Prague - Praag

Prague[1] (Czech: Praha) is the capital and largest city of Czech Republic. It has been an important historical city in the region of for centuries Bohemia.

Info

Prague has about 1.2 million inhabitants and is located on the Vltava River. The historic center, with its diverse architecture from different centuries (Gothic, Baroque, ...) is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage. The center is divided into an old and a new part.

Historically, Prague is not one city, but an amalgamation of four cities.

Orientation

The important neighborhoods in the historic city center are:

• castle (Hradčany)— The historic center of the city, and the highest point on the left bank.

• Small Silk (Malá strana)— The settlement around the castle. This is where most of the government buildings, including the Czech Parliament, are located.

• Old City (Staré Město)— The core on the right bank, the old part of Prague.

• Jewish City (Josefov)— A small enclave in the Old City, the old Jewish ghetto.

• New city (Nové Město)—The district adjacent to the Old Town, founded in the 14th century.

• Vysehrad (Vyšehrad)— The surroundings of the Vyšehrad Castle south of medieval Prague.

Arrive

By plane

Prague Airport, Vaclav Havel International Airport[2], is located 17 km. from the city center on the northwest border of Prague. Transport from the airport to the city center takes about 25-30 minutes, or about 45 minutes if you travel by public transport.

• KLM [3] has 5 daily direct flights from Amsterdam.
• transavia [4] has cheap flights from Eindhoven four times a week.
• Brussels Airlines [5] has 3 daily flights from Brussels.
• Czech Airlines [6] does 3 flights from Brussels and 3 from Amsterdam
• Ryanair [7] has 1 daily flight from Charleroi.

After this you can be transferred to the center of Prague:

• Taxi: front of the hall, at the cost of 600 to 800 CZK / 25 to 35 Euros, pre-booked private transfer 500 to 550 CZK / 20 - 22 EUR, Transfer-Service.cz
• Public transport: bus 119 for 32 CZK per person (valid for 1.5 hours) to Nádraží Veleslavín, from there transfer via metro line A. It is not possible to buy a ticket on the bus itself. There are several counters at the airport where you can buy tickets in advance. There are also ticket machines on the bus platform, although you must have Czech coins for that. The bus - metro option is not recommended for people with walking difficulties as the metro is not adapted for wheelchair patients (only a few stops). The AE line (Airport Express) runs every half hour from 6.30 am to 10 pm daily. This is a low-floor bus that runs directly from the airport to Prague Central Station (Praha hl.n.; metro line C, “Hlavní nádraží” station) and only stops at Náměstí Republiky (metro line B, “Náměstí Republiky” station) and Prague Masarykovo Station (Praha Masarykovo nádraží; metro line B, “Náměstí Republiky” station). You can board from Terminal 1 (Outside Schengen and International flights) and Terminal 2 (Schengen). Costs for this bus are CZK 60 for people over 15 years old, CZK 30 for children from 6 to 15 years and free for children under 6 years old.

By train

All international trains arrive in Praha hlavni nadraží (the central station, abbreviated as Praha hl.n.). The park in front of the station, popularly known as "The Czech Sherwood Forest", is a magnet for seedy characters and is best avoided after sunset. The station is currently (July 2010) being refurbished which will be an improvement.

Eurocity trains connect Prague with Berlin, Vienna and Budapest. This is a comfortable way to travel, but not as fast as in other countries, because the network can't handle higher speeds yet. From Amsterdam there is a direct night train to Prague. From Brussels there is a good train connection (with Thalys and ICE) to Nuremberg, and between Nuremberg and Prague there is an express bus 6 times a day, which takes only 3h45 (the regular trains more than 5 hours). Reservations are recommended on the trains, otherwise you will have to sit on the floor.

The Czech Republic is now also part of the Eurail-pass [8].

By car

Prague is not very suitable for driving in, foreigners are noticeably more targeted when it comes to traffic violations. These can be paid immediately. So always make sure you have enough cash with you to avoid nasty complications.

By bus

Belgium

Eurolines [9] offers trips from various places in Belgium to Prague. The journey takes about 14 hours.

Netherlands

Eurolines [10] offers trips from various places in the Netherlands to Prague.

By boat

Travel around

By bike

At the moment there are about 120 kilometers of cycle paths in Prague. To orientate yourself in this complex network, it is important to first gather some information.

All cyclists can use the website Cycling in Prague. Unfortunately, this website has not been updated since October 2013. Through this website, the Municipality of Prague publishes news and useful information about cycling in this capital. The website also contains two practical maps - Prague Cycle Routes and a dynamic map of Prague. A pre-printed cycling map is available for free at the Prague City Hall in Mariánske Square.

There is also a new, but not nearly as extensive website available. On this site you can find a map, information about the infrastructure for cyclists in Prague and information about the relevant rules in the Czech Republic.

Several cycling maps of Prague are available online, below is a small list.

