The history of Prague dates to the Paleolithic Age, also known as the Old Stone Age.
It is a period that is considered to be the earliest phase of human culture, starting more than two million years ago.
It lasted until around the end of the last Ice Age.
The first known people to live in what is now Prague were the Boii people.
They were a Gallic tribe.
It is said that Bohemia was named after them.
Prague quickly evolved and grew through the centuries, with Germanic and Slavic tribes both settling in what is now Prague.
The Prague Castle, a site that is still popular with tourists today, was built by Prince Bořivoj I, who was of the Czech Premyslid dynasty.
The many rulers of Prague helped it to grow and flourish, at least until several wars took place.
Prague once again grew and prospered during the Industrial Revolution, quickly becoming an area that was popular with nobility, merchants, and others who flocked to the area.
Today, Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic.
The Baroque architecture that remains in the city’s historic center, the famous Prague Castle, and the Charles Bridge were all named UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The city today is vibrant, teeming with lush parks, many opportunities for shopping, the restaurants where travelers may often be found enjoying hearty local cuisine, and colorful and fun places to see, and many things to do, are just some reasons that travelers choose to visit Prague.
Many people may want to visit Prague, but wonder about its safety.
Learn about the things to see, places to go, places to avoid, and the top safety tips to have an enjoyable trip to Prague.
Warnings & Dangers in Prague
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Prague has a very low overall crime rate. The most common crimes that travelers have to worry about are things like pickpockets and scammers.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Watch your belongings when you take any type of public transport in Prague. Secure your belongings on buses, trams, and metro lines. Do not get into a taxi without knowing the current maximum price that the city council established for taxi prices. Make sure that you determine a price before you get into the taxi.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Pickpockets target areas that are frequent destinations for trawlers who visit Prague. Keep your wallet in an inside pocket, not in your pants pocket. Do not carry an open handbag. Consider wearing a belt bag around your waist to keep your credit cards and cash secure, especially when you are on public transport or in crowded areas.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Natural disasters rarely occur in Prague. The greatest threat may be from an occasional risk of flooding during the spring months.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Crimes like mugging are a low risk for travelers who visit Prague. That does not mean that this type of crime does not happen, especially if travelers do not stay alert to their surroundings. Follow safety tips, like not showing valuables and money, and you are likely to lower your risk of mugging or other crimes.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Prague has had to deal with wars and uprisings since its founding. It is not likely that there will be terrorist activities in Prague. There are no recent threats of terrorism in Prague. Travelers should still avoid public demonstrations or large crowds during any political rally or protests.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
There are several scams that travelers need to be aware of, even before they leave on their trip to Prague. Make sure that you book your trip and your hotel or other accommodation through reputable companies. You may discover that your trip or hotel is not booked, but that your money is gone. Avoid signing charity petitions. People who engage in this scam ask tourists or others to sign a petition and then ask for money to go to a local charity. The problem is that the charity likely does not exist. Do not exchange money with anyone on the streets of Prague. You will likely receive useless cash. Travelers should only use reputable currency exchange sources. Another scam that targets tourists is restaurant and bar scams. Be aware of the actual cost of the food and drinks that you order at restaurants, bars, or other locations in Prague. Be aware of things like inflated prices and being charged for things like a service fee.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Prague is a very safe destination for women travelers. Many women who are solo travelers have a great time when they visit Prague, with no safety issues. Women are usually not harassed when they visit Prague, compared to some places.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
The quality of the tap water in Prague is always closely monitored and regulated by the Czech Republic Government. Water companies also monitor the quality of tap water to make sure that it continuously meets high safety standards. Still, some people may feel more comfortable if they drink bottled water or use their own refillable water bottle.
Safest Places to Visit in Prague
Prague has many places that are safe for travelers to visit, especially since it is known for its low crime rate.
The historical sites, the culture, the great restaurants, and the nightlife are some of the many reasons that tourists travel to Prague.
Some places stand out as being popular tourist destinations and as safe places to visit in Prague.
The famous Charles Bridge connects the medieval Old Town with the Lesser Quarter.
Admire the 30 statues and statuaries that are on both sides of the bridge.
The Charles Bridge also offers spectacular views of the Vltava River.
Prague Castle is one of the most famous sites in Prague.
Millions of travelers visit the castle every year.
The castle dates to the 9th century.
It holds the Guinness World Records title for being the oldest castle in the world.
The Prague Castle is known for being the site of many historic events and for holding national treasures.
It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The castle has churches, palaces, and other things for travelers to admire during their visit.
Take a break and relax on the banks of the Náplavka River.
People purchase great food and cocktails right off the barges that come by to serve the people relaxing on the river.
Visit an unusual architectural site when you see The Dancing House.
It gets its name from the fact that the two towers seem to be dancing with each other.
The towers are called Fred and Ginger for this reason.
Most of the building is closed to the public.
Travelers can visit the restaurant and bar to see spectacular views from the rooftop of The Dancing House.
The Old Town Square is an impressive place to visit.
It is one of the oldest squares in Europe.
See the Church of St. Nicholas and the Town Hall.
Marvel at the Astronomical Clock, which dates to around 1410.
