Quiet living in Prague
Street noise is the most common reason people move out of a flat. Where Prague is quietest, how to read noise in the data and how to spot it at a viewing.
How we measure noise
We use Prague's noise maps (IPR Praha), which show traffic noise at every building. For each address we look at the noisiest point within 20 metres, usually the street-facing facade, and check whether it reaches 60 dB or more during the day, so above the health limit even for main roads (for other streets the limit is 55 dB). For a neighbourhood we then show what share of addresses that is.
The quietest neighbourhoods
Quietest Prague neighbourhoods
- 5 % noisy addresses Hostavice Praha 14
- 6 % noisy addresses Lipence
- 7 % noisy addresses Klánovice
- 8 % noisy addresses Modřany Praha 12
- 9 % noisy addresses Černý Most Praha 14
- 9 % noisy addresses Horní Měcholupy Praha 15
- 10 % noisy addresses Nebušice
- 11 % noisy addresses Čimice Praha 8
- 12 % noisy addresses Kunratice
- 12 % noisy addresses Chodov Praha 11
The noisiest neighbourhoods
The most noisy addresses are in dense neighbourhoods near the centre, where trams, the arterial road (magistrála) and main avenues run right between the buildings. That does not mean there are no quiet flats there, only that you have to look more carefully, ideally for windows onto the courtyard.
Prague’s noisiest neighbourhoods
- 61 % noisy addresses Nové Město Praha 1
- 58 % noisy addresses Karlín Praha 8
- 52 % noisy addresses Holešovice Praha 7
- 50 % noisy addresses Nusle Praha 4
- 48 % noisy addresses Vinohrady Praha 2
How to spot a quiet flat
- Windows onto the courtyard are the best protection. A street-facing bedroom in a noisy neighbourhood is only bearable with good-quality windows.
- Come at a busy time. A viewing on a Saturday morning tells you nothing about the noise on a weekday.
- Trams vs cars. A tram line in the street is heard mainly when trams brake on bends and at the points.
- Night. On every neighbourhood page we also show noise at night; for sleep it matters more than the daytime average.
Frequently asked questions
Which neighbourhood in Prague is the quietest?
According to the noise maps, Hostavice, Lipence and Klánovice have the fewest addresses above the traffic noise limit.
What is the traffic noise limit?
The health limit for the protected outdoor space of buildings is 55 dB by day for roads and 60 dB for main roads. We count how many addresses in a neighbourhood have 60 dB or more during the day, so above the limit even for main roads.
Is a flat facing the courtyard quieter?
Yes, often much quieter. Noise maps measure at the building's noisiest facade, which usually faces the street. Windows onto an inner courtyard can be tens of decibels quieter.