It is said that Prague is the heart of Europe. Geographically it really is in the middle of Europe and it also is the upbeat metropole where modern life meets history creating a city which will make your heart skip a beat.
You can live in Prague for a decade and you’ll never stop being amazed by its versatility, comfort, beauty, and safety. The Czech Republic has been selected 7th most peaceful country in the world by Global Peace Index 2018 and Prague can be found between the 50 safest cities in the world. The undisturbed late evening walks are a necessity in Prague for both locals and the visitors. If you come by the river and look at the beautiful scenery of the old town, it will make you wonder whether you are in a fairy tale or in a dream.
If European cities were a necklace, Prague would be a diamond among the pearls.
Prague – Mother of Cities
The biggest city of the Czech Republic has undergone great developments in the last 30 years. With the fall of the communist regime in 1989, a new era of big changes, opportunities and investments arrived and Prague started to rise from what was a gray, unkempt city into the colorful, friendly and vibrant metropole that we know today. That is the reason why it is becoming an increasingly popular touristic destination and nowadays it belongs to the 5 most visited cities in Europe with almost 9 million tourists visiting every year. Its exquisite beauty was recognized not only by tourists but also by institutions, therefore the historical center of Prague was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. However, it is not only the historical center and the architectonic treasures which are worth visiting. The city offers various cultural, gastronomic, intellectual, and sports activities that will satisfy even the most demanding traveler.
Gastronomy
Czech cuisine is not the healthiest but it can be a unique gastronomic experience. Meat is one of the most important ingredients – pork, beef, poultry, rabbit and so on are most commonly used. The Czech cuisine specializes in sauces and dumplings, a big variety! Dumplings can be made with flour or potatoes and can be stuffed with sausage and even fruit. The Czech cuisine is also very rich with soups and, last but not least, sweet pastries. Needless to say, after feasting on Czech specialties, you will be ready to go straight to bed. Even more so if you finish with one (or more) traditional Czech beer, claimed to be the best in the world. We have every right to say so because it was the Czechs who invented the Pilsner. The world’s first blond lager, the original Pilsner Urquell, was first produced in 1842 in the Czech town, Pilsen and it is still produced there to this day.
Prague is a paradise for hedonists. Whether you are looking for a gourmet dinner or a beer in a traditional pub, you will find it here with the best possible quality. I recommend you 4 wonderful places which won’t disappoint you!
1 – La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise
Unobtrusive, small, corner restaurant between Haštalská Street and Rybí Street in the Old Town, where you will find top-notch, Michelin star-winning gastronomy. It offers a beautiful setting where vaulted historic interiors blend with a superbly equipped open kitchen. The tasting menu is a seasonal selection from local farmers, gatherers and hunters. Do not be surprised by the petite-size portions, you will get so many of them that you will not go home hungry.
2 – U Fleků
U Fleků brewery is the only brewery in Central Europe where beer has been brewed for more than 500 years. The first written mention of it dates to 1499 and it is definitely the place of culinary experiences. If you want to relish the atmosphere of the traditional pub while savoring Old Czech dishes and freshly brewed beer, it is definitely the place to go.
3 – Kampa Park
A luxurious restaurant on the riverside terrace overlooking the beautiful scenery of Charles Bridge, Kampa Park offers the best quality gourmet cuisine, which includes top-served fish and meat delicacies along with over 150 types of wine. It is the perfect place for a fine business dinner or a romantic date with your partner.
4 – Café Louvre
Cafe Louvre’s doors opened for the first time in 1902 and since then it belongs to the most notable cafés in Prague. You can immerse yourself in the noise of a classic Grand Café and pamper yourself with superb service like Franz Kafka, Albert Einstein, T. G. Masaryk and many others did before. The magnificent Art Nouveau interior of the Café Louvre, its unique atmosphere, rich history and exquisite coffee, food and wine will make you want to revisit it.
Prague Spring
One of the biggest cultural events of the year is the Prague Spring International Music Festival.
The festival was first held in 1946 and it has been a representative show of world music culture and its latest trends since its inception. The festival starts on May 12 (the anniversary of the death of the Czech composer Bedřich Smetana) and lasts until June 4. During this time, you can enjoy Czechia’s and world’s best musicians; symphony orchestras and chamber music ensembles.
