Over 8 million people visited Prague last year. The city's attractiveness is growing, also attracting those interested in investment housing.
Last year, the number of guests and overnight stays in collective accommodation facilities increased in our country, as revealed by data from the Czech Statistical Office. Prague significantly contributed to this, attracting nearly 8.3 million tourists. The release of the latest book by Dan Brown, whose story takes place in the city, greatly influenced this, as did the advent markets.
The number of arrivals at hotels, guesthouses, campsites, and other mass accommodations increased by 3.2 percent year-on-year to 23.55 million last year. However, Czech visitors are spending less and opting for cheaper accommodations than before the coronavirus pandemic.
"Even at the end of 2025, the results were still 15 percent below the baseline level of 2019,"
said Petr Dufek, an economist at Banka Creditas, regarding the revenue of accommodation facilities, restaurants, and cafes to ČTK.
Although foreigners spend on average only 2.45 nights in the country, they often choose more expensive hotels than domestic guests. Despite lower revenues in the hospitality industry, we are becoming a sought-after destination not only among Czechs but also foreigners.
The capital city leads
“The popularity of the Czech Republic among foreign tourists is significantly boosted by the release of the new game Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which has significantly increased visits to places where the story takes place. Furthermore, the release of Dan Brown's novel The Secret of All Secrets, set in Prague, and especially the release of the first ever Michelin guide for all of the Czech Republic,”
explained to the server Ceskenoviny.cz the president of the Association of Commerce and Tourism, Tomáš Prouza.
More than a third of visitors to the Czech Republic last year were attributed to Prague, which also accounted for almost a third of overnight stays.
“We perceive a trend in the demand for quality accommodation, gastronomy, and experiences. Moreover, Prague is really flourishing in this area, whether we talk about Michelin or Gault & Millau awards for restaurants, or the ever-expanding range of activities to do in Prague. During Christmas, travelers sought out Christmas markets, quality spas, and even the ice skating rink in Wenceslas Square,”
written by LP-Life Chairman of the Board of Prague City Tourism, František Cipro.
Germans, Americans, and English prevail
According to data from the Czech Statistical Office, 3 percent more tourists visited the capital last year compared to 2024. Most foreign visitors came from Germany, numbering nearly one million people. About half a million came from the United States and the United Kingdom.
Additionally, there was a continuing upward trend in the number of travelers from Asia. Tourists from there made up more than 12 percent of the total number of visitors. This is due to the airline routes that were successfully restored in recent years. The number of visitors from Israel increased even more significantly last year. This 37 percent increase was the largest among all nationalities who traveled to the metropolis, totaling more than 200,000 Israelis. Czechs themselves then made up roughly one-fifth of all visitors to the city.
The most guests were at the end of the year, when hotel occupancy reached 86 percent. The average length of stay for tourists was around 2.3 nights.
Prices are rising
The average price for accommodation reached just under 3,000 crowns per night. In the center, it was more than 4,100 crowns. The stated value slightly exceeded the prices in the center of Vienna or Budapest. It also significantly surpassed the accommodation price in the center of Berlin or Warsaw. According to experts, the data indicates that Prague is no longer being profiled as a cheap destination and is attracting more affluent clientele.
The attractiveness of the capital city is also reflected in property prices. According to data from the statistical portal Numbeo, Prague is among the most expensive metropolises. The price per square meter averages between 150,000 to 200,000 CZK. In the city center, it is usually even higher. Nevertheless, there is still an insufficient supply.
This is also related to the increased interest in investment properties. However, the conditions for acquiring them will soon become stricter. The reason is new limits on purchasing properties with a mortgage.
"New rules from April will shake up the market. Investors know that now they have the last chance to get favorable conditions. For mortgages on investment properties, more own money will be needed, and the bank will assess incomes more strictly. Moreover, each bank defines investment property differently. For some, it's a second apartment for rent, elsewhere it's up to the fourth. Those who want to buy should act now. A mortgage is still a great tool,"
said Elena Jakubovič, the founder of Y&T Luxury Property, to the editorial team.
Sources: original article, own inquiries, Czech Statistical Office, Numbeo, Prague City Tourism, ČTK
