Sei sulla pagina 1di 116

Discover Prague!

An InsIders GuIde to VIsItInG BeAutIful PrAGue

Lin
sfers H o t

e: 800 8
70
8 8 8 Pra

an

www.prague-airport-transfers.co.uk

gu

rp e A i o r t tr

do I need to pre-book this tour? Yes, please call us toll-free on: 800 870 888 or +420 222 554 211, send a text to +420 777 777 237 or book online at www.prague-airport-transfers.co.uk.

speciaL offers for prague tours


superior tour of prague
full day in Prague on foot, by river boat and by tram. Includes lunch, drinks, a boat cruise and a tram ride. Pickup from your hotel from 10.20 to 10.40am. Daily in a small group led by professional licensed guides who make sure that you will be entertained!

Per Person. norMAl PrICe CZK 1500 pLus get a free paY Just cZk 770 ur HoteL. one-waY pickup froM Yo

Inclusive of 1 hour cruise with refreshment

Wow, Prague in a day! This walk is a unique combination of the very best aspects of each of our walks. Moving from the magic little web of alleys in the OLD TOWN past the important milestones in the history of the JEWISH QUARTER and Wenceslas Square in the NEW TOWN, the site of astonishing protests and uprisings, we come to the river. Here we can enjoy a comfortable cruise that shows us the most romantic spots of Prague, such as the LESSER TOWN or Prague Castle, from most unusual angles. Then we board the tram to ascend the hill to PRAGUE CASTLE. As we stroll around the Jewish Ghetto we can look into Jewish traditions and history. The ghetto is formed of small houses and narrow alleys and attracts tourists with its unique monuments - the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Old-New Synagogue (still in use), and the Jewish Museum. We admire the rich history of the Old Town with the marvellous Church of St. James, the medieval customs yard Ungelt, the Estates Theatre where Mozarts Don Giovanni was introduced to the world, and the Charles University, the oldest one in Central Europe. On Wenceslas Square we see where the Velvet Revolution occurred in 1989. After a typical Czech lunch served in a nice restaurant we take our cruise. Prague Castle crowning the top of a picturesque hill, the Lesser Town, the Church of St.Nicholas - a jewel of the Baroque, Charles Bridge - the oldest one in Prague, the National Theatre... Get unsurpassed views of all Pragues treasures from the river! After the cruise we come to the Castle, the real heart of Prague. Your guide takes you through all the courtyards, shows you the Old Royal Palace, the Basilica of St.George, the Royal Garden, the Golden Lane... and the architectural gem of St.Vitus Cathedral. On this tour with a great guide, you can peer into the past from the 21st century.

www.prague-airport-transfers.co.uk

Discover Prague!

contents
INTRODUCTION 2 3 BEST TIME TO VISIT 4 HISTORY OF PRAGUE5 ANNUAL EVENTS AND FESTIVALS6 7 TRIP PLANNING8 9 SAFETY 10 11 SUGGESTED ITINERARIES 12 15 ACTIVITIES 16 17 TRANSPORTATION 18 23 SHOPPING 24 27 EATING / RESTAURANTS 28 35 Cheap Restaurants, Top Price Range, Czech Traditional Restaurants, Vegetarian Restaurants, Famous Cafs PUBS AND BARS 36 41 Good places to have a beer in Prague, Typical beer snacks, Best bars ENTERTAINMENT / NIGHTLIFE 42 55 Cocktail bars, Tasting Czech Beer, Discos, Rock Clubs, Blues and Jazz, Blues Sklep, Adult Clubs, Casinos, Massage, Cinema, The Performing Arts, Tickets and reservations, Best Theatres in Prague, Best Museums in Prague, Galleries ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES wITH CHILDREN 56 57 ATTRACTIONS THE BEST TO SEE 58 90 Prague Castle, Loreta, Strahov Monastery, Old Town Square, Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square, Municipal House, Old Jewish Quarter Josefov, Franz Kafkas Birthplace, Petn Hill, Church of Our Lady Victorious, St. Nicholas Church, Dancing House, Vyehrad CITY TOURS 90 95 DAY TRIPS 96 107 wHERE, wHEN AND HOw TO JOIN US 108 109 THE CZECH LANGUAGE 110 111 DISCLAIMER 112

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

IntRoDUctIon
INTRODUCTION

To enjoy the city to the fullest, regardless if you are visiting Prague just for a short time or for a full week, our guide will be there to help you discover the best of it Our simple travel guide, pack with essential information, is here to make your visit to Prague enjoyable by suggesting where to go, what to see, how to get there, what to avoid and where to drink famous Czech beer and sample Bohemian traditional local food But, be also prepared to abandon our suggested sightseeing itineraries and wander wherever your mood takes you Just take our guide and a map, and explore Dont overlook the small side streets and courtyards where Prague is often at its most charming Dont worry about getting lost, Pragues center is quite compact and best explored by foot, however, when you get tired, take the tram or the metro Public transportation is very efficient, cheap and among the best in Europe Spend time in our pubs and cafs, do some shopping, take a few romantic photos over the Charles Bridge, all-the-while, marveling at the beauty of a thousand spires that has already attracted millions of tour groups Prague was under communist rule for over 40 years and seldom visited by tourists until after the Velvet Revolution on November 17,1989 From the moment freedom came to the streets, the city started enjoying a huge

n Charles Bridge

Discover Prague!

INTRODUCTION

n Astronomical Clock, Old Town Square

economic boom; even more so after the Czech Republic joined the European Union in 2004 Now, it is very popular tourist destination according to statistics, the 6th most visited city in the Europe The city is situated on both banks of the Vltava River in central Bohemia Prague is the Czech Republics capital and the cradle of Czech culture Many famous writers, artists, athletes, sports players, models, and film directors were born here Prague has a huge number of buildings of special architectural interest In 1992, the historical core of the city, covering 866 hectares (334 square miles), was listed in the UNESCO world Cultural and Natural Heritage Register No matter where you go, you will discover parts of the citys multilayer history dating back to the Holy Roman Empire, the Hapsburg Empire, the first Czechoslovak Republic (1918), the Nazi Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, the Communist Republic of Czechoslovakia to the present time of a democratic Czech Republic The city was undamaged by wwII and can now offer you an unforgettable experience just by walking through the Baroque, Rococo and Art Nouveau redeveloped streets

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Best tIMe to VIsIt


Prague has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters Probably the best time to visit Prague is around May and September when the weather is not too hot or cold and the city is not overcrowded It is not unusual during the summer for temperatures to eventually reach as high as 35C (95F); in the winter, it can be as cold as -15C (5F) The average high temperature from May to September is 22C (72F) with an average low of 12C (54F), and on average, 7 hours of sunshine per day Spring and summer are likely to be the sunniest months, while the period between May and August is the rainiest; sudden storms and showers are common, therefore dont forget your umbrella Snow is rare in Prague during the winter Rainfall is fairly regular throughout the year, with just a tad more in spring and autumn, and the very occasional summer thunderstorm If youre planning to visit Prague during the peak summer season, be prepared for crowded restaurants and hotels, and a city full of foreign tourists But, all seasons in Prague are beautiful, regardless of the weather
BesT TIme TO vIsIT

The weather in Prague can be changeable during the spring and summer, so it is worth bringing some warm clothing and a waterproof jacket as well when visiting Prague during the autumn or winter months, bring a good selection of warm clothes Probably most important is to take a pair of comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking Since many streets are still cobblestone, it can be tough on feet

clothes & Packing

n Cobblestone street

Discover Prague!

HIstoRY oF PRAGUe
Prague was first settled in the ninth century by the Pemysl dynasty, which remained in power for nearly 500 years In the mid-fourteenth century the Bohemian king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV founded Charles University in Prague He was also responsible for the construction of the renowned Charles Bridge spanning across the Vltava River, a major tourist attraction In 1526 the Hapsburgs came to power in Prague, and not until the end of world war I and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire did they relinquish control of the city In 1918 Prague became the capital of the newly formed democratic republic of Czechoslovakia In 1968 a movement known as the Prague Spring attempted a series of liberalizing reforms from within the government, only to be crushed by the warsaw Pact forces led by the Soviet Union In 1989, non-violent protests on Pragues wenceslaus Square toppled the Communist government in the Velvet Revolution (so named because of the lack of bloodshed) The new democracy elected as its president the prominent Czech playwright and philosopher Vaclav Havel, who follows in a long tradition of Prague artists, including composer Antonin Dvorak and writer Franz Kafka In 1993 Czechoslovakia split into two parts, with Prague remaining as the capital of the Czech Republic
HIsTORY / CZeCHs

At first impression Czechs might seems a bit intimidating, service in shops or restaurants provided without smiles and passengers in metro or trams looks very quiet However after you visit some pubs, socializing places, clubs or friends at their home, it is guaranteed that

cZecHs

youll get a very different impression You will be able to understand their very good sense of humour and you will value their politeness Most of Czechs are reserved, confident and quite at least until they hit the pub and not to forgot hard working, rarely aggressive or confrontational

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

AnnUAL eVents AnD FestIVALs


Date: 5 December People wander around the streets in threesomes, dressed as St Nicholas, an angel and a devil, symbolising confession, reward and punishment On this day grown men stick to the hobby of beer drinking

st. nicholas eve

During December a giant Christmas tree lights up the centre of the square, while the space around it is crammed with market stalls selling carved toys, ceramics, glass figurines, Christmas gifts, delicious gingerbread cakes, barbecued sausages and mulled wine Entertainment is provided by street performers Even if you are not there to do shopping you can enjoy watching street performers and indulge yourself in the Christmas atmosphere

christmas market on old town square

St Matthews Fair (Matjsk Pou) marks the arrival of warm weather and features cheesy rides for children at Pragues exhibition grounds at Vystaviste Admission is 50 CZK During February and March the location is Prague Exhibition Grounds (Vstavit), Holeovice A series of classical and contemporary concerts is performed in venues all over the city throughout March Date: 30 April This festival marks the end of winter and the new birth of spring Bonfires are lit to purge the winter spirits These festivals are mostly found in the countryside but can be seen at Petn Hill in Prague as well

st. Matthews Fair

ANNUAL eveNTs

International Music Festival

Witches night

Prague International Marathon

Date: May The route runs throughout the city Join the other runners from all around the world After the run finish be prepared for a great street party The whole

Discover Prague!

race is 42km (26 miles) but you can take the shorter option of the 10km (6 miles) race or even the family fun run, a 2km walk for health For the full marathon run you have to pay a registration fee of 300 to 600 CZK

rary dance and movement theatre Tanec Praha Now this festival is one of the most successful in Prague

Festival of Italian operas

Prague spring International Music Festival

Date: 12 May-3 June This is a famous series of classical music and dance performances in churches, palaces and concert halls, drawing thousands of visitors every year Enjoy a first-class symphony, opera and chamber music from talented artists The celebrations begin with a procession from Smetanas grave in Vyehrad to his namesake concert hall in Municipal House Tickets can be obtained through the official Prague Spring Box Office in the Rudolfinum, or from any branch of Ticketpro

(verdi Festival) In late August come to see this 10-day festival featuring Italian operas at the State Opera House The festival provides a chance to see very good productions outside the main opera season

ANNUAL eveNTs

International Jazz Festival

There are various venues across the city throughout June Expect beers stands and concerts at Vltava river front

United Islands of Prague

This commences in the last week in October (this week-long festival has a tradition of more than 30 years) If you like jazz, this festival should not be missed especially as you can see performances by jazz legends from all around the world, with plenty of local stars in between The festival is held in several venues across Prague but mostly at Lucerna Music Bar 17 November is a day which changed the lives of Czechs A commemoration and wreathlaying ceremony is conducted on wenceslas Square

Velvet Revolution Anniversary

Dance Prague

In June you should not miss the international festival of contempo-

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

tRIP PLAnnInG
Prague is busy almost year-round, except in January and February, which are probably the quietest months of the year Despite that fact, Prague isnt a city requiring a visitor to do extra planning or make advance bookings Most visitors book their accommodations prior arrival to get the online rates, which are much less than the normal hotel walk-in rates But, if for some reason you do not make an advance booking, Prague still has a lot of hotels and other facilities to accommodate crowds of tourists and you will always find some place to stay The recession hit Pragues hotel sector hard creating a constant oversupply of top-end hotel rooms causing many places to drop their prices and offering last minute deals in an attempt to attract customers For the modest and cheap restaurants, it is not necessary to make a reservation; in the up-scale restaurants, it is recommended you reserve a table one day in advance, or even on the morning of the same day The exception might be during New Years day, Valentines day or Easter, when one week in advance should be sufficient If you wish to attend a particular opera or classical music concert, we advise booking two or three weeks ahead to ensure seating Outside of high season, you wont have problem getting tickets from the box office just on the day of the performance If you travel to Prague on some of the low-cost airlines, it is probably the only part of your trip where earlier means cheaper, in terms of advance ticket booking

TRIP PLANNINg

Apart from hotel prices, city-center restaurants and other tourist attractions, Prague is still quite cheap and considered a bargain destination compared to other EU countries

MoneY AnD costs

Though for luxury goods, like electrical appliances, cosmetics and fashion, prices are higher here than elsewhere An average tourist will spend around 1,700 CZK per person per

Discover Prague!

day The lowest daily budget can be as low as 900 CZK if you stay at hostels, eat carry-out food and use public transportation However, if you stay in a private accommodation, eat at average restaurants and control your budget, you can get by on 2,500 CZK a day At the high end, if you stay at top-end hotels, eat at top-end restaurants and use taxis, you could easily spend 10,000 CZK a day Do not expect Prague to be extremely cheap and keep in mind that only some products and services are much cheaper here Beer, food in supermarkets and public transportation remain relative bargains compared to other European capitals Attractive hotels in downtown Prague range between 3,500 CZK and 6,000 CZK for a double room, but hotels in Prague suburbs can cost as low as 700 CZK for a single room Staying in a hostel dormitory room for one costs on average 400 CZK, but can be found for as low as 250 CZK in low season Dinner for two with some drinks at one of the fancier restaurants can cost around 2,000 CZK or at a midrange restaurant costs from 900

to 1,200 CZK Lunch in a pub can cost about 150 CZK per person and a special lunch menu in cheap eatery can cost from 60 to 100 CZK A cup of coffee in a city cafeteria is 45 CZK, but in Starbucks it is around 100 CZK A beer in a pub outside the city proper will cost around 25 CZK though in the heart of the city, this will cost up to 80 CZK; soft drinks about 35 CZK Cigarettes are still a bit cheaper than in other parts of EU, a pack of Marlboro cigarettes costs 84 CZK In supermarkets, a 05 L bottle of water costs 15 CZK, a loaf of bread from 20 CZK, liter of milk 20 CZK If you are planning to rent a car, a liter of gasoline will cost you around 32 CZK Cinema tickets cost up to 200 CZK A one-day public transportation pass costs 110 CZK, a taxi from airport to the city-center is from 500 to 650 CZ, and taxi within citycenter should cost 180 to 250 CZK If you want to lower your expenses, you should avoid city-center hotels, restaurants, night clubs and shops, or ask locals where theyre going out Visiting galleries and museums is not expensive and some of them are admission free

TRIP PLANNINg

10

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

sAFetY
Prague is a comparatively safe city; crimes of violence happen very seldom, and while the crime rate is still low, common safety precautions should be taken as petty crime is on the increase in the central areas of Prague Dont keep luggage and valuables visible in your car; you should try and remove the CD player even if it is a rented car Dont leave valuables including your passport, unattended in hotel rooms Instead, use hotel safes or better yet, leave your expensive items at home and just take your passport The biggest danger for tourists is pick-pocketing This is most common where large groups gather, ie in crowded trams or busy tourist spots when traveling, keep a photocopy of your passport and credit card information on you This way if you lose these items or have them stolen, you will be able to get replacement travel documents and access to your money According to Czech law, you have to have proof of identification with you at all times, but in reality, police very rarely ask people for identification

sAFeTY

Watch out for pickpockets

Pickpockets in Prague are very skillful They usually act in a group and target trams, metros and other crowded places Be particularly careful on trams 14, 17, 22 and 23 Incidents are more frequent during public holidays and during the Christmas season Sadly, Prague still has some of the worst taxi drivers in the world when it comes to overcharging Its

a standard warning that taxi drivers in Prague are famous for trying to rip off both tourists and locals Never take a taxi off the street From the airport, pre-book a safe taxi in advance with Prague Airport Transfers Even though the current situation is much better compared to ten years ago, you should still be aware of this and always check your bill carefully The most common scam is charging

scams in Prague Restaurants

Dishonest taxi drivers

Discover Prague!

