✈️ TLV to Prague-ruzyne (PRG)
Czech Republic
Prague
CityPRG
IATA2635.9 km
Distance3h 42m
Flight TimeCoordinates: 50.1008, 14.26
Airlines:
About Prague
Weather in Prague
Understand
Many Praguers have a small cottage (which can range from a shack barely large enough for garden utensils to an elaborate, multi-story dwelling) outside the city. There they can escape for some fresh air and country pursuits such as mushroom hunting and gardening. These cottages, called chata (plural form chaty , pronunciation of ch as in Bach ), are treasured both as getaways and ongoing projects. Each reflects its owner's character, as most of them were built by unorthodox methods. Chata owners used the typically Czech "it's who you know" chain of supply to scrounge materials and services. This barter system worked extremely well and still does today. Chaty are also sometimes used as primary residences by Czechs who rent out their city-centre apartments for enormous profit to foreigners who can afford to pay inflated rent. This city of bridges, cathedrals, gold-tipped towers and church domes, has mirrored on the surface of the swan-filled Vltava river for more than ten centuries. Almost undamaged by World War II , Prague's compact medieval centre remains a wonderful mixture of cobbled lanes, walled courtyards, cathedrals and countless church spires all in the shadow of her majestic 9th century castle that looks eastward as the sun sets behind her. Prague is also a modern and vibrant city full of energy, music, cultural art, fine dining and special events catering to the independent traveller's thirst for adventure. Regarded as one of Europe's most charming and beautiful cities, Prague has become the most popular travel destination in Central Europe along with Budapest and Kraków . Millions of tourists visit the city every year. Prague was founded in the later 9th century, and soon became the seat of the Kings of Bohemia, some of whom ruled as Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. The city thrived under the rule of Charles IV, who ordered the building of the New Town in the 14th century. Many of the city's most important attractions date back to that age. In 1348 Prague became a university town, which it has remained ever since. The University, which is sometimes claimed to be the oldest in Central Europe was split into a German and a Czech language part in 1882 with the German language part shut down in 1945, thus ending the claim of the "oldest German university" Prague might have reasonably held until then. The city also went under Habsburg rule and became the capital of a province of the Austro-Hungarian Empire . It had a German-speaking majority well into the 19th century, and even after then, maintained a significant German-speaking minority until the expulsion of ethnic Germans from Czechoslovakia following World War II . During that period, Prague would give rise to several prominent German-language authors, perhaps the most notable being Franz Kafka, known for works such as Die Verwandlung (The Metamorphosis) and Der Process (The Trial). In 1918, after World War I , the city became the capital of Czechoslovakia. After 1989 many foreigners, especially young people, moved to Prague. In 1992, its historic centre was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List . In 1993, Czechoslovakia split into two countries and Prague became the capital of the new Czech Republic. The Vltava River runs through Prague, which is home to about 1.2 million people. The capital may be beautiful, but smog often accumulates in the Vltava River basin.
Climate
Prague has a humid continental climate , with relatively cold winters (around the point of freezing). Snow cover occurs between mid-November and late March. The snow cover rarely stays around for more than a week or two. Summers usually bring plenty of sunshine and the average high temperature of 24 °C (75 °F). Precipitation in Prague is rather low, the driest season usually being the winter. During late spring and summer heavy rain may occur, often in the form of thundershowers. Temperature inversions are relatively common around winter, bringing foggy, cold days and sometimes moderate air pollution. Prague is a windy city with common sustained western winds and an average wind speed of 16 km/h (9.9 mph).
Talk
Czech is the official language of Prague and the Czech Republic. Simple words and phrases in other Slavic languages (for example Serbian / Croatian / Bosnian , Bulgarian and Polish ) are also commonly understood. Slovak and Czech are very similar and mutually intelligible. Most young people speak English, you will also have no problem speaking English at restaurants and bars. Many restaurants have English menus. Russian is widely understood by people who were attending school before the Velvet Revolution in 1989, but the language is too different from Czech to be understood without study. In addition, some people may dislike using Russian even if they know it because of the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1968 and Communist history in general. Many Czechs also have some knowledge of German. People studying after 1989 and even some older people can speak English. However, learning Czech will surely endear you to the locals.
