Visitors to Prague are being warned about extremely high prices in some shops and taxis around the city center. A recent investigation by tvnoviny.sk, a Slovak news website, shows how easily travelers can pay far more than the usual rate for everyday items and short taxi rides. The reporters started their test at Prague Main Station, looking for a taxi to Wenceslas Square. According to local taxi apps, the trip should cost around 120 CZK. However, one driver refused to take such a short trip, while others offered the ride for at least 500 CZK, more than four times the normal price. When asked for a receipt, one driver became nervous, lowered the price, but still refused to give any proof of payment. After the journalist revealed she worked for the media and started speaking Slovak, the driver returned the money and quickly left the scene. 900 CZK for Bottled Water, 150 CZK for Beer The investigation also looked at prices in small shops near Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. In one store, a six-pack of bottled water was selling for 900 CZK. A single can of beer was priced at 150 CZK. When the journalist asked why the...
Czech Railways has begun testing high-speed satellite internet provided by Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starlink network on its InterPanter trains in an attempt to improve onboard internet access for passengers across the country’s rail network. The test phase will run for approximately three months, after which the state-owned company will assess the results and consider a broader rollout. The announcement was made at a press conference on Tuesday by Transport Minister Martin Kupka. “We want Czech Railways to offer the best possible service for passengers. And I firmly believe that this is another step that will help it in the future,” Kupka said. Michal Krapinec, Chairman and CEO of Czech Railways, explained the motivation behind the project. “We believe that satellite internet can be the answer to the question of how to provide our passengers with a stable and fast internet connection even where there is no quality signal from mobile operators available in the vicinity of the line. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of such white spots on the domestic railway network,” he said. “Thanks to it, we will have a faster internet connection during the journey. We can work on the train, watch videos, or play games — just...
Summer in Prague isn’t just about sightseeing and crowded tourist spots. The city offers a wide range of free cultural events where both locals and visitors can enjoy theater, history, and music without spending a crown. Here are five top picks for July 2025. Puppets and Circus at Strossmayerovo náměstí – Every Wednesday From July 2 to August 27, the space behind the Church of St. Anthony on Strossmayerovo náměstí will transform into a lively open-air stage. Starting at 4 PM every Wednesday, families can enjoy a series of puppet shows and creative performances. Expect everything from circus acts and vegetable ballets to magical cabarets and forest fairy tales designed for children but entertaining for adults too. A Rare Glimpse Inside the Liechtenstein Palace – July 5 For one day only, on July 5 from 9 AM to 4 PM, the usually closed Liechtenstein Palace on Kampa Island will open its doors to the public. Normally reserved for government and diplomatic events, the historic 16th-century building will offer guided tours throughout the day. Visitors will hear stories about the palace’s famous guests, including Queen Elizabeth II, King Juan Carlos of Spain, and Emperor Akihito of Japan. No registration is required,...
On Saturday, July 5, we celebrate the arrival of the Slavic evangelists Cyril and Methodius in the Czech lands, and on Sunday, July 6, we commemorate the Day of the Burning of Master Jan Hus. On March 1, 2016, a law restricting sales in areas of more than 200 square meters was enacted. It typically applies to large shopping centers and supermarkets, excluding small convenience stores, “večerky,” gas stations, and pharmacies. Will the shops be open this year? The answer is yes, for most. These public holidays are not subject to the Retail and Wholesale Sales Hours Act, which came into force on 1 October 2016. According to this law, stores over 200 square meters must be closed during designated public holidays. In addition to stores, second-hand stores, pawnbrokers and similar shops must remain closed. The law also divides public holidays into two categories according to whether or not the stores are closed. Public holidays when stores must be closed: January 1 – New Year’s Day April 1 – Easter Monday May 8 – Liberation Day September 28 – Statehood Day October 28 – Independence Day December 24 – Christmas Eve (after 12:00 pm) December 25 – Christmas Day December 26 – 2nd Day of Christmas Public holidays when stores can be open: March 29 – Good Friday May 1 – May...
