Do you want to know what to wear in Prague in December? Then you have come to the right place. December sees Prague in the full grips of Winter with cold temperatures and even snow. In this guide we tell you everything you need to pack for Prague in December for sightseeing, the weather, Christmas, dress codes, dinner and more.
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Weather in Prague in December
Prague in December is definitely classified as Winter. And as you would expect from any Northern European country in Winter, Prague can get VERY cold in Winter. But how cold is it?
How cold is Prague in December?
Prague in Winter is very, very cold. However December is actually not the coldest month to visit that honor goes to January. But make no mistake, December is still a very chilly month to visit.
Generally speaking the average highs and lows in Prague in December range between
4°C/39.2F to 0°C/ 32F. These temperatures, although not below freezing, are actually perfect for snowfall.
But how snowy is Prague in December?
Does it snow in Prague in December?
As the temperatures just hover above freezing, the conditions are perfect for snowfall. In fact there is almost a 50% chance of snow on any December day in Prague. So if you are looking for a white Christmas destination Prague is a relatively good pick.
How rainy is in Prague in December?
Typically you are more likely to get snow over rain in Prague in December. In fact you only see rain in Prague on around 5 days in December.
Overall we therefore recommend lots of layers and insulating coats in your Winter travel capsule wardrobe for Prague at this time of year.
Note: we always recommend checking the forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.
And if your European Winter vacation includes more destinations why not check out some of our other posts:
- What to wear in Germany in Winter
- What to wear at Christmas Markets in Europe
- What to wear in Budapest.
And if you are visiting Prague at another time of year check out our other Prague posts:
How do local people dress in Prague in Winter?
The Czechs know how to rock a Winter Capsule Wardrobe. On the streets of Prague you are going to see lots of thermals, stylish top laters and of course practical Winter coats and accessories.
So if you want to dress like locals in Prague you should prioritise dressing for the weather most importantly.
What to Wear in Prague in December
When looking at what to pack for Prague in December, layers are going to be your best friend.
We always recommend not overpacking when traveling however this can prove trickier in Winter due to the layers required and the heavier shoes. For tips on how to pack light in Winter check out our guides on the 54321 packing method and the sudoku packing method here.
And if you want to know how to pack boots and winter coats in a suitcase to maximise the space check out these posts.
Also finding the perfect Winter travel outfit can be tricky so check out our handy guide for picking stylish but comfortable Winter airport outfits.
What to Wear in Prague in December for Women
Thick Coat / Jacket
A coat is my number one pick for any Prague in December packing list. It would be impossible to sightsee in Prague in December without a thick insulating coat.
When looking at the best coat for Prague I would say don’t be tempted to pick your smartest coat. Instead you should pack your thickest and warmest coat for the weather.
This is required for the weather and also will be most in keeping with the locals who know how important a practical coat is in Winter.
When looking for a coat for Northern Europe in Winter I recommend picking something that is insulated, is waterproof and also has some good wind resistance.
Some of our favorite brands of coats for Prague in Winter include:
- Columbia,
- Eddie Bauer
- Marmot
- North Face and
- Patagonia
Click here to shop coats for Prague.
Winter Accessories (Hat, Scarf and Gloves)
Winter accessories are a must for Prague in December. Again you will be doing lots of outdoor activities and as the Christmas markets are in full swing, you are likely to be outdoors at night too which adds to the chill in the air.
I would recommend taking with you a matching scarf and gloves set that match your winter coat to finish off the look. But be sure to get gloves that are touch screen compatible. You are likely to be taking lots of photographs in Prague and there is nothing worse than constantly having to be taking your gloves on and off to use your phone.
Also as the temperatures are so cold in Prague and the wind can be quite gusty I also recommend packing ear muffs to protect your ears from the cold too!
Click here to shop winter accessories
Trousers
Depending on exactly what your Prague itinerary looks like will affect the type of trousers you require.
However generally speaking I would pack a mixture of trouser types. This would include jeans, cordouroy trousers, fleece lines leggings or even some thick wool pants.
I would recommend picking smarter jeans such as black jeans or dark blue jeans that are more fitted or skinny jeans however you will see all sorts of styles of the streets of Prague. So it is most important that you feel comfortable.
However I personally don’t think you can go wrong with a pair of fleece lined jeans in Northern European cities in Winter.
Skirts and Dresses
Although Prague in December is probably too cold to be wearing dresses and skirts for sightseeing during the day I still like to have a dress with me to change into for dinner.
As the nights can be very cold, I recommend wearing a sweater dress or a jumper dress for warmth and pairing it with thick tights or fleece lined leggings and boots with a good sole that can cope if there is ice on the ground.
Click here to shop dresses for Prague in December.
Blouse
A loose blouse works for the evenings or days however it will need to be layered with a cardigan or sweater.
T Shirts
Although it will be too cold for t shirts on their own, they are a great base for Prague in Winter.
T-Shirts that are plain or are lightly patterned are easier to make work as part of a capsule wardrobe.
Layers
After a good Winter coat, the next most important thing for your Prague December packing list is layers and lots of them. For a week in Prague visiting the Christmas Markets we reocmmend packing 3 top layers such as a cardigan, a hoodie and a sweater.
Hoodies are a great casual top layer for sightseeing in the day at places such as museums and galleries. However I like to have something smarter for evenings.
I personally never travel in Winter without a merino wool sweater. Merino wool is one of my favorite fabrics to include in a Winter capsule wardrobe.
