Prague in Autumn: Everything you need to know about visiting

Are you planning a trip to Prague in Autumn and want to know what there is to see and do? This article is for you. We go through absolutely everything you need to know before visiting like, choosing accommodation, what to pack, and much more.

Why visit Prague in Autumn?

If you are thinking of visiting Prague in autumn, here are some reasons why we think it is the best time of year to visit.

• It’s not as busy as the summer months so there are less crowds
• Accommodation is cheaper
• The colours are amazing
• The weather is mild
• It’s perfect for walking around the city
• It’s also a great time of year for comfort food
• If the weather gets bad there are several museums and pubs to keep you entertained

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Prague in Autumn a month by month breakdown

If you are planning on visiting Prague in Autumn you might be wondering which month is the best. Here we give a month by month breakdown of what to expect in the city.

Prague in September

September is a great month to visit Prague. The humidity and crowds from over the summer decrease substantially.

There are a number of festivals and events still happening in the city, with the highlight being the Dvorak Festival. This two week event celebrates the life of Antonín Dvořák who is the Czech Republic’s most famous composer. There are a lot of classical music performances so it’s great for anyone looking for a bit of culture.

Prague in October

October is our favourite time of year to visit Prague. It’s a lot quieter, and still surprisingly warm, particularly during the day.

A lot of autumnal decorations can be found in the city such as pumpkin displays. There is also a light festival that usually takes place at the beginning of the month.

One of the highlights though is the Autumn Strings Festival which celebrates all kinds of musical styles with several concerts and shows throughout October.

Prague in November

Prague starts to get a lot colder and darker in November, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit. It’s a very atmospheric time to visit the city. People start selling mulled wine on the streets, and it’s a great time to fill up on sweet treats whilst exploring the city.

Things to do in Prague in Autumn

Here are some of the best things to do in Prague in autumn. And if you want further inspiration we have a 2 day Prague itinerary and a guide to 4 days in Prague that you might find useful.

Visit Prague Castle

Visiting Prague Castle is a must, especially in autumn. It’s hard to miss as it is perched on top of a hill looking down on the city. The grounds include things like gardens, palaces, and shops. One of the highlights though is the beautiful St Vitus Cathedral.

Why we think the castle is a great attraction when visiting Prague in autumn is the fact that the views from here are outstanding. You get to see the city from a stunning vantage point, and the golden leaves against the red rooftops make for a great picture.

Tickets to the castle are sold in different groups allowing access to different buildings depending on the package you go for.

John Lennon Wall

Located in Lesser Town or Mala Strana, the John Lennon Wall is another must when visiting Prague in autumn. The wall is etched with graffiti from top to bottom and is an Instagram favourite.

It was and is a symbol of political frustration, particularly during the 80s. So what is the connection to John Lennon you might be wondering? When the country was under communist control Beatles songs were banned. In fact you could face prison for playing a western pop song. Lennon represented freedom so after his death in 1980 the youth of Prague visited the wall to mourn his death and celebrate his life.

Feed the swans

Prague has some of Europe’s best fed swans, and feeding them is actively encouraged. You should be mindful though of what you feed them as soggy bread isn’t great for them and can make them ill.

There are a few places where you can sit, enjoy the views, and feed the swans. Our favourite though is close the the Charles Bridge in the Lesser Town.

Just remember swans are wild animals with a savage bite so be careful.

Charles Bridge

Seeing the Charles Bridge is one of the top things to do in Prague in autumn. There are people selling mulled wine close to the bridge and walking across it with a hot drink in your hand, whilst taking in the fairy tale that is Prague is just amazing.

The bridge is the oldest in Prague. Construction began in 1357 by order of Charles IV, and was completed in 1402. It’s been called many things but the name Charles Bridge was officially adopted in 1870.

Old Town Square

Dating back to the 12th Century is Prague’s old town square. Here you will see a number of architectural styles in the city right next to each other.

It’s a key meeting point in the city, and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Prague in autumn. Especially because you can devour some roasted nuts, mulled wine, and other treats being sold in the square.

Astronomical Clock

Every hour on the hour the astronomical clock, which is located in Prague’s old town, goes off. While the performance is slightly underwhelming, it’s still pretty cool to see. Particularly as this is one of the oldest working astronomical clocks in the world.

Beer Bath

For something a bit different in Prague, you can book yourself in for a beer bath. Yes that is a real thing, and you can sip beer whilst bathing in it.

Dancing House

For something a little more modern you can visit the Dancing House in Prague. It’s officially known the Nationale-Nederlanden building, and is one of the most photographed modern buildings in Prague. The design is really quirky and it is supposed to resemble a pair of dancers.

Petrin Hill

Petrin Hill is a great place to visit in autumn especially. The red and orange leaves slowly start falling from the trees to expose the city at the bottom of the hill.

There are gardens here to explore, as well as lots of woodland. You can also visit the tower at the top of the hill and admire the views across Prague and beyond.

Jewish Museum

Prague has a lot of Jewish history and the museum tells the powerful and often tragic story of the Jewish community here. It is a sombre but fascinating place to visit. Tickets also include entry to the Old Jewish Cemetery were some prominent figures in Jewish history are buried.

