Discover Prague! Prague! Discover Prague! 1 an Insider's Guide to Visiting Prague an Insider's Guide to Visiting Beautiful Prague

DiscoverDiscover Prague! Prague! Discover Prague! 1 An Insider's Guide to Visiting Prague An Insider's Guide to Visiting Beautiful Prague

Table of Contents Chapter 1 - INTRODUCTION...... 4 Chapter 2 - BEST TIME to VISIT...... 6 Clothes & Packing...... 6 Chapter 3 - TRIP PLANNING...... 8 Chapter 4 - MONEY and COSTS...... 10 Chapter 5 - SAFETY...... 12 Watch out for pickpockets...... 12 Dishonest taxi drivers...... 12 Scams in Prague Restaurants...... 13 Health...... 13 Chapter 6 - SUGGESTED ITINERARIES...... 14 Prague in one day...... 14 Prague in two days...... 15 Prague in three days...... 16 Prague in one week ...... 17 Chapter 7 - ACTIVITIES...... 18 Best Place for a View over the City...... 18 Some activities tips...... 19 Chapter 8 - TRANSPORTATION...... 21 Prague Airport...... 21 Getting to the city...... 21 Prague Metro...... 22 Prague trams...... 22 City buses...... 23 Taxis...... 25 Chapter 9 - SHOPPING...... 27 Shopping Malls...... 28 Chapter 10 - EATING...... 30 Restaurants...... 31 Top Price Range...... 32 Czech Traditional Restaurants...... 34 Vegetarian Restaurants...... 36 Tipping in restaurants...... 37 Chapter 11 - PUBS AND BARS...... 38 Good places to have a beer in Prague...... 38 Best Bars...... 41 Chapter 12 - NIGHTLIFE...... 43 Cocktail bars...... 43 Tasting Czech Beer...... 43 Discos...... 44 Rock Clubs...... 45 Blues and Jazz...... 46 Adult Clubs...... 47 Casinos...... 47

Cinema...... 48 The Performing Arts...... 49 Best Theatres in Prague...... 51 Best Museums in Prague...... 53 Chapter 13 - ATTRACTIONS – THE BEST TO SEE...... 57 Prague Castle...... 57 Old Town Square...... 62 Astronomical Clock...... 63 Charles Bridge...... 63 Wenceslas Square...... 65 Old Jewish Quarter Josefov...... 66 Municipal House...... 67 Vyšehrad...... 69 Petřín Hill...... 70 Strahov Monastery...... 74 Chapter 14 - CITY TOURS...... 75 Free Guided Walking Tour Details...... 76 Superior Tour of Prague...... 77 Chapter 15 - EXCURSIONS...... 78 Grand City Sightseeing Tour...... 78 The Famous Pubs of the Old Town...... 79 Ghost Walk...... 79 Krizik fountain with music performance...... 80 River Cruises...... 81 Chapter 16 - DAY TRIPS...... 83 Regular-Organized Excursions...... 83 Flexible-Private Excursions...... 87 Chapter 17 - WHERE, WHEN and HOW to JOIN US...... 93 Walks - Meeting Point...... 93 Bus Excursions Meeting/Pickup Point...... 93 Boat Excursions Departure Point...... 93 Advance Booking...... 93 Chapter 18 - THE CZECH LANGUAGE...... 95 Survival English-to-Czech Dictionary...... 95 COPYRIGHT INFORMATION...... 98 DISCLAIMER...... 99

Chapter 1 - 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. Don't overlook the small side streets and courtyards where Prague is often at its most charming. Don’t worry about getting lost, Prague’s 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 cafés, 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. Charles Bridge at Sunset 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 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 Republic's 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 (3.34 square miles), was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register. No matter where you go, you will discover parts of the city’s 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.

Chapter 2 - 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 35°C (95°F); in the winter, it can be as cold as -15°C (5°F). The average high temperature from May to September is 22°C (72°F) with an average low of 12°C (54°F), 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 don’t 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 you’re planning to visit Prague during the peak A Rare Snow Blanketing summer season, be prepared for crowded Prague Castle restaurants and hotels, and a city full of foreign tourists. But, all seasons in Prague are beautiful, regardless of the weather.

Clothes & Packing

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. However, even if you forget your raincoat and the weather turns to rain, there's always a good café around the next corner that you can duck into.

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.

Chapter 3 - 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 isn’t 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 Prague’s 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 Year's day, Valentine’s 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 won’t 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.

NOTE: Travel adapter plug. The Czech Republic uses the standard European 220-volt electrical outlets. If you are bringing something using 110 or 120- volts, make sure you buy a 220-volt adapter, so you can use your 110-volt electrical items while in Europe.

Chapter 4 - MONEY and COSTS

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. Though for luxury goods, like electrical appliances, cosmetics and fashion, prices are higher here than elsewhere.

At the current exchange rate of 1 CZK equal to $0.58 USD, an average tourist will spend around 1,700 CZK or $98 USD per person per day. The lowest daily budget can be as low as 900 CZK ($52 USD) 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 ($144 USD) 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 $576 USD) a day.

Please 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 ($201 USD) and 6,000 CZK ($345 USD)for a double room, but hotels in Prague suburbs can cost as low as 700 CZK ($40 USD) for a single room. Staying in a hostel dormitory room for one costs on average 400 CZK ($23 USD), but can be found for as low as 250 CZK ($14 USD) in low season.

Dinner for two with some drinks at one of the fancier restaurants can cost around 2,000 CZK ($115 USD) or at a mid-range restaurant costs from 900 to 1,200 CZK ($51 to $69 USD). Lunch in a pub can cost about 150 CZK ($8 USD) per person and a special lunch menu in cheap eatery can cost from 60 to 100 CZK ($3.45 to $5.75 USD).

A cup of coffee in a city cafeteria is 45 CZK ($2.60 USD), but in Starbucks it is around 100 CZK ($3.45 USD).

A beer in a pub outside the city proper will cost around 25 CZK ($1.43 USD) though in the heart of the city, this will cost up to 80 CZK ($4.60 USD); soft drinks about 35 CZK ($2 USD). Cigarettes are still a bit cheaper than in other parts of EU, a pack of Marlboro cigarettes costs 84 CZK ($4.84 USD). In supermarkets, a 0.5 L bottle of water costs 15 CZK ($0.86 USD), a loaf of bread from 20 CZK ($1.15 USD), liter of milk 20 CZK ($1.15 USD).

If you are planning to rent a car, a liter of gasoline will cost you around 32 CZK ($1.84 USD). Cinema tickets cost up to 200 CZK ($11.52 USD). A one-day public transportation pass costs 100 CZK ($5.76 USD), a taxi from airport to the city-center is from 500 to 650 CZ ($28.80 to $37.43 USD), and taxi within city-center should cost 180 to 250 CZK ($10.36 to $14.40 USD).

