Czech climate is continental moderate —four clear seasons. Prague lies in a boiler (200 m above sea level, heat), Giant Mountains and Šumava in the mountains (cooler). Below is a practical guide month after month.
Winter: December–February
December — Advent spell
Christmas fairsis one of the most beautiful attractions of the Czech Republic. Best:
- Prague (Staromák + Wenceslaw): 24.11 – 6.01., the largest Christmas tree in the country (25 m). Hot wine 60 Kč, trdelník 100 Kč, clobása 90 Kč
- Olomouc: 3 markets, authentic atmosphere without crowds
- Český Krumlov: small but fairy tale
- Brno: 8 locations, advent tram
New Year's Eve in Prague: fireworks from Petřín, from Charles Bridge full view. Overnight expensive (from 8000 Kč doba).
January-February — ski season
Krkonose: Špindlerův Mlýn (largest resort, doba ski-pass 900 Kč), Pec pod Sněžkou.Šumava: Železná Ruda.Jeseníky: Praděd. Prices lower than in the Alps by 30-40%.
Spring: March–May
March — Easter
Veliconoce: traditional Czech Easter with pomlázki (wicker rods), pear (crawls), feast of spring. Jarmarks on the markets, traditional dishes (matrix, jidáše — sweet buns).
April — Park Day
Průhonicki ParkUnder Prague, 1,800 species of azaroles begin to flourish.Lednicko-Valticki area— first cycling of the season.
May — The Best Time
The perfect time for most tourism: temperatures of 15–22°C, everything is already open, less crowds than in summer.Otevřené shopsin Moravia (first Saturday of May — 100 vineyards available for one day tasting).Prague Spring Music(12.05–3.06) — the oldest classical music festival in the Czech Republic.
Summer: June–August
June
Festival of the Five-Cared Rose in Č. Krumlově(3 days in mid-June): Europe's largest Renaissance reconstruction.Colours of Ostrava(end of June): 5-day music festival in the former Dolní Vítkovice steelworks.
July — Full Season
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival(KVIFF, 1st week of July): one of the oldest European film festivals (since 1946).NOTE:July = worst crowds in Prague and Krumlov, hotels +40% of prices, restaurants full. Go to the mountains.
August
International Music Festival in Č. Krumlově. Baroque Nights at the castle theatre. Season of cruises in Vltava (Prague, Č. Krumlov). Season of rafting on Vltavě rafting.
Autumn: September–November
September — Second Best Time
Temperature 12–20°C, fewer people, golden fall in the Krkonoše.Winery (Vinobraní):
- Vinobraní Znojmo(second half of September): 3-day festival with historical reconstruction, costume corticals
- Palavske vinobrání in Mikulov: a big holiday with a beet (young wine not fermented)
- Mělnické vinobraní: the oldest in the country (since the 14th century)
October — A Golden Autumn
Perfect conditions for hiking:Křivoklátsko, Český ráj, Broumovsko, Beskydy. First Saturday October: the second edition of “Otevřené shops” of Moravian vineyards.
November — Less Tourists
Season low, best hotel prices.Signal Festivalin Prague (mid-October until early November) — light festival, 3D projections on buildings.Festival of the Dead (Dušičky)2.11 — Candle - lit cemeteries.
Calendar — On One Eye
- Best time ever: May + September
- Best for cities:May and September (less crowds, pleasant temperatures)
- Best for nature:July-August (mountains, waterfalls)
- Best for wine:September-October (vine collection)
- Best for skiing:January-February
- Most ‘instagram’:December (jarks, snow) or October (gold fall)
- Avoid:July in Prague/Krumlov, January in cities (cold, early dark)