, but Prague's pattern is a fair guide for most of the country.

The seasons, plainly

Summer is warm rather than scorching. Afternoons on the Charles Bridge get crowded and sticky, and August often brings heavy showers that pass quickly. The beer gardens at Letná Park and Riegrovy sady are at their best now, with long light evenings.

September keeps much of that warmth but loses the worst of the crowds. You can walk through Malá Strana (the Lesser Town, below the castle) without queuing for space. Autumn colour arrives in October, which is lovely for Petřín Hill, though evenings turn cold.

Winter is dark and chilly, and it suits some travellers well. If you like cosy pubs, svíčková (beef in creamy vegetable sauce) and a quiet Old Town, you'll enjoy it. Spring is fresh and changeable. Pack for rain on any given day.

Holidays, events and crowds

High season runs from late spring to early autumn, with another surge in December. The Christmas markets on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square draw big crowds, so expect packed evenings. Easter markets are smaller but still lively.

Prague Spring, the classical music festival, opens in mid-May and is a good reason to visit then. Public holidays include Easter Monday, 1 May, 8 May, and 5 and 6 July. Also note 28 September (Statehood Day) and 28 October. Shops close on many of them, but sights mostly stay open. Christmas Eve is the big one, when much of the city shuts by afternoon.

Low season is January and February. You'll find quieter streets and cheaper rooms, but short days and cold. If you want the best balance of weather and space, choose September.