Place

Petrin Lookout Tower

While you can walk up this lookout from different routes the best way is to take the funicular railway from Ujezd. Services leave every 15 to 20 minutes and ordinary public transport tickets are valid. Some of the best views of Prague are from this lookout, which has 299 steps and was built in 1891 for the Prague Exposition. Here you’ll find a nearby mirror maze and other attractions from the late 19th to early 20th century. There is also an Observatory but opening times vary according to the season; check the website www.observatory.cz for details.

City guide

Overview & visitor information

Opening Times: 10am – 10pm May 10am – 8pm June – August 10am – 7pm April and September 10am – 5pm November – December

Admission Times: adult/child 50/40 Kč

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What to do with Children in Tow?

Activity

With its fascinating architecture, Prague can be thought of as an ancient place for children to be enthralled by and enjoy. Along with Prague Castle, there is its fascinating Toy Museum and Miniatures Museum (they are not allowed to touch the displays though). There are numerous toy shops dotted around the city which, when travelling by tram can be entertaining for children, along with the puppet theatres.

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Franz Kafka Museum

Museum

Pay homage to Prague’s most famous resident in this weird museum. Original documents and photos are exhibited in claustrophobic, strobe-lit sections and marvel at the writer’s complex relationship with Prague which is broached within a trippy short movie.

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Lennon Wall

Sight

Rebels against communist Czechoslovakia praised Western rock musicians such as John Lennon and when he died in 1980 this wall was painted in his honor; repainted again and again every time the secret police white-washed it. Today it stands proudly though a bit graffiti splattered.

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Memorial to the Victims of Communism

Statue

A prominent sculpture that has male figures at various stages of aridness descending a staircase; a line runs down the centre counts the victims of torture, exile and death which is quite sobering.

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Charles Bridge

Bridge

The most popular walkway across the Vltava River that connects Mala Strana and Stare Mesto, the Charles Bridge is over 650 years old. However, a 100 million Kč renovation that began in 2007 and was due to end by 2008 stretched into 2009 so it may still be a bit crowded with sections being roped off to the public. If you rub the bronze plaque beneath the statue of St John, you will return to Prague.

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St Vitus Cathedral

Churches

If you must see one part of Prague Castle then make it St Vitus Cathedral. Its construction began in 1344 and despite it is very Gothic in appearance it was only completed in 1929. Passing through the Golden Gate doorway adorned with its 14th century Mosaic of the Last Judgement, you’ll be given a brochure of highlights to visit. One of these is the view of Prague from the 96m tall Great Tower and the silver tomb of St John of Nepomuk. The ornate Chapel of St Wenceslas however has a special significance. On the southern side of the chapel there is a little door with seven locks, each key needed to unlock this door is in the safekeeping of a separate official. What lies behind the door? The Czech crown jewels which are rarely shown to the public; the oldest of which is a 22-carat gold St Wenceslas Crown made for Charles IV in 1347. The crown does come with a curse however: any usurper who wears it is doomed to die within the year. Admission prices: the nave and chapels are free but a ticket is required for the rest.

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Prague Castle

Castles

You cannot visit Prague without visiting its most famous landmark. Founded in the 9th century by Prince Bořivoj of the Premysl dynasty, the castle grew arbitrarily as subsequent rulers made new additions. All Czech rulers have had their residences at the castle except for the country’s first post-communist president who preferred the comforts of his own home. The castle now stands at almost seven football fields long, proceeding east to west through three courtyards. The information, while detailed, gives a basic overview of the opening hours and admission prices; see the castle website for a more information.

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Astronomical Clock

Tower

Old Town Hall Times: the chiming times are every hour on the hour from 9am to 9pm

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Municipal House

House

Full of Czech symbolism, this building is Art Nouveau homage to nationalism. There is a mosaic called Homage to Prague above the entrance which represents the oppression and resurrection of the Czech people. There is a cafe; concerts are held in Smetana Hall and tours.

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Old Town Bridge Tower

Tower

One of Prague’s original town fortifications, you can recognize it by its blackened appearance. It also has an observation tower.

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Nostress

This restaurant mixes French and Asian cuisine with noodle dishes and meals with fish, duck and other meats; the dessert menu has a variety of French and Belgian treats. However the food is not cheap but there are business lunch specials on offer during the week and on Fridays there is live music.

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U Jednoho Pokoje

A very exclusive restaurant where the address and contact details are vague, you must make reservations 24hr via email, see for details, giving your name, your contact details, the evening you wish to book, the number of people you are bringing and any food preferences. The food however makes this all worth it; French cuisine served as you dine alongside monthly art exhibitions.

