PRAGUE CITY GUIDE - THINGS TO SEE AND DO See inside for details about getting around, sightseeing, shopping, nightlife and more Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic (Czechia), a country located at the heart of Central Europe, bordered by Austria, Germany, Poland and Slovakia. In the Middle Ages, Prague became the capital of Charles IV's Bohemian Kingdom, with Prague Castle the seat of the empire. And the city has played a pivotal role in the region ever since. Prague's epic history has produced a city full of beauty, of stunning Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque era buildings, and of majestic squares. In modern times, the statist communist era of the mid-20th century has given way to dynamic capitalism. Tourism has helped drive the city's regeneration, transforming grey run-down buildings into bright elegant restaurants, vibrant bars and swish hotels. Moving around – Transportation Central Prague is easily managed on foot (though be sure to wear comfortable shoes). For longer trips, the city has a reliable public-transport system of metros, trams and buses. The system is integrated, meaning that the same tickets are valid on all types of transport, and for transfers between them. Here are your options… Walking Central Prague is compact, and individual neighbourhoods are easily explored on foot. Tram Extensive network; best way to get around shorter distances between neighbourhoods. Metro Fast and frequent, good for visiting outlying areas or covering longer distances. Bus Not much use in the city centre, except when travelling to/from the airport; operates in areas not covered by tram or metro. Taxi Relatively cheap but prone to rip-off drivers. Bus & Tram To supplement the metro, the Prague Public Transport Authority (DPP) operates a comprehensive system of trams (streetcars) and buses that reach virtually every nook and cranny in the city. The DPP website has a handy 'Journey Planner' tab in English to enable you to plan your route. Trams are convenient for crossing the river and moving between neighbourhoods. Buses are less useful for visitors and normally connect far-flung residential neighbourhoods to nearby metro stations or the centre. The system uses the same tickets as the metro and metro rides can be combined with rides on both trams and buses, provided the ticket is still valid. Always validate an unstamped ticket on entering the tram or bus. Trams and buses run from around 5am to midnight daily. After the system shuts down, a smaller fleet of night trams (51 to 59) and night buses rumbles across the city about every 40 minutes (only full-price tickets are valid on these services). Metro Prague’s metro is operated by the Prague Public Transport Authority, which has information desks in both terminals of Prague's Václav Havel airport and in several metro stations, including the Můstek, Anděl, Hradčanská and Nádraží Veleslavín stations. The metro operates daily from 5am to midnight. The metro has three lines: Line A (shown on transport maps in green) Links the airport bus to Malá Strana, Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and Vinohrady. Line B (Yellow) Cross-river route from Smíchov in the southwest to central Náměstí Republiky and Florenc bus station. Line C (Red) Links main train station to Florenc bus station, Wenceslas Square and Vyšehrad. Useful Stations The most useful metro stops for visitors include: • Hlavní nádraží (main train station) • Malostranská (Malá Strana) • Můstek (Wenceslas Square) • Muzeum (National Museum) • Staroměstská (closest to Old Town Square) Taxi Taxis in Prague are an easy and relatively affordable way to get around town, though scams are an ever- present risk. The official rate for licensed cabs is 40Kč flag fall plus 28Kč per kilometre and 6Kč per minute while waiting. Any trip within the city centre should cost no more than 200Kč. A trip to the suburbs, depending on the distance, should cost 200Kč to 300Kč, and to the airport between 400Kč and 600Kč. When flagging a cab, look for a cab with its yellow roof lamp lit and raise your hand. Establish your destination and a likely fare before getting in, and make sure the meter is switched on. Alternatively, call or ask someone to call a radio taxi, as they’re better regulated and more responsible. Companies with honest drivers, 24-hour service and English-speaking operators include AAA Radio Taxi, ProfiTaxi and City Taxi. Not to be missed - There is so much to see in Prague, here are a few that you must see: Charles Bridge (Karlův most) is a 14th century stone bridge linking the two sides of Prague. This magnificent structure, one of the city's finest attractions, is the main pedestrian route connecting the Old Town with the Lesser Town and Prague Castle. From Charles Bridge visitors can enjoy fairy-tale views of Prague. The wide expanse of the Vltava River flows beneath it, flanked on both sides by elegant