Table of Contents
PRAGUE is the capital city of the Czech Republic and one of the few cities bisected by rivers globally. River Vltava cuts across this beautiful city, making it one of the best tourists’ destinations in Europe. It is often referred to as” the City of a Hundred Spires.”
It is best known for its Old Town Square, which happens to be the cornerstone of its historic core, characterized by colorful baroque towers, melodramatic churches, and the medieval Astronomical Chronometer, making it a vibrant hourly show. When ranked with other towns in the European Union, the city occupies the 14th position.
Located in the northwest of the country, the city is home to around 1,300,000 people, though the entire urban zone is estimated to have a population of 2,600,000 basing on the statistics from the last census. Its temperate climate is characterized by warm summers and chilly winters.
Since its foundation in the 7th century, Prague served as a political, cultural and economic center of central Europe with significant historical events. Specifically, the city had a leading role in the Bohemian and Protestant Reformation, not to mention the Thirty-Year War of central Europe that resulted in massive loss of lives.
What is more, Prague hosts a number of traditional attractions, many of which survived the 20th century destruction of Europe. The city is well linked by modern transport facilities, and both private and public learning institutions such as the University of Prague, which happens to be the oldest university in the Central Europe.
In the year 2016, the city was ranked 6th in the list of worlds’ best destinations. Due to its rich history, it is a famous tourist destination, recording at least 6.4 million international visitors on annual basis according to the 2014 statistics. The city is 5th most visited in the entire Europe, coming after London, Paris, Istanbul, and Rome.
Uniqueness of the City
Many people who have experienced life in the city claim that the best beer is poured at Zly Casy, at the Nustle district. It has a total of 24 taps which convey beer to all levels of breweries both from within the country boarders and abroad.
Good beer can be found from different places within the city, that is, from classic pubs or famous beer bars from both small and medium sized breweries on tap. Furthermore, the lokal chain of restaurants offers great pilsner that an individual can enjoy in addition to traditional Czech cuisine. U Jelinku pub has a very good atmosphere with thousands of traditions.
Also, in the in the city’s beer map is pub U Pinkasu which is linked to a number of small-scale breweries such as Klasaterni, pivova Strahov among others
In addition, the city being dissected by the river Vltava is a unique feature of its own. Within the city alone, the river has more than thirty bridges and footbridges. The waters of the river around ten islands, making them attractive for tourists.
On a daily basis, a significant number of steamers and boats sail through it. Furthermore, Vltava embarkment is vital in the lives of Prague community members. For instance, markets are held at this place, and during the summer, people visit the place for leisure Dances and other traditional activities are also done at this place. During the winter, some boats also anchor here.
One of the greatest strengths of the city lies in the number of historic gardens and parks it holds. For instance, there are more than two hundred with the earliest founded in the middle ages. These parks form fascinating sites where individuals for breathtaking. The earliest gardens in the city were monastic. Privately owned gardens and those adjacent to the palaces came into existence during the Renaissance.
Each of these gardens was uniquely structured depending on the period when they were founded. The government of the republic made it a requirement for all visitors of the country to have a walk in the Palace Gardens next to the Prague Castle, Wallenstein Gardens or Petrin Hill Gardens.
For centuries now, the city has undergone diverse developments in social, cultural, and economic aspects, facts that are depicted in its architecture. For instance, the technical monuments provide evidence of this claim. They are often used in commemorating diversity in the daily lives of past generations compared to the present one.
In addition, the city hosts fascinating buildings among other structures. One can enjoy the underground spaces found in the city such as the New Town Water Tower, the Nusle Bridge, and other attractive exhibitions at the National Technical Museum located in the city.
Furthermore, one can pay a visit to the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bubenec, a facility that contributed significantly to the popularity of Prague, establishing itself as the most modern city in Europe at the start of the last century.
Furthermore, the city offers a number of activities for families with children. For instance, parents can accompany their children to the Prague Zoo, one of the most outstanding zoos worldwide. moreover, children often enjoy touring the Toy Museum, which is located on the Prague Castle. The museum has a collection of historical toys from different places worldwide as well as a significant number of Barbie dolls.
