The largest city in the Czech Republic is Prague, with around 1.3 million residents, followed by Brno (0.38 million), Ostrava (0.29 million), Plzeň (0.17 million), Liberec (0.10 million), Olomouc (0.10 million), České Budějovice (0.09 million), Hradec Králové (0.09 million), Ústí nad Labem (0.09 million) and Pardubice (0.09 million). Together these ten cities anchor a nation of roughly 10.7 million people spread across Bohemia, Moravia and Czech Silesia.
The Czech urban network is unusually top-heavy. Prague alone holds more than three times the population of Brno, the second-largest city, and the gap widens sharply after the top three. Below is a closer look at what defines each of these cities and the regions they serve.
The Top 10 Czech Cities at a Glance
- Prague (Praha) — about 1.3 million; the capital and the political, financial and cultural core of the country.
- Brno — about 380,000; the Moravian capital and home to the Constitutional Court and major universities.
- Ostrava — about 290,000; the industrial heart of the northeast, near the Polish border.
- Plzeň (Pilsen) — about 170,000; world-famous for Pilsner Urquell, the original pale lager.
- Liberec — about 100,000; a textile and tourism hub beneath the Jizera Mountains.
- Olomouc — about 100,000; an ancient ecclesiastical and university city in central Moravia.
- České Budějovice — about 95,000; the South Bohemian capital and home of Budweiser Budvar.
- Hradec Králové — about 92,000; admired for its early 20th-century modernist architecture.
- Ústí nad Labem — about 91,000; a chemical-industry and river-port city on the Elbe.
- Pardubice — about 90,000; known for gingerbread, the Velká Pardubická steeplechase and engineering.
Prague: A Capital That Dominates
Prague is in a class of its own. Straddling the Vltava River, it functions simultaneously as the national capital, the largest economic centre and one of Europe's most visited tourist destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year to landmarks like Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square astronomical clock. Prague Castle is often cited as the largest ancient castle complex in the world. The city generates a disproportionate share of national GDP and continues to grow as people move in for work, study and its dense transit network of metro, trams and rail.
Brno and Ostrava: The Regional Counterweights
After Prague, Brno and Ostrava act as the main regional poles. Brno, capital of the historic region of Moravia, is the Czech Republic's judicial centre, hosting the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court. It is also a fast-growing technology and research hub anchored by Masaryk University and Brno University of Technology, and it hosts a Formula-style motorcycle Grand Prix circuit. Ostrava, near the borders with Poland and Slovakia, grew on coal mining and steel. Although heavy industry has shrunk, the city has reinvented its old Vítkovice ironworks into a cultural and concert venue, hosting the Colours of Ostrava music festival.
Mid-Sized Cities and What They Are Known For
The cities ranked fourth through tenth are smaller but distinct. Plzeň gave the world the Pilsner brewing method in 1842, and beer tourism remains central to its identity. Olomouc preserves a beautifully intact historic core and the UNESCO-listed Holy Trinity Column, while its Palacký University is one of the oldest in the country. České Budějovice lends its German name, Budweis, to the original Budweiser beer. Liberec sits below the Ještěd mountain with its iconic hyperboloid tower and transmitter. Hradec Králové and Pardubice form a twin-city area in eastern Bohemia, and Ústí nad Labem guards a strategic crossing of the Elbe (Labe) on the route toward Germany.
Urban Geography and Population Trends
About three-quarters of Czechs live in urban areas, yet the country has very few truly large cities. Only Prague exceeds one million, and just one other city, Brno, tops a quarter of a million. This pattern reflects a settlement structure built around many small and medium towns rather than a handful of giant metropolises. National population has hovered near 10.7 million, with modest growth in recent years driven largely by Prague and the suburbs that ring it. If you enjoy testing your knowledge of European capitals and cities, try our interactive geography games.
For broader context on the nation's geography, economy and history, see our czech republic country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest city in the Czech Republic?
Prague is by far the largest city, with roughly 1.3 million residents. It is the capital and the dominant economic, cultural and political centre of the country.
How many cities in the Czech Republic have over 100,000 people?
Only a handful: Prague, Brno, Ostrava and Plzeň clearly exceed 100,000, with Liberec and Olomouc sitting right around the 100,000 mark. The remaining major cities fall just below that threshold.
What is the second-largest city in the Czech Republic?
Brno, with about 380,000 people, is the second-largest city. It serves as the historic capital of Moravia and the country's judicial centre.
Is Prague much bigger than other Czech cities?
Yes. Prague has more than three times the population of Brno and roughly four times that of Ostrava, making the Czech Republic one of the more capital-dominated countries in Central Europe.