Get around
Public transportation is very convenient in most of the areas visitors are likely to frequent. Public transport buses do not enter the historic districts (Old Town, New Town, Lower Town, etc.) to prevent air and noise pollution. One must transfer to a cleaner and quieter electric-powered tram or a metro before reaching historic areas.
See
Lesser Town offers beautiful streets leading to the Castle and churches (of which St. Nicholas Church is the most renowned). The Prague Castle is the biggest ancient castle in the world and offers beautiful views of the areas below. Also on site is the St. Vitus Cathedral with its lookout tower, the Castle Picture Gallery, several palaces and museums and the beautiful Royal Garden, among others. Petřín Lookout Tower has an observation platform. Two of the Czech National Gallery's most important collections are in the Sternberg Palace (up to the Baroque), and St George Convent (Czech Baroque and Mannerism) near and in the castle respectively. The third us in Veletržní Palace on the West bank , which exhibits 19th century and modern art. The Charles Bridge connects Old Town with Lesser Town. It is one of Prague's most beautiful structures. During the day, it is a bustling place of trade and entertainment, as musicians busk and artists sell their paintings and jewellery. Old Town is Prague's historic centre, full of numerous historic buildings and monuments, most notably the famed Astronomical Clock, the pure Gothic Týn Church, the mural-covered Storch building, and the Jan Hus monument. Nearby, the Estate Theatre is a neoclassical theatre where Mozart's opera Don Giovanni was first performed. Old Town features many historical churches (St. James Church, Church of Our Lady before Týn among others) and some other interesting historical buildings like the Old Town Hall, and the Convent of St Agnes of Bohemia. The Museum of Czech Cubism is also in Old Town, while the Prague City Gallery is split between Old Town and the East bank. Josefov , the historic Jewish ghetto, is interesting for its well preserved synagogues. The Old New Synagogue (Czech: Staronová synagoga ) is Europe's oldest active synagogue. The Spanish Synagogue is a very ornamental building of Moorish style. Other attractions include the Old Jewish Cemetery, which is the oldest in Europe, and Kafka's house. Prague Zoo , and the nearby Troja Chateau (Trojský Zámek) with a large garden displaying various sculptures and a Botanic Garden (Botanická zahrada Troja) with a tropical greenhouse. DOX Centre for Contemporary Art on the West bank is a gallery for modern arts, modern EU gallery style. There are plenty of smaller museums. Among them are the Museum of Miniatures at the Stahnov Monastery, Toys Museum and Musical Automata Museum at the Prague Castle, Postal Museum , and more touristy Wax Museum [dead link] , Torture Museum and Beer Museums in the Old Town. New Town was established as an extension of Old Town in the 14th century, though much of the area has now been reconstructed. The main attraction here is Wenceslas Square, a rectangular commercial square with many stalls, shops and restaurants. At the top of the square is the Czech National Museum which is well worth a look (see below). Midway down this historic boulevard, you can find trendy discos and Art Nouveau hotels, as well as quaint parks and arcades, while just off the beaten path are some wonderful panoramic views (Henry Tower), romantic restaurants and the dazzling, Disney-colored Jubilee Synagogue . Prague Dancing Houses is one of the most fascinating architectural expressions of Prague. Prague City Museum has several branches throughout town. An absolute must-see for the incredibly detailed cardboard model of nineteenth century Prague by Anton Langweil. The detail is amazing, even down to the colour of the doorways and the design of the windowsills.
