Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Prague will start 2025 without the usual New Year’s Eve fireworks or video mapping displays.
City officials decided that large-scale celebrations would not be appropriate this year due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising economic pressures.
Instead, Prague has prepared a special New Year’s gift for its residents. On Wednesday, January 1, 2025, people can visit some of the city’s most popular attractions at discounted prices:
- Prague Zoo: Admission will cost just 100 CZK, a fraction of the usual price, offering an affordable day out for families and individuals alike.
- Botanical Garden in Troja: Entry will be discounted by 50%, making this lush escape more accessible to all.
- Prague Public Transport Museum: Adults can explore the museum for only 60 CZK, while children’s tickets will be priced at 20 CZK.
- Powder Gate: Adults can visit this historic landmark for just 55 CZK, and children under 15 can enter for free.
- Prague Planetarium: All visitors will pay the price of a child’s ticket, offering a budget-friendly opportunity to explore the stars.
- Bruce Weber: My Education Exhibition: Held at the House at the Stone Bell, tickets will be sold on a “buy one, get one free” basis, allowing art enthusiasts to save while enjoying world-class photography.
For further details on these offers, residents can visit the official city website.
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The Czech Republic faces significant challenges in creating a supportive environment for businesses, ranking as the sixth worst among EU member states.
The primary issues include soaring energy costs and limited access to financing, as revealed by the Prosperity and Financial Health Index. This marks a drop of two places compared to last year.
Energy Prices as a Major Burden
Rising electricity prices remain the most pressing concern for businesses. According to Milan Mařík, an analyst for the Europe in Data project, electricity costs for companies consuming between 500 and 1,999 megawatt hours more than doubled between 2021 and 2023.
Businesses now pay the EU’s 13th highest rates for electricity, nearing the European average but with a sharper price increase compared to other nations.
This energy burden makes it difficult for local businesses to compete, with costs hindering profitability and growth. By contrast, countries like Finland, which boasts the EU’s best business conditions, offer significantly lower electricity costs and other advantages, such as a thriving startup culture and low corporate taxes.
Tax Increases Add to Struggles
Corporate income tax in the Czech Republic rose from 19% to 21% this year, aligning with the EU average but further straining businesses. Historically, the corporate tax rate stood at 45% in the 1990s before gradually declining to 19% by 2010.
The recent increase is part of the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts but has compounded challenges for businesses already grappling with rising operational costs.
Limited Access to Financing
Another major issue is the low market capitalization of the Prague Stock Exchange, which ranks as the eighth lowest in the EU. This restricts companies’ ability to raise funds for expansion and innovation, forcing many to rely on debt financing or surrender control of their businesses.
“The lack of robust trading volumes and low market capitalization discourage larger investors and, in turn, hinder companies from entering the stock market,” explains Petr Bártek, an equity analyst at Česká spořitelna. He warns that this reliance on debt financing increases financial risks and slows economic progress, leading to an outflow of talent and know-how.
Startup Ecosystem Faces Challenges
The Czech Republic also lags behind in fostering a vibrant startup culture. With just 166 startups per million inhabitants, it ranks as the eighth lowest in the EU.
In contrast, Estonia, with a strong emphasis on digitalization and a favorable business environment, boasts 1,128 startups per million residents. Estonian initiatives like digitized public administration have enabled the emergence of global companies such as Skype and Bolt.
The lack of similar support mechanisms in the Czech Republic leaves startups struggling to thrive. “Without significant reforms to reduce bureaucracy and improve access to financing, the Czech Republic risks further stagnation,” the analysis warns.
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This Thursday, December 19, the Prague metro will transform into an unexpected holiday concert venue, with live performances bringing festive cheer to commuters and visitors alike.
Music enthusiasts can enjoy a lineup at two metro stations: Náměstí Republiky (Line B) from 10:00 to 16:00 and Vltavská (Line C) from 17:00 to 19:30.
These performances are part of the “Get in the Metro for Christmas 2024” (Nalaďte se v metru také o Vánocích 2024) campaign, organized by the Prague Public Transport Company.
Talented musicians, including choirs and instrumental ensembles, will perform a mix of classic Christmas carols and holiday tunes.
The event is completely free.
Program:
Náměstí Republiky (Palladium)
- Big Band KJJ – 10.00
- Just A Minute Band – 11.00
- Botondi – 12.00
- Býk stále mlád – 13.00
- Syntetická dáseň – 14.00
- Big Band VOŠ KJJ – 15.00
Vltavska
- Maranatha gospel – 17.00
- Pěvecký sbor Dopravního podniku hlavního města Prahy – 19.00
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For one day only, Palackého náměstí tram stop will become Prague’s “Christmas” tram stop, bringing holiday cheer to passengers.
