See & Do
Old Town Square
Prague straddles the Vltava, the longest river in the Czech Republic.
Splendour and spirituality combine in the city’s magnificent centre
Word to the wise: If you’re visiting in early December, go along to the annual lighting of the Christmas tree and opening of the festive market. It’s quite a spectacle.
Prague’s Old Town Square is steeped in history. First there are the picturesque, pastel-coloured Baroque buildings surrounding the square. Then there are the hero memorials – from the statue of religious reformer Jan Hus to the white crosses of Bohemian freedom fighters. Finally, there are the multiple architectural masterpieces, from the gothic Týn Cathedral to St Nicholas Church. But the highlight of the square is the Old Town Hall, with its astronomical clock and hourly religious show.Stand in front of the Town Hall at the right time and you’ll see throngs of tourists suddenly fill the square – keen to see the procession of the Twelve Apostles. On the hour, every hour, a door opens and a figure of Christ marches out ahead of his disciples, as death tolls his bell ominously. The display may last a mere minute, but any visitor will tell you it’s not to be missed.
Address: Starom?stské nám?stí, Praha 1
See & Do
Prague Castle - Pra?ský Hrad
The fairy-tale castle that keeps people coming back
Noteworthy for: The way it’s lit up at night to look like a magical, fairy-tale castle is a sight not to be missed.
Word to the wise: Wear comfortable walking shoes as getting up to the castle, seeing all the sights and experiencing the gardens will require a lot of walking.
The castle grounds contain a number of different sites, including Vitus Cathedral, Lobkowicz Palace, St George’s Basilica, the Picture Gallery, Golden Lane, the Old Royal Palace and the Powder Tower, so it’s easy to spend a day or more here. You can walk through the grounds for free, but the most economical way of seeing all the sights listed above is to purchase a Prague Castle Long Tour ticket.
Fee: Adult: CZK 70-350, Senior (65+)/Student (under 26)/Child : CZK 40-175, Child (0-5): Free
Open Hours: Castle complex: Apr-Oct, Daily: 5am - 12midnight
Requiring tickets: 9am – 6pm
Gardens, Daily: 10am – 6pm/10pm
Castle complex: Nov-Mar, Daily: 6am – 11pm
Requiring tickets, Daily: 9am – 4pm
Gardens: Closed
Address: Pra?ský Hrad, Praha 1
Phone: +420 224 372 423
Prague Castle's webpage
See & Do
Štefánik's Observatory
The world of astronomy at your fingertips
Word to the wise: If you’re arriving at the observatory by the Pet?ín Hill funicular, you can use your regular transport ticket for the journey
For fans of astronomy, there’s nowhere better to visit than ?tefánik's Observatory. Opened in 1928 by the scientist and astronomer (plus co-founder of the Czechoslovakian state) Milan ?tefánik, it is now home to three large observation domes and a number of displays about science and space.Visitors can learn all about astronomy – from information about planets and new discoveries to the history of astronomical tools – and on a clear day can even observe the sun at close quarters through the giant double Zeiss astrograph. In the evenings, you can look beyond the boundaries of our tiny solar system and observe selected stars, nebulas, star clusters or galaxies that are millions of miles away.
With photographs, films and scientific equipment on display, along with swathes of information and practical experiments, ?tefánik's Observatory is an excellent introduction to the world of astronomy.
Fee: Adult: CZK 55-65, Student/Child(3-15): CZK 40-45
Open Hours: Oct-Mar, Tue-Fri: 6pm – 8pm
Sat-Sun: 11am – 8pm
Apr-Sep, Tue-Fri: 2pm – 11pm
Sat-Sun: 11am – 11pm
Address: Štefánikova hv?zdárna, Pet?ín 205, Praha 1
Phone: +420 257 320 540
Štefánik's Observatory webpage
Shopping
Národní T?ída
Bohemia’s best-kept shopping secret
Word to the wise: The street food around Národní T?ída is some of the finest in Prague. So skip lunch and pick up a Czech klobasa (sausage) from a vendor.
Had enough of bustling high streets and air-conditioned malls? Then head to Národní T?ída for all your retail needs.This part of town, just half a kilometre from the central Wenceslas Square, is affectionately known as SoNo (South of Národní), and is famed for its designer outlets and trendy stylists. But it’s also home to a wide array of smaller specialty shops selling alternative fashion, antique books, unusual musical instruments, Bohemian glass and crystal and a range of other curios.
So, whatever you’re looking for, you’re bound to find it in Národní T?ída.
Phone: Purkynova, Praha 1
Shopping
Boheme
For elegant fashions with a Czech flavour
Word to the wise: Boheme is only open limited hours on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays, so if you’re in Prague for the weekend you should plan your visit carefully.
Prague’s most elegant designer fashion outlet, Boheme is the main showcase for work by the international award-winning fashion designer Hana Stocklassa. Although it’s only a small store near the Old Town Square, it boasts extensive seasonal collections of women’s fashion, offering everything from business outfits to party dresses, with stylish accessories to boot. And with a famous Czech designer at the helm, every single collection has a distinctly Bohemian flavor that’s hard to find anywhere else.All in all, Boheme is a must-visit for fashionistas everywhere.