Sightseeing passes
If you are visiting several attractions, you may be able to save money by buying a tourist card. Be discerning, as the passes often list as inclusions destinations that are free to visit anyway, and include lesser attractions. Make sure you will save money on the places you want to visit. Prague Card . Available for 1, 2 or 3 days. Includes a bus city tour and a river cruise. Free entry to Prague Castle – St.Vitus Cathedral, Royal Palace, Golden Lane, St.George's Basilica. Free entry to Jewish Museum – synagogues and famous Old Jewish Cemetery (6 sites). In total, free entry to 50 attractions and discounts on over 30 attractions. Free guidebook with information about the attractions in 7 languages. Adult: €64 - 1 day, €88 - 2 days, €108 - 3 days . ( updated Aug 2018 ) Prague City Pass . Free entry to various attractions in Prague within a 30 days period, various 25% discounts, sightseeing tours. Prague Castle – Old Royal Palace with Vladislav Hall, St. George‘s Basilica, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower, St. Vitus Cathedral. The ticket is valid for 2 days from first entry. Jewish Museum in Prague – Maisel Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, Klausen Synagogue, Ceremonial Hall. The ticket is valid for 7 days from first entry. 1390 Kč . ( updated Aug 2018 ) National Gallery Gift Ticket . If you are an art lover and you are staying in Prague for a longer time, a dárková vstupenka (gift ticket) for National Gallery may save you money. The ticket is valid for a year and is valid in all exhibitions (both permanent and non-permanent) of National Gallery. Number of visits is not limited. A gift ticket for one person costs 650 Kč, for two persons 1000 Kč. For 240 Kč you can have one-person ticket valid for two days in all "Old Art" exhibitions of National Gallery (Šternberk Palace, Schwarzenberg Palace, St. Anežka Convent), basic entry for these three galleries bought separately would cost you. 450 Kč .
Eat
Every weekday between 11:00 and 14:00 you can enjoy a discounted lunch menu in almost every restaurant in Prague. As a tourist you'll encounter a few barriers: the menu is in Czech only and the waiters will be reluctant to present you with a copy of it unless you explicitly ask for it: 'denni menu, prosim' (daily menu, please). After that it's up to your luck on what to pick, but it's going to be a nicely cooked typical meal and will cost under 150 Kč (Jan 2019), sometimes a soup included as well. Lunch is traditionally the main meal in Prague. Czech cuisine is typically based around pork or beef with starchy side dishes such as dumplings, potatoes, or fries. Fish is not as popular, though these days it is widely available. Popular Czech desserts include fruit dumplings (ovocné knedlíky), crêpes or ice cream. Trdelník has become popular in Prague among tourists, with many small bakeries selling the sweet bread encrusted with sugar and chopped walnuts, but it is not a traditional Czech dish, and only started appearing in the 1990s; most locals avoid it. Most restaurants become very crowded during lunch and dinner, so consider making a reservation or eating earlier than the locals. Tipping is generally not expected, and it's primarily used as a sign of appreciation when the food and service is good. It's common to round up the bill by a few crowns to make it even (289 Kč to 300 Kč for example). Taxes are always included in the price by law. Many restaurants in heavily-touristed areas (along the river, or with views near the castle) will charge a cover or "kovert" in addition to your meal charge. If this is printed in the menu, you have no recourse. But a restaurant will often add this charge to your bill in a less up-front manner, sometimes after printing in the menu that there is no cover. Anything brought to your table will have a charge associated with it (bread, ketchup, etc.) If you are presented with a hand-scrawled bill at the end of the meal, it is suggested that you take a moment to clarify the charges with your server. This sort of questioning will usually shame the server into removing anything that was incorrectly added. Some waiters might be impolite especially to people from eastern Europe. Pay no attention to this, and simply find another restaurant. If you're on the look out for fast food , you won't be able to move without tripping over street vendors serving Czech style hot dogs and mulled wine in the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square in New Town. If you're after Western-style fast food, the major chains also have a large presence in Wenceslas Square and the area immediately around it. Most beer halls also serve light snacks or meals. Definitely try the hot dogs (párek v rohlíku) – they're very different to the version you get in the West. Small, hollowed-out French baguettes are used for the bread, filled with mustard and ketchup, and then the frankfurter is inserted afterward. This turns the bread into a convenient carry-case and means you don't get ketchup all over your hands. Make sure you get mustard, even if you don't normally like it – unfortunately the hot dogs are somewhat flavourless and need that extra bit of kick. Prices range from around 15 Kč for a small one to 45 Kč for the terrifying-looking 'gigant' (as of 2010). Note that the size of hot dog relates to girth rather than length. Another local snack to look out for is chlebíček , a small open-faced sandwich with a wide variety of toppings to choose from. This can be found at supermarkets and in specialist shops. Be careful when ordering food without looking at the prices. There are many places in the centre that are known for charging horrible prices from people who did not look into the menu. Charging more than 250 Kč (July 2022) for a basic local lunch is too much, even in tourist-heavy areas. Especially restaurants with large outdoor spaces at Old Town square are known for charging extraordinary prices for a simple meal. If a restaurant touts itself as "Czech" and "traditional", it might be another sign of potential rip-off – truly traditional restaurants never advertise themselves as traditional. If outside tourist areas, meals can be found for 175 Kč or less (July 2022). Another common scam connected to food is charging for food by weight. They, for example, say that the price is 100 Kč, but do not mention that the price is for 100 grams, leaving you to pay 400 Kč for a basic meal. This is especially common at the Old Town square, at the stalls with 'Prague Ham'. Requests for smaller portions will generally be refused unless you get a local to buy it for you. For specific restaurant suggestions in the popular Old Town neighbourhood, have a look into the dedicated article .