The entire family can enjoy a ride on a historical tram, or even touring of the observation Deck of the Zizkov TV tower. Alternatively, children can be taken to a pastry shop and that will be a memorable experience for them.
The city is also equipped with modern shopping malls, such as Palladium, from where one can quench shopping thirst. Alternatively, Parizska Street is arguably the best shopping avenue, characterized by the timely availability of global top luxury brands.
It has often been suggested that whoever wants to go home with a valuable thing from Prague should pay a visit to an antique shop. For example, jewelry and valuable stones are the unique features of Prague Uhlir Antiques. All these features add to the specialty of the city when it comes to shopping.
What is more, Prague has a number of distinguished cafes that individuals visit from time to time for classical café traditions. The experience of the city can well be explained after when one visits Café Slavia. Many residents of the city find it appealing taking breakfast in Café Savoy or Café Imperial, arguably the best two cafes in the city.
Other cafes are in the process of development and include Café Lounge, which is uniquely characterized by first-class cappuccino, along with home-baked cakes. Additionally, there is the popular café often referred to as ‘My Cup of Coffee’, which has a lot of customers.
One only has to book early in advance if they have to get a chance. The Monolok café serves best the individuals who like modern design. Apart from coffee specialties, they also offer light lunches and cups of exceptional wine in the evenings. They also have cozy and quiet courtyards which are very appealing when the weather is chilly.
Places to Visit Prague During Winter
While the number of tourists significantly drops with picturesque buildings covered by snow during the winter, it still remains to an attractive period to tour the city. Importantly, it is imperative for travelers to find time to warm up and defrost frozen limbs.
Therefore, in such a soul-searching situation, where can one turn to with a view of escaping extremely low temperatures? The following recommended places will prove helpful in light of the above.
Mohaji Café
This is a newly developed café with features handy to salvage traveler’s conditions during the cold winter. For example, it is designed with a super-cozy fireplace, where domestic tourists come for the laid-back atmosphere, properly chosen wine, and recently roasted coffee.
The café is not well known to most of people, yet travelers can find pleasure as they relax on the feathery cushions, listening to local music without the discomfort associated with crowds. The experience can be more fascinating when one visits the place while it’s dark with the cozy fireplace roaring and properly reduced lighting.
Oliver’s Coffee Cup
Even though it is located in an unappealing place, the café is well structured with one of the best living rooms, attractive furniture, ample armchairs, current décor, and a variety of books.
For this reason, one can comfortably relax as they enjoy the quality and tasteful coffee.
Bistro Lovely Day
Is it possible for a modern bistro to have an expedient feel? Well, Lovely Day confirms that to be true. It is strategically located at the Holesovice, a district of Prague. The place is attractively decorated with nice sophisticated furniture made from white-coated pallets and covered with significant scatter cushions.
To be protected from the cold wind, an individual has to keep a distance from the sliding as much as possible. For maximum warmth guarantee, the best place one can sit is on the furniture next to the wall but closer to the pots of hot soup.
Vnitroblock
This is a unique option when rated against the above-mentioned places. It was discovered by a group of young entrepreneurs who became popular in long-forgotten areas, this being one of the best. The place is well equipped with heat lamps that guarantee extra warmth.
Furthermore, Vintroblock orbits around Signature Store and Café, which has a combination of a showroom for both locals and European engineers with a hip café offering freshly roasted coffee along with home-baked cakes.
What is more important, one will get a gallery space, a yoga studio, and a variety of events ranging from yards to poetry reading.
Coffee Corner Bakery
One of the hardest things to do is to pick an outstanding café within the city. Each one of them appears to be having the best structures for different purposes. This is the case in Vinohrady, a district in Prague.
It is located in the city center and both the locals and foreign residents love the place. However, Coffer Corner Bakery appears to be winning this race. This is mainly attributed to its affluent living-room-like ambiance that is aided by a fireplace and a number of armchairs.
