Prague free time suggestions 🏰

Welcome to Prague, a city full of history, culture, and great food! Here are some suggestions for things to
do and see that are max. 20 minutes away from the Old city center!

Museums, Historical, Cultural and Unique Sites 🏛️

● The Museum of Communism (Metro Mustek, Savarin Palace) - Open daily 9am-9pm. Exhibits focus
on various aspects of daily life including sports, politics, economics, education, art, propaganda, the
police and political labor camps. There are recreations of a Soviet classroom and shop alongside an
excellent array of propaganda posters and a short film highlighting the 1968 and 1989 revolutions.
Adults 290Kč, Students 250Kč (with student ID)
● Franz Kafka Museum (Metro Malostranska, Cihelná 2) - Originally opened in Barcelona this
collection has been moved to Kafka’s birthplace. Alongside the first editions letters and manuscripts
there are two sections, the first deals with the influence of Prague on Kafka’s life, the second has 3D
installations to show the author’s “ Imaginary Topography of Prague “.
● Clementinum Library - Often named as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, this Baroque
library dates back to the 18th century and houses over 20,000 books. Just as famous as the books are
the beautiful original frescoes adorning the walls and the antique astronomical clocks.
● Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments (Tram 17, 18, 53, Mostecká 21) - Open daily 10am-10pm.
Having attracted over 2 million visitors, this compact museum displays at least 60 different torture
instruments. Explanations are provided by way of illustrative engravings, labelling and your own
imagination.
● Jakubska Gallery (Jakubska 4) - Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, free. This beautiful gallery exhibits work
by modern Russian artists and offers a fascinating insight into the art of Russia and the other countries
of the former Soviet Union. The gallery is owned by the highly successful Ukrainian artist Alexander
Onishenko who came to Prague with few possessions and began selling his work on the Charles
Bridge. The wonder of his impressionist paintings has resulted in exhibitions in Germany, France,
Spain, England and the USA.
● Lennon Wall - The wall has been covered in John Lennon and The Beatles graffiti, lyrics and
quotations since the 1980s and is very popular among tourists and young fans wishing to pay homage
to the group Letná Park - A large park along the Vltava River, Letná is home to Prague’s most famous
beer garden, as well as a giant metronome and Europe’s oldest functioning carousel. A popular place
for picnics, the park also hosts several music festivals throughout the year. Letná Park, Prague 7, Czech
Republic
● Old Jewish Cemetery - The largest Jewish cemetery in Europe is part of the Jewish Museum in
Prague. Most of the tombs here date from between the 15th and 18th century. Important religious
figures are buried here, but the cemetery is better known for its unique density, with old wooden
gravestones and stone gravestones sitting very close together.
● Strahov Monastery - A large, impressive building located at the back of Petrin Hill and Prague Castle.
One of the most beautiful in the world, the period library houses over 200,000 volumes, of which 3,000
are original manuscripts. The monastery also houses a gallery containing the most valuable
monastery collection in central Europe. Here you can see two and a half thousand paintings, statues
and other works of art from the Gothic era to the 19th century.
● Dancing House - Tančící dům (Dancing House) was the first building built after the Velvet revolution by
world renowned architects Frank Gehry and Clado Milunic and it started the discussion about modern
architecture in Prague. The towers are inspired by the famous interwar dancing pair Ginger Rogers and
Fred Astaire. Guess who is who! The original idea of the 'house of culture' changed into an office block,
however now, after 20 years, is finally starting to be more open to the public.

Irreverent Art 𖡎
Scattered all around the city are large pieces of art that give hints to Prague’s rebellious and unique
spirit. Artist David Černý is responsible for a number of the larger than life pieces that poke fun at
social norms and political issues:

