Easter is Prague's soft opening of spring: markets return to the squares, the gardens reopen after winter, and the first blossom appears on Petřín. It's the romantic sweet spot — warmer than March, calmer than June — and it comes with painted eggs.
The Easter markets
For two to three weeks around Easter, Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square fill with stalls again — this time with kraslice (hand-painted eggs), ribboned willow, spring flowers and lambs-shaped cakes. Smaller, gentler and less crowded than December's version.
Blossom season begins
Depending on the year, Easter often lands just as Petřín's orchards begin to bloom and the magnolias open in Vojan Gardens. Our blossom guide tracks the timing — for proposals or simply the year's best walk.
The gardens reopen
April is when Prague's formal gardens unlock after winter — the Vrtba terraces among them. First weeks mean fresh planting, few visitors, and that clean spring light photographers wait all winter for.
A word on pomlázka
Czech Easter Monday has a famously odd folk tradition involving braided willow switches and (token) swats for good health — mostly a countryside custom, in the city you'll simply see the decorated whips on market stalls. File under: cultural trivia to giggle at over coffee.