01Weather
Prague weather in January
Afternoons in January average 4.1 °C (39 °F) and nights cool to -0.7 °C (31 °F). The month brings about 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain spread over roughly 10 days. Compared with December it is 0.5 °C cooler; February is 2.9 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 10 °C / 50 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 0 °C / 32 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -5 °C / 23 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 18.3 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 33 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 16.6 °C / -12.7 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 08:01 | 16:10 | 8.2 h |
| 15 January | 07:55 | 16:28 | 8.6 h |
| 31 January | 07:37 | 16:54 | 9.3 h |
Daylight grows by about 66 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Prague).
03Crowds
How busy Prague is in January
quiet The main sights are quiet in January. What drives it:
- cold, grey weather
- New Year's Day busy then quiet
- ball season begins
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Prague in January
No major recurring events fall in January.
07Packing
What to pack for Prague in January
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
- gloves: frost on about 18 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is cold, often below freezing, with afternoons around 4 °C, grey skies and short days, but the Christmas markets linger into the first week and the ball season opens in the palaces and the Municipal House. Crowds on the Charles Bridge thin to locals and photographers at dawn. Hotel rates are the lowest of the year, and the Castle's courtyards are empty on weekdays.
Snow falls on about six days and sometimes stays, turning Malá Strana into a postcard. Daylight runs from about eight until four thirty. The Jewish Museum and the Old-New Synagogue are at their quietest. Beer halls and the covered Vinohrady market are the warm refuges. The Masopust carnival falls in February or early March; see February for the coldest and cheapest weeks.
09Compare
Prague month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 °C | -1 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 7 °C | 0 °C | 7 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 11 °C | 2 °C | 7 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 15 °C | 4 °C | 9 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 19 °C | 8 °C | 11 | – | very busy | Good |
| June | 25 °C | 14 °C | 11 | – | very busy | Good |
| July | 26 °C | 15 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 26 °C | 15 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 21 °C | 11 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 15 °C | 7 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 8 °C | 2 °C | 7 | – | quiet | Good |
| December | 5 °C | 0 °C | 8 | – | busy | Mixed |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit Prague.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Budapest in January | 4 °C | 10 |
| Venice in January | 8 °C | 5 |
| Copenhagen in January | 4 °C | – |
| Amsterdam in January | 7 °C | 12 |
| Paris in January | 7 °C | 13 |
| Rome in January | 13 °C | 10 |
11FAQ
Prague in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Prague?
January is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Prague. Daytime highs average 4 °C (39 °F), rain falls on about 10 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are quiet.
What is the weather like in Prague in January?
Expect cold days around 4 °C (39 °F) and nights near -1 °C (31 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 10 °C, and one in ten stays below -0 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Prague in January?
January brings about 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain over roughly 10 days, which is showery by Prague standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 33 percent.
What should I wear in Prague in January?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Prague crowded in January?
The main sights are quiet in January. Main drivers: cold, grey weather; New Year's Day busy then quiet; ball season begins.
What time does it get dark in Prague in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 16:28 and rises at 07:55, giving 8.6 hours of daylight.