Spring, awakening the earth after a long winter, is a long-awaited guest in any city. Still, there are few places where transformation occurs so unexpectedly rapidly as in Prague.
Medieval castles, just yesterday shrouded in a haze of cold fog, suddenly find themselves drowned in a stormy stream of flowering, the streets turn into open-air greenhouses, and the gardens from afar resemble a fluffy, fragrant blanket.
In April, the ancient city again experiences its annual transformation into an fairy place. Kidpassage found out why this month is remarkable for travel and whether it is worth planning a trip to the capital of the Czech Republic at this time.
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Holidays in Prague in April: pros and cons
Reviews about holidays in Prague in April are full of admiration for the extraordinary beauty of ancient streets and parks, the sight of which is impossible to forget even many months after returning home.
But, as you know, the city's beauty in blooming season — not yet a reason to fly there, taking with you screaming with delight children. Let's take a closer look at the peculiarities of April vacation in Prague to thoroughly weigh the pros and cons of a trip at this time.
April's visit to Prague is attractive in many ways:
- the beauty and romance of the ancient city exceeds all expectations this month;
- the warm weather allows you to take long walks through the city filled with unmistakable smell of spring;
- you can take memorable photos of fairy beauty that can hardly be compared to those taken at any other time of the year;
- parks and playgrounds, which are closed during the winter months, are open at this time;
- if Catholic Easter falls in April this year, you can join a celebration;
- Prague's spring sales start in the middle of the month, and you have an excellent chance to make bargain purchases in the Czech stores.
It is more difficult to name the disadvantages of a trip to Prague in April than to list its advantages — those lucky people who managed, as they say, to be “in the right place at the right time” speak so warmly about Prague in the spring.
A trip to Prague in April can be marred by an increase in accommodation costs and airfares.
Of course, it will be much lower than in the season of summer influx of guests, but compared to February and March, the prices will jump noticeably. Another slight disadvantage is showers which can prevent long walks and sightseeing in Prague.
Prague Weather in April
The weather in April and May welcomes the people of Prague with gentle sunshine and truly spring-like warmth. There are more and more clear days and much less rain than in previous months. The weather in early April is quite variable. Rain in this month is a frequent visitor to Prague, but there are hardly any heavy showers or prolonged torrential downpours. Rain can start and end abruptly several times a day, giving way to sunny weather.
Much more favorable to tourists weather and temperature is in Prague in mid-April.
During the day, the temperature reaches +14 °C. However, this is not a sign of the approaching summer: the weather in Prague at the end of April can change dramatically and surprise city dwellers and visitors with a sharp cold snap, more befitting a gloomy March.
Air and water temperature
Prague is located in the Central Bohemian Region, which enjoys a temperate continental climate. Thanks to this, the capital's winters are characterized by low snowfall and mildness, while the warm season is characterized by high precipitation. Whatever the forecasts of meteorologists for April, going on a trip, it is still not superfluous to stock up on warm clothes and an umbrella. Its comfort is the main requirement for footwear for traveling any time of year.
Air temperature in Prague in April
The average temperature in Prague in April is +10 °C - +11 °C at the beginning of the month, gradually reaching +14 °C in the latter part of the month. As in other months, the weather in Prague in April is rich in surprises: sometimes nature can be generous with hot days with temperature reaching +20 °C, and sometimes it can scare you from the chill of March.
River water temperature in Prague in April
The water temperature in the Vltava River, on the banks of which the ancient city is located, even in the middle of winter, remains above 0 — that's why it doesn't freeze. And even in April, life here is in full force: riverboats whiz back and forth, happy citizens stroll along the embankment, enjoying the warm rays of sunshine.
Precipitation
The amount of precipitation in Prague in April reaches 46 mm, about 10 mm more than in the winter months but half as much as in the summer. Northern and northwestern spring winds are still quite cool, but their strength is low — only 3 to 7 meters per second.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
The number of sunny, cloudy, and overcast days in mid-spring is roughly equal for Prague. Often, the "sunny" part of the month is less than the other two, but the lack of bright sunshine is compensated for by the warm weather on these days and the short duration of rainfall.
Tour Holidays
In the cold season, there is little choice of excursions and activities available, but with the arrival of spring, it becomes the most diverse.
Mid-April brings unforgettable sunny days to the citizens and visitors of Prague, generously flavored with the scent of lushly blooming gardens and parks. It would be unforgivable not to take advantage of such weather and explore all the major sights of the ancient city, and there are many of them:
- Old Town Square with its extraordinary chimes, which tourists from all over the world come to see;
- Karlštejn Castle, built back in the XIV century by Charles IV and named by him, as it was known, in honor of himself;
- Charles Bridge — an actual work of medieval architectural art, renamed from Prague Bridge in the XIX century in honor of the same emperor as the castle;
- Prague Castle — a fairy-tale-looking ancient building in the heart of the city, which has made it into the Guinness Book of Records as the largest castle in the world;
- Royal Garden — a magical place that turns into a paradise on earth during the April blossom and is located very close to Prague Castle, which allows you to combine both attractions in one tour;
- Prague Zoo — a visit to the Prague Zoo will be unforgettable for children thanks to special children's activities regularly organized by its staff.
