Cold weather is set to remain across the Czech Republic in the days ahead, with meteorologists warning that winter conditions will not ease anytime soon. While temperatures may rise slightly toward the end of the week, cold weather is expected to stay, with more snow on the way — including up to 20 centimeters in some mountain areas. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, freezing temperatures will dominate the country through at least Thursday. Even though mornings have been slightly milder than earlier in the week, daytime temperatures are expected to stay below zero in most regions, keeping icy conditions firmly in place. On Friday and Saturday, some areas may briefly see temperatures rise above freezing, but the cold will not let up for long. This, however, will not bring real relief. Instead, it is likely to be accompanied by snowfall and, in some areas, mixed precipitation. Meteorologists warn that rain combined with snow, or even freezing rain, could affect parts of southwestern Bohemia outside the mountain regions, increasing the risk of icy roads and sidewalks. The most intense snowfall is expected in the Bohemian mountain ranges, where up to 20 centimeters of new snow could accumulate by the weekend....
Travel across the Czech Republic has become easier this winter. A new long-distance bus connection now links regions that were previously separated by complicated transfers, cutting travel time and simplifying journeys between northern Bohemia, eastern Bohemia and Silesia. Since December, FlixBus has been operating a renewed domestic service that runs across the country from Teplice to Havířov. The line, officially marked as route 855, connects areas that until now had no direct public transport link. For the first time, passengers can travel between the Podkrušnohoří region and Silesia on a single bus, without changing vehicles in Prague or Ostrava. The route passes through Prague, Hradec Králové, Jeseník and Opava before reaching the industrial towns of the Moravian-Silesian region. For residents of northern Bohemia, it opens a straightforward connection to Jeseníky and the Ostrava area. For people in eastern Bohemia and Silesia, it finally means direct access to Teplice and the north-west without planning around multiple transfers. According to FlixBus, the new line is part of a broader strategy to improve links between smaller towns and major transport hubs. Zdeněk Tesárek, the company’s commercial director for the Czech Republic, said in a statement that expanding services beyond the largest cities remains...
Czech Crown Hits Record High, Boosting Buying Power Abroad The Czech currency closed the year at its strongest level on record, surprising both analysts and the central bank. In December, the average exchange rate reached 24.26 crowns per euro, a level the koruna had never achieved before. The steady rise continued for most of the year without major swings, despite earlier forecasts from the Czech National Bank that had predicted a weaker performance. The stronger crown has had a clear effect on daily life: imports, foreign travel, and online purchases from abroad have become cheaper for Czech residents. Fake VZP Emails Promise Refunds, Aim to Steal Bank Details Authorities are warning the public about a new wave of scam emails pretending to come from the state health insurance company, VZP. The messages claim that recipients have overpaid their insurance contributions and are entitled to a refund, sometimes promising amounts in the tens of thousands of crowns. The real goal is to obtain bank details and drain accounts. VZP has stressed that it never sends refund notices by email. Any overpayment can only be checked through the official mobile app, by phone, or in person at a branch office. Avalanche Warning...
Foreigners moving to or visiting the Czech Republic often describe locals as distant, reserved, or difficult to approach. According to the Expat Insider 2025 survey, this perception places the country among the least friendly nations in the world, ranking second from the bottom. Only Kuwait scored lower, while Panama topped the list as the most welcoming destination. The survey reflects a long-standing image of Czech society as cautious and emotionally restrained. Smiling at strangers is uncommon, casual conversation is rare, and personal space is closely guarded. While this behavior may appear unfriendly to outsiders, Czech experts say it is rooted more in cultural habit than hostility. Psychologist Lenka Čandová explains that Czech communication tends to avoid surface-level interaction. People prefer meaningful conversations and often skip what many cultures consider polite small talk. For foreigners, this can feel abrupt or cold, especially in everyday situations such as shops, offices, or public transport. Another factor is the Czech approach to honesty. Locals often speak directly and without softening their words. What is intended as openness or efficiency may be interpreted elsewhere as rudeness. Czech humor can also play a role. Irony, sarcasm, and joking about serious topics are common, but these cues...