11

for additional extras like sauces, bread, rolls or pretzels on the table Usually the menu will state the price excludes charges for bread, but the notice will be printed somewhere where it is hard to see The simple solution is if you dont want to pay for those items, then ask the wait staff to take them away Even if you dont eat it, but its on the table, you are obliged to pay In pubs if you do not get an itemized bill, do a quick rough calculation and if in doubt, ask your wait staff for a detailed bill If you pay a large bill for a group of people, its pretty easy to squeeze in a few extra dollars on your bill or they may do a wrong calculation By Czech law, the bill always includes a service charge, but does not include optional tips So the total amount on the bill will include a 10% tip, however, sometimes restaurants try to persuade customers to leave an additional 10% You do not have to unless the service was excellent In the Czech Republic smoking is prohibited at schools, cinemas, theatres, sports facilities, state offices and other public places such as bus and tram stops For example, if you smoke at a tram or bus stop you can be fined (a 1,000-CZK fine)

Health

There is no health threat when traveling to Prague The water supply in Prague is good It is considered very safe to drink water from the tap, but it is heavily chlorinated so it can have a metallic taste If you need drugs for a medical condition, go to a pharmacy, the only places that sell over-the-counter medicines They also dispense many drugs normally available only by prescription Alcohol the legal drinking age is 18 years Drugs the law in the Czech Republic forbids possessing more than a small amount of drugs Driving there is a zero blood alcohol limit tolerance

sAFeTY

Legal Matters

emergency numbers

112 General emergency number (similar to 911 in the US) Operators speak English and German This can be used for any emergency situation (police, fire brigade, or emergency medical assistance, report road accident) 150 Fire brigade 155 Medical emergency (ambulance/first aid) 156 Prague City police 158 Police

12

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

sUGGesteD ItIneRARIes
If you have only one day to explore Prague, then concentrate on the Castle District and the Lesser Town ending your walk in the heart of the Old Town Once you get to the Prague Castle Complex, visit the Gothic St Vitus Cathedral and St Georges Basilica, and pass the small picturesque houses in Golden Lane Then, descend into the Lesser Town where youll find the ancient burgher houses and the Baroque copper-domed St Nicolas Church Making your way across Charles Bridge can take as little or as much time as you like; if you enjoy souvenir stands, performers, artists, musicians, or just beautiful city views, you may want to linger awhile longer If you want to feel even more of the romantic atmosphere of the city, you might wish to jump on the Venice Boat Cruise During this short 40-minute boat cruise, you will have a chance to see Pragues architectural gems from the Vltava River The boat departure pier is just under Charles Bridge, accessible from ertovka, Kampa Island Once across the bridge, walk along the riverside and take a break at the famous Caf

Prague in one day

Slavia, on Smetanovo quay, where you can have coffee while enjoying the view over the river and up to the castle on the other side After the rest, continue walking to the Old Town Square to see the Astronomical Clock and watch The walk of the Apostles performing on the hour From there continue your walk towards Celetna Street where you can see quite a few architecturally and historically important houses, such as at the Three Kings, the white Lion, the Black Sun and the Black Madonna The most interesting one worth a visit is the House of the Black Madonna, which dates back to 1912 and houses a branch of the Czech Museum of Fine Arts with a permanent exhibition on Czech Cubism Celetna Street will eventually take you to the Powder Tower Next to the Tower is the Municipal House It is Pragues most prominent Art Nouveau building, built between 1906 and 1912 It is a popular stop for visitors drawn in by the buildings gold trimmings, stained glass, sculpture, and the regular exhibitions and concerts

sUggesTeD ITINeRARIes

Discover Prague!

13

Prague in two days

St Georges Basilica now serves as a concert hall, a delightful and popular setting for early evening classical concerts The first day walk to the Old Town Square, view the must see Astronomical Clock and visit the beautiful Gothic Church of Our Lady Before Tyn or the baroque Church of St Nicholas From there, head to the Charles Bridge to take some beautiful photos Next, climb up to the imposing Prague Castle, where St Vitus Cathedral, the Golden Lane and the Royal Garden await If you are tired of walking, you might take a tram up the hill and walk to the castle from the other side when you get hungry, make your way back to Malostranske Square and have a traditional Czech meal at one of the numerous pubs and restaurants The second day is good for laid back exploring or a leisurely walk along the river From the Old Town Square, walk to the Josefov and visit the Jewish museum, and have a coffee at the Slavia Caf or Imperial Caf In the afternoon, do some shopping around wenceslas Square In the evening you could have a few

sUggesTeD ITINeRARIes

n St. Georges basilica at Prague Castle

n Romantic view at St. Nicholas Church

pints of world famous Czech beer at the U Pinkasu pub, or if you like classical music, attend a concert at the Rudolfinum

14

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Prague in three days

For the first two days, follow our two-day itinerary And on your last day in the morning, either do: a half-day trip to the medieval Karlstejn castle visit the nearby medieval town of Kutn Hora tour the Terezn memorial stroll around some of the museums and galleries go shopping In the afternoon, have lunch in one of the Lesser Town restaurants, then take the funicular railway up to the Petn Hill It is an excellent place for a relaxing walk in the peaceful gardens with great views over the city and for even more spectacular views, dont forget to visit Petn Observation Tower If you are energetic enough, continue walking from Petn Hill to the Pohoelec (Hradany) and visit Strahov Monastery From there take a scenic tram number 22 back to the city In the evening you could visit some of the nice jazz clubs in Lesser Town If jazz is not your taste do the night river diner cruise, passing famous sights all while enjoying dinner and live music on board

sUggesTeD ITINeRARIes

n Funicular railway up to the Petin Hill

n Vrtba Garden

n Loreta, Hradany

Discover Prague!

15

Cover the sights mentioned in the three-day itinerary and then add in visits to museums, galleries, and Stromovka Park, including the Exhibition Grounds If you are energetic, do the walking tour from Letn to Trja Chteau and take the boat back into town (or vice versa) Also you will have time for a daytrip to Kutn Hora, esk Krumlov or to do the Pilsner Brewery Tour One week will give you more time to soak up the city atmosphere and you wont get bored

Prague in one week

n Baroque Chateau in Troja sUggesTeD ITINeRARIes

n Konopit Chateau

n Rent a row boat

n ertovka (Devils Stream)

16

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

ActIVItIes
Prague is bursting at the seams with things to do whether you choose the citys rich musical heritage or simply enjoy a pint of Pilsner in one of its legendary beer cellars, this is the city where there really is something for everyone Most visitors just enjoy relaxing by walking in Prague and discovering nice views, historic buildings, religious icons and famous inhabitants There is plenty of walking tours to choose from, some covering the general history of the city with others focused on specific themes the history of the Jewish community, Romanesque Prague, Gothic Prague, Baroque Prague, Renaissance Prague or Composers Prague You can join a group tour or book your own personal guide If the idea of walking does not appeal to you, you can always blend culture with comfort by taking a ride through Prague instead Horse-drawn carriages carry you at a gentle pace through the cobble-stone streets of Old Town Or you can opt for a ride in a vintage car open-top, weather permitting Generally, all tours depart from Old Town Square Riverboats are another option for seeing the city from a different angle book a lunch cruise, evening cruise with dinner or cruise with a live jazz band

ACTIvITIes

Best Place for a View over the city

Prague is a city of red rooftops, towers, and golden spires; of wooded hills and amazing views Every visitor who climbs the steps to the castle is rewarded with a great view over the city But if you want to escape the crowds, there are other lofty vantage points, including Vyehrad, Petn Hill

Tower, Letn Park, TV tower, Old Town Hall Towers and St Henrys Tower

Discover Prague!

17

Listen to some mozart the real thing at the Estates Theatre or starring puppets at the National Marionette Theatre The Estates Theatre hosted the premiere of Mozarts Don Giovanni in 1787 and this opera can still be seen here today or alternately performed by puppets at the National Marionette Theatre visit some famous traditional Czech pubs, where guests sit at plain wooden tables and wait to be served glasses of the frothy Pilsner Urquell lager On the Vltava River, you get an interesting new perspective by renting a row boat You will find boat rentals open every day from April to the end of October, from 9am to nightfall under Charles Bridge, directly across from Club Lvka, or on Slovansk Ostrov go into one of Pragues hidden churches and cloisters, which are often used for musical concerts and therefore, rehearsals Slip in through the side door, pay your respects and if possible, stay for the angelic acoustics Try the National museum, if you are a museum-goer, as it offers visitors free admission on the first

some activities tips

Monday of the month as do many other museums when you pick up the Prague Post newspaper, check for any gallery exhibition openings visit some numerous shopping malls Some are located in the heart of the city Palladium and Myslbek Centre are probably the most lavish and well-stocked in Prague They have a good range of shops like Marks & Spencer, Marlboro Classics, Kookai, Calvin Klein, Gant USA and Next, to name a few Theres even a sushi bar Take a trip, during the summer months, on Pragues historic tram 91, which can be great fun too The National Theatre, Lesser Town Square and wenceslas Square are all boarding points For families and children, the Prague zoo is best choice It covers 60 hectares (148 acres), has more than 5,000 animals in 650 species that live in the 10 pavilions and 15 outside expositions The pride of the zoo is the pavilion of the Indonesian jungle, which is the largest exposition for animals in the Czech Republic, as well as the pavilions for gorillas, giraffes, big cats, penguins or the Childrens zoo with its petting zoo

ACTIvITIes

18

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

tRAnsPoRtAtIon
Prague Airport, Ruzyn (all international flights arrive here), is located 17km (about 105 miles) from the city-center and has all the modern amenities you would expect of a European airport The journey from airport to city-center takes around 20 30 minutes by taxi, or around 55 minutes by public transport At the arrivals area, you will find the tourist information desk where you can get information There are also other desks in the airport where you can arrange a rental car or book a hotel You can also exchange your money for Czech koruna or withdraw money at an ATM It is best not to exchange money or cash travelers checks at the airport as the commission is very high; rather wait until you arrive to the city or take money from ATM instead You may want and wait to eat once you are in the city itself as the restaurants at the airport are generally overpriced wwwpragueairportcouk

Prague Airport

TRANsPORTATION

If you dont have a lot of luggage, take the No 119 bus from the airport to Dejvick Metro station From there, take the main A-line into citycenter stations There are also other buses (No100, No254 and No179) but No 119 is most convenience Due to the common public taxi overcharging phenomenon, we recommend using our cheap airport shuttle or private taxi transfer with fixed prices Simply pre-book online and travel with peace of your mind

Getting to the city

cHeAP tAXI
to tHe AIRPoRt
TAXI max. 4pax 550 CZK MINIBUS max. 8pax 790 CZK SHUTTLE 1pax 290 CZK
free phone: 8 0 0 - 8 7 0 - 8 8 8
or book online at

www.prague-airport-transfers.co.uk

Discover Prague!

19

Most tourist attractions and city sights are in a convenient location within the city and are best reached on foot or by using the cheap public transportation such as the Metro, tram and buses Pragues transportation system is very well developed, efficient and accessible, and very popular with tourists Compared with other EU countries, public transportation in Prague is quite cheap For more information about public transport, go to wwwdppcz or visit the information desks located at the airport and at selected Metro stations: Muzeum (lines A and C), Mstek (lines A and B), Andl (line B), Nadra Holeovice (line C), ern Most (line B) There you can buy tickets and travel passes, and get useful multi-lingual guides and maps to the whole transport system Bus and tram timetables are posted at every station so you know what time to expect their rides Etiquette: On Public Transportation you will be expected to give up your seat on the tram or metro to elderly or pregnant women and to children

Prague Public transport

Prague Metro

The Metro is formed by three lines: A, B, and C Lines are colorcoded and the metro operates from 5am to midnight The green line (line A) connects terminus Skalka and terminus Dejvick The yellow line connects terminus ern Most and terminus Zlin and the red line (line C) connects terminus Ldv and terminus Hje There are three cross stations: Muzeum (lines A and C), Mstek (lines B and A) and Florenc (lines C and B) Time intervals are approximately two to three minutes at rush hour and four to ten minutes off-peak

TRANsPORTATION

n Metro station Malostransk

20

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Prague trams

TRANsPORTATION

Trams are a fast way of getting around and compared to the metro, you will have the chance to see much more Tram lines are well structured and organized covering a large area of the city Daytime trams run from 4:30am till midnight in eight-to-tenminute intervals (8 to 15 minutes on weekends) Night trams (numbers 51-58) run from 12:30am until 4:30am in 30-to-40-minute intervals The central interchange tram stop-of-night trams is Lazarsk stop Trams 22 and 23 Follow one of Pragues most scenic routes, passing by the National Theatre to Staromstsk and Malostransk Metro stations, and continuing up to the Belvedr, Prague Castle and Pohoelec, with some stunning views on the way Tram 9 Other useful tram routes is No9 This tram runs across the city via wenceslas Square and onto Lesser Town

of March through mid-November The tram leaves from Steovice every hour from 12 noon till 6pm and continues through the city-center The ticket costs 35 CZK for adults, 20 CZK for children and seniors over 70

city buses

Buses mostly cover the outskirts of Prague, especially areas not covered by the tram system Daytime buses run from 430am till midnight in six-to-eight-minute intervals during peak hours, 10-to-20-minute intervals during off-peak, and 15-to-30-minute intervals on weekends Night buses (numbers 501512) run from 12:30am till 4:30am in 40-minute intervals Timetables are located at bus stops

Prague city transportation fares

Historic tram 91 The Nostalgic Tram 91 runs on weekends and holidays from the end

The Prague public transport system uses three types of tickets single tickets, transfer tickets and travel passes Passengers have to obtain their tickets before boarding a tram, bus or entering the Metro It is possible to get a ticket directly from a bus driver, but you will have to pay an extra charge Tickets can be bought from ticket

Discover Prague!

21

machines (which give instructions in English and supply change) at all metro stations and news agents A ticket must be validated (punched) at the entrance to the underground station and on the tram/bus to mark the start of the validation period Plain-clothed inspectors are frequent and will issue an onthe-spot fine of 700 CZK to anyone caught without a valid ticket or pass; controllers should show you their ID (a small metal disc) and give you a receipt Tourists are famous targets as many tourists dont know the fact that they have to validate a ticket Public transport tickets can be used on any type of public transportation and allows transfers between lines (subway to subway, tram to tram, etc) and types of transport (subway to tram, tram to bus, etc) for up to 30 minutes from validation for short ride ticket and 90 minutes for long ride ticket Ticket are also valid on night trams and buses and on the Petn funicular If you are staying in Prague for longer, it is a good idea to buy a long-term public transport pass

30 minutes ticket (short rides) Adults: 24 CZK Children 15-18 years: 12 CZK Children under 10: FREE 90 minutes ticket (long rides) Adults: 32 CZK Children 15-18 years: 16 CZK Children under 10: FREE short-term passes (unlimited travel within ticket validity) Most visitors find travel passes cost effective and hassle free If you will use public transport more than a few times a day, definitely go for one 24-hour pass: 110 CZK 3-day pass (72 hours): 310 CZK

TRANsPORTATION

taxis

Taxi service in Prague might be tricky, especially if you hail a taxi off the street, so it is good idea negotiate your fare in advance Besides that, taxis remain the most comfortable way to travel The taxi company with the best reputation is AAA Taxi, which has metered taxis all over Prague If you are going from or to the airport, pre-book a cab from Prague Airport Transfers

22

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Pragues main train station is located in the city-center on wilsonova near wenceslas Square Recently, the station was fully renovated and modernized in 2010-2011 by the Italian company Grandi Stazioni to western standards from its former dirty image of a shadowy part of Prague The station serves international trains from all countries, but especially trains on the east-west route stop here (trains from Vienna and Munich, etc) It is the largest railway station in Prague and has been operating here since 1871 Getting to the station is easy; the station is on Metro Line C (red line), and is just one stop from the top of wenceslas Square If you have a lot of luggage, we recommend you use our taxi service There is a tourist office open from 9am until 7pm (Sat and Sun only until 4pm), currency exchange offices, ATMs, luggage storage services which are provided by coin-operated lockers, and a guarded luggage depository Reservation and Ticketing It is possible to purchase tickets online at the Czech railway website 60 days prior to travel for destinations

Praha hlavn ndra

in Czech Republic and for selected destinations in the EU You can also buy them from any train station in Prague or elswhere in the Czech Republic At Pragues main train station, the ticket counters are on the basement level Most locals do not make advance reservations, and tickets are generally available to all destinations right up until the day of travel If you are in a hurry, it is also possible to buy a ticket from the conductor, but be prepared for an extra charge

TRANsPORTATION

Main Bus station

Most international connections terminate in Prague at the Florenc station, located at Metro lines B and C, in Florenc The main bus station serves all international and long distance domestic routes From here, you can get to the city-center by metro line B in about 5 minutes If you are traveling outside Prague, a bus might be quite a good option, as they are usually cheaper than traveling by train Most services are operated by SAD and Student Agency You can buy your tickets in advance, though most operators allow you also to purchase directly from the driver

Discover Prague!

23

eXcURsIons & tRAnsFeRs to otHeR cItIes TRANSFER FROM/TO PRAGUE DOWNTOWN Brno Liberec Plze Mlad Boleslav Marinsk Lzn Vienna Budapest Berlin nuremberg Dresden Krakow Passau salzburg Bratislava otHeR cItIes
1 to 4 passengers 5 to 8 passengers

CZK 3708 CZK 2280 CZK 1840 CZK 1240 CZK 3400 CZK 5958 CZK 9450 CZK 6408 CZK 5238 CZK 3000 CZK 9720 CZK 3942 CZK 6768 CZK 5904 ASK US

CZK 4635 CZK 2850 CZK 2300 CZK 1550 CZK 4250 CZK 7448 CZK 11813 CZK 8010 CZK 6548 CZK 3750 CZK 12150 CZK 4928 CZK 8460 CZK 7380 ASK US

ASK US ASK US ASK US ASK US ASK US ASK US ASK US ASK US ASK US ASK US ASK US ASK US ASK US ASK US ASK US

MORE

>9

ONE WAY

ONE WAY

TRANsPORTATION

RentAL oF LIMoUsIne Hummer H200 (max 20pax) 1hour rental 4990 CZK Lincoln tc120 (max 8pax) 1hour rental 2390 CZK Call us on free phone: 800 870 888 or book online at www.prague-airport-transfers.co.uk

24

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

sHoPPInG
Most shopping malls and arcades are located in the center of Prague in wenceslas Square, in streets Na Po, 28 jna, Nrodn tda, Vinohradsk (above the National Museum), Pask and on or close to the vicinity of Old Town Square You can find pretty much everything from clothes, electronics and music to glass and antiques Close to the tourist attractions are many shops selling souvenirs, t-shirts with Franz Kafka on them, Mucha merchandise, Russian dolls, flaunting puppets, and Czech porcelain and glass If you are looking for more unusual shopping, head down hidden passages, and to the arcades and backstreet shops of Lesser Town and Old Town In these little shops, you can find many bargains, and curious and interesting things Best buys or recommended items to look for in Prague include Bohemian glass, crystal and china, ceramics, wooden toys and local handicrafts
sHOPPINg

Czech marionettes in Prague where you can see operas that feature traditional Czech marionettes, these puppets make a good gift You may know someone who would fancy one of these eerie, but unarguably artistic creations Czech classical music classical CDs abound of the works of Czech composers, like Dvok, Smetana, Martin and Janek, as well as those of folk music and brass bands You can get them at any bookstore, as well as in many other stores in the city-center

Czech crystal, glass, porcelain and ceramics can be found in many department stores and close to tourist spots Also Czech handmade porcelain and ceramic are good gifts Bohemian glass is famous the world over for its uniqueness and quality It is sold at many places in the city-center with the prices not radically different from shop to shop Some of the shops are even able to ship abroad Absinthe You do not have to be absolutely insane to like absinthe, but the potent, chemistry-lab green spirit is 70% alcohol

Discover Prague!