• The official Cycling map of Prague of the Municipality of Prague
• mapy.cz has route planning for cyclists.
• Prahou na kole(english legend)

Prague can be seen as a real cycling city. This is made clear, for example, by the wide range of services available to cyclists in need. The repair centers, rentals and places where cyclists can safely park their bicycles are marked on most city maps. One of the newest services is the so-called Park & ​​Ride, where cyclists can leave their bicycles at a P R parking garage, located on the outskirts of Prague. These parking facilities are close to public transport and can be used free of charge. Although it is possible to transport a bicycle on public transport, this is not recommended for safety reasons. For more information about the exact rules about transporting bicycles in public transport, see the bicycles in Prague page.

On foot

Prague is easy to explore on foot. You can easily walk from Wenceslas Square to the Town Square in the Old Town and on to Charles Bridge and the Castle. Many streets are cobbled, which can be a problem for older people or wheelchair users.

Keep in mind that in the Czech Republic it is illegal to cross a zebra crossing when the light is red, if you get caught it can cost you 1000 kroner.

By boat

You can cruise on the famous Vltava river (Vltava), who was a source of inspiration for writers and composers such as Smetana and Dvorak.

By public transport

the same ticket applies to metro, tram and bus

• Bus lines: not so important in the center, only bus line 119 is important for transport to the airport
• Metro: three lines (A, B and C) cross the area, very frequent (/- every 6 minutes during the week, /- 10 minutes at the weekend) most places of interest can be visited via the metro. The stations are spread throughout the city. If you are staying in a hotel on the outskirts of the city, you can reach the center in +/- 20 minutes.
• Tram: very typical trams cross Prague.
• Cogwheel railway: the ticket for public transport can also be used here, but is much too small to swallow the tourists

A ticket costs 24 CZK (valid for a maximum of 30 minutes, no transfer) or 32 CZK (valid for 75 minutes, transfer is possible). These are simple papers that you have to stamp at a machine and must always have with you during the ride. There is hardly any control, but a sample is possible. Tourists are targeted here, so please do not drive in gray or black.

To look at

• Josefov The Jewish Quarter of Prague, the oldest Jewish quarter in Europe. This district is home to many historic synagogues and the Jewish cemetery. A striking number of jewelers and law firms can also be found in this district. The many narrow streets are interesting to explore

• Jewish cemetery, The Jewish quarter Josefov in Prague is home to the oldest cemetery in Europe. 12,000 tombstones are practically stacked here and it is believed that about 100,000 Jews were buried there. The cemetery is only 1 ha in size. If the cemetery was not supposed to be open, you can get a very good impression of the whole through the bars of the fence. It is close to the Pariser Street. Immediately adjacent to the cemetery is the Old Synagogue of Prague.

• Pinkas Synagogue This former synagogue in the Jewish quarter of Josevof is now a memorial to all victims of the Holocaust from Prague. All the names of victims of the Nazis are engraved on the walls of the synagogue. Some drawings of Jewish children and other objects are also on display.

• spanish synagogue Built in the 19th century, this synagogue contains many Islamic building elements and was built by Spanish refugees who were not allowed to express their faith in their motherland. Due to the Islamic elements, the synagogue resembles the Alhambra. The synagogue also displays a number of historical objects that explain and clarify the history of the synagogue.

• Prague Castle[11], the largest ancient castle in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. Admire the panoramic view, and visit St. Vitus Cathedral (not free, 1-hour queues are possible). The presidential guard changes every hour.

• Charles Bridge, one of the many bridges over the Vltava, but this one is car-free. During the day, the bridge is full of street performers and sellers of drawings and other art. There are also many homeless people begging for money. On the edge of the bridge hang many locks, the keys of which have been thrown into the Vltava, to symbolize the unbreakable love between a couple.

• Old City, stare mesto, with the astronomical clock in the Old Town Square, where the Jan Hus Monument stands. There are also numerous churches and monuments.

• New city, Nove Mesto, with Wenceslas Square, which with its 700m by 60m looks more like a boulevard. At the far end is the National Museum, and at No. 50 is the beautiful Jugendstil-style Evropa hotel.

• Small Silk, Mala Strana

• Loreta

• Strahov Monastery An immense monastery that houses one of the largest libraries in the world. In addition, a beautifully decorated building with painted ceilings

• Dancing House— Famous building with a special deconstructivist architecture, built after WWII by the architect Frank Gehry to fill a hole left by an airplane bomb. Accessible via metro station Karlovo náměstí.

To do

There is a lot to do and it is not even that expensive. The Charles Bridge ( Karlův most) is definitely recommended. There is much to do here (musicians, artists, but also people watching) but the 'mini-Eiffel Tower' is also fun. This gives you as a tourist a good impression of the city.

The mini-Eiffel Tower can be reached with a special 'mountain train' (cost: 26Kč). The large, extensive metro system makes it easy to go everywhere, this is certainly easy if you are planning to visit another highlight (the presidential palace).