If you want to lower your expenses, you should avoid city-center hotels, restaurants, night clubs and shops, or ask locals where they’re going out. Visiting galleries and museums is not expensive and some of them are admission free.

Chapter 5 - 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. Don’t keep luggage and valuables visible in your car; you should try and remove the CD player - even if it is a rented car.

Don’t 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, i.e. 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.

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.

Dishonest taxi drivers

Sadly, Prague still has some of the worst taxi drivers in the world when it comes to overcharging. It's 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.

Scams in Prague Restaurants

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 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 don't want to pay for those items, then ask the wait staff to take them away. Even if you don't eat it, but it's 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, it's 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.

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. Bottled water is available everywhere. 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.

Chapter 6 - SUGGESTED ITINERARIES

Prague in one day

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. George's Basilica, and pass the small picturesque houses in Golden Lane. Then, descend into the Lesser Town where you'll 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. St. George's Basilica 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 Prague's architectural gems from the Vltava River. The boat departure pier is just under Charles Bridge, accessible from Certovka, Kampa Island. Once across the bridge, walk along the riverside and take a break at the famous Café 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 Prague's most prominent Art Nouveau building, built between 1906 and 1912. It is a popular stop for visitors drawn in by the building's gold trimmings, stained glass, sculpture, and the regular exhibitions and concerts.

Prague in two days

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. Astronomical Clock 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 Café or Imperial Café.

In the afternoon, do some shopping around Wenceslas Square. In the evening you could have a few pints of world famous Czech beer at the U Pinkasu pub, or if you like classical music, attend a concert at the Rudolfinum.

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 Kutná Hora.

• tour the Terezin memorial.

• stroll around some of the museums and galleries.

• go shopping. Petřín Hill Observation Tower In the afternoon, have lunch in one of the Lesser Town restaurants, then take the funicular railway up to the Petřín 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, don't forget to visit Petřín Observation Tower. If you are energetic enough, continue walking from Petřín Hill to the Pohorelec (Hradcany) and visit Strahov Monastery. From there take a scenic tram number 22 back to the city.

Prague in one week

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 Letná to Troja Château and take the boat back into town (or vice versa).

Also you will have time for a day-trip to Kutná Hora, Český Krumlov or to do the Pilsner Brewery Tour. One week will give you more time to soak up the city atmosphere and you won't get bored.

Chapter 7 - ACTIVITIES

Prague is bursting at the seams with things to do. Whether you choose the city's 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.

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.

Prague's Red Roof-Tops on Each Side of the Charles Bridge

But if you want to escape the crowds, there are other lofty vantage points, including Vyšehrad, Petřín Hill Tower, Letná Park, TV tower, Old Town Hall Towers and St. Henry's Tower.

Some activities tips

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 Mozart's Don Giovanni in 1787 and this opera can still be seen here today or alternately performed by puppets at the National Marionette Theatre. Colorful Puppets for Sale 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 Lávka, or on Slovanský Ostrov.

Go into one of Prague's 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 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 The Staircase of the in the heart of the city. Palladium and Myslbek Centre are National Museum 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. There's even a sushi bar.

Take a trip, during the summer months, on Prague's 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 National Theatre 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 Children's zoo with its petting zoo.

Chapter 8 - TRANSPORTATION

Prague Airport

Prague Airport, Ruzyne (all international flights arrive here), is located 17km (about 10.5 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 - 25 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 traveler’s 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.

Getting to the city

If you don't have a lot of luggage, take the No. 119 bus from the airport to Dejvická Metro station. From there, take the main A-line into city-center stations. There are also other buses (No.100, No.254 and No.179) 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.

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. Prague's 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 www.dpp.cz or visit the information desks located at the airport and at selected Metro stations:

• Muzeum (lines A and C);

• Můstek (lines A and B);

• Anděl (line B);

• Nadraží Holešovice (line C);

• Černý 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.

Prague Metro

The Metro is formed by three lines: A, B, and C. Lines are color-coded and the metro operates from 5am to midnight. The green line (line A) connects terminus Skalka and terminus Dejvická. The yellow line connects terminus Černý Most and terminus Zličín and the red line (line C) connects terminus Ládví and terminus Háje. There are three cross stations: Muzeum (lines A and C), Můstek (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.

Prague trams

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-ten-minute 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 Lazarská stop.

Trams 22 and 23

Follow one of Prague's most scenic routes, passing by the National Theatre to Staroměstská and Malostranská Metro stations, and continuing up to the Belvedér, Prague Castle and Pohořelec, with some stunning views on the way.

Tram 9

Other useful tram routes is No.9. This tram runs across the city via Wenceslas Square and onto Lesser Town.

Historic tram 91

The Nostalgic Tram 91 runs on weekends and holidays from the end of March through mid-November. The tram leaves from Střešovice every hour from 12 noon till 6pm and continues through the city-center. The ticket costs 35 CZK ($2.00 USD) for adults, 20 CZK ($1.15 USD) 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 4.30am 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 501- 512) run from 12:30am till 4:30am in 40-minute intervals. Timetables are located at bus stops.

Prague city transportation fares

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 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 on-the-spot fine of 700 CZK ($40 USD) 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 don't know the fact that they have to validate a ticket.

A single ticket, for one use or short ride, costs adults 18 CZK ($1.04 USD), children 6-15 years, 9 CZK ($0.52 USD) and children under 6, free.

This ticket can only be used one time on one type of transportation. It is valid for 20 minutes from validation on trams and buses or 5 stations on the underground, allowing for transfers between underground stations (erg. from line A to line B) for up to 30 min. of total time of use. This ticket is not valid on night trams and buses and on the Petřín funicular.

A transfer ticket, for multiple uses or long rides, cost adults 26 CZK ($1.50 USD), children 6-15 years, 13 CZK ($0.75 USD) and children under 6, free.

This ticket 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 75 min. from validation (90 min. on weekends/holidays and from 8pm to 5am on weekdays). Short- term passes are for unlimited travel within the ticket's 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 buy a short-term travel pass. Also 3 and 5-day passes allow free accompaniment of 1 child between 6 and 14.

Day tickets or longer passes, can often be supplied by your hotel concierge, but can also be purchased at all major metro stations and news agents:

• 24-hour pass - 100 CZK ($5.75 USD); children 6 to 15yrs, only 50 CZK ($2.88 USD).

• 3-day pass (72 hours) - 330 CZK ($19.00 USD); with this pass, one child per adult can travel free.

• 5-day pass (120 hours) - 500 CZK ($28.80 USD); with this pass, one child per adult can travel free. 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.

