Visiting Prague in May 2026 – Travel Tips & Things to do
My favourite places to visit in Prague in May 2025, including travel tips, weather and what to pack when you are heading off to Prague in spring.
Spring is an amazing time to spend in Prague, the days are getting warmer, the cherry trees are in full bloom and there are a lot of outdoor events to choose from.
May activities slightly overlap with April and June, so make sure you check my suggestions for those months too.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Is May a good month to visit Prague?
Yes, most definitely! The weather in May is much warmer and the days are longer than in previous months.
There is daylight until nearly 8-9 pm, which means you can pack even more things to see into your day.
Even if you have only one day in Prague, you can see the main attractions and walk around the main points of interest.
May is just outside the main tourist season, which means there are fewer people around (and it’s easier to avoid the crowds in the centre) and it should be easier to book your accommodation.
Early May is also a great time to visit as some tourist attractions and places that are not usually open to the public are open for free for the national holidays.
GETTING AROUND PRAGUE
- How to get from Vaclav Havel Airport to the centre of Prague >>
- How best to use public transport in Prague >>
- The complete guide to the tram network in Prague >>
Important Dates in May
There are two dates in May, 1s May – The Labour Day and the 8th May – Day of Victory, that are celebrated as a National Holiday and most people have the day off from work.
Offices, banks and similar types of businesses are very likely to be closed for the public holidays, but shopping centres, restaurants, coffee places and most tourist attractions will remain open.
1st of May
This is an international day of Labour and before 1989 this day was celebrated with processions, concerts and other happenings. You might still see a procession nowadays, but it’s probably more to do with celebrating spring and love, than work!
8th of May
This day celebrates the defeat of the German army in the Czech Republic by Russian and American army.
There are always events to celebrate this, but it’s also a day when a lot of official buildings are open to visitors. Buildings such as the Parliament, State Rooms at the Prague Castle or the Czech Television studios are open for free to visitors.
18 May – International day of museums
It’s worth remembering this day, because many museums (especially the main ones such as the National Museum at the top of Wenceslas Square) are open for free or have a very symbolic entry fee.
TASTE PRAGUE
My favourite things to do in Prague in May 2025
Prague Marathon – 5 May 2025
Prague Marathon is held usually the first weekend in May. The route is similar to the half-marathon which is held in April.
You’ll run through the historical parts of Prague, including Prague historic bridges, Old Town Square and the Kings route. Whether you are taking part or not, be aware that the Prague Marathon is very popular and accommodation gets booked up very quickly.
It’s also worth remembering that during the Marathon, some areas, especially the centre will be closed for traffic and access to tourist attractions, restaurants and other places in the centre will be limited, with some roads closed from early morning.
United Islands of Prague Music festival 1-4 May 2025
The United Islands of Prague is an annual music festival that takes place on the river Vltava islands in Prague, including the Kampa and Shooter’s Island.
The festival was first held in 2004 and has since become one of the most popular music events in the city. The festival features a diverse lineup of local and international artists, with performances across multiple stages and genres, including indie rock, electronic, hip hop, and more.
The festival attracts thousands of visitors each year and it’s really popular with locals. In addition, to live music, there are also plenty of stalls with food and drinks, as well as children activities and other entertainment. The festival has a laid-back atmosphere and the entrance to the festival is completely free of charge.
Government Buildings Open Day – 8 May 2025
To celebrate the end of the 2WW the Czech government opens some of their buildings to the public. Each year, there are slightly different buildings opened, but this year, you can visit the Lichtenstein Palace (on Kampa Island), Goverment State building (Snemovni Street, close to Lesser Town Square), Czech Senate, (Wallenstein Palace – entrance through the Wallenstein Garden) and Kolowrat’s Palace (next to Wallenstein Garden).
You can only visit each building as part of a tour, which is usually led by one of the staff working there. The tours usually start every 15-20 minutes and they take small to medium size groups (depending on each building) so you might need to wait a bit for your turn. The tours are only in Czech language, but it’s often the only way how you can see these buildings inside, so I think it’s still worth it.
- Location: Various places (see above)
- Opening Times: 9-4 pm depending on each location
- Tickets: Free
Open Day at the Prague Underground – 17 & 18 May 2025
The Prague Metro is having an open day to showcase the new line D and letting people have a look at what has been built so far. I’m really looking forward to visiting the Metro and hoping to learn more about the future plans for the Prague Underground.
There are two different ways you can see the new line – either book on the underground tour or walk above the ground and follow the new section, that’s been already built.
- Location: Olbrachtova Underground Station at the junction of Antala Staska and Na Strzi, Prague 4, nearest tram stop Pankrac (or underground Pankrac)
- Open Times: 8 am – 6 pm each day
- Tickets: Free
Show Jump Events at Horse Racing Stadium at Chuchle – 1 – 4 May 2025 (Memorial of Jana Hola)
The horse racing stadium at Chuchle has a long history – it was originally opened in 1906 and it’s one of the famous horse racing stadiums in the Czech Republic. The stadium runs races days through the main season (Spring-Autumn), which cost about 200 – 300 CZK to enter, but the Show Jump Events, which are a little more laid back are completely free to enter.
Chuchle is really easy to get to from central Prague – just head to Smichov Train Station and then take the local bus or any slow train towards Beroun or Revnice.
