The award comes as Prague Airport expands international connectivity, having launched new routes last year and earmarked for new long-haul paths to the US and Taiwan in 2026. The results are in and the winners of this year’s Routes Europe awards have been announced. Spotlighting the continent’s airports, tourism authorities and airlines, the forum recognises best practices within route development, as well as achievements in airport and destination marketing. This 2026 edition of Routes Europe took place in the Italian city of Rimini, where a total of six awards were presented. The airport awards Airport awards were divided into categories by passenger volume, including under five million, five to 20 million and over 20 million. In the under five million passengers category, Florence Airport was named the winner, while Athens International Airport triumphed in the over 20 million passengers section. After also being named best airport in the five to 20 million passenger category, Prague Airport was then selected for the first time as the overall winner by a panel of judges. In 2025, Czechia’s busiest aviation hub handled 17.8 million passengers – marking an 8.5% increase compared to 2024 and even going beyond pre-Covid pandemic figures. Prague bets on...
The world’s most beautiful hotels have been revealed, with a lake house in China and an Italian palazzo making the shortlist of stunning stays. The Prix Versailles, a series of architectural competitions, announced its annual list of 16 of the globe’s most extraordinarily designed hotels. In China, The ArcadiaPlace, Lugu Lake stood out for offering guests an “immersion into one of the world’s last matriarchal societies” across its 57 “striking” guest rooms. The “opulent spirit” of The Silk Lakehouse in Shangri-La Hangzhou was also lauded by the Prix Versailles for having an “intimate atmosphere” that’s “reminiscent of a visit to a friend’s home”. Sir Prague made the list following a bold interior renovation by Linda Boronkay. Set inside a restored Neo-Renaissance building dating back to 1884, Sir Prague combines the city’s historic architecture with interiors influenced by Czech Cubism. Original features, including timber parquet floors, iron railings and a sculptural staircase, remain intact throughout the property, while vintage furniture and angular silhouettes introduce a sharper contemporary contrast. References to Princess Libuše, the mythical founder of Prague, run quietly throughout the interiors, giving the property a slightly surreal atmosphere that feels distinct from the city’s more traditional luxury hotels. In...
Starting October 10, travellers between Prague and Vietnam will no longer need to piece together a multi-stop journey. Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet Air is launching a twice-weekly service connecting Prague Václav Havel Airport with Hanoi’s Nội Bài International Airport — the first regular direct route between the two capitals. The numbers behind this launch tell the story. Last year, more than 75,000 passengers flew between Prague and Hanoi — without a single direct option available. Every one of them had to connect through a third city. “Vietnam is the strongest market with which we have not had a direct flight connection until now,” said the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Prague Airport. “We have been working toward this for a long time. It was one of our strategic priorities, and we have now managed to fulfil it.” Beyond the bilateral traffic, the new service will give passengers access to more than 40 onward connections across Asia through Vietjet Air’s network. Flights will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays. In the initial phase, the route will include a technical stopover in Almaty, Kazakhstan — and tickets for the Prague–Almaty segment will be sold separately. Departing Hanoi at 8:45 a.m., the...
Passengers from the United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea can now use the automated eGATE border control system at Václav Havel Airport in Prague. The gates opened to these new groups on Friday, May 15th, marking a significant broadening of a system that had previously been restricted to citizens of EU and European Economic Area countries, as well as Switzerland. To use the gates, travellers must be 15 years of age or older and carry a biometric passport. The service is available only on departures outside the Schengen area. The move follows the launch of the Entry/Exit System — known as EES — across the European Union in April. Czech authorities say an earlier rollout was technically impossible. The EES, which tracks the movement of non-EU nationals crossing external Schengen borders, required technical adjustments to the airport’s existing automated gate infrastructure before third-country nationals could be admitted to the system. Ahead of a Record-Breaking Summer Prague Airport is approaching 20 million passengers annually, a figure that grows each year. The eGATE expansion is being rolled out deliberately ahead of peak season, when passenger numbers surge and pressure on passport control intensifies. Martin Kučera, board member responsible for operations and...
