A colorful city (in every sense) Prague provides it all - nightlife like no other with beer so cheap that water costs more, a superb public transport system, an affordable lifestyle (when compared with other European cities), fast internet, an abundance of art and architecture, and a historic old town split in two by the river. It’s no wonder that Prague has been voted 2nd place on the digital nomads top worldwide destination list in the past!
Located on the Vltava River, Prague is full of character, history and fine architecture that allows visitors a glimpse into ‘old Europe’. Don’t be surprised if you’re walking along the cobbled streets in the old town and suddenly feel as if you’re in a fairytale, especially if visiting in Winter and lucky enough to witness snow which makes the castle seem truly magical! With Charles Bridge, the astronomical clock, and the Spanish Synagogue all playing a role, this historic feeling in the old town doesn’t mean it’s a city that’s stuck in the past - It boasts modern infrastructure with one of the best public transport systems in Europe and a happening nightlife that rivals any other in Europe.
Czech people enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle whether that’s making the most of the river with canoeing, kayaking, and swimming, playing team sports, hitting the gym, or hiking, biking, and skiing the surrounding countryside. They’re also very social and enjoy a beer with friends, sauna parties, and catching up in the park. With hardly an unplanned moment in their busy lives, it can be hard for foreigners to make friends with locals. The older generation especially can come across as cold and rude but perhaps this is due to them knowing communist rule and there being a language barrier.
Described as ‘the Golden City at the Heart of Europe’, Prague, and indeed the Czech Republic as a whole, became a haven for tech workers in the late 80’s when it welcomed workers from Russian, Ukraine, and Romania and today it’s a haven for digital nomads with a strong expat/nomad community. The city has a good number of co-working spaces, a thriving cafe culture, and its central location makes it perfect for exploring the rest of Europe.
Best Time To Travel To Prague
Prague is a popular destination most of the year despite it experiencing extreme seasonal temperatures with hot wet summers and cold dry winters. In order to beat the crowds and the weather extremes, the best time to visit Prague is during late April or early May or in September when the city experiences an Indian Summer.
January-February: These are the coldest months when temperatures drop below freezing but there is very little rain making snow possible but not likely. The city starts off January with lively New Year celebrations which draw crowds to the streets but once these celebrations come to an end and the Christmas lights come down the city remains relatively quiet.
March-May: Temperatures usually rise above freezing from the 2nd half of March though the weather can fluctuate greatly until May when the city is once again in full bloom and enjoying warm sunny days. St Patrick’s Day is a lively celebration that lasts the whole weekend in Prague and Pražské Jaro is a significant Springtime music festival and cultural event. Local traditions can be witnessed for Easter with lots of brightly hand-painted eggs on display and Easter market stalls selling handicrafts and food and drink. Interestingly, May 1st is not only May Day but also the Czech Valentines Day, you might see locals kissing under the blossoming trees!
June-August: Generally considered the hottest months in the city, and the busiest. The sunsets are phenomenal but don’t be surprised if you experience rain and thunderstorms, both are common in the Summer months, the rain generally being heavy but lasting only a short time. In the Summer, particularly towards the end of August, the city puts on a range of open air festivals and the famous Prague Pride parade takes place too to mark the end of Prague Pride, the LGBT human rights festival.
September-October: Prague enjoys an Indian Summer in September before the temperatures lower and the trees change colour to signal Autumn has arrived. The Dvořák Prague music festival is a popular event in September and there are many wine festivals too where wine lovers will enjoy tasting the young sweet local wine known as ‘burcak’.
November-December: Prague is cold yet mostly dry in the Winter with temperatures just above freezing. There’s a small chance of snow in the run up to Christmas as the city becomes enchanting with its carol singers, Christmas lights, and Christmas markets that draw in the festive crowd. If you’re in the city in early December, look out for Saint Nicholas (Santa), the Angel, and the Devil walking the streets to visit kids to see if they’ve been good or bad!
