ABOUT PRAGUE
Prague consists of 57 boroughs, but do not worry, only fiveof them are actually of interest for tourists; namely Staré Město (old city
center), Nové Město (stunning gothic and baroque architecture), Malá Strana
(home to ostentatious palaces and churches), Hradčany (home to the Loreto
complex and Prague Castle), and Josefov (Old Jewish quarter).
If you are looking for a hostel in Prague, ideally you would
look for one in one of those five. But if not, getting around in Prague is not
a problem, there is an extensive public transport system consisting of trams,
buses, metro lines, a funicular, and several ferry services which all have a
common ticketing system. The airport is connected to the city center by bus and
metro so it's easy to get to your Prague hostel.
While you are in Prague, walk around and admire
the golden alleyways which are responsible for the cities nickname. Find
Gehry’s Dancing House as an example of modern architecture and then emerge into
one of the world's most ingenuous and diversified collections of architecture,
from Art Nouveau to Baroque, Renaissance, Cubist, Gothic and Neo-Classical.
Cross the picturesque Charles Bridge, visit the largest castle in the world,
and discover Czech History in the National Museum. Before returning to your
hostel for the evening, don't miss to enjoy Prague’s vibrant nightlife and
drink some of Europe’s cheapest beer with the locals.
Prague with Children
If you are staying in Prague with your children and are not sure how to keep them entertained, below are a few activities that may do the trick. Please note that the hours and prices listed are subject to change.
Prague Zoo
The Prague Zoo is located near the Trója Chateau in Prague 7 and is open year round. It was ranked as no. 7 on Forbes Traveler Magazine's World's Best Zoos list in 2007 and is definitely worth a visit if you have the time. You can easily spend a day there, especially if you take a river boat there and/or back, visit the Trója Chateau that's literally across the street, or the Prague Botanical Garden up on the hill nearby. The zoo has a number of fun little play areas for children, a petting zoo, a viewing train, and a short chair-lift (with individual chairs) that might be fun for older kids.
Prague Zoo
The Prague Zoo is located near the Trója Chateau in Prague 7 and is open year round. It was ranked as no. 7 on Forbes Traveler Magazine's World's Best Zoos list in 2007 and is definitely worth a visit if you have the time. You can easily spend a day there, especially if you take a river boat there and/or back, visit the Trója Chateau that's literally across the street, or the Prague Botanical Garden up on the hill nearby. The zoo has a number of fun little play areas for children, a petting zoo, a viewing train, and a short chair-lift (with individual chairs) that might be fun for older kids.
Address: U Trojského zámku 3/120, Prague 7Getting there: Bus 112 from Nádraží Holešovice (Metro C) to Zoologická zahrada (last stop) or Zoobus (a free direct bus from Nádraží Holešovice that runs on weekends and holidays from April through September, departures every 10 minutes)
Hours:
March: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
April, May, September, October: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
June - August: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
November - February: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
December 24 and 31: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Admission: Adults 150 Kč, children/students/seniors 100 Kč, family (2 adults + 2 children) 450 Kč
Website: www.zoopraha.cz
Boat Rides
You can take your kids on a boat ride on the Vltava, which seems to be the thing that all Prague families do on sunny summer weekends. A fun activity that can fill your day is to take the boat to or from the Prague Zoo.
Departure point: Rašínovo nábřeží embankment between the Palackého and Jiráskův bridges
Departure times to the zoo: 9 a.m., 12 noon, 3:30 p.m.
Departure times from the zoo: 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
May through mid September: daily
April and mid September through October: Saturdays and Sundays
Ride duration: 75 minutes
Cost: Adults 150 Kč, children (age 3 - 12) 80 CZK, children under 3 - free
Website: www.paroplavba.cz
Departure times to the zoo: 9 a.m., 12 noon, 3:30 p.m.
Departure times from the zoo: 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
May through mid September: daily
April and mid September through October: Saturdays and Sundays
Ride duration: 75 minutes
Cost: Adults 150 Kč, children (age 3 - 12) 80 CZK, children under 3 - free
Website: www.paroplavba.cz
Toy Museum
The Toy Museum at the Prague Castle is the second largest exposition of toys in the world, from ancient Greece to the present, collected from all over the world. It covers two floors and includes a large Barbie exposition.
