Prague · Month comparison
October vs May
May ranks #1 overall vs October at #4. The sweet spot — 21°C, green parks, long evenings, and still 25% below peak prices.
October
#4 of 12 months
Best match
Autumn colour arrives — golden foliage on Letná and Petřín, and prices well below summer.
- ↑Autumn foliage on Letná Hill and Petřín: the parks above the city turn amber and gold — the most scenic time for panoramic photography of Prague
- ↑Crowds significantly reduced: Old Town walkable at any hour, Charles Bridge accessible throughout the day without fighting through groups
May
#1 of 12 months
Best match
The sweet spot — 21°C, green parks, long evenings, and still 25% below peak prices.
- ↑Best weather-to-price ratio in the calendar: 21°C, 8 hours of sunshine, and hotel rates 25% below July–August
- ↑Prague Spring Music Festival: international classical music across the historic venues — the city's most celebrated annual cultural event
| Factor | October | May |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 6 | 8 |
| Value score | 6 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 7 | 6 |
| Events score | 6 | 7 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 14°C | 21°C |
| Monthly rain | 37mm | 72mm |
| Daily sunshine | 5hrs | 8hrs |
October trade-offs
- ↓Cooling quickly: 6°C overnight from mid-month — warm layers needed for any evening out
- ↓14°C afternoons: outdoor café season winding down, river cruise experience less appealing
- ↓Shorter days: sunset by 6pm limits the photography window to morning light
May trade-offs
- ↓Crowds building: Old Town noticeably busier than April, and Charles Bridge congested at midday
- ↓72mm of rainfall — the greenest month is also the wettest; afternoon thunderstorms possible, carry a poncho
- ↓Book 4–6 weeks ahead; May is now the most in-demand shoulder month and fills fast
Scores compare months within Prague. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →