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Everyday Prague

Where to go for the ordinary things, how each kind of service works, and how Prague's districts are organised.

Housing and renting

Short practical guides to renting in Prague — finding a flat, the contract, deposits, bills and moving out.

These are Prague Compass's own condensed summaries, drawing on the Association for Migration and Integration's published Handbook for Renting Accommodation in Czechia. For the full, far more detailed version see bydleni.migrace.com. General guidance, not legal advice — individual circumstances vary.

What matters most to you?

Pick as many as you like. Suggestions reorder as you choose.

  • Vysočany

    Prague 9Match 90%

    A post-industrial district of new-build blocks and remaining factories, offering the most space per crown of anywhere on the metro.

    Good for

    Lower rents · New-build flats · Direct metro to the centre

    Watch out for

    Patchy street life · Less character than inner districts

    How this compares: Safety

    Somewhat more offences are recorded here per resident than in Prague as a whole.

    Around 94 in every 100 offences recorded here that fall into a clear category are property offences — theft, pickpocketing, break-ins and similar.

    The numbers behind this
    Area used:
    Vysočany police precinct. Police boundaries and neighbourhood names never match exactly.
    Recorded offences:
    726 over September 2025 to August 2026, among about 21,971 residents — 33 per 1,000 residents a year, against 21.9 across Prague.
    Of those in a clear category:
    94% property offences, 6% violent offences.
    Precinct(s):
    Vysočany Praha III.
    Live dataPolice of the Czech Republic open dataPublished by Policie České republiky.Live dataMapa kriminality — police precinct boundariesPublished by Policie ČR, Ministerstvo vnitra ČR and Otevřená společnost.
  • Dejvice

    Prague 6Match 80%

    Orderly, green and institutional — universities, embassies and a direct metro line to the airport bus. Popular with families and academics.

    Good for

    Families · Embassy and university workers · Airport access

    Watch out for

    Limited nightlife · Feels suburban in the outer streets

    How this compares: Safety

    Fewer offences are recorded here per resident than in Prague as a whole.

    Around 93 in every 100 offences recorded here that fall into a clear category are property offences — theft, pickpocketing, break-ins and similar.

    The numbers behind this
    Area used:
    Dejvice police precinct. Police boundaries and neighbourhood names never match exactly.
    Recorded offences:
    549 over September 2025 to August 2026, among about 36,820 residents — 14.9 per 1,000 residents a year, against 21.9 across Prague.
    Of those in a clear category:
    93% property offences, 7% violent offences.
    Precinct(s):
    Dejvice Praha I.
    Live dataPolice of the Czech Republic open dataPublished by Policie České republiky.Live dataMapa kriminality — police precinct boundariesPublished by Policie ČR, Ministerstvo vnitra ČR and Otevřená společnost.
  • Smíchov

    Prague 5Match 80%

    A busy riverside district under redevelopment, with shopping, offices and quick access to the hills of Petřín and Prokopské údolí.

    Good for

    Shopping and amenities · Transport connections · Newer flats

    Watch out for

    Heavy traffic on the main roads · Ongoing construction around the station

    How this compares: Safety

    Noticeably more offences are recorded here per resident than in Prague as a whole.

    Around 94 in every 100 offences recorded here that fall into a clear category are property offences — theft, pickpocketing, break-ins and similar.

    This area has far more people passing through it each day than living in it — commuters, shoppers and visitors. Offences against them are counted here, while they are not counted as residents, so a per-resident figure overstates what a resident is likely to experience.

    The numbers behind this
    Area used:
    Smíchov police precinct, which includes the Anděl shopping and transport hub. Police boundaries and neighbourhood names never match exactly.
    Recorded offences:
    1,079 over September 2025 to August 2026, among about 24,019 residents — 44.9 per 1,000 residents a year, against 21.9 across Prague.
    Of those in a clear category:
    94% property offences, 6% violent offences.
    Precinct(s):
    Smíchov
    Live dataPolice of the Czech Republic open dataPublished by Policie České republiky.Live dataMapa kriminality — police precinct boundariesPublished by Policie ČR, Ministerstvo vnitra ČR and Otevřená společnost.
  • Nusle

    Prague 4Match 80%

    A valley district between Vinohrady and Pankrác, quietly gentrifying and noticeably cheaper than its neighbours.

