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The New Town of Prague (Czech: Nové Město) is in the east bank area to the east and south of the Old Town. A large part of New Town that borders Old Town from east (Republic Square lies on the border) and south belongs to Praha 1 district. This area contains Wenceslas Square, the main boulevard in Prague, and the National Theatre.
Vyšehrad is a district of Prague where there is a historical fort. It was probably built in the 10th century, on a hill over the Vltava River.
Understand
[edit | edit source]When the Přemyslid dynasty settled on the current site of Prague Castle, the two castles maintained opposing spheres of influence for approximately two centuries. Like this the second seat of the Czech sovereigns was established on a steep rock directly above the right bank of the Vltava river, in the 10th century. The zenith of Vyšehrad was during the second half of the 11th century, when Vratislav transferred his seat from Prague Castle, and the original fort was remodelled as a complex comprising a sovereign's palatial residence, church and seat of the chapter. The period of growth ended around 1140 when Prince Soběslav moved his seat back to Prague Castle.
Under the hill, there are several stunning looking cubist buildings, constructed by architect Josef Chochol in the 1910s.
Get in
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Map of Prague/New Town and Vysehrad
The New Town is well served by all three Metro lines. The following stations are in New Town or on its border:
- Interchange stations 1 Muzeum A C (upper Wenceslas Square), 2 Florenc B C , 3 Můstek A B (lower and middle Wenceslas Square)
- Line B: 4 Náměstí Republiky B (Republic Square), 5 Národní třída B (close to National Avenue, National Theater), and 6 Karlovo náměstí B (Charles Square, Palackého Square, close to the Dancing House and the university area).
- Line C: 7 Hlavní nádraží C (Main railway station, on border with Vinohrady), and 8 I. P. Pavlova C (on border with Vinohrady).
The New Town is also accessible by many tram lines. The tram network is much denser than the metro network and can be useful to get around within New Town if you do not want to go on foot. Line 17, goes along the river and connects New Town (Palackého nám. near Charles Sq., National Theatre) with Old Town (Staroměstská, Právnická fakulta). Line 22 connects the New Town with Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and other tourist hotspots.
After midnight, when the metro is not operating, use night trams to get in or out of New Town. Lazarská street, just north of Charles Sq., functions as the central hub for all night trams in Prague. Many night tram lines cross Wenceslas Square in the middle (Vodičkova). There are also several night bus lines connecting I. P. Pavlova Sq. with other parts of the city. Another important station of night buses is Náměstí Republiky (Republic Square).
Vyšehrad is not located in the center of the city but it is well connected by metro line C (Vyšehrad stop) and tram lines 2, 7, 18 and 24 to Albertov stop.
See
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- 1 Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí). Václavské náměstí is a wide boulevard running down from the National Museum and it's crammed with bars, restaurants and casinos. It is the heart of central Prague. All three metro lines cross there: line A and C cross at "Muzeum" station (upper part of boulevard next to National Museum), while lines A and B cross at "Můstek" station (middle to lower part of boulevard). Wenceslas Square and the surrounding area was an important place of demonstrations during the Velvet Revolution in 1989. There is a big statue of St. Wenceslas riding his horse in the upper part of the boulevard. St. Wenceslas is the patron of Czech lands, so this monument was the focal point of the anticommunist demonstrations. Just few dozen meters down from the monument, at the place where Jan Palach burned himself in 1969 in protest against Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia, there is a marble plate in memory of the victims of communism. The St. Wenceslas statue is also a popular meeting point; if somebody in Prague wants to meet u koně (near the horse) or pod ocasem (under the horse tail), this place is meant. A notable building is the beautiful Hotel Evropa in Art Nouveau style (1906) in the middle of the boulevard.