● Two Peeing Guys (Sculpture): Next to the Franz Kafka museum, find a pair of bronze gyrating
mechanical men urinating on the Czech Republic. Text a message to the number listed next to
the exhibit and these guys will spell it out with their you-know-whats.
● Franz Kafka's Head (Installation) : The bust sits close to the insurance company in downtown
Prague where Kafka worked his day job. Černý, who is known for his provocative installation
work, was so pleased with the outcome of Hlava Franze Kafky (Franz Kafka’s Head), he made
another in North Carolina. Rather than a famed author, he made the bust in the shape of his
own head. He kept some reference to Kafka in the title though: “the Metalmorphosis.”
● Saint Wenceslas (Sculpture): Lucerna Palace’s central atrium is dominated by a dead horse
ridden by St. Wenceslas. It is supposed to be an ironic twist on the St. Wenceslas statue in the
square outside.
● Hanging Out (Sculpture): This sculpture, more often referred to as the Hanging man was first
exhibited at the exhibition “Respekt 97” at the Villa Richter in the Prague’s Lesser Town and it
represents Sigmund Freud, , contemplating his fate casually dangling from the rooftop. Freud
was born in Frieberg, which is now part of the Czech Republic. Suffering from multiple
phobias, he eventually committed suicide with the help of his doctor. The sculpture gained
international interest and can now be spotted in London, Berlin, Rotterdam, Chicago, and
Grand Rapids, Michigan, in addition to Prague.
 Nature and Outdoor Activities 🌿
● Petřín Hill: A large park with beautiful gardens, walking paths, and a lookout tower with stunning
views of the city. Accessible by foot or funicular. (Entrance fee: CZK 150 for adults, CZK 70 for children).
Take a funicular ride to the top of Petrin Hill (funicular departs from Ujezd in Mala Strana). At the top
you will find the Petrin tower which is a miniature Eiffel Tower (with 299 steps) and the Labyrinth, a
mirror-maze that you walk through. You will also find the Stefanik observatory up there with a 90-year
old telescope. You can walk back down to the city center via the gardens.
● Vyšehrad Park: An oasis of tranquility and beautiful walks offers not only romantic nooks and vistas of
the Vltava River and Prague Castle and a look back at recent history and profound, reverent
remembrance of Czech greats, but also offers a children's playground and several cafés and a
restaurant. The park is decorated with several statues such as the equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas,
which originally adorned the fountain on Wenceslas Square. From the distant past come the Devil's
columns - three pieces of a stone timekeeping column from Slavic pagan times.
● Riegrovy Sady: Having a picnic, going for a run, taking your dog for a walk, preparing for an exam,
playing frisbee with friends. These activities and many more are typical at Riegráč, as the locals know
it. The beer garden is undoubtedly the most popular attraction in the park. The sentence “Let’s go to
Riegráč for a beer!” almost becomes a magic spell in the summer months. As part of Riegrovy sady is
on a hill and high above the historic center, the park offers magnificent views of the surrounding city –
especially Prague Castle and Petřín Hill.
● Letná Park: A large park along the Vltava River, Letná is home to Prague’s most famous beer garden, as
well as a giant metronome and Europe’s oldest functioning carousel. A popular place for picnics, the
park also hosts several music festivals throughout the year.

Cool areas/neighborhoods to explore ✨

● Smíchov: Smíchov is another district that has undergone a remarkable transformation in just a few
years. Once an industrial area with just a couple of shopping centers (Prague’s largest shopping center,
Palladium, is located here), Smíchov is now full of shiny buildings, top eateries and great
entertainment options. Art lovers congregate at Meet Factory, a warehouse turned art center where
you can catch live shows, exhibitions, workshops and more. There are other performance and art
spaces here, such as Švanda Theatre and Tribo, which is technically a tattoo shop but also sells an
impressive collection of handmade crafts, handmade paper, and urban streetwear. Smíchov is rich in
beer gardens and pubs.
● Náplavka: Naplavka is a riverbank area that has become Prague’s hipster hangout. From weekend
farmer’s markets to food festivals to live music, this is one of Prague’s most happening spots year
round. During the warmer months, there’s also a Saturday flea market on top of a boat here.
● Kampa Island: A picturesque island in the middle of the Vltava River with beautiful views of the
Charles Bridge and historic buildings. (Free admission). Located right under Charles Bridge, Kampa
Island is home to a museum of modern art, David Černý’s giant sculptures of crawling babies, and the
 Werich Villa, the former home of Czech actor Jan Werich. The Lennon Wall – a memorial wall where
everybody is allowed to add words or art – is also located here. The artificial Devil’s Stream canal cuts
through the island and allows for short but picturesque boat rides.

