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When is the best time to visit Czech Republic?

Travel advisory

The information on this page is based on historical averages and may not reflect current conditions. Please check with local authorities for the latest travel advice.

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The best time to visit Czech Republic is either during spring (early April to mid- May) or autumn (late September to mid- November). Generally, these shoulder seasons can be relied upon for mild temperatures and thinner crowds.

In spring, the days are long, sunny and often quite dry until late May. Temperatures can vary anywhere between 9-20°C, so be sure to pack clothes that will keep you both warm and cool. However, by sticking to destinations such as Prague, Pilsen and Český Krumlov, you can rest assured that you’ll neither be too hot nor too cold. May is the busiest and most beautiful month of the year, with flowers in full bloom and festivals like Prague Spring Festival and the Czech Beer Festival taking place.

After a hot summer, the warm weather (14–19°C) tends to last until the beginning of October. This is a great time to relax in old spa towns like Karlovy Vary and explore ancient forests in West Bohemia. Autumn also sees important events like Dvorak’s Prague Festival and wine harvest festivals in several locations. Beyond mid-October, you’ll notice a sharp drop in temperature and more frequent rainy days – so make sure you take a raincoat and lots of layers.

Monthly weather and travel tips for Czech Republic

If you don’t mind the short days and biting cold, visiting the Czech Republic in January can be a rewarding experience. First of all, the streets in major cities like Prague and Brno will be relatively crowd-free after the Christmas holidays. This means you can expect to get into top attractions without much of a wait, and take advantage of discounted rates. However, be mindful of closures on 1 January, which is taken as a national holiday.

The Winter Festival of Bohemia – a celebration of opera, ballet and classical music – takes place over the first few days of the month in ornate opera houses around the capital, including The National Theater and the famous Dvorak Hall of the Prague Rudolfinum. You could also time your visit to coincide with Three Kings’ Day on 6 January, which brings the Christmas season to a close with carol-singing, bell-ringing and gift-giving to the poor. But don’t underestimate the cold – average temperatures of -1°C mean you’ll definitely need to bring a heavy waterproof coat and lots of warm layers.

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By February, snowfall is to be expected anywhere at any time. Temperatures won’t have changed much from the sub-zero lows of January – and there won’t be much in the way of sunshine – so bringing warm winter clothing is essential. If you’re an outdoorsy type, February is arguably the best time to go skiing or snowboarding in the Czech Republic, with ski resorts such as Špindlerův Mlýn and Keilberg catering to beginners and intermediates. And if skiing isn’t your thing, then soaking in the hot springs of spa towns like Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne (both short day trips from Prague) might be a more tempting alternative.

The big event of the month is Bohemian Carnevale, or ‘Masopust’ as it’s also known. Celebrating the start of Lent, the carnival involves masked marches, live music, and all-day drinking, eating and dancing. It takes place over five days in Prague and other destinations across the region of Bohemia, such as Český Krumlov. Besides this, Prague is also host to The International Festival of Wind Orchestras on varying dates in mid-February.

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With the arrival of Spring, smatterings of green begin to appear in the Czech countryside. That being said, you’ll still feel the chill well into the latter half of March, when temperatures can creep up to the 11°C mark during the day – and the higher altitude areas can still get plenty of snow. So don’t forget to pack a thick coat and jumper to keep you cosy – and your sunglasses for when the clouds occasionally part.

March also coincides with not one but two film festivals taking place in the Czech capital. Febiofest showcases new works by international film-makers, whereas the One World International Human Rights Film Festival screens documentaries concerning social issues, lifestyle and the environment. Both these festivals kick off in Prague before continuing in locations throughout the rest of the country.

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Longer, warmer and sunnier days lead to a steady incline in tourist numbers throughout the month. But April showers are frequent in the Czech Republic – and snow isn’t entirely off the cards – so it’s still a good idea to bundle up when exploring outdoors. Temps can reach up to 15°C towards the end of the month, with lows rarely dipping below 5°C.

Easter weekend also occurs in April, culminating in family games and activities on Easter Monday. This is a great time to go souvenir hunting in Prague’s Easter markets, and try international food at the annual Street Food Festival. Alternatively, you could visit at the end of the month for the ancient Pálení čarodějnic, or ‘Burning of Witches’ festival, which takes place on hilltops across the country on 30 April. Today, Czech people gather to watch witch-like effigies burning on bonfires, while enjoying hearty food and family-friendly activities.

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May is the busiest month of the Czech Republic’s calendar year. It brings warmer weather, blossoming flowers and a string of major festivals to Prague. You can wear a light jacket or just a t-shirt on the warmest days, but be prepared for spells of cooler weather – especially in high-altitude regions like Pilsen.