Prague’s public transport network is set for a major upgrade in passenger comfort. Over the next six years, the Prague Public Transport Company (DPP) will install air conditioning in 123 Škoda 15T trams that currently lack this feature. The city has already issued a public contract for the work, with an estimated value of CZK 431.5 million (excluding VAT), according to DPP spokesperson Daniel Šabík. At present, 127 of Prague’s 15T trams are air-conditioned, out of roughly 770 trams operating across the city. In addition, all new Škoda 52T trams, currently being tested on Prague’s tracks, will come equipped with air conditioning from the start. “In the summer, tram travel will become much more comfortable,” said Zdeněk Hřib, Prague’s Deputy Mayor for Transport (Pirates party). “In the coming years, we expect to have up to 450 modern, air-conditioned, and barrier-free trams operating in Prague. Passenger comfort matters because public transport isn’t just about punctuality, but also about making the ride pleasant.” The DPP plans to sign a six-year framework agreement with the winning contractor. Under the contract, the supplier will upgrade at least 20 trams annually. When evaluating bids, DPP will base 80 percent of the decision on price and...
Prague locals and tourists were met with an unusual sight on the Vltava River over the weekend. As part of a global promotion for the upcoming third season of Netflix’s Squid Game, two large inflatable dolls—resembling the show’s infamous Red Light, Green Light doll—floated down the river, drawing curious onlookers and dozens of pedal boat crews. The figures, drifting past landmarks like the Charles Bridge, quickly became a photo magnet. Dozens of people on pedal boats steered closer to get selfies with the oversized dolls, which towered several meters above the water surface. The Prague installation is part of a wider Netflix global marketing campaign for the new season of Squid Game. Similar pop-up events have appeared in recent weeks across cities including Tokyo, New York, Bangkok, Berlin, Rome, Jeddah, and Jakarta, according to Netflix’s official website. One of the biggest gatherings took place in Seoul, South Korea, where thousands of fans assembled for a large-scale event. Although Prague’s floating dolls didn’t involve such crowds, the stunt still grabbed social media attention, with photos and videos circulating widely. Poland’s capital Warsaw also joined in, showcasing Squid Game dolls and photo zones for fans. Meanwhile in Australia, viewers got the chance...
Karlovy Vary is preparing for nine days of cinema, conversation, and culture as the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) returns from July 4 to 12, 2025. This year’s edition promises a packed schedule with over 200 films, celebrity guests, concerts, and public discussions, making the spa town once again a temporary capital of world cinema. Hollywood Star Michael Douglas Joins the Celebration A major highlight for 2025 will be the appearance of Michael Douglas, the American actor and producer. Douglas will visit Karlovy Vary to personally present a newly restored digital version of the classic “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” marking its 50th anniversary. The screening will be a special tribute to director Miloš Forman, with members of the Forman family and Paul Zaentz, nephew of the film’s co-producer Saul Zaentz, joining Douglas at the event. What’s on the Screen: Competitions and Premieres The heart of the festival is the Main Competition, where twelve films will vie for the Crystal Globe. Entries include a mix of French and Iranian dramas, standout Czech productions, and independent voices from around the globe. Representing Czech cinema is the drama “Sbormistr” (The Choirmaster) by Ondřej Provazník, inspired by real events surrounding...
If you’re commuting in Prague, consider yourself lucky. A new European comparison shows that the Czech capital ranks among the cheapest cities for public transport, while German cities dominate the top of the price charts. According to a survey by the HousingAnywhere platform, which analyzed ticket prices in 54 European cities, Munich leads the list as the most expensive place to buy a single public transport ticket, charging €4.10 per ride within the city center. Other German cities also rank high for cost. Stockholm came second at €3.94, followed by Hamburg (€3.90), with Berlin and Frankfurt (both €3.80) in joint fourth. The top ten also includes Cologne, Hanover, Essen, Düsseldorf, and Dortmund, where single fares range between €3.60 and €3.80, according to the German daily Bild. By comparison, Prague stands out at the affordable end, with a single ticket costing just €1.20. This places it alongside Athens, and below cities like Budapest, Vilnius, and several Polish cities including Warsaw, Wrocław, and Kraków. The cheapest tickets in Europe are found in Zagreb (€0.53), Bucharest (€0.60), Warsaw (€0.80), and Sofia (€0.82). The study notes that up to 12.5% of a household’s monthly budget in the EU goes toward mobility, making transport costs...
