Whether you're a local or not, parking in some parts of Prague can be difficult. But it doesn't have to be! Especially when you go for a sure thing. Here are some ideas on how to park at popular summer attractions in the very heart and the wider centre of Prague – from as little as CZK 10 an hour!

Náplavka Rašínovo nábřeží

Every day is teeming with life at Náplavka under Rašínovo nábřeží during the summer. The ideal way of getting there is by tram (to the Výtoň or Palackého náměstí stops), or on your own or a shared bike. But you can also do it by car: you can try the car parks in the purple zone under Železniční most, which will cost you CZK 30 (Vnislavova Street) or CZK 40 (Libušina Street). If you have trouble finding a space, you can take inspiration from our ideas for parking close to the swimming pool in Podolí below and travel one stop by tram, or walk along the waterfront.

Náplavka Smíchov

Prague's riverbanks come to life one after the other – and the riverbank at Smíchov is clear proof that summer by the water is simply a part of city life. Parking is available here at a price less than you would pay for a regular public transport ticket. And you can often find a parking space here quite easily, something that is doubly true during the holidays. Park in the purple zone in Svornosti Street (CZK 20 an hour) or Nádražní Street (only CZK 10 an hour), from where it is only a few short steps to the riverbank.

Tip: Prague's riverbanks are the ideal spot in which to sit for longer and cool off with a delicious drink. In this case, it's worth leaving the car at home and perhaps using a shared bike – you can find stands for Rekola and Nextbike in Citymove, and there are several at Smíchov riverbank. Then take the tram home from Na Knížecí.

Pedal boats and rowing boats in the centre

You can hire pedal boats and rowing boats in the centre from either the Slovanka marina or S.P.L.A.V. Both are located on Slovanský ostrov, just a few steps from Národní divadlo tram stop. If you go by car, you can try your luck in the purple zone on Národní třída, park on the street, and pay using Citymove (CZK 60 an hour). Another option is the car park underneath the National Theatre – it's far easier to find a free space there, with one hour setting you back CZK 50. Parking on the opposite bank of the River Vltava, on Janáčkovo nábřeží and in Nábřežní Street or Zborovská Street, is a convenient option – one hour only costs CZK 30 (and as little as CZK 20 on the other side of Jiráskův most.

Žluté lázně and Plavecký stadion Podolí

The two places we all go to cool off most often in Prague are just a short distance from each other. Where to park, though? There is a car park right in front of the entrance to the Podolí swimming pool (Podolská Street) – it can hold several dozen cars and is part of the system of paid parking zones – meaning that you can pay the parking fee using the Citymove application, costing you CZK 30 an hour. The purple zone on Podolské nábřeží, which costs only CZK 10 an hour, is a cheaper option, and only a few metres away! If you do not find a space there, then try Podolská Street heading towards Braník (CZK 20 an hour) or the attended car park on the corner of Podolská and Jeremenkova (CZK 50 an hour). The Žluté lázně complex is home to an additional car park for about 80 cars, which costs CZK 30 an hour.

Tip: Both pools are located in close proximity to a tram stop (Dvorce or Kublov), so choosing a public transport link might be more convenient. The A2 cycle path also passes through the area, and there are several parking stands for Rekola and Nextbike – you can also use Citymove to find out where they are.

Radotín Biotope

A real hub for those residents of Prague who yearn for healthy, clean, refreshing recreation with no chemicals. Naturally filtered water, plenty of space for sunbathing, and refreshment options, including the legendary gin and tonic slush puppy. Meaning, however, a lot of people who want to park in the smallish car park or nearby. Parking at the Biotope itself (55 parking spaces) is free for the first 1.5 hours (CZK 20 an hour after that). You can park for free at other places in the area, just a few minutes away on foot: at the Výpadová car park (Výpadová 2), at the car park by the sports hall (U Starého stadionu 9), or on the street at the intersection of Ke Zděři and Stadionová streets. Best of all, those car parks are free of charge.

Tip: If you don't want to deal with parking, take the S7 train to Radotín from Masarykovo nádraží or Smíchovské nádraží. Get off at Praha–Radotín, from where it is only a 10-minute walk to the Biotope. What is more, the stylish Velo restaurant is right next to the station, meaning you can stop off for lunch or dinner after swimming.

Ostrov Štvanice

Sunbathing in the Baden Baden spa with drink in hand, live music, outdoor exercise, paddleboarding, and the only artificial surf wave in Prague: Ostrov Štvanice is absolutely the latest addition to Prague's summer destinations. How to get there, though, if you don’t live nearby? You can park at Štvanice itself, by the tennis courts, but the number of spaces is limited and they might all be taken during the holidays. The ideal choice, then, is to leave the car in the P+R Holešovice car park, only a few steps from Nádraží Holešovice metro station. From there, it is less than three kilometres to Štvanice, a journey you can shorten by taking public transport: for example, just one metro station to Vltavská, and then a walk over Hlávkův most or the new HolKa footbridge (which is expected to open at the beginning of the holidays). You can also change to tram No. 14 at Vltavská, which will take you directly to Štvanice.

Stromovka

What is probably the most popular "summer park" among the residents of Prague and travellers alike is easily accessible by car. You can park in the purple zone in Za Elektrárnou Street. It costs a very reasonable CZK 20 an hour, and there is plenty of space. Don't forget to use the chance to pay the parking fee using the Citymove app – and if you stay in the park for longer, you can easily pay for another hour, or even just half an hour. If there is no space left in the zone (which sometimes happens on Friday afternoons and at the weekend), try some of the car parks at the front gate to Výstaviště Holešovice. These will set you back CZK 50 an hour. One decent alternative is the nearby Stromovka shopping centre, which provides free indoor parking for the first 2 hours, CZK 50 for each hour thereafter. This is the ideal choice on hot days, meaning you can go back to a nice cool car.

Tip: There is only one Stromovka, of course, but there are plenty of other places in Prague where you can enjoy the great outdoors. Check out our ideas for Prague picnic spots. And if you're heading to the water, check out an older article we wrote with ideas on how to get to the natural open-air pools of Prague, and how to get to and park at popular pools and beaches.

‍