Prague: Your Complete Guide

September to November sees Prague adorned in a palette of golden and red foliage, with pleasant, crisp temperatures (averaging 10-18°C in early autumn). This shoulder season offers a more relaxed experience with fewer tourists. Enjoy wine harvests, food festivals, and art installations like the Signal Festival, though days become shorter and chillier towards November.

From March to May, Prague awakens with blossoming trees and milder temperatures, perfect for strolling through parks and gardens. Average highs range from 10-18°C. This shoulder season offers fewer crowds than summer and hosts vibrant Easter markets and significant cultural events like the Prague Spring International Music Festival, though be prepared for some rain.

June to August brings warm weather, long daylight hours, and a lively atmosphere, with average highs of 20-25°C, sometimes reaching 30°C. It's ideal for outdoor concerts, beer festivals, and riverside activities, but also the peak tourist season, meaning larger crowds and higher prices for accommodation and flights.

December to February transforms Prague into a magical, snow-dusted wonderland, with average temperatures around 0°C, often dropping below freezing. The city sparkles with festive Christmas markets and New Year's Eve celebrations. While cold, this season boasts fewer crowds (except holidays) and a full classical concert season, offering a truly enchanting, atmospheric visit.

Prague's historical heart, Old Town Square is surrounded by stunning architecture including the Astronomical Clock and Týn Church. It's a bustling hub with cobbled streets, offering direct access to Charles Bridge and countless cafes, shops, and cultural sites, though it can be very crowded.

Nestled beneath Prague Castle, this picturesque district boasts Baroque palaces, quaint gardens, and charming narrow streets. Explore the iconic Lennon Wall, browse artisan shops, and enjoy romantic riverside views. It offers a quieter, more intimate atmosphere than the Old Town, with excellent dining options.

A poignant and historically rich neighborhood within the Old Town, Josefov is home to ancient synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery, and the Jewish Museum. It offers a deep dive into Prague's Jewish heritage, with well-preserved architecture and significant cultural insights into a resilient community.

Dominating the city skyline, this area encompasses the vast Prague Castle complex, including St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George's Basilica, and Golden Lane. It offers breathtaking panoramic views over the city and the Vltava River, a must-visit for historical and architectural splendor.

Extending from Wenceslas Square, New Town is a vibrant commercial and cultural hub, blending historical significance with modern shopping and entertainment. It features prominent museums like the National Museum and numerous theaters, cafes, and diverse dining options, serving as a lively contrast to the older districts.

A beautiful, upscale residential district known for its leafy avenues, elegant Art Nouveau buildings, and green spaces like Riegrovy Sady. It offers a more local and relaxed vibe, with popular beer gardens, trendy cafes, and a wide array of international restaurants, providing a pleasant escape from the central tourist bustle.

Cycling is a growing trend in Prague, with several bike-sharing systems available. Rekola (pink bikes) and Nextbike (blue bikes) are popular dockless options, offering around 2,000 bicycles combined. Lime and Bolt also provide electric bikes and scooters. Rental costs typically start from 35 CZK for 30 minutes, with daily or monthly subscriptions available. Notably, holders of a long-term Lítačka public transport card can often get two free 15-minute rides per day on Rekola or Nextbike. While cycling infrastructure is expanding, it's most suitable for dedicated routes or exploring parks like Letná Gardens and Stromovka, rather than navigating the busiest parts of the historic center. Always prioritize safety, especially with Prague's hilly terrain and traffic. Most bike-sharing services have reduced availability or close during winter months.

Prague's historic core is exceptionally walkable, and exploring on foot is often the best way to soak in its charm. Major attractions like Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, and the Jewish Quarter are within easy walking distance of each other. Be prepared for cobblestone streets, especially in the Old Town and Lesser Town, so comfortable footwear is essential. Pedestrian-friendly zones are abundant, and the city generally feels safe for walkers, even at night.

Prague Václav Havel Airport (PRG) is well-connected to the city center. The most economical option is public transport: take bus 119 to Nádraží Veleslavín (Metro A line) or bus 100 to Zličín (Metro B line). Tickets cost approximately 40 CZK for a 90-minute pass, valid for transfers. The Airport Express bus offers a direct route to the Main Railway Station for around 100 CZK. Taxis are available, but ride-sharing apps like Bolt and Uber are generally more affordable and reliable, costing 500-800 CZK depending on traffic and destination. The journey typically takes 30-45 minutes.

Prague boasts an excellent integrated public transport system comprising the Metro (three lines: A-green, B-yellow, C-red), trams, and buses. Tickets are valid across all modes and based on time (e.g., 30-minute, 90-minute, 24-hour, 72-hour). A 90-minute ticket costs around 40 CZK, a 24-hour pass 120 CZK, and a 72-hour pass 330 CZK. Tickets can be purchased from yellow vending machines at metro stations, newspaper kiosks, or via contactless payment directly on trams and buses. Validate your ticket immediately upon entry. The Metro operates from 5:00 AM to midnight, while daytime trams and buses run from approximately 4:30 AM to 00:30 AM. Night trams (numbered 91-99) and buses operate at 30-minute intervals throughout the night, with central transfer points. Use the PID Lítačka app or Google Maps for real-time navigation and schedules.