Welcome to Prague - Real Tips for Newcomers

So, you’ve just moved to Prague - congrats! You’ve picked one of the most beautiful and comfortable cities in Europe. But first things first: where to live, where to shop, and how to find your way around without losing your mind (or your wallet).

1. Finding a Place to Live

The biggest real estate portal in the Czech Republic is sreality.cz.

 - it’s where almost every agency and private landlord posts their listings. You’ll find thousands of apartments there, but it can feel a bit overwhelming at first.

If you prefer something smaller and more intuitive, check out superhome.cz/en/.

It’s easier to use, and the filters actually help you find what you really want - like whether the apartment has a bathtub instead of just a shower, or a dishwasher (which is more important than you think). Listings are in multiple languages, and the layout is clean and simple.

Just a tip - don’t rely too much on random Facebook listings. Scams are common. Stick to proper portals.

2. Where to Shop

For everyday groceries, you’ll see Albert, Lidl, Tesco, Kaufland, and Billa everywhere.

If you want something better - like fresh ready-made meals for your microwave or high-quality snacks - go to Delmart.

Prefer delivery? Rohlik.cz, Košík.cz, and iTesco.cz are your go-tos. They all have English versions and usually deliver within an hour or two.

For electronics, home stuff, or pretty much anything else, Alza.cz is your new best friend - think of it as the Czech version of Amazon, with fast delivery and those weird green alien mascots that you’ll start recognizing everywhere.

3. Eating Out & Food Delivery

Prague’s food scene is amazing - from hipster cafés in Karlín to traditional pubs in Žižkov.

When you’re too tired to go out, use Wolt, Bolt Food, or Foodora.cz (that’s the new name for Dáme jídlo). They all have English apps and deliver fast.

Expect delivery fees around 50–70 CZK, and don’t forget to tip your driver - it’s appreciated.

4. Beauty, Fitness & Health

When you need a haircut, a good massage, or someone to fix your nails after the moving stress - skip the endless scrolling on Instagram and head to ladypraha.cz/en/.

It’s a structured directory of beauty salons, massage studios, fitness trainers, and even professional courses across Prague. You can search by area or type of service, and everything’s nicely organized.

5. Getting Around

Public transport here is ridiculously good.

Buy a Lítačka card or download the app - a monthly pass costs around 550 CZK and covers metro, trams, and buses.

Apps like PID Lítačka, IDOS, Mapy.cz, Bolt, and Liftago will save your life when you’re late or lost.

And yes, trams run almost all night. That’s part of Prague’s charm.

6. Learning Czech (Without Losing Your Sanity)

Don’t worry - nobody expects you to be fluent right away.

But learning a few basics helps a lot. Start with Czech by Zuzka

 - a YouTube channel for English speakers where Zuzka teaches Czech in a fun, simple, and totally non-boring way.

Her videos are short, practical, and full of everyday phrases that you’ll actually use.

7. Making Friends & Finding Communities

You’re not alone here - Prague has a huge expat community.

Join Facebook groups like Expats in Prague, Foreigners in CZ, or Prague Expats.

If you prefer Telegram, check out Life in Prague or Czech News for Foreigners.

There are also tons of meetups, coworking events, and language exchanges - check Meetup.com and GoOut.cz.

8. What to Do in Your Free Time

There’s always something happening here - concerts, art shows, film festivals, or small weekend markets.

Find events on GoOut.cz, Expats.cz, or Prague.eu.

For chill afternoons, take a walk in Stromovka, Letná, or Vyšehrad - locals’ favorite parks for a bit of peace and great views.

Or just hop on a random tram and explore. Prague is best discovered slowly.

Final Thoughts

Prague might seem calm and reserved at first, but give it time - soon you’ll find your favorite café, your go-to tram, and that bakery you can’t live without.

It’s a city that grows on you - one day, you realize you feel at home here.