On Wednesday, December 18, Palackého náměstí will undergo a magical transformation, delighting residents and visitors alike.
From 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the tram stop will be festively adorned with a Christmas tree, toys, pine branches, and other seasonal decorations, creating a unique holiday atmosphere.
Passengers passing through the stop can look forward to free-themed gifts and the chance to write their own Christmas wishes at a special information stand. After 6:00 PM, the stop will return to its standard appearance.
The initiative follows the success of a similar event last year when the Strossmayerovo náměstí tram stop was beautifully decorated for the holiday season.
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According to Eurostat data, the number of accommodated tourists last year was 0.2% higher than in 2019 – specifically, 22 million tourists were accommodated, of which fewer than 7.5 million stayed in Prague.
This year, the numbers continue to grow by low double-digit percentages year-on-year. However, the short-term rental market remains subdued – now at approximately three-fifths of pre-Covid volumes. With the planned introduction of the online information system eTurista, no major recovery is anticipated.
Prague now has approximately 7,500 active shared accommodation offers, compared to 13,000 pre-Covid, according to the Czech Association of Landlords and Private Accommodation Providers (ČAPUS).
Last year, a total of 8.9 million overnight stays were booked through platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia Group, and Tripadvisor. Nearly three-quarters of these bookings were made by international tourists, while the remaining 28% were domestic residents.
Prague Collected CZK 800 Million in Tourist Fees
Last year, 4.7 million overnight stays were booked in Prague via accommodation platforms, used by almost 1.5 million tourists. Private accommodation accounted for nearly 22% of the total number of overnight stays in the capital.
The average length of tourist stays has also returned to pre-pandemic levels. In collective accommodation facilities, the average stay last year was 2.3 nights, while for private accommodation platforms, it was 3.2 nights.
“On average, stays in private homes are one full day longer than hotel stays, making this a desirable form of tourism,” summarized Matěj Koutný, chairman of ČAPUS.
With the revival of tourism, city revenues have also grown.
In total, CZK 801 million was collected from tourist fees in Prague last year – almost 44% more than in 2022, surpassing the expectations of the municipality and city districts.
“From this perspective, longer stays are more advantageous for the capital. If the tourist fee were increased, it could bring billions more to the Czech Republic,” noted Koutný, adding that the statutory fee of CZK 50 in the Czech Republic is among the lowest in Europe.
The Reality of Shared Accommodation in Prague
Since the Covid era, the private accommodation market has undergone significant changes. Pre-Covid, there were approximately 13,000 active offers in Prague; today, there are around 7,500, according to the Golemio data platform.
Over half of these are for entire apartments or houses regularly rented out. The most active listings are in Prague 1, with nearly 3,000 offers. Other popular areas include Prague 2 (approximately 1,500 offers), Prague 3 (900), and Prague 5 (more than 700).
“The market has become more professional in recent years, with fewer providers operating in the grey zone. At the same time, it has stabilized – the number of active listings now balances the number of newly created and closed offers,” confirmed Koutný.
The composition of guests has also shifted. “Today, the typical private accommodation guest is a young family, which tends to prefer this option over traditional hotels. Large groups now account for less than 15% of all stays,” he added.
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Renowned Italian composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi, celebrated for his emotive and cinematic compositions, will perform at Prague’s O2 Universum on May 29, 2025.
The performance marks the live debut of his forthcoming album, The Summer Portraits, a collection inspired by the warmth of summer, family holidays, and cherished memories.
Einaudi, known for scoring acclaimed films such as The Intouchables, Samba, and Nomadland, describes his new album as a tribute to “all our summers and beautiful moments.”
The 13-track album, set for release on January 31, 2025, through Universal Records, blends personal nostalgia with universal themes. The sound revisits the expansive textures of his 2013 release In a Time Lapse and is enriched by a full ensemble of musicians.
The concert features a lineup of talented performers, including two percussionists, a cellist, violinist, accordionist, keyboardist, and bassist. Accompanying the album are music videos for tracks like Rose Bay, Punta Bianca, and Pathos, offering glimpses into the album’s emotional depth.
Einaudi’s last Prague performance in 2022 sold out in just two weeks. Tickets for the May concert will go on sale on December 19 at 10:00 AM via Ticketmaster and Ticketportal.
The event is organized by the Charmenko agency.
The Summer Portraits: Music as a Canvas
The inspiration behind The Summer Portraits stems from Einaudi’s family holiday on the Italian island of Elba. There, in a villa surrounded by pine forests, he encountered a collection of vivid oil paintings created by the home’s former owner.
