Vltava River

The Vltava River is the lifeblood of Prague, which has grown up along its banks over the course of a thousand years. On the same bank of the Vltava River are the Old Town (Staré Mesto) and the New Town (Nové Mesto). The Lesser Town and Prague Castle are on the other side of the river.

Charles Bridge (Karlov most) connects the two halves of Prague and serves as the city’s main pedestrian crossing and tourist attraction.

The views of the river and the ancient structures that line its banks from Charles Bridge are unparalleled. In particular, the sights of Prague Castle up above are breathtaking.

Travelers to Prague should take a stroll across the bridge and even a river cruise under it to see the city from two stunning vantage points.

Dining at one of Prague’s riverfront restaurants, many of which have lovely terraces overlooking the water, is another great opportunity to take in the city’s picturesque river panorama.

The Vltava River, which runs through the heart of Prague, is a haven for wildlife. Swans wander aimlessly on the water while searching for food, and other birds soar through the air in pursuit of fish. The forested slopes of Petrin are beautiful to look at from the riverbanks near Charles Bridge.

Reading about the city’s history exposes the Vltava River’s vital significance in the establishment of Prague. It served as a method of transportation for the early settlers who settled along its banks and for the traders who travelled down the river on the first routes connecting Southern and Northern Europe.

The river’s high volume of water during certain periods of the year made it useful for more than just transportation; it also ran mills and other factories.

Along the Slapy-Prague-Mlnk section, where the Vltava flows into the River Elbe and on to Germany, eight dams, a major canal, and weirs were built to calm the river and make it simpler to cross.

Outside of Prague, the Vltava River flows through picturesque landscape and through some historic buildings and castles. The Vltava River, at 434 kilometers in length, is the longest in the Czech Republic.