The Prague Steamboat Company has just launched its 160th cruising season – a milestone that deserves recognition well beyond the borders of the capital. The legendary paddle steamer Vltava, a registered cultural monument, is once again sailing along its traditional routes, inviting passengers to enjoy unforgettable journeys on the river.
It was 160 years ago, in 1865, when the first steamboat connected Prague with towns along the Vltava and Elbe Rivers. The founding of the Prague Steamboat Company marked a turning point in Czech transport history, boosting trade, enriching cultural life, and binding regions together. And its story continues to this day.
This season, the company is setting sail with both pride and new attractions. The iconic Vltava steamer offers a full-day cruise to Slapy, or a romantic voyage to Mělník, where the Vltava meets the Elbe. Along the way, passengers can admire scenic confluences, riverside chateaux, and the unique character of the Central Bohemian countryside, seen from the peaceful rhythm of the river.
The Slapy cruise remains one of the most beautiful river journeys in the Czech Republic. The river winds through a dramatic canyon landscape of cliffs and forests, offering breathtaking views. The cruise is quiet, comfortable and awe-inspiring – a perfect way to slow down and let the landscape unfold with each bend in the river.
This year’s big news is the return of another jewel of Czech steamboating – the Vyšehrad steamer. Also a registered cultural monument, it will be transformed into a floating museum by the end of the summer, offering visitors a rare look into the history of river navigation. The onboard exhibition will feature authentic historical artefacts, period uniforms, and the beautifully restored Mayor’s Lounge, once used to host the city’s most prominent guests. Technical enthusiasts will be delighted by a large interactive model of the Vyšehrad steamer made from the legendary Czech Merkur building set. And younger visitors can enjoy an entire creative lounge, where they’ll be free to build their own steamboats – or anything else their imagination inspires.
Floating venues with a view: Ideal for corporate & private events
In addition to scheduled cruises, the Prague Steamboat Company – along with its sister brand, Prague Boats – offers a wide selection of boats for private and corporate hire. Whether you’re planning a company celebration, product launch, networking cocktail or wedding reception, hosting it aboard a historic steamer or a state-of-the-art catamaran guarantees a truly original experience.
Event planners can choose from fully electric vessels, like Anna Carolina or Bella Bohemia, which combine modern elegance with silent, zero-emission operation – ideal for sustainable events in the heart of the city. For high-end occasions, the glass-roofed Grand Bohemia offers panoramic views of Prague’s historic skyline in all weather conditions. Each vessel features flexible interior layouts, modern AV equipment, and top-quality catering from Prague Boats’ own kitchen. These floating venues offer a unique combination of mobility, comfort and prestige, making them a smart choice for even the most demanding MICE clients.
Tradition, technology, romance and experience – this is what 160 years of river cruising in the Czech Republic has to offer. And if you’re wondering when to set sail, now is the perfect time.
Source: Prague Convention Bureau
