Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. It sits on the Vltava river in the heart of Central Europe and is famous for its well-preserved historic centre, its many towers and bridges, and a long history as one of the most important cities of the region.

Basic facts

Country	Czech Republic (Czechia)
River	Vltava
Language	Czech
Currency	Czech koruna (CZK)
Population	roughly 1.3 million
UNESCO	Historic Centre of Prague, listed since 1992

A very short history

Prague grew up around two castles above the Vltava: Prague Castle and Vyšehrad. It became the seat of the Czech princes and later kings, and in the 14th century, under Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, it became one of the largest cities in Europe. That era gave the city Charles University, Charles Bridge and the New Town.

Over the following centuries, Prague was part of the Habsburg monarchy. In 1918, it became the capital of the new Czechoslovakia. After the communist period, which ended with the Velvet Revolution in 1989, and the peaceful split of Czechoslovakia in 1993, Prague became the capital of the Czech Republic.

Historic districts

The old core of the city consists of several historic towns that were joined together over time:

• Old Town (Staré Město) – Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall and the Týn Church.
• Josefov – the former Jewish Town inside the Old Town, with its synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery.
• Lesser Town (Malá Strana) – baroque palaces and gardens below the castle, with St. Nicholas Church.
• Hradčany – the castle district, with Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral.
• New Town (Nové Město) – founded by Charles IV, today centred on Wenceslas Square.

Top sights

• Prague Castle – one of the largest castle complexes in the world, the seat of Czech rulers and today of the president.
• St. Vitus Cathedral – the Gothic cathedral inside the castle complex.
• Charles Bridge – the stone bridge over the Vltava, lined with baroque statues.
• Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock – the medieval clock comes to life with moving figures every hour.
• Vyšehrad – the second castle hill, with the Vyšehrad Cemetery, where many famous Czechs are buried, and views of the river.
• Petřín – a green hill with a lookout tower that resembles a small Eiffel Tower.
• National Museum – at the top of Wenceslas Square.

Getting around

Prague has a dense and reliable public transport network run by the city:

• Metro – three lines (A, B, C).
• Trams – the backbone of transport in the centre, including night trams.
• Buses – mainly in the outer districts and to the airport.
• Funicular – up the Petřín hill.

One ticket works on all of them for a set time. Tickets have to be validated before or right after boarding, and inspectors do check them. The historic centre is compact, so walking is often the easiest way to get around.

The airport, Václav Havel Airport Prague, lies west of the city and is connected to the centre by bus. The main railway station is Praha hlavní nádraží.

Food and drink

Czech cuisine is hearty and meat-based. Typical dishes include:

• Svíčková – beef in a creamy root-vegetable sauce with bread dumplings and cranberries.
• Vepřo knedlo zelo – roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut.
• Guláš – a Czech version of goulash, served with dumplings.
• Smažený sýr – fried breaded cheese.
• Trdelník – a sweet rolled pastry sold to tourists in the centre, not a traditional Czech dish.

Beer is a central part of Czech culture, and the country has a long brewing tradition, including Pilsner-style lager, which comes from the Czech city of Plzeň.

Practical tips

• Money: the Czech Republic is in the EU but does not use the euro. Pay in Czech koruna, and avoid exchange offices with poor rates, especially in the tourist centre.
• Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including public transport ticket machines.
• Taxis: use ride-hailing apps or well-known taxi companies rather than hailing cars in tourist spots.
• Crowds: Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square are much calmer early in the morning.

Official sources

• Prague City Tourism: https://www.prague.eu/
• Prague Castle: https://www.hrad.cz/
• Prague Public Transport (DPP): https://www.dpp.cz/