Prague’s iconic tourist sites and monuments have seen a notable increase in visitors during the summer holidays compared to the previous year. Approximately 358,000 tourists explored the city’s towers in July and August, marking a rise of around 22,000 visitors from the previous year, according to Prague City Tourism. While the numbers at other popular attractions, including the Troja Botanical Garden and the Prague Zoo, remained relatively stable, the weather played a significant role in influencing visitor counts.

The Petřín Lookout Tower, a beloved monument in Prague, welcomed 136,000 visitors this year, up from around 128,000 visitors during the same period in the previous year. Similarly, around 71,500 individuals explored the Old Town Hall, and the Petřín Maze attracted roughly 91,000 visitors. The Old Town Bridge Tower received 23,000 visitors, and the Powder Tower saw approximately 16,500 visitors.

Klára Janderová, spokesperson for Prague City Tourism, noted that weather conditions, particularly on hot days, significantly impact the number of visitors to the towers. Weather also played a role in determining the number of visitors to the Prague Zoo, as potential visitors often base their decisions on weather forecasts.

Despite the fluctuations caused by weather and other factors, Prague has experienced a notable increase in tourist numbers compared to the previous year, although it has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels. While approximately 5.98 million tourists stayed in Prague’s accommodations last year—a significant rise from 2021—it still falls short of the nearly two million tourists in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel.

Notably, foreign tourists have contributed significantly to the increase in visitor numbers. Prague’s renowned landmarks, including St. Vitus Cathedral, the Charles Bridge, and the Prague Astronomical Clock, continue to attract a steady stream of visitors. However, the rise in visitors to lesser-known sites highlights the city’s diverse attractions beyond its most famous monuments.

Tourists also enjoyed attractions like the Troja Botanical Garden, which reported similar attendance numbers as the previous year. The Prague Zoo, a popular destination, experienced sporadic visitor numbers during the holiday season due to the varying weather conditions.

The upward trend in tourist numbers is encouraging for Prague’s tourism industry, which has faced significant challenges due to the pandemic. With ongoing vaccination efforts and a gradual relaxation of travel restrictions, Prague anticipates a further increase in tourist activity in the coming months.

Article by Prague Forum