Prague Travel, Europe

Prague Travel, Europe: an Introduction

Prague is a medium sized city located in the center of Europe. Prague is the sixth most visited city in Europe, coming only behind London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and Berlin in terms of the number of foreign travelers. According to the World Tourism Organization, about 6,000,000 travelers from Europe and outside of Europe have visited Prague and the Czech Republic in 2004. Most travelers usually plan a short three-day visit, but after tasting the magic of this unique and fascinating city, they find their way back again and again. The same thing has happened to me: after visiting Prague in 2001, I couldn’t stop talking about it, and had returned to many times afterwards to explore and satisfy my ever-growing thirst for its magic. Franz Kafka, famous Czech writer and a son of the city once said: ‘Prague won’t let you go, the little mother has claws’.

Prague is a multifaceted city. On one hand, this is a glamorous ancient city, full of medieval bridges, old castles, cathedrals and gold-tipped towers, which has been built on the banks of the Vltava River through a period longer than the millennium. On the other hand, Prague is a twentieth-century European metropolis: hundreds of modern well-designed cafés, museums, shopping centers and art galleries are flooding the city. Prague is also a city of contrasts, full of impressive modern buildings, which serve as evidence of the latest architecture’s significant achievements, while huge peaceful parks and green hills surround those buildings, stand as a reminder for the uniqueness of the glamorous central European nature.

Prague Travel, Europe: Basic facts and Statistics

- Prague is the capital city of Czech Republic, a Central European country.

- Prague’s Population: 1.3 million residents.

- Ethnic origin of Prague’s residents: Czech, the most conspicuous minorities are Slovak, Polish, Moravian and Romanies (Gypsies).

- Spoken languages: Czech, Slovak. In the tourism centers of the city, you may find people speaking English and German (usually basic) as well. In other parts of Prague and Czech Republic, using a conversation manual might just be a good idea.

- Membership in European Union: Czech Republic joined the European Union on the 1st May 2004.

- According to the “Economist” newspaper- Prague is a 50th city in the world in terms of the cost of living. Like many ex-communist cities, visiting Prague is still considered a non-expensive venture compared to other European cities. However, the cost of living has been raised gradually during the last decade and additional rise is expected, as the Czech Republic will be joining the European Monetary Union.

- Currency: koruny. Exchange rate: as for January 2006, 1 koruna equals about 0.024 British pound; 0.04 USD; 0.35 Euro; 4.98 Japanese yen.

- Weather: The Czech climate is mixed. Continental influences cause large fluctuations in temperature, while oceanic influences diminish from west to east. In general, summers in Czech Republic are hot and rainy, and temperatures in Prague can reach 91º F (33º C) during July. Winters in Czech Republic are moderately cold (in European terms) and snowing; low temperatures may drop to 1º F (-17º C) during February.

- Arriving by plane: The city’s airport (Ruzyne Airport) is situated about 20 km northwest of the city center. There are direct flights to Prague from several North American cities (New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Montreal etc.), most from the major European cities (Frankfurt, London, Milan, Paris, etc.),

- Arriving by train: The main railway station in Prague is located in the center of the city and is connected with all Central European countries directly by express trains. There are number of daily connections to Prague from major European cities.

- The city’s structure: Prague’s city center is composed of 3 main districts: Nové Místo (New Town); Staré Místo (The Old Town); and Malá Strana (The Lesser Quarter). The most historical sites are places in the limits of these districts. There are two other districts lying close to Prague’s city center: Hradčani and Vyšehrad. To assure an easy access to the main sights and entertainment spots of Prague, I recommend staying in one of those 6 districts, or alternatively choosing a hotel that is close to one of the metro stations. Mind you though, that staying in the margins of the city may be significantly cheaper.

What to See in Prague
How to Get to Prague
How to Establish Phone Communication in Prague
Czech History
Czech Economy