    Good for

    Value close to the centre · Local pubs and everyday shops

    Watch out for

    Steep in places · Traffic on the main routes

    How this compares: Safety

    Somewhat more offences are recorded here per resident than in Prague as a whole.

    Around 95 in every 100 offences recorded here that fall into a clear category are property offences — theft, pickpocketing, break-ins and similar.

    The numbers behind this
    Area used:
    Nusle police precinct. Police boundaries and neighbourhood names never match exactly.
    Recorded offences:
    562 over September 2025 to August 2026, among about 19,414 residents — 28.9 per 1,000 residents a year, against 21.9 across Prague.
    Of those in a clear category:
    95% property offences, 5% violent offences.
    Precinct(s):
    Nusle Praha IV.
    Live dataPolice of the Czech Republic open dataPublished by Policie České republiky.Live dataMapa kriminality — police precinct boundariesPublished by Policie ČR, Ministerstvo vnitra ČR and Otevřená společnost.
  • Vinohrady

    Prague 2 and Prague 3Match 70%

    Grand nineteenth-century apartment blocks, wide leafy streets and a strong café culture. The default answer for newcomers who want to walk everywhere.

    Good for

    Walking everywhere · Cafés and restaurants · An easy landing spot

    Watch out for

    Rents are among the highest outside the very centre · Older buildings often have no lift

    How this compares: Safety

    About as many offences are recorded here per resident as in Prague as a whole.

    Around 92 in every 100 offences recorded here that fall into a clear category are property offences — theft, pickpocketing, break-ins and similar.

    The numbers behind this
    Area used:
    Vinohrady police precinct. Police boundaries and neighbourhood names never match exactly.
    Recorded offences:
    697 over September 2025 to August 2026, among about 29,011 residents — 24 per 1,000 residents a year, against 21.9 across Prague.
    Of those in a clear category:
    92% property offences, 8% violent offences.
    Precinct(s):
    Vinohrady
    Live dataPolice of the Czech Republic open dataPublished by Policie České republiky.Live dataMapa kriminality — police precinct boundariesPublished by Policie ČR, Ministerstvo vnitra ČR and Otevřená společnost.
  • Žižkov

    Prague 3Match 70%

    Historically working class, now a mix of students, artists and families. Famous for having a very high density of pubs.

    Good for

    Nightlife · Lower rents close to the centre · Character and independent places

    Watch out for

    Steep hills · Noisy on the main pub streets at weekends

    How this compares: Safety

    About as many offences are recorded here per resident as in Prague as a whole.

    Around 93 in every 100 offences recorded here that fall into a clear category are property offences — theft, pickpocketing, break-ins and similar.

    The numbers behind this
    Area used:
    Žižkov police precinct. Police boundaries and neighbourhood names never match exactly.
    Recorded offences:
    859 over September 2025 to August 2026, among about 41,424 residents — 20.7 per 1,000 residents a year, against 21.9 across Prague.
    Of those in a clear category:
    93% property offences, 7% violent offences.
    Precinct(s):
    ŽIžkov Praha III.
    Live dataPolice of the Czech Republic open dataPublished by Policie České republiky.Live dataMapa kriminality — police precinct boundariesPublished by Policie ČR, Ministerstvo vnitra ČR and Otevřená společnost.
  • Karlín

    Prague 8Match 70%

    Rebuilt after the 2002 floods and now Prague's business and design district, with flat streets, new offices and a heavy concentration of specialty coffee.

    Good for

    Working in tech or corporate offices · Flat cycling and walking · Modern flats

    Watch out for

    Expensive for what you get · Quiet at weekends in the office blocks

    How this compares: Safety

    Noticeably more offences are recorded here per resident than in Prague as a whole.