Vltava River Cruise

One of our favourite things to do in Prague in autumn is a Vltava River cruise. It’s perfect at this time of year because you can even book yourself on tours that provide you with mulled wine and food.

Prague is so atmospheric and seeing it from the warmth of a boat, whilst sipping a hot drink is a little bit magical.

Go barhopping

Prague has some really cool bars, from the traditional beer halls, to some really swanky cocktail places. For the traditional we recommend the Prague Beer Museum, a pub with traditional wooden benches and a really fun atmosphere. U Tygra is also a good place to go, and even Bill Clinton has sipped beer here.

Wherever you decide to drink though it’s guaranteed to be a good time. It’s also the perfect autumn activity to warm you up after those chilly days walking around exploring.

St Nicholas’ Church

St Nicholas’ Church located in Mala Strana is a Baroque masterpiece that you really have to visit. The inside is adorned with impressive artwork and intricate carvings, so we recommend you make the time to visit.

It was built between 1704-1755 it is now a hugely popular tourist attraction in Prague. It is also considered one of the greatest examples of Prague Baroque architecture.

There is obviously so much to do in Prague, but if you are still deciding if Prague is worth visiting here is a handy guide.

Or if you are tossing up between Prague and Vienna, or Prague and Budapest these might help.

Best foods to eat in Prague in Autumn

One of the best things about visiting Prague in autumn has to be the food. Prague is known for it’s stodgy meals usually revolving around meat, bread, and potatoes. So with the cooler weather it’s a great time to indulge. Here are some food suggestions perfect for the cooler months in Prague.

Trdelník (chimney cake)

Trdelník or chimney cake is a popular dish in Prague. Although they aren’t Czech originally, so if you have spent any time in Budapest you may recognise these tasty treats.

You can grab a Trdelník in most spots around the city but there are a few sellers in the old town. It’s essentially a pastry wrapped around a stick and cooked til browned. It’s then brushed with butter, and rolled in cinnamon to create a really crisp shell that you can fill with anything imaginable. Our favourite is with Nutella and ice cream.

Goulash

Another excellent source of autumnal comfort food has to be goulash. Again you may have heard of it if you have visited Hungary. The Czech version is a little different in that it is a bit runnier, and is often served with dumplings.

If you are going to try it don’t do what we did and order it from one of those tourist trap kind of restaurants. It’s not as good quality and you will pay a lot more for it too.

Pork Knuckle

Pork knuckle is one of the famous dishes in Prague. It’s pork, which is boiled, marinaded and then roasted. It’s incredibly tender and falls off the bone. It’s usually served with mustard and sauerkraut.

It’s also pretty filling so be warned you will need to bring an appetite.

Chlebíčky

Chlebíčky is an open faced sandwich that locals usually eat for breakfast or lunch. You can find them in bakeries, and cafes, and they are pretty darn good. It’s usually topped with things like egg, salami, cheese or ham. And the good news is that this is one food vegetarians should be able to try as they do have veggie options.

What is the weather like in Prague in Autumn

If you are planning your trip to Prague in autumn here is a month by month breakdown of the weather.

Prague in September

September weather in Prague is a lot cooler than the previous summer months. The temperatures average between 9 – 19 degrees Celsius, and it is relatively warm and sunny.

Prague in October

October is still relatively mild in Prague. The days are warmish averaging at around 14 degrees Celsius, with the evenings slightly chillier at around 6 degrees Celsius.

Prague in November

November does get a lot cooler in Prague, but if you wrap up warm it is still manageable. Temperatures range between about 3 – 8 degrees Celsius. The city starts to get darker earlier too at this time of year.

Where to stay in Prague in Autumn

One of the great things about visiting Prague is that the city has a lot of accommodation choices to suit all budgets. You have great choices for hostels, mid range hotels, and even luxury travel.

One of the more daunting things can be deciding where to stay. Here we go through some of the best areas for booking your accommodation in Prague.

Old Town or Staré Město

The Old Town or Staré Město in Czech, is one of the top choices for accommodation in Prague. It’s especially good if you are a first time traveller or are here on a short break. It’s incredibly central, close to a lot of attractions and nightlife, and you also have excellent transport links.

As it is prime location accommodation can be a little more pricey so do book well in advance to secure the best rates. The area is very touristy (for good reason) so if you want a less touristy experience you may want to think about staying elsewhere.

Lesser Town or Mala Strana

This is where we stayed when we visited Prague. It’s centrally located, and just across the river from the Old Town. It’s also a little quieter. There are still lots of restaurants and bars here, and it’s just a stones throw away from the Charles Bridge. This is handy if you want to catch the sunrise by the Charles Bridge.

New Town or Nové Město

New Town, is still a central place to stay, although it is a bit of a walk to the Old Town. It’s great if you want to get away from the swarms of tourists, and want a bit more of an authentic modern day Czech experience.

The Castle District or Hradcany

The Castle District has some of the best views over Prague, and is obviously close to one of the main tourist attractions, the Prague Castle. It’s a little bit further out though from the Old Town, but still easily accessible. We probably wouldn’t recommend staying in the area when you only have a short time in Prague, just because it’s away from a lot of the hustle and bustle of the city.