- 2 National Museum (Národní muzeum), Václavské nám. 68, 110 00 Nové Město, ☏ +420224497111. Daily 10:00-18:00. Nature and history museum in the upper part of Wenceslas Square. The building was designed by prominent Czech neo-renaissance architect Josef Schulz in the years 1885 - 1891. In the older museum, there is an excellent permanent exhibition of various minerals including gems, as well as other interesting exhibitions including insects, fossils, animal skeletons, and stuffed animals from around the world. One of the best known pieces is a large whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling, quite unusual in a landlocked country. The building is enormous and the architecture very grand, but the exhibitions in themselves need to be fixed up. New museum has exhibitions on communism. Adult 360 Kč, concession 260 Kč, kids under 15 free.
- 3 Dancing House (Tančící dům), Jiráskovo nám. 1981/6, 120 00 Nové Město (Trams 5 and 17 to Jiráskovo náměstí or metro B to Karlovo náměstí.). It is the work of the twentieth century American architect Frank Gehry, and is said to be shaped like a man and a woman dancing; hence its former name "Fred and Ginger". Inside you can visit a gallery or go to the rooftop bar and restaurant and enjoy nice views of the river and castle.
- 4 Botanical Garden of the Charles University (Botanická zahrada Přírodovědecké fakulty UK), Na Slupi 433 /16, 128 00 Nové Město (Tram 2, 18, 24 Botanická zahrada), ☏ +420221951885. Daily 10:00-18:00. Botanical garden of the Charles University with valuable outdoor exhibition and a collection of tropical plants in greenhouses. Adult 100 Kč, concessions 50 Kč.
- 5 Vyšehrad ("The High Castle") (You can get here by metro line C, station "Vyšehrad".). Seat of Czech princes for centuries before Prague Castle was built. Site of St. Paul and Peter's Cathedral, and of the famous Vyšehrad cemetery known as 'Slavín', burial grounds of extraordinary Czechs. Don't forget to visit the casemate of Vyšehrad; they are picturesque, and you can see originals of some statues from Charles Bridge. From the ramparts of Vyšehrad, you'll have an excellent view of Prague castle, Vltava, Smíchov (former workers' slum and industrial quarter of town) and Podskalí (area under Vyšehrad, once inhabited almost entirely by raftsmen). If you take a look from southern rampart, you'll see Kavčí hory, headquarters of Czech Television - rather futuristic building from the 1960s. For closer look to Kavčí hory, take metro line C, station "Pražského povstání".
- 6 Vyšehrad cemetery, Stulcova. Established in 1869 on the grounds of Vyšehrad Castle, it is the final resting place of many famous Czechs like artist Alphonse Mucha and writers Jan Neruda and Karel Čapek.
- 7 Basilica of St Peter and St Paul. A neo-Gothic church in Vyšehrad fortress.
- 8 Velvet Revolution Memorial (Památník Sametové revoluce 17. listopadu 1989), Národní 16, 110 00 Nové Město (from Café Louvre, walk toward the river; you will enter an archway, and after just a few meters, look at the wall on the left). A simple brass plaque.
- 9 Jubilee Synagogue (Jerusalem Synagogue), Jeruzalémská 1310/7. Built in 1906, designed in Moorish Revival form with Art Nouveau decoration.
- 10 Museum of Communism, V Celnici 1031/4, 118 00 Nové Město (Náměstí Republiky - Metro B, Trams 6, 8, 15, 26, Bus 207; Masarykovo nádraží - Metro B, Trams 3, 6, 15, 24, 26), ☏ +420 224 212 966, [email protected]. Daily 09:00-20:00. An interesting museum that follows the history of communism in Czech Republic until its fall with the Velvet Revolution. The museum has several interesting communist propaganda artifacts, which are worth a look. Interesting exhibits on how communism changed Czechoslovakia, but skewed toward a particular view of history. Adults 390 Kč, students with ID 310 Kč, seniors 340 Kč.