It is the only astronomical clock in the world that still works.
Places to Avoid in Prague
There are many things to see and do in Prague that delight travelers.
There are also places to avoid when you visit Prague.
Stay away from Žižkov at night, especially if you are alone.
It has a vibrant, artsy edge and great nightlife.
It also has poor lighting at night in some areas.
Stay away from Wenceslas Square at night.
It gets crowded, especially at night.
Travelers who visit even in the daytime should be aware of the pickpockets risk.
The main train station is known for its architecture.
It is also known for being a haven for petty criminals and unsavory characters who claim to offer taxi services.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Prague
- Use Reputable Taxi Services. Do not get into a taxi at the airport, train station, or on the street. Call a reputable taxi company. Ask a staff member at your hotel or place of accommodation to call one for you.
- Keep your valuables at home. Although Prague is a safe city that has a very low overall crime rate, you do not want to risk losing your valuables. Leave them at home.
- Do not use ATMs on the street. Use ATMs inside banks and reputable businesses.
- Do not accept unsolicited help. Do not accept offers of help to find a restaurant, a tour, or even directions. You do not want to become a scam victim.
- Do not flash your cash. You might think it makes you look good to show your money. You are right. You will look very good to pickpockets and muggers.
- Learn basic laws for public behavior. Learn a few basic public laws and customs before you travel to Prague, or you may find yourself paying a fine or needing bail money. One example is that it is illegal to drink alcohol in some public places.
- Avoid the shady currency exchange offices. Do not use any place for currency exchange purposes unless it is a reputable currency exchange office. Consider using an ATM at a bank.
- Watch your drink. Do not leave your drink unattended to avoid the risk of having it spiked with something.
- Stay in areas that are popular with tourists. Do not go to areas that seem secluded or that you are not familiar with, even in the daytime. Stay with your travel group or with friends.
- Carry copies of your passport and other documents. Do not carry your actual passport. Make copies and carry the copies with you.
So... How Safe Is Prague Really?
Prague is known as one of the safest places in Europe for travelers.
It has a low overall crime rate.
Violent crime is rare, and when it does occur, criminals rarely target tourists.
Prague has a very low risk of natural disasters compared to many other travel destinations around the world.
Millions of people visit Prague every year and have no safety issues.
How Does Prague Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
 Prague |
85 |
| Brno |
74 |
 Varadero | 70 |
 San Salvador | 60 |
 Ghardaia | 48 |
 Pemba | 29 |
 Claremore | 82 |
| Stearns | 86 |
Useful Information
Visas
Visas are not required for stays of less than 90 days.
Currency
The official currency in Prague is the koruna.
Weather
Prague has cold winters. It has mild, warm summers. The climate in Prague is considered to be a temperate continental climate.
Airports
The Václav Havel Airport Prague is the name of the Prague Airport. Its former name, which it is sometimes still called today, is Prague Ruzyně International Airport.
Travel Insurance
Make sure that you purchase travel insurance before you visit Prague. Travel insurance helps to protect people when they travel. The U.S. Department of State says that it highly recommends that people purchase travel insurance. Meet with your travel insurance provider to discuss the right plan for your needs.
Prague Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
1 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 18 | 13 | 6 | 2 |
| Low °C |
-4 | -4 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 1 | -2 |
| High °F |
34 | 37 | 46 | 57 | 66 | 72 | 75 | 75 | 64 | 55 | 43 | 36 |
| Low °F |
25 | 25 | 32 | 37 | 46 | 52 | 55 | 54 | 48 | 41 | 34 | 28 |
Czech Republic - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Brno | 74 |
| Prague | 85 |
You have to watch out for taxis and other tourism scams that might rip you off. You also need to watch yourself if you’re a pedestrian in traffic since Czech drivers can be aggressive but not as bad as other former East Bloc countries. Otherwise, Prague is one of the most amazing cities in the world and I feel completely safe going there as a female. The locals are friendly, the food is amazing, the architecture is gorgeous, the natural scenery is stunning. I felt safer in Prague than I did in Vienna or London.
Such a beautiful city this is
Such a beautiful city this is. From Charles Bridge to the Prague Castle, from taking the Prague Beer Tours – don’t get drunk 🙂 – to going for a performance at the Estates Theatre, Prague has a lot to offer. Make sure to take the half-day city tour because it’s well worth it!
Agree
As a local I agree with this rating. For locals it would be 90+, tourist can fell into taxi and scam traps, otherwise you will enjoy this city.
Strolling across Charles Bridge at sunset really had me feeling like I stepped back in time.
Did you find a favorite spot in the Old Town Square, or did you end up just wandering around soaking it all in?
It still blows my mind that the same city where I was crammed into a tiny pub eating goulash near Charles Bridge has roots going all the way back to the Paleolithic Age.
Walking across Charles Bridge at night with all the old stone lit up, it’s kind of wild to think this place goes all the way back to the Paleolithic age and now I’m just here eating guláš and dodging selfie sticks.
I’ve been around Prague long enough that the Baroque facades around Prague Castle still make me grin, even when the Charles Bridge is packed and the restaurants serving hearty local cuisine are buzzing.