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Historical Sights
- Petrin Park. Petrin Park is possibly the most idyllic spot in Prague. It is situated on Petrin Hill, which reches a height of 318 metres. With landscaped and formal gardens, waterfalls, ponds and a large rose garden you are surrounded by beauty at all times. Also located in Petrin park are the Petrin Tower, Astronomical Observatory and the Mirror Maze.
- Petrin Tower. The Petrin Observation Tower in Prague looks like a small version of Paris’ famous Eiffel Tower. It was built in 1891, for the Jubilee Exhibition. Although much shorter than the Eiffel, at 60 metres, it is built on top of Petrin Hill giving it a panoramic view across the whole of Prague and, on a clear day, into the far countryside.
- Mirror Maze. Another remnant of the 1891 Jubilee Exhibition and housed in a building that looks like a fairy-tale castle, the mirror maze is a must for anyone travelling with children. Although quite small, the maze’s array of distorting mirrors will have you laughing and searching for the way out
- Astronomical Observatory. Stefanik Observatory was founded in 1928 and contains several observation domes. The Observatory is open to the public every day except Mondays. On most clear nights and afternoons you can actually take a look at the skies above.
- Funicular. If you don’t fancy the steep, but beautiful, walk up the hill into the park you can always take the Funicular. Enjoy some great cityscapes as you take your journey up the hill. You can catch this from the base of the hill at tram stop “Ujezd” (trams No 12, 22, 23). The Funicular operates every day from 9:00 to 23:30 with carriages every 15 minutes in winter (October – April) and every 10 minutes in summer (April – October). A standard Prague transport “transfer” ticket is required to travel.
- The Dancing House. In the midst of the historical buildings lining the banks of the Vltava, the glimmering and audacious design of the Dancing House, or Tancici Dum, stands out as the most modern-looking building in the Golden City. Also often called the “Fred and Ginger” (after the famous American dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers), the structure is reminiscent of a man and woman dancing. The side closest to the river represents the man, and in its “arms” is the shimmering glass woman. The daring “pinch” in the center of the glass building adds to the illusion of a woman’s gown, while the undulating positioning of the windows on the riverside façade relays an impression of motion, indeed like a couple dancing.
Within walking distance from Charles Square, this plot of riverfront property had remained vacant for many years following the bombing of Prague in 1945. In 1992 construction of this controversial building began, co-designed by Croatian-born Czech Vlado Milunc and American Frank Gehry. At the time of its construction, there were some who were opposed to erecting such a modern building in the historical Nove Mesto district, but by its completion in 1996 it had become an accepted addition to Prague’s famous Neo-Baroque, Neo-Gothic, and Art Nouveau architecture. Although some people (including former president Vaclav Havel) had hoped the building would be used as a kind of cultural center, today the Dancing House is merely another office building, home to several multinational firms, and is not open to the public.
The only part of the building open to the public is on the top floor, where one of Prague’s finest restaurants, La Perle de Prague, is situated. La Perle serves mainly French cuisine and making reservations ahead of time is recommended. The restaurant is more expensive than most restaurants in Prague, with drinks costing nearly three times the average price. However, the breathtaking view of the Vltava from one of Prague’s most unique restaurant is completely gratis.
Nightlife in Prague
Compared to the night life in Europe’s other major cities, the club scene in Prague can feel a bit outdated. Even at Karlovy Lazne- the club whose six stories make it the biggest club in Europe- you’ll hear songs like “Ice Ice Baby” mixed in with the DJ’s Top 40 set. And though the music may be cheesey, the staff is friendly and most of them speak English, and with six dance floors you’re bound to find something to suit your taste. However, you’ll soon find that the majority of the club’s patrons are other tourists and expatriates. Club Misch Masch offers a similar scene, providing strong drinks and throngs of Czech women ready to party. Weekend nights are usually quite crowded, so be sure not to lose your mates on any of the three dance floors- chances are, you won’t find them again!
If big clubs with brain-tickling flashing lights aren’t your thing, you can still have a fun-packed night at clubs like Chateau Rouge and Cross Club. Chateau Rouge provides one floor which carries the sort of chilled-out vibe you’d find at any pub, and a basement area with a dance floor and hip music. It stays open late enough for you to catch the morning metro home, the drinks are reasonably priced, and there is no cover charge. Cross Club has a similar dichotomy of environments, one with tables where Czechs and tourists alike gather to chat and smoke, and another with a large dance floor. The music varies from night to night because Cross Club books a lot of guest DJs who offer a buffet of beats to their enthusiastic fans.
Nightlife in Prague: top 5 clubs
- Duplex (Václavské námestí 21, Prague)
- Karlovy Lázne (Novotného Lávka 5, Prague)
- Epic Prague (Revolucní 1/1003/3, Prague)
- Ace Club (Melantrichova 5, Prague)
- Klub Lávka (Novotného lávka 1, Prague)
At places like Roxy and Lucerna Music Bar, it is recommended that you check out the evening’s lineup before going, because these are popular venues for live bands as well as for typical nightlife scenes. Thus, the crowd, music, and cover charges vary accordingly. Most of the best live acts passing through Prague play at one of these clubs or at Akropolis (with the obvious exception of the big acts which play at larger venues like the T-Mobile Arena).
The nightlife scene in Prague may not have the same variety or cutting-edge trends as other major cities, but you won’t be disappointed with your evenings out in the Golden City. Especially at weekends and during the summer months, Czechs party- literally- till the break of dawn, and often for a few hours after the sun comes up. If 6 a.m. rolls around and you’re still not ready to “call it a night,” the after-party is just getting started at places like Le Clan and Studio 54. Just make sure you get enough sleep to do it all over again the next night!