Despite a week of freezing temperatures, ice on Prague’s ponds and reservoirs remains too thin for skating, firefighters warn. Several volunteer fire brigades across the city have issued alerts on social media, urging residents not to venture onto frozen water surfaces too early. According to Miroslav Řezáč, spokesperson for the Prague Fire Brigade, ice must be at least ten centimetres thick before it can safely support a single person. If several people are on the ice at the same time, firefighters recommend a minimum thickness of 18 centimetres. Anything less poses a serious risk of breaking through. Checks in Praguewere conducted by employees of the Forests of the Capital City of Prague, primarily for operational reasons. On Monday, ice thickness was recorded at nine centimetres at the Hostivař Reservoir, eight centimetres at Hamerský and Kyjský ponds, seven centimetres at Džbán, and 12 centimetres at Jiviny. Other locations, including Počernický Pond and Pískovna, are inspected on a random basis. Firefighters emphasise that ice thickness can vary significantly within a single pond. Areas near shores, inlets, outlets, or spots with water movement may be far weaker than they appear. Volunteer firefighters in Dubeč have warned that even if part of a pond...
Believe it or not, the history of Czech skiing started in Prague, right in the center of the city exactly 135 years ago today. On January 5, 1887, skiing fan Josef Rössler-Ořovský used Prague’s Wenceslas Square, with a fairly friendly incline, as the first Czech ski run. Back then, winters were considerably tougher and snowfall more intense to be able to accomplish the feat. Afterward, skiing as a sport began to draw greater interest from the population. In the 20th century, after the fall of communism, foreign goods and sporting equipment became available for the first time in four decades, resulting in the modernization of ski equipment and ski resorts. Josef Rössler-Ořovský Josef Rössler-Ořovský (June 29, 1869, in Prague – January 17, 1933, in Prague) was a versatile Czech athlete and capable sports organizer. He is still one of the greatest personalities in Czech sport. Josef was an outstanding rower and skier, he played football for the Parisian club White Rowers and the English Black Trials Fulham and he was the first Czech football referee. He founded the Czech Ski-Club, the Czech Yacht Club, and the Czech Lawn Tennis Club. He shared in the founding of the Association of Skiers of...
The Czech Republic faces a growing shortage of professional drivers, with transport companies warning that the gap is now affecting both freight and passenger services. Industry representatives estimate that around 20,000 truck drivers and 5,000 bus drivers are currently missing from the labour market, and the situation shows little sign of easing. Efforts to attract more women into the profession, expand access to driving licences, and offer retraining programmes have so far failed to reverse the trend. Instead of stabilising, the shortage is deepening, according to the Česmad Bohemia Association of Car Transporters, which represents major road haulage companies. As a result, carriers are increasingly looking beyond the European Union. Česmad Bohemia has been in talks with Transport Minister Ivan Bednárik about simplifying the process for recruiting drivers from so-called third countries. The association argues that without faster and clearer rules, Czech transport risks falling behind neighbouring states. Employing drivers from non-EU countries is one of the few remaining options. However, heavy bureaucracy is a major obstacle. While similar procedures in Poland can take only a few weeks, the Czech system often stretches over several months, discouraging both employers and applicants. Some steps have already been taken. From January 1,...
The holiday season has ended, and it’s time to deal with your Christmas tree. Many people traditionally dispose of their trees on Epiphany. Here are five environmentally friendly and proper ways to handle your tree’s disposal—and what NOT TO DO. 1. Avoid the Trash Bin In urban areas, the simplest solution is to place your Christmas tree near a designated mixed waste bin or a container for sorted waste. If these bins are located in a courtyard or other restricted areas, take the tree to a publicly accessible collection point. Some municipalities provide special disposal locations to avoid tree piles on the streets, while others set specific collection days. Always check your local authority’s website for precise guidelines. However, don’t place the tree inside the trash bin or container—it can clog the space, making it unusable for others. Instead, leave it neatly nearby for collection. 2. Composting or Recycling Yards If you miss the designated collection days or prefer an alternative, you can transport the tree to a composting plant or recycling yard. Numerous facilities across the country accept Christmas trees for composting or shredding. You can locate nearby composting centers via local maps or municipal websites. 3. Reuse in...