- Location: Velka Chuchle (one stop (5 min) from Smichov Train Station by train or few stops by a local bus (about 10 min) from Smichov Train Station – Prague 90 min tickets (or multi day tickets) are valid for the whole journey)
- Open Times: 8 am – 6 pm each day
- Tickets: Free
Craft Fair at Shooter’s Island – 10-11 May 2025
The garden restaurant hall at the Shooter’s Island will be hosting a craft fair with about 20 makers and artists displaying their work. It’s always lovely to browse through the stalls and fab way to pick a special gift or a souvenir to remember Prague (and support local craft makers at the same time)
- Location: Shooters Island (close to National Theatre)
- Opening Times: 1 pm – 6 pm
- Tickets: Free
Prague Dragon Boat Festival – 11 – 12 May 2025
This is the oldest dragon boat festival in the Czech Republic founded 27 years ago and every year there are teams from all over Europe as well as local teams taking part. You can watch the races from the Yellow River Spa at Vltava and the entrance is free.
- Location: Zlute Lazne, Prague 4, tram stop ‘Dvorce’, tram line 2, 3, 17, 27
Open House Prague – 17 &18 May 2025
In addition to the museums opening their doors for free, there are also other buildings in Prague that are open for free during the last weekend in May.
I always visit as many buildings as I can each year and it’s always been a great experience to see buildings that are normally not open to the public. This year like the last, I’m super excited to attend the event, because I’ll be volunteering and helping with the English guided tours again.
The event will include historic buildings that are normally not open to the public, so it’s worth adding this to your Prague travel itinerary if you are visiting in the middle of May.
Most buildings will either have a ‘free flow’ access, so you can visit them any time, but some will be open only with a guide. Most of the tours are in Czech language (you are still welcome to attend), but around 11 buildings will also have guided tours in English.
Some of the buildings opened this year include: Adria Palace, Komercni Bank Branch (Smichov), Branik Brewery, Masaryk Train Station (New Train Museum), The Prague Holesovice Slaughterhouse Market, Former Buildings of Electrical Companies in Holesovice, Clam Gallas Palace, Church of St. Anne (and many other beautiful churches in Prague), The Prague City Mayor’s Residence, Czernin Palace, Dablice Observatory, various Charles University Faculties Buildings, Prague historic cemetaries and hospitals including General University Hospital Ceramic Lounge.
See the cherry blossom & Walk in the park
Now that the weather is warmer, Prague gardens, which were closed for winter are starting open their gates. May is the perfect month to see flowering lilac trees, cherry trees or late magnolia trees which are pretty much everywhere in Prague.
Most gardens and parks are free to enter, but there is one particular one I love and I’m always happy to pay the entrance. The Vrtba Gardens are hidden behind wall houses, just a short walk from the Malostranske Namesti – Square and on the tram no 22 route.
It’s an amazing baroque garden built into the slopes of the Petrin Hill, where you can also find the Hunger Wall. It’s not a big garden, but the views are amazing. The garden is open from April to October, every day from 10 am to 6 pm and tickets are 130 Kc.
PARKS WITH CHERRY, ALMOND, MAGNOLIA OR APPLE BLOSSOMS IN PRAGUE
Prague Spring – Classical Music Festival – 12 May – 2 June 2025
The second half of May is always dedicated to the Prague Spring, a festival that celebrates classical music.
During this time, you’ll be able to hear classical music from around the globe. Tickets are available for individual concerts, which means that you can pick and choose your favourite musician or style of music.
The ticket prices vary from £3 to £120 and you can get VIP tickets as well as discounted tickets for young visitors under 26. Each venue also sells budget tickets (usually at the back row or standing ticket) which are very affordable.
And if you want to experience classical music, without dressing up, you can take a picnic rug (and sandwiches!) to Kampa Island, where you can watch the opening of the festival on the big screen. Personally, I prefer the last option since I don’t have to wear my high heels and the entry is free!
Visit museums and galleries for free – 18 May 2025
On the 18th of May museums and my favourite art galleries in Prague celebrate the International Day of museums by opening their doors for free or reduced entry fee. It’s a great opportunity to visit some of the well known museums in Prague completely free of charge.
Even if you are not that interested in the exhibitions inside, most museums are hosted in beautiful buildings, which are worth visiting on their own.
- The National Museum >>
- The Museum of Music
- House of a Golden Ring
- Podskalska celnice (the toll house)
- Folk Museum
- Naprstek’s Museum
- Dvorak Museum
- Smetana Museum
- Farming Museum
- Police Museum
- Technical Museum (reduced entry fee)
- The National Gallery – Schwarzenbersk’s Palace
- The National Gallery – Sternbersk’s Palace
- St. Ann’s Monastery – Medieval Art
- Trade Fair Palace Gallery – Modern Art
Prague Fringe Festival 27 May – 1 June 2025
The Prague Fringe Festival started in 2002 and it’s getting better and bigger ever year. It’s still a very relaxed festival, which never feels too overcrowded, although last year there were over 6000 visitors. The festival is a great mix of comedy, dance, theatre, music and art which is being held in different venues around the Lesser Town in Prague.
Most performances are held in English or are ‘non-verbal’ (music, dance, visual art performance), which makes this festival the perfect addition to your Prague visit itinerary.
Tickets are very affordable – day or individual performance tickets starts from 250 CZK (advanced booking) or 300 CZK on the door or you can purchase a festival pass for 5 performances for 1100 CZK.
PIN TO KEEP FOR LATER
This blog post was originally written on 4 February 2021 and last updated on 29 April 2025
