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While Prague is overwhelmingly known for its beer halls and charming pubs, the city also bears testament to the Czech Republic's burgeoning wine culture. One of my favorite places is the Vinicni Altan winery, an intricately trellised wine bar and terrace hidden in the Havlickovy sady park and adjacent to the recently renovated Grobovka chateau. The winery sits perched atop vineyards that date to the time of Charles IV (14th century), and offers a range of domestic Bohemian and Moravian wines as well as regional ones, many for as little as GBP 5 a litre - making it the perfect place to while away an afternoon soaking up the sun and looking out over the southside cityscape. Altan also hosts tastings and special events about once a month, and has a range of mouthwatering sundaes and cheeseplates to complement the varietals.
Vinicni Altan
Havlickovy sady 1369 - Grobovka
120 00 Praha 2
www.vinicni-altan.cz
Tram stop: Krymska
See acts such as Placebo, Arctic Monkeys and Bloc Party for a fraction of the price of UK festivals, and get exposed to European acts outside the usual UK circuit.
Rock for People is the Czech Republic and probably central Europe’s best festival both in terms of organisation, vibe and the acts it attracts.
This year the line up also includes The Kooks, Underworld, Therapy? and Freestylers. Apart from internationally renowned headliners, there’s the chance impress friends back home with your knowledge of Euro-cool bands they’ll wish they learned of first.
Take a cheap as chips train from Prague and you are there in just over an hour. Or Ryan Air fly to the Czech Republic’s second city, Brno, from where you can also pick up public transport (or a car) and head north-west to the airfield venue.
Beer and food on site, even at inflated festival prices, are still cheaper than in the UK and you get the chance to try local tipples like hrusovice; a potent spirit it is hard to believe comes from the humble pear.
You could also combine the festival with a visit to the nearest town, pretty Hradec Kralove.
A ticket to this year’s festival from the 4th to the 6th of July costs just over £40.
I liked this modern boutique hostel for the great private rooms. Some friends stayed in the dorms and they were nice too. Super design and fun atmosphere. The staff were really nice and helpful with all the questions I had.
I saw short reviews of this hotel around up in the charts for best value for money, as I like to scour for hidden gems. I was not disappointed. It is situated under the castle exactly in the centre but with great prices. The staff were excellent and very informal and relaxed but still willing to pander to your needs. we got an apartment for four people and it had all the trimmings. Wooden floors and antiques in an old building - and free breakfast to boot.
Nerudova Street near Prague castle.
www.castlesteps.com
Just came back home after staying in one of Praha Expert's holiday apartments. Everything was exactly as promised, the airport transfer was on time and the driver very friendly. I even got help directly from the owner of the company, when I wasn't able to make "my" washing machine work - which was because I had made a mistake. Everything with a smile
www.praha-expert.eu
tel.: +420 776 819 223 (Czech)
US phone: +1 866 781 7022
UK phone: +44 0870 4953677
Uses all-natural products and it is ecologically conscious. Ideally situated near the castle in the historic (non-raucous) part of the city. All decked with parquet flooring and antiques, it is a must. We stayed in the Jasmine Apartment but take a look at their website or call them for advice - they have many different options.
in Mala Strana on Nerudova Street leading up from Charles Bridge to the Castle.
www.castlesteps.com
Rentego let out small and large apartments around Prague for visitors. We stayed in one of their smallest (Mala) and had a lovely time. It was modest but clean and tidy and had everything we needed for a good, self-catered holiday. When you're hardly in your room anyway, there really is no point blowing out on the hotel and this place was budget but very nice.
This underground jazz bar boasts fantastic live performances, and takes up several levels. The basement has cool stone walls with a high vaulted ceiling. Although the live performance had a cover charge it was well worth it, as the music lasted for hours. Drinks were a bit more expensive then other places but it was still relatively cheap at about £1 per beer. Also worth a try is the absinthe.
Corner of Stupartska, behind Tyn Church
Satre Mesto, Prague
Open from April to October this impressive baroque garden, which has free admission, is a great escape from the bustle of the city. Situated behind the Wallenstein Palace the garden is comprised of a sala terrena and complete with an artificial grotto, stalagmites and stalactites included. Theatres and concerts are often held here and at the eastern end there is the Wallenstein Riding School which is home to ever-changing exhibitions of modern art, and a wonderful pond of giant carp.