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš will review his predecessors’ initiative to supply ammunition to Ukraine. He considers the initiative “a good thing” but demands a corruption check and will discuss it on January 7. As Babiš noted, the initiative regarding weapons for Ukraine is a “good thing,” but the Czech Republic must ensure that the project will be implemented without corruption. He added that currently, the main task is to stop the military conflict. According to Babiš, he first learned about the ammunition initiative at a meeting with the director of the Czech Agency for Intergovernmental Defense Cooperation on December 22, 2025. This issue is to be discussed on January 7 at a meeting of the Czech State Security Council. Czech Parliament Speaker Tomio Okamura spoke out against providing weapons to Ukraine, calling the war “senseless.” He stated that Czech pensioners’ money should not go to support “pro-war propaganda.” In response, Czech opposition deputies want to initiate a vote on the dismissal of SPD party leader Tomio Okamura from the post of Speaker of the lower house of parliament. Czech President Petr Pavel expressed concern about Tomio Okamura’s anti-Ukrainian statements. He stated that he would raise this issue for discussion...
The 2026 meteor season is shaping up to be one of the most favorable in recent years. Astronomers report that several major meteor showers will peak under near-ideal viewing conditions, including the Perseids in August, expected to reach their strongest levels in two decades. During most major meteor showers, moonlight will be minimal or absent, leaving skies dark enough to reveal even faint streaks that are usually lost in brighter conditions. August: Perseids in absolute darkness The standout moment will arrive in mid-August, when meteor counts are expected to reach levels not seen in roughly twenty years. But strong displays will also appear in spring, late autumn, and early winter, offering multiple chances to observe fast-moving debris as it burns up in Earth’s atmosphere. The August Perseids, the most widely followed meteor shower of the year, will peak on the night of August 12 into the early hours of August 13. With a new Moon falling at the same time, viewing conditions will be close to ideal. Observers under clear skies could see as many as 80 meteors per hour, making this the strongest Perseid display in two decades. Spring and Autumn: From the Lyrids to the Leonids Spring brings...
Prague Zoo Sees Its Strongest Attendance in a Decade Prague Zoo ended last year with 1.45 million visitors, marking its best result in ten years and its strongest performance since the pandemic. Zoo officials say interest was driven largely by young gorillas Mobi and Gaia, who quickly became one of the site’s main attractions. Attendance was also boosted by several new animals, including Achilles, a Sumatran tiger, and Oslo, a South African sea lion. The figures suggest that visitor numbers have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Prague Public Transport Switches to Semi-Holiday Timetable Public transport in Prague has entered a semi-holiday operating mode from January 5 to March 1. During this period, intervals for trams, buses, and trolleybuses are longer by around 20 percent. The transport authority says the change reflects a seasonal decline in passenger numbers. Metro services remain unaffected, with trains running at standard intervals. IKEA Extends Collection of Used Pillows and Textiles IKEA Czech Republic has prolonged its recycling campaign for used pillows and bedding, which was originally due to end last year. The initiative will now continue until April 30. Customers can return sleep products from any manufacturer and material, as long as they are clean, dry,...
A devastating fire that broke out during New Year’s Eve celebrations at a bar in Switzerland has left more than 40 people dead and over a hundred others injured. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Saturday that a national of the Czech Republic was hurt in the blaze. While officials have not yet released details about the person’s age or the extent of their injuries, they confirmed that the individual is among those receiving medical care following the incident. The scale of the disaster has pushed Swiss authorities to seek international assistance. Switzerland has formally asked European Union member states to help treat patients suffering from severe burns and inhalation injuries. Czech Health Minister Adam Vojtěch said the Czech Republic responded without delay, offering hospital capacity for patients requiring specialized treatment. Some of the injured are now being considered for transfer abroad, including to the burn unit at Královské Vinohrady University Hospital in Prague, one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in Central Europe. Many of those hospitalized are reported to be in critical condition, with serious airway damage caused by smoke and extreme heat. Near the destroyed Le Constellation bar, mourners have created an improvised...
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