Prague From A to Z
Prague's dazzling medieval architecture has earned it UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Take a stroll across the Charles Bridge, visit the Old Town Square with its astronomical clock and explore Vysehrad fortress.
The city's enfant terrible David Cerny's witty sculptures are dotted throughout the streets. The National Museum has vast scientific and historical collections. Opera lovers should head to the State or Estates Theatres for a performance.
1. Karlin
Karlin is a hip neighbourhood with an energetic vibe and a distinct local feel. It doesn’t have a huge amount of attractions, but what it does have is great cafes, restaurants and bars with a youthful vibe. It’s also where you’ll find the trendy Forum Karlin, an old factory hall that’s home to a cool concert venue and some really good eateries.
Unlike its boisterous southern neighbour Zizkov, this area has a much more sophisticated and relaxed air about it. In fact, this is one of Prague’s most cosmopolitan areas and the main square (Karlinske Namesti) has a real European feel to it with its cafes and stylish restaurants.
The district also has a few interesting architectural landmarks, such as the Invalidovna complex which was inspired by ‘Les Invalides’ in Paris and used to house disabled soldiers. There’s also the impressive Negrelli viaduct which first enabled trains to cross the Vltava River in 1850 and is still a major point of interest despite being currently undergoing repairs.
It’s in this area that you’ll also find one of Prague’s best cafes, namely Cafe
If you’re here in late May or early June you should check to see if United Islands of Prague is on – this is the city’s biggest and most exciting free music festival and it will be held in various locations across Karlin this year. This is a great opportunity to catch some up and coming talent as well as some of the bigger names from the Czech and international music scene. You’ll be able to listen to pop, rock, world music and even hip-hop as well as jazz, folk and reggae. It’s a really fun way to spend the day. All the venues are easy to reach by tram and metro.
It is impossible to get acquainted with the sights of Czech Republic in one day, as well as in a week, but you can see the maximum number of new places with the help of a rented car at one of the country's airports. For example, in Prague you can rent a car from 15 euros per day, in Brno - from 16 euros per day.
2. Holesovice
Holesovice, or Prague 7, is a fascinating and diverse district north of the Vltava River. It was once a centre of industry and trade, with city slaughterhouses (the meat market still exists), steam mills, a brewery, various factories and a busy cargo port. Today many of these industrial buildings have found new life as apartment complexes, offi ce complexes for young designers and artists, or cultural institutions.
The most prominent example is the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, which occupies a former factory building. Its eye-catching exterior makes it look like a Zeppelin airship has landed on the building. Inside, the museum runs a series of thought-provoking exhibitions, from the first post-Communist President Vaclav Havel's meeting with remote hill tribes in Papua and West Papua to the effects of climate change on human communities.
Also in this part of town you'll find the Governor's Summer Palace, which provides a great view of the park, and the oldest market in the city at Veletr
If you're looking for a night out, head to Cross Club. It's easy to reach by metro or tram - just a few steps from Nadrazi Holesovice on the red line C or trams 12 and 17. This non-profit off space gallery is dedicated to contemporary young artists, and it boats a unique interior design made with all sorts of recycled treasures. It has 3 floors, 2 stages and 5 bars so you can be sure to dance the night away!
Then there is also the Vnitroblock 'creative centre', which can be anything it wants to be thanks to its vast industrial interior. This multi-functional space hosts workshops, fashion shows for Czech designers and a dance studio, as well as music events and film screenings. This alternative cultural hub is quickly becoming one of the city's hottest places to be seen. It was recently voted as one of the top 10 coolest neighbourhoods in Europe by The Guardian.
3. Smichov
Today Smichov is a perfect reflection of its name, "smich" (laughter), where people, architectural styles and landscape features all mingle. The old factory buildings on the bank of Vltava are interspersed with shopping malls and cosy restaurants; Baroque, Art Nouveau and Neo-Renaissance are in symbiosis with modern office buildings; long-time residents go about their daily business amongst visitors and employees of multinational companies based here.
The origins of Smichov can be placed in the last quarter of the 14th century. The first written mention with the toponym is found in a visitation protocol of archdeacon Paul from Janovice (1380). An urban development was started at the end of the 19th century and the area grew considerably. It was mostly due to the textile and chemical industries. The most important building activity was the manufactory for calico printing, founded in 1814 by Aron Beer Przibram. It was located in the triangle area of present day Plzenska, Stefanikova and Kartouzska Streets. The operation was later supplemented by additional additions on newly purchased land.
Smichov also became a significant residential district. A large number of opulent multistory apartment buildings were built by well-known builders. In the middle of the 20th century, it became a common location for many motion picture productions.
Czechoslovakia achieved independence after World War I and Smichov was one of the places where it was proclaimed. The National House was built in the years 1906 - 08, according to the design of architect Alois Jan Censky and it is now considered one of the top Secession buildings in our country.
The famous novelist Franz Kafka was a frequent visitor to Smichov and the city has several monuments dedicated to him. Moreover, you can immerse yourself in his vision of Prague at the Kafka museum. The district is also home to the largest brewery in the capital, the Staropramen Brewery which attracts many beer lovers. Besides, there is also the popular U zlateho andela (Golden Angel) pub which takes its name from the angel painting on its awning. There are many other interesting sites in Smichov that you should not miss out on.
4. Lesser Town
This area screams rich history with ornate palace gardens, beautiful luxury hotels, and old-world pubs. Wandering the tight corners of its picturesque streets paved in cobblestone, you’ll get the feeling that time has stood still here for centuries.
The main square in Lesser Town (Malostranske namesti) is the perfect place to relax over a beer at a renowned 'kaverna' or restaurant, but there’s also plenty more to see and do. For example, the neoclassical Smiricky House is where city nobles used to gather in 1618 to plan the assassination of Imperial Catholic governors, thus sparking the 30-year war.
On the southern slope of Hradcany Hill, five interconnected gardens form a complex of natural architecture. Walk among a myriad of fountains, gazebos, loggias, and glorietas to get lost in this unique scenery.
A top highlight in Lesser Town is Wallenstein Garden, one of the most romantic spots in the entire city. Its builder, Count Wallenstein, studied in Padua and was heavily influenced by Italian Renaissance art and architecture. The statues in the garden represent figures from Greek mythology and the ceiling of the Sala Terrena is decorated with a series of frescos that depict scenes from the Trojan Wars.
It’s not far from the gardens to Petrin Hill, where you’ll find the 299-step tower for a panoramic view of Prague. The grounds also offer a number of cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a bite to eat, but it’s important to go early in the day or late in the evening to avoid the crowds.
Aside from taking in a spectacular cityscape, Petrin Hill is home to a unique monument dedicated to the victims of Communism. Located at the bottom of the stairs, this sculpture features seven naked bronze male figures that seem to lose more of their anatomy with each step they descend down the staircase. This is a very powerful monument that’s worth checking out. You can also visit the Communist Museum in the same building if you’d like to learn more about Czechoslovakia’s dark past.