25

shopping Malls

shopping mall several years ago The complex offers many exclusive designer brands, such as Tommy Hilfiger and La Perla and houses a supermarket in the basement In the atrium is a caf; it is a nice place just to sit and wait for your partner to finish shopping It is located on the corner Vinohradsk and Budesk, a 10-minute walk from wenceslas Square To get there, take Tram 11 to Vinohradsk trnice myslbek shopping gallery This small shopping mall is located in a modern building just opposite of the ern Re shopping mall It is accessible from Na Pkop Street or from Uheln Trh Square Behind a striking modern facade, this cozy and relaxing shopping gallery has 30 shops and boutiques offering mostly fashion goods, cosmetics, leather materials, ties and pearls The shopping mall also has a few restaurants inside Address: Na Pkop 19; New Town; Open: daily Mon-Sat 9am10pm & Sun 10am-7pm
sHOPPINg

n Czech marionettes

Palladium This very large shopping mall which just opened in 2007 It is located in the city-center near the Municipal House, a few minutes walk from Na pkop street There are four floors, with more than 200 shops and over 30 restaurants and cafs There is also some historical value behind the Palladium, as the foundations are associated with 12th century structures which have been integrated into the architecture of the shopping mall Address: Nmst Republiky 1; Open: daily 9am-10pm vinohradsk Paviln This former historical market hall was reconstructed into a nice

26

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

sHOPPINg

Nov smchov This is a fashionable and modern shopping center, as well as a favorite entertainment center It is located in the Smichov district about a 10-minute walk from city-center Nov Smchov is spread across three floors filled with 150 different shops, a food court and a Palace Cinema multiplex There are several style boutiques, a big computer store, plus the French food chain Carrefour There is also a huge area for parking in the basement To get there take either tram or Metro B line to Andel Address: Plzesk 8; Smchov; Open: daily 9am-9pm (restaurants until 11pm) Fashion Outlet Arena This is an outlet center where youll find dozens of shops with brands discounted 30-70% It is open daily from 10am to 8pm To get there, take Metro A to Hostivar, and from there, the shuttle bus runs directly to the Fashion Arena Address: Zamenhofova 440, trboholy; Open: daily 10am-8pm

moser It is very well know and respected Bohemian glassmaker Moser was founded in Karlovy Vary in 1857 and is famous for its rich and flamboyant designs Visit their shop on Na Pkop located at the House of the Black Rose Address: Na Pkop 12, New Town; Open: daily 10am-8pm

n Czech Art Deco glass and crystal

czech currency

The monetary unit of the Czech Republic is the Koruna esk (K) or Czech crown Coins are only in nominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 crowns Banknotes come in 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 crowns

Discover Prague!

27

LONDON HARRODS PARIS LAFAYETTE PRAGUE

PALLADIUM
ULTIMATE DOWNTOWN SHOPPING MALL
180 180 shops 8

sHOPPINg

20 restaurants 0

op open 7 days a week p rig right downtown Prague n nmst Republiky

www.palladiumpraha.cz

28

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

eAtInG / RestAURAnts
Visitors to Prague often miss out on the best of traditional Czech cuisine which is heavily meat-based, but also quite diverse Dont miss this, unless you are a vegetarian A typical national dish is pork, cabbage and dumplings (vepo-knedlo-zelo) which must be accompanied with a pint of beer (or two), the most typical Czech beverage The national dish is composed of roast pork, knedlky (bread-like dumplings which is a kind of gnocchi made of bread), gravy and sauerkraut (pickled cabbage) The reason why it gained so much popularity is because of its balanced taste, with the sour taste of sauerkraut a perfect complement to the salty taste of the meat Other popular choices to try are roast duck or Svkov na smetan sirloin beef in cream sauce with bread dumplings and garnished with cranberries Czech cuisine also adopted schnitzels (breaded and fried chicken or pork patties) from Vienna, goulash (meat in gravy with bread dumplings) from Hungary and other things like sour cream, vinegar, sour vegetables and pickles probably from the East As mentioned earlier, most Czech dishes are quite filling and mild, however, fresh salads are still quite rare The one exception are fresh veggies found on nearly every menu is opsk salt, also called balkansk salt It is a small bowl of chopped bell peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers in sweet vinegar with a salty white cheese grated and liberally sprinkled on top Among grab-and-go foods, brambork (a garlic-seasoned fried potato pancake) is a quick, if not greasy, local favorite The same goes for for smaen sr (fried cheese) Fried cheese was, for a long time, practically the only vegetarian dish served at restaurants Today, the range of meatless dishes is definitely much wider The hotdog in a roll, sausages and kebabs are sold from kiosk windows around the city and are a reliable bridge between an early lunch and late dinner

eATINg / ResTAURANTs

Discover Prague!

29

Cheap restaurants are not hard to find, but can be less frequent around tourist spots Generally, prices in cheap restaurants range from 100 CZK to 250 CZK for dinner and beer Most of them serve delicious Czech, Italian or American style dishes Yes, it is also possible to eat extremely cheap at some local Chinese restaurants for around 80 CZK for a lunch, but dont expect a large portion A meal at McDonald or KFC will cost you 100 CZK Also, most of the cheap restaurants do not accept credit cards Bohemia Bagel A wide variety of fresh bagels, sandwiches and homemade soups are available here, as well as bottomless cups of coffee we recommend you try the muffins, brownies and cheesecakes They have two locations one at jezd 16, Lesser Town (open daily 7am-2am) and another location at Masn 2, Old Town (open Mon-Fri 7am-midnight and SatSun 8am-midnight) Prices range: 40-150 CZK

cHeAP RestAURAnts

Pizza Coloseum This is a place for pizza and pasta It is usually crowded, but is great for a pre-movie dinner Located at Vodikova 32 in New Town, it is open Mon-Sat 11:30am-11:30pm; Sun noon11:30pm Prices range from 100300 CZK Kva Kva Kva For best and cheap coffee accompanied by toasted bagels, croissants, cakes and pastries dont go anywhere else Free wiFi
eATINg / ResTAURANTs

Open: 7am-10pm Mon-Fri, 9am10pm Sat & Sun; Address: Passage Platz, Nrodn tda 37

n Sirloin of beef with cream sauce and bread dumplings

30

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

toP PRIce RAnGe

eATINg / ResTAURANTs

500-1,500 CZK If money is not an issue, you can sample some of the best gourmet restaurants in Prague Our personal recommendations are the restaurants: Bellevue, with unparalleled views of Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge; Pravda, with striking and innovative minimalist interior; Celste, for its excellent French cuisine and views of the Prague skyline The stunning castle view from the Allegro Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel is also great experience For seafood specialties, try Restaurant Ryb Trh Although not cheap, the dishes are an amazing combination of art and taste

Kampa Park Kampa Park is an excellent choice, especially in the summer when diners can eat beside the Vltava River Superb Scandinavian seafood and seasonal specialties are among the top choices at this posh riverside restaurant weekday lunches offer great value and are especially popular Prices range from 500-1,000 CZK They are located at Na Kamp 8b, Lesser Town (Kampa Island) and open daily 11:30am-11pm (bar is open 11:30am-1am) Bellevue Stunning views of the castle and river complement the outstanding world-class, carefully crafted continental cuisine, served up in an atmosphere of formal elegance There is also a lovely summer terrace Fancied by families, couples and businesses alike, the Bellevue is considered to be one of the top places to eat Located at Smetanovo nbe 18, Prague 1, they are open Mon-Sat noon-3pm and 5:30pm-11pm; Sun 11am-3pm for brunch and 7-11pm otherwise Prices start at 1,000 CZK and up

Discover Prague!

31

Cleste This restaurant offers one of the best French cuisines in Prague and is located on the top floor of one of Pragues most famous modern landmarks, the Dancing Building (Tanen Dm), Ranovo nbe 80, Prague 2 There are amazing views of the city from both the inside dining room and the rooftop terrace Recommended are red snapper la Provenal, tournedos de boeuf with Barnaise sauce and young rabbit in mustard sauce Prices start at 700 CZK and up It is open Mon-Fri noon-2pm and 7:30pm-10:30pm (no lunch on Mondays) Pravda This is hip from the inventors of fine dining in Prague Gracefully cool service complements the marvelous dishes Recommended are Cajun crawfish, Vietnamese new spring rolls and Scandinavian marinated salmon in mustard sauce They are located at Pask 17, Old Town and open 11:30am1am Their dishes range in price from 1,000 to 1,200 CZK

U maltzskch ryt This restaurant dining rooms with candlelit tables, are housed in a Gothic and Romanesque cellar making them continental, cosy, romantic and gracious Recommended dishes include filet mignon, venison Chateaubriand, roast wild boar with rosehip sauce and homemade apple strudel Open daily from 11am-11pm, and located at Prokopsk 10 (off Karmelitsk) in Lesser Town, prices range from 800 -1,000 CZK
eATINg / ResTAURANTs

Terasa U Zlat studn The food is a clear highlight of this restaurant but the views across the red-tiled rooftops of Lesser Town are stunning The kitchen, which has French, Mediterranean and Asian influences also include fois gras, monk fish, royal pigeon, traditional French bouillabaisse, chocolate almond cake and homemade ice cream Address: U Zlat Studn 4; Lesser Town; Open: noon-11pm; A La Carte menu 720-1150 CZK; Degustation menu at 2100 CZK

32

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

cZecH tRADItIonAL RestAURAnts

Budvarka This is not far from the Dejvick Metro station, but worlds apart from most pubs when it comes to food service There are some creative items on the menu, including an appetizer spread of pork cracklings (with decent bread) and goose liver rolled in almonds and cooked in red wine It is better, indeed, than many three-star restaurants Oh, and with Bud beer on tap naturally All their fare is inexpensive
eATINg / ResTAURANTs

Lokl Part of the successful Ambiente chain of inventive restaurants, Lokl has championed the Slow Food movement here in the Czech Republic, turning out quality, reasonable moderately priced Czech plates think livers, fried cheese, svkov served in a trendy space, with free-flowing Pilsner and a lively, upbeat pub atmosphere Located in Old Town at Dlouh 33, Old Town, they are open daily 11am1am Klokovna Run by the Pilsner Urquell brewery, Kolkovna is a stylish, modern take on the traditional Prague beer hall decorated with historical photos and advertisements, and old tools and artefacts traditionally used in beer brewing The food is reasonably priced, with a large selection of traditional Czech fare such as roast duck and pork, Moravian sparrow, goulash and venison Main courses are served with traditional side dishes such as dumplings, and red and white cabbages, along with mashed potatoes and fries Address: V Kolkovn 8; Old Town; Open: 11am-midnight

They are open daily from 11am to midnight and located at wuchterlova 22, Dejvice U sdl The restaurant has a middle-age decor, complete with suits of armor and weaponry on the wall Their kitchen produces outstanding tenderloin, hearty soups and other burly fare, but with a certain je ne sais quoi, that is moderately priced The food is really excellent and the portions are big Located at Klimentsk 2 in New Town, and open daily 11am-1am Price range: 150-300 CZK

Discover Prague!

33

La Degustation Bohme Team of chefs and ptissiers prepare three tasting menus consisting of seven courses supplemented with seven amuse-bouches Come to the best traditional meals of Czech culinary art from the end of the 19th century inspired by masterful techniques of the culinary personality Marie B Svobodova Visit their website for a menu selection using organic ingredients from Czech farms and small produce providers Their expensive fare is located at Hatalska 753/18, Old Town, and open Mon-Sat 5pm-midnight CzecHouse grill The Hilton Pragues flagship restaurant features Czech specialties as well contemporary European cuisine In this vast room inside the Hilton, Chef Roman Paulus concentrates on upscale, modern versions of classics, but throws in a few twists, such as an over-thetop USDA prime beef tartare with caviar Other than the less-thanstellar view of a parking lot and office building, theres nothing disappointing about this place

Located at Poben 1, Karln (inside the Hilton Hotel), they are open daily 6pm-11pm and for lunch Mon-Fri noon until 3pm Their prices are rated as expensive Caf savoy Located at Vtzn 1, Smchov, just off Legions Bridge, this is a pictureperfect Victorian-era caf Even if the food was marginal, which it isnt, it would be recommended for the setting, dcor and ornate ceiling Theres a feeling of casual sophistication about the place and dishes from entres to desserts match the scene approachable, yet better than the norm Address: Vitzn 1, Smchov Their moderately priced food is served Mon-Fri 8am-10:30pm and SatSun 9am-10:30pm

eATINg / ResTAURANTs

n Restaurant-ptisserie Caf Savoy

34

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

There are not many 100% pure vegetarian restaurants in Prague, so if you are searching for one, its good to know that many restaurants which appear in vegetarian directories are often mixed restaurants, serving both meat and only a few veggie dishes Except for well-known vegan restaurants like Country Life and Govinda, check the ingredients in the dishes, as its not unusual for your potential veggie meal to include pork govinda vegetarian Club A vegan restaurants (two locations) run by the Hare Krishnas cheap, quick, and tasty Various kinds of Indian specialties and other meals inspired by western culinary art are served The addresses are Soukenick 27, Prague 1 & Na hrzi 5, Prague 8 They are open in both locations MonFri 11am-5pm and Sat 8am-5pm Country Life This cafteria-like or buffet-style vegetarian food hall offers a variety of ready-made selections, including sandwiches, salads, veggie burgers

VeGetARIAn RestAURAnts

and veggie goulash The extra healthy unprocessed, unrefined, nondairy food is charged according to weight This place gets really busy, but dont get frightened by the long line it moves quickly It also has a health food store where you can pick up some items to cook at home with a non-smoking environment, it is located at Jungmannova 1, Prague 1 and Melantrichova 15, Prague 1 Both locations are open 9am-8pm Mon-Thu, 9am-6pm Fri and 11am-8pm Sun Lehka Hlava (Clear Head) Excellent and cheap vegetarian cuisine featuring specials, tapas, soups, salads, desserts, pasta, main entres, fresh juices, and other beverages No eggs are used The interior is unique, with each room having a different theme; a small colorful contemporary room, a warm orange room with fish tank, and a blue heaven room where the ceiling is decorated with stars with a non-smoking environment, it is located at Melantrichova 15, Prague 1 Open 10:30am-7:30pm Mon-Thu, 10:30am-3pm Fri and noon-8pm Sun

eATINg / ResTAURANTs

Discover Prague!

35

Caf Imperial This endearingly shabby yet grand Habsburg era caf has retained its original, over-the-top 20th century cream-and-mustard ceramic tiled decor and colourful mosaic ceiling The locals clearly approve of its unpretentious air too and the free doughnuts go down a treat There is live jazz on Friday and Saturdays evenings Address: Na poii 15, New Town; Open: daily 9am-11pm Caf slavia This is the most famous Cafe in Prague: a cherry-wood and onyx shrine to Art Deco elegance, with polished limestone-topped tables and big windows overlooking the river and National Theatre just across the street Indulge in your cup of coffee while watching the city pass by The menu offers some great cream cakes, fresh salads, pastas and vegetarian dishes Address: corner of Smetanovo nbe and Nrodn; Open: daily 8am-midnight

FAMoUs cAFs

municipal House Coffee Come for the atmosphere as well as the treats This Art Nouveau caf on the ground floor of Municipal House is one of the most elegant in town Location: Nmst Republiky 5, New Town; Open: 730am-11pm

The basic 5%-15% is appreciated, but not mandatory Also, many Czechs just round the bill up Leave cash on the table if you thought the service was good, or say Dobry when paying your waiter; it means OK, as in keep the change Or, when handing over the money, just say how much cash you would like back If you say nothing, you will receive the exact change Some restaurants add a service fee to the final amount, so the tip is included If you are unsure, just ask Also, if you are unsure about any items on the check, it is wise to ask It can be hard to figure out exactly what you are being charged for, and mistakes are not uncommon Even today, some establishments try to rip off tourists

tIPPInG In RestAURAnts

eATINg / CAFes

36

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

PUBs AnD BARs


Beer is the essence of any Czech culinary attitude Czechs like to drink and a few years ago, they were the biggest drinking nation in the world And when you want spend all night drinking, you have plenty of choices as there are more than 800 pubs in Prague; a few have existed for centuries Unfortunately, genuine Czech pub culture has developed drastically during the last decade and some historic pubs are now highly overpriced and have since forced out local drinkers due to the high cost It means a lot more attention has to be paid in selecting places to visit, if you want to avoid the unpleasant experience of paying four times as much as necessary You might already heard that Czechs brew some of the worlds best beers So where better to enjoy these pale, golden lagers and rarer dark varieties than in a traditional Czech pub And once you choose from the recommended places listed below, and order your first pint and start drinking, dont be surprised if your glass is replenished without even asking Thats part of the Czech tradition Another tradition is sharing a table its not unusual if someone asks you if they can share a table with you, and of course, you are expected say yes
PUBs AND BARs

U Zlatho Tygra (The golden Tiger) This is quite an old drinking hall with cool beer prices, just 30 CZK for liter of the frothy Pilsner Urquell lager when Bill Clinton visited the Czech Republic, Vclav Havel showed him this pub to see a real Czech Pub The average beer tourist may find it hard to get a seat in this popular locals hangout, so make

GooD PLAces to HAVe A BeeR In PRAGUe

sure you get there early as seats fill up quickly Have a pint while standing at the bar, if all the seats are taken or reserved for regular patrons This is one of the worlds greatest beer bars, so treat it and its regular patrons with appreciation Located in Old Town at Husova 17, Prague 1; Open daily from 3pm11pm; Prices: 36 CZK per 05L of Pilsner Urquell

Discover Prague!

