12 scenic commuter villages outside of Prague for those ready to leave the city behind

With Prague property prices on the rise, many Praguers are looking to move to smaller towns outside the city. But choosing a new home base can be challenging, especially if you don’t know where to start looking.

One of the biggest attractions of moving to the outskirts of Prague is more affordable real estate prices and the opportunity to purchase more living space. Housing in Prague is sold for an average of more than CZK 100,000 per square meter, but this price becomes significantly lower just a few kilometers away from the city. The same amount of money will often get you an apartment twice as large once you move your search outside of Prague.

For those concerned about buying outside the city, rest assured that many Czech towns and villages are no longer just abandoned satellites, as they used to be. In addition to famous areas such as Říčany, Řevnice or Černošice, the lesser-known localities of Unhošť or Vysoký Újezd are also gaining popularity – destinations that can easily be reached from the center of Prague but that also have their own natural beauty and cultural life to offer.

Here’s our pick for 12 commuter villages worth a look if you’re considering buying a home outside of Prague.

1. Průhonice

The small village of Průhonice has become an unofficial extension of Prague, an area to escape to for more greenery and less hustle and bustle. Property prices in Průhonice have grown greatly over the past decade, with the average house easily selling for 7-10 CZK millions now. Nearby towns Cestlice and Dobrejovice offer similar beauty for better prices.

Distance from Prague: 6km or 15 minutes by local bus from Opatov Metro stop.

What makes it great: It doesn’t get closer to Prague than Průhonice, so it’s all about location, location, location here. The town is best known for Průhonice Park, a 250-hectare UNESCO Heritage natural area that’s home to over 1,600 species of local and exotic plants.

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2. Okoř

The sleepy village of Okoř has fewer than 100 permanent residents and very few amenities except for a couple of restaurants. But it’s just a short drive away from both Prague and Kladno so you can get everything you need.

Distance from Prague: Bus 350 from Dejvická (42 mins)

What makes it great: Living against the background of the 14th-century Okoř castle ruins doesn’t hurt. The village is also a 10-minute drive from Václav Havel Airport Prague, perfect for regular travelers.

3. Roztoky u Prahy

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A popular resort destination at the turn of the 19th century, Roztoky sits on the left bank of the Vltava River. Today, Roztoky has become a popular residential area for people who work in Prague but can’t afford to buy property in the city.

Distance from Prague: You can catch a bus from Dejvická or a train from Praha Masarykovo Nadrazi to get to Roztoky. Both take just under 15 minutes.

What makes it great: Roztoky offers riverside living at still affordable prices – a great area for nature lovers, hikers, and cyclists. In summer, Roztoky is busier and livelier (as many Prague dwellers have weekend cottages in the area), which means festivals and events for the entire family. The nearby villages of Úholičky and Velké Přílepy offer slightly cheaper real estate.

4. Kralupy nad Vltavou

Sitting right on the Vltava River, Kralupy is significantly bigger than other towns in this list at about 18,000 inhabitants. The train line that goes towards Dresden stops here, making it an important transportation hub and a busy little town.

Distance from Prague: About half an hour by commuter train from Praha Masarykovo Nadrazi.

What makes it great: Kralupy is just 15 km from the legendary Říp mountain, where, legend goes, the first Czechs settled. This means plenty of tourists and as a result nice amenities, lots of restaurants and plenty of historical and cultural attractions worth visiting. This is a great place for nature lovers, with plenty of trails cutting through town and into the nearby forests, plus beautiful viewpoints along the way.

5. Benešov

Benešov is just over an hour away from Prague by train, so commuters might shy away from the location. For those with a car, the town of Benešov is just 38 minutes from Prague and a good choice for lower prices and quiet living.

Distance from Prague: Trains leave from Praha Hlavni Nadrazi every 30 minutes. Buses from Prague ÚAN Florenc are also available but take slightly longer.

