This winter whether you plan to visit a big city life or a small rural vibe or just a place to soak in the magic covered in snow; Prague is the place for you. Prague is one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the world. The city holds its 1100 years of magnificent culture & history engraved in its enormous architectural buildings, palaces, cathedrals, and unexpected gardens.
It has the best-tasting beer, comparatively cheap currency (with 1 koruna ~ Rs 3.41/ $ 0.045), friendly people, exciting nightlife & freezing chills. If you are looking for reasons to visit Prague this January, take a look at what you need to know.
Prague in January: Why is it worth visiting?
The idea of visiting Prague in winters, when the chill is stiffening seems to be mad at first, but winters add some snowy magic to its scenic grandeur & a blissful peace. Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, is considered to be the winter wonderland of Europe, as a city right out of the fairy tale.
Summers in the city are extremely overwhelming with flocking tourists, selfie sticks, bustling streets & souvenir sellers. While visiting Prague in January, after the new year celebrations, means fewer tourists, profitable deals at hotels, cheap airfares, alluring warm food, low priced items & the freedom to explore the city at its best.
Moreover, the cold weather is a great excuse for drinking mulled wine and eating all the hearty traditional Czech food in Prague!
Prague in January: Weather
The month of January is the coldest of the year, with daytime temperatures rarely exceeding 2°C. There are 6-7 hours of daylight on average per day, with a lot of cloud cover by the end of the month. Because of the chilly and rainy weather, humidity levels are expected to be high for the majority of the month strengthening the freeze.
Prague in January: Things to do
Despite the cold, snow, and wind, the mother of cities is worth exploring in winters. Here's a list of 10 things that you shall not miss during your trip to Prague:
1
Prague Castle
The Prague Castle seated atop the hill, passing over the Vltava River is an apt representative of the culture of the Czech Republic. It's the top attraction for travelers owing to its significant culture, historic architecture, museums, and cuisines. If you have a heart for roofs covered in snow with beautiful skies & lights adding to its charm; this is the place you need to be in.
January timings
Prague Castle complex: 6 AM – 10 PM
Historical buildings: 9 AM – 4 PM
119 08 Prague 1,
Czechia
Getting There ›
2
St. Vitus Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral is the largest and the most prominent temple in Prague. Coronations of Czech kings and queens, saints, sovereigns, noblemen, and archbishops have been buried in this cathedral. Satiate your historic architecture and spiritual callings here within the quiet winter bliss.
January timings
Monday – Saturday: 9 AM – 4:40 PM and Sunday: 12 PM – 4:40 PM
Great Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral : 10 AM – 5:30 PM
III. nádvoří 48/2, 119 01 Praha 1,
Czechia
Getting There ›
3
The Prague National Museum
The Prague National Museum houses around 14 million pieces from many fields like art, science, history, natural history, music, and librarianship stored in dozens of buildings. It is one of the most popular destinations in Prague to learn about the historical and scientific significance of the city throughout the Middle Ages. It's heaven for all the art and history buffs.
January timings
10 AM - 6 PM
Václavské nám. 68, 110 00 Nové Město,
Czechia
Getting There ›
4
Vltava River Cruise
On a famous Vltava Riverboat trip, discover the beauty of Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Kampa Island, and other landmarks of Prague from the waters of the longest river of the Czech Republic, the Vltava. This 1-hour cruise trip offers panoramic views of the City of a Thousand Spires and is suitable for all families and individuals.
January timings
Timings vary according to the chosen cruise
Prague,
Czechia
Getting There ›
5
Take a day trip to Kutna Hora
Take a trip from Prague to Kutna Hora, only about an hour and half from the city. It is a medieval center for silver mining and is one of the wealthiest cities in the kingdom of Bohemia. It has amazing architectural treasures with Sedlec Ossuary, also known as the "bone church," as the main attraction. It is known for its iconic chandelier composed of human bones, which makes up for a hauntingly beautiful sight, intensifying the chills in your spine. Check out our other day trips from Prague for if you're staying longer!
