What You Need to Know About Prague?

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its uniquely preserved historical centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, reflects eleven centuries of history.

This culturally rich city full of fabulous monuments charms visitors not only with its impressive and diverse architecture and breath‑taking views but also its intimate, romantic atmosphere that is ideal for long walks. Visitors from around the world are drawn to Prague by its unique symbiosis of carefully preserved monuments of all periods and styles, from Romanesque rotundas, Gothic cathedrals and Baroque churches, Renaissance palaces and gardens, to Art Nouveau, Cubist and purely modern buildings. The skyline is dominated by Prague Castle towering above the Vltava River, which in turn reflects the city’s landmarks, towers, church domes, palaces and houses, garden greenery and islands. Prague is a city of (not just classical) music and art, found here at every step, a city of gardens and parks, and last but not least, a city where the best beer in the world is brewed and savoured.

Capital of the Czech Republic (EU member since 2004): 1,280,000 residents

Currency: Czech Crown (CZK)

Airport: Václav Havel Airport Prague, 30 minutes to downtown

Distances: Berlin 350 km, Vienna 330 km, Budapest 525 km, Bratislava 330 km, Warsaw 680 km

Time: Central European Time (GMT +1); Central European Summer Time +1 (GMT +2)

Climate: mild with four distinct seasons. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature below 0 °C; the warmest is July, with an average temperature of 20 °C.

The Vltava River flows through the city for 31 km; maximum width 330 m

Historical Centre: Castle District (Hradčany), Lesser Town (Malá Strana), Old Town (Staré Město), New Town (Nové Město) and Vyšehrad

What You Need to Know

The best source of information about Prague is www.prague.eu and Prague City Tourism Information Centres.

Does walking tire you out or are you travelling with small children? Use the Ecotrain, take a ride in a vintage car/convertible, take the historical tram or a carriage, or take a boat trip on the Vltava River. We also offer tours of Prague with our guides or by bike as well as a wide range of sightseeing tours.

Prague public transport includes trams and the metro, as well as buses in the outskirts. If you plan to get around other than by foot, it pays to buy a travel pass for 1 or 3 days. Note that before your first trip, you must stamp the ticket in a ticket machine, otherwise you risk a fine.

The Prague Card (2, 3, or 4 days) includes free access to 50 major tourist sites, as well as free use of public transport. You can buy it at any of our tourist information centres.

It's easy to get by in Prague speaking English or German, but you can’t go wrong with a sincere “Dobrý den” [doh‑bree den] (“Hello!”). To say “thanks”, say “děkuji” [dyeh‑koo‑yi].