Open Hours: Mon-Fri: 11am - 7pm
Sat: 11am - 5pm
Sun: Closed
Address: Dusni 8, Praha 1
Phone: +420 224 813 840
Boheme's webpage
Restaurants
Celeste
Fine French cuisine with a Bohemian flavour
Word to the wise: Lap up the luxury of an international wine-tasting every Tuesday evening.
Popular plate: The sumptuous boneless pigeon stuffed with foie gras is an absolute must.
An extensive menu of Gallic specialties – with meat, fish, fowl and vegetarian options – will appeal to even the most fastidious of customers, and reservations are invariably necessary.
Price sample: Main course: CZK 425-900 Open Hours: Mon-Sat: 12noon - 2.30pm, 6.30 - 10.30pm Address: Tan?ící d?m/Dancing House, Rašínovo náb?e?í 80, Praha 2 Phone: +420 221 984 160 Celeste's webpage
Bars & Nightlife
U zlatého tygra - The Golden Tiger
A genuine slice of Czech bar culture
Word to the wise: Arrive in the early evening and there won’t be a table to be had, so get here as close to the 3pm opening time as possible.
Once the favoured watering hole of Václav Havel, The Golden Tiger is now a popular hangout for locals and travellers alike. Decked out with long tables, traditional wooden benches, large Pilsner tankards and chain-smoking regulars, this is Czech bar culture at its most authentic.Although it appears to be a hidden gem from the outside, easy to overlook, The Golden Tiger is actually full to bursting every night of the week, so make sure you get here early to secure a table. Make sure you try the klobasa (sausages) too – they’re some of the finest in Prague.
Open Hours: Daily: 3pm - 11pm Address: Husova 228, Staré M?sto, Praha 1 Phone: +420 222 221 111 U zlatého tygra's webpage
Restaurants
Radost FX
Café, restaurant, cocktail bar and club, all rolled into one
Noteworthy for: Its extensive range of vegetarian and vegan meal options – from spinach salads and tofu sandwiches to lentil burgers and Thai curries. A very popular dish is the ratatouille.
‘Radost’ is the Czech word for ‘pleasure’, and that’s perfectly apt in this beautiful oriental-themed bar, decked out with comfy chairs, ornate mirrors and chandeliers. But it’s not just the décor that gives pleasure – there’s also the eclectic food menu (full of healthy staples from Greece to India, Thailand to Mexico), the extensive range of homemade cocktails and the large underground house music club.Radost FX is an unusual combination of luxurious café, health food restaurant, cocktail lounge and nightclub, but somehow it all combines to create one of the most popular local hangouts in the city.
Price sample: Main course: CZK 150-250
Open Hours: Café/Restaurant: Mon-Sat: 11am - 11pm,
Sun: 11am - 4pm
Lounge: Sun-Tue: 11am - 2am,
Wed: 11am - 3am, Thu-Sat: 11am - 4am
Address: B?lehradská 120, Praha 2
Phone: +420 603 181 500
Bars & Nightlife
Karlovy Lázn?
The most intense clubbing experience in the country
Noteworthy for: Being built on two preserved pools that date back to Roman times. These are now, naturally, used as dance floors.
Word to the wise: Try to get there before 10pm on weekends, as you’ll pay less to get in and you’ll avoid the huge crowds that come after the bars close.
The best thing about Karlovy Lázn?, though, is the location – right next to Charles Bridge – so it’s hard to miss. Fortunately, the building feels much more welcoming when you get inside.
Fee: 9 - 10pm: CZK 50, 10pm - 4am: CZK 120, 4am - 5am: CZK 50 Age: 18 Open Hours: Daily: 9pm - 5am Address: Smetanovo náb?e?í 198, Staré M?sto, Praha 1 Phone: +420 222 220 502 Karlovy Lázn?'s webpage
Bars & Nightlife
Agharta Jazz Club
Harmonic and historic: great jazz in unique surroundings
Word to the wise: Get here as early as possible for a table, otherwise you may find yourself standing at the back of the room.
If you’re looking for world-class music in atmospheric surroundings, it’s hard to look past Agharta Jazz Club. Located just off the Old Town Square, Agharta is set in a 14th century brick cellar, which fills with jazz, blues, funk and swing – not to mention thick cigarette smoke – every night of the week.The intimate, avant-garde venue boasts an extensive and affordable drinks menu, along with a small selection of snacks. Best of all, the attentive table service ensures you don’t miss a moment of the performance – a small consideration that makes a big difference to your night.
Fee: Adult: CZK 250 Age: 18 Open Hours: Daily: 7pm - 1am (Jazz from 9pm) Address: ?elezná 16, Staré M?sto, Praha 1 Phone: +420 222 211 275 Agharta's webpage
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