The Košíře neighborhood, the sister of Smíchov in Prague 5, is undergoing a transformation

The Košíře neighborhood in Prague 5, located close to Smíchov, has been undergoing significant changes in recent years. Thanks to excellent accessibility, an increase in new construction and improvements in infrastructure, the neighborhood, which is home to around 16,000 residents and covers approximately 3 square kilometers, is becoming an attractive option for young couples, families and investors.

Location and transportation

The Košíře neighborhood borders other districts such as Smíchov to the north and east, Motol to the west and the neighborhoods of Jinonice and Radlice to the south. Tram lines 4 and 10 operate in the neighborhood and connect it to the center of Prague. The ride to the center takes about 15-20 minutes. Bus and train stops are available in Košíře, with convenient connections to different parts of the city. There are also bike paths and green trails in the neighborhood, which makes getting around and accessibility easier.

History and urban character

Košíře was originally an agricultural village specializing in vine growing and basket production until the second half of the 19th century. In the second half of the 19th century the area became a popular destination for wealthy city residents, who built villas and summer houses here.

The neighborhood, which became part of Prague in 1921 as a residential area for industrial workers, underwent significant development and many new buildings such as schools and hospitals were constructed. Over time this turned it into a diverse neighborhood that combines villas with apartment buildings from the 1950s to the 1980s.

Today it is also home to many embassies (such as the embassies of Indonesia and Vietnam), major educational institutions, corporate headquarters and parks (for example the Košíře-Motol nature park and the Cibulka forest park).

Architectural styles

The neighborhood is characterized by historic residential buildings worthy of preservation and green spaces alongside new developments, which gives it an interesting urban character and unique architecture, making it a popular place for both living and business.

• In the Cibulky area and on the streets Nad Zámečkem, Nad Kavalírkou and Nad Závěrkou you can find villas in the functionalist style.
• Modern and historic villas can be found on the streets Vidoula and Na Stárce, Podbělohorská or Musílkova, where the older houses combine Art Nouveau elements with early modernism.
• Elegant Art Nouveau villas (including original plasterwork, balconies and stained glass) can be found on the streets Jinonická and U Kotlářky around the Kotlářka estate.
• In Šmukyrka and the area around U Šmukyrky Street you can find villas from the early 19th and 20th centuries, some of them with rich Art Nouveau ornamentation.

The streets of the neighborhood have undergone a facelift, public spaces have been renovated and infrastructure has been upgraded. Various conservation projects have also been carried out in Košíře. For example, the former Meopta factory building has been converted into a loft-style residential project with 150 apartments, where the original units in various layouts were designed to the highest standards while preserving the building’s unique features and some of its original elements (such as staircases, doorbells, lighting and more).

Challenges and drawbacks

Plzeňská Street, the main street of the neighborhood, suffers from constant heavy traffic, but the further you move away from the main arteries, the environment becomes cleaner and greener and the air quality improves.

Another positive feature of the higher parts of the neighborhood is that the geographic contours dictate the layout of the streets. As a result, the roads tend to wind in zigzags, which slows down traffic.

Advantages of the neighborhood

• Excellent location close to the city center
• High-quality housing stock at prices that are relatively low compared to the city center or the Smíchov area
• Excellent public transport connections
• Attractive green spaces

Street guide at the micro level

Plzeňská Street – Plzeňská

The main artery of the neighborhood, combining car traffic and residential projects with ground-floor retail. The street is easy to access by car and public transport and there is ongoing real estate development and construction of new apartments, which makes it highly recommended for investment.

Jinonická Street

The street is close to the business park and has access routes for cars and bus lines.

Kavalírka area and surroundings

A green area with access to small parks, characterized by relatively old houses. Suitable for those who are interested in living in quiet residential streets.

Podbělohorská Street

A street that connects to western neighborhoods and exits to major roads. Ideal for residents who commute to work in the suburbs or drive there frequently.

Along the main streets of the neighborhood (Plzeňská and Jinonická) there are local and chain supermarkets, service shops and neighborhood businesses. New residential projects often also include commercial areas on the ground floor.

Real estate: trends and prices

In general, Prague 5 is known as a high-demand area due to a growing number of people who wish to live in this part of the city. Košíře is considered one of the quieter neighborhoods in the area, which allows properties to be purchased at relatively attractive prices given its distance from the city center.

It is important to remember that the Anděl center in Smíchov is considered one of Prague’s major business and shopping hubs, so the Košíře neighborhood, which borders these areas, offers convenient access to work in offices, start-ups and co-working spaces.

The neighborhood is considered part of the areas that are gaining momentum in the property market, especially when it comes to new projects that offer energy-efficient housing, lower operating costs, parking, outdoor spaces (balconies, terraces, gardens) and greenery around the buildings.

At the same time, apartments in residential blocks, especially at the western edge of the neighborhood and along Plzeňská Street, are more affordable yet still popular, as they are usually well built and in good locations.

Leisure, culture and dining

Cafés and restaurants

There is a friendly local café in the neighborhood called Tomcat Coffee. Another neighborhood café/bistro is DUO Café & Bistro, known for its pleasant atmosphere, cakes, coffee drinks and convenient opening hours.

As for restaurants, there is FILEMA Greek Cuisine, an authentic Greek restaurant focusing on Mediterranean cuisine. In addition there are several other pubs and restaurants in the neighborhood.

Klamovka Park, located in the neighborhood, includes Klamovka Restaurant, which also serves as an event venue, hosting live shows, music performances, community gatherings and more.

Sports

The neighborhood has public sports grounds. There are five courts here for basketball, football, table tennis and more. Green areas such as the Košíře-Motol Park are used for running, nature walks and outdoor exercise.

In addition, there are smaller parks in the neighborhood, such as Kinského zahrada, the Cibulka area and the green surroundings of Motol.

Who will enjoy living here?

The neighborhood suits a wide range of residents: athletes, families with children and dog owners, thanks to the many parks in the area. They also benefit from a full range of public services, with plenty of shops, restaurants and primary and secondary schools.

It is important to remember that the neighborhood is located near Prague’s ring road, which provides fast and easy connections to the city’s main routes. This makes living here ideal also for those who need to travel outside Prague frequently.

Košíře in Prague 5 offers many advantages, from high quality of life to excellent accessibility to the center of Prague. The neighborhood is in a constant process of renewal, which makes it an attractive option for both living and investment.

If you would like to learn more about available properties or arrange a tour of the neighborhood, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you choose your next property in Košíře.