What to see/do/eat in Prague?

July 12, 2005 8:21 AM

Following some of the advice from this post, tomorrow Orange Goblin and I are jetting off to Prague for a week. What should we see/do/eat?

Neither of us are particularly big fans of museums/galleries unless it's something really cool, but we do like markets etc. Suggestions for good drinking and eating opportunities will also be appreciated. We're staying in an apartment near the Mustek/Muzeum metro stations, and will be travelling by public transport.

We've heard that the jazz clubs in Prague are good - are there any particularly that you can recommend? Recommendations for "club" clubs are also welcome, preferably with an indication of the kind of music.

Thanks.

posted by Lotto to travel & transportation (5 comments total)

The trams are great. The bars are great.

Wandering around the city is great - narrow streets, great architecture.

For views, go over charles bridge, up into the park, climb the little eiffel tower thing. there's a funicular railway if you're not into walking uphill.

Zizkov just outside the centre has something like the world's largest equestrian statue at the front of an old communist era mausoleum at the top of (another) hill, with (another) great view of the city centre. Lots of interesting communist concrete stuff.

The Jewish cemetary is awesome and gutwrenchingly sad.

You can hire rowing boats and pedaloes and go for a spin on the Vltava.

And both times I've been I've gone to the opera. I'm really not an opera type of person, but Prague has three great opera houses and the Czecks take this opera thing quite seriously. I'd recommend getting a cheap ticket at either the National or the little one where Amadeus was filmed, just to stare at the interiors and people watch. I think it cost me 4 quid last time for an absolutely corking seat at the National (for an incomprehensible spectacle of dvorjak - rah!). The state opera house at the top of wenceslas square is also architecturally impressive but not so intimate.
posted by handee at 8:37 AM on July 12, 2005

1) Go get fruit dumplings from the children's menu at the Imperial Cafe. A bit of a tourist zone, but lovely and spacious and the portion of dumplings is a revoltingly huge and gutbustingly delicious reprieve from the really crap food in Prague generally. Also, check the menu to read about (or even order!) the ridiculous Saturnin's Bowl, which is worth a visit in its own right.

2) You must go to the Sedlec Ossuary in Kutna Hora. It's only an hour or so out of Prague, with regular buses, and it is one of the most extraordinary places I have ever visited. Not a regular church, oh no no no no.

3) The Lichtenstein Gardens.

4) The old jewish cemetary seconded. And for the most poignant Holocaust memorial I've ever experienced (and I've been to Auschwitz), you could consider visiting the Pinkas Synagogue. Although I do highly recommend the previous two, unless you have a strong interest in Jewish Prague (or what's left of it), I don't think there's any need to do the whole tour.

5) Similarly, although I find churches pretty boring - and didn't even find the Prague palace very interesting - St Vitus's Cathedral is an absolute marvel. Ornate to the point of total nonsense. (Cooler, I thought, than the Florence Duomo or St Peter's at the Vatican.)

Skip the Art Gallery with the "old masters" blah blah blah. It's off the beaten path but still sucks; the Goya's not worth hunting down. Do seek out the little modern art gallery, though - called the Golden Ring or something like that. Had two interesting exhibits when I was there last fall.

Have fun! The beer is exceedingly cheap and also good!
posted by Marquis at 10:54 AM on July 12, 2005

Things/stuff/food.

/me hides
posted by Orange Goblin at 11:07 AM on July 12, 2005

I have a couple of posts in this old question that seem pretty relevant. Radost/FX is an amazing restaurant/hip-hop club (at least when I was there). That, and Ceske Krumlov which is an amazing side trip.
posted by ontic at 11:56 AM on July 12, 2005

If your into that kind of thing, I hear Prague is a great sexual-tourism destination. Hookers, stripclubs, etc.
And yes, Krumlov is well worth a visit.
posted by signal at 12:50 PM on July 12, 2005