The price of electricity for households in the Czech Republic has risen sharply, even though the nation is one of Europe’s largest electricity exporters. According to Eurostat, the cost reached €0.321 per kilowatt-hour in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms during the first half of last year. This marks an 85% increase compared to the same period in 2021 for a household with average consumption levels. Czech Prices Outpace Regional Neighbors The steep price hikes in the Czech Republic contrast starkly with trends in other Visegrad Four (V4) countries, where electricity costs have remained relatively stable, states Lukáš Kovanda Chief Economist at Trinity Bank. Slovak households paid an average of €0.1543 per kilowatt-hour, less than half of what Czech households were charged. Slovakia saw a modest increase of around 12% over the same period. Polish households fared even better, paying €0.1531 per kilowatt-hour, with a surprising 2% price reduction compared to the first half of 2021. Hungary boasts the lowest electricity prices not only in the V4 but also across the EU, at just €0.1234 per kilowatt-hour, a mere 1% increase over three years. A Sharp Shift in Czech Pricing Trends Electricity prices in the Czech Republic were once on par...
The reconstruction of Jiřího z Poděbrad Square in Prague 3 is well underway, with the first year nearly complete. New paving has already been installed in some areas, and freshly planted trees are now visible behind fencing. In January, the children’s playground will be modernized, while the popular farmers’ markets will temporarily relocate to their original spot near the elementary school. Progress on the Square’s Reconstruction The renovation project is set to continue for approximately two more years. The square is being reconstructed in phases, with the section in front of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus expected to remain closed throughout 2025. The area near the elementary school is already finished, boasting newly laid paving. Playground Modernization The children’s playground overhaul is scheduled to begin in January 2025 and will bring significant updates. According to Prague 3 representatives, the playground was removed at the end of November 2024, and during the Advent season, a temporary straw playground entertained children until December 23. Construction work on the playground will last until April 2025, with additional work in the surrounding area continuing until October. The redesigned playground will feature expanded play areas, new equipment like a water pump, sand...
Starting Monday, January 6, Prague will face significant metro service restrictions, with two stations closing for extensive renovations. Pankrác on Line C and Českomoravská on Line B will be shut down for approximately a year, impacting thousands of daily commuters. Pankrác Station: A Year-Long Closure for Line D Connection The Pankrác station will close for 12 months to facilitate the integration of the newly constructed Line D. To compensate, tram line 19—recently extended to the shopping center near Pankrác—will provide an alternative route. This tram connects Pankrác to the nearby Pražského povstání metro station, offering commuters a convenient detour. Českomoravská Station: Reconstruction Near O2 Arena The Českomoravská station near the O2 Arena will be reconstructed for the next 11 months. Passengers are advised to utilize surface transport alternatives from the Vysočanská metro station. Bus routes will connect key stops, including Poliklinika Vysočany, Divadlo Gong, and the Českomoravská bus interchange. Transport Adjustments During O2 Arena Events For events at the O2 Arena, Prague’s public transport authority plans to strengthen surface transport lines. Despite this, travelers are encouraged to walk from the Vysočanská station to avoid potential delays. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
Four branches of Prague’s National Gallery will offer free entry for two consecutive days, February 8 and 9, 2025, as part of its birthday celebrations marking 229 years since its founding. On both days, visitors can enjoy free access to a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The offer applies to all visitors, regardless of age or nationality, welcoming locals and tourists. The announcement was made on the National Gallery’s official website. Exhibitions Open to the Public The free entry promotion includes several exhibitions across four locations: Old Masters I (Staří Mistři I) – Schwarzenberg Palace Old Masters II (Staří Mistři II) – Sternberg Palace Medieval Art in Bohemia and Central Europe (1200–1550) – Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia 1796–1918: Art of the Long Century – Trade Fair Palace (Veletržní palác) 1918–1938: The First Republic – Trade Fair Palace 1956–1989: Architecture for All – Trade Fair Palace 1939–2021: The End of the Black-and-White Era – Trade Fair Palace Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
The Prague Transport Company is gearing up to expand the city’s tram network significantly. Construction of a new tram line in Malešice is set to begin this year, alongside connecting tracks from Wenceslas Square to Vinohradská Street. By next year, work on three additional lines—Libuše to Nové Dvory, Malovanka to Strahov, and a route through the new district at the Žižkov Freight Station—will also commence, according to iDNES. The Malešice line will stretch 2.3 kilometers, running through the middle of Počernická Street from the existing Vinohradská tracks to a turning point at Sídliště Malešice. Six stops, provisionally named Hagibor, Na Palouku, Hostýnská, Plaňanská, Tuchorazská, and Sídliště Malešice, are planned along the route. The project, estimated at 1.75 billion crowns excluding VAT, is currently in the tender phase to select a construction company. In addition, DPP will start building tracks across Legerova Street near the National Museum. These tracks will connect the upper part of Wenceslas Square to Vinohradská Street. “We are finalizing the public tender for the contractor and expect construction to begin this spring,” said Daniel Šabík, the company’s spokesperson. Future Plans: Expansion Across Prague Next year, the Prague Transport Company will kick off construction on a 2-kilometer line...
