Prague in January: a seasonal travel plan
Prague, Czechia. In january, the average daytime high is 2.4 °C and the night-time low is -3.5 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Choose a month
Selected month: January
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Prague
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 2.4 °C
- Nighttime low
- -3.5 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 40.5 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 12.3
- Daylight
- 8.6 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 2.9 | -2.2 | 4.9 |
| Days 11–20 | 1.8 | -4.1 | 3.9 |
| From day 21 | 2.3 | -4.0 | 3.5 |
What this month is like
Prague, Czechia. In january, the average daytime high is 2.4 °C and the night-time low is -3.5 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 12.3 wet days on average, with about 40.5 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Average daylight is 8.6 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What to pack
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 3.8 °C, January — 2.4 °C, next month — 5.3 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 10.5, 12.3 and 9.4.
Things to do
Prague stands on the Vltava, and its historic core fits into a walk between Old Town Square and the castle district. The river cuts the city in two, while trams and the metro reach the districts beyond the tourist circuit.
Old Town
Old Town Square is almost empty early in the morning, and the astronomical clock can be studied without a crowd. Walk to Charles Bridge before ten, then turn into Josefov to see the old synagogues and cemetery.
Prague Castle
The castle occupies the hill above Malá Strana: St. Vitus Cathedral, the old royal palace and Golden Lane. Climb on foot from Malostranské námestí and come back down through Petrín park towards the river.
Vysehrad
Vysehrad sits on a rock above the Vltava with the basilica of Sts Peter and Paul and a cemetery of Czech artists and composers. The walls open onto the river, and quiet streets nearby keep the crowds away.
Where to stay
Staré Mesto
Staré Mesto puts the main sights within walking distance: square, bridge, shops and restaurants. Bars keep the nights loud and rooms cost more, yet travel time disappears and a tram is seldom needed.
Vinohrady
Vinohrady draws people for wide streets, restaurants and calm evenings among locals. The centre is ten minutes by tram, the same lines serve the main station, and bakeries open early on these blocks.
Holesovice
Holesovice across the river lives on galleries, cafes and a market inside old industrial halls. Sights are not next door, but rooms cost less and the bridges stay quiet in the evening.
Getting to and around Prague
From Václav Havel airport a bus reaches a metro station, from where the train continues to the centre, and the Airport Express runs straight to the main station. Trams are the main transport in the city, reaching Staré Mesto, Malá Strana and Vysehrad. The metro helps on longer runs, while the historic core is better covered on foot.
Three days in Prague
Old Town and Josefov
Start at the astronomical clock on the square, walk down Paris Street and step into Josefov. Return to the river in the evening and eat in the lanes around Old Town.
Castle and Malá Strana
Climb to the castle in the morning for the cathedral and Golden Lane. Come down through Malostranské námestí, have lunch in a trattoria and spend the evening by the river.
Vysehrad and Vinohrady
Ride to Vysehrad in the morning for the cemetery and the walls above the river, where both banks open up. After lunch move on to Vinohrady, where kitchens cook for locals rather than tourists.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2.4 | -3.5 | 40.5 | 12.3 | 8.6 |
| February | 5.3 | -2.2 | 37.1 | 9.4 | 10.0 |
| March | 9.4 | -0.2 | 36.5 | 9.2 | 11.9 |
| April | 14.0 | 3.0 | 39.4 | 9.4 | 13.8 |
| May | 18.7 | 7.7 | 66.8 | 13.5 | 15.4 |
| June | 24.2 | 13.1 | 88.5 | 14.8 | 16.3 |
| July | 26.3 | 14.5 | 69.3 | 13.8 | 15.9 |
| August | 26.3 | 14.7 | 85.3 | 11.1 | 14.5 |
| September | 21.4 | 10.0 | 56.6 | 9.2 | 12.7 |
| October | 15.4 | 5.8 | 49.6 | 10.0 | 10.8 |
| November | 7.9 | 1.0 | 44.3 | 9.4 | 9.1 |
| December | 3.8 | -1.6 | 44.7 | 10.5 | 8.2 |
Frequently asked questions
Prague: what is the temperature in January?
The average daytime high is 2.4 °C and the night-time low is -3.5 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and indoor activities for mornings and evenings.
How many days with precipitation are there in January?
On average, there are 12.3 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 40.5 mm. Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What should I pack for walks in January?
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 2.9 °C; 11–20 — 1.8 °C; 21 to month-end — 2.3 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in January?
The average is 8.6 hours. Daylight is limited. Set aside time for views and photographs before dusk.
Is Prague worth visiting in January?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 2.4 °C and nights around -3.5 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Prague on a wet day in January?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Prague in January?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 8.6 hours.