Tracks like Oil on Wood, a solo piano meditation, embody Einaudi’s impressionistic approach to composition. Each note, like a brushstroke, contributes to a fragile yet impactful whole, evoking the essence of summer. Personal memories, such as childhood holidays in Tuscany and family ties to Sydney, lend further depth to the album.
A Global Phenomenon
Ludovico Einaudi’s music resonates worldwide, with over nine billion streams annually, making him one of the most-streamed classical artists. Born in Turin in 1955, Einaudi initially viewed his industrial hometown as a stifling place. However, his perspective has evolved, and he now sees its poetic charm.
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Martin Dvořák, Minister for European Affairs, believes that the Czech Republic’s adoption of the euro could depend on a shift in financial transactions.
“My vision of qualifying for the UEFA Euro in 2028 while simultaneously adopting the euro isn’t going exactly as planned,” Dvořák remarked at a press conference. He emphasized that a significant rise in euro-based financial transactions could render the Czech koruna obsolete.
Drawing parallels with Croatia, Dvořák explained: “It’s somewhat similar to what happened there. When euro transactions dominate, maintaining a separate currency becomes economically impractical.”
At a recent cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura of the ODS party stressed the importance of building both political and public consensus for euro adoption. “We need either widespread political agreement or overwhelming public support—ideally both,” he said.
Analysis Highlights Barriers to Euro Adoption
Dvořák expressed surprise at the findings of a National Economic Council (NERV) analysis, which identified a lack of political and public backing as the main hurdles to adopting the euro. “It’s not strictly an economic issue,” he said, referencing the analysis discussed at a recent government meeting.
STAN had proposed appointing a national euro coordinator, but the government ultimately rejected the idea. Dvořák emphasized that such a move would help focus efforts toward addressing these obstacles.
No Timeline for Adoption—Yet
Asked about a timeline for adopting the euro, Dvořák was noncommittal. “I wouldn’t dare to make any precise predictions,” he said, noting that the outcome of next year’s elections will be pivotal.
“The formation of the next government will determine whether steps toward euro adoption will be taken or if the issue will remain sidelined,” Dvořák explained.
The strongest opposition party, ANO, led by Andrej Babiš, currently opposes the euro. Meanwhile, within the ruling ODS party, opinions remain divided.
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Archaeological rescue research along the planned route of the Prague Ring Road has revealed significant finds spanning from the Neolithic era to the High Middle Ages.
Among the most remarkable discoveries are eight long columnar structures dating to the late Neolithic and early Eneolithic periods. Experts from the Institute of Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic estimate their age at approximately 7,000 years.
Additionally, archaeologists uncovered remains of settlement storage pits and a prehistoric stone-processing workshop at the site.
This area has yielded further treasures beyond the prehistoric era. Archaeologists have identified part of a village from the late Hallstatt period (5th century BC), uncovering ten semi-subterranean pits, settlement pits, gutters, and remains of above-ground structures.
The artifacts found include both coarse kitchen ceramics and more refined items, such as ceramic vessels with stamp decoration and glass beads.
A particularly intriguing find is the handle of a kylix—a popular wine-drinking vessel from the Adriatic region. Along with the glass beads, this discovery points to contact between the local population and the Mediterranean.
In another section of the site, archaeologists uncovered deep pits ranging from 2 to 5 meters in diameter.
Due to their depth, some had to be excavated using machinery. Based on datable materials, these pits have been tentatively assigned to the 13th century and are thought to be associated with gold mining, supported by the site’s proximity to the historical gold mine in Jílové u Prahy.
The rescue excavation is ongoing, with more than 9,000 archaeological sites examined so far.
This work is part of the broader preparations for the Prague Ring Road’s construction, set to officially begin on Monday afternoon.
The new section, expected to be completed in 2027, aims to ease traffic congestion on major routes like Jižní spojka and Štěrboholská radiála while improving connections between the D1, D11, and D10 highways.
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With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, shopping fever is at its peak.
This year stores exceeding 200 square meters will be closed for three days as part of the national holidays and will not open again until Thursday, December 27.
For those last-minute gifts, select stores might extend hours until 11 p.m. on December 22-23. On Dec. 24, larger stores can stay open until noon. However, specific opening hours vary among supermarkets.
The opening hours of shops on public holidays are governed by the law on sales hours in retail and wholesale trade.
It has been in effect in the Czech Republic since October 2016. According to this law, shops over 200 square meters must be closed on certain public holidays.
Shops for Christmas 2024
- December 24 – shops over 200 meters must close by 12:00
- December 25 – all shops are closed
- December 26 – all shops are closed
Only a limited number of restaurants are open, but even these have limited opening hours. Most restaurants book out in advance, so we advise making reservations.
However, exemptions apply to pharmacies, gas stations, and shops in the airport and railway stations (including Prague’s Hlavní nádraží) and hospitals.