Lidl has officially opened its first outlet store in the Czech Republic, offering customers significant discounts on clothes, tools, household goods, and other consumer items. The store, located in Prague’s Štěrboholy Retail Park, promises savings of 40% to 70% on its wide-ranging inventory. The new outlet spans 1,700 square meters, featuring only new and flawless goods at reduced prices. Lidl spokeswoman Eliška Froschová Stehlíková confirmed that the inventory will be restocked weekly based on demand. “Our aim is to establish a consistent sales channel for products that need to make way for new promotions in our standard stores. This concept draws inspiration from similar Lidl outlets successfully operating in countries like Hungary, Portugal, and Spain,” she explained. If the Štěrboholy outlet proves successful, Lidl plans to expand this concept to other locations across the country, providing more opportunities for shoppers to take advantage of discounted prices. The outlet store is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. In addition to ample parking, visitors can enjoy a variety of drinks and coffee on-site, making their shopping experience more enjoyable. Lidl entered the Czech Republic in 2003, later than its main competitor, Tesco. Its launch was marred by controversies over the...
The historic center of Prague came alive with New Year celebrations as thousands of people gathered to welcome 2025. Old Town Square and parts of Wenceslas Square were the main hotspots, despite ongoing construction limiting access in certain areas. While the atmosphere was festive, emergency services were on high alert, responding to fires and minor injuries throughout the night. Crowds Fill Old Town Square Amid Construction Challenges In the evening, Old Town Square saw a steady influx of tourists. The usual New Year hub, Wenceslas Square, was less crowded this year due to construction work in its upper section, which limited pedestrian movement and discouraged large gatherings. Security forces noted a higher number of visitors at Old Town Square compared to previous years. According to Prague City Tourism, approximately 100,000 tourists arrived in the city for the celebrations, a slight increase from last year’s 90,000. Visitors from countries such as the UK, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Ukraine filled the streets, joined later by locals braving the cold for the festivities. Emergency Services Handle Dozens of Incidents Emergency responders were kept busy throughout the night. Firefighters attended eight fires by 10 p.m., mostly involving garbage bins and vegetation. A more serious...
The first baby of 2025 born in Prague is a boy named Artur. He was born 26 minutes after midnight at Motol University Hospital, according to hospital spokeswoman Jana Merxbauerová. Shortly after, at the Institute for Mother and Child Care in Podolí, another boy was born at 12:41 AM. Named Matěj, he weighed 3,240 grams, said spokeswoman Gabriela Hošková. Two births were also expected during the night at Thomayer University Hospital in Krč, with another newborn anticipated after midnight at Královské Vinohrady University Hospital. Prague’s first baby of 2024 was a girl named Lara, born just eight minutes after midnight at Bulovka University Hospital. The first baby of the new year in the Czech Republic was born just after midnight. A girl named Tereza was delivered at the Písek maternity hospital two minutes past midnight. A Reward for New Year’s Day Babies Prague maintains a long-standing tradition of rewarding babies born on New Year’s Day. Every child born on January 1 to mothers with permanent residence in the capital receives a 15,000 CZK gift from the city. According to municipal records, this practice likely began in the 1960s. Initially, only the first baby of the year received a gift, but...