37

n Live Music at U Flek

U Flek On the premises of the oldest Czech brewery in Prague, this pub and microbrewery is more expensive than other places, but in return, you are drinking special dark beer brewed right on location while enjoying live music and chatting with tourists from all over the world The front faade of the 12th-century building is unique in that it has an old, highly-decorated clock above its door 13 black beer (04L) known as Flek costs 59 CZK Beware the waiter asking if you want to try a Becherovka itll add 80 CZK to the bill U Flek is located in New Town at Kemencova 11 Open: daily 9am-11pm

U Pinkas The first Prague pub to serve Pilsner Urquell (in 1843), it is still a place recommended for great and reasonably-priced Czech meals The interior is spartan, but the back patio is a surprising enclave, surrounded by ruins and divided into distinct open-air rooms; it welcomes boisterous groups (you may hear impromptu singing) or those seeking a more romantic place Located in New Town at Jungmannovo nmst 16, close to the underground station Mstek Open 11am-11pm daily
PUBs AND BARs

Pivovarsk Dm The food is average, but the beer is experimental and very good This place is definitely worth a few pints, with a nice atmosphere and friendly service Locals gather here to sample the classic Czech lager and it gets crowded, so expect to wait if you come at dinner time This brew-pub located at Lpov 15, New Town, close to Charles Square Open: 11am-11:30pm

38

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Pivn galerie This is a bar and bottle shop together They have a few beers on draft, along with hundreds of bottles of different Czech beer If youre not sure which one to choose, ask the staff for help The bar is located away from the city-center, about a kilometer (about 2/3 of a mile) from the Holesovice station Because of its location, many foreigners never find this very friendly bar with its great atmosphere Address: U Prhonu 9, Holeovice; Open: Tue-Sun noon-130pm & 3pm-8pm The strahov monastic Brewery (Kltern Pivovar) This microbrewery is located close to the Prague Castle (Strahov Monastery); it serves simple meals and famous Czech beers Pub serves up two varieties of its St Norbert beer dark, a rich, tarry brew with a creamy head, and amber, a full-bodied, hoppy lager It might be a bit more expensive by Czech standards, but is still a bargain for travelers Address: Strahovsk ndvo 301, Strahov; Open: daily 11am-10pm
PUBs AND BARs

Ferdinanda This establishment has two centrally located restaurants one in Lesser Town and the other in New Town Ferdinanda serves the tasty and unique Ferdinanda beer, or try the Sedm Kul (Seven Bullets), which is an excellent Vienna-style beer Of course, they also have a good selection of pilsners and lagers The food is different from what you will find in other similar places, and the staff is very friendly Prices are very reasonable The New Town location is on the corner of Opletalova and Politickch vz Their Lesser Town location is at Karmelitsk 18 Open: daily 11am-11pm Les moules Caf This restaurant/caf serves a large selection of Belgian beers, including Stella Artois, Chimay and Hoegaarden From the food menu, try some delicious seafood It is located only a few steps from the Jewish Museum located at Pask 19, Josefov Open: daily 11:30am-12pm It is a bit pricier compared to other pubs

Discover Prague!

39

U medvdk Some bars in Prague have veered towards the tourist currency, however, U Medvdk, has retained its traditional charm and is still very much a favourite with Czech locals This is a straightforward Czech pub and easily large enough to accommodate everyone Address: Na Pertn 7, Old Town; Open: beer hall 11:30am-11pm, museum noon-10pm Novomstsk pivovar This popular local beerhal is located just a few blocks from wenceslas Square If you havent booked, youll be lucky to get a table Address: Vodikova 20, New Town; Open: 8am-11:30pm MonFri, 11:30am-11:30pm Sat, noon10pm Sun Hostinec U Kocoura This long-established pub is located on the tourist route at Nerudova It is very famous with cheap beer and is often crowded Address: Nerudova 2, Lesser Town; Open: daily 11am-11pm

Utopenec (Drowned man) socalled because it consists of soft, strong, spicy sausage filled with onion and spicy paprika, seasoned with pepper and covered or drowned in a liquid made from water, vinegar and salt After several days in cold storage, the smoked meat becomes a spicy delicacy Pivn sr a little cream is added to dairy cheese and it is whipped up into a froth into which a small amount of fresh garlic is pressed Topinka it is a piece of dark bread fried in salt, garlic and lard or oil It is traditionally served with scrambled eggs, grated cheese, meat mixture, or spicy cheese spread Pickled Hermeln Hermelin is a camembert-type cheese This one has been marinated in oil with onion, garlic, hot peppers and spices

tYPIcAL BeeR snAcKs

PUBs AND BARs

survival Beer Dictionary Beer PIVO Brewery PIVOVAR Dark beer TMAV / ERN Pale beer SVTL Draft beer TOEN PIVO

40

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Best BARs

There are three types of bars unique to Prague the traditional Czech pub with perfect local atmosphere and usually cheap beer, western-style bars serving trendy but expansive cocktails, and the casino bars which are a 24-hour combination bar-casino These below are our favorites

Bugsys Bar An old reliable place, where trendy and hip crowds gather every night, it shakes, stirs and tosses the best cocktails in town Their drink list is about the length of The Great Gatsby and fun to read with over 300 different kinds of drinks listed It is open daily 7pm-2am at Kosten 2 (off Pask) in Old Town Caffreys Irish Bar Here you will find a casual atmosphere and full menu at Old Town Square Guinness, Kilkenny and Bulmers are all available Located at Old Town Square 10, their hours are Sun-Thu 9am-1am, Fri-Sat 9am-2am ZanziBar Serving dry martinis, margaritas and other staples, mixed well by Prague standards Decor is more Malibu-pink and Vegas-neon than Zanzibar though wednesday night is Ladies night and they are open daily 2pm-2am at Lzesk 6, Lesser Town

Bombay Cocktail Bar Only a few steps from the Old Town Square you can find this busy, popular music bar It is quite small with a tiny dance floor Regardless of its size, it has a good atmosphere and the best cocktails in town guaranteed Thanks to its location in the Old Town at Dlouh 13, this bar attracts mainly international travelers Bombay is a nice place with exposed brickwork, high ceilings and archways separating the bar from the dance area They play part music from the 80s, 90s, and today and are open Mon-wed 5pm -4am; Thur 5pm -5am; Fri-Sat 5pm -6am They play part music from the 80s, 90s and today Address: Dlouh 13; Open Monwed 5pm-4am, Thu 5pm-5amm Fri-Sat 5pm-6am

PUBs AND BARs

Discover Prague!

41

Double Trouble Club This is a bar and club with small party atmosphere and huge cocktail list No one is going to be shocked by people dancing on tables or seats, or even on the bar Actually, this is the norm here Partake in the fun at Melantrichova 17, Prague 1 Open: 7pm-5am Paddy Reilly This is a pricey sports bar, but worth it if you like a lot of big-screen action Sharp, shapely wait staff serve free bowls of popcorn at Ve Smekch 21, New Town Hoursare noon-2am daily

czech Beer
The love of beer is one of several character that the Czechs share with the British Czech thinks that their beer is the best in the world Czech beer tends to be more full-bodied and more bitter than foreign brews, and always arouses the desire for more The most famous beers are Pilsener Urquell and gambrinus from Plze (Pilsen), Budvar from esk Budjovice (Budweis), staropramen and Kruovice.

czech spirits
If you prefer Spirits, all the wellknown ones are available, the most popular amongst Czech people being vodka followed by rum and fernet Fernet is a dark herbal bitter drink Becherovka is another herbal spirit, originally from the Bohemian spa town of Karlovy Vary Another spirit you may come across is borovicka (a juniper-flavoured spirit with the influence of an Italian grappa) and myslivec If you will be invited to someones home you might be offered Slivovice which is mostly homemade brandy made from plums
PUBs AND BARs

42

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

enteRtAInMent / nIGHtLIFe
Prague offers large number activities how to spend your free time There are theatres, museums, concerts, recitals of classical music, festivals, exhibitions, galleries, music clubs, entertainment for children every visitor will surely find something to his taste For night-time entertainment Prague also offers a huge range of options There are shows, concerts, jazz, theatre, cabaret, pubs, a casino, nightclubs and strip clubs to be discovered, relished, tasted and enjoyed right through to the early hours of the morning The nightlife scene cant quite match London and other big cities, but that can be a good thing too in terms of price and less crowds

eNTeRTAINmeNT / NIgHTLIFe

There are a number of sophisticated cocktail bars in the center of Prague Try Tretters bar, near Old Town Square, which has a classic atmosphere with a friendly bar staff Also in the area are Zapa Bar and Bugsys, which are very good choices too Behind the Tyn Church on Old Town Square, there is Tynska Bar and Books ZanziBar in Lesser Town is good choice if you wish to visit some of Pragues VIP bars; high prices and standards are guaranteed

cocktail bars

tasting czech Beer

Pilsner Urquell and Budvar are the best-known brands So if you

want something really special, try going to Kolkovna, near Old Town Square at V kolkovn 8, which is popular amongst expats This restaurant serves fresh unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell on tap a very tasty brew The food and Czech cuisine is a little more expensive than a local-oriented pub, but many find it is worth the visit But be warned, the large restaurant is often full Other recommend places for hanging out and drinking great beer with your food are: Pivovarsk Dm on Jen and not far from wenceslas Square, U Vejvod near Nrodn Tda, and the historic brewery U Flek near Charles Square

Discover Prague!

43

Discos

There are some real discos in Prague Radost FX is a very good club with a long-lasting popularity, situated close to IP Pavlova station This club has many visiting star DJs for their dance floor downstairs Upstairs, it is a lounge and vegetarian restaurant If you like funk and techno, then Roxy is the best club in town, located close to Namst Republiky station Karlovy Lzn is a mega club near the Charles Bridge, with four different dance floors on different levels, each floor dedicated to a different music genre this club is very popular especially among tourists Duplex on wenceslas Square is another disco popular with foreign teenagers and even stag-party stragglers La Fabrique has a couple of dance floors, and is near wenceslas Square also, making it another good centrally-located option If you want to feel more Czech atmosphere, try the club N11 (meloun), which is also near wenceslas Square and popular with the locals Lucerna music Club on wenceslas Square is a fairly large club and it regularly fills to capacity Another favourite of young people is M1 Secret Lounge on Masn, near Old

Town Square The crowd is generally a mix of well-off young Czechs and expat students Duplex Duplex is one of Pragues most popular nightclubs with huge dance hall It is a combination of nightclub, caf and restaurant During the day the 6th-floor terrace restaurant is a great place for coffee and to enjoy the views Night offers a view overlooking the lights of wenceslas Square It is located at wenceslas Square 21, New Town Open: 10pm-5am mecca One of the best in Prague Very fashionable club (former warehouse), featuring industrial-chic, house and techno music to dance to Located at Prhonu 3, Holeovice Open: 10pm-6am wed-Sat; women admitted free until midnight Karlovy Lzn Located close to the Charles Bridge at Novotnho lvka in Old Town, this is another huge and very cool night club Each floor has its own style, from chill out to hard

eNTeRTAINmeNT / NIgHTLIFe

44

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

core trance; live bands at ground level, dance to classic disco on first floor (Discotheque), rock to 1960s and 70s music on the second floor (Kaleidoskop), or house and techno on the third floor (Paradogs) Address: Smetanovo nbe 198; Prague 1; Open: 9pm-5am; Admission: 120 CZK RadostFX This very famous club features top local and international DJs Exquisite sofas, mosaic-topped tables A caf serving great veggie food and cheesecakes, a Moroccan lounge in the back for relaxation, and downstairs dance club that only gets going after late hours
eNTeRTAINmeNT / NIgHTLIFe

Roxy Arrive around midnight when the fun starts in the best club in town, if funk and techno is your favorite Located at Dlouh 33, Prague 1

Rock clubs

Located close to the underground IP Pavlova station at Blehradsk 120, Vinohrady La Fabrique Disco with a couple of dance floors for people of all ages located in Old Town at Uheln trh 2 Disco with a couple of dance floors for people of all ages Address: Uheln trh 2; Old Town

Under the communist regime, rock and roll was banned, as it was considered too pro-western Pragues rock scene was dominated by dissidentera rock bands and highly influential international acts, like the Velvet Underground and the Rolling Stones But since 1989 after the Velvet Revolution, the independent rock and roll scene has flourished and evolved here Now the city offers many different rock venues to get your fix of a little bit of good ol rock and roll Clubs such as Futurum, Klub 007, Strahov, Bunkr, Palc Akropolis and Roxy usually host live rock bands

Rock Caf This is a nice live music disco open Mon-Fri 10pm-3am; Sat 7pm3am The clubs ground floor houses Jim Beam Bar, an internet caf, concert hall, CD bazaar, and a store selling recording and sound equipment The Absolut Bar (of course offering

Discover Prague!

45

the complete assortment of Absolut vodka), a movie theater, and a gallery are located in the basement Get to their location by taking the Metro B to Narodni Tida 20 in Old Town Their admission charge is from 50 to 100 CZK music Bar Futurum Futurum is quite a large club, having a capacity for 500 people, with a large bar occupying the longest wall next to the dance floor It is primarily a rock club and because of its size, it is a venue for large bands to play large in fame of course, not a band with a giant drummer and yeti guitarist to fill the large dance hall There are 80s and 90s parties every Friday and Saturday which specialize in showing old video clips on a large screen Their address is Zborovsk 7, Prague 5 They are open daily 8pm3am; concerts start around 9pm Admission costs start at 100 CZK

with just a few tables You might want to check the their performance schedule on the internet and book ahead if you can The same goes for Ungelt Jazz and Blues club, behind the Tyn Church One of the oldest jazz clubs in Prague is the Reduta Jazz Club located at Nrodn tda 20 Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club A tiny club situated in the 15th-century cellar of a Renaissance building A mix of blues, funk and jazz supplied by top Czech performers They featured live shows every night Located at Tn 2 in Old Town

U star Pan

At the Old Lady is a sophisticated cellar jazz club that attracts serious names from all over the world Located at Michalska 9 in Old Town

eNTeRTAINmeNT / NIgHTLIFe

Blues and Jazz

For blues and/or jazz, some good performances can be caught at U Malho Glena, near Old Town Square The performance area is very small

One of the citys newer jazz clubs A mix of blues, jazz and deep funk is played here Address: Lilliov 10, Old Town; Open: 6pm-2am, live concerts at 9pm; Admission: 100 CZK

Blues sklep

46

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

n Prague Airport Transfers can prepare a stripper in your limousine

a professional presentation The VIP lounge comes with numerous brands of Champagne The all night party includes exotic dancers, a lesbian show, stage show and private parties There is free entry, two for one beers and many other offers Address: wenceslas Square 21; New Town; Open: 8:30pm-5:00am

eNTeRTAINmeNT / NIgHTLIFe

The side streets near wenceslas Square (especially Perlov Street) are full of strip clubs This is Pragues small red light district Pickpockets can be a problem in this area at night The most famous and most expensive strip clubs are Goldfingers, located under the Ambassador Hotel, Darling Cabaret at Ve Smekch 31 and K5 Relax at Korunn 5 Almost all strip clubs offer private strip shows and even more whatever you fancy Generally all strip clubs charge entrance fees, so unless you have a promotion leaflet with a free entrance offer, expect to pay anything from 200 CZK up to 600 CZK Drinks are usually much more expensive compared to the ordinary pubs or night clubs Hot Peppers This exclusive club is located next to the disco Duplex and comes with

Adult clubs

casinos

Most casinos in Prague are open from evening until early morning and some dont close at all Minimum bets start at 20 CZK with some offering free drinks for players Players need to be over 18, obviously well-dressed and have some ID

Casino President They offer free soft drinks if you gamble This new and luxurious casino, located in the Hotel President at nm Curieovch 100, features roulette, black jack, punto banco and poker daily from 6pm-4am Ambassador Casino Open non-stop with Roulette, black jack, punto banco, poker and slot machines Visit their location at wenceslas Square 5-7, Prague 1

Discover Prague!

47

mandarin Oriental spa The only spa in the world located in a former Renaissance chapel offering a unique spiritual space to begin your journey to equilibrium For complete privacy guests can retreat in their robes through an underground passageway linked directly to the main building and their rooms Address: Nebovidsk 459, Lesser Town; Open: Mon-Sun 10am8:30pm Thai Fit One of the oldest in Prague The aroma of the adjacent Siam Orchid restaurant adds to the ambience of this great place and inspires you with what to do post massage Eat! They also tantalize the senses with herbal, oil, chocolate and lava stone massages, and once youre limbered up, you can join one of their yoga courses or just lounge a bit longer in the sauna The price is 600 CZK for a one-hour traditional Thai massage Address: Na Po 21 or Vodikova 4, New Town; Open: 9am-9pm

Massage

Prague has numerous cinemas, many located in newly-built shopping malls, some showing first run international films along with some Czech films Admission is from 90 CZK to 200 CZK Hollywood blockbusters may be dubbed into Czech, but other films are mostly shown in their original language Prague is not only popular for tourists but also many international movies have been shot here, such as Mission Impossible, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Amadeus, Everything is Illuminated, Oliver Twist, Hellboy and many others) Full listings of movies shown in Pragues cinemas are published in the Night & Day section of the Prague Post newspaper Palace Cinema slovansk Dm Ten-screen cinema in a great location close to wenceslas Square in the shopping mall, Slovansk Dm Lucerna One of the oldest cinemas in town, seating over 500 people, located just off wenceslas Square in Lucerna passageway

cinema

eNTeRTAINmeNT / NIgHTLIFe

48

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

eNTeRTAINmeNT / NIgHTLIFe

Classical music Prague has two well-known established concert halls the Dvok Hall in Rudolfnum and the Smetana Hall in the Municipal House but it is possible to find concerts of classical music all around the city Among the most renowned concert halls are Bertramka (Museum of Mozart) and Atrium in ikov Also popular are concerts and recitals of classical music held in churches and palaces Regular concerts take place on the steps of the National Museum and during the summer in some of Pragues gardens The Czech Republic has produced a few famous composers, including Dvok, Martin, Smetana, Janek and Mahler Mozart also liked to perform in Prague because of his relationship with the city Prague has four theatres where opera is performed and a few orchestras, the most famous being the Czech Philharmonic (esk Filharmonie) located at the Rudolfnum Opera The two major companies, the National and the State, both per-

the Performing Arts

form exclusively in their own theatres the National Opera Company in the National Theatre; the State Opera Company at the State Opera The latter presents popular performances in predominantly classical Italian repertoire, always in the original language Tickets should be bought in advance The National Opera Company has a more experimental repertoire and most of its operas are performed in Czech To view a Czech opera, by Czech composers Smetana or Dvok, the National Theatre is your best opportunity A lesser known opera company based at the Estates Theatre performs mainly classical, Italian operas in the original language Opera tickets for top-price seats range from 1,000 CZK to 1,300 CZK which makes seeing an opera in Prague more accessible than most European cities state Opera (sttn Opera) North of the museum, along wilsonova and next to the Parliament building, is the massive building of the Prague State Opera (Sttn opera) The State Opera was first opened in 1888 as the Neues Deutches Theatre (as

Discover Prague!