buildings. And Prague Castle towers above in its eminent position. Here you are truly in the centre of the city. Charles Bridge throngs with people during the day. Street artists sketch and musicians play; look out for the jazz band, who are particularly entertaining. But for a truly romantic and less crowded stroll, try early morning or any time in the evening. The entrance to Charles Bridge is marked at both ends by towers: the Old Town Bridge Tower and the Lesser Town Bridge Tower. The Jewish Quarter (Josefov) in Prague is located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River. The torrid history of the former Jewish Ghetto began in the 13th century, when Jewish people were ordered to vacate their disparate homes and settle in this one area. Over the centuries, with Jews banned from living anywhere else in Prague, and with new arrivals expelled from Moravia, Germany, Austria and Spain joining them, ever more people crowded in to the quarter. To add to this, inhabitants of the ghetto were forced to endure structural changes at the whim of the emperor or whichever ruler exercised control over them. The latest occurred in 1893-1913, when a number of buildings were flattened, and the layout of many streets remodelled. Fortunately, most significant historical buildings were saved from destruction, and today they remain a testimony to the history of the Jews in Prague. They form the best preserved complex of historical Jewish monuments in the whole of Europe. Prague Castle (Pražský hrad), founded around 880 AD, is the No. 1 tourist attraction in Prague and the largest ancient castle complex in the world. The castle is also the city's most recognisable landmark, because it dominates the skyline: the castle is perched majestically on the hillside in the Castle District (Hradčany), high above the Lesser Town. For parts of the 14th, 16th and 17th centuries, Prague Castle was the seat of the Kings of Bohemia. Today, the President of the Czech Republic rules from here. Prague Castle is not a single edifice though. It is a complex of buildings covering 7 hectares (18 acres), centred around three great courtyards, and enclosed within castle walls. The most prominent structure in the complex is St. Vitus Cathedral. Prague Castle has had an eventful history. Differing political and religious forces, along with several programmes of rebuilding following destructive wars and fires, have produced an intriguing mix of historical buildings: ancient churches, palaces, great halls, state apartments, towers, fortifications, a monastery, museums, art galleries and Golden Lane. Visitors can enter the castle complex for free, walk around the courtyards, and admire the historic buildings from the outside. But to gain a true understanding of the history and significance of it all, we recommend taking a Prague tour, as it will include a visit to Prague Castle in the itinerary. The Astronomical Clock (Pražský orloj) is built into one side of the Old Town Hall Tower (Staroměstská radnice) at the Old Town Square. The clock dates from the 15th century. To fully appreciate its intricate construction, join the crowd in front of the tower to watch the procession of the Twelve Apostles: on the hour, every hour a trap door opens and Christ marches out ahead of his disciples, while the skeleton of death tolls the bell to a statue of a defiant Turk. Below the Astronomical Clock are 12 medallions with the signs of the zodiac, added by Josef Manes in 1865. Shopping in Prague The main Prague shopping area runs down Wenceslas Square, along Na Příkopě and into Republic Square. Around the Old Town Square and in the Lesser Town small stores sell art, crystal and tourist souvenirs. Pařížská has luxury international boutique shops. Traditional and Famous Czech Products include Glass. the glass-making industry has a very long tradition in the Czech Republic and Czech glass is well know the world over. Lead crystal is more sparkly, resonant and resistant than any other type of glass, because lead crystal is made from the finest ingredients. Branded porcelain has been a traditional Czech product for a long time. The best-known products include onion-pattern porcelain and the Thun-branded porcelain made in Karlovy Vary. Czech Jewellry has a long tradition and remains a favourite among women all over the world. Much like Czech glass, Czech jewellery is sought after the world over. Beer. Czech beer is one of the best-known and most requested beers worldwide. The biggest Czech brewers include Plzeňský Prazdroj, Pivovary Staropramen, Budvar, Bernard, PMS Přerov, Drinks Union and Starobrno. Here are some shops where you can buy these famous products: Glass. Just take a look around you and you will notice that almost every tourist shop sells Czech glass and crystal in styles ranging from lovely glass beaded necklaces to Czech crystal vases, wine glasses, champagne flutes and more, the list goes on.