Warm days at the end of April seem to be made for active recreation. Sports lovers not used to wasting time, even during vacation, are invited to Prague's numerous equestrian schools, golf clubs, and dance studios.
Holidays, events and festivals
Do you like dancing? Can't tear yourself away from the TV screen when dance shows are on? Then there is no better time to visit Prague than the beginning of April!
Traditional dance festival "Česká tanečni platforma" in Prague
The annual festival is usually held in the first days of April and summarizes the past year in contemporary dance. The best productions that have distinguished themselves throughout the previous year in the Czech Republic participate in the event.
Participants of the event claim victory in the categories "Best Dancer of the Year" and "Best Dancer of the Year," as well as "Best Manager." Dance battles take place these days on the most famous theatrical stages of the city — PONEC Dance Theater, Studio ALTA, and others.
Holidays in Prague in April: Easter week
The date of Catholic Easter rarely coincides with the celebration of this event in the Orthodox world. Easter is often celebrated here in mid-April and sometimes in the last days of March.
In any case, if you have chosen April for your trip to Prague, you have every chance to participate in the exciting folk festivities dedicated to this holiday, which continue for a week after Easter.
Easter in Prague is a unique and colorful celebration that combines Christian traditions with the arrival of springtime. Here are some interesting facts about how Easter is celebrated in Prague:
- Intricately adorned eggs: The hand-painted or otherwise decorated egg (kraslice) is the most recognizable symbol of Czech Easter. Girls decorate Easter eggs to give them to boys on Easter Monday. There are many Easter egg decorating techniques, and the more elaborate ones require a certain level of skill.
- Knitted willow sticks: Boys make pomlázka, a whip made of braided willow branches, which they use to lightly whip girls on Easter Monday. This tradition is believed to bring health and youthfulness to the girls.
- Wooden rattles: Boys also carry wooden rattles, which they use to frighten Judas away. The rattles are made of wood and are decorated with colorful ribbons.
- Easter Monday: Easter Monday is a public holiday in the Czech Republic, and it is the high point of Easter celebrations. Boys visit their female relatives and friends in the morning and lightly whip them with the pomlázka. In return, the girls give them decorated eggs and sweets.
- Traditional Easter food: Lamb is the most popular meal during Easter in the Czech Republic. Other traditional foods include ham, sausages, and potato salad. Easter bread, called mazanec, is also a popular treat.
- Poems and music: Czechs celebrate Easter with poems and music. Traditional Easter songs are sung, and poems are recited. The songs and poems are usually about spring, love, and the resurrection of Christ.
In summary, Easter in Prague is a unique and colorful celebration that combines Christian traditions with the arrival of springtime. The celebration includes intricately adorned eggs, knitted willow sticks, wooden rattles, Easter Monday, traditional Easter food, and poems and music.
Shopping
Shopping enthusiasts will be happy to visit Prague at the height of spring: in mid-April, the Czech Republic's spring sales start, during which you can buy almost everything at significant discounts. In the stores and shopping centers, which take part in the sales everywhere, you will find "discount" branded clothes made by Czech and foreign companies, souvenirs, books, toys, and, in general, whatever your heart desires, plus a bottle of Becherovka as a gift for relatives.
Going to the shops, you should consider that, in fact, the wave of discounts — a thing more traditional than official, and the decision to hold a campaign each store owner makes himself. So don't despair if you are not lucky enough to find a shop nearby. Just stroll along Prague's streets, and you'll find what you need elsewhere at a reasonable price.
Cost of vacation
Prices in Prague in April increase significantly compared to March. While airfares increase only by 2%, the rise in hotel accommodation costs reaches an average of 46%. This is explained by the fact that in April, an influx of tourists is expected in Prague, wanting to admire the blooming gardens of Prague and participate in the Easter festival. However, the high accommodation cost these days is partially compensated by the possibility of more than successful shopping thanks to the beginning of spring sales.
Tips for travelers with children
A trip with a child to Prague in April promises more positive emotions than disappointments. The weather at this time is already warm enough, and the beauty of Prague's blooming gardens is worth seeing for parents and kids alike.
The choice of travel time depends mainly on the age of the child. For older kids, the first half of April is an excellent option when the city buzzes with the noisy fun of Easter celebrations.
Days near the end of the month are more suitable for traveling with kids, as at this time in Prague prevail sunny days and becomes quite warm, and on the streets, there is no joyfully galloping from morning to night festive crowd.
However, it should be noted that Prague in April is beautiful on any day. Therefore, if the decision to travel has already been made, bravely get on your way and do not hesitate: only positive emotions await you in this marvelous city. Have a nice trip!