- 11 Mucha Museum, Na Příkopě 852/10, 110 00 Nové Město (Můstek - Metro A, B), ☏ +420 224 216 415, [email protected]. Daily 10:00-18:00. This museum is dedicated to the life and works of Alphonse Mucha, a leading artist in the Art Nouveau movement. Adults 300 Kč, concessions 250 Kč, kids under 10 free.
- 12 Head of Franz Kafka (Franz Kafka - Otočná Hlava), Charvátova, 110 00 Nové Město (Národní třída - Metro B, Trams 2, 9, 18, 22, 23). A moving metallic sculpture behind the Quadrio mall.
- 13 Emauzy monastery (Emauzské opatství) (Karlovo náměstí - Metro B; Trams 2, 3, 4, 10, 16, 21), ☏ +420224917662, [email protected]. M-F 11:00-16:00. Founded in 1347 by Charles IV, Emauzy is a historic Benedictine abbey known for hosting Slavic liturgy. Destroyed by World War II bombing and famously restored in the 1960s with modern white concrete towers, it features original 14th-century Gothic cloisters and frescoes. Adult 90 Kč, concessions 60 Kč, family 150 Kč.
Do
[edit | edit source]- Sit and relax amongst the greenery in the Botanical garden of the Charles University.
- Small walk in the calm of the morning to observe the city waking up from the castle.
- 1 Máj Národní, Národní 63/26, 110 00 Nové Město (Národní třída - Metro B, Trams 2, 9, 18, 22, 23). A former shopping center, multiple floors now covered by arcade games and Marvel/DC-movie-heroes-related showcases. Top floor with city overview freely accessible. On the building facade are placed plane-butterfly art pieces.
- 2 National Theatre (Národní divadlo), Národní 2/110 00, 110 00 Nové Město (Národní divadlo - Tram 2, 9, 17, 18, 22, 23). The original National Theatre building. The interior of the building is very decorative, and a sight of its own. Sometimes hosts operas and ballets, but mostly plays in Czech language; English surtitles are often available. Students receive a 50% discount on tickets.
- 3 Mánes Gallery (Galerie Mánes), Masarykovo nábř. 250/1, 110 00 Nové Město, ☏ +420602354838. A renowned functionalist exhibition space built between 1928 and 1930 on the Vltava Riverbank. Designed by Otakar Novotný, it serves as a major venue for modern and contemporary art, managed by the historic Mánes Association of Fine Artists, hosting exhibitions, social events, and offering iconic views near the Dancing House. Opening times and prices can be found on their website and may vary depending on the exhibition.
Buy
[edit | edit source]Wenceslas Square is one of the best places in Prague to buy books. There are two big multilevel bookstores. One is Palác Luxor, Václavské náměstí 41, it has great selection of foreign language books, including English, on the first underground floor.
- 1 Palladium, nám. Republiky 1 (Tram/metro station Namesti Republiky B ), ☏ +420 225 770 250. In the city centre, next to the main city (shopping) streets. It is among the most luxurious shopping centres. It's complex inside, so you'll need a while to walk through it. No cheap options to eat, unless you buy some food in Albert supermarket on the lowest floor (-2). On the top level (+2) are some moderate to expensive restaurants.
Eat
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Budget
[edit | edit source]In the centre around the Franz Kafka - Rotating Head
[edit | edit source]- 1 Burrito Loco Spálená, 43, Spálená 104.
- 2 Bistreet, Spálená 105.
- 3 Pizza Jungmannova, Jungmannova 737.
- 4 Jídelna Světozor, Vodičkova 791.
- 5 Dietní jídelna, Spálená 78. Canteen specialising in healthy food. The dishes are presented on a plate which makes it easier to choose. Open M-F 11:00-14:00
- 6 Wokin, Purkyňova 74. Stir-fries. It is possible to order on the app or kiosk and the food usually comes out quick.
- 7 Bageterie Boulevard, Národní 1022. Czech fast-food chain that focuses on fresh, gourmet baguettes, soups, salads, and breakfast items.