A cluster of high-profile events kicks off with the Prague National Marathon in early May. You can take part yourself or cheer with the crowd, then hang around for the onset of the year’s highlight – Prague Spring Festival, which runs from mid-May to the beginning of June. This international music festival showcases the best in classical music at different theatres and churches across the capital. It overlaps with the theatre and comedy shows of Prague Fringe Festival, the Czech Beer Festival, and Prague Food Festival around the last weekend of May.

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If you want to enjoy warm weather without the crowds, then visiting the Czech Republic in June is your best bet. May’s festival crowds will have left, and the influx of student backpackers are yet to arrive. Temperatures hover around 15ºC during the day, so you can comfortably explore beautiful cities like Brno, Olomouc and Prague – or sit out in beer gardens and take in the scenery. However, rain and thunderstorms can roll in at any time, so it’s best to keep a light waterproof jacket on you, just in case.

Compared with May, June is a relatively festival-free month in Prague after the Spring Festival winds down. Nevertheless, there’s plenty going on elsewhere, giving you several great reasons to explore beyond the capital. In Český Krumlov, the medieval-themed Celebration of the Rose takes place over three days, with costumed parades, traditional music, street theatre and fencing duels. It also hosts the Festival of Chamber Music on the grounds of its spectacular Renaissance castle at the end of the month.

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The Czech Republic’s hottest month of the year falls in the middle of high season, so you can expect soaring temperatures and lots of other tourists in places like Prague and Brno. That’s why July is the perfect time to explore the Czech Republic’s less crowded destinations like Ostrava, Telč and Krkonose National Park – plus all the glorious natural beauty found in between. Daytime highs typically reach the mid-twenties, but can occasionally creep beyond the 30ºC mark. So sunglasses and sunscreen are essential items.

National holidays are taken on 5 and 6 July, so expect some shops to be closed. Local events take place all over the country, some lasting a few days, while others go on for weeks. Český Krumlov's three-week-long International Music Festival features classical music concerts and live acts spanning folk, soul and jazz. Colours of Ostrava is a multi-genre music festival headlined by international acts, while Karlovy Vary International Film Festival draws huge numbers and well-known movie stars to watch over 200 new films shown in the first week of July.

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August is a hot and humid month, with daytime temperatures sitting in the mid-twenties and highs pushing past 30ºC at times. Expect crowds in Prague and other popular destinations around Bohemia, so for a quieter escape your safest bet is to explore the eastern region of Moravia. Home to Brno, the second most populated city in the Czech Republic, the historical region is peppered with beautifully preserved castles, churches and chateaux.

Time your visit right, and you could also experience one of many festivals held all over the Czech Republic during August. In Prague, there’s only a few days between the colourful parades of Pride Festival and the acrobatics, cabaret and comedy of the International Festival of New Circus and Theatre, which lasts until the end of the month. In Moravia, the two-week-long Moravian Castles Music Festival offers the chance to watch classical music concerts in medieval castles, and drink locally produced wine. In early August, Brno also plays host to the annual Motorcycle Grand Prix.

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After three months of heat and humidity, September brings cooler temperatures and a lower risk of rain. It’s also much quieter, since many of the visiting backpackers, students and school groups have left. So, you won’t have to wait as long to get into top attractions in the major cities – and it won’t be uncomfortably hot, either.

The drier weather gives you a great reason to travel outside of Prague. Hiring a car is the easiest option, putting you within easy reach of spa towns like Karlovy Vary – famous for its mineral-rich hot springs and thermal spas – and national parks like Bohemian Switzerland National Park – known for its arching rock formation, Pravcicka Gate. Meanwhile, it’s wine harvest season in Moravia – celebrated in style with medieval-themed parades, jousting tournaments, live music and of course, wine tastings in the towns of Mikulov and Znojmo. Back in Prague, two weeks are given over to the classical works of Antonín Dvořák for the Dvořák Prague International Music Festival.

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Autumn doesn’t hang around in the Czech Republic. First you’ll notice the changing colours of the leaves, then the morning frost, and by the end of the month temperatures as low as 5°C. However most days are warmer than this, with average highs reaching 11ºC. Take a waterproof jacket if you visit in October, as rainy days are more frequent.

Prague’s parks and gardens are bursting with deep autumn colours at this time of year. Spend the afternoon exploring them, before taking in the multi-hued canopy from the top of Petřín Lookout Tower. While you’re in the capital, soak up some culture at the Strings of Autumn Festival or Signal Light Festival, which sees Prague’s most famous landmarks spectacularly illuminated. The only major event in the national calendar is 28 October – the day Czechoslovakia (as it was known then) became independent in 1918 – which is taken as a national holiday.

