Prague weather in May
The ideal travel period where spring and summer energies meet
Dobrý den! CULT here.
Prague in May is arguably the most perfect time to travel all year. Although the day-to-night temperature swing is still strong, the average temperatures are higher, and because daylight saving makes the sun set very late, by the time you start feeling cold from the temperature drop, it’s usually already late at night, so the cold tends to affect you less. Of course, if you plan to go to clubs and enjoy the nightlife, you’ll want warmer going-out clothes.
Also, there are often sudden showers, but most are short, so they’re not a big problem, and the sky often looks even more beautiful after a shower, so you might actually look forward to the rain.
For me, May and October are the busiest months of the year. Many honeymooners and families with children book outdoor family photoshoots, so I hardly get any days off. The skies are usually pretty and the air clean, which shows up in photos, so I really love May weather.
Prague in May — the weather
Details
The average temperature in Prague in May is about 15°C (59°F). That’s an average — some days can reach 25–27°C (77–81°F), so it’s a time to pack some cool clothes as well as warmer layers. During my 11 years living in Prague, the last time I saw snow was April 30; I’ve never seen snow in May.
At this time people of all ages — babies, kids, families, or company groups — find it an ideal time to travel.
What are the characteristics of Prague weather in May?
The main characteristic of Prague in May is that it rains fairly often.
You might think that’s a downside, but Prague doesn’t have a monsoon season and it’s rare for rain to last all day. When I do photoshoots in Prague, I walk around the city most days of the year — over 300 days — and all-day prolonged rain usually only happens in winter or for 2–3 days in August.
Most rains are short, sudden showers that clear quickly and leave the sky very clean and bright afterward, which I think actually enhances the travel experience. Prague is also quite dry, so within about an hour after rain most traces are gone. Even if you get wet during your trip, you’ll dry off quickly and won’t feel sticky.
Like in April, the day-to-night temperature difference is significant.
But thanks to daylight saving time that starts at the end of March, what feels like night doesn’t really come until after about 9 PM, and by then you’re likely finishing dinner and getting ready to head back to your accommodation, right? It does get noticeably colder an hour or two after nightfall, but ordinary tourists have less exposure to those cold hours, so it’s not something to worry about too much.
That said, if you plan to dance at a club past midnight or book a 1–2 hour night tour, bring a light down jacket or a windbreaker.
What should you pack?
People feel cold differently, so it’s hard to say exactly what everyone should wear. In Prague in May you’ll often see women in sleeveless or low-back outfits at midday, but from my experience shooting here, many women still wear coats until about 10 AM, and sleeveless clothes become common after the sun rises higher around 10 AM.
I recommend packing both sleeveless tops and a light down jacket because many women report feeling cold in the early morning and after 11 PM. I’ve heard this many times from thousands of shoots.
The photos are arranged by time of day: top-left is morning, top-right is noon, bottom-left is afternoon, and bottom-right is late afternoon. Temperatures vary a lot by time of day, so if you get cold easily, be sure to bring a light down jacket or windbreaker; afternoons can be very sunny, so sunglasses or a hat are useful too.
What can you do in May?
May in Prague is when all tourist infrastructure is fully up and running. Whatever you search for or want to do, you can do it. One highlight is the Prague Marathon, which happens in May. Anyone can register online to participate. It’s very popular and registrations fill up fast, so you may need to time your sign-up according to Prague time. The exact date and registration method change each year, so check the official website in advance. The weather is nice and dry, making conditions better than in Korea or Japan for running. Note that city traffic is restricted on race day — if you’re not running, plan your travel that day in advance. It will be a memorable experience.
Why I recommend visiting Prague in May
I believe everything can be explained with photos.
The sun isn’t too harsh, the atmosphere is fresh and pleasant for travel, and even the clouds in the sky seem to bless you with beautiful shapes. Pairing a magnificent medieval city with a blessedly beautiful sky will make your memories more beautiful and longer-lasting, I believe.
Summary — Prague weather in May
To summarize Prague in May: the day-to-night temperature swing is large, but days start early and nights fall late, so you’re practically exposed to cold hours less often. If you plan to take early-morning photos on Charles Bridge and then dance at a club late at night, a light down jacket and a windbreaker are essential, and at midday the sun can be strong so bring a hat or sunglasses.
May is also the start of peak season. Tourists increase noticeably, and accommodation and tour prices gradually rise, so it’s best to book in advance.
At this time, popular restaurants and cafes are fully open, so dining on an outdoor terrace with a great view is a pleasure. I’ll share more of those places gradually, so bookmark this 😀
May is the most beautiful time to see Prague’s flowers — I wish you a happy trip.
- [Czech Prague — yearly weather at a glance]
- Prague — January weather
- Prague — February weather
- Prague — March weather
- Prague — April weather
- Prague — May weather
- Prague — June weather
- Prague — July weather
- Prague — August weather
- Prague — September weather
- Prague — October weather
- Prague — November weather
- Prague — December weather
- This is only suitable if you don’t mind the cold, but it will definitely be chilly in the mornings and at night. I recommend bringing a long-sleeve tee and a windbreaker.
- Days with at least 1 mm of rain average 12 per month. Over the past 10 years, the mean May rainfall was only 62 mm, so it’s unlikely to affect travel plans.
- I usually go out for morning shoots wearing a short-sleeve T-shirt with a windbreaker over it. Because the shoot involves a lot of movement, and the temperature usually rises a lot after about 10 AM, I put the windbreaker in my bag then. At night I also bring at least one windbreaker. I keep telling women, who often feel the cold more, to bring a lightweight down jacket.
- I think May is the most perfect time for anyone, regardless of age or gender, to enjoy a trip to Prague.
- In May the sun sets on average at 8:42 PM, but because of the sunset glow and magic-hour light, it doesn’t really feel like night until around 9:10 PM in mid-May. Shopping streets like Charles Bridge and Old Town Square have many places open until midnight or even 2:00 AM. Prague Castle’s outer grounds stay open until 10:00 PM, so evening walks and night-view tours are possible. However, historic buildings like St. Vitus Cathedral and the Golden Lane typically close at 5:00 PM during the summer season, with the last admission a little earlier. If you want to see inside the castle, visit during the day; if you’ve booked a night tour, check the exact route in advance.