In the north around the train station Praha Masarykovo nádraží
[edit | edit source]The supermarkets Lidl and Penny are both good value bakeries.
- 8 Arco Cafeteria, Dlážděná 1004 /6.
- 9 Tian Tian Restaurant, 24, Hybernská 1009. Asian restaurant.
- 10 Restaurace Fiesta, Na Poříčí 1074/9.
- 11 Zdravé žití U tří růží, 21, Soukenická 1190. Vegetarian
- 12 U Rozvařilů, Na Poříčí 23 OD Bílá Labuť.
- 13 Lidová jídelna Těšnov, Těšnov 1163/5.
In the west around the Žofín Palace
[edit | edit source]- 14 Restaurace Karlův sklep, Karlovo nám. 287.
- 15 Manni Kebabish, Odborů 3.
- 16 Střecha, Křemencova 7. Vegan restaurant
- 17 Just Bagel, Na Struze 230.
In the southwest around Vyšehrad
[edit | edit source]- 18 Plavecká Polévka, Plavecká 4. A bistro
- 19 Pod Vyšehradem, Vratislavova 32.
- 20 Lang Biang Restaurace, Svobodova 144.
East of the centre around the metro station Hlavní nádraží
[edit | edit source]South of the centre around the Beer Spa Bernard
[edit | edit source]- 23 Restaurant Na Křižovatce, Lípová 469.
- 24 Can Bey Doner Kebab, Ječná 547.
- 25 Bistro Deli & Bakery, 20, Štěpánská 1677.
- 26 Pho mai anh, Ve Smečkách 590/16.
In the south-east around the metro station I. P. Pavlova
[edit | edit source]- 27 Kung Fu Pure Chinese Pasta, Rumunská 698/17. Dumplings
- 28 Johnny Pizza, Koubkova 685/16 Nové Město.
Mid-range
[edit | edit source]- 29 Fresco Vento, Rašínovo nábřeží 62, Praha 2 (Metro: Karlovo náměstí), ☏ +420 224 922 887, [email protected]. M-F 10:00-24:00; Sa Su 11:00-24:00. Italian
- 30 Jáma³ Garden Pub, V Jámě 7, Praha 1, ☏ +420 224 222 383. Good place for burgers. Free wi-fi.
- 31 Pizzeria Kmotra Kavárna, V Jirchárích 12. A great, inexpensive pizza place with a relaxed setting.
- 32 Pivovarský dům Benedikt- restaurace a pivotéka Praha (Brewery House), Ječná/Lípová 15, Praha 2, ☏ +420 296 216 666, fax: +420 224 921 256. Microbrewery makes everything from a traditional Czech pilsner to beers flavored with sour cherries or banana.
- 33 Cafe Slavia, Narodní třída 1. A coffee tastes even better when accompanied by stunning views of the Vltava and Prague Castle. Cafe Slavia is the perfect place to stop for a coffee or light meal during a day of sightseeing in Castle.
- 34 Café Louvre, Narodní třída 20. Once frequented by Franz Kafka, this cafe is now a popular hotspot for a Prague locals. Their separate dining room offers French cuisine, for those looking for a different option than Czech food.
- 35 U Kroka, Vratislavova 12, 128 00 Praha 2 - Vyšehrad, ☏ +420 775 905 022. Charm restaurant with delicious food and reasonable price. Try the double colored beer! €8.
- 36 Kantýna, Politických vězňů 5. 11:30-23:00. Hip, market-style restaurant specializing in different cuts of meat and local side dishes. Most food is by weight: you grab a tray and have the cooks pile on whatever you'd like from their station. There are also items you can order off the menu: the burger and beef tartar are highlights. Outstanding flavors and fresh ingredients. 350 Kč.
