Prague Geography

The Czech Republic is geographically located in the centre of Europe, surrounded by Austria, Slovakia, Poland and Germany, with almost the same distance from the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean and the North Sea.

Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic. It is situated northwest of the country and on both sides of the Vltava River. Rich in its historical heritage, Prague is the commercial and cultural centre of the Czech Republic.

Prague (Praha) is surrounded by hills and low mountains forming part of the Bohemian Massif. The highest point within the city limits is the hill of Petřín, which rises to a height of 327 meters (1,073 feet). Other notable hills include Vyšehrad, Letná, and Hradčany. The Vlata River runs through the city, influencing a breathtaking landscape and natural parks.

The historic centre of Prague, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located on the right bank of the Vltava River. This area includes the Old Town, the Jewish Quarter, and the Lesser Town (also known as Malá Strana). The Old Town Square, with its famous astronomical clock, is one of the city's main tourist attractions.

Charles Bridge connects the eastern and western banks, a popular attraction in Prague used by many tourists whilst exploring the city’s historical sites.

The left bank of the Vltava River is home to Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle complex in the world, and the surrounding Hradčany district. Castle Hill rises above the city and provides stunning views of Prague's skyline.

The western bank features the medieval castle region (Hradčany), which is home to the famous Prague Castle, and below the Lesser Town, the little quarter of Malá Strana.

Prague's residential and industrial areas occupy the old city centre and move up to some distance along the Vltava River. These neighbourhoods outlining the city centre are 19th Century - 20th Century suburbs: Vinohardy, Zizlov, Karlin, Holesovice, Bubenec Dejvice, as well as the industrial area of Smichov.

Climate

The location of Prague in Central Europe marks extreme weather patterns and striking differences in-between seasons. The changes in seasons add to the romantic appeal of Prague. The weather in Prague is mild to cold, with rainfall throughout the year.

Prague has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters. The average temperature in July, the warmest month, is around 19°C (66°F), while in January, the coldest month, the temperature averages around 0°C (32°F). The city is prone to foggy weather, especially in autumn and winter.

Winter (December, January and February)
Prague has a mild to a cold climate with rainfall throughout the year. Winters tend to be cold and snowy, with little sunshine. Snow is observed between November and March. Winter temperatures range from below freezing to 5°C (41°F) with little rainfall.

Spring (March, April and May)
The temperatures range from 9-19°C (48-66°F) with moderate rainfall, so spring is the best time to visit Prague.

Summer (June, July and August)
Generally, summers tend to be warm, and the temperatures can range from 20-22°C (68-72°F), with tendencies of temperatures reaching 35°C (95°F). Still, heavy thunderstorms often break these hot periods due to higher rainfall averages in the summer months. Humidity levels also drop by around 20% during the summer.

Fall/Autumn (September, October and November)
Early fall can be the best time to go to Prague since the city looks pleasant and beautiful. But the late fall can be foggy.

Population

As of Jan 2022, the population of the metropolitan area of Prague is 2,709,418, and Prague city is 1,275,406. Most of the city’s population consists of Czechs. There is a minority of Roma and Slovak communities in and around the city centre. Also, many expatriates, such as Germans and Americans, have settled for work purposes in Prague.