Prague in spring: blossom, Easter whips and a festival that opens on 12 May

Spring in Prague arrives in stages. One week is grey and cold, the next the terraces are full and the first blossom is out on Petřín. The season is shorter than people expect and the weather is unreliable, but it's one of the best times for walking.

The weather

March is still cold in many years, with frost and sometimes snow. April is mixed, with sunny spells and showers. By May it's often warm enough for a drink outdoors. Layers are the sensible plan, and a light rain jacket earns its place in the bag. Check the forecast a few days ahead, because a week can change a lot.

Blossom and parks

When the cherry and apple trees bloom, usually in April, the parks and hillsides are at their best. Petřín Hill is the traditional favourite, with orchards, paths and a lookout tower. Couples are said to kiss under a cherry tree there on 1 May, a custom linked to the poet Karel Hynek Mácha, whose statue stands on the hill.

Other good spring walks: Letná Park, with views over the river; Kampa Island; Vyšehrad; and Stromovka, a large former royal park now open to everyone. The Prague Castle gardens usually open in spring, but check the official site for dates (as of 2026; check the official source).

Easter

Easter has a strong tradition in Czechia, and the markets on the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are part of it, with painted eggs, spring decorations, food stalls and crafts. The date of Easter changes each year, so check the city tourism site.

Two customs stand out:

• Pomlázka. On Easter Monday, boys and men traditionally go door to door with a braided willow whip, lightly whipping girls and women to bring them health and youth in the year ahead. The women reward them with painted eggs, sweets or a small drink. Today it is mostly a light-hearted, rural custom. If you see someone carrying one in the city, that's what it is.
• Decorated eggs. Kraslice are intricately painted or decorated eggs, a craft in their own right. They're sold at Easter markets and make good gifts.

Many shops close on Easter Monday, and some on Good Friday, so check opening hours. Our guide to Czech Easter traditions goes deeper.

Witches' night

On 30 April Czechs celebrate Čarodějnice (Witches' Night). Bonfires are lit across the country and a straw witch goes on the flames. It's a lively evening, and in Prague you'll find bonfires and gatherings in parks and on the outskirts, often with sausages and beer. More in our piece on the spring bonfire tradition.

Prague Spring, the music festival

The Prague Spring International Music Festival (Pražské jaro) traditionally opens on 12 May, the anniversary of Bedřich Smetana's death, with his cycle Má vlast (My Country). It runs for several weeks, with orchestras and soloists in historic halls. Check the programme and ticket details well in advance, as popular concerts sell out (as of 2026; check the official source).

Terraces and beer gardens

As soon as the sun comes out, the terraces fill. The beer gardens in Letná and Riegrovy sady and the riverside spots on the Náplavka embankment are the usual favourites. In April the weather can still turn, so carry a layer. Our guide to how a Czech pub works explains the ordering.

What locals know

The first properly warm day sends the whole city outdoors. Terraces fill, benches along the river disappear and the parks look like a festival with no stage. If you want a seat, go early or go on a weekday, and do not be surprised when strangers share a table.

The commonest mistakes are packing for the forecast instead of the week, planning a whole day outdoors in March and booking Easter or May late. The season is short, and the good days are worth building a plan around.

Rain plan

Spring showers are common. Good indoor choices include the National Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts, the city's galleries and the historic cafés. A concert in a historic hall is an easy way to spend a wet evening.

Practical points

• Hotels and attractions are busier around Easter and in May. Book early.
• Parks can be muddy after rain, so wear sturdy shoes.
• Daylight grows quickly, and by May the evenings are long and pleasant.
• Clocks go forward on the last Sunday in March, which matters for early trains.
• School groups visit in spring, so popular sights can be busy on weekday mornings.

Frequently asked questions

When is the blossom in Prague?

Usually in April, when the cherry and apple trees bloom. Petřín Hill is the traditional favourite.

What is pomlázka?

An Easter Monday custom in which boys and men go door to door with a braided willow whip, lightly whipping girls and women, who reward them with painted eggs, sweets or a small drink. Today it is mostly light-hearted and rural.

When does the Prague Spring festival start?

It traditionally opens on 12 May, the anniversary of Smetana's death, with Má vlast. Check the programme and book early.

What is Čarodějnice?

Witches' Night on 30 April, when bonfires are lit across the country and a straw witch goes on the flames.

For a good spring day, start with coffee on a terrace if the weather allows, walk up Petřín through the orchards, stroll down into Malá Strana for lunch and finish with a drink by the river as the light softens.