49

a Prague German stage with the performance of wagners opera, The Mastersingers of Nrnberg) Shortly after this time we built our own national theatre Bohemian-born composer Gustav Mahlar, brought traffic to a standstill while conducting the premiere of his Seventh Symphony It is one of three important venues for opera in Prague, the others being the National Theatre and the Estates Theatre Most State Opera performances are from the Italian repertoire those of Donizetti, Rossini, Verdi and Puccini with the occasional inclusion of Russian, German and French oeuvres (works of a composer) each season At festive times, particularly leading up to Christmas, the Prague State Opera departs from opera and ballet to become the grand setting for a series of wonderful classical music concerts The venue is extremely popular and advance booking is advisable and often essential Among the exceptional artists who performed here were directors Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, Felix Mottl, Arthur Nikisch and Felix weingartner, as well as soloists Anna Bahr-Mildenburg,

Berta Lauterer-Foerster, Maria Jeritza, Nellie Melba, Karl Burian, Enrico Caruso, Benjamino Gigli, Jan Kiepura, Richard Kubla, and Tino Pattiera Advance tickets can be purchased through Bohemia Ticket and Ticketpro and range in price from 100 CZK to 1,150 CZK (100 CZK to 500 CZK for a ballet) The doorsare open 10am-7pm Mon-Fri; Sat 9am-1pm Performances usually begin at 7pm

tickets and reservations

Even if you think you have to pre-book your tickets for classical music, opera, theatre or ballet, or even some rock concerts, you might be lucky enough to buy tickets half an hour before the show (or at the theatre box office itself) But, to take advantage of booking ahead and have peace of mind, you will find plenty of agencies that deal with venues, opera and concert booking (generally all accepting credit cards with no surcharge) Generally, all venues offer some discounts for students, children and the disabled

eNTeRTAINmeNT / NIgHTLIFe

50

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Best theatres in Prague

Theatre etiquette whistling is not considered a positive form of applause: its equivalent to booing Dressing up for the theatre is customary, but is no longer a strict rule You should however, refrain from wearing trainers when attending a classical concert or opera, on the other hand, you must be in formal dress The National Theatre The most fabulous of all Czech theatres is The National Theatre in Prague; it became the symbol of the Czech national revival period Funding for its construction was raised through a nation-wide public collection Building began in 1868 according to the plans of architect J Zitek However, in 1881, just as its construction was finally nearing to its end, the theatre burned The

reconstruction took two years and finally on November 18, 1883, the National Theatre was inaugurated with the Czech opera Libue composed by Bedich Smetana Decoration of both exterior and interior is a work of leading Czech artists M Ale, F eniek, V Hynais, JV Myslbek and others

eNTeRTAINmeNT / NIgHTLIFe

n National Theatre interior

Today, the National Theatre consists of three art ensembles opera, ballet and drama which perform at three places: in the original building of The National Theatre, in The Estates Theatre and in The Kolowrat Theatre Located at Nrodn tda 2, New Town The box-office is open Mon-Sun 10am-6pm Tickets cost about 1,200 CZK

n National Theatre at night

Discover Prague!

51

n The night view of old Estates Theatre

Image Theatre Come to the theatre where dancers will express their unspoken, disturbed emotions and overcome the laws of physics in front of your eyes Music will bring the inanimate to life, tragedy will change into comedy and the unbelievable will become real Moreover, your imagination will be fully awakened Located in Pask 4 in Old Town Performances start at 8pm Tickets prices are generally around 450 CZK National marionette Theatre National Marionette Theatre has a long tradition in popular entertainment in Prague Puppets and costumed actors perform classical operas like versions of Mozarts famous opera of operas, Don Giovanni, as well as some lighter fare like the enchanting story of The Magic Flute Another interesting performance is the Puppet Gala Performance, a mix of the puppeteers finest works This authentic theatre is located in Old Town at ateck 1 Come to see some of the great performances starting at 8pm

estates Theatre The Estates Theatre is the oldest theatre in Prague, famed as the place where Mozart conducted the premiere of Don Giovanni on 29 October 1787 Mozartissimo a medley of highlights from several of Mozarts operas, including Don Giovanni is performed here several times a week in the summer; see their website for the exact performances showing; the rest of the year sees various opera, ballet and drama productions The theatre is equipped for the hearing-impaired and has wheelchair access (wheelchair bookings can be made up to five days in advance) The theatre is located at Ovocn trh 6 in Old Town You can buy tickets up to 1,200 CZK from any National Theatre box office

eNTeRTAINmeNT / NIgHTLIFe

52

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

The National museum The National Museum, the largest museum in Czech Republic, houses the following permanent exhibit collections: Prehistory of Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia; Mineralogy and Petrology, Palaeontology; Zoology, Anthropology Human Bones are speaking; Osteological collections (Skeletons of mammals)

Best Museums in Prague

At sometime, a long-term Exhibition of the Numismatics Department Orders and Decorations of European Countries in the 19th and early 20th centuries takes place Museum is located at wenceslas Square 68 Admission is free the 1st Monday of each month; otherwise admission is 100 CZK They are open daily during the low season from 10am-6pm; summer hours are daily from 9am-5pm; the first Tuesday of every month, the museum is closed museum of Communism The museum is the only one of its kind in Prague and is also rated as a top tourist attraction by visitors to Prague It presents the atmosphere of the communist era in Czechoslovakia and Prague in particular The layout follows the origins, dreams and reality of communism as well as the nightmares of interrogation and imprisonment There is photography, video, sounds and displays as well as text in several world languages They are open daily from 9am-9pm including holidays Their building is found at Prague 1, Savarin Palace-first floor, Na pkop 10

eNTeRTAINmeNT / NIgHTLIFe n National Museum interior

Discover Prague!

53

welcome
FREE ENTRY EVERY DAY BEST STAG NIGHT IN PRAGUE AMAZING GIRLS HOT DRINKS SEXY PERFORMANCE SPECIAL OFFERS
NIgHTLIFe

54

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

The National Technical museum This houses exhibits from the sciences, like acoustics and astronomy, and also of means of transportation and time measurement Address: Kosteln 42, Prague 7 Hours of operation are Tue-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat, Sun and holidays 10am-6pm Wax museum Prague There are over 60 wax figures of personalities of Czech and world history, politics, science, culture and sports The museum has two branches The wax Museum of Czech History is located at Mosteck 18, Prague 1 and The wax Museum of world Personalities is at Melantrichova 5, Prague 1 Both are open daily from 9am-8pm museum of Decorative Arts Here you will find stories of materials, such as glass, ceramics, commercial art, furniture, textiles, books and placards Location: ul 17 listopadu 2, Prague 1 They are open daily Tue 10am-7pm (every Tue 5-7pm, entrance is free), wed-Sun 10am-6pm

n Cubist House of the Black Madonna

The museum of Czech Cubism The poque of cubism within world culture applied mostly to paintings and sculptures its architectural primacy is in Prague Located at the House at the Black Madonna, Ovocn trh 19, New Town Open from 10am-6pm daily Addmission: 100 CZK The Lobkowicz Palace Built in 1570, this palace houses an exquisite collection of Czech history and old master paintings by Canaletto, Brueghel, Velzquez and others You can admire there one of the most important collections of arms in Central Europe and original manuscripts by Mozart and Beethoven They are open daily, 9am-5pm, except Mon; on the first wednesday of each month, entry is free

eNTeRTAINmeNT / NIgHTLIFe

Discover Prague!

55

Prague is filled with numerous amazing art galleries, which are often forgotten by tourists If you are visiting for just a short time there might be other places on your list which you may want to visit first, but some galleries might just be on the way when you stroll around, and many are admission free so why not take a look? The National Gallery comprises many buildings around Prague and is famous worldwide for its collections Prague Castle gallery Picture Gallery of Prague Castle (Obrazrna Praskho hradu) was founded in 1965 Today the gallery houses paintings from the 16th to the 18th centuries The highlights of the gallery are: Guido Renis The Centaur Nessus Abducting Deianeira; Titians The Toilet of a Young Lady; and Rubens The Assembly of the Olympic Gods There are also sculptures and paintings by Czech baroque artists and many of Rudolf IIs (1575-1611) best paintings Address: Prague Castle Second Courtyard; Open: daily 10am-6pm; Admission: 100 CZK

GALLeRIes

Kinsk Palace Palace host permanent collection of prints and drawings Kinsky Palace was built between 1755 and 1765 by Anselmo Lurago from designs by Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer, it is the most beautiful Rococo building in Prague In 1768 it was bought by Stepan Kinsky, an Imperial diplomat In February 1948 Klement Gottwald proclaimed communist rule in Czechoslovakia from the palace balcony Nowadays, the Kinsky palace belongs to the National Gallery Address: Tnsk ulika 606/3; Old Town; Open: daily except Monday 10am-6pm; Admission: 100 CZK st. Agnes Convent St Agnes Convent hosts permanent rxhibition of Medieval Art in Bohemia and Central Europe Among the highlights are works by artists: the Master of the Vy Brod Altar, and Master Theodoric, Master of the Michle Madonna, Master Theodoric, Master of the Litomerice Altar, Master of the Altar of the Knights of the Cross) Address: U milosrdnch 17, Josefov; Open: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm; Admission: 150 CZK
eNTeRTAINmeNT / NIgHTLIFe

56

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

ActIVItIes FoR FAMILIes WItH cHILDRen


If you are planning to come to Prague with children there are many places which allow them to enjoy the great architecture or just walk in Old Prague Town just as much as you can The Czech attitude to kids is generally very positive Here are some tips Rent a rowing boat on the Vltava river Stromovka Park and Zoo Petn Hill Childrens theatre (Puppet Show) Prague parks Museum of miniature (displaying miracles of miniatures) National Technical Museum (old trains, planes, etc ) SeaWorld

ACTIvITIes FOR FAmILIes WITH CHILDReN

Puppet show tip

There is a puppet theatre that has daily shows for children but all performances are in Czech Puppet Theatre Jiskra, Klapkova 26, Prague 8 (take tram number 10, 14, 17, 24, or 5 and get off at Ke Strce) Or visit show at Don Giovanni Marionette Opera, Kinsky Palace, Old Town or National Marionette Theatre, ateck 1, Josefov

The widespread Exhibition Grounds have a traditional funfair, the Seaworld aquarium, a swimming pool and a planetarium, which presents several shows daily Location: Vstavit, Holeovice

Vstavit exhibition Grounds

Dtsk ostrov

The Vltava river is the perfect place to spend an hour or two pedal boating with kids, if the weather is nice we had a great time, pedalling under each bridge and exploring the river You can rent pedal boats at Charles Bridge, Mnesv Bridge and ofn Island (on the Old Town side, also called Slovansk Island)

Pedal-boating tip

Enclosed playground on a small island just off the Lesser Town side of the Vltava river Entry is possible from Jankovo nbe (Jirskv brisge), Lesser Town If youre put off by the rather uninspiring name, then dont be, as a visit to Pragues Technical Museum is a rewarding experience without doubt, the most impressive displays

national technical Museum

Discover Prague!

57

are found in the large Transport Hall, crammed full of vintage trains, planes and automobiles Among the many exhibits here are examples of Czech engineering at its best Skoda for example was one of the foremost engineering companies in Europe before wwII Elsewhere, theres a large display of film and photographic equipment, while the mining technology exhibit recreates the workings of a coal/ore mine in the museums basement Address: Kosteln 42, Praha 7, Holeovice

Prague Zoo

toy Museum

Close to Golden Lane is this nice little place with lots of antique trains, teddy bears and dolls, complete with English-language signs on most of them There are not many things children are allowed to touch, but there are plenty of mysterious mechanical objects, such as music boxes and steam-powered toys, for the kids to speculate about There is a Barbie exhibit on the second floor, which is quite interesting Location: Prauge Castle; Open: daily 9:30am 5:30pm

For nature and animals lovers, Prague Zoo is the perfect place to visit (elected as the 7th best zoo in the world by Forbes magazine) The zoo is open all year round and is located in the picturesque environment of the Trja Basin Its diverse terrain makes it possible to walk through both shady groves and open, grassy plains There are an ever-growing number of exhibition lots that blend with the natural landscape To make your trip to the zoo more pleasant, a popular series of informative feedings and training exercises have been prepared for weekends, along with many other interesting programmes There is also a small chair lift that will, no doubt, be entertaining for children Address: U Trojskho zmku 3/120, Trja; Open: daily 9am-7pm in summer and until 4pm in winter months Getting there: take a bus no 112 from the underground station of Ndra Holeovice (line C); get off at Zoologick zahrada, last stop In the summer months, PPS is operating boat which serves the zoological garden Boats sail daily from Na Frantiku quay every hour

ACTIvITIes FOR FAmILIes WITH CHILDReN

58

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

AttRActIons tHe Best to see


Prague castle
Prague Castle looks almost like a small town itself It is the largest ancient castle in the world at 570m (1,870 feet) long and on average 128m (419 feet) wide It is also where the Czech kings, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of the Czech Republic used to have their offices Therefore, it is not surprising this is the most visited tourist attraction in Prague Prague Castle is a sprawling complex situated atop a large hill on the left bank of the Vltava River, which runs through the old town of Prague The neighborhood of the Prague Castle is called Hradany It is not exactly a classic castle because portions of it were built in different styles and it spreads out more horizontally than vertically But inside the majestic castle, there are many sights and attractions The main feature is StVitus cathedral, an interesting 14th century Gothic structure adorned with fascinating gargoyles easily be seen from ground level Inside St Vitus are some very elaborate tombs, redolent of Czech history It is worthwhile to climb to the top of the bell tower, which takes you to the highest point inside the castle From the top, there are fabulous views of the castle and the Old Town of Prague

n Prague Castle Courtyard View

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

n St. Vitus Cathedral

Discover Prague!

59

old and new toys The changing of the palace guard is an entertaining affair (every hour on the hour at the main gate) a sort of poor mans version of Londons Buckingham Palace routine

seat of the President


n Golden Lane at the Prague Castle

elsewhere around the castle are further places of interest: Golden Lane, a series of small, colorful shops that originally served as housing for the palace guards; the throne room for the reigning kings of Bohemia a great hall that looks like it hasnt changed in 500 years; the outstanding monument of St Georges Basilica; the Czech art museum, and a short walk away is Lobkowicz Palace Beyond Golden Lane, the Daliborka Tower is named after a nobleman who was imprisoned here on suspicion of complicity in a peasants revolt In the Mihulka (Powder Tower), alchemists were once employed to discover the secret of turning base metals into gold Theres also a toy museum, which really has nothing to do with the castle, but contains some very interesting

Prague Castle is a seat of the President of the Republic It is also historical and political center of the city and our state Two monumental statues of battling Titans over the front gate set the mood as you enter into the vast castle complex, which includes a palace, three churches, royal stables, a monastery and of course, the manicured surrounding gardens Supreme and towering over Prague is the magnificent and huge St Vitus cathedral The castle dates back to the 9th
ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

Prague castle History

n Wallenstein Garden bellow the Prague Castle

60

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

century when Prince Boivoj founded and fortified a settlement here During the 12th century, a Romanesque palace was built, and rebuilt in Gothic style, during Charles IV reign in the 14th century The last reconstruction of the Royal palace was made under the rule of the Jagellons at the end of the 15th century In that time the famous Vladislav Hall was built, constructed in late Gothic style (1497 to 1500, by the builder Benedikt Rejt) An enlargement of the castle took place in 16th century after a big fire in 1541 The Spanish Hall in a new part of the castle was built in the reign of Rudolf 11, and it assumed its final form later on, during the reign of Empress Maria Theresia (1743 1780) It is designed according to the plans of architect M Pacassi After world war 1, the interior and gardens of the castle were redesigned by architect J Plenk

How to get to Prague castle

getting There on Foot As a starting point, we recommend the Metro station Malostransk (line A), located just below Prague Castle From there you will step up on the Old Castle Stairway (Star zameck schody) and directly to the castle gate Another recommended option is from Lesser Town Square via Nerudova Street a bit of a steep walk too You will end up in front of the main entrance to the Castle This option is not suitable for less energetic seniors getting There by Tram If you prefer not to do such a steep walk up Old Castle Stairway, you can take either tram No22 or No23 up to the hill to the get off at the stop for Prask Hrad Other tram stops include: Krlovsk letohrdek (Belveder) start with the Royal Garden, Belveder and Ballgame Hall, then cross the Deer Moat bridge to get to the Second Courtyard The Royal Garden and Deer Moat are closed from November through March Pohoelec walk to the Castle through Hradany and you will arrive at the main entrance

changing of the guards

The changing of the guards at Prague Castle takes place every hour on the hour from 5am to 11pm; at noon sharp it is accompanied by a solemn fanfare

Discover Prague!