Markets and Riverfront 🧺♒︎

● Havelské Tržiště: A traditional market in the Old Town selling fresh produce, souvenirs, and
handicrafts. (Free admission)
● Náplavka Farmers' Market: A popular market along the Vltava River selling fresh produce, local
specialties, and street food. (Free admission)
● Prague Market: A large outdoor market in the Holešovice neighborhood selling a wide range of
products, including fresh produce, clothing, and electronics. (Free admission)

Other Activities ✨
● Underground Tunnels: Explore the hidden underground tunnels and chambers beneath the city.
Tours available through Prague Underground Tours.
● Shopping: Most shops in the center of the city open from 9am to 6pm. The main shopping street in the
center runs from Wenceslas square to Na Prikope, an area containing 3 multi-level galleries. Mala
Strana (especially around the Charles Bridge and Old Castle steps) is the area for independent crafts
and fake Red Army goods.
● Ride the Historic Tram: - The wonderfully atmospheric wood-framed tram runs from March to
mid-Nov every hour and makes a great refuge for tired feet. Departing from the tram depot of the
Public Transport Museum, the number 91 follows a loop from Vystavistê, down the banks of Malá
Strana, across to the National Theatre, through Václavské námêstí and back to Vystavistê by way of
Námêstí Republiky. It can be joined at any stop along the route between 12-5.35pm for 35 Kc or 20 Kc
for under-16s.
 NOW - CZECH FOOD! 🍲
● Svíčková - This true Czech favourite includes beef in a vegetable cream sauce, bread dumplings (in
Czech: knedlíky), and the garnishes – an orange or lemon slice, plus whipped cream and cranberry
sauce.
● Roast pork with dumplings and cabbage (Vepřo knedlo zelo) is often considered the most typical
Czech dish.
● Pork Knuckle - This meat lovers dish, also known as Koleno, is a rather large hunk of pork knee and is
very popular in Czech (and also German) cuisine. Expect the meat to be marinated in beer and served
with pickled vegetables and dark Czech bread. Eating such a large chunk of meat can attract the
attention of plenty of onlookers but the mix of aromatic tender pork and crispy skin renders the dish
well worth eating despite the audience.
● Roast Duck (Pečená kachna) is served with bread or potato dumplings and braised red cabbage.
● Prague ham -Prague ham is produced from boneless pork hides which are brine-cured, stewed and
mildly beech wood-smoked. The finished product has a typical oval shape and a decorative surface
coating, consisting of a thin layer of pork fat or fat and skin
● Smažený Sýr -a dish of deep-fried cheese served with fries, salad or a bread roll, will send you straight
into cheese paradise
● Chlebíčky (an open-faced sandwich) This open-faced sandwich is usually eaten for breakfast or lunch.
You will find this baguette-like bread with different toppings like cucumber, egg, salami, and ham at
many deli shops across the city.
● Kulajda- There are a number of notable Czech soups but one of the best loved is the classic South
Bohemian kulajda. This soup is similar to a sour cream soup, and contains mushrooms, potatoes, dill,
and an egg.
● Goulash - is shared all across the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, but while the Hungarian version is
soupy and is eaten with a spoon, the Czech version is a thicker stew, usually using a cut of beef, and
served with dumplings.
● Kremrole -one of the most popular Czech pastries is basically cream in a roll, a bit reminiscent of
cannoli. The roll is made of flaky pastry and the cream is a soft meringue cream dusted with powdered
sugar
● Trdelník (Chimney Cake) - These pastries are Transylvanian and Slovakian in origin but commonly
found around Central and Eastern Europe in countries such as Hungary, Austria, Romania, and the
Czech Republic. Trdelník are made of rolled yeast dough that is wrapped around a stick and roasted
over an open flame until golden brown and crispy on the outside, and tender and gooey in the middle.
The hot dough is then brushed with butter and rolled around in a cinnamon-sugar and nut mixture.
You can also get different flavours spread inside such as Nutella or melted chocolate.
● Palačinky (Czech pancakes) - These thin Czech pancakes are similar to the French crepes. They are
usually served as a sweet dessert and topped with a variety of fillings like jam, ice cream, nuts, sweet
cheese, whipped cream, and fruits. There is also the savoury version of these pancakes which includes
toppings such as spinach, meat, or cheese.
● Kofola is a carbonated soft drink produced by Czech company Kofola, headquartered in Ostrava,
Czech Republic. It is the principal rival of Coca-Cola and Pepsi in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
● Czech beer - Czechs drink the most beer per capita of any nation in the world. Pilsner, the light,
gold-coloured brew that is the most popular variety of beer in the world, gets its name from the Czech
city of Pilsen, home to the famous Pilsner Urquell brewery that ships out its green bottles and cans to
countries all over the world. Lately, Czech craft beer has also been experiencing a renaissance, so
you’ll be able to find some excellent IPAs and pale ales.