Splurge
[edit | edit source]- 37 Restaurant Zvonice, Jindřišská věž, Jindřišská ulice, Praha 1, ☏ +420 224 220 009, fax: +420 224 220 028, [email protected]. This romantic restaurant is spread over three levels high up in a Gothic bell tower. If you're lucky, you will get to eat dinner immediately beneath a huge bell. Mains approximately 600 Kč, bottles of wine 800 Kč to 7000 Kč..
- 38 Triton, Václavské nám. 26, ☏ +420 221 081 218, fax: +420 221 081 300, [email protected]. 11:30-23:00. Upscale restaurant, sea themed, located completely underground. Excellent food in an unusual decor, ideally suited for romantic dinners for two. Not suited for kids. The entrance is somewhat hard to find, ask in the bar on street level for directions.
- 39 Taro, Národní 10.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- 1 Duplex, Vaclavske Nam 21, Praha 1, ☏ +420 224 232 319, [email protected]. Situated in Wenceslas Square, this club pays US$5000 rent per day, and consequently charges an outrageous cover fee to teenage tourists who still think that Prague is the "wild" place it was in the early 1990s. This club does a good job of keeping the more pleasant clubs in Prague free from tourists who come for Prague's more disreputable aspects.
- 2 Lucerna Music Bar, Vodičkova 36, Praha 1. Nice, but a little touristy; they play mostly 1980s music (with the accompanying music video on the big screen).
- 3 Vzorkovna Dog BAR, Národní 11. W Th 21:00-04:00, F Sa 20:00-05:00, Su-Tu 21:00-03:00. Cocktails 100-250 Kč, beer 75-100 Kč.
- 4 London Underground Bar, Spálená 47. Su-Th 20:00-02:00, F Sa 20:00-04:00.
- 5 U Fleků, Křemencova 11, Praha 1, ☏ +420 602 660 290. Daily 09:00-23:00. A restaurant that brews its own fantastic dark, sweet beer. It is the color of Coca-Cola with an alcohol content of 5.5% ABV, but its flavor is not overly strong. The servers will suggest a shot of local herb liqueur, Becherovka, but it won't be free. The atmosphere of this pub gets very rowdy as it is loaded with tourists from all over and bands play regularly. It's a lot of fun with a group. U Fleků 13° 99 Kč and spirits around 79 Kč.
- 6 Vinarna U Sudu, Vodičkova 677/10. An incredible wine bar that doesn't look like much from the front, but if you look inside and go in the way back you'll find a huge underground maze of different areas each with their own unique music and vibe. Also nearby is the crossing point for all night trams.
- Atlas Cabaret, Darling Cabaret, Hot Peppers, Club Empire, etc., around Wenceslas Square. The area around Wenceslas Square is popular with British stag groups, and there are numerous strip clubs on offer. Groups of young foreign men will be approached in the street by touts offering cheap drinks and women, and they will even trail you from pub to pub if it's a slow night and you haven't take them up on their offers. The strippers are full contact with touching allowed, while the girls in Atlas, Darlings and Empire offer full sex.
- 7 Bike 7 (and many others), 128 00 Prague 2, Czechia. In the evening, bars in port holes along the riverwalk open up. (Also a few on barges.) Popular with locals, they have lots of outdoor tables. Great place to people watch, and also see night fall over the castle on the hill.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Best Prague Hotel House, Václavské náměstí 48, ☏ +420 777 664 663, [email protected]. Apartments where can sleep up to four people with living room, bathroom and kitchen from 2450 Kč per night. Higher rates apply during peak season and for more than 2 guests.
- 2 [dead link] Hotel Elite, Ostrovni 32, ☏ +420 211 156 500, [email protected]. Luxury 4-star hotel on the edge of Old Town and New Town. 78 rooms containing pieces of original antique furniture, A/C, private bathroom, IDD, pay TV, satellite, free WiFi, safety deposit box and a minibar, wellness, hotel garages.
