Prague in May — Is This the Best Month to Visit?
Many travelers consider May Prague's best month, and it's hard to argue. Average temperatures of 12–20°C, long daylight hours, gardens in full bloom, the Prague Spring music festival, and crowds that haven't yet reached peak summer levels make May a near-perfect window. If you can choose any month, choose this one.
Weather and What to Pack
May temperatures in Prague average 12–20°C, with occasional warm days reaching 25°C. Mornings start cool (10–12°C), afternoons warm pleasantly, and evenings remain comfortable. Rain is possible — May averages 7–8 rainy days — but showers are typically brief and followed by sunshine.
Pack: light layers. A mid-weight jacket for mornings and evenings, T-shirts for warm afternoons, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, and a compact rain jacket. You won't need heavy clothing. Sunscreen becomes relevant in May — the UV index increases noticeably.
Daylight is generous — sunrise around 5:30 AM, sunset past 8:30 PM. That gives you 15+ hours of usable light for sightseeing, which transforms how much you can see in a single day.
Events and Festivals
Prague Spring International Music Festival (Pražské jaro) — one of the world's most prestigious classical music festivals, running from May 12 through early June. The opening concert at Obecní dům (Municipal House) features Smetana's "Má vlast" performed by the Czech Philharmonic — it's a cultural highlight of the Czech calendar. Concerts are held at the Rudolfinum, Obecní dům, churches, and palaces. Tickets range from €15 to €150+.
Prague Food Festival — a multi-day food event in the Royal Garden near Prague Castle, featuring top Czech restaurants, cooking demonstrations, and wine tastings. Usually late May.
Museum Night (Pražská muzejní noc) — one Saturday in May, dozens of museums open for free from 7 PM to 1 AM with special programming, concerts, and night-time access to collections. It's hugely popular with locals — queues form at top museums, but smaller venues are easily accessible.
Khamoro World Roma Festival — the largest Romani festival in the world, held in Prague in late May. Music, dance, film, and cultural events celebrating Roma heritage across multiple venues.
What's Open and What's Closed
Everything is open. Castle gardens, palace gardens, river cruises, outdoor terraces, beer gardens, Petřín funicular, parks — May is when Prague operates at full capacity.
Beer gardens at Letná and Riegrovy Sady are in full swing. Náplavka riverside farmers' markets run every Saturday. Outdoor dining is everywhere.
Crowds and Prices
May sits at the beginning of high season. Crowds are noticeable at top attractions — Charles Bridge gets busy midday, Prague Castle has queues from late morning — but they haven't reached July–August intensity. Weekday mornings remain manageable.
Hotel prices climb from April levels. Expect €110–170 per night for mid-range Old Town accommodation. Booking 4–6 weeks ahead is recommended, especially if your trip overlaps with Prague Spring Festival.
Best Things to Do in Prague in May
Attend a Prague Spring concert. Even a single concert at the Rudolfinum or Municipal House is a highlight. The opening night "Má vlast" is legendary, but smaller chamber concerts in Baroque churches offer equally memorable experiences at lower prices.
Walk through Petřín Hill gardens. May is peak bloom. The rose garden, the orchard, and the hillside paths are lush and fragrant. Combine with a visit to the Petřín Lookout Tower for panoramic views.
Explore the castle gardens. The Royal Garden and Garden on the Ramparts are at their most beautiful in May — manicured flower beds, Renaissance architecture, and views over the city.
Take a Vltava river cruise at sunset. May's long evenings mean golden-hour cruises depart at a comfortable 7–8 PM and return to the river lit by the setting sun behind the castle. One of the most photogenic experiences in Prague.
Go to Museum Night. If your visit coincides with Pražská muzejní noc, clear your evening. The National Museum, the Jewish Museum, the DOX Centre, and smaller galleries all participate with free admission and special events.
Day trip to Český Krumlov or Karlštejn. May weather is perfect for day trips. Český Krumlov's gardens and castle are stunning in spring, and Karlštejn's hilltop position catches May sunshine beautifully.
