Prague’s Airbnb Boom: A Double-Edged Sword for the Golden City

The charm of Prague, with its  castles and cobblestone streets, has always drawn tourists from around the world. There is a surge in Airbnb rentals in the Czech  capital. This boom is changing how visitors experience the city, but is also raising concerns among locals.

More Choices for Travellers, Less Housing for Locals

​According to recent data from the Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR Prague), the number of Airbnb listings in the city is climbing back up after a dip during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2023, there were 7,930* Airbnb units available in Prague. That is a good number of options for tourists.

Most of these rentals are entire apartments, not just spare rooms. This means visitors can live like locals, cooking their own meals and feeling at home in Prague’s historic neighbourhoods.

But there is a downside. Almost 80% of these Airbnb units are run by people who manage two or more properties. This is not just people renting out their spare rooms; it s becoming a big business. As usual every new solution breaeds new problems.

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Image by Eunice Punzalan from Pixabay

City Center Squeeze

The Airbnb trend is hitting Prague’s city center hard. In some parts of the historic core, more than 10% of all homes are now short-term rentals. This is making it harder for regular people to find places to live in the heart of their own city.

Petr Hlavacek, Prague’s Deputy Mayor, says the city is working on new rules to manage this boom. “We want tourists to enjoy Prague, but we also need to protect our residents and our city’s character.”

What’s Next for Prague’s Airbnb Scene?

 The Czech government is planning to change some laws to give cities more control over short-term rentals.  Airbnb hosts in Prague should brace for new regulations.

For now, the Airbnb trend in Prague shows no signs of slowing down. As tourism bounces back from the pandemic, more and more apartments are being listed on the platform. An Airbnb might be a great way to experience the Prague like a local.