- 3 Hotel Atlantic, Na Poříčí 9, ☏ +420 224 811 084. A 3-star hotel located in the City Center on walking distance from all major historical sites. It offers 62 spacious, comfortable rooms, of which 3 have access for disabled people. Rooms are fitted with shower, WC, satellite TV, direct-dial (IDD) telephone, wifi and safety deposit box.
- 4 Hotel Best Western Meteor Plaza, Hybernska 6 (Hlavní nádraží railway/metro 850 m; Můstek metro 700 m), ☏ +420 224 192 559. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. 4-star hotel just outside the Old Town gate, within walking distance of much of the city centre. Amenities include air conditioning, shower and/or bath, WC, hair dryer, satellite/pay TV, IDD telephone, personal safe, coffee/tea maker, and mini-bar. Rate includes breakfast and wireless Internet access.
- 5 Miss Sophie's, Melounova 3, ☏ +420 224 941 163. This designer boutique hotel/hostel is the perfect destination for a quiet getaway in the heart of Prague's New Town. Miss Sophie's offers private hotel rooms, apartments, and shared rooms. Gourmet breakfast is prepared and served daily in brick cellar basement. Prices start at 420 Kč for a shared room and 1,630 Kč for a private room..
- 6 Mosaic House, Odboru 4, ☏ +420 246 008 324. A unique blend of 4-star hotel and hostel. Downstairs, the restaurant and bar have a wide variety of local and international food and drink options. It's a blend of style, ecofriendly features, fun, and culture for all ages. Prices range from 250 Kč for a shared room and 1,400 Kč for a private double. Modern, eco-friendly, and centrally located. From shared rooms to private rooms with terraces, all are beautifully designed with cozy linens, gorgeous bathrooms, modern amenities. Also on premises is Belushi's Bar and Restaurant [1], which offers great food and drinks and live entertainment. Breakfast is served from 07:00 through 11:30, with omelettes and scrambled eggs, pancakes and fresh fruits, fresh breads from their local bakery, coffee and tea. Lunch, dinner, late night eats, and everything in between served until 23:00. You can select from burgers and sandwich options galore, tasty salads, filling appetizers and specialty desserts menu.
- 7 Dahlia Inn ([email protected]), Lipova 20, ☏ +420 776 686 719. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Family-run accommodation. From €39.
- 8 Palace Hotel (Art Nouveau), Panská 12, ☏ +420 224 093 111, [email protected]. Luxury five-star hotel just off Wenceslas Square. €370 per room.
- 9 987 Prague Hotel, Senovazne namesti 15, ☏ +420 255 737 200, [email protected]. Skype: hotel987prague1. For €1 more get free phone calls to Europe. Free internet.
- 10 Deminka Palace Hotel, Skretova 1, ☏ +420 224 210 281. Located in Prague city center, near the National Museum.
- 11 [dead link] Hotel Merlin, Gorazdova 22, ☏ +420 224 916 555, [email protected]. Three-star accommodation in the center of Prague on the banks of the Vltava River, next to Dancing House near the metro station Karlovo náměstí
- 12 Apartments Emma, Oldrichova 9, ☏ +420 774 80 77 87, [email protected]. Check-out: 10:00. Apartments from two to four people to rent near Vysehrad castle. Kitchen, internet and no curfew. The host is very helpful for information about public transport, attractions and night life. From 800 Kč for 2-person studio during low season. Rates are higher at peak times.
- 13 Botel Racek, Podolské nábřeží, ☏ +420 241 004 811, [email protected]. A hotel boat on the Vltava river offering rooms and suites, all with private bathroom, TV and phone. There's a Czech restaurant on board and you can enjoy drinks on the deck or in the bar. Botel Racek is ten minutes away from the city centre by tram and has private parking available. Singles, doubles, triples and quads. Prices vary depending on season, there are last minute offers.
- 14 Easy Housing, Spytihněvova 131/6 (Tram 14,24), ☏ +420 702 055 805, [email protected]. Hostel.
Connect
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