10 Things to Do in Prague in August

The month of August is very festive, with both local and foreign events. In addition, there are both gastronomic and musical fairs, an excellent combination for the ear and the palate.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

8 min read

10 Things to Do in Prague in August

View of Prague | ©Denis Poltoradnev

Among the most interesting music festivals is the Prague Rock Festival, an international event that attracts thousands of rock and music fans in general. In the same vein, there is the Prague Holi Festival, an international open-air electronic music event that attracts a lot of young people.

You can also enjoy many local Prague events related to gastronomy ( Wine Festival, Tea Festival) and others related to local music such as the Prague Jazz Week or the Organ Grinders Live!

1. Bike tour to the Karlstejn Castle

Karlstejn Castle| ©Jürgen Regel
Karlstejn Castle| ©Jürgen Regel

One of the most popular sports and tourist activities in August is the bike ride from the center to Karlstejn Castle, the former summer seat of Charles IV, the person responsible for several of Prague's Gothic beauties. This ride is encouraged by the fact that the castle can only be visited on weekends in August and because biking is faster than taking the streetcar.

There are plenty of bikes for rent in the city center, so you have nothing to worry about. Also, cycling is the only way you can stop right in front of the famous Santa Cruz Chapel, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, which you can see on your bike tour.

Book a tour to Karlstejn Castle from Prague

2. The annual Letní Letná festival

Annual Letní Letná Festival| ©Marie Čcheidzeová
Annual Letní Letná Festival| ©Marie Čcheidzeová

This is one of the most awaited acrobatics and show festivals for Czechs. The festival takes place in mid-August in Prague's Letná Park. To give you an idea of the degree of spectacle, it usually takes almost ten days to put it all together.

Four French companies are in charge of organizing the event. The show will showcase the best in acrobatics with performances, choreographies and artistic theater. Most of the events will be in circus tents, but there will also be a free outdoor stage. In addition, there will be spaces reserved for children, making this one of the best plans for children in Prague. For more information check the official site of the event.

If you like this kind of shows, I also recommend you to attend the black light theater show in Prague, which will immerse you in a magical world and is also suitable for the whole family. This show takes place on a black stage, totally in the dark, which is strategically illuminated to create a wonderful representation of lights and shadows.

Book your ticket to the black light theater

3. Discover the flavors of Czech gastronomy

Střelecký ostrov Wine Festival| ©Místo konání
Střelecký ostrov Wine Festival| ©Místo konání

On your visit to Prague in August you can't miss experimenting with local food to discover new flavors. And it is clear that you do not know a country completely until you taste its gastronomy. Goulash, koleno, bramboračka, vepřo-knedlo-zelo or knedlíky are some of the typical dishes of the region.

I'm sure you don't know what each dish is or what's in it. And it is normal, facing the food of a country is a challenge, since it is unknown to us. So, if you want to make the experience more bearable (and even fun) I encourage you to sign up for a gastronomic tour of Prague where you can try all the delicacies of this land and visit some of the best restaurants in the city. And not only that, you will also be able to taste typical drinks. Once finished, you will know what to eat in Prague and you will be able to enjoy your favorite dishes for the rest of your trip.

Book a gastronomic tour of Prague

4. Cruise the rivers of Prague

Prague, the Vltava|©DANI28256
Prague, the Vltava|©DANI28256

The Vltava and Vltava are two of Prague's main rivers. From them you have a completely different and beautiful view of the city, so I encourage you to get on a boat and experience for yourself the feeling of rediscovering the capital from another perspective.

Cruises are the most common transport for this type of activity, and many of them include dinner or lunch, as well as commentary to learn more about Prague's past and present.

Book a Prague sightseeing cruise

5. Take advantage of the good weather to visit Czech villages

Karlovy Vary Spa|©dani ruiz
Karlovy Vary Spa|©dani ruiz

August, due to the good weather, is one of the high season months in Prague. That is why I recommend you to get out of the bustling city and take the opportunity to visit some of its beautiful villages and nearby towns. Tourists tend to limit their trip to the capital and fewer venture further afield to see other parts of the country, but I highly recommend doing so. These are three of the areas I liked the most:

  • Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne: besides being two spa towns, the first is home to twelve springs and the interesting Moser Crystal Museum. The latter, meanwhile, is very quiet and you will fall in love strolling through its streets, as well as its pleasant cafes.
  • Český Krumlov: this medieval town still preserves all the essence of its incredible past. I recommend you to visit its St. Vitus Church, its narrow streets and climb the castle tower.
  • Kutná Hora: this city located in the heart of the Czech Republic has an enviable historical center that you cannot miss, as well as its cathedral and its ossuary.

Of course, you can do these excursions on your own, but you also have at your disposal guided tours that will help you to optimize your time (something recommended if your stay in the country is limited) and if you want to know the history of all these areas.