Four towns in the Czech Republic have been included in a new ranking of the most beautiful small towns in Central Europe. The list, compiled by the travel platform My Wanderlust, places Kutná Hora in third position, making it the highest-ranked Czech entry. The town, once a major center of silver mining in medieval Europe, still carries traces of its past in its preserved streets and historic buildings. The ranking also points to the Sedlec Ossuary beneath the Cemetery Church of All Saints, known for its interior decorated with human bones, which continues to draw international attention. Another Czech town, Český Krumlov, appears in sixth place. Set along a bend of the Vltava River, it is often visited for its compact historic center and castle complex. The ranking presents it as a suitable destination for short stays, particularly for visitors looking for a quieter setting with notable architecture. Further down the list, Třeboň takes the 20th spot. The South Bohemian town is known for its network of ponds and its orderly square, offering a slower pace that contrasts with larger urban centers. Mikulov, located in South Moravia near the Austrian border, ranks 29th, noted for its position among vineyards and...
Interest in Poland’s Baltic coast is rising steadily among Czech travelers, who are increasingly choosing it over more traditional southern destinations. The appeal lies in a simple mix of short travel times, reasonable prices and reliable services. From Prague or northern parts of the country, the drive to cities such as Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia typically takes between four and five hours. For many, that proximity has turned the area into what some travelers informally call the “Czech sea,” a nickname reflecting how common Czech visitors have become along the coast. The region offers long stretches of sandy beaches, a contrast to the pebbled shores often found in Croatia. While the Baltic Sea remains cooler, with summer temperatures usually ranging between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius, many visitors find it more comfortable than the heat of southern Europe. The water is also less salty, which families with children often appreciate. Prices remain a major factor. A half-liter of beer in a standard restaurant along the Polish coast typically costs between 50 and 70 Czech crowns, noticeably less than in central Prague, where prices can be significantly higher. Accommodation is also more affordable, particularly outside the main tourist hubs, while...
A train journey between Prague and Vienna that currently takes several hours could be reduced to around two and a half hours by 2040 under new plans agreed by Czech and Austrian officials. Transport ministers from both countries signed a memorandum setting out joint ambitions for rail and road upgrades along key cross-border routes. The document outlines a long-term goal of significantly shortening travel times between the two capitals through major infrastructure investments. Reaching the 2.5-hour target will depend mainly on the construction of a high-speed rail line between Prague and Brno, a project seen as essential on the Czech side. The section forms part of the broader Via Vindobona corridor, which is designed to connect Berlin, Prague, and Vienna. Austrian estimates suggest the full route could reduce travel between Berlin and Vienna to about four hours. While both countries are planning upgrades, Austria’s section between Vienna and Břeclav is expected to remain a limiting factor, even after modernization that will allow speeds of up to 200 km/h. The agreement also covers several other rail corridors. One focuses on upgrading the Prague–České Budějovice–Linz connection, with a joint study by Czech and Austrian rail authorities examining the cross-border section. Another project...
For the first time in more than a decade, travelers from Prague will once again be able to reach Denmark by direct train. But the long-awaited return of the Prague-Copenhagen route will begin later than expected. The new international rail connection had originally been scheduled to launch in early May. Instead, full service will now begin on June 14, 2026, after construction delays on the key rail corridor between Berlin and Hamburg disrupted the original timetable. According to Czech Railways, the postponement is linked to ongoing repairs on the German railway network. The Berlin-Hamburg line, which is central to the Prague-Copenhagen route, will not be ready in time for the original launch date. Even so, the route will not remain entirely unavailable until June. Starting May 1, one train per day in each direction will operate between Prague and Copenhagen using a diversion route that avoids the section under reconstruction. Passengers should expect longer travel times during this temporary period. The detour will add roughly 90 minutes to two hours to the journey, and trains will also make an extended stop in Hamburg-Altona lasting several dozen minutes. Once the full service begins in mid-June, passengers will have access to two...