January timings for Sedlec Ossuary
Daily 9 AM - 4 PM
Old Town, 110 00 Prague 1
Czechia
Getting There ›
6
Dancing House
The Dancing House was built by the two architects Vlado Milunić & Frank Gehry. The leaning design symbolizes the moving of the Czech nation from communism to democracy and freedom. The buildings' design has also found a place on a gold 2000 Czech koruna coin. Most notably, it has a sightseeing terrace on top from where you can gaze out over Prague's stunning vista.
January timings
Daily: 10 AM – 10 PM
Jiráskovo nám. 1981/6, 120 00 Nové Město,
Czechia
Getting There ›
7
Old Town and Jewish Quarter
Located in the heart of Prague, the Old Town of Square is a complex of prominent buildings, statues, towers, and the world's oldest operating Astronomical Clock. Besides, the marketplace is a delight for anybody who enjoys shopping & wants to bring home cheaply priced local things. Also, the Jewish Quarter, located between the Old Town & Vltava river, offers a glimpse of life, culture, and hardships in a Jewish ghetto, via Synagogues, museums, memorials, etc.
January timings
Tour starts daily at 10 AM | 3 PM | 5 PM
Staroměstské nám, 110 00 Staré Město
Czechia
Getting There ›
8
Brewery Tour with Czech Dinner
What better a tour could be where you get to taste the best of the mulled beers in the cold? Well, the city offers exactly such tours that take you through the tonnes of beers being brewed locally, with 1000 years old recipes and impeccable traditional delicacies. Prague is one of the rare cities where beer is cheaper than water, ergo it offers a wild nightlife. .
January timings
Wednesday and Friday at 6 PM
Křižovnická 191/3, 110 00 Josefov,
Czechia
Getting There ›
9
Terezin Concentration Camp
Terezin Concentration Camp is one of the largest concentration camps 30 miles north of Prague. It narrates the poignant tragedies of World War II and preserves the stories of the lives lost. People visit the concentration camp and the Terezin Memorial, the only institution of its kind to pay their tributes to the lost ones. The trip from Prague to Terezin is about an hour long.
January timings
Tours go on daily from 8 AM – 4:30 PM
G578+G3 Terezín,
Czechia
Getting There ›
10
Tour 4 charity - See the best of Prague
“Being in Prague feels like you are in a fairy tale, except for one key difference – the city of Prague is for real.” ~ Anonymous
But in that fairy tale, you are always the best person seeking to help others with all your heart. And here you can do this for real, in the Tour 4 Charity. The money collected from your trip goes for the underprivileged, orphans, and socially marginalized kids all across the Czech Republic.
January timings
Daily, 11 AM
Municipal House, Náměstí Republiky 5, 110 00 Staré Město,
Czechia
Getting There ›
Prague in January : Events to look out for
Prague Christmas Markets
December 2, 2023 - January 6, 2024
The spirit of Christmas month and new year’s eve is celebrated beyond the designated dates in Prague. The markets keep bustling till the 2nd week of the month. Grilled sausages, spit-roasted hams, pastries, Czech beer, and wines are just a few of the native foods and drinks to try. Besides, attending a new years' concert is a tradition here.
Kafka Band
January 15, 2024
Mark your calendars for Kafka Band's electricfying performance at Palác Akropolis, Czech Republic. They bring to you the world of Franz Kafka through their unique interpretations of his novels, from the haunting melodies of "The Castle" to the driving rhythms of "Amerika." Don't miss this unforgettable concert experience!
Mozart Dinner - Your Private Opera in Prague
January 2, 2024
Experience a wonderful Mozart concert & dinner with leading Czech opera singers and musicians at Boccaccio Hall in Grandhotel Bohemia Prague. Listen to the most famous duets from Mozart's operas “The Magic Flute”, “The Marriage of Figaro” and “Don Giovanni”, each performed between each course of a traditional Czech Austrian three course meal.
Prague Balfolk Weekend
January 19-21, 2024
Beat the winter blues away with some good music, dance, and food at Prague Balfolk Weekend taking place in Chvalská Stodola. This 3-day festival celebrates folk music, dance, and culture from different parts of the world. It offers a unique opportunity to learn and experience the vibrant traditions of Central Europe.