Book an excursion to Karlovy Vary and Marianske Lazne:

6. Annual Organ Grinders Live!

St. Nicholas Church in Prague| ©Henry Burrows
St. Nicholas Church in Prague| ©Henry Burrows

This music festival is held on a Saturday in mid-August and at three different venues in Prague. In the morning there is a concert in St. Nicholas Church in the Old Town Square, in the afternoon in Kampa and finally, to finish, there is a concert in the Czech Museum of Music.

This totally free festival aims to promote Czech music culture. What's more, during the 3 concerts you can enjoy traditional Czech, street and modern music. For a free event it is quite well organized and a great way to get to know Czech music culture. For more information visit the following website.

7. Prague Tea Fair

Výstaviště where the Tea Party takes place.| ©Vity
Výstaviště where the Tea Party takes place.| ©Vity

The tea fair is an event that attracts tourists and locals. Such a free fair is held in a spacious open-air venue and where different types of teas are served while enjoying traditional Czech music and dancing. The tea fair (Čajomír Fest) lasts two days and is held at the end of August in Výstaviště.

It should not be forgotten that tea is the most consumed non-alcoholic beverage in the Czech Republic. The event starts early in the morning and runs until 8pm. The program also includes workshops and performances- very entertaining! For more information visit the official site of the event.

8. Exhibition on the history of the Celts

National Museum of Prague| ©Otto8
National Museum of Prague| ©Otto8

If you are a fan of art, August gives you a chance to learn about the culture of the Celts and the mark they have left all over Central Europe since historical times. This event takes place at the National Museum. The day varies from year to year, but usually falls at the end of the month.

Admission is completely free; however, it is advisable to book in advance, as this is a highly anticipated cultural and historical event. There is little information about Celtic culture, so I recommend you go if history is something you are passionate about. At such an event you will learn more about their lives, their habits, rituals, crafts and also the impact their presence had on other cultures. For more information visit the museum's website.

9. Holi Open Air Festival

People at the Holi Open Air Festival| ©James Dennes
People at the Holi Open Air Festival| ©James Dennes

Modeled after the Indian festival of the same name, the Holi Open Air Festival is celebrated in many countries around the world. Prague's version takes place on the island of Strelecky (I recommend this post about excursions around Prague), where people gather to enjoy a day of relaxation with live electronic music and a colorful atmosphere.

This festival is known worldwide, as it usually attracts many internationally renowned artists from the electronic industry. There is no food or drink on offer at this festival, so you will need to bring something from home or buy from the food stalls outside the festival. For more information I recommend you to visit the official festival website.

10. Prague Jazz Week

People at the Jazz Week| ©Brett Sayles
People at the Jazz Week| ©Brett Sayles

Prague Jazz Week takes place at the beginning of August and is held in the old part of the city, effectively the area declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The event is, logically, in the open air and access is completely free. The jazz concerts start at 6 pm and end at 10 pm.

Imagine what it's like to be surrounded by Gothic structures and Renaissance buildings while the saxophone wails in a melody. It's worth noting that during this special week many Prague breweries and Prague restaurants will be open until 00:00 am, so you won't have to cook after the concert.

Weather in Prague in August

Prague| ©Petr
Prague| ©Petr

Prague tends to be drier in August than in June and July. Average maximum temperatures can reach 27 degrees and average minimum temperatures can reach 13 degrees.While it is certainly not the warmest month of the year, it is a month when you will enjoy quite pleasant weather.

However, it is a good idea to check the forecast before you leave on your trip, as the weather can change quickly. Rainy days are rare and average less than one day per week. However, with a very low volume of rainfall.

What to pack when visiting Prague in August

Preparing your luggage| ©Timur Weber
Preparing your luggage| ©Timur Weber

Although August is relatively warm in Prague, a jacket or sweater always comes in handy for the evenings, and also in case of a downpour or wet weather.

Comfortable walking shoes should always be worn, heels or sandals are not practical for walking on Prague's pavements. I also recommend you to protect yourself from solar radiation on sunny days even if the temperatures are not so high. For this I advise you to wear sunglasses and sunscreen.

Tips for visiting Prague in August

Aerial view of the Vltava river| ©Anthony Delanoix
Aerial view of the Vltava river| ©Anthony Delanoix

In August expect to pay high season prices for airline tickets and hotel accommodation, although towards the end of the month prices may be slightly lower. If you are looking to spend less, I recommend visiting Prague in winter.

Crowds are not as excessive as in early summer in Prague; however, it is advisable to call and make reservations to visit Prague Castle and other important buildings in the city, or for dinner and lunch in Prague's best restaurants.

August is the month with the most fairs and festivals, so if you are looking for a busy vacation, August is the month to go. You can enjoy both local and foreign festivals. It should also be noted that, within the month of August, the most atmospheric days are in the middle of the month, so if you plan to go to Prague 5 days or 7 days, I recommend going between the second and third week of the month.

Book tours and excursions in Prague