When to go
The Czech Republic shines year-round, but the best months are May, June, and September. Days are warm, the gardens of Prague are in bloom or turning gold, and the crowds that flood the Charles Bridge in midsummer have thinned.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is the shoulder season sweet spot. April is unpredictable, but by May temperatures reach 18 to 20 C and the cherry blossoms on Petrin Hill open. Hotel prices are lower than summer and queues at Prague Castle are short.
- Easter markets fill Old Town Square with painted eggs and *pomlazka* whips
- Prague Spring International Music Festival (mid-May to early June) is a world-class classical event
Summer (June to August)
Summer is peak season. Expect 25 to 30 C, long evenings on Kampa Island, and the highest prices and crowds of the year.
- Cesky Krumlov Five-Petalled Rose Festival (June) revives the Renaissance town
- Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (early July) draws stars to the spa town
- Beer gardens, river trips on the Vltava, and trips to the Bohemian countryside are at their best
Autumn (September to November)
September is arguably the finest month: warm days, golden vineyards, and far fewer tourists.
- Wine harvest festivals (vinobrani) in Mikulov and Znojmo in Moravia
- Signal Festival in Prague (October) lights up the city with projections
- November turns crisp and misty, perfect for atmospheric castle visits
Winter (December to February)
Winter is cold, often below freezing, but magical.
- Christmas markets on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square (late November to early January) with *trdelnik*, mulled wine, and hot honey wine
- Snowy Prague is photogenic and quieter outside the holidays
- Ski resorts in the Krkonose Mountains (Spindleruv Mlyn) open from December
Quick verdict
- Best overall: May, June, September
- Cheapest and quietest: March, November (excluding holidays)
- For Christmas magic: December
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