61

Chapel of st. vitus Cathedral

62

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

entrance fees Entrance fees are required for a few selected areas, but visitors can walk freely through the grounds and even into the larger portion of the cathedral A collective ticket can be purchased at the information office Allow a minimum of four hours for a visit Other information can be found on the official website for Prague Castle The neighborhood of Prague Castle is called Hradany Long visit ticket (price 350 CZK): Cathedral of St Vitus, Old Royal Palace, permanent exhibition The Story of Prague Castle, St Georges Basilica, Convent of St George National Gallery, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower, Prague Castle Picture Gallery, Powder Tower, Rosenberg Palace short visit ticket (price 250 CZK): Cathedral of St Vitus, Old Royal Palace, St Georges Basilica, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower Exhibition The Story of Prague Castle, Prague Castle Picture Gallery, Powder Tower, Rosenberg Palace, Great South Tower of Cathedral of St Vitus Prague Castle Opening hours During the summer season (Ap-

ril September), the Castle complex is open daily from 5:00am to midnight Places where tickets are required are open from 9am to 6pm Prague Castle Gardens together with Deer Moat are open according to the months: April and October from 10am to 6pm; May and September from 9am to 7pm; August from 9am to 8pm; June and July from 9am to 9pm During the winter season (October March), the Castle complex is open daily from 6am to 11pm Places where tickets are required are open from 9am to 4pm Prague Castle Gardens, including the Deer Moat and the Riding School Terrace, are closed Prague Castle Tips Do not miss Golden Lane but, if you are tempted do some shopping there, be aware this is the most expensive shopping area in the whole of Prague followed by Pask Street Dining or even lunch at Prague Castle can be very nice, but surely very expensive too If you are visiting the castle with children, you might wish to visit the Toy Museum The Information Center is located in the third courtyard

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

Discover Prague!

63

This pretty baroque shrine has been a place of pilgrimage since 1626, when it was endowed by a Bohemian noblewoman, Kateina of Lobkowicz The Loreta shrine was inspired by a medieval legend In 1278, so the story goes, the Virgin Marys house in Nazareth was miraculously transported by angels to Loreto in Italy and thus saved from the Infidel The Marian cult became an important propaganda weapon of the Counter-Reformation and, following the defeat of the Protestants at the Battle of the white Mountain in 1620, some 50 other Loreto shrines were founded in Bohemia and Moravia The heart of the Loreta is the Santa Casa, a replica of the Virgins relocated house Sumptuously decorated, it incorporates a beam and several bricks from the Italian original On the silver altar (behind a grille) is a small ebony statue of the Virgin The rich stucco reliefs, depicting scenes from the lives of the prophets, are by Italian artists The much larger Church of the Nativity was designed by Kilian Dientzenhofer between 1734 and 1735, with ceiling frescoes by Vc-

Loreta

lav Reiner and Johann Schopf Less edifying are the gruesome remains of saints Felicissimus and Marcia, complete with wax death masks The cloisters, originally 17th century but with an upper storey added by Dientzenhofer in the 1740s, once provided overnight shelter for pilgrims In the corner chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows is a diverting painting of St Starosta, a bearded lady who prayed for facial hair to put off an unwanted suitor, only to be crucified by her father whose plans for her wedding were thwarted The Loreta treasury has a famed collection of vestments and other religious objects, including a diamond monstrance made in Vienna in 1699, which glitters with 6,200 precious stones Address: Loretnsk nmst 7, Hradany; Open Tue-Sun 9am12:15pm & 1pm-4:30pm

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

64

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

The monastery, which became known as the Strahov monastery, was not much of a success until 1143, when a group of Premonstratensians settled here The Premonstratensians are a Roman Catholic order of canons founded in 1120 by St Norbert They are also known as the Norbertians or white Canons During communist times, the monastery was closed and many monks were imprisoned Later after the communism regime collapsed, they returned here in 1990 The monastery area includes the Church of St Roch, Church of Our Lady of Ascension, where Mozart is said to have played the organ in the church in 1787, Strahov Picture Gallery and the unique Strahov Library The magnificent library is located in large halls and decorated with Baroque ceiling frescos It is the largest monastic library in the country with two baroque halls and is more than 800 years old The library contains more than 130,000 volumes, including 2,500 books published before the year 1500, along with 3,000 manuscripts The oldest book is the 9th-century Strahov Gospel Other works include those of

strahov Monastery

n The Amazing Strahov Library Interior

famous printers such as Christoffel Plantin from Antwerp Theres a two-story high Philosophy Hall dating back to 1780 and its entire ceiling is covered with a delightful composition entitled The Spiritual Development of Mankind by Franz Maulbertsch The lobby outside the hall contains a Cabinet of Curiosities which you simply must see This corridor takes you to Theology Hall (with a curved ceiling in Baroque stucco work) dating from 1679, built by Giovanni Orsi Theology Hall has walls lined with elaborately carved bookcases, stacked with precious volumes and manuscripts write your name on a grain of rice at the Miniature Museum Library Open: 9am-noon & 1-5pm; Admission: 80 CZK; Picture Gallery Open: 9am-noon & 12:30pm- 5pm; Admission: 60 CZK

Discover Prague!

65

Hradany / Prague Castle

66

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

The square had always been a lively place; today it is a popular part of the town for both Czechs and visitors from abroad, as it offers plenty of restaurants, pubs, shops, entertainment, galleries and museums Its long history goes back to the 11th century when the square formed the crossroads of several long-distance trade routes and served as a marketplace It was known across the whole of Europe at that time while sitting at some outdoor cafs or strolling around, dont miss the view of beautiful pastel-colored buildings of Romanesque or Gothic origin with fascinating signs The most notable sights here are the Church of our Lady at Tn and the Astronomical Clock Tower The historic rooms of the town hall, tower and Gothic chapel are open to the public The Jan Hus statue is the centerpiece among a variety of surrounding historical buildings The statue was erected on 6 July 1915 to mark the 500th anniversary of the reformers death The groundswell of supporters for his beliefs during the 14th and 15th centuries eventually led to the Hussite wars

old town square

n City Hall at Old Town Square

Despite the initial outcry at the modern style of the sculpture, the statue stands as a symbol of Czech identity

Discover Prague!

67

Astronomical clock

The most popular part of the tower is the town hall clock Pragues Astronomical Clock is one of the oldest and most elaborate clocks ever built The tower dates back to 1338, however the clock was first installed in 1410; the clock was rebuilt by the Master Hanu in 1490 The clock is composed of three main components: the astronomical dial, representing the position of the sun and moon in the sky and displaying various astronomical details, The walk of the Apostles, a clockwork hourly show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures, and a calendar dial with medallions representing the months The clock is a very entertaining tourist attraction You can you watch twelve apostles appear every hour from 9am to 9pm in its upper section

Huge crowds gather well in advance to watch this performance During the day, the clock performs on the hour The figure of Death rings a bell and the 12 Apostles appear above A cock crows and time is up for the Turk, who shakes his head in disbelief, the Miser, who eyes his bag of gold, and Vanity, who admires himself in a mirror The Prague Information Service (PIS) provides information about concerts, performances, and other happenings in the city PIS also sells public transport tickets Location: Old Town Square 1, Old Town Hall; Open: 9am-7pm AprOct, 9am-6pm Nov-Mar

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

n The Astronomical Clock is entertaining to watch

68

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Do not miss exploring streets surrounding Old Town Square where almost every building throws up some highlight The Old Town Hall (Staromstsk radnice) is a curious amalgamation of buildings in different architectural styles its earliest elements date from the 14th century and expanded as Prague grew in importance The town hall was badly damaged in world war II and was rebuilt over many years Its tower is 695m high and worth the climb for splendid views House at the Two golden Bears (Dm u Dvou Zlatch Medvd), situated at the corner of Melantrichova and Kon Street, is one of them The building was constructed from two earlier houses in 1567 It is also one of the oldest houses in Prague The house has beautiful Renaissance arcades dating from the 16th century and ornate portal with reliefs of two bears, by the court architect Bonifaz wohlmut The house At the minute in Pragues Old Town Square is a typical Prague Renaissance house,

Around the square

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

adorned with much sgraffiti The famous writer Franz Kafka lived there with his parents at the end of the 19th century The house At the Minute was connected with the neighbouring Pecoldovsky house and house At the Cockerel, and it was added to the Prague Old Town City Hall complex stone Bell House is unique Town Palace with Original Gothic Appearance is perhaps the most attractive building in the Old Town Square The Stone Bell House hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and also musical events run by the City Gallery of Prague If you go from the square to Charles Bridge you will most likely pass through Karlova (Charles Street) as this is the most direct route Look out for outstanding Baroque Clamgallas Palace Named after the wealthy patron of the arts Vclav Gallas it was built by Johann Bernhard Fischer of Erlach (between 1713 and 1719) There are statues made by Matthias Bernhard Braun and a theatre where Beethoven performed some of his works The palace has been restored and today it houses the Municipal Archives of Prague

Discover Prague!

69

s Wencesla

square

Old Town square

Charles Bridge

70

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

charles Bridge

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

The 13th century Charles Bridge is usually packed with tourists and Czechs alike, especially during the spring and summer months Charles Bridge surely ranks as the most important tourist attractions in the city and should be the first item on your list of sights to see Early morning is the best time to experience a less crowded walk, although a romantic evening walk through the impressively lit streets of Prague by night is nice too Expect hundreds of souvenir stands as well as an endless variety of street musicians playing their hearts out for you as you stroll across However, dont get too carried away by the pleasures because you might just have your pockets picked (actually, this is not a big danger just be aware of the risk and youll be fine) The famous Charles Bridge crosses the Vltava River in Prague This solid-land connection made Prague important as a trade route between east and west Europe The bridge was originally called the Stone Bridge or the Prague Bridge but has been the Charles Bridge since 1870

King Charles IVs favorite architect and builder Peter Parl, originally built the present-day bridge The initial idea was to build a functional construction for jousting tournaments, and for many years the only decoration on the bridge was a simple crucifix, but later the desire of the Catholics for ornamentation resulted in 30 statues being built between 1600 to 1800 AD Today most of the statues are copies, due to damage caused by various floods and catastrophes over the centuries There are now 75 statues and perhaps the most interesting, and oldest, is that of John Nepomuk (number 8 from the right as you cross towards the castle) The Bridge, which is 516 meters (1,692 feet) long, contains 16 pillars and 3 bridge towers One of the towers, the Old Town Bridge Tower, is considered to be the most beautiful bridge tower in Europe due to its rich sculptural decoration Thirty sculptures decorating the bridge date back mainly from the baroque period from the 18th century The most remarkable was one created by Maty Braun and E M Brokoff

Discover Prague!

Lesse r Town s

quare

Old Town square

Charles Bridge
71

72

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Wenceslas square

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

The south end of Na pkop meets wenceslas Square (Vclvsk nmst) the 750-meter (2,460 feet) long and 60-meter (196) wide boulevard It was first laid out over 600 years ago in the Charles IV period when it was used as a horse market Since then, the square has been a regular parade ground for every kind of person, organization or political party known in the Czech Republic The street can, and has before, comfortably held 400,000 people In the upper part of the boulevard, the statue of St wenceslas on his horse can be seen A few meters from the statue a plaque stands in memory of those who were killed during the communist period, including Jan Palach, a 20-year old student, who set fire to himself in January 1969, in protest against the Soviet invasion, four months earlier Jan Palach died three days later with 85% burns 800,000 people followed the funeral Following the collapse of the communist rule in December 1989, Vclav Havel and Alexander Dubek appeared on the balcony of number 36 to greet their ecstatic supporters Palach and other victims of the regime are commemorated in a small

shrine in front of Josef Myslbeks equestrian statue of St wenceslas Today, wenceslas Square is a hustle and bustle of commerce It really comes alive after dark, when its restaurants, cinemas and nightclubs attract tourist crowds The major historical sites are all within walking distance of the street and are worth walking step-by-step At the northern end of the square, you can find the Neo-Renaissance National Museum Another significant building is Koruna Palace a covered shopping arcade with a stunning glass dome dating from 1911

n National Museum

Discover Prague!

ic un

ipa

u Ho

se

73

Wenceslas square

74

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

Pragues most exuberant and sensual building stands on the site of the Royal Court, seat of Bohemias kings from 1383 to 1483, which was demolished at the end of the 19th century Between 1906 and 1912, the Municipal House was built in its place a lavish joint effort of around 30 leading artists of the day, creating a cultural center that was the architectural climax of the Czech National Revival Restored in the 1990s, after decades of neglect during the communist era, the entire building was a labor of love, every detail of design and decoration carefully considered, every painting and sculpture loaded with symbolism The mosaic above the entrance, Homage to Prague, is set between sculptures representing the oppression and rebirth of the Czech people; other sculptures ranged along the top of the facade represent history, literature, painting, music and architecture You pass beneath a wrought-iron and stained-glass canopy into an interior that is art nouveau down to the doorknobs (you can look around the lobby and the downstairs bar for free) The restaurant and the caf

Municipal House

n Municipal House

flanking the entrance are like walkin museums of art nouveau design Upstairs are half a dozen sumptuously decorated halls and assembly rooms that you can visit by guided tour (90 minutes, three or four per day), which can be booked at the buildings information center (through the main entrance, and around to the left of the stairs) First stop on the tour is Smetana Hall, Pragues biggest concert hall, with seating for 1,200 people ranged beneath an art nouveau glass dome The stage is

Discover Prague!

75

framed by sculptures representing the Vyehrad legend (to the right) and Slavonic dances (to the left) Several impressive official apartments follow, but the highlight of the tour is the octagonal Lord Mayors Hall (Primatorsk sl), whose windows overlook the main entrance Every aspect of its decoration was designed by Alfons Mucha, who also painted the superbly moody murals adorning the walls and ceiling Above you is an allegory of Slavic Concord, with intertwined figures representing the various Slavic peoples watched over by the Czech eagle Figures from Czech history and mythology, representing the civic virtues, occupy the spaces between the eight arches, including Jan Hus as Spravedlnost (justice), Jan ika as Bojovnost (military prowess) and the Chodov (medieval Bohemian border guards) as beady-eyed Ostraitost (vigilance) On 28 October 1918, an independent Czechoslovak Republic was declared in Smetana Hall, and in November 1989 meetings took place here between the Civic Forum and the Jake regime The Prague Spring (Prask jaro)

music festival always opens on 12 May, the anniversary of Smetanas death, with a procession from Vyehrad to the Municipal House followed by a gala performance of his symphonic cycle M Vlast (My Country) in Smetana Hall The public areas are open 7:30am to 11pm Guided tours are available for 270 CZK for adults and 220 CZK for children

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

n Smetana Hall

76

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

old Jewish Quarter Josefov

The Jewish quarter is a small area known as Josefov (named after the emperor Josef II, whose reforms helped to ease living conditions for the Jewish; the Jewish Quarter contains the remains of Pragues former Jewish ghetto between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River Here are two figures synonymous with this part of the city, Franz Kafka (1883 1924) and the mystical humunculus Golem created by Jehuda ben Bezalel, also known as Rabi Lw Most of it can be walked around in a single day, but any detailed explorations needs time
n Ceremonial Hall permanent exhibition of the Jewish Museum

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

Prague ghetto Old-New Synagogue the early Gothic building of 13th century and the oldest synagogue in Europe Address: erven 2 High Synagogue so-called because its prayer hall is closed to the public) Jewish Town Hall closed to the public Pinkas Synagogue is the gateway to the Jewish cemetery During communism the building was closed for restoration, during which time all the names of holocaust victims

inscribed on the walls were unfortunately erased Address: irok 3 The Old Jewish Cemetery with a tomb of Rabbi Lw Address: entrance on irok Klaus Synagogue and Ceremonial Hall both host exhibitions on Jewish Traditions and customs such as birth, circumcision, bar mitzvah and marriage Maisel Synagogue history of Jews in Bohemia and Moravia Address: Maiselova 10

Discover Prague!

77

n The Old Jewish Cemetery n Jubilee Synagogue

n Spanish Synagogue

The Spanish Synagogue the history of Jews since emancipation to the present Address: Vzesk 1 Jubilee Synagogue situated outside the Jewish Quarter, quite near the main railway station The Jubilee Synagogue, was built in 1905-06 in Art Nouveau and pseudo-Moorish styles as a compensation for demolished synagogues in the Jewish Quarter

mysterious Jewish Town Tales, legends and other such mysteries have been woven around a good many places in Prague One of the most interesting is about Golem It is said that in the attic of the Old-New Synagogue, the Golem is hidden a mighty being made of clay that was, according to legend, created by Rabbi Loew to protect the Jewish Town Golem is inextricably linked to the mysterious atmosphere of old Prague If you want to learn more about this, join us for the Jewish Tour while visiting Prague Ticket sales: U Starho Hbitova 3a, Josefov; Ordinary ticket adult/ child 300/200 CZK, combined ticket 480/320 CZK; Open 9am6pm Sun-Fri Apr-Oct, to 4:30pm Sun-Fri Nov-Mar, closed on Jewish Holidays and on Saturdays, because of the Sabbath

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

78

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Franz Kafkas Birthplace

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

Kafka was a Czech Jew who wrote in German, and was a citizen of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at birth, and a citizen of the newlyminted nation of Czechoslovakia He was born in Prague on July 3, 1883, exactly above the Batalion Schnapps bar on the corner of Maiselova and Kaprova The original building has long since been torn down, but a gaunt-looking modern bust now commemorates the site, next to which is the Franz Kafka Exhibition, a modest exhibition retelling Kafkas life simply but effectively with pictures and quotes Kafka spent most of his life living in and around Josefov in Pragues Jewish Quarter, studying at a German Gymnasium on Old Town Square and working as an accident insurance clerk, until he was forced to retire through ill health in 1922 He died of tuberculosis at the age of 40 in a sanatorium just outside Vienna two years later, but his body was returned for burial in Pragues New Jewish Cemetery (Olansk cemetery) The writers family home now houses the Franz Kafka Exposition, a modest museum that includes pho-

n Franz Kafka Statue

tos, artefacts of Jewish life in Prague and a timeline of Kafkas life

Parizska street

Pask Street, the ultimate bourgeois avenue, thanks to its location, has always belonged to the streets with a high concentration of luxurious shops, swanky cafs, restaurants and bars This street runs off the Old Town Square to the Vltava River, it bisects the Jewish quarter and is an easy walk from some of the best five star hotels in Prague

Discover Prague!