Where to Eat in May
May brings Prague's outdoor dining to full bloom. Café Savoy opens its terrace overlooking Vítězná street in Malá Strana. Lokál on Dlouhá has outdoor seating where you can watch Old Town street life while eating traditional Czech food. Smetana Q on the riverside has one of Prague's finest dining terraces — views of the Vltava and the castle while eating well-prepared Czech-European cuisine.
The Náplavka farmers' market on Saturday mornings is at its best in May — spring vegetables, herbs, artisan breads, Czech cheeses, and honey. The riverside setting with the castle in view makes grocery shopping feel like an event.
For evening dining, the restaurants in Vinohrady are excellent. Aromi does Italian food with Czech ingredients. Vinograf serves Moravian and international wines with small plates. The neighbourhood terraces fill after 6 PM on warm May evenings — arrive without a reservation and you might wait, but the quality is worth it.
May Day Traditions
May 1 (Svátek práce / Labour Day) is a public holiday. Czech tradition holds that couples should kiss under a cherry tree on May Day — you'll see young couples at Petřín Hill doing exactly this. The holiday also means most shops close, but parks, restaurants, and attractions remain open.
May 8 (Liberation Day) marks the end of WWII in the Czech Republic. Ceremonies take place at war memorials across Prague, and some museums offer free admission. It's a day of remembrance and reflection, and visiting the Terezín memorial or the WWII exhibits at the National Museum adds meaning to the date.
Classical Music in Historic Venues
Prague in May is arguably the world's best city for classical music. Beyond the Prague Spring Festival, regular concert programming at the Rudolfinum (Dvořák Hall — the Czech Philharmonic's home), the National Theatre (opera and ballet), and the Estates Theatre (where Mozart premiered Don Giovanni in 1787) runs nightly.
Church concerts offer a more intimate experience. St. Nicholas Church in Malá Strana, with its enormous Baroque interior and exceptional acoustics, hosts evening concerts that are among the most atmospheric in Europe. The Klementinum Mirror Chapel — an intimate Baroque space with mirrors and gold — is another extraordinary concert venue. Tickets for church concerts start from about 400–600 CZK.
Day Trips in Perfect Weather
May is the ideal month for day trips from Prague. The weather is warm enough for comfortable walking but not yet hot. All castles, chateaux, and outdoor attractions are on full schedules.
Our top May day-trip recommendations: Karlštejn Castle (30 km south — stunning hilltop setting), Kutná Hora (80 km east — Bone Church and St. Barbara's Cathedral), and Karlovy Vary (130 km west — colonnades, hot springs, and spa architecture). Each works as a comfortable full-day excursion with a morning departure and late-afternoon return.
See Prague With a Local Guide
May is our busiest month — and our favourite. The weather is ideal for walking, the gardens are in full bloom, and the evening light makes every facade glow. Our All Prague in One Day private tour covers the castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town, and the Jewish Quarter at your pace. Just your group, no strangers.
For a day trip, our Karlovy Vary tour takes you through the spa town's colonnades and hot springs — particularly beautiful when the surrounding hills are green.
Cap the evening at the Medieval Dinner Show at U Pavouka — fire dancers and a Gothic cellar feast.
Browse all our private tours of Prague and Czech Republic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May the best month to visit Prague?
Many locals and repeat visitors think so. The combination of warm weather, blooming gardens, long days, world-class festivals, and pre-peak crowds makes May arguably Prague's finest month.
What is Prague Spring Festival?
The Prague Spring International Music Festival is one of the world's most prestigious classical music events, running from May 12 through early June. It features the Czech Philharmonic, international soloists, and concerts in historic venues.
How warm is Prague in May?
Average 12-20°C with warm days reaching 25°C. Comfortable for all-day walking. Mornings and evenings are cool, afternoons warm.
Should I book hotels early for May?
Yes. May is the start of high season, and Prague Spring Festival increases demand. Book 4-6 weeks ahead for the best selection and prices.
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