Activities
Prague is bursting at the seams with things to do. Whether you choose the city’s rich musical heritage or enjoy a pint of Pilsner in one of its legendary beer cellars, this is the city where there really is something for everyone.
Prague’s theatre and concert venues are centrally located in the Old Town and New Town, and the same is true for most small and medium-scale jazz and rock venues. Žižkov has more late-night pubs and bars, and Holešovice is good for nightlife, offering several of the city’s newest clubs and venues. Wenceslas Square and side streets are the centres of Prague’s red-light district.
Most visitors enjoy relaxed walking in Prague and discovering nice views, historic buildings, religious icons and famous inhabitants. There are plenty of walking tours to choose from, some covering the general history of the city. In contrast, others are 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 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 cobbled 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, like the lunch cruise, evening cruise with dinner or cruise with live music where live jazz bands play.
The city of Prague has only been open to tourists for a relatively short amount of time, but still has plenty to offer in terms of sightseeing as there is something interesting with almost every turn.
Activities Tips
Take a walk up Wenceslas Square
stopping to look at Josef Myslbek’s famous equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas and the small shrine to the martyrs of the communist era. St. Wenceslas is flanked at the foot of the monument by statues of his grandmother, Ludmila, Vojtěk, Prokop and Anežska. The square became the focus for demonstrating Praguers and has been the scene of both tragic and joyous events in the city’s history – most recently, the Velvet Revolution of 1989, which drove out the communist regime.
Visit some famous traditional Czech pubs
It is where guests sit at plain wooden tables and wait to be served glasses of the frothy Pilsner Urquell lager.
Listen to some Mozart
Mozart is the real thing at the Estates Theatre or starring puppets at the National Marionette Theatre. The Estates Theatre hosted the première 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.
Rent a rowing boat or pedalo on the Vltava river
It will give you an interesting new perspective on the city. You will find boat rentals open every day from April to the end of October, from 9 am to nightfall under Charles Bridge, directly across from Club Lávka, or on Slovanský Ostrov.
Engage in fitness regimes, spa treatments or Thai massage
Treating yourself to a massage or a spa treatment is affordable – and you know you are worth it. Cybex Health Club and Spa Prague Hilton, Pobřžení Street or World Class Fitness Centre Wenceslas Square 22 are good choices. Thai massage parlours have recently gained popularity and thus can be found all around the city.
Cloisters 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
Suppose you are a museum-goer, as it offers visitors free admission on the first Monday of the month as many others do. When you pick up the Prague Post, check for any gallery exhibition openings.
Visit some numerous shopping malls
Here are some located in the heart of the city. Palladium and Myslbek Centre are probably the most lavish and well-equipped in Prague, with 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. Černá Růže Shopping Centrum is a modern shopping centre on Na příkopě and contains a mix of shops, cafés and restaurants. Outlets include Adidas, Bang & Olufsen, Daniel Hechter, Dolce & Gabbana and Mambo.
Historic tram
During the summer months, take a trip 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.
The Prague zoo is visited by 1.3 million people every year
After the flood in 2002, it turned into one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe. The area of the Prague zoo is 60 hectares. More than 5000 animals in 650 species live in the 10 pavilions and 15o outside expositions. The garden’s pride is the pavilion of the Indonesian jungle, which is the largest exposition for animals in the Czech Republic and the pavilions for gorillas, giraffes, big cats, penguins or the Children’s zoo with its contact animals. If you come with kids, there is no better place for a trip to Prague.
Taking an Excursion
You do not need to travel very far to the outskirts of Prague to see awe-inspiring natural sites, historic castles, or fairytale towns from medieval times. Lots of places are located within an hour’s trip via train or bus from Prague. Irrespective of if you decide to visit the home of the renowned Pilsner Urquell beer, see the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov, venture out to a Kutna Hora bone church, or climb up rocks to spectacular vistas, it is not difficult to locate a day-trip out of Prague – as long as you manage to choose where to travel. If you would prefer to save yourself the difficulty of planning – it is best to contact any businesses specialising in day trips.
