Life in Prague on a boat: What it’s like living on a houseboat on the Vltava River
Would you live on a houseboat floating on the Vltava River in Czechia’s capital? Our team visited a couple who are lucky enough to do just that. Join us as we discover this unique experience that Prague has to offer.
The interior of the home is spacious and includes a guest room, a master bedroom, a similarly large bathroom with a shower, and even an internal terrace with a built-in grill.
At first glance, nothing would suggest that we are on a floating house on the Vltava River. Our perception changes when we look through a porthole and notice that our closest neighbors are ducks and swans, gliding leisurely across the calm waters that provide the base of this home. The skyline is adorned not by skyscrapers or apartment blocs, but by the two towers of the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul of Vyšehrad.
According to Catherine, who has been living in this unique home for over a month, it’s easy to forget that she’s living on the Vltava River.
“It is exactly like a regular apartment. I’m actually not sure where they get their water from, in all honesty, but it’s been very drinkable, for the last month or so. We have wifi, we have heating, we even have air conditioning, so it’s all been very normal.”
We find ourselves on the internal terrace of the houseboat, trying not to be distracted by the presence of a grill that, on a clear day like this, invites you to put all your responsibilities to the side.
Prior to moving in, however, Catherine, a young professional from Montréal, Canada, had some reservations about what it would really be like to live in a place like this.
“I definitely thought it was going to be cramped, like a very small houseboat. And there are some small houseboats around, but the one we're on is larger. I guess that was my main concern. I think it's everything I imagined and more. I really enjoy it and find it peaceful.”
Catherine's friends and family also respond with some skepticism when she tells them she’s living on the houseboat. But they tend to change their minds when they see pictures or videos of the place. She herself hadn’t considered this option when she started looking for temporary rentals, as her apartment has been going through extensive renovations. But an unexpected advertisement reignited a desire she’d always had.
"I would say that, actually, it’s a lot of fun. I’ve always wanted to live on a houseboat, but it didn’t seem possible. So when the opportunity presented itself, I was really happy to do it. The boat is in a great location, very central, so it’s been very easy to go out, see friends, and come back home. Also, walking around the area is really nice. The views from the boat are great, and we can see lots of animals floating around, like ducks and swans. It’s been fun."
Ideal for a Short Stay
Although everything seems to be working out at the moment for Catherine and her partner, she says the experience of living in this place might not be the best during the colder months of the year. Apart from that, it’s hard to find other negatives about the experience.
"Honestly, I’d say that’s the only small inconvenience. All the rooms have heating, so the bedroom is nice and warm at night. But the larger rooms, like the living room and kitchen, do get a bit colder, and I think that’s because we’re right above the water, so it’s inevitable.
“I was trying to get my parents to come from Canada and stay with us on the boat for a while, but I think the timing isn’t the best. But I definitely recommend it. It doesn’t have to be for two months for everyone, but if you're visiting Prague or looking for something fun to do in the city, even if just for a weekend or a few nights, I think it’s a really beautiful experience.'"
Catherine says that for a short stay, the houseboat is one of the most unique, and probably best, options.
“I’d stay maybe six months in the summer. I’m not sure how free-spirited I am to want to live on a boat for a long period of time. But when we’re on the boat, it feels like we’re in a normal apartment. So I guess the answer is: why not? It feels pretty much the same as living in an apartment.”
Life on the houseboat is stable, despite being on the river. However, for those who might be more sensitive to movement, the fact that other vessels occasionally pass by might invoke unpleasant sensations.
"If a really big boat passes by, it rocks the boat a little bit and you can feel it. So far, it's only rained a couple of days since we've been here, and during those times, you can feel it a bit more. But overall, 99% of the time it’s very stable and you really don’t feel anything at all. Although I must say, I’m a deep sleeper, so maybe for people who have lighter sleep, it could wake them up at night. But it hasn’t happened to me. So no, it doesn’t rock that much."
To end this nautical chronicle, we leave you with a reflection from Catherine, who says that studies show that being near a large body of water exponentially increases calm:
“The main benefit is that we can see Vyšehrad from the window. If we’re lying in bed, we can see it lit up at night. So, the views are amazing. It’s fun having other houseboats around. And the wildlife we encounter is also quite entertaining—it’s a fun distraction when I don’t feel like working, to watch the ducks fighting outside.”