On Christmas Eve (December 24), another rule is in effect. On this day, the law allows large supermarkets to work, but only until 12:00 (there are no restrictions for small stores). However, some retailers sometimes decide that it doesn’t make sense to open for a few hours and it’s better to give employees an extra day off.
On Monday, representatives of Prague and Czech Railways signed a purchase agreement for the Žižkov freight station and surrounding land, paving the way for the creation of a new district.
The purchase, valued at 1.43 billion crowns, was approved last week by Prague councillors and city representatives.
The planned district will include a new tram line, Olšanská-Habrová, and is expected to provide housing for almost 20,000 people. The project also incorporates key civic amenities such as schools, kindergartens, and parks.
Deputy Mayor for Spatial Development Petr Hlaváček (STAN) highlighted that this is Prague’s second-largest brownfield site, spanning an area roughly three times the size of the development zone around the Smíchov railway station.
Construction on the site is already underway, with further work set to begin following an expected change to the zoning plan at the start of next year.
Several developers, including Central Group, Sekyra Group, Finep, and Penta, are involved in the area’s redevelopment.
The functionalist freight station building, dating back to 1936, is set to be transformed into a social and cultural centre that will include a campus.
Hlaváček emphasized the building’s significance, noting that it is the longest structure in the city, with a length equivalent to about half of Wenceslas Square.
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Parking fees in Prague will be reduced during the Christmas period, offering drivers more affordable options from December 23 until January 3.
This temporary price reduction applies to mixed and visitor parking zones, where an hourly rate will be charged for all-day parking.
The new rates will be in effect from Monday, December 23, to Friday, January 3, in purple and orange zones, which are commonly used by non-residents.
The price reduction applies only to sections where parking does not operate in the all-week mode. These are typically areas where parking is free on weekends, so drivers can expect significant savings during the Christmas period.
Depending on the location, drivers will pay between 20 and 80 CZK per day to park. To check the parking zone of a specific area, drivers can use mapy.cz.
Electric Cars Lose Their Parking Benefits
Starting at the turn of the year, two changes will be implemented, following a decision made by Prague city councilors months ago. The first is the end of the special parking privileges for electric cars, which have previously been allowed to park without paying fees.
Zdeněk Hřib, Deputy Mayor of Prague, advocated for ending this benefit, arguing that electric cars occupy public spaces just like any other vehicle and should no longer be exempt from parking fees.
Hřib also pointed out that Prague now has an extensive network of chargers for electric vehicles, making further incentives unnecessary.
The association of electric car owners protested the change, claiming it marked the end of one of the few advantages available to electric vehicle owners in the Czech Republic.
Changes to Parking Permits
Another significant change involves the cancellation of portable parking permits, which allowed drivers to park without a fixed connection to a specific license plate. These permits were commonly used by hotel guests, but were often exploited by companies that bought large quantities of them and rented them out for profit.
Ongoing Parking Reform Efforts
A year ago, Prague officials completed a draft decree aimed at overhauling the city’s parking system. This reform would introduce a fee for entering certain areas of the city center for the first time, addressing issues related to congestion and the increasing number of vehicles.
Despite initial expectations that the reform would take effect in October, the proposal has faced criticism from some city districts and coalition parties.
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On December 13, a powerful art exhibit titled “Underground Garden” was inaugurated at the Národní Třída metro station in Prague.
Created by young Ukrainian artists from Kharkiv, the collection reflects the harsh realities faced by families forced to shelter in metro stations across Ukraine during the Russian aggression of 2022.
The exhibit will remain open to the public until December 2025.
Prague’s Deputy Mayor for Culture, Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09), who sponsors the event, emphasized the symbolic nature of the exhibition.
“Displaying the works of Kharkiv’s children in the Prague metro is not only an artistic gesture but also a deeply symbolic one. Art has the power to transcend borders and unite people, and this exhibit embodies that spirit. It’s a reminder that hope and joy can arise even in the darkest times.”
Art from a Time of War
The collection was created by young artists from the Aza Nizi Maza art studio in Kharkiv. The works invite viewers to reflect on the significance of gardens during war, as well as how joy and hope can persist under dire circumstances.
The choice of location—Prague’s metro—serves as a poignant reference to the spring of 2022 when many Kharkiv residents sought refuge in metro stations amidst relentless Russian shelling.
During that time, children from Aza Nizi Maza, who were also living underground, transformed one of Kharkiv’s metro stations into an artistic hub.
Original Art on Display in Troja
In addition to the metro exhibit, the original artworks will be displayed at the Troja Chateau’s Gallery of the City of Prague until the end of the year. The gallery is open to the public daily, except Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours on Fridays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