Transport
Prague has an admirable network of public transportation consisting of metro, trams, buses and even ferries and even funicular. It is easy, reliable, and very affordable. All you need to do is buy one of the various time-limited tickets – you can choose between short-term tickets (30 min, 90 min) up to 24-hour or 72-hour ticket. A helpful tool in public transportation is the IDOS app which finds the best connections and is free to download.
Taxis are also a practical mode of transportation in Prague. However, it is not recommended to take a random taxi parked in front of the train station or at a tourist site. The best option is to order a taxi by phone from one of the reliable taxi companies or via various mobile apps. But do not worry, taxis at the airport tend to be trustworthy.
5 must-see things in Prague
Prague Castle
This landmark of Prague rises above the Vltava River and has always been a traditional part of the Prague skyline. Built approximately in 880, the Prague castle represents a great mixture of architectonic styles as it was transformed and enlarged with every king living in it in a thousand-year history. Nowadays, according to the Guinness Book of Records, the Prague Castle is the largest continuous castle complex in the world, covering almost 70,000 m² and is also listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. Small streets, sundry decorated buildings, ubiquitous history and a breathtaking view on the St. Vitus Cathedral makes me fall in love with this place every time I visit, and I believe that you will have the same feeling.
Old Town Square
Prague’s Old Town Square is the midpoint of the historical center and its oldest square. Since the 10th century it has witnessed many historical events such as coronations, battles and executions and even today it has an irreplaceable role in Prague’s cultural life. It is the place where architectonic styles blend together and you can you let yourself be amazed by the gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn, the baroque Church of St. Nicholas, the rococo Kinsky Palace and many other monuments. At every hour, you can join the crowd of tourists and gather in front of the Old Town Hall to watch the apostles march on the legendary The Prague Astronomical Clock. Throughout the year, you can participate in various events such as Christmas markets, concerts, performances, and even sport broadcasts.
Petřín Hill
If you are up for a fitness walk, you can climb this 327m high hill on foot. However, the most popular way to go there is by funicular, which is the oldest in the country and is 510 meters long. The dominant structure of Petřín Hill is undoubtedly the 63,5 meters high steel tower called the Petřín Tower, which provides an exclusive view of the whole city, but you must climb its 299 stairs first. It is the younger sister of the Eiffel Tower, established just two years after the completion of the elegant Parisian tower in 1891.
Whole hill offers many attractions, such as a rose garden, a mirror maze, a medieval monastery and a glimpse of natural purity in the middle of a busy metropole.
Charles Bridge
The second oldest bridge in the Czech Republic has been connecting two historical centers since 1357: the Lesser Town and the Old Town. An over 500-meter-long construction stands on 16 pillars and it is decorated with 30 baroque statues and sculptures of saints. Walking on the Charles Bridge, you can delight not only the exceptional view on both sides of the city, but also various artists who exhibit their painting, musical or creative skills and create a playful atmosphere.
Dancing House
The idea of the Dancing House is inspired by the dance art of the famous film couple – Fred Astair, who is symbolized by the stone tower and his partner, Ginger Rogers, symbolized by the glass building. It was created by renowned world architects Vlad Milunić and Frank O. Gehry in 1996 and has been one of the pillars of modern Prague architecture and the origin of controversy ever since. In the Dancing House you can visit a gallery, enjoy a meal in a restaurant or have a drink in the rooftop bar with a panoramic terrace where you can admire Prague in 360 degrees.
A mixture of business and leisure in the “Golden City”
It is always important to find a way to make the trip worthwhile and explore the delights of the city. Prague, the marvel of Europe offers the perfect combination of business with leisure. Especially, since it is a fairly small city with advantages of a world metropole, everything you need is at your fingertips. You can be doing business at a certain moment during the day, and the next thing you know, you are enjoying the architectonic and gastronomical attractions. And the best thing is that it is more than easy to combine business and leisure in the Czech capital. Our team at KRUCEK will be more than happy to introduce you to the heart of Europe and make your business trip relaxing and unforgettable.