    Around 92 in every 100 offences recorded here that fall into a clear category are property offences — theft, pickpocketing, break-ins and similar.

    This area has far more people passing through it each day than living in it — commuters, shoppers and visitors. Offences against them are counted here, while they are not counted as residents, so a per-resident figure overstates what a resident is likely to experience.

    The numbers behind this
    Area used:
    Karlín police precinct, which also covers the Florenc bus and metro interchange. Police boundaries and neighbourhood names never match exactly.
    Recorded offences:
    574 over September 2025 to August 2026, among about 8,466 residents — 67.8 per 1,000 residents a year, against 21.9 across Prague.
    Of those in a clear category:
    92% property offences, 8% violent offences.
    Precinct(s):
    Karlín Praha III.
    Live dataPolice of the Czech Republic open dataPublished by Policie České republiky.Live dataMapa kriminality — police precinct boundariesPublished by Policie ČR, Ministerstvo vnitra ČR and Otevřená společnost.
  • Holešovice

    Prague 7Match 70%

    A former industrial bend in the river turned cultural district — galleries, markets and converted warehouses, next to Prague's largest park.

    Good for

    Culture and galleries · Access to Stromovka park · A mix of old and new housing

    Watch out for

    Some blocks are still industrial · Tram-dependent in parts

    How this compares: Safety

    About as many offences are recorded here per resident as in Prague as a whole.

    Around 90 in every 100 offences recorded here that fall into a clear category are property offences — theft, pickpocketing, break-ins and similar.

    The numbers behind this
    Area used:
    Holešovice police precinct. Police boundaries and neighbourhood names never match exactly.
    Recorded offences:
    338 over September 2025 to August 2026, among about 15,208 residents — 22.2 per 1,000 residents a year, against 21.9 across Prague.
    Of those in a clear category:
    90% property offences, 10% violent offences.
    Precinct(s):
    Holešovice Praha I.
    Live dataPolice of the Czech Republic open dataPublished by Policie České republiky.Live dataMapa kriminality — police precinct boundariesPublished by Policie ČR, Ministerstvo vnitra ČR and Otevřená společnost.
  • Letná

    Prague 7Match 60%

    A calm plateau above the river with a beer garden overlooking the city, family flats and a short walk into the old town.

    Good for

    Families · Running and parks · Walking into the centre

    Watch out for

    No metro station in the heart of it · High rents

    How this compares: Safety

    About as many offences are recorded here per resident as in Prague as a whole.

    Around 91 in every 100 offences recorded here that fall into a clear category are property offences — theft, pickpocketing, break-ins and similar.

    The numbers behind this
    Area used:
    Letná police precinct. Police boundaries and neighbourhood names never match exactly.
    Recorded offences:
    509 over September 2025 to August 2026, among about 25,398 residents — 20 per 1,000 residents a year, against 21.9 across Prague.
    Of those in a clear category:
    91% property offences, 9% violent offences.
    Precinct(s):
    Letná Praha I.
    Live dataPolice of the Czech Republic open dataPublished by Policie České republiky.Live dataMapa kriminality — police precinct boundariesPublished by Policie ČR, Ministerstvo vnitra ČR and Otevřená společnost.
  • Prague 1 — central area

    Prague 1Match 60%

    The historic core. Everything is within walking distance, including the crowds, the noise and the highest prices in the country.

    Good for

    Being at the centre of everything · Short-term corporate stays

    Watch out for

    Cost · Night noise · Short-let flats mean neighbours change weekly

    How this compares: Safety

    Noticeably more offences are recorded here per resident than in Prague as a whole.

    Around 94 in every 100 offences recorded here that fall into a clear category are property offences — theft, pickpocketing, break-ins and similar.

    This area has far more people passing through it each day than living in it — commuters, shoppers and visitors. Offences against them are counted here, while they are not counted as residents, so a per-resident figure overstates what a resident is likely to experience.