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In November, the chilly autumn weather gives way to much more wintry elements. But if you can brave temperatures of 1–5°C, this is a great time to take advantage of a quiet and romantic city break. Rain and snowfall are almost guaranteed, so be sure to bring waterproof clothing and a pair of sturdy boots.

But plenty of snow means plenty of picturesque scenery, especially in small towns like Kutna Hora, Karlovy Vary and Český Krumlov – all a couple of hours’ drive from Prague. The first day of the month is All Saints’ Day, so expect some closures wherever you are, while the final day marks the grand opening of the capital’s enchanting Christmas markets. Squares across the city fill up with timbered stalls selling traditional crafts, festive food and mulled wine. Speaking of wine, Český Krumlov celebrates its own wine festival on 11 November, held in honour of St. Martin.

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By December, the Czech Republic has transformed into a winter wonderland. The days are colder, darker and snowier, but sparkle under a backdrop of magical Christmas markets in cities across the country. Wrap up in lots of layers to take the sting out of sub-zero temperatures – and warm yourself up with a glass of svařák (mulled wine) while browsing the stalls.

There are Christmas markets in Brno, Olomouc and Český Krumlov, but Prague’s are the most impressive. You’ll find them in central squares, all wreathed in traditional décor, selling cute Christmas crafts, hot food and drinks. You could time your visit with Prague Christmas – when an international choir sings in Old Town Square – or St. Nicholas Eve (5 December), when men dressed as saints, angels and devils wander the streets handing out sweets to children who have been good and lumps of coal to those who haven’t. After the Christmas break (24–26 December is a national holiday), the year culminates with a spectacular fireworks display, held in Prague on 31 December.

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Weather and temperature in Czech Republic

Given its small size, the Czech Republic has one broad climate zone that follows the same seasonal patterns. Springtime is mild and sunny, while early autumn is a few degrees warmer. Only in late October do temperatures begin to drop noticeably around the country. Being surrounded by low-lying mountains, Prague and other destinations in West Bohemia also experience a lot of rainfall in late autumn, so taking a raincoat and extra layers is a good tip.

For those sunny days, the best way to appreciate the natural landscape is with a day trip to the countryside. If time is short, however, then stick to the green gardens and medieval streets of Prague, taking in the Gothic facades of landmarks like St Vitus Cathedral. The city of Český Krumlov, famous for its hillside Renaissance castle, is also worth a visit if you can fit it into your itinerary.

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Prague High 3°C 3°C 10°C 15°C 19°C 22°C 26°C 25°C 19°C 14°C 9°C 5°C
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Brno High 2°C 3°C 9°C 15°C 19°C 23°C 26°C 25°C 19°C 13°C 9°C 3°C
Low -2°C -3°C 1°C 5°C 10°C 13°C 16°C 15°C 11°C 7°C 3°C -1°C
Rainfall 15 days 14 days 14 days 13 days 15 days 15 days 16 days 14 days 13 days 13 days 15 days 16 days

Weather data provided by Forecast.io

Cost of stay in Czech Republic

Want to travel smart? Here, you can check out the average cost of accommodation per night in the Czech Republic.

    0 53 106 159 212
  • £79 Jan
  • £82 Feb
  • £84 Mar
  • £101 Apr
  • £101 May
  • £99 Jun
  • £92 Jul
  • £94 Aug
  • £99 Sept
  • £97 Oct
  • £86 Nov
  • £125 Dec
    0 53 106 159 212
  • £74 Jan
  • £78 Feb
  • £74 Mar
  • £95 Apr
  • £93 May
  • £93 Jun
  • £92 Jul
  • £93 Aug
  • £87 Sept
  • £87 Oct
  • £77 Nov
  • £122 Dec
    0 53 106 159 212
  • £21 Jan
  • £21 Feb
  • £23 Mar
  • £35 Apr
  • £34 May
  • £34 Jun
  • £34 Jul
  • £34 Aug
  • £30 Sept
  • £29 Oct
  • £25 Nov
  • £39 Dec
    0 53 106 159 212
  • £134 Jan
  • £140 Feb
  • £112 Mar
  • £121 Apr
  • £121 May
  • £113 Jun
  • £121 Jul
  • £121 Aug
  • £113 Sept
  • £116 Oct
  • £118 Nov
  • £180 Dec
    0 53 106 159 212
  • £63 Jan
  • £66 Feb
  • £65 Mar
  • £73 Apr
  • £69 May
  • £70 Jun
  • £74 Jul
  • £75 Aug
  • £73 Sept
  • £73 Oct
  • £70 Nov
  • £83 Dec

The best places to visit in Czech Republic

Check out some of the most popular cities, places to visit and things to do in Czech Republic!

What other travellers say about their holiday in Czech Republic