January in Prague averages highs of 4 °C (39 °F) and lows of -2 °C (29 °F), with about 8 rainy days and 8 h 31 min of daylight.
January weather in Prague at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is January a good time to visit Prague?
Tough month: cold and some rain. January is usually shoulder season in Prague: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in January 2026
- Thu 1 Jan: New Year's Day (Den obnovy samostatného českého státu; Nový rok) public holiday
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Prague in January
With cold days in January, here are the indoor picks first, then the outdoor ones for drier spells.
- Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral — half a day indoors
- Jewish Quarter (Josefov) — synagogues and the old cemetery indoors
- Charles Bridge — at sunrise, before the crowds outdoors
- Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock — on the hour outdoors
- Letná Park and beer garden — best view of the bridges outdoors
- Vyšehrad — quiet fortress on the river outdoors
Where to stay: Old Town or Malá Strana for sights; Vinohrady or Karlín for value and cafés.
What to pack for Prague in January
- A warm winter coat, hat and gloves: it rarely gets above 4 °C (39 °F).
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Prague costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €45–100 | €120–250 |
Excluding flights. January is usually shoulder season in Prague: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
January in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna | 4° / -2° | 7 | Tough month |
| Berlin | 4° / -1° | 10 | Tough month |
| Munich | 4° / -3° | 12 | Tough month |
Plan your Prague trip
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is January a good time to visit Prague?
By the numbers, January is a tough month: cold and some rain, with average highs of 4 °C (39 °F) and about 8 rainy days. January is usually shoulder season in Prague: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower. The best months for weather are May, June, July, August, September.
How warm is Prague in January?
Average highs are 4 °C (39 °F) and lows -2 °C (29 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Prague in January?
Expect about 8 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 40 mm in total. It is the 6th wettest month of the year in Prague.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.