Praha hlavní nádraží

Prague’s 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 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 Prague’s 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.

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 ČSAD and Student Agency.

Prague's Beautiful Skyline at Sunset

Chapter 9 - SHOPPING

Most shopping malls and arcades are located in the center of Prague in Wenceslas Square, in streets Na Poříčí, 28. října, Národní třída, Vinohradská (above the National Museum), Pařížská 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.

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 Dvořák, Smetana, Martinů and Janáček, 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. Buy it everywhere, give it to everyone, but drink it in moderation.

Shopping Malls

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 příkopě street. There are four floors, with more than 200 shops and over 30 restaurants and cafés. 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.

Vinohradský Pavilón

This former historical market hall was reconstructed into a nice 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 café; it is a nice place just to sit and wait for your partner to finish shopping.

It is located on the corner Vinohradská and Budečská, a 10-minute walk from Wenceslas Square. To get there, take Tram 11 to Vinohradská tržnice.

Myslbek Shopping Gallery

This small shopping mall is located in a modern building just opposite of the Černá Růže shopping mall. It is accessible from Na Příkopě Street or from Uhelný 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.

Nový Smíchov

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. Nový Smíchov 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.

Fashion Outlet Arena

This is an outlet center where you'll 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.

Chapter 10 - EATING

Visitors to Prague often miss out on the best of traditional Czech cuisine which is heavily meat-based, but also quite diverse. Don't miss this, unless you are a vegetarian. A typical national dish is “pork, cabbage and dumplings” (vepřo- 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, ‘knedlíky' (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 ‘Svíčková na smetaně‘— 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 ‘šopský salát', also called ‘balkanský salát'. 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, ‘bramborák‘ (a garlic-seasoned fried potato pancake) is a quick, if not greasy, local favorite. The same goes for for smazeny syr (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.

Restaurants

Cheap Restaurants

Cheap restaurants are not hard to find, but can be less frequent around tourist spots. Generally, prices in cheap restaurants range from 100 CZK ($5.75 USD) to 250 CZK ($14.40 USD) for dinner and beer.

Yes, it is also possible to eat extremely cheap at some local Chinese restaurants for around 80 CZK ($4.60 USD) for a lunch, but don't expect a large portion. A meal at McDonald or KFC will cost you 100 CZK ($5.75 USD). 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 Újezd 16, Lesser Town (open daily 7am-2am) and another location at Masná 2, Old Town (open Mon-Fri 7am-midnight and Sat-Sun 8am-midnight). Prices range: 40-150 CZK ($2.30 to $8.64 USD).

Pizza Coloseum

This is a place for pizza and pasta. It is usually crowded, but is great for a pre- movie dinner. Located at Vodičkova 32 in New Town, it is open Mon-Sat 11:30am-11:30pm; Sun noon-11:30pm. Prices range from 100-300 CZK ($ $5.75 - $17.27 USD). See their website for a sample menu.

Top Price Range

500-1,000 CZK ($28 to $56 USD)

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;

• Celéste, 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 Rybí 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 ($28.80 - $57.60 USD). They are located at Na Kampě 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. Located at Smetanovo nábřeží 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 ($57.60 USD) and up.

Céleste

This restaurant offers one of the best French cuisines in Prague and is located on the top floor of one of Prague's most famous modern landmarks, the ‘Dancing Building' (Taneční Dům), Rašínovo nábřeží 80, Prague 2. There are amazing views of the city from both the inside dining Prague's Modern Landmark - The Dancing room and the rooftop terrace. House

Recommended are red snapper à la Provençal, tournedos de boeuf with Béarnaise sauce and young rabbit in mustard sauce. Prices start at 700 CZK ($40.30 USD) 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 Pařížská 17, Old Town and open 11:30am-1am. Their dishes range in price from 1,000 to 1,200 CZK ($57.60 to $69.00 USD)

U Maltézských rytířů

This restaurant dining rooms, are housed in a Gothic and Romanesque cellar making them continental, cozy and gracious. Recommended dishes include filet mignon, venison Chateaubriand and homemade apple strudel. Open daily from 11am-11pm, and located at Prokopská 10 (off Karmelitská) in Lesser Town, prices range from 800 -1,000 CZK ($46 - $57.60 USD).

Czech Traditional Restaurants

Budvarka

This is not far from the Dejvická 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. They are open daily from 11am to midnight and located at Wuchterlova 22, Dejvice.

U Sádlů

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 Klimentská 2 in New Town, and open daily 11am-1am. Visit their website for some unique dining room views.

Lokál

Part of the successful Ambiente chain of "inventive" restaurants, Lokál has championed the "Slow Food" movement here in the Czech Republic, turning out quality, reasonable moderately priced Czech plates - think livers, fried cheese, svíčková – served in a trendy space, with free-flowing Pilsner and a lively, upbeat pub atmosphere. Located in Old Town at Dlouhá 33, Prague 1, they are open daily 11am-1am. Visit their website to see a sampling of their wellness recipes.

La Degustation Bohême

Team of chefs and pâtissiers 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. Their expensive fare is located at Haštalská 753/18, Old Town, and open Mon-Sat 5pm until midnight. Visit their website for a menu selection using organic ingredients from Czech farms and small produce providers.

CzecHouse Grill

The Hilton Prague´s 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-the-top USDA prime beef tartare with caviar. Other than the less-than-stellar view of a parking lot and office building, there's nothing disappointing about this place.

Located at Pobřežní 1, Karlín (inside the Hilton Hotel), they are open daily 6pm-11pm and for lunch Mon-Fri noon until 3pm. Their prices are rated as expensive. For a beautiful dining room, visit their website.

Café Savoy

Located at Vítězná 1, Smíchov, just off Legions' Bridge, this is a picture-perfect Victorian-era café. Even if the food was marginal, which it isn't, it would be recommended for the setting, décor and ornate ceiling. There's a feeling of casual sophistication about the place and dishes - from entrées to desserts - match the scene - approachable, yet better than the norm. Their moderately priced food is served Mon-Fri 8am-10:30pm and Sat-Sun 9am-10:30pm.

Vegetarian Restaurants

There are not many “100% pure” vegetarian restaurants in Prague, so if you are searching for one, it’s 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 it's 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 Soukenická 27, Prague 1 & Na hrázi 5, Prague 8. They are open in both locations Mon-Fri 11am-5pm and Sat 8am-5pm.

