- Prague parks and gardens
- Prague islands
- Prague landmarks
- Religious buildings
- The best restaurants, cafes and bars
- Shopping lovers
- Where to go with children in Prague
- Theaters, philharmonic societies, cinemas
Unique architectural monuments, landscaping ensembles, cultural and historical sights attract more than 5 million tourists to Prague every year. The capital of the Czech Republic is one of the most interesting cities in Europe for children, gourmets, theatergoers, opera fans and beer connoisseurs. There are no difficulties with where to go in Prague. The city has all the conditions for comfortable, entertaining and varied leisure.
Prague parks and gardens
The Czech capital is famous for its landscape architecture. To the north of the center, in the Bubenech region, is Stromovka. This is the largest park in Prague, a true oasis of peace and quiet amid the hustle and bustle of the huge city. The picturesque corner was originally a royal sanctuary. In the 15th century, under Vladislav Jagellon, a hunting lodge appeared here, now better known as the Summer Palace.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the park became public domain. Pedestrian paths and wide alleys, spacious meadows appeared in it. Lakes with water lilies give coolness to vacationers. The park is home to age-old blue spruces, chestnuts, and weeping willows. In the depths of Stromovka there is a planetarium.
Another beautiful park you should definitely go to in Prague is Wallenstein Garden. Green labyrinths, fountains and sculptural compositions - all elements of the palace and park ensemble are designed in the early Baroque style. The park is adjacent to the Wallenstein Palace, which is now the seat of the Republican Senate.
Prague islands
Campa
There are nine islands on the Vltava River within the city. One of them - Kampa - is located near the Charles Bridge. On one side, the island is washed by a river, on the other - by an artificial stream Chertovka. The main attractions of Kampa are medieval mills, an English park and a baroque palace.
The small picturesque Streletsky Island is a completely natural creation. The Legia footbridge runs across it. In addition to the beautiful landscapes, this island is interesting because the Mayales student carnival takes place here in mid-May.
The romantic atmosphere reigns on the Slavyansky Island. It is the youngest island in Prague formed by river sediments. It is connected to the coast by the building of the Manes Gallery. Near the Slavyansky Island there is Masarykova embankment, Shitkovskaya water tower, the Dancing House, and the National Theater.
Prague landmarks
Prague Castle
The heart of the Czech capital is the Prague Castle - a complex of fortifications, temples and buildings on the left bank of the Vltava hill. The first ramparts at this place appeared in the 9th century. Due to the fact that the complex has been repeatedly supplemented and rebuilt, its appearance has features of the Romanesque and Gothic styles, baroque, rococo, classicism. Throughout its existence, Prague Castle was not only a fortress, but also a cultural center, the seat of Czech kings. Now the residence of the President is located here.
Where do you need to go in Prague? Here are 12 must-see places in the Czech capital:
- Wenceslas Square.
- Noble district of Hradcany.
- Jewish quarter.
- The Charles Bridge.
- Křižík fountains.
- Alphonse Mucha Museum.
- Toy Museum.
- Petrin Hill.
- Prague Zoo.
- Old Place.
- The oldest district is Vysehrad.
- Dancing House.
The old Jewish quarter is of constant interest among tourists. It is located between the Vltava and Old Town Square. The walled area has had a Jewish community since the 13th century. The former ghetto has several names - "Fifth Quarter", "Josefov". After the Jews were allowed free settlement, the area fell into disrepair. Most of the old houses were demolished a hundred years ago, but some have been preserved. Now the unique legacy of the Josef family is represented by six synagogues, a town hall and a cemetery. All of these objects are part of the Jewish Museum.
Religious buildings
Strahov Monastery
The visiting card of Prague is the most beautiful Gothic Cathedral of St. Vitus. The temple dates back to 1344 and is located on the territory of Prague Castle. Since the cathedral was built for six centuries, it contains elements of many styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo. The cult building is famous for its stone carvings, mosaics and relics. Many archbishops, monarchs, eminent architects are buried here.
Strahov Monastery is another attraction that every tourist should go to in Prague. The monastery was erected in the middle of the 12th century for the monks-premonstrants who observe the vow of silence. Throughout the history of its existence, the monastery was repeatedly burned, and rebuilt again. Part of the monastery is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. There is a huge library, museum and brewery on the territory of the monastery.