The Czech Republic is heading into one of the hottest weeks of the year, with the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) issuing a heat warning that could remain in effect for several days. A large high-pressure system moving eastward from Central Europe is driving the extreme temperatures. While the current heat alert was initially issued through Monday, meteorologists expect it will likely be extended into the middle and possibly the end of the week. According to ČHMÚ, Monday and Tuesday will bring daytime highs between 27°C and 32°C, with slightly cooler conditions in the northeast, where temperatures will range between 24°C and 27°C. The situation is expected to worsen from Wednesday, with temperatures climbing to 35°C, followed by Thursday, when parts of the country could experience up to 37°C. Skies will remain clear and sunny throughout the day, further increasing the risk of heat-related health issues. In response to the soaring temperatures, ČHMÚ has issued clear advice for the public. “It’s important to follow a proper drinking regimen, preferably by increasing the intake of unsweetened soft drinks and mineral water,” the institute said. “People should also limit physical activities, especially during the afternoon hours, when the heat peaks.” By Friday, a...
Work on converting Prague’s historic Bubny railway station into a Holocaust Memorial and Dialogue Center is set to begin this summer. The Railway Administration has selected Metrostav DIZ as the contractor, with a winning bid of 186.9 million CZK. The project is expected to take two years to complete. The renovated building will serve as a space for education, commemoration, and cultural programs, aiming to connect the history of the Holocaust with present-day discussions on human rights and social responsibility. Between 1941 and 1945, nearly 50,000 Czechoslovak Jews, along with others identified as Jews under the Nuremberg Laws, were deported from Bubny station to Łódź and Terezín ghettos. The station, originally built in 1873 and rebuilt in the 1920s, ceased operations for passengers and railway staff in 2022. The architectural design for the new memorial comes from ARN STUDIO, based in Hradec Králové and led by architects Jiří and Michal Krejčík. The project will include exhibition halls, multipurpose spaces, a café, and a revitalized public area surrounding the station. Pavlína Šulcová, Director of the Bubny Memory and Dialogue Center, said the reconstruction marks the beginning of a new phase for the site. “We want to create a space that will...
More than three decades after the Velvet Revolution, Václav Havel remains the most respected post-1989 president of the Czech Republic, according to a recent STEM/MARK survey. The research, conducted between May 14 and June 1, shows that Havel tops the list, followed by Václav Klaus in second place and current president Petr Pavel in third. The survey reveals that Czech citizens continue to value Havel’s humanitarian legacy, especially among respondents under 30. Younger people largely credit him for his defense of human rights and democratic values. In contrast, older and less formally educated voters are more likely to favor Miloš Zeman, who ranked fourth. The study highlights how education level, age, and socio-economic status strongly influence presidential preferences. “People without a high school diploma are more inclined toward Zeman, while Havel dominates among high school and university graduates,” the STEM/MARK agency stated. When looking at Václav Klaus, the second-ranked president, the survey found that he enjoys broad and consistent support across demographic groups, unlike the others whose approval varies significantly with age or education. Respondents praised Pavel’s communication style and public appearances, especially his regular visits to Czech regions and his defense of Czech interests abroad. The president also earned...
The popular French Market returns to Kampa Square for its 18th year. From Thursday, July 10 to Sunday, July 13, 2025, visitors can enjoy the best French delicacies and wines in the charming setting of Kampa Park. The festival will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., featuring several exhibitors offering a wide range of French delicacies such as oysters, mussels, Burgundy snails, regional cheeses, foie gras, hams, and charcuterie. Visitors can also enjoy a selection of white, rosé, red, and sparkling wines from renowned wine regions like Alsace, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, and the Loire Valley, as well as wines from lesser-known local varieties. Exhibitors will include popular names like The Winery, Fransyr, Nostress Bakery, My Lavender, and Atelier Red & Wine. Entertainment will be plentiful, with a variety of musical performances enhancing the authentic French atmosphere. Find the official Facebook event here Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
Don’t have an account? Register
[swpm_registration_form level=”6″]
Already have an account? Log In
How Would You Like to Promote Your Business? PR ArticleDisplay bannersVideo productionNewsletter adsJob ListingsInfluencer Marketing
Your Email
We will come back to you within 24 hours with our proporsal