Country Life

This caféteria-like or buffet-style vegetarian food hall offers a variety of ready- made selections, including sandwiches, salads, veggie burgers and veggie goulash. The extra healthy unprocessed, unrefined, non-dairy food is charged according to weight. This place gets really busy, but don’t 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, Praugue 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 entrées, fresh juices, and other beverages. No eggs are used. The interior is unique, with each room having a different theme;

Copyright © 2011 – Prague Airport Transfers - All rights reserved Discover Prague! 37 a small colorful contemporary room, a warm orange room with fish tank, and a blue heaven room where the ceiling is decorated with stars. Reservations are recommended at this no smoking venue. Their address is Borsov 2/280, Prague 1 - Old Town and they are open Mon-Fri 11:30am-11:30pm and Sat- Sun 12 noon-11:30pm.

Tipping in restaurants

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.

Chapter 11 - 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 world's 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, don’t be surprised if your glass is replenished without even asking. That’s part of the Czech tradition. Another tradition is sharing a table - it’s not unusual if someone asks you if they can share a table with you, and of course, you are expected say yes.

Good places to have a beer in Prague

U Fleků

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 Live Music at U Fleků with tourists from all over the world. The front façade of the 12th-century building is unique in that it has an old, highly-decorated clock above its door. U Fleků is located in New Town at Křemencova 11.

U Zlatého Tygra (The Golden Tiger)

This is quite an old drinking hall with cool beer prices, just 30 CZK ($1.75 USD) for ½ liter of the frothy Pilsner Urquell lager. When Bill Clinton visited the Czech Republic, Vaclav 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 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 world's greatest beer bars, so treat it and its regular patrons with appreciation. Located in Old Town at Husova 17. Open daily from 3pm to 11pm.

U Pinkasu

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 náměstí 16, close to the underground station Mustek. Open 11am to 11pm daily.

At St. Thomas's (U Svatého Tomáše)

Augustinian monks first brewed beer here in 1352, making it one of the oldest beer halls in Prague. In the basement of the old brewery are three beer halls, including one furnished in mock medieval style. Great, authentic atmosphere. Located at Letenská 12, Lesser Town.

Pivni 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 you're 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. Website: www.pivnigalerie.cz

Pivovarský Dům

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. It gets crowded, so expect to wait if you come at dinner time. This brew-pub located at Lípová 15, New Town, close to Charles Square.

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 Kuli" (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 Politickych veznu. Their Lesser Town location is at Karmelitska 18.

The Strahov Monastic Brewery (Klášterní Pivovar)

This microbrewery is located close to the Prague Castle (Strahov Monastery); it serves simple meals and famous Czech beers. It might be a bit more expensive by Czech standards, but is still a bargain for travelers.

Les Moules Café

Located at Parizska 19/203, this restaurant/café 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 Pařížská 19. It is a bit pricier compared to other pubs.

U Medvídků

Some bars in Prague have veered towards the tourist currency, however, U Medvídků, at Na Perštýně 7 in Old Town, has retained its traditional charm and is still very much a favorite with Czech locals. This is a straightforward Czech pub and easily large enough to accommodate everyone.

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.

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 Dlouha 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.

Bugsy's 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 – 2 am at Kostečná 2 (off Pařížská) in Old Town.

Caffrey's Irish Bar

Here you will find a casual atmosphere and full menu at Old Town Square. Located at Old Town Square 10, their hours are Sun-Thurs 9am -1am, Fri-Sat 9am-2am.

ZanziBar

Serving dry martinis, margaritas and other staples, mixed well by Prague standards, the are expensive. Wednesday night is Ladies' night and they are open daily 2pm – 2am at Lázeňská 6, Lesser Town.

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.

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 Smečkách 21, New Town. Hours are noon - 2am daily.

Chapter 12 - NIGHTLIFE

Visitors to Prague will have a lot of options when looking to go clubbing until the early morning hours. The nightlife scene can't quite match London and other big cities, but that can be a good thing too in terms of price and less crowds.

Cocktail bars

There are a number of sophisticated cocktail bars in the center of Prague. Try Tretter's bar, near Old Town Square, which has a classic atmosphere with a friendly bar staff. Also in the area are Zapa Bar and Bugsy's, 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 Prague's VIP bars; Old Town Square with Tyn Church in high prices and standards are guaranteed. the Background

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 kolkovně 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: Pivovarský Dům on Ječná and not far from Wenceslas Square, U Vejvodů near Národní Třída, and the historic brewery U Fleků near Charles Square.

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 Namesti Republiky station. Karlovy Lazne 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 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 Masna, near Old Town Square. The crowd is generally a mix of well-off young Czechs and expat students.

Duplex – Duplex is one of Prague’s most popular nightclubs with huge dance hall. It is a combination of nightclub, café 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.

Mecca – very fashionable club, featuring industrial-chic, house and techno music to dance to. Read more at their website www.mecca.cz. Located at Pruhonu 3, Holesovice.

Karlovy Lazne – located close to the Charles Bridge at Novotného lávka in Old Town, this is another huge and very cool night club. Each floor has its own style, from chill out to hard 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).

RadostFX – this very famous club features top local and international DJs. Exquisite sofas, mosaic-topped tables ... A café 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. Located close to the underground IP Pavlova station at Bělehradská 120,Vinohrady.

La Fabrique – disco with a couple of dance floors for people of all ages located in Old Town at Uhelný trh 2. Visit their website at www.lafabrique.cz

Roxy – arrive around midnight when the fun starts in the best club in town, if funk and techno is your favorite. Located at Dlouhá 33, metro Náměstí Republiky.

Rock Clubs

Under the communist regime, rock and roll was banned, as it was considered too pro-western. Prague’s rock scene was dominated by dissident-era 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, Palác Akropolis and Roxy usually host live rock bands.

Rock Café

This is a nice live music disco open Mon-Fri 10pm-3am; Sat 7pm-3am. The club's ground floor houses Jim Beam Bar, an internet café, concert hall, CD bazaar, and a store selling recording and sound equipment. The Absolut Bar (of course offering 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 Národní Třída 20 in Old Town. Their admission charge is from 50 to 100 CZK ($2.88 to $5.75 USD).

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 Zborovská 7, Prague 5. They are open daily 8pm-3am; concerts start around 9pm. Admission costs start at 100 CZK ($5.75).

Blues and Jazz

For blues and/or jazz, some good performances can be caught at U Maleho Glena, near Old Town Square. The performance area is very small 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 Národní třída 20.

Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club. A tiny club in the 15th-century cellar of a Renaissance building at Týn 2 in Old Town. A mix of blues, funk and jazz supplied by top Czech performers. They featured live shows every night.

U Staré Paní. Located at Michalská 9 in Old Town, “At the Old Lady” is a sophisticated cellar jazz club that attracts serious names from all over the world.