Prague is gearing up for the New Year’s Eve celebration, with an estimated 100,000 tourists arriving from the Czech Republic and abroad. In response, hundreds of police officers, paramedics, and firefighters will be on duty to ensure public safety and maintain order during the festivities. Heightened Security Across the City Police forces from various departments will patrol the streets, focusing on enforcing regulations and preventing disturbances. Officers will particularly monitor compliance with local decrees that ban the use of pyrotechnics in specific areas, such as the city center, embankments, parks, hospitals, the zoo, and shelters. Violators face fines of up to CZK 10,000 on the spot, or as high as CZK 100,000 through administrative proceedings. The use of sky lanterns is prohibited across the capital. Eva Kropáčová, a police spokesperson, emphasized the importance of adhering to these restrictions: “Officers will be on the lookout for violations in restricted areas to ensure a safe environment for all residents and visitors.” Police have assured the public that, while there are no known security threats, patrols will be visible in areas with large crowds and so-called “soft targets.” Emergency Services on High Alert From 3 p.m., medical personnel will be stationed at key...
Thanks to a recent solar eruption, astronomy enthusiasts might be able to witness the aurora borealis on New Year’s Eve. According to astronomers, a plasma cloud of charged particles ejected by the Sun last Thursday is expected to hit Earth on the evening of December 31. This could trigger a geomagnetic storm strong enough to make the northern lights visible even in the Czech Republic, says Petr Horálek from the Institute of Physics at the Silesian University in Opava. “The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecast a geomagnetic storm of up to class G3, likely starting in the second half of New Year’s Eve. However, the occurrence of the phenomenon isn’t guaranteed, as predicting solar wind behavior is highly complex,” Horálek explains. To increase your chances of seeing the aurora, Horálek recommends finding a clear view of the northern horizon, far from light pollution, and keeping an eye on real-time aurora monitors. The University of Opava has also released a video guide with detailed instructions for viewing the northern lights. While the aurora remains uncertain, skywatchers can already spot Venus, which is shining brightly in the southwestern sky at dusk. Venus, often referred to as the “Evening Star,”...
Prague residents can expect higher water and sewage bills in 2025. The city council approved a price hike during its final meeting of the year, citing inflation and infrastructure investments as key reasons for the increase. Starting in January, the price of water per cubic meter, including VAT, will rise by 4.4%, from 144.88 CZK to 151.27 CZK. This translates to an increase of 6.39 CZK per cubic meter. “Based on average water consumption, the rise should cost about 20 CZK more per person each month, or 240 CZK annually,” said Infrastructure Councilor Michal Hroza (TOP 09). He added that despite the adjustment, Prague’s water and sewage prices remain well below the socially acceptable limit defined by the OECD. The OECD sets this threshold at 2% of a household’s annual net income. For Prague, this benchmark corresponds to a water price of 243.83 CZK per cubic meter. A Gradual Price Strategy Through 2035 The price increase aligns with a city strategy approved through 2035, designed to secure funds for the development and modernization of infrastructure. This plan allows for annual price adjustments by the average inflation rate plus 2% until 2028. After that, increases will align only with inflation. While...
Czechia, with its diverse mountain ranges and well-developed ski infrastructure, offers a variety of options for winter sports enthusiasts. Here are some of the top ski resorts to consider for your next winter getaway: 1. SkiResort Černá hora – Pec Located in the Krkonoše Mountains, this is the largest ski resort in Czechia, boasting over 50 kilometers of slopes. It offers modern facilities, including cable cars and chairlifts, and caters to both beginners and advanced skiers. The interconnected areas provide a diverse skiing experience. Buy your ski pass at home You need just one ski pass to have an access to all the 50 kilometres of slopes. You can buy it on-line and pick it up at any of the 9 sKiosk vending machines. 2. Špindlerův Mlýn Ski Resort Also situated in the Krkonoše Mountains, Špindlerův Mlýn is one of the most renowned ski resorts in the country. With approximately 25 kilometers of slopes, it offers a variety of runs for all skill levels. The resort is known for its vibrant après-ski scene and regularly hosts international competitions. Choose one of the 5 ski areas. The best-known area is Svatý Petr (St. Peter), followed by Medvědín, Hromovka, Labská, and finally...
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