79

Classic River Boat

Josefov / Jewish Quarter

80

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

Only a stone throw away from the Prague Castle is Petn Hill; perfect for a summer walk away from the bustle of tourists Part of the land is set aside for an apple and a pear orchard from which the fruit can be freely picked from the trees Much of the stone used in building the major sights in Prague was quarried out of Petn, however, today this is not noticeable beneath the trees and gardens The observation tower and a manicured garden dominate the summit, and halfway down is the famous restaurant Vinrna Nebozzek where you can enjoy a meal with a perfect view of Prague Dont forget the hall of mirrors for a new and varied perspective of yourself The Petn Hill Maze Originally a pavilion of the Czech Tourist Club at the 1891 Universal Exhibition, it was transferred later to the Petn Hill and turned into a mirror maze It is a favorite spot for children The hill is 318 meters or 1,043 feet high For those less energetic, a funicular tram will save you trouble of a climbing (for price of a normal tram ticket) Petn Hill is also

Petn Hill

easily accessible from Hradany and Strahov Funicular Railway to Petn Hill Just opposite of the tram stop Ujezd (trams 12, 22, 23) in Lesser Town, the railway runs daily from 9am to 11:30pm (11:20pm from November to March) in 10-15 min intervals The charming Victorian Funicular is one of Pragues most popular sights The original stations of jezd and Lanov Dha were built in 1891 for the same exposition that built Petn watchtower It has since been rebuilt several times, and actually this latest restoration, surprisingly before the end of Communism, is one of the most successful Petn to strahov a walk with great views Take a funicular railway up to Pragues best picnic spot, Petn Hill, which is also very popular with joggers, dog-walkers, lovers and families From here you have magnificent vistas across the city of 100 spires, and the panorama gets better as you follow the trail down and around to Strahov Monastery

Discover Prague!

81

Petn Parks In the Middle Ages, there were vineyards and fields There have always been numerous springs on the Petn slopes and the water was channeled via a set of tunnels to Pohoelec and Lesser Town Currently, water is fed into the Vltava River In the 1930s, the park was modified and now consists of Lobkowicz Garden, Nebozzek, Rose Park, Park at the Look-out Petn Tower and Seminary Garden All gardens, except for Lobkowicz Garden, are open to public free of charge Petn Look-Out Tower An iron tower 60m (196 feet) high, was built in 1891 by F Pril for the Jubilee Exhibition as a copy of the Eiffel Tower in Paris It has 299 steps that lead up to the top platform

Nebozzek Restaurant The food isnt that great but the views from the terrace are spectacular Restaurant is often full, so to ensure seating reserve a table Petnsk sady, Mal Strana can be reached by funiculars second stop vrtba garden Vrtba Garden is situated on the slope of Petn Hill and is one of the most precious and beautiful of Pragues Baroque gardens

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

maze (mirror maze) Fun for all located on the Petn Hill A pavilion built in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition, was later transferred to Petn There is a dioramic picture commemorating the battle of students with Swedes on Charles Bridge in 1648 and a later on constructed mirror labyrinth

n Petn Look-Out Tower

82

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

The church is world-famous thanks to the Prague Bambino Infant Jesus wax figure (of the Spanish origin), which was presented to the church by Polyxena of Lobkowicz (1628) The Church of Our Lady Victorious, built in 1613, has on its central altar a 47cm-tall waxwork figure of the baby Jesus, brought from Spain in 1628 Known as the Infant Jesus of Prague (Prask Jezultko), it is said to have protected Prague from the plague and from the destruction of the Thirty Years war An 18thcentury German prior, ES Stephano, wrote about the miracles, kicking off what eventually became a worldwide cult; today the statue is visited by a steady stream of pilgrims, especially from Italy, Spain and Latin America It was traditional to dress the figure in beautiful robes, and over the years various benefactors donated richly embroidered dresses Today the Infants wardrobe consists of more than 70 costumes donated from all over the world; these are changed regularly in accordance with a religious calendar At the back of the church is the museum, displaying a selection of the

church of our Lady Victorious

n Infant Jessus

frocks used to dress the Infant; shops in the street nearby sell copies of the wax figure Looking at all this, you cant help thinking about the Second Commandment (Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image) and the objectives of the Reformation Jan Hus must be spinning in his grave Address: Karmelitsk 9, Lesser Town; Open: church 8:30am-7pm Mon-Sat & 8:30am-8pm Sun, museum 9:30am-5:30pm Mon-Sat & 1-6pm Sun; Admission free

Prague Castle

Church of Our Lady Victorious

Discover Prague!

Petn Hill
83

84

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

st. nicholas church

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

This exquisite Baroque church was built between 1704-1755 by Kilian Dientzenhofer, it is one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in Europe Building was completed in 1735, but in 1781 Emperor Jozef II ordered the closure of monasteries and the decorations were removed During wwII, the Czech army stationed in this church, and at the same time, artists restored a lot of it Originally a church of a Benedictine Monastery, it now belongs to the Czechoslovakian Hussite Church There are beautiful ceiling paintings showing scenes from the life of St Nicholas and St Benedict, along with a wonderful chandelier The southern facade is decorated with figures of Saints Decorated with white stucco, it has been nicknamed, the wedding cake, and is a classic example of Prague baroque architecture Ignc Platzer created the copper statue of St Nicholas, which looks down from the high altar The splendid dome is 18m (59 feet) high higher than the Petn Tower The rococo pulpit with

n Cupola of St. Nicholas Church

angels and cherubs was made by Peter and Richard Prachner in 1765 Inside is Baroque Organ of 1746 played by w A Mozart, when he was in Prague, four years later it was played at a funeral Mass in his memory St Nicholas Church is also very popular concert venue during the summer Near of this church you can take a horse-driven cab and make a tour around the Lesser Town Square Address: Lesser Town Square 38; Open: 9am-5pm Mar-Oct, to 4pm Nov-Feb; Admission: 70 CZK

Charles Bridge

Discover Prague!

85

Lesser Town

86

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

If you head west of Lesser Quarter Square to Prague Castle you will pass through beautiful picturesque Nerudova Street named after Jan Neruda He was a famous Czech poet who lived at the house called At the Two Suns (which is no47) All the houses in Prague used to be marked by house signs until 1770 when the new way of numbering was introduced The houses in Nerudova Street bear an extraordinary selection of heraldic beasts and house signs Climbing up this steep street you will notice The Red Eagle, The Golden Horseshoe, The Green Lobster or The white Swan Many houses are now used as coffee houses, wine bars and pubs Several large Baroque palaces are also situated in this street, for example, Thun Palace (the seat of the Italian Embassy) and Morzin Palace (the Romanian Embassy) The facade of Morzin Palace is decorated with two huge statues of Moors holding a round balcony Another impressive facade belongs to the Theatine Church of Our Lady The Order of Theatines was founded during counter-reformation times

nerudova street

n The Three Fiddles one of many beautiful house signs on Nerudova

The Lennon wall was an ordinary wall in Prague, but since John Lennons death Pragues youth have covered it with John Lennon inspired graffiti and Beatles lyrics In 1988 the wall was a source of irritation for the then a communist regime of Gustav Husk Young Czechs would write grievances on the wall and a government report written of it at this time led to a clash between hundreds of students and security police on the nearby Charles Bridge The wall continuously undergoes change and the original portrait of Lennon is long lost under layers of spray-paint It is located at Velkopevorsk nmst (Grand Priory Square), Lesser Town

Lennon Wall

Discover Prague!

87

Dancing House

The Dancing House, nicknamed Fred and Ginger is an office building in downtown Prague It was built in 1997 by Croatianborn Czech architect Vlado Milunic in co-operation with American architect Frank Gehry It was built on a vacant riverfront plot, next to a building owned by Czech playwright and former president Vclav Havel, whose strong support for avant-garde architecture was instrumental in getting the controversial design approved and built Known in Czech as Tanc dm (the Dancing House), the house vaguely resembles a pair of dancers and stands out, without clashing with, the Neo-Baroque, Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings that Prague is

famous for There is a highly-rated French restaurant on the roof with magnificent views The buildings tenants include several multinational firms Location: junction where Resslova meets the river at Ranovo nbe 80 Restaurant is located on the 7th floor; Open: noon-2:30pm & 6:30-10:30pm Mon-Sat The two or three-course lunch menu (450/550 CZK) is reasonable priced

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

88

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

ATTRACTIONs THe BesT TO see

Vyehrad is an alluring and pleasant walk lasting about 2 hours Even though it is situated close to city-center, you will be in quiet surroundings out of traffic Due to its position on a high rock just above the Vltava River, it offers nice panoramic views over part of Prague The gardens surrounding Vyehrad Church are peaceful and manicured for beauty There are some nice views of the Vltava, a couple of restaurants to visit and some enormous statues depicting figures in Czech mythology to examine Any time of day is a good time to visit Take a morning off from sightseeing and bring a picnic lunch; few areas in Prague are as quiet, green and peaceful Vyehrad, sometimes referred to as Pragues second castle, is another of the Czech Republics fine castles It was built in the 10th century on a hill over the Vltava River and within the castle is the Church of St Paul and St Peter, as well as Vyehrad Cemetery, containing the remains of many famous people from Czech history The castles centerpiece is the church, whose blackened shape

Vyehrad

stands grandly upon the hill overlooking the Vltava River Every inch of the interior is immaculately covered with decorations much like those on the pages of an illustrated manuscript, thus making it one of the most beautiful interiors in Prague A small fee is required for this viewing pleasure The Rotunda of St Martin, dating from the 11th century, can be viewed a short distance from the church towards Vyehrad Metro Station It is one of the original rotundas of the city How to get to vyehrad? It is easily and quickly reachable from the city-center by Metro line C to station Vyehrad (two stations from the National Museum) From there, it is about a 10-minute walk to Vyehrads main gate The tour of the complex takes about 2 or 3 hours

Discover Prague!

89

Vltava

River

vyehrad

90

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

cItY toURs
Taking a walking tour around the city of Prague is a great opportunity to see the sights and to get to know the city It can also lead to lots of hidden places that you may not have otherwise found without a guide Prague walking tours are an excellent way to become acquainted with the citys rich history and architectural beauty, especially if youre visiting Prague for the first time If youre on a budget, consider taking our basic free Prague walking tour that will show you the citys main highlights Most of our walking tours leave daily from the Old Town Square in the city-center If youd rather not walk, we also offer some Prague sightseeing tours where our coach will pick you up from your hotel and take you around the city in comfort The tour starts at the Old Town Square with a general introduction to Prague where we will admire the impressive composition of old buildings and churches; we also become acquainted with the life of the Czech reformer John Huss Crooked lanes lead us back around other keyholes into Pragues past: Mozarts Don Giovanni in the Estates Theatre, Karolinum the Charles University since 1348, the cubist house of the Black madonna and the medieval courtyard Ungelt Next we continue on to visit the Jewish Quarter that leads us back to its tragic history You discover the destiny of Prague Jews living behind the wall of the former ghetto The Old-New Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Jewish Museum and follow in the footsteps of the famous Jewish writer Franz Kafka After this, we will have a 30-minute break from 12:45pm to 1:15pm at Marianske Square After the break, you can continue the tour or come back another for the second half The second half starts at the beautiful baroque library of Klementinum we cross the Charles Bridge coming into Lesser Town Square, the highlight of which is the great St Nicholas Church After a relaxing visit to the church, we climb 200 steps leading to the

CITY TOURs

Discover Prague!

91

Hradansk Square and Prague Castle, one of the biggest fortresses in Europe This city within the city hides the Schwarzenberg Palace, Archbishops Palace, Old Royal Palace, the Basilica of St George and the greatest architectural treasure St Vitus Cathedral The walk finishes next to the Old Royal Palace with a charming view of Prague, the city of a hundred spires It is really easy to walk, simple to understand and great to enjoy!

Free Guided Walking tour Details


TOUR DATe/TIme: Daily at 11:00am Guided tour spoken only in English PRICes: Free If you use a transfer from the airport, booked through Prague Airport Transfers, our chauffeur will automatically give you a transport voucher All you need to do is to bring your voucher and show it to our tour guide INCLUDes: Tour with Englishspeaking guide BOOKINg INFORmATION: No pre-booking is necessary Just show up 10 minutes prior to the tour start time Where does the tour finish? It finishes at Prague Castle Our tour guide will gladly navigate you back to the city-center or another place you wish to go

n The place on Charles Bridge, where St. John of Nepomuk was thrown in the river in the year 1383, is connected with a nice legend. Touch the brassy cross here - and whatever your wish, it will come true! CITY TOURs

n Lesser Town Square

92

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Grand city sightseeing tour

In the course of this particular sightseeing tour by bus, we will introduce Prague (UNESCO) as a historic and architectural jewel of Central Europe Our guide will explain the history of Prague and its various quarters (the Old Town, the New Town, the Lesser Town, Hradany) during the bus trip The second part of the tour takes you to Prague Castle where you visit the interior of the most important sight of Prague, St Vitus Cathedral

After a guided walking tour of approximately 75 minutes, we will make our way to the Vltava River and board a boat where you can rest and relax while admiring Prague from a different viewpoint Apart from the bridge connecting both river banks, you will see the well-known Charles Bridge from the boat After the boat ride, we will continue with a pleasant walk through the Jewish Town to the Old Town Square, where you will see the Prague Astronomical Clock, Tn Church where the tour ends TOUR DATe/TIme: Two 35 hour tours daily starting at 10am and 2pm PRICes: 850 CZK per adult INCLUDes: Bus and boat transportation Free pickup from your hotel is optional

CITY TOURs n Stained-glass window in St.Vitus

Discover Prague!

93 Address: Na Pkop (next to the Municipal House); Open 10am10pm Apr-Sep, to 8pm Oct& Mar, to 6pm Nov-Feb; Admission 70 CZK

CITY TOURs

Powder gate

94

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Kik fountain with music performance

CITY TOURs

If you want to listen to nice music and enjoy the fascinating experience of a singing fountain at the same time, join us for the Kiks Fountain show It is one of the most monumental illuminated fountains with music in Europe Following this unique show, there will be a guided tour by bus among Pragues other illuminated monuments Join us for this musical journey TOUR DATe/TIme: Daily from 7:30pm PRICes: 690 CZK per person INCLUDes: Entrance fee and bus transportation

Lunch on the River The cruise gives you a chance to see unusual picturesque views of Prague and all the monuments, such as the Charles Bridge The Lesser Town The St Nicolas Church The Prague Castle The National Theatre and the Dancing House all the while having lunch, and enjoying the music and the cruise TOUR DATe/TIme: Daily starting at 1pm from April 1st to November 2nd From November 3rd to March 31st, only on wed, Fri, Sat, and Sun at 12 noon PRICes: 650 CZK INCLUDes: Boat cruise, one welcome drink and lunch buffet

River cruises

Discover Prague!

95

The history of Prague is also the history of its pubs as they have been the social and cultural melting pot of the Czechs since the old times This walk includes the best old pubs in the Old Town, the ones that are very popular among the local people You get a chance to taste several brands of Czech beer, understand the Bohemian way of life, ask questions about life in this country, have a traditional Czech dinner, and meet others who like to go out in the evening You will feel Prague in your veins Cheers indeed!

the Famous Pubs of the old town

Ghost Walk

This Prague walking tour will reveal the legends behind the citys so-called ghosts, as well as the secrets hidden in Pragues winding alleys and dark corners

TOUR DATe/TIme: Starts at 6pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays PRICes: 690 CZK INCLUDes: One beer at each pub (for a total of three beers) and a traditional Czech dinner

As you walk, your guide will tell you ghost stories dating back to a time when the city was filled with knights and alchemists, exploring the folklore and history of Prague and learning the secret symbolism contained within the architecture During this 1-hour evening tour, hear stories of those buried alive, the infamous execution, traces of secret societies, the miraculous Madonna TOUR DATe/TIme: Daily starting at 6:45pm PRICes: 300 CZK per person INCLUDes: English-speaking guide for this walking tour

CITY TOURs

96

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

DAY tRIPs
Most mentioned destinations can be easily reached on day trips from Prague Beyond Prague lies a green hinterland of rolling hills, medieval castles surrounded by forests, and pictureperfect cities, towns and villages, many dating back for centuries while these areas were originally reserved for kings and aristocrats as retreats from the big-city, they are now enjoyed by locals and tourists alike Reaching the rustic areas is easily accomplished by either hiking or biking the trails leading into the hinterland or going by canoe down the rivers Castles abound and include: Karltejn Castle, originally built by Charles IV to house his treasury; Konopit Chateau, Archduke Ferdinands retreat whose assassination started world war I; Lobkowicz familys Mlnk Chateau. It overlooks Labe and Vltava Rivers and has a vineyard that has produced grapes for centuries The area is also rich with interesting medieval towns, including: Litomice with its Gothic and Renaissance houses. Mlnk a peaceful tiny town with spectacular overlooking views. Kutn Hora an former silver mining town positioned on a hilltop. Along with it collection of exquisite baroque statues it claims fame to a classic cathedral esk Krumlov a castle to fulfill our dreams. west of Prague, you can soak in the soothing natural thermal springs of Karlovy Vary or Marinsk Lzn This area produces some of the finest glass and porcelain pieces in the world Head north out of Prague and you enter the side of the Republic with a dark past the holocaust Located here are two painful reminders Lidice and Terezin Lidice was destroyed by the Nazis in vengeance for Reichsprotektor Reinhard Heydrichs assassination Terezn was a former Czech Jew concentration camp One-hundred forty thousand passed through here, but fewer than 11% survived until the end of the war

DAY TRIPs

Discover Prague!