Adult Clubs

The side streets near Wenceslas Square (especially Perlová Street) are full of strip clubs. This is Prague's small red light district. Pickpockets can be a problem in this area at night (often employing women who run up to groups of men asking for a hug, etc. in order to divert attention away from pickpockets).

The most famous and most expensive strip clubs are Goldfingers, located under the Ambassador Hotel, Darling Cabaret at Ve Smečkách 31 and K5 Relax at Korunní 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. ($11.50 up to $34.54 USD). Drinks are usually much more expensive compared to the ordinary pubs or night clubs.

Casinos

Most casinos in Prague are open from evening until early morning and some don't close at all. Minimum bets start at 20 CZK ($1.15 USD) with some offering free drinks for players. Players need to be over 18, obviously well- dressed and have some ID.

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.

Casino President

They offer free soft drinks if you gamble. This new and luxurious casino, located in the Hotel President at nám. Curieových 100, features roulette, black jack, punto banco and poker daily from 6pm-4am.

Cinema

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 ($5.20 to $11.55 USD). 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 Prague's cinemas are published in the “Night & Day” section of the Prague Post newspaper.

The most recommended cinemas are:

• Palace Cinema Novy Smichov. A multiplex cinema located in Novy Smichov shopping mall.

• Palace Cinema Slovanský Dům. Ten-screen cinema in a great location close to Wenceslas Square in the shopping mall, Slovansky Dum.

• Lucerna. One of the oldest cinemas in town, seating over 500 people, located just off Wenceslas Square in Lucerna passageway.

The Performing Arts Classical music

Prague has two well-known established concert halls - the Dvořák Hall in Rudolfinum 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 Žižkov. 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 Prague's gardens.

The Czech Republic has produced a The Rudolfinum in Prague few famous composers, including Dvořák, Martinů, Smetana, Janáček 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 (Česká Filharmonie) located at the Rudolfínum.

Opera

The two major companies, the National and the State, both perform 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 Dvořák, 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 ($57.80 to $74.42 USD) which makes seeing an opera in Prague more accessible than most European cities.

State Opera (Statni Opera)

North of the museum, along Wilsonova and next to the Parliament building, is the massive building of the Prague State Opera (Státní opera). The State Opera was first opened in 1888 as the Neues Deutches Theatre (as a Prague German stage with the performance of Wagner's opera, The Mastersingers of Nürnberg). 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 100CZK to 1,150 CZK ($5.78 to 66.47 USD); 100 CZK to 500 CZK ($5.78 to$28.90 USD) for a ballet.

The doors are 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). The most recommended ones are Ticketpro and Ticketcentrum. Generally, all venues offer some discounts for students, children and the disabled.

Best Theatres in Prague

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 Libuše composed by Bedřich Smetana. Decoration of both exterior and interior is a work of leading Czech artists M. Aleš, F. Ženišek, V. Hynais, J.V. Myslbek and others.

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. The box-office is open Mon-Sun 10:00am–6pm. For a listing of performances, see their website. Tickets cost about 1,200 CZK ($69.00 USD) and they are located at Národní třída 2 in New Town.

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 Mozart’s 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); you can buy tickets up to 1,200 CZK ($69.00 USD) from any National Theatre box office. The theatre is located at Ovocný trh 6 in Old Town.

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. Performances start at 8pm in Pařížská 4 in Old Town. Tickets prices are generally around 450 CZK ($26.00 USD).

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 Mozart's 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. Come to see some of the great performances starting at 8pm at this authentic theatre located in Old Town at Žatecká 1.

Best Museums in 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).

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. Admission is free the 1st Monday of each month; otherwise admission is 100 CZK ($5.78). They are open daily at Wenceslas Square 68 during the low season from 10am-6pm; summer hours are daily from 9am- 5pm; the first Tuesday of every month, the museum is closed. See their website for current exhibit information.

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 příkopě10. Go to their website at for more information.

The National Technical Museum

This houses exhibits from the sciences, like acoustics and astronomy, and also of means of transportation and time measurement at Kostelní 42, Prague 7. Entrance the first Friday of each month is free after 12 noon. Hours of operation are Tue-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat, Sun and holidays 10am-6pm. See their website for an exhibition listing.

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 Mostecká 18. The Wax Museum of World Personalities is at Melantrichova 5. Both are open daily from 9am until 8pm. For more information, visit their website.

Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments

Heretics, witches and state enemies were all tortured or burned at the stake. It might sound morbid, but the Inquisition and torture is part of Europe's history. To be honest, the experience of visiting the torture instruments museum is one that can have a powerful effect on any person. All explanations and comments are in English. Take tram 12, 20, 22 or 23 to Lesser Town Square. The museum is located at Mostecká 21, Prague 1. Hours of operation are daily 10am-0pm.

The Museum of Czech Cubism

The époque 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, Ovocný trh 19 , Prague 1 is this exhibition of Czech cubism from 1910 to 1919. It costs 100 CZK ($5.75 USD) to enter and they are open from 10am-6pm daily.

The Lobkowicz Palace

The Monuments of the Nation's Past is housed in the Prague Castle at Jiřská 3. Visit their website for a more detailed listing of their exhibits. They are open daily, 9am-5pm, except Mon; on the first Wed. of each month, entry is free.

Museum of Decorative Arts

Here you will find stories of materials, such as glass, ceramics, commercial art, furniture, textiles, books and placards. For more information of what is currently on display at their location at ul. 17. listopadu 2, Prague 1, visit their website. They are open daily Tue 10am-7pm (every Tue 5-7pm, entrance is free), Wed-Sun 10am-6pm.

The Jewish Museum

The Jewish Museum manages the following historical buildings:

• Maisel Synagogue

• Spanish Synagogue

• Jewish Museum in Prague's Jewish Pinkas Synagogue Quarter

• Klausen Synagogue

• Ceremonial Hall

• Old Jewish Cemetery,

• Robert Guttmann Gallery

• Old-New Synagogue

• the Jewish Cemetery in Žižkov.

Open daily except Saturdays and Jewish holidays, their hours of operation are 9am-6pm (high season) and 9am-4:30pm (low season). See their website for a detailed listing of their exhibitions.

Chapter 13 - 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 Hradcany. 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 St.Vitus 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.

Elsewhere around the castle are Prague's Castle Courtyard 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 hasn't changed in 500 years;

• the outstanding monument of St George's 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.

There's also a toy museum, which really has nothing to do with the castle, but contains some very interesting old and Golden Lane at the new toys. The changing of the palace guard is an Prague Castle entertaining affair (every hour on the hour at the main gate) - a sort of poor man's version of London's Buckingham Palace routine.

Seat of the President

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. St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Prague Castle History Castle

The castle dates back to the 9th century when Prince Borivoj 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. Plecnik. Wallenstein Garden at the Prague Castle 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.

