March in Prague: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

A visit to Prague in March may not be as warm as the countries in Southern Europe, but it's not nearly as cold as Prague in February as springtime weather starts to wake up the city. It's also considered the off-season for tourism and well before the summer crowds arrive, meaning you can often find excellent hotel deals and lower-than-usual prices to increase the allure.

Even though the weather isn't quite as comfortable as summer, all of the best parts of Prague—roaming the cobblestone streets, exploring medieval castles, taking in the quirky art scene—is all much more enjoyable when there are fewer tourists around. It's much easier to have a local and authentic experience in March than in summer, so pack an extra jacket and see why so many travelers fall in love with the Czech capital.

Prague Weather in March

Even though the temperatures are quickly rising throughout March, spring in Prague doesn't officially start until March 21 and many days still feel like winter. Visits toward the beginning of the month are more likely to feel frigid but if you wait until later in March, you have a better chance for spring-like sunny days.

• Average High Temperature: 47 degrees F (8 degrees C)
• Average Low Temperature: 33 degrees F (1 degree C)

Overcast skies are the norm, although the city gets little precipitation in March. If it's particularly cold then snow flurries are possible, but you're not likely to see much rain or snow on your trip. On days when the sun comes out, it's generally pleasant to walk around and explore Prague on foot with a light jacket or sweater.

What to Pack

When packing your suitcase for a trip to Prague in March, think layers. The weather can vary greatly from one day to the next, but you'll want to have sweaters and long-sleeved shirts, as well as a heavy jacket or coat, gloves, and a hat, just in case. If there's any leftover snow from February, you may want to throw in water-resistant shoes or boots to keep your feet warm, or at least some extra socks you can switch out in case your feet get wet.

Prague has a vibrant nightlife scene, so pack some comfortable clothes for going out. There are venues for all tastes from local dive bars to wild techno clubs, but the dress code is generally casual for them all and you don't need to worry about dress codes.

March Events in Prague

With spring weather finally beginning to warm up the city and Easter markets opening up, there's plenty of activities to keep busy in March during your trip to Prague.

• Easter is an important holiday in the Czech Republic as it is in many Eastern European cultures. It usually falls in late March or early April, but either way, you'll be able to visit the Prague Easter Markets in the weeks leading up to it throughout March to admire Czech Easter eggs (the best ones are in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square). Many families gather before Easter to decorate Easter eggs, known as kraslice in Czech. Traditionally decorated Czech Easter eggs can also be acquired as souvenirs at markets and in shops.
• Although it may not be the most obvious celebration for this city in Eastern Europe, there is ample opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Prague, which holds an Irish Music Festival every March. Music and dance groups come from Ireland and the Czech Republic and include a variety of different Irish music styles, from traditional to modern. All the Irish Music Festival concerts and performances are held in different Irish pubs around Prague, including Caffrey's.
• Febiofest: Prague International Film Festival is one of the largest independent film festivals in the Czech Republic. It began in 1993 as a low-budget event for moviegoers and is held every March in the Cinestar Andel near Old Town. 

March Travel Tips

• Spring break for Czech students is spread out over February and March with different regions of the country each assigned a specific week. If Prague students happen to have their vacation scheduled during your trip, many locals may be out of the city to enjoy the time off.
• Daylight saving time begins in the Czech Republic—and most of Europe—on the last Sunday in March, so don't forget to spring your clock forward.
• Since it's the low season, many of the city's most popular attractions including Old Town Prague and Prague Castle will have few other visitors and shorter lines than usual.
• The week leading up to Easter is considered spring break for most students around Europe, although not in the Czech Republic. However, Prague is a popular destination for study abroad students and flights around Europe typically go up drastically in price during this week.

To learn about visiting Prague throughout the year, check out the guide on the best time of year to visit.