New Year in Prague 2026 – how to meet? Weather and reviews, air temperature, how to dress, prices in hotels and excursions. What to do and what to see in Prague on New Year’s Eve and after the holiday, are the metro and shops open, are the castles of the Czech Republic open in early January – says Eurotraveler.
It is unlikely that anyone will seriously argue with the statement that celebrating the New Year in Prague is like pulling out winning lottery ticket. After all, the capital of the Czech Republic at this time literally, that is, in the most literal sense, looks fabulously good.
Just imagine pavements slightly dusted with snow, joyful multi-colored walls, tiled roofs… The peaked caps of bell towers and towers are incredibly clear on a clear frosty day or, on the contrary, as if emerging from a foggy veil.
It’s literally in the air waiting for the holidaybustle and excited excitement are everywhere. With the onset of dusk, the lights come on, which look especially magical against the backdrop of old, sometimes smoke-stained facades.
Who, seeing such beauty, would dare to doubt that everything will be fine in the New Year?
Yes, for sure there will be a lot of tourists who want to “see and feel” it. Naturally, and prices skyrocket during this period. Because those who install them know for sure that New Year’s celebrations in Prague are an incredibly popular event.
But none of this matters. Since, as already hinted at above, the moment can be recognized as something epochal. Well, or at least setting the right, successful vector of development for the next year!
Weather in Prague for New Year
In recent years it has made me strain to feel the same atmospherefor which tourists come here at this time. Since the Czech capital does not always experience near-zero or sub-zero temperatures in early January, global warming is doing its job.
In particular, recently the New Year in Prague is celebrated at air temperatures from +6-8 °C to even +10-12 °C. But, if the weather is not the rainiest, at the beginning of January you will almost certainly find several dry or generally clear days.
That is, in a fairly comfortable environment you will have time to explore the city and even take part in a long walking tour. The chance of getting very cold and/or getting your feet wet is small.
Provided it’s true that you dress properly (more on this below). That is, do not let yourself become complacent due to (plus temperatures) and remember that Prague stands on the banks of a large river.
The weather may remain similar (warm) throughout the first ten days of January – that is during the New Year holidays. But after the 10th or by the middle of the month a cold snap almost always follows. Up to +2-5 °C or even 0 °C during the day and frost at night. Next…
However, you, reading this article, are almost probably won’t affect. You are not going to go to Prague in the middle and end of January, are you?
Regarding
Precipitation
then they are not too abundant. If you’re lucky, a light snowfall will fall before your arrival: it will please the eye and melt the next morning. Another scenario is quite likely, in the form rain turning into sleet.
Note that not every New Year comes to Prague in such weather. It may well be that the Czech capital will celebrate the holiday at zero or even slight frost.
Length of day
The length of the day at this time is short: in early January the sun rises over the capital of the Czech Republic at 8 am and sets at 4 pm.
Which is unlikely to stop you from feeling the spirit of Christmas and New Year that reigns in Prague. Because when it gets dark the city shimmers with lightsturning into a real setting for a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.
How to dress
It is worth considering that in most cases the humidity in Prague on New Year’s Eve and throughout January fluctuates in the range of 75-85%. That is, any cold seems even more shrillthan you would expect from looking at an outdoor thermometer.
Therefore, when traveling to the Czech Republic at this time, we recommend taking with you a sufficient amount not just warm, but also multi-layered clothes. For long walks in the fresh air or trips to famous Czech castles, thermal underwear will also come in handy.
It is worth considering that Prague is located on hills, so you will often have to climb upto see the next attraction. Therefore, clothes should also be light.
Pay attention to your shoes – it’s best if they are waterproof and on a thick corrugated sole. For the entire center of the Czech capital is covered with cobblestones – a very slippery surface during and after rain or snowfall.
- Is it worth going to the Czech Republic with your own car?
Prices 2026
They get inspiration from the same place people do. After all, high spirits inspire not only tourists who live in anticipation, but also mercantile travel agencies. Who literally get a second wind on the eve of the New Year holidays.
So on New Year’s and a few days after in Prague everything is quite expensive. Not excessive – still, this is not Paris. But enough for you to shorten your visit or feel the urge to come here at other times.
