Prague continues to grow steadily, with official data showing that the capital has already passed 1.4 million residents. According to the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ), the population of Prague stood at 1,405,551 at the end of March 2026. This figure includes 686,987 men and 718,564 women, meaning women accounted for 51.1 percent of the population. During the first three months of 2026, the city recorded a decline of 1,533 residents. At the end of 2025, the total stood slightly higher at 1,407,084. Different institutions, however, present a more complex picture of how many people actually live in the capital. The Institute for Planning and Development of the City of Prague (IPR) has previously estimated that the real number of residents, based on mobile data and long-term movement patterns, ranges between 1.1 and 1.4 million people. The difference stems largely from residence registration rules. The 2021 census counted 1,301,432 people with usual residence in Prague and 1,261,304 with permanent residence. IPR estimates that around 12 percent of people living in the city are not officially registered there, while a similar number are registered in Prague but live elsewhere. According to Matouš Hutník from IPR, this group includes mainly younger, single residents...
Prague audiences can watch an open-air production of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest on Štvanice Island on July 17 and 18, presented by the theatre company Mad and Merry Men. Directed by Gordon L. Schmitz, the production offers a new interpretation of Shakespeare’s final play. In this version, Shakespeare himself appears as a character, stepping into the story as he writes it and briefly taking on the roles of several characters throughout the performance. Get your ticket here. The company has previously staged productions including Baron Münchhausen Between the Stars, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, A Clockwork Orange, and Murder on the Orient Express. Set on a remote island ruled by the magician Prospero, The Tempest follows a story of revenge, forgiveness and reconciliation. The production combines Shakespeare’s original text with live music and an ensemble cast, using the island setting as a natural backdrop for the performance. The costume and set designers behind Baron Münchhausen Between the Stars have also worked on The Tempest. Live music inspired by medieval traditions will accompany the performance. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Mad And Merry Men; Theatre Company Prague (@themadandmerrymen) The event is designed as an...
Prague has recorded a sharp rise in scabies infections this year, with public health officials urging residents to recognize the symptoms early. According to the Prague Public Health Authority, 459 people were diagnosed with scabies during the first six months of the year. That compares with 300 cases during the same period last year, marking a notable increase in infections across the Czech capital. Despite the higher numbers, health officials stress that Prague continues to have one of the country’s lowest infection rates relative to its population. One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding scabies is that it is linked to poor personal hygiene. Doctors say this is false. The condition has affected people around the world for centuries and periodically becomes more widespread, regardless of living standards or social background. “The current increase reflects the high mobility of modern society rather than individual hygiene,” said Dr. Martina Marešová, head of the anti-epidemic department at the Prague Public Health Authority, in an official statement. Can You Catch Scabies on Public Transport? As case numbers rise, many Prague residents have questioned whether trams, buses and the metro pose a risk. According to health experts, the likelihood of becoming infected during a typical...
Prague has entered the top tier of global congress tourism destinations, ranking sixth worldwide in the latest ICCA index. The city attracted more than 850,000 participants last year, confirming its position among the most active hubs for international meetings and conferences. According to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), only Lisbon, Barcelona and Vienna are ahead of Prague. The Czech capital hosted roughly five thousand conferences over the past year, with the majority of delegates arriving from Europe and the United States. Interest from Asia has also been growing. The strength of Prague in this segment is linked to its hotel capacity and infrastructure. Many hotels in the city combine accommodation with conference facilities, which supports large-scale events. Industry representatives also point to safety as an increasingly important factor for organisers when selecting destinations. “Prague has a relatively good network of hotels, most of which have congress facilities. Prague also deserves this by being a safe destination. This is an increasingly strong motivating factor for visitors to come,” said Václav Stárek, president of the Association of Hotels and Restaurants. Congress tourism in Prague is coordinated by the Prague Convention Bureau. Its director Roman Muška says business events help stabilise...