97

Hlubok Castle

n When visiting esk Krumlov there are quite a few options for combining your trip with a visit to another city. The most popular choice is just stopping in Hlubok Castle.

Some sights outside of Prague are different, if not unique Take the Konopit Chateau for example Here you can witness the hunting obsession of Archduke Ferdinad by touring the Trophy Corridor and Chamois Room and see the thousands of stuffed heads, antlers and skulls of his trophies And then there is Kutn Hora Visiting here gives you an opportunity to explore a medieval silver mine Don a helmet and light and get started! Finally, a bizarre experience is visiting the Sedlec Ossuary at Kutn Hora where your spine will tingle looking at the decorations have been made out of the bones of 40,000 people We PRoVIDe tWo KInDs oF DAY tRIPs: Regular-organized held only at certain times and dates, shared with others, guided and inclusive of all fees Flexible-private on demand anytime you wish, private, exclusive of entrance fees and guide
DAY TRIPs

98

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

rEgULAr-orgANIzEd EXcUrSIoNS
Kutn Hora
A medieval center of silver-mining, it was the second richest town of the Bohemian Kingdom The variety of Kutn Hora architectural monuments and the well preserved structure of the town-center reflect its ancient fame and wealth, which has lasted until the present day During our walk, well visit the Gothic cathedral of St Barbara and the Italian Court originally a Royal Mint No less admirable are the other beautiful Gothic, renaissance and baroque burgher houses and the unique stone well from the 15th century

n Cathederal of St. Barbara n Sedlec Ossuary

n Italian Court

TOUR DATe/TIme: Daily starting at 1pm PRICes: 990 CZK per person INCLUDes: Entrance fees to St Barbaras Cathedral, the Italian Court and Sedlec Ossuary Optional free pickup from your hotel

DAY TRIPs

Discover Prague!

99

This historical center or medieval town is formed of narrow and winding little streets with a number of Gothic, renaissance and baroque houses that originated as mansions of noble families, such as the Romberks, the Schwarzenbergs and the Eggenbergs You will walk through the town accompanied by our guide and have lunch in a medieval tavern In the summer months, a visit to the local castle is included

esk Krumlov

TOUR DATe/TIme: Daily at 8:45am PRICes: 1,890 CZK per person INCLUDes: Lunch and entrance fees and a free optional pickup from your hotel

DAY TRIPs

100

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Dtenice

First you visit the local mansion and then you will learn more about the beer brewing history and production technology of a small private brewery Then you enjoy a medieval program with lots of fun and music while having dinner prepared on the open fire of a local tavern The medieval musicians, dancers, jugglers, fencers, magicians and clowns will entertain you while you satisfy your thirst with delicious local beer

n Terezn Memorial

terezn

TOUR DATe/TIme: wed and Sat starting at 11:30am During the winter months the tour only runs on Sat PRICes: 1,790 CZK per person INCLUDes: Entrance fees to the brewery and mansion along with dinner and unlimited beer or wine Optional free pickup and drop-off service to your hotel is available

If you like the history of world war II and the holocaust, this tour is for you The former military fort of Terezn was built in the 18th century by Emperor Joseph II and will always be connected with the history of world war II Better known as the Big Fort, the town of Terezn itself was used as transit camp for Jews from all over Europe and at the same time during visits of the International Red Cross Organization it was misused for Nazi promotion purposes The small Fort Terezn was a cruel prison of the Gestapo the Reichs secret police TOUR DATe/TIme: Daily starting at 9am PRICes: 1,150 CZK per person INCLUDes: Free pickup from your hotel (optional) and all entrance fees

DAY TRIPs

Discover Prague!

101

Karlovy Vary

This spa towns history goes back to the 14th century, the time of Charles IV Such celebrities as Russian tzar Peter the Great or worldfamous poet Johann wolfgang von Goethe praised the healing effects of the towns local mineral springs This town is also famous for the production of world-famous Bohemian crystal Moser, for local china production known as Karlovarsk porceln (porcelain of Karlovy Vary) and for the production of a delicious herb spirit called Becherovka

n The best-known spring Vdlo

n Baroque colonnade

TOUR DATe/TIme: Daily starting at 8:45am PRICes: 1,590 CZK per person INCLUDes: Fully-guided tour, lunch and Moser glass factory tour

DAY TRIPs

102

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

This town is as old as its beer Our tour starts with a visit to the local museum, which has exhibits on the trades, guilds and beer brewing history Later, we will have lunch in the local beer restaurant, Spilka, which is renowned for its traditional Czech cuisine and Pilsner beer, fresh on tap After lunch, we will tour the authentic locations where this renowned beer has been brewed for ages You will see the brewing room, the malt-house, the lager cellars all the places associated with fresh brewed beer tasting In brief this tour is packed with awesome experiences!

Pilsner Urquell Brewery

TOUR DATe/TIme: This tour starts at 9am and only operates on wed and Sat PRICes: 1,790 CZK per person INCLUDes: Lunch and entrance fee and optional pickup from your hotel

DAY TRIPs

Discover Prague!

103

FLEXIBLE-PrIvATE EXcUrSIoNS
terezn (private tour)
More than 140,000 Jewish people were imprisoned here by the Nazis during world war II At the end of the war, only 17,247 had survived A narrated video all about the complex of the former Nazi concentration camp will be shown, including authentic personal memories, and descriptions of chilling experiences and episodes from Terezns grim history You will also visit the Ghetto Museum and the Small Fortress, which has an exhibition
n Memorial to the Holocaust

TOUR DATe/TIme: This tour operates on a reservation basis and starts at 8am PRICes: Prices shown are for a whole group 1-4 persons 2,000 CZK 5-8 persons 2,550 CZK eXCLUDes: Memorial tour guide and entrance fees Terezin Memorial entrance fee is 200 CZK and is paid directly by the customer

PRIvATe DAY TRIPs

104

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

esk Krumlov (private tour)

The Krumlov castle, the magnificent Church of St Vitus, the famous Hall of Masks, the unique Baroque theatre, the chateau garden with a Rococo fountain, Barbers Bridge, Alchemists Homes, Eggenberg Brewery, Crafts Museum, and the wooden river rafts are just some of the main attractions you will see in this quaint red-roofed town Travel time from Prague is 25 hours with the 85-hour tours, there

n esk Krumlov Castle walls

are 35 hours of free time to explore the town with the 11-hour tour, there are 6 hours of free time TOUR DATe/TIme: This tour operates on a group reservation basis There are two different length tours one 85 hours in duration and another one 11 hours Both tours start at 7am PRICes: Prices quoted are for a whole group 8.5 hour tour: 1-4 persons 4,400 CZK 5-8 persons 5,500 CZK 11 hour tour: 1-4 persons 4,950 CZK 5-8 persons 6,100 CZK eXCLUDes: Tour guide and any entrance fees Castle entrance fee varies from 35 CZK to 300 CZK per person

PRIvATe DAY TRIPs

n Narrow Street of esk Krumlov

Discover Prague!

105

Kutn Hora (private tour)

This towns increasing wealth and prosperity from silver mining led to an architectural boom in the town and gave rise to the construction of many beautiful monuments St Barbara Cathedral The Italian Court with the Royal Mint The Stone House and other Gothic and Renaissance landmarks A uniquely amazing sight is the baroque ossuary in nearby Sedlec, decorated with the bones of some 40,000 people The decorations even include a human bone chandelier
n Cathedral of St. Barbara

n Human skulls in the Ossuary

TOUR DATe/TIme: This tour starts at 9am by group reservation only Free time at the destination includes 25 hours, enough time to see the city on foot PRICes: Prices shown are for a whole group 1-4 persons 2,550 CZK 5-8 persons 3,200 CZK eXCLUDes: Tour Guide and entrance fees to St Barbara Cathedral, the Italian Court and Ossuary

PRIvATe DAY TRIPs

106

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

Karlovy Vary (private tour)

A wonderful, leisurely walking tour around the city awaits you in Karlovy Vary Admire the historical buildings and pamper your body and soul by soaking in the naturally heated healing mineral water (bring your swim suit) After a soothing soak, dry off and visit the Moser Glass Factory with its famed souvenirs produced by local porcelain craftsmen, taste the Czech traditional liquor Becherovka, and eat some of the regions famous hot waffles while walking on the promenade, stop for lunch at one of the typical (and best) bath house restaurants or cafeterias in the region

PRIvATe DAY TRIPs

n Thermal mineral water

TOUR DATe/TIme: This tour operates on a group reservation basis There are two different length tours one 7 hours in duration and another one 9 hours The shorter tour starts at 7am The longer one at 8am with the short tour, there are 3 hours of free time at the destination with the longer tour 5 hours of free time PRICes: Price quoted below is for a whole group 7-hour tour: 1-4 persons 3,500 CZK 5-8 persons 4,375 CZK 9-hour tour: 1-4 persons 3,900 CZK 5-8 persons 4,950 CZK eXCLUDes: Tour guide and entrance fees

Discover Prague!

107

Karltejn (private tour)

This charming Gothic castle was founded in 1348, built by the Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV as a place for safekeeping of the royal treasures As you approach Karltejn village, you can enjoy great views of Karlstejn and the surrounding countryside After you arrive, you can admire the castles stunning interior and have lunch at one of the great local village pubs with an average of 300,000 visitors a year it is prime choice between visitors to Prague when they thinking where to go for a day trip TOUR DATe/TIme: Tour leaves at 9am daily, except Mondays The castle is closed during the months of January and February PRICes: Price quoted below is for a whole group 1-4 persons 1,550 CZK 5-8 persons 2,000 CZK eXCLUDes: Tour Guide and entrance fees are not included Castle entrance fee starts at 250 CZK for a guided 50 to 60-minute tour

PRIvATe DAY TRIPs

108

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

WHeRe, WHen AnD HoW to JoIn Us


The meeting point for all the walks (except Beer and Ghost Tour) is next to the very famous Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Square (ask at your hotel reception for exact directions) The clock is a 5-minute walk from Staromstsk metro or tram station and is one of the most famous locations in Prague, so everyone knows it Your guide waits for you with a red umbrella (with our company logo) standing 30 meters (90 feet) away from the clock Please be there 10 minutes before the walk starts

Walks Meeting Point

WHeRe, WHeN AND HOW TO JOIN Us

The boat departure point is from Dvokovo Quay, and the boat is located between echv Bridge and tefnikv Bridge If you walk from Old Town Square, follow Pask Street and after ten minutes you reach the river (echv Bridge) right next to the Intercontinental Hotel Then, walk down to the pier and walk another five minutes (to the right in relation to Prague Castle) until you see Classic River boat

Boat excursions Departure Point

Discover Prague!

109

Please be at the boat departure pier at least 10 minutes before boat departure time The boat operator is called Premiant and the boat name is Classic River

is also an optional bus pickup point for all shared excursions if you choose not to be picked up at your hotel, and meeting point for Beer and Ghost Tour
WHeRe, WHeN AND HOW TO JOIN Us

The pickup point is from Na Pkop 23 (5 minutes walk from wenceslas Square) at 11:30am for lunch if you are on the river tour or at 6:45pm for dinner cruise This

Bus excursions Meeting/Pickup Point

Do I need to pre-book any of those tours? Yes (except our free tour), we strongly recommend making a booking early Please call us toll-free on: 800 870 888 (or +420 222 554 211) You can also email us at: info@pragueairport-transfers couk or text us (at least 2 hours in advance) Just send a text to +420 777 777 237 Do you offer tours and excursions only in English? Tours are conducted in English, but on request, we provide also German, French, Spanish, Italian or Russian speaking guide Our free tour is only available in English

Advance Booking

110

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

tHe cZecH LAnGUAGe


The national language is Czech However, English is widely spoken (especially by the younger generation), as is German and Russian (mostly by the older generation) Czech is the national language though Unlike English, each Czech letter is always pronounced the same way, so once youre familiar with the Czech alphabet youll be able to read Stress is usually on the first syllable of a word The Czech language can be quite difficult to learn and many English speakers find it very hard to pronounce If you are keen to learn some basic words and phrases, we recommend a Czech phrase book from Lonely Planet Believe or not, even knowing a few short sentences will always delight the locals, who will be pleased at your efforts and admire your trying There are also courses for English tourists willing to learn the Czech language Czechs usually speak German, English or Russian as a second language though their ability will vary This may be more obvious when talking with the older generation Before the turnover in 1989, learning Russian was compulsory in schools Today, almost no one learns Russian and most people prefer to speak English or German
THe CZeCH LANgUAge

survival english-to-czech Dictionary


Do you speak english? Mluvte anglicky? (mlu-veete an-glits-ki?) Hello Dobry den (dobree den) good morning Dobr rno (dobreh rahno) good evening Dobr veer (dobreh vehcher) good Night Dobrou noc (dobroh nots) good bye Na shledanou (nas-klehdanoh) Please Prosm (proseem) Thank you Dkuji (dyekooyi) Yes / No Ano / Ne (ano / ne) excuse me Promite (prominyte)

Discover Prague!

111

my name is Jmenuji se (ymeenooye se) Nice to meet you T m (tye-shee mye) How much? Kolik? (kolik) How long? Jak dlouho? (yak dloh-ho) Where is ? Kde je ? (gde ye) Id like Chtl bych (khtyel bikh) I do not understand Nerozumm (nerozoomeem) I dont speak Czech Nemluvm esky (Neh-mloo-veem cheskee) What time is it? Kolik je hodin? (kolik ye hodeen) Can I have a ? Mohl(a) bych dostat ? (mo-hla bikh dostat) What is it? Co je to? (tso ye to) How are you? Jak se mte? (yak-se mah-te?) Beer Pivo (pivo) To your health (cheers) Na zdrav (nah zdrah-vee) Bon appetite Dobrou chu (do-brooh khutye) The bill, please. Prosm, et (pro-seem oo-chet) Please; youre welcome Prosm (proseem) Restroom Toaleta (toh-ah-lehta) Waitress! Sleno (slech-no) Waiter! pane vrchn (pane vrkh-nyee!) Restaurant Restaurace (rehs-tau-rahtseh) shop Obchod (ob-khod) street Ulice (oo-leetseh) Police Policie (poleetsee-eh) Hospital Nemocnice (neh-mots-nitseh) Train station Ndra (nah-drazhyee) Airport Letit (leh-teesh-tyeh) 1 Jedna (yed-na) 2 Dv (dvye) 3 Ti (trzi) 4 tyi (chti-rzhi) 5 Pt (pyet) 6 est (shest) 7 Sedm (sedm) 8 Osm (osm) 9 Devt (dev-yet) 10 Deset (des-et)

THe CZeCH LANgUAge

112

wwwprague-airport-transferscouk

Discover Prague!

DIscLAIMeR
This book has been written to provide information to help you visit Prague Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and accurate as possible However, there may be mistakes in typography or content Also, this book contains information on seeing Prague, but only up to the publishing date Therefore, this report should be used as a guide not as the ultimate source of Prague tourist information The purpose of this book is to educate The author and publisher does not warrant that the information contained in this book is fully complete and shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions The author and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this book

Discover Prague! An Insiders guide to visiting Prague is published by: Prague Airport Transfers sro Copyright 2011 Prague Airport Transfers s.r.o. All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review

Mapov podklady: Sluby cestovnho ruchu a kartografie, sro, I: 60915790, info@scrkcz, wwwscrkcz Veker reprodukce map nebo jejich st jakoukoliv formou jsou mon pouze s pedchozm psemnm souhlasem dodavatele mapovch podklad

do I need to pre-book this tour? Yes, please call us toll-free on: 800 870 888 or +420 222 554 211, send a text to +420 777 777 237 or book online at www.prague-airport-transfers.co.uk.

speciaL offers for prague tours


Dinner on the river
enjoy very nice Prague river cruise. Pickup from your hotel from 6.20 to 6.40pm. Including a buffet dinner, aperitif and live music on board.

Per Person. norMAl PrICe CZK 1090 oking our airport speciaL DeaL wHen Bo 740 transfer paY Just cZk e-waY pickup pLus get a free on ue. froM Your HoteL in prag

Although Prague is a beautiful city no matter what time of day, its especially enchanting by night. When the sun goes down, twinkling lights illuminate the citys ancient buildings, which are best seen from the Vltava River running through the citys centre. On our Prague river cruise, youll travel down the Vltava, passing famous sights like the Charles Bridge, the Lesser Town, the Church of St Nicolas, Prague Castle and the National Theatre - all while enjoying dinner and live music on board. Dinner is a buffet of both hot and cold dishes, and youll also get a welcome drink included in the cruise price. Upon entering the boat you will be welcomed by our hostess who will care for you during the cruise. The hostess does not substitute for a tourist guide; nevertheless, she will provide you with at least basic information on the cruise programme and assist you if you have any inquiries and problems. There will also be professional barkeepers and catering staff looking after you. A cruise complete with dinner are very much in demand and very pleasant, and they could be compared to service at a 3-star hotel, as well as having a similar price. If you are very demanding and want to take such a cruise, for example, to celebrate an important anniversary, birthday etc., please bear in mind that these are not luxury cruises such as you may know, for instance, from Paris. In spite of this, we believe that you will enjoy a cruise on a Prague evening, and that this will be a unique experience during your visit.

www.prague-airport-transfers.co.uk

WrItten BY loCAl eXPerts CuttInG-edGe InsIder Info

E: 800 87 IN

ers H O T sf

888
Pra
g
1ST EDITION Published June 2011

Prague Airport transfers s.r.o. Call us toll-free on 800 870 888 or +420 222 554 211 between 7am to midnight, daily. You can also email us at info@prague-airport-transfers.co.uk, send a text to +420 777 777 237 or book online at www.prague-airport-transfers.co.uk.

onLine Version www.prague-guiDe.co.uk

ue

Airport Tran

Potrebbero piacerti anche