The best restaurants, cafes and bars
Traditional Czech cuisine has a lot in common with Austrian cuisine. They like hearty meat dishes here: chops, steaks, pork knuckles, pork pork, fried goose. Fish is cooked less often. In Prague, you can taste dumplings - steamed dough pieces. Czech soups are mostly sweet and sour, easy to prepare. The local cuisine is also famous for its various sauces, juicy sweet desserts. You can appreciate the national cuisine in the restaurants “Shalanda”, “Ferdinand”, “Prague Bridge”, “Shot Duck”.
Where to go for a gourmet in the Czech Republic? The best restaurants in Prague:
- Elegantes in a former Augustinian monastery;
- George Prime Steak with delicious steaks;
- Grand Cru Restaurant & nBar in the Old Town;
- Hergetova Cihelna in Mala Strana overlooking the Charles Bridge;
- Kampa Park on Kampa Island;
- Piano Nobile at Chateau Mcely in the castle building;
- the former Le Terroir cellar in the Gothic style;
- the Italian restaurant Casa De Carli in the Jewish Quarter;
- Asian restaurant SaSaZu;
- seafood restaurant Zdenek's Oyster Bar.
You can have an inexpensive and tasty meal in the "U Bansetov" tavern, "U two cats" restaurant, "In a dead end", "Zvonarka", Paul cafe, Paneria, "Vegetable Svetozor".
The national drink of Czechs is beer. Many restaurants and pubs in Prague brew it on their own. The best pubs in the capital: "At Flek's", "At St. Thomas's", "Brewery House", "At the Old Lady", "At the Golden Tiger".
Shopping lovers
Palladium
In general, the range and prices of goods in Prague are comparable to those in Moscow. You can buy something 1, 5–2 times cheaper only during sales - in July-August, before and after the New Year holidays. The fact that a fertile period for shopping has come is indicated by the inscription "sleva" on the stores. You can additionally save on purchases in two ways - choose shops away from tourist trails and apply for tax-free.
Where can you go shopping in Prague? Among tourists, the first place is occupied by the Palladium shopping center on Republic Square. The locals prefer Chodov. A huge shopping center is located in the area of the metro station of the same name. You can get there by bus # 115, 135, 154, 177 and 197. Another popular center, Novy Smichov, is located in the central part of Prague. Shoppers will also be interested in Atrium Flora, Kotva, Eden and Novodvorska Plaza stores.
Where to go with children in Prague
Prague Luna Park
Regardless of whether your little one loves trains or not, be sure to visit with him the exhibition "Kingdom of Railways" in the Smichov area. Here on the site of 115 sq. meters are copies of Czech trains and stations. Models that faithfully reproduce the national railway network are as naturalistic and efficient as possible. The child will have a lot of impressions after visiting museums of public transport and aviation.
Top 10 places in Prague where you should go with children:
- Children's island on the Vltava.
- Mirror labyrinth on Petřín.
- Prague Planetarium.
- Toy Museum.
- Stefanik Observatory.
- Prague Luna Park.
- Museum of Ghosts and Legends.
- Art workshops for children at the National Gallery.
- Exposition of dinosaurs in "Dino-Park".
- Chocolate Museum.
Theaters, philharmonic societies, cinemas
National Theater
Connoisseurs of high art in the evening (after 7 pm) should visit the Prague Opera. The neo-Renaissance theater building was erected in 1883 and has not changed since then. You can get to it by tram and metro, get off at the “Museum” stop. Another cultural attraction of Prague, where you should definitely go, is the National Theater. Its building is located on the picturesque bank of the Vltava River overlooking Prague Castle. The theater was built with donations from Czech aristocrats. Its construction was completed in 1862.
You can see unique performances combining ballet and film projection at the Laterna Magica Theater. Exhibitions, festivals, competitions and concerts are held at the Rudolfinum, the Prague Philharmonic on Jan Palach Square. The performances at the Black Theater are based on a funny play of light and shadow. Children aged 3-14 will be interested in Minor. The theater is located near the city center.