Drink
Pubs (in Czech "hospoda") abound throughout Prague, and indeed are an important part of local culture. The exact brand of beer usually vary from pub to pub, and recommendations are difficult to give as natives are usually willing to argue at lengths about their preferences. The most internationally recognized beers are Pilsner Urquell ( Plzeňský Prazdroj ) and Budweiser Budvar ( Budějovický Budvar ). There are other brands famous among Czechs like Svijany. If you are looking for a beer brewed in Prague, go for Staropramen. Usual prices for a half-liter glass are between 25 and 40 Kč, based on the brand and locality, while certain restaurants at tourist areas like the Old Town Square are known to charge more than 100 Kč for a euro-sized glass. There's also a booming craft beer scene with many brewpubs in the city. In Prague it is customary, especially at beer halls, to sit with a group of people if there are no free tables, so go ahead and ask if you can join. There are also numerous night-clubs in Prague. Not all of them are good, it is often quite difficult even for locals to find the right one, as some are often overpriced, empty or just bad. Locals tend to go to clubs at around midnight, mostly on Friday and Saturday, but Wednesdays and Thursdays are often also OK. In summer, any day of the week should be fine, as there are many foreigners. Most of the night-clubs are in the centre of Prague, although there are some a bit further, mostly aimed at local students. Nightclubs are generally much more expensive than pubs, with beer costing between 50 and 100 Kč. Entrance fees should be small, do not pay more than 100 Kč for entrance unless there is some really good DJ playing. It is very common to see people drinking outside. It is forbidden to drink at many public places. There are however many public parks where it is not forbidden to drink and where it is very popular to drink. Young people often predrink in parks or at riversides and then head to some club in the center. Even if you drink on places where it is forbidden, police will probably not bother you, but they might use it against you if you are too disruptive to your surrounding. Prague has also many excellent tearooms (in Czech čajovna) which serve different kinds of teas from around the world. Shishas (hookas) are often smoked in these tearooms (smoking ban does not apply to shishas) .
Sleep
Prague has a wealth of accommodation options, many of them within walking distance of the town center. Peak season generally runs from April to October and a major influx of visitors can be expected during New Year as well. Prices for accommodation can be up to twice as high in the peak season and reservations are advised. Otherwise, the main train station, Hlavní nádraží, has an accommodation booking service for hotels and hostels upstairs. Normally, tax and breakfast are included in the room rate. Around Hlavni Nadrazi, the main train station, there are many touts offering cheap accommodation. Many are Czech residents renting part of their apartment for extra cash. Prices don't vary much between them, but some may not be trustworthy so be cautious. Even during peak season, dorm rooms in hostels close to the city center can be had for around 350 Kč (€14) per person per night. Prague has its share of rough and ready youth hostels with a party vibe, but there are many with a more relaxed atmosphere and some housed in beautifully restored buildings as fancy as any hotel. Many hostels also offer private rooms, with or without shared bathrooms, for much cheaper than a pension or hotel room. There is a boutique design hostel movement with many hostels rivaling hotel accommodation. For those looking for something a little different, a 'botel' (boat hotel) may be an appealing option. Usually relatively well placed, with gorgeous views. Most are moored on the south of the river in Praha 4 and 5, but the best is to stay in Prague 1, next to monuments to visit by foot, in the Lesser Town district (Mala Strana) or in the Old Town (Stare Mesto). Prices vary from €20 to €120 per person (as of 2010). For specific sleeping suggestions in the popular Old Town neighbourhood, have a look into the dedicated article .