The reason for this is because it provides extra warmth as it is an insulating fabric but is also compact unlike a thick knit. Therefore it is easy to pack and doesn’t take up a lot of space in your case and is much layer to layer with a thick winter coat.
Pashmina
It doesn’t matter where I am traveling to in Europe a pashmina is always on my packing list. A pashmina can be used as a scarf or lovely accessory but can double up as an added extra layer. For December in Prague however we recommend bringing the thickest pashmina you can find.
PJs
For those traveling to Prague in Winter we recommend packing thicker, flannel pjs.
Thermals
We definitely recommend packing a thermal base layer or thermal Long Johns for Prague in December. Even when the thermometer reads as above freezing you may still want a base layer. That is because the wind makes it feel extra cold.
Click here to shop merino wool thermals.
Underwear and Socks
This really goes without saying. However it is worth talking a bit more in depth. We recommend packing either thicker hiking socks or thermal socks such as those made of merino wool for Prague in Winter as these just cope with cold conditions better.
Also if you plan on wearing a dress you will also need thick fleeced leggings or thick tights to pair with it.
What to pack for Prague in December for Men
The packing list for men is quite similar as the ladies packing list for Prague in December. Overall the travel essentials for men we recommend are:
Thick Coat
A practical warm coat with some insulation as well as being water and wind resistant is a good idea for Prague in December especially for visiting the Christmas markets.
T Shirts and Shirts
Long sleeve t shirts are a better pick for Prague in Winter.
But on top of t shirts you may also want to pack a long sleeve button down shirt for visiting restaurants in Prague with a dress code.
Chinos/ Jeans
Jeans are great for sightseeing in December. Again if you can find a fleece lined pair these are a great pick.
But on top of jeans you may also want to add a smarter pair of chinos / dockers or smart wool trousers to the packing list too for nights out and fancier dinners. Cords and wool are actually great fabric choices for men in Winter.
Shop men’s travel chinos here.
Layers
A hoodie, jumper and sweater alongside the jacket are the perfect layers to pack for a 7 day vacation in Prague.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
Including thicker socks and potentially some thermals if you feel the cold.
Best Shoes for Prague in December
The shoes to pack for Prague in December are actually quite simple and apply to both men and women. We recommend having a shoe for evenings and that is also comfortable for day as well as a super comfortable walking shoe.
Boots
Ankle boots are my number one pick for Prague in December They are easier to pack than knee high boots and if you select the right pair are waterproof and come with good soles.
We recommend picking a pair that are both waterproof and fleece lined to cope with the cold weather as well as any water and puddles for when the ice is melting.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
Note: hiking boots are only really necessary if you plan on going on hikes outside of the city and ankle boots are way easier to pack compared to knee high boots.
For tips on how to pack boots in a suitcase check out this post.
Sneakers
Sneakers are the perfect shoe for Prague all year round. That is because they offer good arch support and cope well with hills and cobbled stone streets.
My favorite brand of sneakers for walking are are Hoka and AllBirds as these are great for walking in. However given the weather in December something with waterproofing can also be useful.
One of our favorite waterproof sneaker brands is Ecco. These have many waterproof and water resistance versions but we like this one as we think it is the most versatile.
What to pack for Prague in December (Non Clothing)
- Crossbody Bag – unfortunately any tourist site attracts pickpockets and Czech Republic is no different. Protect your belongings by having a crossbody bag with lots of zips.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- Travel adaptor
- Power Pack / battery packs
- Hand Warmers – as the weather is so cold in Prague in Winter we recommend packing a plentiful supply of hand warmers with you to add into your gloves especially for evening visits to the Christmas Markets..
- Sun screen
- Lipbalm – the cold weather can chafe your lips so add some lip balm to the packing list.
- Compact Umbrella
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Toiletries – for our essential toiletries packing list click here.
How to dress in Prague in December for Special Events
The main special event in Prague in December is the Christmas Markets. The Prague Christmas markets usually start in November but run up until Christmas Eve.
The best ones in the city in our opinion are the ones in Old Town Square Market and the Wenceslas Square Christmas Market.
Prague December Packing List
So just to recap here is our complete list of what to add to your Prague Packing List
- Waterproof and Wind resistant Coat or jacket
- Scarf, Gloves, Hat and ear muffs
- Thermal base layers – preferably merino wool (optional)
- T shirts
- Thicker weight trousers such as jeans (preferably fleece lined), woolen trousers or corduroy trousers.
- Merino Wool Thermal socks
- T shirts
- Layers such as sweaters, fleeces, jumpers and hoodies
- Warm Nightwear
- Ankle Boots with a good sole for icy conditions, waterproof and fur lined interior
- Medication and Documentation
- Back Pack
- Travel Adaptor
- Toiletries
- Camera
- Battery Pack
- Sunglasses
- Travel first aid kit including blister plasters
- Lip Balm
- Hand Warmers
FAQs About Prague in December
Does this packing list work for a Danube River Cruise?
Prague is one of the highlights of any Danube River cruises especially a Christmas one because of the amazing Christmas markets.
This packing list is great for telling you what to wear on a river cruise in Winter for in port, but for more information on what to wear on the ship itself check out the highlighted post.
Can you wear jeans in Prague?
You can absolutely wear jeans in Prague in December. However it is worth spending time thinking about the best jeans to pack for Winter. We personally think that fleece lined pairs as better for the weather.
And I would have one other type of trouser with you such as a thick wool trouser for nights in very smart restaurants.
Have you been to Prague in December? What did you wear? We would love you to tell us in the comments below!