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Svata Klara

For something completely different this restaurant has one defining feature other than its food: the setting is in an underground cave! Established in 1679 in New Town, this restaurant serves a board variety of game dishes with fish, beef and lamb; there is also a small selection of soups and fondue, salads and cheeses.

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Cafe No. 1

A modern cafe that likes to play the latest techno music, Cafe No. 1 has 12 different types of hot chocolate along with coffees, milkshakes and juices. The food selection offers breakfast with eggs, pasta, risotto, salads and pitas. The evening sees cocktail and beer menus take centre stage as the pre-party crowd gathers.

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Platyz Cafe-Bar

Found in a little courtyard passage off Narodni, this place offers a variety of Italian cuisine including pizzas, pastas and meat dishes in various sauces. There is an impressive wine menu and also a menu of ‘top-class’ drinks.

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Klub Architektu

Don’t let the ‘club’ part of the name fool you; this place serves quality Czech food along in its cozy cellar inspired setting. Despite its Old Town location the prices are cheaper than most places. In the summer months it is wise to book ahead, though in general it is not mandatory.

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Cafe Slavia

A restaurant with a literary bent, this used to be the favorite eatery of author Milan Kundera as well as a hang-out of the all the intellectuals and their fans. Opening in 1881, the food menu reads like standard Czech cuisine, offering fish and chicken dishes along with soups and cheese platters.

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Boulevard Bageterie

Boulevard Bageterie is sandwich shop that feels like a fast food outlet but offers food that is fresh, edible and good for you. It gives you a choice of ordering off the menu or making your own sandwich and the ingredients are of good quality, prices are reasonable and there is space for patrons to sit.

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Dahab Restaurant

Daham Restaurant is a fast food restaurant specializing in gyros, pizza, falafels and other sorts of snack food. Located next to the Roxy club, it is open until 1am.

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Daily Fresh

Address: Karlova

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Hotel Savoy

A peaceful place with first class service and modern rooms, the Savoy has hosted famous people such as Tina Turner and Sean Connery. Facilities include a bar, concierge, gym, spa, Internet (cable, 290 Kc/hr), restaurant, room service, disabled/adapted rooms and parking (€25).

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Hotel Domus Henrici

Expensive Hotels

There are only eight rooms in this establishment but they are of a high-standard and only a four minute walk to Prague Castle. Keep in mind that this hotel does not accept credit cards. Polished wood floors, high ceilings and a homely decor round out this hotel’s charms with facilities on offer are cozy dining rooms, free WiFi and satellite TVs.

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Alchymist Residence Nosticova

A classy 17th century villa, rooms come with fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms. Two of the rooms have fireplaces and one opens onto a rooftop terrace. Facilities include bar, free wireless Internet, parking (650 Kc), restaurant, room service and TV/DVD. A continental breakfast is served for an extra €15 and if you bring pets they are an extra €20 – children under 11 are free.

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Pachtuv Palace

The former residence of a count, this residence generates a lot of talk amongst the Prague elite. It boasts a classy bar and palatal public areas with 50 modernized rooms. This hotel also has a gym, free Internet and cable TV, a restaurant and in house babysitting for children.

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Diplomat Hotel Praha

Located a short ride outside of the city centre, this hotel is only 20 minutes from the airport by car. Popular with families for its sporadic specials and large rooms to congregate in, this hotel boasts bar, business services, gum, disabled access, cable Internet, three restaurants and room service.

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Marriott

The same excellent service here as with any other Marriott hotel, this one is ideally located in the city with good deals for families and a gym on-site. Other facilities include handicapped access, free Internet, pool, restaurant, bar and room service.

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Hotel Certovka

Named after the canal on which it sits, this hotel is near the Charles Bridge with views of that and Prague Castle. The staff is attentive and the rooms are modern with disabled access, free wireless Internet and off-site parking 600 Kc.

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Rezidence Lundborg

A Scandinavian owned hotel that boasts beautiful views of the Charles Bridge, it has 13 suites with a reconstructed Renaissance decor with modern business services. There are Jacuzzis in the bathrooms, free cable/wireless Internet, room service and parking. The concierge is extremely efficient, arranging anything its customers need.

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Zlata Hvezda

Dating back to 1372, this hotel has vaulted ceilings and a spiral staircase but has elevators and modern bathrooms. Rooms with numbers ending with 5 are spacious with huge bathrooms. Discounts on longer stays can be negotiated through the hotel’s website but shorter stays do have good prices. There is a tour desk on site along with Internet (cable, free), a restaurant and off-site parking at 550 Kc.

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Hotel Josef

A boutique hotel well known in Old Town, the Josef has a bar, concierge, gym, free wireless Internet, parking and room service. Children under six are free.