On Friday, April 4, in the Hrubý Jeseník mountains, one of the most beautiful observation towers in Czechia, Dalimil’s Lookout Tower, will reopen after the winter break. Visitors can now enjoy its stunning vistas until late autumn. Perched atop Větrov Hill at an elevation of 918 meters, the tower boasts a recent construction date, having opened in the summer of 2021. Its unique design, characterized by its isolation and charming appearance, has drawn comparisons to the tower featured in Disney’s Rapunzel. The lookout tower is made of cast concrete and stone and consists of two towers that are closely adjacent to each other. Their total height is 34 m, with the upper viewing platform at 28 m and the lower one at 17 m. 170 steps lead to the top. A restaurant and hotel apartments are located on the ground floor in an adjacent building. How to get to the lookout tower? The site is only accessible on foot. Motorists can drive from the Old Town to the parking lot in Velké Vrbno at the lower station of the cable car to Paprsek, from where it is 1.5 km to walk, or to the parking lot at the mountain hotel...
Smartwings will expand its flight schedule from Prague ahead of the summer season, adding more frequent connections to Spain and Italy as demand for southern European destinations continues to grow. Starting March 29, the airline will operate flights from Václav Havel Airport in Prague to Malaga twice a day. At the same time, daily connections will be available to Barcelona, Valencia and Rome. According to the airline, the move reflects long-term demand from travelers heading to the Mediterranean. “Spain and Italy remain among the most requested destinations. By increasing the number of flights, we aim to give passengers more flexibility when planning their trips,” said commercial director Michal Váňa. Smartwings has traditionally focused on charter operations, working with travel agencies to serve holiday destinations. This strategy is visible in its summer network, where the airline plans to operate routes to around twenty destinations in Greece, nineteen in Spain and ten in Italy. Ticket sales suggest that interest in these locations rises early in the year. During the Easter period, flights to cities such as Paris, Malaga, Madrid and Rome are among the most booked. The company has also been in the spotlight due to ownership changes. In December, Smartwings —...
Tourist rail services linking Prague with destinations across Central Bohemia will resume on March 21, marking the start of the spring and summer travel season. Czech Railways plans to run weekend and holiday connections through November 1, offering routes aimed at hikers, cyclists and families heading out of the city. This year, the network will see the introduction of new RegioFox train units on selected lines, replacing older locomotive-hauled carriages. The modern trains will operate mainly on routes heading toward the Brdy highlands and the Bohemian Paradise area, two of the region’s most visited landscapes. According to Czech Railways, the rollout of RegioFox units will also extend beyond tourist services. From March 20, the trains will begin appearing on regular weekday routes in the Posázaví region, including lines connecting Prague with Vrané nad Vltavou, Čerčany, Dobříš and Zruč nad Sázavou. The move is expected to improve comfort for both leisure travelers and daily commuters. Weekend Routes to Key Destinations Seasonal trains will again provide direct links from Prague to several popular areas outside the capital. Among them is the long-running Cyklohráček service, now entering its 13th year. Designed for families, the train includes play areas for children and space for...
Prague hosted a European tourism workshop focused on promoting Sardinia to international travel markets, bringing together tour operators and buyers from across the continent. The event, organized by the tour operator Sardegna Travel, aimed to strengthen cooperation between Sardinian tourism businesses and European partners while positioning the island as a destination beyond the traditional summer season. The gathering marked the fourth edition of the initiative and drew tourism professionals from several countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Italy. Representatives of Sardinian tourism businesses also attended, meeting directly with travel buyers and agencies interested in expanding their offerings in the Mediterranean destination. Organizers said the goal was to support direct business relationships between tourism providers on the island and international travel partners. By facilitating these contacts, the workshop sought to encourage travel to Sardinia throughout the year rather than concentrating visits during the peak summer months. The event took place under the patronage of several institutions, including the Italian Embassy in Prague, the Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce, the Italian Cultural Institute in Prague, and the Autonomous Region of Sardinia. Regional authorities included the workshop in their official program dedicated to promoting tourism on the island....
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