Food (& coffee) places 🍽️

● Lokál Dlouhááá: A modern pub with a focus on fresh, local ingredients. Known for their Pilsner beer
and classic Czech dishes. (Address: Dlouhá 33, 110 00 Prague 1)
● U Zlatého Tygra: U Zlatého Tygra is a historic pub that has been serving beer and traditional Czech
food since the 14th century. It's located near the Old Town Square and is a popular spot for locals. We
recommend this one to the adults to try the local beer, and it works only after 3pm :)
● Restaurace U Pinkasů: U Pinkasů is a historic restaurant that has been serving traditional Czech food
since 1843. It's located near the Charles Bridge and offers a cozy atmosphere and delicious food.
● Maitrea restaurace: Contemporary space with bespoke design touches & a vegetarian menu with
eastern influences.
● Restaurace U Mecenáše (10, Malostranske Nam, €-€€) Cheap, small, traditional Czech restaurant and
one of the oldest restaurants in Prague dating back to the 16th century. You won't find this restaurant
in guide books or advertisements, as it’s a hidden gem known mostly by local Czechs.
● Plzeňská restaurace (5 nam. Republiky – Old Town, €) Art Nouveau delight! High ceilings, chandeliers,
tall windows, very luxurious, situated inside the stunning Art Nouveau style Municipal House. The
place has classic Czech cuisine in a really great looking beer hall style atmosphere.
● Vytopna Railway Restaurant (Václavské nám. 802/56, €€) Very cool, bizarre place: great Czech food at
cheap prices! Has a 400 yard long miniature railway attraction that runs around the entire restaurant
and even onto the tables upon which you’re eating!
● Restaurace Mlejnice (Kozna 14, €€) In the immediate vicinity of the Old Town Square, it offers
traditional Czech dishes side-by-side with modern international cuisine, complemented with a wide
selection of beers (adults only!)
● Terasa U Prince (Staroměstské nám. 29, €€) Wondering where famous instagrammer find their perfect
picture? Well, here it is. Plus, you can drink a coffee or cocktail while enjoying breathtaking views.
● U Vejvodů Restaurant, Pub & Beer Hall - Located in a pre-Hussite building dating from 1403, U
Vejvodů possesses a richly historic atmosphere that other bars in Prague can only hope to replicate.
Like the Hangar Bar, U Vejvodů is divided into two distinct levels that each have their own personality.
On the lower level is the beer hall, awash with photographs and other memorabilia from the glory days
of Czech brewing and set to the tunes of classic Bohemian folk music. The upper floor is more pub-like
with its modern music and younger crowds, and a fine place to while away the evening.
● Triton Restaurant (26, Vaclavske nam. €€-€€€) Famous cellar restaurant resembling a stalactite cave
surrounded by Greek sculptures. It has a tropical fish tank and you feel as if you were in a cave.
International food and Czech cuisine.
● Cafe Slavia (2 Smetanovo Nabrezi – Old Town , €€) Most famous cafe in Prague. Long time spot for
writers, artists, etc. Has great views of National Theater, Charles Bridge – menu has coffees, beers,
sandwiches, pastries.
● Ebel Coffee House (Kaprova 15/11, Staré Město, €€) Priced more for its quality coffee than its
atmosphere, so this is the one if you're looking for a really good brew. You'll be able to sit outside and
enjoy your coffee, sandwich, or dessert on the patio.

One more thing! Fancy some Czech souvenirs?

● Some good examples with places to buy them - here: 15 Best Souvenirs And Places Help You In
What To Buy In Prague, The Czech Republic
● …and some nice ideas here as well! → Top 5 Souvenirs From Prague

Enjooooooy your time in Prague!

Tea 🤗
P.S. scroll a bit more for a handy cheat-sheet!