main picture PRAGUE

About Prague

The City of 100 Spires, Golden Prague, Mother of Cities

Prague in a nutshell

Area: 496 km2

Population: 1,296,829 at the end of the first quarter of 2018, one eighth of the total population of the Czech Republic.

Capital of the Czech Republic: Prague is home to the President of the Czech Republic (the office is at Prague Castle). The Czech Parliament sits in Prague: the Senate is housed in the Wallenstein Palace; the Chamber of Deputies, the lower chamber, in a complex of several palaces in the Lesser Town. Ministries and embassies are also located in the Czech capital.

In the heart of Europe: Prague lies approximately 600 kilometres from the Baltic Sea, 700 kilometres from the North Sea and 700 km from the Adriatic Sea. The Czech capital is a relatively short distance from other capitals in Central Europe: Vienna is 300 kilometres away, Bratislava 320 kilometres, Berlin 350 kilometres, Budapest 550 kilometres, and Warsaw 630 kilometres.

Administrative divisions: 22 boroughs

River Vltava (Moldau in German): It flows from south to north through the city for 31 kilometres, before joining the River Elbe near Prague. Nineteen bridges span the river.

UNESCO: In 1992, the city centre was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.

Prague has numerous public parks. For more information about green spaces in the city, see the “Parks & Gardens” section. Please note that some Prague gardens are not open during the winter season (from the beginning of November until the end of March).

Prague also has plenty to offer to cultural enthusiasts. Many institutions are devoted to art and history, such as museums with permanent and temporary exhibitions. Take a look at our recommendations. But watch out for tourist traps!

More information

In the “What to Visit” section, you’ll find tips on what to see in the city, which you can use for planning your itinerary in Prague.

In the “Activities and Experience” section, you’ll find various city tours and other sightseeing activities in English.

Practical information: everything you need to know to plan your visit to Prague and the Czech Republic during your stay.

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