Best photo spots in Prague in Autumn

Prague in autumn is truly something beautiful. The darker days and orange leaves compliment the city so perfectly. Here are some of the best photo spots in Prague to really capture that autumnal charm.

Prague Castle

Prague Castle really is one of the best places to visit in Prague in autumn. You get such a great view over the city and you can capture the atmosphere and mood of the city really easily in photos here.

Whilst the castle grounds are beautiful it’s the hilly walk up and down that really add to the atmosphere for me. There are also a number places to stop along the way for mulled wine or grog. What is grog you ask? Well it’s a combination of rum, hot water, lemon, and sugar.

John Lennon Wall

The John Lennon Wall is one of the most Instagram worthy spots in Prague. It’s especially good to visit in autumn because there are less crowds and you have a better change of getting a photo without hundreds of other tourists.

Charles Bridge at sunrise

Visiting the Charles Bridge at sunrise should be part of your Prague bucket list. And when you are visiting Prague in autumn, the good news is that you don’t have to wake up super early like you would in summer to see it.

Sunrise on the bridge is stunning. There aren’t many people and it’s just such a surreal moment. If you get the opportunity to witness it take it!

Old Town Hall Tower

One of the best photo spots in Prague’s Old Town, has to be at the Old Town Hall Tower. You can get a lift right to the top and you have a birds eye view over the city.

Petrin Hill Funicular

Petrin Hill in general is a must when visiting Prague in autumn. The falling orange and red leaves, create such a beautiful atmosphere. One of the best photo spots though is on the funicular that you can use to get up the hill.

It departs from the Lesser Town, and is part of the public transport network, so it’s cheap.

Getting around Prague in Autumn

Prague is such a walkable city, and a lot of the main attractions are pretty close together. Autumn is a lot cooler in the city, and a lot prettier with the orange leaves, therefore walking is a great option.

That being said if you do find yourself short of time, or needing to use public transport, the good news is, it’s cheap and efficient.

It did take us a while to get the hang of transport in the city. We ended up using the metro and the tram during our time in Prague. For both modes of transport you will need to purchase a ticket before boarding. The same ticket can be used on both trams and the metro.

You can purchase tickets at all metro stations, some newspaper kiosks, or your hotel. Once you board make sure you validate your ticket.

You could also do a hop on hop off bus tour. These are a great way to familiarise yourself with a new city, and if you don’t see everything you want on the day you can always make plans to visit afterwards.

Costs for visiting Prague in autumn

Prague is pretty average when it comes to costs. I think it used to be a lot cheaper, but as it gained popularity it has become a bot more expensive. That’s not to say it’s super expensive though. It’s still one of the cheapest Central European capitals along with Lisbon and Berlin.

Here is a bit of a breakdown to help you understand the costs associated with visiting Prague in autumn. We are going to do this in Euros as well, this is not the official currency in Prague – this is purely because more people use Euros so it is easier to understand costs. The currency in Prague is the Czech koruna and this is what you will need to make any payments in.

On average we found in Prague that a pint of beer would cost around €3 which is pretty good against the typical European standard. A meal at a restaurant for 2 would cost around€20/€30 – which again as a European standard is pretty cheap.

It’s easy to see Prague on a budget and you can really bring down costs depending on the kind of accommodation you book, where you eat, and the attractions you wish to see. Prague in autumn is a great time to visit because accommodation is a lot cheaper than in the summer months.

On average we budgeted around €100 or 3000 CZK per person per day. We didn’t usually spend this much but it might help you plan your own budget in the city. For us this included things like tours, cocktails and beers, dinners, and transport. This didn’t include accommodation, as we paid for that well in advance.

What to pack for Prague in Autumn

The weather in Prague in autumn can be slightly unpredictable. It will obviously be a lot cooler than summer months, so make sure you pack accordingly. Here are some of our suggestions for things you should consider packing.

• Layered clothing so that you can add/subtract layers when necessary.
• A good jacket – ideally waterproof.
• Umbrella/ raincoat.
• Comfortable shoes as you will do a lot of walking.
• Lip balm because the windy weather is not kind on your lips.

For a full packing list for Europe in Fall here is a useful guide.

Final tips for visiting Prague in Autumn

If you are hoping to visit Prague in autumn here are our final tips for planning the perfect break.

• Daylight hours are substantially shorter than in the summer months so plan accordingly.
• Additionally some tourist attractions are closed or close early in the colder months so do your research in advance.
• The weather is unpredictable so plan for some rain.
• Pack layered clothing.
• Take advantage of the street food like mulled wine and Trdelník.

So should I visit Prague in Autumn?

Hopefully this article has helped you decide if you should visit Prague in autumn.

We honestly think autumn is the best time of year to visit Prague. Not only do the orange leaves perfectly compliment the architecture of the city, but the cooler weather adds to the mystical atmosphere.

There are also less tourists at this time of year, particularly because the kids have all gone back to school. This means less crowds and cheaper hotel prices.

We hope you enjoy your trip, and don’t forget to pin this article to look back at later.

And if you are planning a trip to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest here is a guide to help.