Prague 5 — the district on the left bank of the Vltava

Prague 5 is one of the administrative districts of Prague, established in 1960. It sits on the left bank of the Vltava River, in the south-western part of the city, directly across the water from Prague 4. For travelers looking to explore the Czech capital beyond the well-trodden Old Town and Prague Castle routes, this district offers a different, more residential and historically layered slice of the city.

What area does Prague 5 cover?

The district's boundaries are broad. Prague 5 includes the entire territories of Hlubočepy, Košíře, Motol and Axa, together with parts of Břevnov, Jinonice and Malá Strana. In practice, this means a single administrative name covers several distinct neighborhoods that grew into the city at different times — former villages absorbed by the expanding metropolis, areas that once served industrial purposes, and a slice of Malá Strana, one of Prague's most recognizable historic quarters.

Why the location matters for visitors

Positioned at roughly 50.06°N, 14.39°E, Prague 5 sits in the west-central part of the city, close to the river — a detail that matters when planning a sightseeing route. Because it lies on the western side of the Vltava, moving between attractions within Prague 5 and the classic tourist core on the right bank (Old Town, New Town) means crossing the river, either over a bridge or via the metro. That's worth factoring in if choosing accommodation in this part of town.

Getting a feel for the district's layout

The simplest way to picture Prague 5 is as a strip of the city stretching from the Vltava's bank inland toward the hills on the left side of the river. Closer to the water, the district is more densely built and urban; further from the river, the landscape becomes noticeably greener and hillier, a pattern typical of this side of Prague and shaped by the terrain on the western bank.

Frequently asked questions

When was Prague 5 established? The administrative district of Prague 5 was created in 1960, as part of the city's administrative division at the time.

Which side of the Vltava is Prague 5 on? It lies on the left bank of the river, in the south-western part of Prague, directly opposite Prague 4, which sits on the other side of the Vltava.

Which neighborhoods belong to Prague 5? The full territories of Hlubočepy, Košíře, Motol and Axa, plus parts of Břevnov, Jinonice and Malá Strana.

Is Prague 5 a typical tourist area? It's primarily a residential and administrative district, but its boundaries extend into part of Malá Strana, one of Prague's most-visited quarters, making it a useful reference point when planning routes that connect the historic center with less touristy parts of the city.

How do you get to Prague 5 from the city center? Given its location on the left bank of the Vltava, the most convenient way is to cross a bridge or use Prague's metro, which connects this part of the city with the rest of the capital.