Prague Castle Tours

There are two main tours in Prague Castle. The long tour includes Old Royal Palace, permanent exhibition "The Story of Prague Castle", St. George's Basilica, Convent of St. George - National Gallery, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower, Prague Castle Picture Gallery.

The short tour includes Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower.

How to get to Prague Castle

Getting There on Foot

As a starting point, we recommend the Metro station 'Malostranská' (line A), located just below Prague Castle. From there you will step up on the Old Castle Stairway (Staré zamecké 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.

Getting There by Tram

If you prefer not to do such a steep walk up Old Castle Stairway, you can take either tram No.22 or No.23 up to the hill to the get off at the stop for Pražský Hrad.

Other tram stops include:

• Královský letohrádek (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.

• Pohořelec - walk to the Castle through Hradčany and you will arrive at the main entrance.

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 Hradčany.

Prague Castle Opening hours

Most monuments within Prague Castle complex are open daily Apr-Oct 9am- 5pm, and Nov-Mar 9am-4pm. The castle complex alone is open from the very early hours until 11pm or midnight.

During the summer season (April – 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 Pařížská Street.

If you are planning to visit Prague Castle on your own and other sights in Prague as well, consider buying a Prague Discount Card for substantial savings. Ask our driver or visit our website for more info.

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.

Old Town Square

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 cafés or strolling around, don't 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 Týn and the City Hall at Old Town Square 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 reformer's death. The groundswell of supporters for his beliefs during the 14th and 15th centuries eventually led to the Hussite wars.

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

Astronomical Clock

The most popular part of the tower is the town hall clock. Prague's 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 Hanus in 1490.

The clock is composed of three main components: the astronomical dial, representing the position of the sun and The Astronomical Clock is entertaining moon in the sky and displaying various to watch 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.

Charles Bridge

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 Charles Bridge in an Early Morning Fog 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, don't 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 you'll 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 IV's favorite architect and builder Peter Parler, 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 Matyas Braun and E. M. Brokoff.

Wenceslas Square

The south end of Na příkopě meets Wenceslas Square (Václvské náměstí) - 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, Václav Havel and Alexander Dubcek 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 Myslbek's 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.

On the Vltava River

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.

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 Prague's 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 Löw.

Most of it can be walked around in a single day, but any detailed explorations needs time. The Jewish cemetery, Old-New Synagogue, Klausen Synagogue and the Pinkas Synagogue are definitely worthwhile sights. Be prepared for entrance admission to most of the sights ranging from 200 CZK ($11.53 USD) or just buy a 500 CZK ($28.85 USD) ticket that encompasses all the sights.

Prague Ghetto

There are seven synagogues, the remnants of the old settlement, the Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish cemetery - the most remarkable in Europe:

• Klaus Synagogue - of 1680, Jewish Traditions and customs.

• The Spanish Synagogue - the history of Jews since emancipation to the present.

• Pinkas Synagogue - established in 1475; Memorial of Victims of Nazism.

• Maisel Synagogue - history of Jews in Bohemia and Moravia.

• Former Ceremonial Hall - Jewish traditions and customs in a baroque building with a distinctive green steeple.

• Jubilee Synagogue - the most recent and largest synagogue in Prague.

• The Old Jewish Cemetery - with a tomb of Rabbi Löw.

• The Old-New Synagogue - the early Gothic building of 13th century and the oldest synagogue in Europe.

As a recommendation, avoid the Ghetto on Saturdays because of the Sabbath on this day.

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.

Municipal House

Prague’s most exuberant and sensual building stands on the site of the Royal Court, seat of Bohemia’s 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. Municipal House

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 café flanking the entrance are like walk-in 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 building’s information center (through the main entrance, and around to the left of the stairs). First stop on the tour is Smetana Hall, Prague’s biggest concert hall, with seating for 1,200 people ranged beneath an art nouveau glass dome. The stage is framed by sculptures representing the Vyšehrad 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 Mayor’s Hall (Primatorský sál), 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 Žižka as Bojovnost (military prowess) and the Chodové (medieval Bohemian border guards) as beady-eyed Ostražitost (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 Jakeš regime.

The Prague Spring (Pražské jaro) music festival always opens on 12 May, the anniversary of Smetana’s death, with a procession from Vyšehrad to the Municipal House followed by a gala performance of his symphonic cycle Má Vlast (My Country) in Smetana Hall.

Located at Obecní dům, the public areas are open 7:30am to 11pm. Guided tours are available for 270 CZK ($15.58 USD)for adults and 220 CZK ($12.69 USD) for children.

Vyšehrad

Vyšehrad 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 Vyšehrad 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.

Vyšehrad, sometimes referred to as “Prague's second castle”, is another of the Czech Republic's 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 Vyšehrad Cemetery, containing the remains of many famous people from Czech history.

The castle's centerpiece is the church, whose blackened shape stands grandly upon the hill overlooking the Vltava River and can be clearly seen from Prague Castle.

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 Vyšehrad Metro Station. It is one of the original rotundas of the city.

How to get to Vyšehrad? It is easily and quickly reachable from the city- center by Metro line C to station 'Vyšehrad' (two stations from the National Museum). From there, it is about a 10-minute walk to Vyšehrad's main gate. The tour of the complex takes about 2 or 3 hours.

Petřín Hill

Only a stone throw away from the Prague Castle is Petřín 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 Petřín, 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 Vinarna Nebozizek - where you can enjoy a meal with a perfect view of Prague.

Don’t forget the hall of mirrors for a new and varied perspective of yourself - The Petřín Hill Maze.

Originally a pavilion of the Czech Tourist Club at the 1891 Universal Exhibition, it was transferred later to the Petřín 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). Petřín Hill is also easily accessible from Hradcany and Strahov.

Funicular Railway to Petřín 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 Prague's most popular sights. The original stations of Ujezd and Lanova Draha were built in 1891 for the same exposition that built Petřín 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.

Petřín to Strahov – a walk with great views

Take a funicular railway up to Prague's best picnic spot, Petřín 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.

Petřín Parks

In the Middle Ages, there were vineyards and fields. There have always been numerous springs on the Petřín slopes and the water was channeled via a set of tunnels to Pohořelec and Lesser Town. Currently, water is fed into the Vltava River.

In the 1930s, the park was modified and now consists of Lobkowicz Garden, Nebozízek, Rose Park, Park at the Look-out Petřín Tower and Seminary Garden. All gardens, except for Lobkowicz Garden, are open to public free of charge.

Petřín Look-Out Tower

An iron tower 60m (196 feet) high, was built in 1891 by F. Prášil for the Jubilee Exhibition as a copy of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It has 299 steps that lead up to the top platform.