A couple of travelers will pay about 180 € per night for accommodation at the Atos Hotel. Located in the center of Lesser Town and 10 minutes walk from Prague Castle.
At the same time, you will live in beautiful 19th century buildingand the local breakfasts (included in the price) are praised by guests.
Noticeably less expensive (from 130 € per night or about 100 € if on offer), but also located further from the main attractions is the Belvedere Hotel. However, there is a tram stop next to it, so you can get to the center of Prague in 10-15 minutes.
Even a long self-driving (4.5 hours) sightseeing tour of Prague will cost only 25-30 €. It’s called a group event (up to 15 people), but due to winter time there are so many people who want to participate it’s unlikely to be collected.
If you want to get a slightly more personalized product and a guide that will work only for your group, then you will have to pay from 120 €.
Transport
On New Year’s Eve, public transport in Prague will work until late. So you can return to the hotel and celebrate the holiday somewhere in the center.
On the night of January 1, the Prague metro open until 2amtrain intervals are no more than 10 minutes! Trams adhere to the regular schedule until 22:00, after which night routes start operating at intervals of up to 20 minutes.
On January 1, all public transport in Prague begins work on a regular schedule. But shops and restaurants are not. The former will remain closed, most of the latter will open their doors only in the evening.
Again, keep in mind that tables in popular restaurants and cafes in Prague are booked long before the New Year. So it’s pointless to count on empty seats if you’re lucky enough to walk in straight from the street.
Things to do
The main Christmas market in Prague is located on Old Town Square. It’s been running for a little over a month: from the beginning of December to January 6.
The main New Year tree of the country is installed here, and then bright and colorful performances are staged. Tourists are attracted by the bright colors of souvenir shops – what to buy in Prague as a souvenir.
Tents with traditional sweets, hot snacks, and mulled wine entice you with the overwhelming aromas of the tents.
So that tourists don’t have a chance to miss the New Year, a Christmas market is held right in Prague Castle.
There is a free outdoor skating rink at the Vegetable Market near the Mustek metro station. You will only have to pay for renting skates – you won’t bring a couple or two in your suitcase, will you?!
And it is customary to listen to the New Year’s chimes near the Town Hall on Old Town Square. Literally swelling in size from the abundance of visitors speaking a hundred languages.
Read about other attractions worthy of the refined taste of foreign travelers in our article: what can you see in Prague in 3 days?
Castles of the Czech Republic
Czech castles do not necessarily close in winter; some only go into a kind of hibernation. However, after Catholic Christmas, in some places the doors are opened slightly for visitors.
For example, Karlštejn Castle near Prague is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until January 8, and then closes for almost a month. Kokorzhin works on Saturdays and Sundays in the morning and recommends coordinate the visit with the administrationso as not to “kiss the lock”.
Konopiste, on the contrary, like the fortress in Cesky Krumlov, is tightly closed in winter and awaits spring. From the information on the official website of the Hluboká nad Vltavou Castle, it is not entirely clear whether he intends to make tourists happy? It seems like only from January 2…
Resorts
If you are in the Czech Republic with your own car, be sure to consider a trip to the Giant Mountains, to the resorts of Spindleruv Mlyn and Harrachov. Czechs come here with pleasure to ski and snowboard, even on the weekend – after all, from Prague to the Giant Mountains it is less than 150 km!
Only 130 km separate Prague from Karlovy Vary. A resort where celebrating the New Year is a pleasure. In pleasant proximity to the former Carlsbad there is the ancient castle of Loket (15 km). The gingerbread town of Cheb is also nearby.
How shops work
Entertainment such as shopping in Prague is available to tourists in full, with the exception of December 24, 25 and 31, as well as January 1. Stores of even large chains Bila, Tesko, Kaufland, will be closed on Catholic Christmas, the 25th, and immediately after the New Year, on January 1.
On December 24, Christmas Eve, shopping establishments in Prague are usually open only until midday (13-14 hours). But from December 26, work will resume as usual. Shortened day (until 17-18 hours) in Prague stores and December 31.
© Eurotraveler
