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Is Prague Safe to Visit for Tourists?

Updated: October 7, 2024
 By Stephen

If you have planned or are thinking of traveling to Prague, then you already know it’s a beautiful city with a vibrant culture and history.

But you may be wondering if it is safe to travel to Prague. The answer is: yes!

I live in Berlin and visit Prague at least twice a year and I visit many places in the city, including those off the tourist trails.

My wife usually joins me and she also agrees that Prague is safe.

Every year, the Institute for Economics and Peace publishes the Global Peace Index that measures then ranks the “peacefulness” of 163 countries.

The ranking takes into account crime rates, incidents of violence, access to weapons, police presence, and other aspects of society that make a country safe and peaceful. 

The Czech Republic was ranked in the Top 10 in 2022 which means that you should feel pretty safe traveling there, and Prague in particular.

But just like other cities that are popular tourist destinations, there are incidents of petty crime, street crimes, especially pickpockets.

Still, there are some safety precautions that you should take when traveling abroad to any city.

Of course, there are the standards, like being aware of your surroundings, securing your valuables, and blending in. 

Charles Bridge and Prague Castle

Another concern to be aware of in Prague is individuals who will try to scam you, such as taxi drivers who attempt to overcharge you and people on the street who offer to exchange currency.

Beware of taxi ride scams.

Taxi drivers in Prague are known for trying to take advantage of tourists by overcharging them or taking a longer route than necessary to earn more money.

Ask your hotel or another trusted source for some names of reliable taxi companies in case you should need one.

You can also use rideshare apps like Liftago, Bolt, and Uber instead, which are safe.

Prague Taxi

If your only option is to get a taxi in the street, agree on a fare with the driver before you get in and ask that the meter is turned on so that you can see that the final fare is close to what you have agreed upon.

Never hail a cab right outside tourist attractions.

Taxis waiting there are looking for the next naive passenger.


Safe Areas to Stay in Prague

If you are looking for a long list of safe neighborhoods to stay in, check our post on where to stay in Prague.

Three top neighborhoods of Prague to consider staying in are:

Old Town

This is the most centrally located neighbourhood in Prague.

Many tourists stay here on their first trip to be near many attractions like the famous astronomical clock in Old Town Square.

Malá Strana

This historic neighborhood is filled with beautiful Baroque architecture, restaurants and shops.

This is where the Charles Bridge is located. You can even get views of Prague Castle from here.

Vinohrady

This leafy residential neighborhood is located just outside of the city center.

In addition to having plenty of shops and restaurants, it’s a family-friendly neighbourhood with nice public areas like Wenceslas Square and Náměstí Míru Square.

About The Author

Stephen

Stephen is the founder of Free Tours by Foot and Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers in the US as well as in Europe. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.
Updated: October 7th, 2024
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