Prague Lifestyle

Prague is now considered a cosmopolitan city; and why not? With its interesting mix of international residents and tourists, one would only expect something more, or even, the best in the area of eating and drinking. Of course, the tourist traps still exist, serving salty, overpriced Czech food that is simply put, nothing to write home about. Unfortunately these places are usually located in the most beautiful areas of Prague, just waiting to attack the next victim, a naive tourist. But if you do your research properly you will find good restaurants serving traditional food, eccentric cafes, lively beer halls, avant-garde clubs and even fine dining... Our Apartments in Prague in the city center.

Prague is an interesting city with plenty of sightseeing opportunities, cultural events and such. But what happens when the sun goes down on Central Europe’s preserved gem? What is the nightlife in Prague like? Prague becomes a different city full of creeping shadows in dimly lit lanes, circling bats above your head and a definite sense of crazy fun. From traditional beer halls with accordion players to sleek modern dance clubs, Prague nightlife is alive and kicking until the sun comes up, and what better way to see Charles Bridge then at sunrise (plus the world-famous bridge is virtually empty in the morning and quite stunning without hoards of tourists)? The nightlife in Prague is an interesting mix of generations as well, if you seek the more traditional beer halls and pubs for your Prague nightlife experience, do not be surprised if you end up drinking with Grandfather Czech and do not be surprised when (not if) he drinks you under the table because he most certainly will! And after a night of fun, why not finish it off with a tasty fried cheese sandwich from a street vendor? Oh, and watch out for the Absinthe, it bites back. The nightlife in Prague is definitely worth your time.

Shopping in Prague is not the best, but it is has improved since the early nineties; you will find all the common stores such as H&M, Zara, Tesco, supermarkets and shopping malls as well. The real treasures are hidden in antiques stores, small shops selling homemade goods and some open-air markets. The best souvenirs from the Czech Republic are liquors (such as Becherovka, Fernet, Slivovice), glassware and crystal jewelry (sold everywhere), Garnet and Moldalvite jewelry, antiques, Czech spa wafers, traditional ceramics and wooden toys.

Prague is a picturesque fairy tale like city complete with historic monuments, charming architecture and fantastic legends. So much to capitalize on! And so the smart foreigners who once ran the city now run it in a different manner with their so-called Czech tourist shops. Unfortunately these shops exist all over Prague and often in the most beautiful areas. These tourist traps sell everything from colorful nesting dolls to fur hats, to horrible food that is anything from delicious. As for the restaurants, you must also be careful that they do not try to rip you off; it is valuable to have a general understanding of the exchange rate and of Czech money before you go spend it.

The texts published in this column are based on public opinion from visitors of the Prague-stay.com portal; they express the subjective opinions of their authors and are not a result of editing by Prague-Stay.com.

As of 1992 the entire historical center of Prague has been listed as a UNESCO protected site; and what a title to achieve, but one that is only perfect. As Prague was virtually undamaged throughout history, the majority of Old Town and the Lesser Quarter is a textbook of civilization in Central Europe. And if you wish to venture outside of the city center, Prague will surely surprise (especially if Socialist architecture is your cup of tea). Any lover of history, architecture, or culture will be overwhelmed by the sightseeing options here; just make sure to bring comfortable shoes, as cobblestone streets are all around.

If there is one thing Prague does best, it is entertainment, especially theater and music. With an overwhelming number of gorgeous classical concert halls, cool rock and roll dives, innovative theaters, and independent cinemas; this pulsing city has nights of entertainment to offer. Although the quality of the entertainment matches that of Western standards, the prices, however, do not. Take the opera for example: the best tickets range from 850kc to 1000kc. With the current rate of the dollar (17) that is from $50-$60 and we are talking front row Ladies and Gentlemen. Not bad for a night at the opera. The majority of operas are in Italian, French and Czech; most theaters offer electronic subtitles located subtly above the stage.