Address: Jiřská 4, Prague 1 (Prague Castle grounds)
Getting there: Tram 22 to Pražský hrad
Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Adults 60 Kč, children/students/seniors 30 Kč, family 120 Kč
Address: Jiřská 4, Prague 1 (Prague Castle grounds)Getting there: Tram 22 to Pražský hrad
Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Adults 60 Kč, children/students/seniors 30 Kč, family 120 Kč
Most of the puppet and marionette shows in the Prague city center are targeted at adults rather than children. Two theatres that play for children are:
Puppet Theatre Jiskra (Loutkové divadlo Jiskra)
A traditional marionette theatre in the outskirts that has frequent shows for children over 3. Performances are in Czech.
Address: Klapkova 26, Prague 8-Kobylisy
Getting there: Metro C or tram 10, 14, 17, 24 or 25 to Kobylisy
Hours: Various show times but usually at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Admission: 25 - 50 Kč
Website: www.divadlokh.cz (website only in Czech)
Getting there: Metro C or tram 10, 14, 17, 24 or 25 to Kobylisy
Hours: Various show times but usually at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Admission: 25 - 50 Kč
Website: www.divadlokh.cz (website only in Czech)
Spejbl and Hurvínek Theatre (Divadlo Spejbla a Hurvínka)
The Spejbl and Hurvínek Theatre has been around since 1930 and its main protagonists, Spejbl, Hurvínek, Mánička, Mrs. Kateřina and Žeryk the Dog, have become famous around the world. The theatre plays for both children over 4 and adults.
Address: Dejvická 38, Prague 6 (in 2009 temporarily at Bělohorská 24, Prague 6)
Getting there: Metro A to Dejvická or tram 2, 8, 20 or 26 to Vítězné náměstí
Hours: Various morning and afternoon show times
Admission: 55 - 95 Kč
Website: www.spejbl-hurvinek.cz
Getting there: Metro A to Dejvická or tram 2, 8, 20 or 26 to Vítězné náměstí
Hours: Various morning and afternoon show times
Admission: 55 - 95 Kč
Website: www.spejbl-hurvinek.cz
If your kids get tired of sightseeing, you can always take them to the movies. There are a number of large multiplexes in the Prague city center or close enough to it and they usually feature some films suited for children. There is also an IMAX theatre in Prague. Here is a list of some movie theatres that are easy to get to:
Palace Cinemas at the Slovanský dům (Na příkopě 22, metro A/B to Můstek, www.palacecinemas.cz)
Village Cinemas at Anděl (Radlická 3179/1E, metro B to Anděl, www.villagecinemas.cz)
Cinema City at the Palác Flóra (Vinohradská 144, metro A to Flóra, www.cinemacity.cz)
IMAX at the Palác Flóra (Vinohradská 144, metro A to Flóra, www.imaxpraha.cz)
Village Cinemas at Anděl (Radlická 3179/1E, metro B to Anděl, www.villagecinemas.cz)
Cinema City at the Palác Flóra (Vinohradská 144, metro A to Flóra, www.cinemacity.cz)
IMAX at the Palác Flóra (Vinohradská 144, metro A to Flóra, www.imaxpraha.cz)
Tickets cost around 170 Kč per adult, 120 Kč per child or 500 Kč per family.
Tips on Staying Safe in Prague
Since the early 1990s, Prague has been reborn as a place that welcomes millions of travelers from all over the world every year. As the tourists stream in, others flourish. Among them, the pickpockets, thieves and "businessmen".
• Pickpockets
• Car Break-Ins and Car Theft
• Taking a Taxi
• Unsafe Areas
• Police Stations
Pickpockets• Car Break-Ins and Car Theft
• Taking a Taxi
• Unsafe Areas
• Police Stations
Pickpocketing is one of Prague's most common crimes. We are sad every time we hear stories about someone getting their money, documents, camera or cell phone stolen.
