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Explore romantic Prague City Center: its history, monuments, museums, and more!
Prague is one of the most popular
destinations in Eastern Europe.
Since the 1989 Velvet Revolution and
the end of Communism, Prague has thrown off the years of repression with
eagerness and is enticing tourists with its fairytale quality and romantic
atmosphere.
From magnificent Prague Castle to Wenceslas Square in the heart of the city,
Prague rewards visitors with a diverse range of attractions.
The historical centre of the city is
compact and its attractions are all within easy reach. The core comprises the
Castle District (Hradèany) west of the River Vltava, and the Old and New town
(Staré Mesto and Nové Mesto) to the east, joined by the famous Charles Bridge
which serves as
a timeless symbol of Prague's medieval history. The Jewish quarter (Josefov
Ghetto), adjacent to the old town square, is a constant reminder of the Nazi
occupation during World War Two.
The Old Town is a maze of alleyways,
cobbled streets and passages winding their way towards the beautiful Old Town
Square, Staromestské Námestí. The New Town, in contrast, is modern and has been
laid out in wide boulevards, most famously Wenceslas Square, the fashionable
shopping boulevard leading up to the foot of the grand National Gallery.
It is also a cultural hot spot with classical music concerts, opera and ballet,
as well as the many art galleries around the city. This beautiful city, built
along the river and on the surrounding hills, has never ceased to capture the
hearts and imagination of visitors, painters, photographers and poets.
Prague’s climate is mild with warm, wet summers and
cold winters. On average summer temperatures reach 24-26°C, with chilly nights.
During the winter daytime temperatures hover around freezing, falling several
degrees lower at night. Generally spring is sunny with the wettest months being
May to August.
The average monthly temperatures are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
1 |
4 |
9 |
14 |
19 |
23 |
24 |
24 |
20 |
14 |
7 |
3 |
|
Night |
-4 |
-3 |
0 |
3 |
8 |
12 |
1 |
12 |
9 |
5 |
1 |
-2 |
In recent years Prague’s shopping experience has
seen a great change. More and more western names are appearing on the streets
and in the malls. Therefore you may find that in the main shopping areas, the
goods available will be very similar to those you can purchase at home.
The main shopping area extends from Wenceslas
Square, past Na Prikope and into Republic Square, where you will find names as
recognisable as M&S, Debenhams and H&M. The Parizska is where you’ll
find international boutiques but for small shops, art galleries and souvenirs,
the best place to head is Mala Strana and Old Town Square.
Many new large shopping malls have opened in Prague
many of which also house restaurants, food courts and cinema complexes. They
are all home to major international brand names. Here are just a few:
If you want to get away from the run of the mill
western shopping experience, you can always head for the large daily open-air
market Havelská Market. This can be found between Wenceslas square and the Old
Town Square. It is the ideal place to pick up ceramics, textiles, leather goods
and the ever popular souvenirs of Czech crystal and glassware.
There is plenty of choice to keep you occupied
after dark. There are numerous cinemas (especially in the shopping centres),
theatres and opera (the best place for this is Státni Opera). Live music also
features heavily on the nightlife scene and weekly listings of music events can
be found in Prague Post. Some of the
venues where live music can be enjoyed are:
As for bars and clubs, there is a huge amount of choice;
below are just some of the names to look out for:
Bars
Clubs
January
April
May
June
July
September
December
Although there are numerous attractions to see in
Prague, you may want to take the opportunity of exploring more of the
surrounding area during your stay. Your hotel will be able to provide you with
details of local tours that are available, but here are a few suggestions to
get you started:
You are advised not to drink the tap water in
Prague as it is highly chlorinated and may cause illness. Bottled water is
widely available.
Treatment from doctors and standard dental
treatment is free to all EU citizens but you are strongly advised to take our
medical insurance before travelling.
Crime rates are low but you should be aware that
pick-pockets may operate in crowded areas. You are therefore advised to take
the usual precautions with your valuables when in crowded tourist areas.