The Czech retail market welcomed 16 new international brands in the first half of 2026, according to a report by Cushman & Wakefield. Fourteen of the brands opened their first Czech locations in Prague, while one launched in Ostrava and another in Pardubice. The food and beverage sector remained the strongest driver of expansion, accounting for seven new brands. One of the most high-profile openings was BOSS Café, which launched on Prague’s Na Příkopě Street next to the BOSS flagship store. The café concept currently exists in only a handful of cities worldwide, including London and Bangkok. Other newcomers included Slovak café Choco Boss, Ukrainian supermarket Best Market, Canadian confectionery Choco Choo, Italian sports nutrition retailer Volchem, German restaurant Home of Dumplings, and YO! Sushi, which opened its first Czech branch in Prague after its parent company entered the market last year with Sushi Circle. Fashion was the second most active category, with four new brands entering the market. Romanian accessories label Alisa Enco opened at the Mandarin Oriental Prague, while American fashion brand Kenneth Cole chose Westfield Chodov for its first Czech store. German menswear brand Digel debuted at Fashion Arena Prague Outlet, and Italian luxury label Ermanno Scervino...
The Czech cocktail scene has earned international recognition after Forbína and Alma were both included in the inaugural Europe’s 50 Best Bars ranking. The prestigious list places Forbína at No. 38 and Alma at No. 25, making them the only Czech venues to appear among the continent’s top 50 bars. The first-ever Europe-focused edition of the World’s 50 Best Bars ranking was unveiled during a ceremony in Amsterdam on June 30. The list was compiled by more than 300 bartenders, bar owners, journalists, and hospitality experts, who evaluated venues based on cocktail quality, creativity, service, atmosphere, and the overall guest experience. Forbína, located opposite Prague’s National Theatre, achieved the recognition less than two years after opening its doors. The bar’s concept blends cocktails with theatrical storytelling, drawing inspiration from famous playwrights, classic stage productions, and the world of theatre itself. Each drink comes with a story that bartenders share with guests, creating an experience that goes beyond the cocktail. Located on V Jirchářích Street, Alma has built an international reputation under bar manager Pavel Sochor, whose team regularly hosts guest shifts featuring some of the world’s leading bartenders. The venue has become known not only for its cocktail menu but...
Following its success across Germany and Poland, the Berlin-based burger chain plans to enter the Czech market, with its first location expected to open in Prague either later this autumn or in early 2027. The story of Burgermeister is often described as a textbook Berlin success story. What began as a small stand in a disused public toilet booth under the U-Bahn tracks at Schlesisches Tor has grown into a franchise widely regarded as serving some of the city’s best burgers. Today, the company operates more than 30 locations and continues to expand. After growing across Berlin and Germany, Burgermeister recently entered Poland, opening in Szczecin and later in Łódź, with additional Polish cities planned. The next step is the Czech Republic, where the first Prague branch is expected as part of the company’s broader European expansion. The company’s long-term plan envisions up to 20 locations across the country. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Burgermeister (@burgermeister.official) Beyond Poland and Czechia, Burgermeister is also eyeing further international expansion, including the UK, Spain, and Scandinavia. Despite this growth, the concept remains unchanged, with production continuing centrally and no adjustments made to local preferences. “Every burger should...
For many visitors, Petřín Hill is the obvious destination for panoramic views over Prague. Yet the city’s oldest observation tower stands in a completely different location. Hidden among the trees of Cibulka Forest Park in Prague’s Košíře district, this little-known landmark offers a quiet alternative to the capital’s busiest tourist attractions—and visiting it costs nothing. Built in 1820, the stone tower predates the famous Petřín Lookout Tower by decades. It formed part of a romantic English-style landscape park commissioned by Leopold Thun-Hohenstein, the Bishop of Passau, as part of the Cibulka estate. Designed as a place for leisure rather than spectacle, the park reflected the 19th-century fashion for picturesque gardens filled with architectural features and hidden corners. Unlike Petřín’s towering structure, the Cibulka observation tower rises only 13 meters above the ground. Its modest height means the viewing platform sits just above the surrounding treetops rather than soaring above the city skyline. Visitors climb a narrow spiral staircase before reaching views over Košíře, Motol, and parts of western Prague. Despite lying only a short walk from the busy Plzeňská Street, the forest park feels surprisingly peaceful. The absence of crowds makes it easy to enjoy the surroundings, whether for a...
