'Compact, fairy-tale walkability': Prague ranked among Europe's 10 best cities

According to a comprehensive study by consulting firm Resonance, Prague is the sixth-best city in Europe after analyzing multiple aspects of 100 European cities. Notably, according to the survey, the Czech capital boasts the lowest poverty rate and ranks second in attractions.

On a worldwide level, Prague was ranked 12th overall, and had the third-best attractions globally and fourth-best nightlife.

As part of the 2024 World’s Best Cities report methodology, Resonance analyzed three main parts of a city: livability, lovability, and prosperity. Livability includes sights and landmarks, average rent, and green space. Lovability comprises restaurants, shopping, family-friendly activities, and more. Prosperity delves into a city’s labor force participation, GDP per capita, and educational attainment. 

Resonance ranked Prague’s livability score as seventh overall, its lovability eighth, and prosperity 18th. Its range of museums was the third-best in Europe, and nightlife offerings also ranked third on the continent.

“Pandemic lockdowns broke the over-tourism wave that was cresting over Prague’s beguiling Gothic streets, allowing the city to implement resident-first policies and maintain a sense of ownership,” the report writes. Resonance pinpoints Náplavka – “a vibrant urban market” – and the Čapadlo embankment as key cultural sports. 

The report also cited National Gallery Prague museums and the newly reopened Baroque Clam-Gallas Palace as significant historical attractions. The report also mentioned the country’s favorite drink: Resonance pointed out that the city’s many beer spas offered an attractive, traditional activity that blended the beverage with a popular Czech pastime.

Resonance also recalls the 100-year anniversary of Bohemian author Franz Kafka’s death, referencing the city’s many literary walking tours and exhibits in tribute to Kafka. 

“[Prague’s] relative affordability and highly-ranked nightlife have inspired young talent and billions in foreign investment to pour in – from real estate developers to long-established firms like Microsoft, Cisco, and Oracle,” the report concludes.

Prague’s sixth-position ranking means that the Czech capital beats the likes of Barcelona, Amsterdam, Milan, Vienna, Munich, Lisbon, and more. The 2023 report did not see Prague make the list of Europe’s top 10 best cities.

London topped both the European and world rankings, with Paris trailing in second.

This is far from the first time that Prague has featured in global rankings for cities’ attractiveness. A late 2023 study by lifestyle magazine Time Out ranked the Czech capital as the world’s second-best city for culture. In 2021, Time Out ranked Prague as the most beautiful city in the world.