Wallenstein Garden (Valdstejnská zahrada)
Letenská 10, Lesser Town
A true gem in the city, the Kafka museum offers a fresh and meaningful perspective into the life of this famous writer. It contains all first editions of Kafka’s books as well as letters, diary entries, and photographs all of which are of enormous interest to the Kafka fan. There are also some audiovisual works and music that is composed for the exhibition and definitely worth the visit. Admission is a mere 120Kc ($5.70/£2.85) for adults and it is conveniently open everyday.
Cihelná 2, Prague 1
+420 221 451 400
This café is steeped in history and is one of the best coffee houses in Prague. There is a huge breakfast selection and the restaurant serves superb traditional Czech food. The summer terrace is also a really great way to imagine you’re in the company of Kafka, Capek and Einstein who all frequented here. We were staying at the hostel downtown, so it was the perfect place to meet up with friends for a drink as the café is open every evening until 11:30 pm.
Národní 22, Praha 1, 110 00,
tel: +420 224 930 949
Newly opened, this hostel was a great bargain. Right smack in the middle of the city, it was less than a five minute walk to Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. The common room was nice because it had a TV and there was a fully equipped kitchen to make snacks. Access to internet was also really easy. Breakfast in the morning was cheap and delicious – you can’t ask for much more from a cheap hostel in Prague!
Národní 19, Praha 2,
120 00, Prague, Czech Republic, 120 00,
Czech Republic
A little slice of Cuba in the heart of Prague’s Old Town. This cigar bar has a vibrant, chatty atmosphere and an easy-going charm, epitomised by the customer graffiti that covers the interior. The writing is on the wall at the Bodeguita.
Address: Kaprova 5, 110 00 Prague 1 (short walk from Old Town Square).
Telephone: (420) 224813922.
Website: www.bodeguita.cz.
Beer, beer, beer. From giant, four-litre cylinders with their own tap delivered to your table, to tiny eight-part taster sets, served in a knacky little wooden frame; from traditional dark to coffee, vanilla, even banana flavour – brewery-bar-restaurant Pivovarsky Dum has it all in beer. It also serves up great hearty Czech fare in warm (non-smoking) surroundings, copper brewing kettles and all.
Address: Ječná/Lípová 15, 120 44 Prague 2.
Tel.: (420) 296216666.
Website: www.gastroinfo.cz/pivodum/.
Miss Sophies is a clean, modern hotel/hostel on a quiet side street a short walk from Wenceslas Square. No breakfast, but the rooms are excellent and the price for its location is hard to beat.
Address: Melounova 3, 120 00 Prague 2.
Telephone: (420) 296303530.
Website: www.miss-sophies.com/.
Every time I go to Prague I stay in an apartment instead of a hotel. It is usually much cheaper, and I enjoy the privacy and the extra space. Also I like the benefit of a kitchen with fridge, coffee maker etc.
I find Praha Expert to be the most friendly people I have dealt with so far. They have great local knowledge as well.
We stayed in this hotel recently and got a great room with a small balcony looking out onto a park. It was wonderfully clean. The room was in a different building as the reception (although the same street), but this was no problem. The staff seemed to all be from the USA and were always on hand and friendly.
When we booked we did not realise how central it was - just under the castle. However, the area was surprisingly peaceful at night.
I'm recommending it to all my friends.
Very good tip how to save money for your stay in Prague - the advice is very simple: Sleep in a hostel instead of a hotel. The price for accommodation in hotels is far more expensive than in hostels and if you plan to be there just at night time, it is just a room with bed that you really need.
If you prefer to have your own bathroom there are a lot of hostels which offer rooms with private bathrooms and toilets.
Also, to save even more, look for accommodation not directly in the city centre.
www.abcprague.com/2008/09/11/save-your-money-sleep-in-hostels-in-prague
www.prague-hostels.cz
The place was good and the people at the front desk were really helpful. It was in a great location and its definitely somewhere I'd recommend to anyone visiting Prague.
Prague Square Hostel, Melantrichova 10, Prague 1, www.praguesquarehostel.com
Where else can you stay in a tower? Ve Vezi is a great little pension at great prices; full of character and charm. The accommodation is fairly basic, though the room had a TV and fridge - for the price Ve Vezi is a bargain.
The pension is situated by the river right next to the Eggenberg brewery, which has its own pub and restaurant serving up their lovely beer and Czech staples. Within a couple of hundred yards you're in the thick of Cesky Krumlov's cobbled streets.
Marta the owner is fantastic and very helpful.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Ve Vezi.
pensionvevezi@centrum.cz
Pivovarska, Next to the Eggenberg Brewery
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