Public transport in Prague is moving more slowly as high temperatures and a seasonal timetable combine to affect operations across the network. The Prague Integrated Transport system introduced widespread tram speed reductions over the weekend in response to record heat. The measures affect the entire city network. According to transport authorities, extreme temperatures cause overhead lines to expand and sag, which limits safe operating speeds. In some underpasses, trams are restricted to around 10 km/h. Across the wider network, the general limit has been reduced to 40 km/h as a precaution linked to track tension and safety conditions. Prague Public Transport Company spokesperson Daniel Šabík confirmed that the measures continue across the network. He said the reduced speed applies citywide, with even lower limits in underpasses and at selected crossings. Transport operators have also pointed to passenger comfort during hot weather, recommending metro travel where possible. In a public message, Prague Integrated Transport noted that underground lines remain less affected by heat, as they are shielded from temperature-related technical issues affecting surface transport. Alongside the heat-related restrictions, a summer timetable has been introduced. This results in longer intervals between services across trams, buses and metro lines. The seasonal schedule typically...
A smog alert was issued for Prague and the Central Bohemian Region after ozone levels exceeded safe limits. The warning, issued by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), remains in effect until further notice. It comes as the country continues to experience exceptionally hot weather, which has created ideal conditions for ozone formation. According to meteorologists, the alert was declared after monitoring stations recorded hourly average ozone concentrations above the information threshold of 180 micrograms per cubic meter. Forecasters expect similar levels to continue at some measuring stations, meaning the health warning is likely to remain in place. Ground-level ozone is not emitted directly into the atmosphere. Instead, it forms when pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react under strong sunlight. Heatwaves often accelerate this process, leading to higher concentrations, particularly during the afternoon. Health officials advise people to avoid intense physical activity outdoors while ozone levels remain elevated. The recommendation is especially important for children, older adults, and people living with chronic respiratory illnesses, who are more vulnerable to air pollution. Exposure to high levels of ozone can irritate the lungs and mucous membranes. Common symptoms include coughing, burning eyes or nose, headaches, and a feeling of pressure in...
Hollywood actor and musician Keanu Reeves paid a visit to Prague Castle on Sunday, where he and his bandmates from Dogstar were welcomed by Czech President Petr Pavel. The American rock band is scheduled to perform at Prague’s SaSaZu club on Monday evening. The concert was originally planned for Archa+, but organizers moved it to the larger venue after tickets sold quickly. The show has since sold out. Before taking the stage, the musicians spent part of their day exploring Prague Castle. President Pavel shared photos from the meeting on his Instagram account, revealing that the visit ended with a relaxed stop at the historic Vikárka restaurant inside the castle grounds. “The Californian rock band Dogstar visited Prague Castle today. In this heat, we wrapped up the tour with a cold beer at the Vikárka pub,” Pavel wrote. Although the president did not mention Reeves by name, the actor—who plays bass for Dogstar—is clearly visible in the photographs alongside the rest of the band. One of the images shows Pavel and the musicians seated near a wall displaying historic photographs, including a well-known image of former Czech President Václav Havel sharing a beer with former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Dogstar...
With roughly one million on-street parking spaces serving a city of 1.4 million people, streets in many neighborhoods increasingly resemble open-air parking lots. Experts say the problem is not driven by a single factor but by a combination of population growth, suburban expansion, changing lifestyles and decades of planning decisions. The Czech capital now has 756 registered passenger cars for every 1,000 residents. Thirty years ago, there were around 300 fewer vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants. While the number of registered cars briefly declined after reaching a peak in 2021, it has been climbing again ever since. Hundreds of Thousands Enter Prague Every Day Although Prague officially has around 1.4 million residents, its transport network serves far more people than that. According to anonymized and aggregated mobility data provided by O2 Dataclair, about 460,000 additional people travel into Prague on a typical busy weekday. In practical terms, the city’s daytime population grows by roughly one-third every working day. The data includes all forms of transport, but the additional demand also places heavy pressure on Prague’s road network. Planning Rules Encourage More Driving The city still applies minimum parking requirements for new developments. Residential projects generally must provide at least one parking...
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