Prague Weather in December
A time when snow, Christmas markets, and year-end atmosphere come together
Dobrý den! This is CULT.
Prague weather in December is perfect winter weather with snow and strong winds. There are occasionally mild days, but the kind of mildness still requires a warm coat, so packing for December is actually simpler than for October or November. If you’re lucky, you might see a pretty white Prague covered in snow. On the first snowy day, icy patches form around Prague, so take extra care when traveling with elderly people. Above all, because Christmas markets open across the city, the cold feels a bit less biting, so December is also a recommended time to visit Prague.
Prague in December — Key Weather Characteristics
Details
In December, Prague’s average temperature is around 3°C above zero, so it’s quite cold.
Snow can fall heavily enough to accumulate, but city snow-clearing means roads are usually cleared quickly, so traffic is rarely affected. At high-elevation attractions like Prague Castle, Vyšehrad, Riegrovy Sady (Rieger Gardens), and Strahov Monastery, strong winds are frequent, so wearing warm clothing is essential, and the city center gives off a year-end atmosphere thanks to the Christmas markets.
What to Wear in Prague in December?
Dress warmly for Prague in December.
A thick down jacket is good, and if you get cold easily, a long down coat is essential; bring a fur hat or warm beanie, gloves, warm shoes, and a scarf. In October and November there are sometimes warm days when you might briefly take off your coat during a midday tour, but that rarely happens in December.
If you’re doing outdoor activities like guided tours, dress even warmer. If you stand still outdoors listening to Prague stories, your feet will get cold.
All photos were taken in Prague in December.
Many people come wearing just a coat for photos, thinking about their look, but you’ll catch a cold. If you want photos that look good, layer something over your coat. If you want pretty photos with Prague as the background, you need to go up to higher viewpoints, and unlike the Old Town, those higher areas are very windy.
Snowy Prague
In December, Prague often has days when snow accumulates.
Typically, snow melts within a day or two when temperatures stay around 3–4°C above zero. Places that face west and have hills, like Strahov Monastery (Strahovský klášter), don’t get much sun, so once snow falls it can remain through much of winter. However, those areas also often develop icy patches, so take care when moving around.
The central city roads are cleared as best as possible, so your travel shouldn’t be greatly disrupted. Prague Airport hasn’t had flight cancellations due to heavy snow since 2010. Still, as mentioned earlier, on the first snowy day, places where snow removal is incomplete can freeze and become slippery, so be careful.
This is Prague after a heavy snowfall. Trams run normally, and there are snow-clearing vehicles dedicated to tram tracks, so trams are a very reliable transport option. Travelers often walk down from Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) toward Charles Bridge (Karlův most), but when there’s heavy snow I recommend taking tram 22 back down instead of walking down after your castle tour.
The reason I advise against walking down the hill is shown in the photo above: people hug the left wall while walking because the center of the street is frozen into ice. Several people slipped while passing through. Kids may find sliding fun, but elderly people can get injured, so rather than walking down, take the tram you rode up on to go back down.
After the Snow
The photo above was taken on Alšovo nábřeží. It shows Prague on the day it snowed and the next day after the snow had completely melted. If you travel to Prague in December, you can see these very different sides of the city.
In late December you can sometimes see pink sunsets, so touring around Charles Bridge around 3:40 PM can be a nice experience. Usually in December sunsets are observed between about 3:30 and 4:00 PM, so plan a tour around Charles Bridge at that time. If the sky is clear that afternoon, you’ll likely make one more great memory.
The headline photo showed Prague covered in snow; this photo was taken four days later. The snow had completely melted as if it had never happened. Seeing a white Prague after a December snowfall would probably be a great memory.
Prague Christmas Markets
Prague’s Christmas markets run every year from the last Saturday of November until January 6, and they make your winter Prague trip more special. The goods sold may not seem special to Europeans, but visitors from Asia will find many unique and interesting items. Traditional Prague snacks are also sold there — items that are hard to find in central restaurants but are available at the markets.
Most of all, the night-time Christmas market atmosphere is wonderful, so if you visit Prague in December, be sure to visit the Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) Christmas market at night.
You can see medieval blacksmith-style souvenirs and Christmas tree decorations. Personally I recommend Czech honey, and try the traditional Czech pancake palačinky (Palačinky).
Summary — Prague Weather in December
Prague in December is cold. Warm clothing is essential, and be careful of icy patches on snowy days. Usually within a day or two, snow-clearing, salt, or fine gravel is spread to prevent slipping. Still, be cautious on hills, and dress warmer for windy high areas like Prague Castle and Vyšehrad.
And definitely visit the Christmas markets at night — it will make your Prague trip even more memorable.
- [Czech — Prague: Annual Weather at a Glance]
- Prague — January Weather Info
- Prague — February Weather Info
- Prague — March Weather Info
- Prague — April Weather Info
- Prague — May Weather Info
- Prague — June Weather Info
- Prague — July Weather Info
- Prague — August Weather Info
- Prague — September Weather Info
- Prague — October Weather Info
- Prague — November Weather Info
- Prague — December Weather Info
- Starting in December, Prague does get snowfall heavy enough to stick sometimes, but it doesn't happen often. You may see sleet or wet snow more frequently, so days with accumulation are relatively few—maybe three or four days by feel. If you see Prague with snow during your trip, consider it a somewhat special experience.
- There aren’t many truly bitterly cold days, but it’s best to dress children very warmly. Also, Christmas markets sell lots of ultra–high‑calorie treats — even one can be packed with calories — so pay attention to what and how much your child eats for their health.
- December in Prague is the peak tourist season, and the police step up patrols around major attractions. Pickpocketing and similar crimes do occur relatively often, so keep valuables stored as deeply and securely in your clothing as possible. During the 11 years I lived here, reports of violent crimes targeting tourists around year-end were very rare. Most incidents were pickpocketing.
- For Prague in December, it's essential to bring a thick padded coat, a warm hat, gloves, and similar cold-weather gear. Especially when touring higher areas like Pražský hrad, Vyšehrad, or Riegrovy, dress warmer than you normally would.
- The most convenient public transport in Prague is the tram. Tram 22 is especially handy because its route passes by major tourist sites, so it’s easy to get around. Even when there’s heavy snow, they clear the tracks quickly, so I highly recommend traveling around Prague by tram.
