Prague in December runs cold, with an average high of 4.8°C and an average low of -0.2°C, alongside 11 rain days and 45 mm of precipitation. Daylight on December 15 stretches from sunrise to sunset for about 8 hours and 5 minutes, and the year's shortest day falls on December 21 at 8 hours 3 minutes. It is the 11th warmest month and the least sunny, ranked relatively against the rest of the year. December suits travellers who want a crisp, dark, festive-feeling city break and don't mind short days and a raincoat, rather than anyone chasing warmth or long daylight.
December in Prague at a glance
- Temperature
- Average high 4.8 °C, average low −0.2 °C — the 11th warmest month of the year.
- Rain
- 11 days with at least 1 mm, 45 mm in total — the 7th wettest month by rain days.
- Sunshine
- The least sunny month of Prague's year (relative ranking — modelled data overstates absolute hours).
- Daylight
- 8 h 05 min on December 15 (8 h 20 min on the 1st, 8 h 08 min on the last day); the shortest day of the year is December 21 (8 h 03 min).
- Crowds
- Busy: visitor nights in the region run at 1.2× an average month. Busiest month August, quietest January (Eurostat, 2022–2025).
- Verdict
- The best months for Prague are May, June, September; December is for travellers who don't mind the cold.
- Source
- ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; daylight computed for the city's latitude; crowds from Eurostat nights spent at tourist accommodation (region by month).
What Prague is like in December
Expect a steady chill: highs hover at 4.8°C and lows dip just below freezing at -0.2°C, with 11 rain days spreading 45 mm across the month. That's noticeably colder than November's 8°C high and 9 rain days, but only slightly milder than January's 3.8°C high, which also sees 11 rain days — so the slide into winter is already well underway. Regional neighbours offer a similar picture: Dresden (5.6°C, 13 rain days), Leipzig (5.7°C, 13 rain days), Nuremberg (5°C, 14 rain days) and Vienna (5.1°C, 10 rain days) are all a touch milder, while Wrocław (4.9°C, 11 rain days) tracks closely with Prague. December is also ranked the least sunny month of the year here, so grey skies are the norm.
The city's rhythm in December is shaped by Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day (24–26 Dec), a stretch that coincides with school holidays running from 19 December into early January across Germany, the Netherlands and France. Visitor nights in the region run at 1.2 times an average month, busier than quiet January but well short of August's peak, so expect a livelier, more sociable Prague around the holidays rather than a crowded one. With short daylight and frequent rain, this is a month for museums, galleries, warm pubs and long evenings, saving outdoor walks along the Vltava or across Charles Bridge for the brighter midday hours.
Flights to Prague in December 2026
| From | Lowest fare found |
|---|---|
| London | €22 |
| Paris | €44 |
| Berlin | €54 |
| Amsterdam | €72 |
| Stockholm | €52 |
| New York | €340 |
Lowest fares found in recent flight searches (Aviasales), collected 10 November 2026. A guide to price level only — fares change daily and may not be available when you search.
Where else to go in December: warmest, driest and least crowded cities →
Where to stay in December
Holidays in December 2026
- 24 Dec
- Christmas Eve — public holiday in Czechia
- 25 Dec
- Christmas Day — public holiday in Czechia
- 26 Dec
- St. Stephen's Day — public holiday in Czechia
- Germany
- School holidays 19 Dec – 12 Jan (dates vary by region) — expect more visitors from there.
- Netherlands
- School holidays 19 Dec – 3 Jan (dates vary by region) — expect more visitors from there.
- France
- School holidays 20 Dec – 3 Jan (dates vary by region) — expect more visitors from there.
December in nearby cities
The numbers side by side
Tips for December
- Pack warm layers and a waterproof coat for highs around 4.8°C, lows near -0.2°C, and 11 rain days through the month.
- With only about 8 hours and 5 minutes of daylight on the 15th, and the shortest day of the year on December 21, plan outdoor sightseeing like Charles Bridge around midday.
- Book accommodation and travel early if visiting around 24–26 December, since school holidays in Germany, the Netherlands and France overlap this period and crowds run at 1.2 times an average month.
- If you'd rather have slightly milder, drier days, Vienna (253 km away) averages 5.1°C with 10 rain days in December, a modest step up from Prague; note that Prague's standout months overall are May, June and September, not December.
Hotels in Prague
See live prices and availability for stays in Prague on a major booking site.
Frequently asked
Is Prague worth visiting in December?
Yes, if you're after a cold, atmospheric city break rather than sunshine — December isn't one of Prague's computed best months (May, June and September are), but it works well for travellers who enjoy short, crisp days and don't mind rain.
How cold is Prague in December?
Average highs sit at 4.8°C and average lows at -0.2°C, making it the 11th warmest month of the year, with zero days reaching 30°C and zero warm nights, as expected for winter.
Does it rain a lot in Prague in December?
There are 11 rain days and 45 mm of precipitation in a typical December, close to January's 11 rain days and more than November's 9.
How many hours of daylight does Prague get in December?
Around 8 hours and 5 minutes on December 15, shrinking to the year's shortest day on December 21 at 8 hours 3 minutes, before lengthening slightly to 8 hours 8 minutes by month's end.
More on Prague
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — December climate normals for Prague, 2016–2025 averages (ERA5 reanalysis, CC BY 4.0)
- NOAA solar calculation method — daylight computed for Prague's latitude (sunrise to sunset, standard refraction)
- Nager.Date — public holidays in Czechia, December 2026
- OpenHolidays API — school holidays in the main source markets, December 2026
- ReasonStay methodology — how figures are computed and checked
An independent guide to Prague in December — every figure computed from open data, no invented numbers. Booking links are affiliate links (how we're funded).