Maze (mirror maze)

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

Nebozízek Restaurant

The food isn't that great but the views from the terrace are spectacular. Restaurant is often full, so to ensure seating reserve a table. Petřínské sady, Malá Strana t. can be reached by funicular's second stop.

Vrtba Garden

Vrtba Garden is situated on the slope of Petřín Hill and is one of the most precious and beautiful of Prague's Baroque gardens.

St. Nicholas Church

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.

The Dome of St. Nicholas Church

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.

Ignaz 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 Petřín Tower. The rococo pulpit with 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.

To get to St. Nicholas Church, take the Metro A line to station Malostranská, or Tram 12 or 22 and go off at the Malostranské nám stop. It is open daily from:

• Mar. to Oct. - 10am to 8pm;

• Nov. to Feb. – 10am to 6pm;

• Apr. to Sep. - 10am to 10pm.

The admission for adults is 70 CZK ($400 USD) per person.

Strahov Monastery

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 The Amazing Strahov Library Interior published before the year 1500, along with 3,000 manuscripts. The oldest book is the 9th-century Strahov Gospel. Other works include those of famous printers such as Christoffel Plantin from Antwerp.

There's 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.

Chapter 14 - 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 city's rich history and architectural beauty, especially if you're visiting Prague for the first time.

If you're on a budget, consider taking our basic free Prague walking tour that will show you the city's main highlights. Most of our walking tours leave daily from the Old Town Square in the city-center. If you'd 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 Prague’s past: Mozart‘s 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 Frank Kafka Statue 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 Hradcanske Square and Prague Castle, one of the biggest fortresses in Europe. This “city within the city” hides the Schwarzenberg Palace, Archbishop's 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 English-speaking 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.

This carefully selected walk covers all the most important sights of Prague, such as Old Town, Jewish Quarter, Lesser Town and of course, Prague Castle. Seeing it with one of our great guides is almost like being there at that time. This is a “must-do” tour while in Prague.

Superior Tour of Prague

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 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 the most unusual angles. Then we board the tram to ascend the hill to Prague Castle.

TOUR DATE/TIME: Daily at 10am.

PRICES: 1500 CZK ($87 USD) per person.

INCLUDES: Lunch, drinks, river cruise, tram ride and an optional free pickup from your hotel.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this six-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Chapter 15 - EXCURSIONS

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, Hradaany) 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 and Orloj, Týn Church where the tour ends.

TOUR DATE/TIME: Two 3.5 hour tours daily starting at 10am and 2pm.

PRICES: 790 CZK ($46 USD) per adult.

INCLUDES: Bus and boat transportation. Free pickup from your hotel is optional.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 3.5 hour tour online now or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

The Famous Pubs of the Old Town

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 A Czech Dinner of Grilled Pork Knee dinner, and meet others who like to go out in the evening. You will feel Prague in your veins. Cheers indeed!

TOUR DATE/TIME: Starts at 6pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

PRICES: 650 CZK ($37.50 USD)

INCLUDES: One beer at each pub (for a total of three beers) and a traditional Czech dinner.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this three-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Ghost Walk

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

One of the backstreets on the Ghost Walk Tour

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 ($17.50 USD) per person.

INCLUDES: English-speaking guide for this walking tour.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 1-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Krizik fountain with music performance

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 Křižík's 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 Prague's other illuminated monuments. Join us for this musical journey.

TOUR DATE/TIME: Daily from 7:30pm.

PRICES: 650 CZK ($37.50 USD) per person.

INCLUDES: Entrance fee and bus transportation.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 1-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

River Cruises

Dinner on the River - When the sun goes down, twinkling lights illuminate the city's ancient buildings, which are best seen from the Vltava River running through the city's center.

On our Prague river cruise, you'll 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 live music on board, a dinner buffet of both hot and cold dishes plus a welcome drink. A dinner cruise on the Vlatva River. TOUR DATE/TIME: Daily from 7pm.

PRICES: 740 CZK ($43.00 USD) per person.

INCLUDES: River cruise, live music on board, a traditional Czech welcome drink, three-star buffet dinner and transportation to the boat.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 3-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

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 ($ 37.50 USD).

INCLUDES: Boat cruise, one welcome drink and lunch buffet.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 2-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Jazz Boat – Enjoy live jazz music while floating by sites such as The Charles Bridge... The Lesser Town... The Church of St. Nicolas ... Prague Castle... The National Theatre and the Dancing House.

TOUR DATE/TIME: Daily starting at 8:30pm

PRICES: 1,090 CZK ($63 USD) including three-course dining package.

INCLUDES: Boat cruise, live jazz music on board and a welcome drink.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 2 ½-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Chapter 16 - DAY TRIPS

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.

Regular-Organized Excursions

Kutna Hora - A medieval center of silver-mining, it was the second richest town of the Bohemian Kingdom. The variety of Kutná 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, we'll 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.

TOUR DATE/TIME: Daily starting at 1pm.

PRICES: 950 CZK ($55 USD) per person. Cathederal of St. Barbara in Kutná Hora INCLUDES: Entrance fees to St. Barbara's Cathedral, the Italian Court and Sedlec Ossuary. Optional free pickup from your hotel.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 5.5-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Cesky Krumlov - 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 Rožmberks, 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.

TOUR DATE/TIME: Daily at 8:45am.

PRICES: 1,790 CZK ($104 USD) per person. Be sure and take the day-trip to the beautiful city of Český Krumlov INCLUDES: Lunch and entrance fees and a free optional pickup from your hotel.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 10-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Detenice - 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.

TOUR DATE/TIME: Wed. and Sat. starting at 11:30am. During the winter months the tour only runs on Sat.

PRICES: 1,790 CZK ($104 USD) 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.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 7.5-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Terezin – If you like the history of World War II and the holocaust, this tour is for you. The former military fort of Terezín 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 Terezín 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 Terezín was a cruel prison of the Gestapo - the Reich's secret police.

TOUR DATE/TIME: Daily starting at 9am.

PRICES: 1,100 CZK ($64 USD) per person.

INCLUDES: Free pickup from your hotel (optional) and all entrance fees.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 4-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Karlovy Vary – This spa town's history goes back to the 14th century, the time of Charles IV. Such celebrities as Russian tzar Peter the Great or world-famous poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe praised the healing effects of the town's local mineral springs.

The Spa City of Karlovy Vary

This town is also famous for the production of world-famous Bohemian crystal Moser, for local china production known as Karlovarský porcelán (porcelain of Karlovy Vary) and for the production of a delicious herb spirit called Becherovka.

TOUR DATE/TIME: Daily starting at 8:45am.

PRICES: 1,490 CZK ($86.50 USD) per person.