Stay safe
Prague is a very safe city. You're less likely to be victim of a serious crime in Prague than in most Western European or US cities. There are no 'no-go zones' and it is safe for women to venture out alone, even in the dead of night. The most common crimes in Prague by far are car theft and pickpocketing; in particular, the prevalence of car theft and vandalism pushes up the crime statistics of Prague. As a party destination, it is common to encounter drunk partygoers, but most of the time the rowdy ones will be fellow tourists; exercise the same caution you would when dealing with any drunk person. The only area with a high concentration of homeless people is in front of the central station.
Go next
Buses and trains are frequent and quite inexpensive and can get you to even the smallest village. UNESCO listed places: Český Krumlov is the second most visited place in Czechia by foreign tourists. Beautiful historic town with a castle on a rock above Vltava river in South Bohemia . Best reachable by frequent buses of Regiojet (2 hr 50 min, from 179 Kč) or Flixbus (2 hr 35 min -3 hr 15 min, from 199 Kč), train requires one change in České Budějovice . Overnight stay recommended. Kutná Hora - A once prosperous silver mining town in the 14th and 15th centuries with the fantastic Saint Barbara church, and the Sedlec Ossuary in the suburbs, decorated with the remains of 40,000 human skeletons who were largely plague victims. Reachable by train (0h50 to main station for Sedlec district or 1 hr 6 min with a transfer to Kutná Hora město for city centre) or suburban bus 381 from metro station Háje (1 hr 42 min). Karlovy Vary in West Bohemia is the biggest spa town in central Europe. Enjoy beautiful spa architecture with many colonnades, sources of mineral water and walks in the surrounding forested hills. Very alive and crowdy during international film festival in early July. Easily reachable by frequent buses of Regiojet (2 hr 15 min from Florenc bus station or 1 hr 45 min from Prague Airport, from 149 Kč) or Flixbus (2 hr, from 139 Kč). Mariánské Lázně is another spa town being part of West Bohemian Spa Triangle . Reachable by direct trains of České dráhy via Plzeň (2h20 min). Žatec is the world capital of hops growing, key ingredient of beer. Easily reachable by suburban bus 405 from metro station Zličín (1 hr 32 min). Olomouc is former capital of Moravia , beautiful old city, famous medieval astronomical clock. Reachable by frequent trains of České dráhy, Regiojet and Leo Express (2 hr 20 min). Kroměříž - nice town with a chateau and gardens in Moravia, reachable by train only with a transfer Other UNESCO places are more difficult to reach from Prague. Interesting places around Prague (half-day trips): Karlštejn is a famous castle established in 14th century where royal jewelleries were stored in the past. Easily reachable by frequent trains between Prague and Beroun . Surrounding area is also great for hiking - you can hike along Berounka river, to cave monastery in Svatý Jan pod Skalou or beautiful former mine Velká Amerika. Lidice is a village near Prague Airport which was burnt out by Nazis during World War II. Today there is a memorial place with rose garden and museum. Reachable by suburban bus 322 from metro station Nádraží Veleslavín going via Terminal 1 of Prague Airport. Okoř castle ruin - one of many castle ruins in Czechia is near Prague Airport. Reachable by suburban bus 323 and 350. Other places in Czechia: Brno - second largest town in Czechia, capital of Moravia. Best reachable by frequent trains of České dráhy or Regiojet (2 hr 30 min). Plzeň (also called Pilsen) - 4th largest town in Czechia and 2nd in Bohemia. World capital of beer where lager was born in 1842. Visit the Pilsner Urquell brewery, 2nd biggest Jewish synagogue in Europe, tallest church tower in Czechia, historic underground under the old town. Reachable by frequent trains (1 hr 20 min) Terezín - fortified town in NW Bohemia, the impressive Small Fortress was used by Nazis as a concentration camp