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Notable hills in the centre of Prague are Petřín with 327 m (1,073 ft) and Vítkov with 270 m (890 ft). The lowest point is the Vltava in Suchdol at the place where it leaves the city, at 172 m (564 ft). Prague is located approximately at .
- 8th century
- 100 00 – 199 00
- 399 m (1,309 ft)
- Czech Republic
- Overview
- The landscape
- The people
Prague, city, capital of the Czech Republic. Lying at the heart of Europe, it is one of the continent’s finest cities and the major Czech economic and cultural centre. The city has a rich architectural heritage that reflects both the uncertain currents of history in Bohemia and an urban life extending back more than 1,000 years.
The physical attractions and landmarks of Prague are many. Among the finest is the Charles Bridge (Karlův most), which stands astride the Vltava River. The winding course of the Vltava, with its succession of bridges and changing vistas, contrasts with the ever-present backdrop of the great castle of Hradčany (Prague Castle), which dominates the left-bank region of the city from behind massive walls set high on a hill. The narrow streets and little taverns and restaurants of the older quarters contrast with the broad sweep of Wenceslas Square and modern parks and housing developments, while the great 18th-century Baroque palaces have their own elegance and splendour. Seen from the surrounding hills, the many church towers make up a unique perspective, giving Prague its description as the “city of a hundred spires.” This architectural harmony was enhanced by post-1945 planning, which preserved the ancient core of the city as a major monument and carefully supervised all modern building. In 1992 the historic city centre was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
From its original small riverside settlements, Prague has spread over its hills, up river valleys, and along riverside terraces. The Prague metropolitan area covers 192 square miles (496 square kilometres).
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The city’s core, with its historic buildings, bridges, and museums, is a major centre of employment and traffic congestion. Around the core is a mixed zone of industrial and residential areas, containing about half the city’s population and nearly half its jobs. Surrounding this area is the outer city development zone, and beyond this is yet another zone of development containing new industrial areas, parks and recreation areas, and sports facilities. Finally, there is a belt of agricultural land and open countryside, where farms and market gardening projects satisfy Prague’s demand for food.
The lowest point in the city is 623 feet (190 metres) above sea level, and the highest point is 1,247 feet (380 metres) on White Mountain (Bílá hora). The climate of Prague is typically mid-continental, with temperatures there averaging 67 °F (19.3 °C) in July and 31 °F (−0.6 °C) in January.
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Prague has a homogeneous population. There is a small Slovak community, but the overwhelming majority of residents are Czechs. The city has a number of demographic peculiarities stemming mainly from the effects of World War II; there are more women than men, and a sizable proportion of the female population is past the age of fertility. The natural...
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Where to Stay in Prague The district of Prague 1 (the city centre) is the best place to stay in Prague. Book a hotel in any of the five areas within Prague 1, and you will find it is possible to explore the entire city centre on foot. The two most popular areas within Prague 1 to stay in are the Old Town and the New Town.
The city’s finest scenery is right outside your front door if you book a hotel at Prague Castle, the largest castle in the entire world and one of the capital’s most popular sights on a Prague map. Those anticipating a bustling tourist scene on this outcropping above the city centre of Prague might be pleasantly surprised by the peaceful ...
- Prague Old Town Square. We begin at the Old Town Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. It’s a stunning public place, which hosts the best of the Prague Christmas Markets and the annual Easter Market.
- Prague Old Town Hall. Prague Old Town Hall is an agglomeration of five different buildings acquired over the centuries – whenever they ran out of space, they bought the house next door!
- Prague Astronomical Clock. Watching the Prague Astronomical Clock strike the hour is one of the obligatory things to do in Prague, almost a tourist rite of passage.
- Church of Our Lady Before Týn. This glorious Gothic edifice is one of the most beautiful churches in Europe. I’ve always been seduced by the sight of its two multi-pinnacled spires, the perfect fairytale church of my early childhood imagination.
1 Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG IATA) (20 km (12 mi) north-west of the city centre. It generally takes about 30 minutes to reach the city centre by car.), ☏ +420 220 111 111, +420 296 661 111. The airport is a relatively safe place, but there have been reports of small item theft when going through airport security.
Prague map. Locals refer to the city as “Praha,” yet it is officially located in Bohemia, which is the westernmost area of the Czech Republic. Prague is located in Czech’s northwest just on the Vltava River, A significant river. The 31-kilometer-long Vltava flows through the capital with a maximum size of 330 meters.
