Semily City

City in Liberecký kraj, Czechia with nature

At the edge of the Krkonoše foothills, Semily serves hikers and kayakers with access to Jizera River gorges, granite rock formations and mountain trails. Local cafés trade pâté and hearty soups after long ridge walks.

Main image
Costs
About $50-70 per day
Affordable Czech provincial prices; guesthouses common.
Safety
Very safe for travelers
Safe town with standard Central European security.
Best Time
May-September and Dec-Feb (hiking and skiing)
Hiking is best in summer; winter suit nearby ski areas.
Semily grew around textile and glassmaking industries in the 19th century and remains a gateway to the Jizera Mountains.
Local Time
9:58 AM
GMT+2
Weather
Overcast 62°F
Overcast
Population
9,040

Why Visit Semily?#

Sitting near the Jizera Mountains, this Liberec-region town appeals to outdoor enthusiasts and fans of Bohemian scenery. The Jizera River and surrounding foothills invite hiking, cycling and kayaking, while access to the Bohemian Paradise’s rock formations adds geological drama. A compact historic center and local cafés round out visits, making it an attractive gateway for nature-based day trips.

Best Things to Do in Semily#

Semily Bucket List#

Don't Miss

Semily Town Square - Wander Semily’s town square to see period architecture and local shops.

Semily Museum - Visit the Semily Museum for exhibits on local history, crafts, and regional life.

Church of St. Gall - See the Church of St. Gall for historic architecture and parish heritage displays.

Hidden Gems

Bělá nad Radbuzou walking paths - Explore nearby riverside trails for quiet walks and seasonal birdwatching opportunities.

Local woodworking studios - Visit small woodworking studios where traditional carpentry and furniture-making continue locally.

Railway museum exhibits - Check modest railway exhibits highlighting Semily’s historic connections and steam-era displays.

Day Trips

Prachov Rocks (Bohemian Paradise) - Day trip to Prachov Rocks for iconic sandstone towers and short hiking routes.

Jizerské hory (Jizera Mountains) - Visit the Jizera Mountains for walking trails, forests, and scenic viewpoints.

Best Time to Visit Semily#

Semily has a Central European climate with cold winters and warm summers. Summer gives the best hiking conditions; spring and autumn are scenic and quieter, while winters are snowy and crisp.

Winter

December - February

-6°C - 2°C (21°F - 36°F)

Cold with regular frost and snow in higher spots-excellent for crisp walks, but many outdoor trails can be icy or muddy.

Summer

June - August

15°C - 27°C (59°F - 81°F)

Warm, often sunny and ideal for hiking in surrounding hills-expect lively local tourism and good conditions for outdoor sports.

Spring/Autumn

March - May & September - November

3°C - 15°C (37°F - 59°F)

Mild and changeable-wildflowers in spring and colorful forests in autumn, but pack layers and a waterproof jacket for showers.

Climate

Semily's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (571 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
AugustSeptemberJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
35°
Warmest Month
-28°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-5°
96%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

29 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.4h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. The driest month with just 25 mm and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-4°
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

32 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
13.6h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
18°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
15.3h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 21°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
16.2h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 81 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 22°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
15.7h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 22°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
14.3h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.6h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

37 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-3°
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.9h daylight

How to Get to Semily#

Semily is in the Liberec Region and is well connected to Prague by Czech Railways regional trains. Prague’s Václav Havel Airport is the main international gateway; onward travel by train or bus reaches Semily in under two hours from Prague.

By Air

Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG): The nearest major international airport to Semily. From PRG, take bus 119 to Nádraží Veleslavín and the metro into Prague city centre (about 30-40 minutes to the city). From Prague main station you can continue to Semily by train.

Pardubice Airport (PED) / regional options: Pardubice and other regional airports offer occasional services; travel to Semily from these airports requires additional rail or road links and longer transfer times.

By Train & Bus

Train (České dráhy): Semily is served by regional trains at Semily v Podkrkonoší station. From Praha hlavní nádraží, typical journeys to Semily take about 1h20-1h40 with direct or single‑change regional services; fares are generally around CZK 120-250 depending on discounts and train category.

Bus: Regional bus services connect Semily with neighbouring towns and villages; buses run from the Semily bus station and are useful for destinations not directly on the railway line.

How to Get Around Semily#

Prague → Semily by regional ČD trains is the most convenient route for most visitors; local buses and taxis handle shorter in‑region transfers, while driving is best for exploring the surrounding countryside.

  • České dráhy regional train (CZK 120-250) - Regional trains run from Praha hlavní nádraží to Semily v Podkrkonoší; journey times are roughly 1h20-1h40. Trains are reliable and comfortable - buy tickets online or at the station and validate where required.
  • Regional buses (CZK 20-70) - Local buses serve Semily and neighbouring villages; they’re frequent enough on weekdays and ideal for short hop connections from the railway station to local sights. Tickets are purchased on board or at counters.
  • Car hire / driving (CZK (fuel cost varies)) - Driving lets you explore the wider Krkonoše foothills around Semily. Roads are well maintained; winter conditions require care and possibly snow equipment.
  • Taxi / private transfer (CZK 200-1,000+) - Taxis provide door‑to‑door service for early/late arrivals or luggage-heavy trips. Agree a price in advance for longer rides outside town.
  • Walking - Semily town centre is compact and easy to cover on foot. Walking is the best way to visit local cafés, shops and the riverfront.

Where to Stay in Semily#

Budget

Semily centre / Liberec region - $20-60/night

Semily has small guesthouses and family pensions. Budget options are basic; for more variety stay in nearby Liberec or Jablonec nad Nisou.

Local pensions around Semily - Small family guesthouses near centre

Budget options in Liberec (nearby) - Wider budget choice 20-30 km away

Mid-Range

Semily / Liberec - $60-120/night

Mid‑range choices are modest in Semily. Many travellers use Liberec for more comfortable hotels with restaurants and transport links to Semily.

Hotel U Radnice (regional guesthouse) - Comfortable mid‑range rooms nearby

Mid‑range hotels in Liberec - More facilities and dining options

Luxury

Liberec / mountain resorts - $120+/night

Semily lacks luxury hotels. For upscale spa hotels and boutique châteaux, head to the mountain resorts or Liberec area; options near town are limited.

Luxury hotels in the region (Liberec/Harrachov) - Mountain spas and boutique châteaux nearby

Select high‑end stays in giant mountains area - Best for spa and upscale amenities

Where to Eat in Semily#

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Semily’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Regional
Pizza
Czech
Fish
Kebab
Pasta
Salad
Burger
Chicken
Italian
Sandwich
Ice Cream
Coffee Shop

Shopping in Semily#

Small shops, bakeries and a local market cover everyday needs. If you’re after outdoor gear or larger retail choices, visit nearby Liberec or other regional centres.

Nightlife in Semily#