Prague in January : 3-day itinerary
Check out our carefully curated itineraries and plan your visit to Prague better. Whether you're visiting Prague for 1 day, 2 days, 3 days or if you're spending more time there, here's a Prague travel guide! Our itineraries packed with top experiences and traveler tips are bound to come handy.
3 days in Prague itinerary
Prague in January: Essentials
LanguageCzech
Time zoneGMT+2
Country Code+420
Socket Type E
CurrencyCzech Koruna(Kč)
Where to stay in Prague in January
Prague 1, Prague City Centre and Stare Mesto are the top places in the city to stay. They are loaded with amazing art galleries, cobblestoned streets, churches, palaces and attractions like Old Town Square, and Charles Bridge. Their metro connectivity with the entire city makes them more preferable.
- Luxury Hotels - Corinthia Hotel Prague, Hotel Kings Court, Grand Hotel Cosmopolitan Hotel Prague.
- Budget-Friendly Hotels - Hotel Sovereign Prague, QPrague Metro Strizkov, The Charles Hotel.
- Hostels - The RoadHouse Prague, Clown & Bard Hostel, The Madhouse Prague.
What to pack for Prague in January
This certainly goes without saying that you need to pack a lot of winter layers to keep you warm. Pack on the woolen sweaters, coats, shawls, jackets, caps, boots (waterproof), gloves, umbrellas, and of course a good camera to capture the aesthetics of this wonderland.
Getting around in Prague in January
Prague is pretty small to be a city and too big to be a village. You can walk from the east to the west covering the entire city in a day or two. But, you can also use the easily accessible trams, metros, buses and other local public transport vehicles present in the city. The best part, trams and metros don't charge you for the destinations but for the time you travel, i.e. you can change numerous vehicles, and visit as many places within a specified time.
Prague in January : Must try delicacies
Considered one of the best traditional dishes of Prague & can be found in every cafe, lounge, restaurant, etc. It's braised beef is topped with a thick, creamy parsley root and carrot sauce in the traditional meal. It is frequently served with cranberry sauce and whipped cream on the side.
Try this dish at: Havelská Koruna and Hospůdka Na Radnici
A warm soup in a cozy bonfire wouldn't be all you want to get off the freezing chills? That's exactly what Cesnecka does for you. A heavy garlic soup is added with a warm egg cooked over time especially to leverage the taste. And, it's then layered with sausage, bacon & cheese.
Try this dish here : Czech Slovak Restaurant and Husinec
While schnitzels aren't unique to the Czech Republic, zek is unusual in that it can be made with a variety of meats, coated in flour and breadcrumbs before frying, and served with a side of potato salad. In the Czech Republic, pork schnitzels are very popular, although a trout schnitzel is also popular around the holidays.
Try this dish here : Řízek od babičky
This is a popular sparrow pork dish. Rich and hefty, Moravsk vrabec is best savored with a glass of beer and served with sides of sauerkraut and dumplings.
Try this dish here : CODA Restaurant in Mala Strana
Gulas/Goulash is pork (or beef) stewed with a lot of onions in it, served in almost all the food outlets in the city. This traditional dish is extremely popular in the winter; it warms both the body and the soul. Furthermore, Gulá is the cheapest dish in any Czech cafe; and is accessible to anyone.
Try this dish here : Restaurace Mlejnice, and Kozlovna U Paukerta in Old Town Prague.
Prague in January : Tips for visiting
- Though January attracts less crowd & favorable deals, it's better to have done the pre-bookings online rather than tramping in the cold.
- If you are a fan of architecture and history or just prefer to wander, it's good to have a guide to gain a better understanding of the cities' culture & serene places to sit along.
- Do visit the Christmas Markets if you feel like being a Santa for yourself or the others. The cheap prices will bring you some good souvenirs & hearty feelings.
- Robust winters are a good excuse for some mulled beer and traditional delicacies. Your trip to the place is incomplete without tasting the beer. At least do it once, it'll be a lifetime experience.
- Try to wake up at least one night to witness the magical city entrenched completely in the white snow. Confess your feelings to your person, be it, anyone. You would never regret it!
FAQs
What are the top things to do in Prague in January?
Are any famous attractions closed in Prague in January?
What is an ideal itinerary for visiting Prague in January?
Is English spoken in Prague?
