Prague Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 8.6/10
- Best time to visit
- May to June and September to October for the most pleasant sightseeing. December for magical Christmas markets at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. July–August is hot and very crowded.
- Population
- 1.3M
Overview
Prague is one of Europe's most beautifully preserved medieval cities — a UNESCO-listed historic centre of Gothic spires, baroque facades, and Art Nouveau apartment buildings that somehow survived both World Wars intact. The city straddles the Vltava river with Prague Castle on one bank and the Charles Bridge connecting to the Old Town's Astronomical Clock.
Getting around
Metro, trams, and buses cover everything efficiently. The historic centre is very walkable — most major sights are within 30 minutes on foot. Use Bolt or Uber for longer distances.
Local etiquette
Czechs are polite and somewhat reserved — greet with a firm handshake and say 'dobrý den' when entering shops. Dress modestly in churches, keep your voice down on public transport, and don't put your feet on seats. When drinking beer, wait for a toast with eye contact ('na zdraví'), and tip by rounding up to about 10%.
Safety
Generally very safe. Main tourist risks are taxi scams (always use Bolt or Uber), overcharging restaurants in tourist hotspots (check the menu), and pickpockets at the Astronomical Clock. Avoid money changers offering 'commission-free' deals — use ATMs.