    The numbers behind this
    Area used:
    Four central precincts together: Bartolomějská, Benediktská, Krakovská and Nové Město — the Old Town, Wenceslas Square and the streets around them. This covers a wider area than the neighbourhood name alone.
    Recorded offences:
    4,517 over September 2025 to August 2026, among about 45,054 residents — 100.3 per 1,000 residents a year, against 21.9 across Prague.
    Of those in a clear category:
    94% property offences, 6% violent offences.
    Precinct(s):
    Bartolomějská Praha I., Benediktská Praha I., Krakovská Praha I., Nové Město
    Live dataPolice of the Czech Republic open dataPublished by Policie České republiky.Live dataMapa kriminality — police precinct boundariesPublished by Policie ČR, Ministerstvo vnitra ČR and Otevřená společnost.
  • Prague 6 residential areas

    Prague 6Match 60%

    Břevnov, Střešovice and Veleslavín — villas, gardens and international schools, with the quietest streets in the city.

    Good for

    Families with children · Space and gardens · International schools

    Watch out for

    Longer commutes · Very little going on in the evening

    How this compares: Safety

    Fewer offences are recorded here per resident than in Prague as a whole.

    Around 92 in every 100 offences recorded here that fall into a clear category are property offences — theft, pickpocketing, break-ins and similar.

    The numbers behind this
    Area used:
    Břevnov, Vokovice and Řepy precincts together, covering the residential west of Prague 6. This covers a wider area than the neighbourhood name alone.
    Recorded offences:
    1,113 over September 2025 to August 2026, among about 86,102 residents — 12.9 per 1,000 residents a year, against 21.9 across Prague.
    Of those in a clear category:
    92% property offences, 8% violent offences.
    Precinct(s):
    Břevnov Praha I., Vokovice Praha I., Řepy Praha I.
    Live dataPolice of the Czech Republic open dataPublished by Policie České republiky.Live dataMapa kriminality — police precinct boundariesPublished by Policie ČR, Ministerstvo vnitra ČR and Otevřená společnost.
  • Malá Strana

    Prague 1Match 40%

    Baroque streets below the castle. Beautiful and central, but shaped around visitors rather than residents.

    Good for

    Short stays · Walking to the historic centre

    Watch out for

    Very high rents · Crowds and few everyday shops · Cobbles and hills

    How this compares: Safety

    Somewhat more offences are recorded here per resident than in Prague as a whole.

    Around 88 in every 100 offences recorded here that fall into a clear category are property offences — theft, pickpocketing, break-ins and similar.

    This area has far more people passing through it each day than living in it — commuters, shoppers and visitors. Offences against them are counted here, while they are not counted as residents, so a per-resident figure overstates what a resident is likely to experience.

    The numbers behind this
    Area used:
    Malá Strana police precinct. Police boundaries and neighbourhood names never match exactly.
    Recorded offences:
    169 over September 2025 to August 2026, among about 5,064 residents — 33.4 per 1,000 residents a year, against 21.9 across Prague.
    Of those in a clear category:
    88% property offences, 12% violent offences.
    Precinct(s):
    Malá Strana Praha I.
    Live dataPolice of the Czech Republic open dataPublished by Policie České republiky.Live dataMapa kriminality — police precinct boundariesPublished by Policie ČR, Ministerstvo vnitra ČR and Otevřená společnost.

Prague is one of the safer large cities in Europe, and these figures compare parts of it with each other — not with anywhere else. Almost all recorded offences across the city are property offences such as theft from bags, cars and buildings; violent offences are a small minority everywhere.

Neighbourhood scores are approximate editorial judgements, not official statistics or promises about daily life.

Not covered here

These topics are covered properly by the official newcomer site run with Prague City Hall support, so we point you there rather than duplicating them.

Crisis situations

For domestic violence, homelessness, debt or discrimination, Prague Compass is not the right tool. The official newcomer site lists organisations that can help directly.

Visit newinprague.cz

Culture and volunteering

Community events, cultural programmes and volunteering opportunities are covered by the official newcomer site rather than here.

Visit newinprague.cz