What makes it great: Benešov is home to Konopiště castle, surrounded by green gardens and nature trails. With a population of just under 17,000, the town has plenty of restaurants, shops, and things to do (including a fun and unique Motorcycle Museum). If you’re not scared of the slightly longer commute, you might be able to find some good real estate bargains here.

6. Černosice

Černosice is at the start of the Berounka valley, a vast area that extends all the way to Beroun, southwest of Prague.

Distance from Prague: Depends on where you’re going. It’s 25 minutes by train to Černosice, 50 minutes to Beroun. Trains depart from Praha Hlavni Nadrazi several times per hour.

What makes it great: The Berounka Valley is popular with hikers and cyclists and offers plenty of outdoor activities all year long. There are also many unique attractions here, including a reconstructed mill, a museum of mining, and lots of horse riding and quad bikes available.

7. Unhošť

Unhošť is a small village west of Prague. Surrounded by hills, trails and historical mills, the village offers both easy access to the city and quiet countryside living.

Distance from Prague: 35 minutes by bus from Nemocnine Motol stop.

What makes it great: Lots of unique attractions, including Červený Újezd Castle, home to the Museum of the Czech Countryside (showing everyday rural life between the 17th and 20th centuries). Despite being tiny with just under 5000 residents, Unhošť has a movie theater, restaurants, a shopping center, and plenty of other amenities.

8. Karlštejn

With just under 1000 residents, Karlštejn is technically tiny –but because the town is home to the famous medieval castle, it also attracts a lot of tourists and day-trippers from Prague. As a result, there are plenty of dining options in town.

Distance from Prague: 40 minutes by commuter train from Prague central station.

What makes it great: At just over half an hour away from Prague, Karlštejn makes for a great commuter town but also a great location if you’re into hiking. In fact, you can hike all the way into Beroun if you follow the trails behind the castle. Karlštejn is a great place to live if you like historical properties –and property prices, in general, are still very reasonable.

9. Říčany

Masarykovo náměstí Říčany photo via Wikipedia

Every year, the research firm Obce v datech in cooperation with consultancy Deloitte evaluates the quality of life in towns and cities around the country. They look at a city’s “health and environment, material security and education, and relationships and services.” And for two years in a row, the town of Říčany has come out on top, with Prague trailing just behind.

Distance from Prague: 40 minutes by train from Praha Hlavni Nadrazi.

What makes it great: Aside from its position as the best place to live in the country, Říčany enjoys a great location just 20 km south of Prague. Home to ancient castle ruins, surrounded by wooded countryside and on the train line to Benešov, the town has plenty to offer.

10. Dolní Břežany

Dolní Břežany sits right against the southern border of Prague, a small village surrounded by open fields where deer and wild pigs roam.

Distance from Prague: 20 minutes by local bus from Kačerov metro stop. Bus service is somewhat limited on weekends.

What makes it great: Once an area of mostly weekend cottages, Dolní Břežany has grown into an extension of residential Prague. Extensive greenery, public parks, and several small ponds make the village feel a world away from the city and offer plenty of clean living space.

11. Nymburk

Located right on the river Elbe, the town of Nymburk has an important railway and industrial history, with many industrial monuments, breweries, and mills still standing.

Distance from Prague: Just under one hour away from Prague. Trains leave from Praha Hlavni Nadrazi. Less than 40 minutes by car.

What makes it great: Nymburk is still a bit of a hidden gem. There are few foreigners here, which means property prices have not grown as quickly or as much as in other towns.

12. Vysoký Újezd

A quiet village in the Beroun area, Vysoký Újezd offers family-friendly living with easy access to outdoor activities. The village lies between Český kras and Křivoklátsko, two large protected landscape areas perfect for hiking, cycling and exploring.

Distance from Prague: 30 minutes from Prague Zličín bus stop or an easy 20-minute drive from the city.

What makes it great: Unhošť has many new built-up areas offering low-energy houses with gardens. Since the area is still largely off the radar for many expats, prices remain affordable at the moment. Nearby, visitors can try the golf resort Albatross or visit castle Vysoký Újezd.

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