What makes it even more appealing and an ideal place for a winter visit is its superb coffee and cakes, along with a good vibe. Additionally, the free Wi-Fi attracts people from diverse places.
Jidelna Kucharek bez domova
This is one place that can guarantee one’s heart warmth as well as the Stomach. At this place, homeless women are often hired to prepare amazing vegan dishes.
Even though the place is very popular, it has a tiny space that even individuals arriving minutes to noon are not guaranteed a seat for lunch, unless they are willing to patiently wait. So make prior arrangements if you are willing to get the nice experience offered here.
While it appears expensive, paying a visit to this place is a way of helping the homeless to earn a living.
Manesova Bar and Books
This resembles the New York chain of cigar bars and was founded 25 years ago. The Manesova offshoot of Bar and Books extends a casual environment where an individual can lounge in a cozy leather chair while enjoying a drink or a delicious cocktail.
In addition, top-quality cigars are equally provided along with live music and interesting shows on a regular basis.
Rated Hotels
Prague has a number of five-star hotels from where visitors can check-in. Be sure that the experience you receive will go down to history as one of the best you have had in your entire life.
The Cosmopolitan Hotel Prague
Is the most recommended one in the city. It is located on the street of Prague city center, a distance of around 1 km away from Old Town Square but a three-minute walk from the Palladium shopping mall.
It was founded in the year 1889, though it has been redesigned to reflect a modern boutique hotel, combining both modern designs and historical ones. Each room has free Wi-Fi along with a TV which has got access to the internet and is compatible with mobile devices.
In addition, all rooms are well decorated and equipped with all the necessary facilities such as baths and bathrobes. All visitors are given free access to the hotel gym as well. Moreover, customers are well attended to throughout.
In fact, one notices 24-hour front desk at the facility. Next to this structure is a restaurant owned to a celebrity chef Zdenek which features ceiling frescoes that date back from 1889. Thanks to the Italian designer Luciano Belcapo.
The restaurant has got an open plan kitchen that serves the modern Czech cuisine. One thing that makes the Prague Hotel appealing to many is its strategic position. The city’s Astronomical Clock is situated just 900 m from the Hotel, not forgetting that the Wenceslas Square is just a kilometer away.
Moreover, the Republic Square along with the Municipal House and the Powder Tower are only 250 m away from the facility. The suitability of any facility for accommodation lies with its proximity to transport and communication networks. This is the case with Cosmopolitan Hotel Prague.
The Vaclav Havel Prague Airport is only 12 km distance from it while the Namesti Republiky metro station is just a few meters away from the hotel. The hotel is rated highest when compared to others in the city. It has already been confirmed that customers more services for their money compared to other similar facilities in the Capital.
Among the common facilities customers access are parking, food and drink, free internet, and an airport shuttle. Activities and entertainment include a sauna, fitness center, and massage though for additional costs. Some of the observations from customers are inspiring. For instance, one from Germany said that the room was very neat and that the staff was polite and very helpful.
He added that even though the breakfast did not entail a wide variety, everything offered was delicious, especially the pancakes. The client finally noted that every place within the hotel had a very attractive smell of a perfume.
Another visitor from the USA the hotel was beautiful, had a strategic location, and that the breakfast offered was amazing.
Hotel Admiral
Prague has three-star hotels, the best among them being Hotel Admiral, also known as “Botel Admiral” because it is an old boat. This is a very famous hotel in the city center, located between Vysehrad and Palacky Bridge. It is about a 15-minute walk from the city’s Old Town on their right bank, and very close to Prague Castle.
It offers very attractive accommodation with a view over the river and the city within the 82 dual quarters and 5 quadruple bed suites. Furthermore, all the rooms are equipped with showers, televisions with satellite reception, a direct dial phone for communication, and a radio among other valuable services.
Notably, breakfast is included in the accommodation charges, which is served as a buffet. One can also enjoy an open boat terrace during the summer, viewing the Vysehrad and the bridges of the city, along with the historical area of the town beneath Prague Castle.