during World War II. Reachable by suburban bus 413 from metro station Letňany (1 hr) Liberec - centre of winter sports in North Bohemia , entry point to Jizerské hory mountains. Don't forget to climb to Ještěd hill with TV tower above the town. Reachable by frequent buses of Regiojet and Filixbus from metro station Černý Most (1 hr 15 jin). Tábor - nice historic town in South Bohemia, reachable by frequent trains (1 hr) České Budějovice - capital of South Bohemia, reachable by frequent trains (1 hr 40 min) and buses (2 hr 15 min) Ostrava - 3rd largest town in Czechia, capital of North Moravia, reachable by frequent trains (3 hr 15 min) Písek - Beautiful South Bohemian town with the country's oldest bridge, reachable by bus (1 hr 20 min) or train (2 hr 20 min) Zlín - town in east Moravia famous for Baťa shoes, beautiful red-brick houses Nature escapes: Krkonoše mountains national park - tallest mountains in Czechia, in NE Bohemia, reachable by buses to Pec pod Sněžkou (eastern part, starting point to Sněžka - highest point of Czechia), Špindlerův Mlýn (central part) or Harrachov (western part) Šumava mountains national park - in SW Bohemia, reachable by trains to Železná Ruda (western part) or several direct buses to Modrava or Kvilda (mostly on weekends) Bohemian Switzerland national park - in NW Bohemia along the route to Dresden, visit stone gate Pravčická brána and river gorges near beautiful Hřensko village, take local bus from Děčín (town on the main railway to Berlin) to Hřensko Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) protected landscape area - 60 km NE of Prague, E of Mnichovo Hradiště and S of Turnov , great hiking opportunities with many rock towers and rock castles, visit Trosky castle, Kost castle near Sobotka or Valdštejn castle near Turnov. Turnov and Sobotka are well reachable by buses and trains, villages inside the area are served only by limited local buses Kokořínsko protected landscape area - north of Prague and north of Mělník , make some hikes in beautiful nature with many rocks, artificial caves or Kokořín castle, best reachable by seasonal trains to Mšeno or suburban bus to Liběchov Prachovské skály - rock town near Jičín is SE part of Bohemian Paradise, best reachable by car, possibly also by suburban bus 412 to 'Dolní Lochov, hlavní silnice' stop Sázava valley - take train to any place around Sázava river south of Prague (like Petrov u Prahy or Týnec nad Sázavou) and walk around. You can also take train to villages more to the east like Sázava with a monastery, Český Šternberk with a castle, Kácov with a local brewery, Zruč nad Sázavou with a chateau or Rataje nad Sázavou where PC game Kingdom Come occurs. All places offer good hiking opportunities. Brdy mountains - forested area SW of Prague is great for hiking and cycling, its central part W of Příbram was a military area in the past but now it is open to public. Take train to Jince to get there, northern part is well served by suburban buses to Dobříš or Mníšek pod Brdy. Going abroad: Berlin , Germany - capital of Germany, reachable by frequent trains of České dráhy (4 hr 30 min) or buses of Regiojet and Flixbus Dresden , Germany - capital of Saxony on the half-way to Berlin, reachable by train (2 hr 27 min) or bus (1 hr 55 min) Munich , Germany - capital of Bavaria, reachable by several trains of České dráhy (5 hr 30 min) or buses (5 hr) Vienna , Austria - capital of Austria, reachable by frequent trains of České dráhy and Regiojet (4 hr) Linz , Austria - nice town in Austria, reachable by trains of České dráhy (3 hr 45 min) Bratislava , Slovakia - capital of Slovakia, reachable by frequent trains of České dráhy and Regiojet (4 hr) Poprad , Slovakia - entry point to Tatras mountains in North Slovakia, reachable by several trains of Regiojet, České dráhy and Leo Express (7 hr) Wroclaw , Poland - nice historic town in Poland, reachable by bus (5 hr), direct trains planned from 2024 Krakow , Poland - most beautiful town in Poland, reachable by train (7 hr, one daily), bus (8 hr) or by Ryanair