A great beauty of Prague can be found in the small details on the buildings. Another recommendation is to just wander around the alleys. It is safe there and eventually you will also find many nice, small eateries here. The only downside of Prague is the train station: clocks that lead / lag, homeless people hanging in front of the station (you don't see them in the rest of the city) and the gloomy atmosphere at the station itself. The smell isn't anything to write home about either. However, the rest of the city is very beautiful.

• Free Walking Tour

Several free walking tours are offered in the city. You will then walk through the city with a guide for 2.5 to 3 hours. The guide works on a tip basis. For information see: http://www.newpraguetours.com/, http://www.extravaganzafreetour.com/ & http://www.discover-prague.com/en/royal-walk-free-tour

To learn

To work

To buy

The time when there were golden shops in the shops has long since passed, partly due to the tourists. In somewhat quieter streets with many Czechs and few tourists you can still buy cheap underwear, shoes, ....

A typical souvenir is Bohemian crystal, which is available in all shapes and colors. Ask for a certificate because counterfeit from Taiwan is also for sale.

• Second-hand clothes shops

In Prague there are many shops where you can get second-hand clothes. Most can be recognized by the British flag above the door.

Markets

Havelsky Market, Havelska 13

One of the oldest markets in Prague. Havelský Market was founded in 1232, and nowadays it is mainly aimed at tourists. For this reason, in addition to fruit and vegetables, there are also many souvenirs for sale. The market is open every day from 6 am to 6 pm, more information can be found at Prague.eu

Pražska tržnice, Bubenske nabřeží 306/13

The largest market in Prague. Pražská tržnice is a combination of market halls and other shops, due to its location outside the center and the absence of a metro station, this market is especially popular among the Czechs.

Official website

Prague.eu

Food

Lunch is traditionally the main meal in Prague. Czech cuisine is based on pork or beef with a starchy ingredient such as potatoes, chips, or dumplings (Dumplings, knedliky). Fish is not that popular, but nowadays it is widely available. You often find trout or carp, everything else is of course imported. Popular desserts are fruit fritters (ovocné knedlíky), pancakes, or ice cream.

The tip is around 10 to 15% and cannot be released, it is stated on the bill. In cheaper restaurants or cafes you can round the amount up or leave a few coins. If the tip has not been charged, this is clearly stated. Otherwise it is customary to tip at least 20Kč-40Kč or €1-2. Some tourist traps like U Golema (At the Golem) charge 20% tip. So ask for this if it's not on the map.

Beer is extremely cheap. The usual price for half a liter (velke) is about 50Kč. In some pivnice (beer cellars) you can even find half a liter for 35Kč. For comparison: at the airport this is 160Kč. You can choose between various lager brands: Staropramen, Pilsner/Plzeňský and Budweiser/Budvar. There is also a type of bock beer available: Kozel.

Going out

Double Trouble, Melantrichova 970/17, a side street off the main square where the old town hall stands, Praha-Staré Město. After a steep flight of stairs you enter a room with vaults and two bars. Nice and busy, nice popular music from the Top 40. A large beer costs 50Kc.

Vagon[12], Narodni 25, few doors next to the hostel DownTown. Fully loaded, also recommended. Also here from the street down a flight of stairs. A band plays here every night until midnight. After that it becomes a disco with different music every day. Thursday ska and Friday pure rock. The beer here is really cheap, 28Kc for half a litre.

Prague Beer Museum, Little museum and a lot of beer. Nice place with staff from all over the world. They have 30 beers on tap and the option of tasting glasses (0.15L) so you can taste many of the beers. In addition to tourists, you will also encounter residents of Prague here.

stay overnight

Safety

As a tourist you will experience Prague as a safe city. There is no question of large-scale crime. Yet Prague has the same problems as any major city. Pay close attention when you are at a tourist attraction; pickpockets are a big problem in Prague. Always look around you and keep a close eye on your bag. Like the attractions, the narrow busy streets and the metro are perfect locations for the rollers to strike.

In many cases, fraud can also be involved. Taxi drivers have many clever tactics to scam tourists. For example, the fast-running meter is a handy trick for drivers to earn much more money than usual from a ride. Besides this, the cliché scams such as excessive detours are also the order of the day. In general, Prague drivers are notorious for their attitude towards tourists. Tourists can also be ripped off in the many souvenir shops in Prague. Tourists who pay with a currency other than the Czech Koruna are easily cheated by a slightly adjusted exchange rate.

Contact

Because Prague is a tourist city, a large part of the population speaks English. As a tourist you will hardly encounter language barriers. Just about all staff of retail and catering establishments can make themselves understood in English, except for a tongue twist. For the Czechs, on the other hand, it is nice to be addressed in Czech, if only with a terribly pronounced 'dobrý den', which means 'hello'.

Daily life

all around

• brno - Second largest city in the Czech Republic. The Moto GP Grand Prix is ​​held here every year.

This is a usable article. It contains information on how to get there, as well as the main attractions, nightlife and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but dive in and expand it!

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