INCLUDES: Fully-guided tour, lunch and Moser glass factory tour.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 9.5-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Pilsner Urquell Brewery – 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!

TOUR DATE/TIME: This tour starts at 9am and only operates on Wed. and Sat.

PRICES: 1,650 CZK ($95.50 USD)per person.

INCLUDES: Lunch and entrance fee and optional pickup from your hotel.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 8 to 9-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Flexible-Private Excursions

Terezin - More than 140,000 Jewish people were imprisoned here by the Nazi's 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 Terezin's grim history. You will also visit the Ghetto Museum and the Small Fortress, which has an exhibition.

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 ($116 USD).

5-8 persons – 2,550 CZK ($146 USD).

9-17 persons – 4,600 CZK (263 USD).

EXCLUDES: Memorial tour guide and entrance fees. Terezin Memorial entrance fee is 200 CZK ($11.44 USD) and is paid directly by the customer.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 4-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Cesky Krumlov – 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, Barber's 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 2.5 hours. With the 8.5-hour tours, there are 3.5 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 8.5 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 ($252 USD).

5-8 persons – 5,500 CZK (315 USD).

9-17 persons – 7,950 CZK ($455 USD).

11 hour tour:

1-4 persons – 4,950 CZK ($284 USD).

5-8 persons – 6,100 CZK ($349 USD).

9-17 persons – 11,000 CZK ($630 USD).

EXCLUDES: Tour guide and any entrance fees. Castle entrance fee varies from 35 CZK ($2.00 USD) to 300 CZK ($17 USD) per person.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 8.5 or 11-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Kutna Hora - 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.

TOUR DATE/TIME: This tour starts at 9am by group reservation only. Free time at the destination includes 2.5 hours, enough time to see the city on foot.

PRICES: Prices shown are for a whole group.

1-4 persons – 2,550 CZK ($146 USD).

5-8 persons – 3,200 CZK ($184 USD).

9-17 persons – 6,000 CZK (343 USD).

EXCLUDES: Tour Guide and entrance fees to St Barbara Cathedral, the Italian Court and Ossuary.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 5-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Karlovy Vary - 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 region's 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.

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 ($200 USD).

5-8 persons – 4,375 CZK (250 USD).

9-17 persons – 6,500 CZK ($372 USD).

9-hour tour:

1-4 persons – 3,900 CZK ($223 USD).

5-8 persons – 4,950 CZK ($283 USD).

9-17 persons – 7,650 CZK ($438 USD).

EXCLUDES: Tour guide and entrance fees.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 7 or 9-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

Karlstejn - 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 Karlstejn village, you can enjoy great views of Karlstejn and the surrounding countryside. After you arrive, you can admire the castle's stunning interior and have lunch at one of the great local village pubs.

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 ($85 USD).

5-8 persons – 2,000 CZK ($114 USD).

9-17 persons – 3750 CZK ($214 USD).

EXCLUDES: Tour Guide and entrance fees are not included. Castle entrance fee starts at 250 CZK ($14 USD) for a guided 50 to 60-minute tour.

BOOKING INFORMATION: Book this 4-hour tour online or while in Prague call us at (+420) – 777 777 237 between the hours of 7am to 12pm. For other phone numbers, click here.

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 picture-perfect 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:

• Karlštejn Castle, originally built by Charles IV to house his treasury;

• Konopiště Chateau, Archduke Ferdinand's retreat whose assassination started World War I;

• Lobkowicz family’s Mělník 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:

• Litoměřice – with its Gothic and Renaissance houses.

• Mělník – a peaceful tiny town with spectacular overlooking views.

• Kutná 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.

• Český Krumlov – a castle to fulfill our dreams.

West of Prague, you can soak in the soothing natural thermal springs of Karlovy Vary or Marianske Lazne.

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 Heydrich's assassination. Terezin 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.

Some sights outside of Prague are different, if not unique. Take the Konopiště 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 Kutná 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 Kutná Hora where your spine will tingle looking at the decorations have been made out of the bones of 40,000 people.

Chapter 17 - WHERE, WHEN and HOW to JOIN US Walks - Meeting Point

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 Staromestska 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.

Bus Excursions Meeting/Pickup Point

The pickup point is from Na Příkopě 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 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.

Boat Excursions Departure Point

The boat departure point is from Dvořákovo Quay, and the boat is located between Čechův Bridge and Štefánikův Bridge. If you walk from Old Town Square, follow Pařížská Street and after ten minutes you reach the river (Čechův 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 boats. 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.

Advance Booking

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: [email protected] 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.

Chapter 18 - 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.

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.

Survival English-to-Czech Dictionary

Do you speak English? – Mluvite anglicky? – (mlu-veete an-glits-ki?)

Hello – Dobry den – (dobree den)

Good morning – Dobre rano – (dobreh rahno)

Good evening – Dobry vecer – (dobreh vehcher)

Good Night – Dobrou noc – (dobroh nots)

Good bye – Na shledanou – (nas-klehdanoh)

Please – Prosim – (proseem)

Thank you – Dekuji – (dyekooyi)

Yes / No – Ano / Ne – (ano / ne)

Excuse me – Prominte – (prominyte)

My name is – Jmenuji se … – (ymeenooye se)

Nice to meet you – Těší mě – (tye-shee mye)

How much? – Kolik? – (kolik)

How long? – Jak dlouho? – (yak dloh-ho)

Where is … ? – Kde je … ? – (gde ye)

I’d like … – Chtel bych … – (khtyel bikh)

I do not understand – Nerozumim – (nerozoomeem)

I don’t speak Czech – Nemluvím česky – (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 mate? – (yak-se mah-te?)

1 – jedna – (yed-na), 2 – dve – (dvye) , 3 – tri – (trzi), 4 – ctyri – (chti-rzhi), 5 – pet – (pyet), 6 – sest – (shest), 7 – sedm – (sedm), 8 – osm (osm), 9– devet (dev- yet), 10 – deset – (des-et)

To your health (cheers) – Na zdraví – (nah zdrah-vee)

Bon appetite – Dobrou chuť – (do-brooh khutye)

The bill, please. – Prosim, ucet. – (pro-seem oo-chet)

Please; you’re welcome – Prosím – (proseem)

Restroom – Toaleta – (toh-ah-lehta)

Waitress! – slecno – (slech-no)

Waiter! – pane vrchni – (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 – Nádraží – (nah-drazhyee)

Airport – Letiště – (leh-teesh-tyeh)

Discover Prague!

An Insider's Guide to Visiting Prague

is published by:

Prague Airport Transfers

Stepan Jara

Prague, Czech Republic

Copyright © 2011 – Prague Airport Transfers. 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.

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