First of all, I have two rather contradictory pieces of advice:
1) Don't underestimate Prague pickpockets and don't think you can outsmart them. Many of them are highly skilled "professionals".
2) Don't become paranoid. Make sure you are still enjoying yourself on your trip. Although pickpocketing is a problem in Prague, just like it is a problem in many tourist destinations around the world, it doesn't mean that thieves are waiting for you at every corner. We have been robbed in other European cities, but never in Prague - knock on wood.
Czech police probably won't do much to help you if you're robbed (just like the police in some other European cities), so prevention is your best protection. Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of a pickpocket:2) Don't become paranoid. Make sure you are still enjoying yourself on your trip. Although pickpocketing is a problem in Prague, just like it is a problem in many tourist destinations around the world, it doesn't mean that thieves are waiting for you at every corner. We have been robbed in other European cities, but never in Prague - knock on wood.• Don't carry large amounts of cash with you. Carry a credit card and take money out of a cash
- machine as you go. Cash machines are plentiful in Prague and their screens usually come with
- an English language version.
• Leave important documents in a safe deposit box at your hotel. You should carry your passport with
- you, but leave a copy of it at your hotel in case the original gets lost. Making copies of your important
- documents is always a good idea when traveling.
• Be careful on crowded trams and subways, especially in the historical center of Prague. Know what's
- happening around you, try not to find yourself squeezed in a crowd of other passengers.
• Wear a money belt instead of a handbag. Although it can be a bit of a nuisance, we have found it to
- be a very secure place to keep our valuables. In addition, not having to worry about a handbag or
- wallet will free up your mind to fully appreciate the beauty of Prague.
• If you are carrying a handbag, always be aware of it. Keep it closed up and hold on to it in busy
- areas.
• Don't take out your wallet or money in busy areas.
• Don't change money on the street. There are plenty of banks to choose from.
• Be especially careful in very touristy areas: on Karlova and Melantrichova Streets, on the Charles
- Bridge, on the Old Town Square, on trams 22 and 23, in busy stores.
Car Break-Ins and Car Theft
Taking a Taxi
Taking a taxi in Prague can turn into one of those experiences that can ruin your day. Prague taxi drivers are known for their shameless and often rude treatment of tourists and for charging prices several times higher than what you should pay. Please read Taking a Taxi in Prague to get a few pieces of advice.
Unsafe AreasTaking a taxi in Prague can turn into one of those experiences that can ruin your day. Prague taxi drivers are known for their shameless and often rude treatment of tourists and for charging prices several times higher than what you should pay. Please read Taking a Taxi in Prague to get a few pieces of advice.
Aside from property crime, Prague is a relatively safe city. The rate of violent crime is low and most areas of Prague are safe to walk around even after dark.
Be careful on Wenceslas Square at night. There have been cases of trusting "love-seekers" being robbed of all their money. The city of Prague carried out a large cleanup operation on Wenceslas Square in 2006 and the situation is supposedly much better now.
The park around the main train station (referred to by the locals as "Sherwood" for obvious reasons) is not the safest place after dark. This should change with the planned renovation of the train station, which should be carried out in the years 2007 - 2009.
If you use common sense and follow your intuition, you should be able to stay out of harm's way.
Police Stations
If you need to contact the police, call 158 (state police) or 156 (city police) or the Emergency Central Number 112. Below is a list of police stations in the city center:
If you need to contact the police, call 158 (state police) or 156 (city police) or the Emergency Central Number 112. Below is a list of police stations in the city center:
Old Town
Bartolomějská 14, Prague 124-hour phone: 974 851 700
Lesser Town
Vlašská 3, Prague 124-hour phone: 974 851 730
New Town
Benediktská 1, Prague 124-hour phone: 974 851 710
Krakovská 11, Prague 1
24-hour phone: 974 851 720
Hybernská 2, Prague 1
24-hour phone: 974 851 500
Jungmannovo náměstí 9, Prague 1 (headquarters)
24-hour phone: 974 851 750Vyšehradská 20, Prague 2
24-hour phone: 974 852 710
VinohradyŠafaříkova 12, Prague 2
24-hour phone: 974 852 720