Prague in December: the cold, the short days, what to wear and a hosted weekend

Prague in December is cold, dark early and well worth the trip: days average about 3°C, the sun sets at about four, and by then the Old Town is lit for Advent, with the Christmas market on Old Town Square and the gas lamps glowing on Charles Bridge. For a first visit, Spice Escapes takes a small hosted group of people travelling on their own for a long weekend, Prague Christmas Magic, staying steps from Old Town Square with Sally Wiltshire as host.

Below: the weather, the daylight, what to pack and what is open.

Prague weather in December: a Prague afternoon is about as warm as a London night

The World Meteorological Organization's averages for Prague, from thirty years of Czech Hydrometeorological Institute readings at Praha Ruzyně, give December a high of 3.4°C and a low of minus 1.1°C. London, on Met Office figures in the same service, averages 8.4°C and 3.4°C.

So Prague runs about five degrees colder, but drier: about 25mm of rain over six days, against about 48mm in London. These are long-run averages, not a forecast.

Sunrise near eight, sunset near four, and the evenings are the best part

The United States Naval Observatory's tables for Prague give about eight hours of daylight, with sunset at about 4pm all month and the last light gone by about a quarter to five. That shapes a good day: sights in the light, then out again once the lamps are on.

Charles Bridge is at its best after dark, under its gas lamps.

What to wear in Prague in December: layers, a hat and shoes that grip

Pack for hours outdoors at around freezing, then for peeling off in warm cafés and churches.

• A warm, waterproof coat, with thin layers underneath.
• A hat, gloves and a scarf. Standing still at the stalls after dark is when you feel the cold most.
• Shoes with a waterproof sole and a good grip, for cobbles that can be wet or frosty.

Our guide to packing light helps keep a winter case small.

What is open: the Old Town Hall until eight, the market into January

The Old Town Hall, home of the Astronomical Clock, opens 9am to 8pm on most December days, and the clock's twelve apostles appear every hour from 8am to 11pm. The Old Town Square market runs from the end of November into January.

Evenings bring music indoors too: this season The Nutcracker is on at the Broadway Theatre on dates through Advent.

The hosted weekend follows the short days

Prague Christmas Magic is 3 nights, 4 Dec 2026 – 7 Dec 2026, from £675, and the host is with the group for all three nights. Hotel Rott is on Little Square, a few steps from Old Town Square, so a warmer layer is never far away.

The provisional plan follows the light. The first evening is free for a stroll to see the Old Town Square lights. Day two is the Old Town and its market, with the Astronomical Clock or Charles Bridge suggested for the afternoon. Day three is Prague Castle in the morning, Malá Strana after lunch, and Wenceslas Square or Peace Square as evening falls, for trdelník, the chimney cake from the stalls.

See the dates and book online on the Prague Christmas Magic page.

A first winter city break, with company built in

Most people on a Spice holiday book on their own. Groups are around fifteen people, and some reach twenty, with a host who has the arranging in hand, and on a cold evening there is company for a svařák, the Czech mulled wine.

A room to yourself carries a single supplement or room-to-yourself cost, explained on our single supplement page. If you have not travelled with a group before, start with our page for first-time solo travellers. For more winter breaks, see our short breaks, over-50s solo holidays and holidays in the Czech Republic.

Cannot make that weekend? Paris or Athens instead

All Inclusive Perfect Paris is 3 nights, 3 Feb 2027 – 6 Feb 2027, from £679, hosted by Samantha Pike, on a boat moored a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, with full board and drinks on board.

Ancient Athens is 4 nights, 10 Mar 2027 – 14 Mar 2027, from £579, hosted by Jackie Whyte, starting with dinner together, with an optional food tour of more than eighteen tastings.

Questions people ask

Is Prague worth visiting in December?

Yes, if you pack for the cold. The Old Town is lit for Advent and the Christmas market fills Old Town Square, while the short days put the sightseeing in daylight and the markets and lamps after dark.

How cold is Prague in December?

On the World Meteorological Organization's long-run averages, a December day reaches about 3°C and falls to around minus 1°C at night. That is about five degrees colder than London, though with roughly half the rain.

How many hours of daylight does Prague get in December?

About eight. In early December the sun rises at about 7.40am and sets at about 4pm, and by the shortest day sunrise is nearer 8am.

Are Prague's sights open over Christmas?

Yes, but check the holidays themselves. Last season the Old Town Hall, with the Astronomical Clock, kept shorter hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

Wrap up warm, then see the dates and book online

See the dates and book online on the Prague Christmas Magic page, which has the live price and the Book button. Places: 5 places left.

Still weighing up the cold? Questions about the weather, Hotel Rott or a room to yourself can go to Sally Wiltshire, who hosts the weekend, through our contact page, or to Rosie, the chat on the holiday page.