Europe is known for many wonderful things. As an Art lover myself I must confess that the most impressive characteristic of this continent is the over abundance of Art galleries and museums. Every city absolutely pulsates with them; primary sources of history captured on a piece of canvas or carved in stone, priceless artifacts left for the public to devour and decipher in order to teach us the lessons of the artists’ pasts and our delicate future. For a long time Western Europe was the coveted destination for connoisseurs of Art, students seeking an education in Art history, or the eager tourist looking for that perfect replica of the Mona Lisa to hang above their mantelpiece or a naked David to place in their garden. This is no longer true. Pack your bags and head east! Central and Eastern Europe are full of exciting museums and galleries just waiting to be lovingly explored. And while the Western museums and galleries house the works of Art featuring household names, Eastern museums and galleries have something they simply don’t have; a visual history of their past, showcasing many contemporary pieces which scream the truth, and sometimes nostalgia behind the past trials and horrors of the Iron Curtain. There is one city in particular that deserves undivided attention concerning its museums, and that is Prague. A destination long deemed ‘exotic,’ even ‘dangerous’ by some, is now one of Europe’s top destinations filled with preserved architectural gems and a variety of museums worth writing home about. With Art galleries opening left and right, this city is on the cusp of something big. Get here before it explodes, and to warn you, it is very close, as Prague is no longer Europe’s best-kept secret.

The glorious city of Prague showcases a myriad of architectural styles, coexisting side by side in the compact capital, just waiting to be explored and studied. The city is truly a pleasure for all, historians, tourists, and especially students of architecture; Prague is literally a textbook of styles throughout the centuries. Most of these architectural gems have been meticulously renovated and restored, with the most painstaking level of attention and love. These buildings, after all, are a visual history of Prague; a history that at once deserves undivided attention and respect, and these magnificent palaces, castles, and buildings will impress and imprint their legacy on any worthy observer.

Prague is full of historic monuments, lovely squares and winding lanes of cobblestone. In a city with such rich cultural heritage, you will never want for sights to see or things to do. While on your Prague adventure, you may need a good spot to stop and take a rest. Fortunately Prague also features a variety of parks and gardens, some formal sculpted Baroque gardens, some smaller secret gardens and even some large wild parks.

 "Prague never lets you go. This dear little mother has sharp claws," Franz Kafka once said. Even though a household name since the nineties, Prague has been labeled as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe for many centuries. Located in the heart of Europe, Prague has been the crossroad for many merchants, artists and scientists throughout the centuries. From Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, to pope John Paul II, to Queen Elizabeth II, this city has mesmerized many historical figures and has been home to many. Prague has an extensive variety of historical sites and venues with many architectural and artistic styles co-existing in perfect harmony. The historic center is spread out on the two banks of the Vltava river where several independent towns were joined together in the 18th century to form Prague as we know it today: Vysehrad, Hradcany, Old Town, New Town, Lesser side and Josefov, the Jewish Quarter; these areas are listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Since the fall of communism, Prague has been transforming into a significant business and cultural hub in Europe and is an important gateway to the rest of Central and Eastern Europe.

Throughout history the Czech Republic has produced many famous people. Throughout grand phases of history and many hard and harrowing times, the world has been granted and gifted with many famous figures from the Czech nation. Famous Czechs can be found in all aspects of culture and society, from the Arts to the world of sports. This list of famous Czechs also includes people with Czech ancestry.

Castles, a myriad of spires, marionettes, and gingerbread, wooden toys; is this setting in a dream or a fairy tale? Well, children may believe a dragon lives in Prague Castle, and why not? The city of Prague looks like the whimsical backdrop in their imagination for that fantasy piece they are reading, and with Hollywood filming movies such as The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian from the Chronicles of Narnia By C.S. Lewis in Prague, the city is now even considered being of the fantastic. Prague is the perfect location for children with interesting museums, medieval restaurants decorated with Knights, an ancient bridge lined with massive statues and sculptures to awe them, creepy Gothic churches alight with their sinister amber glow at twilight that one could swear house witches and wizards, and above all, cool toys to take home and show off to your friends from the land of castles and magic.

Getting an education in a foreign country can be exciting, stimulating and enriching. To be able to learn in a city with over a thousand years of culture and history is a rewarding experience indeed at any age; it is priceless to be able to receive an international education. In this section, we seek to provide you with information in regards to international schools for children, art classes for both adults and children, dance lessons, music lessons and more.

Prague is full of fun and activities. But what happens when you have seen the famous Astronomical Clock strike hourly in an attempt to catch one of the most exciting tourist spots in the city about three times? Real life sets in and if you are in Prague longer than the average tourist, then real needs become apparent. One can only drink the best beer in the world and eat fried cheese for a short time before showing the physical sign caused by such delicious things; the beer and fried cheese gut, which contrary to popular belief, will not go away by all the excessive walking on the uneven cobblestone lanes. So, Let us get in shape! Prague offers a good selection of gyms, a few swimming pools and aqua parks, parks with jogging and cycling paths, various sporting facilities, numerous dance centers and even horse stables for that horseback riding lesson you keep meaning to take.

Finding a parking spot in Prague can be a real hassle as the city is very congested with traffic like most other European cities and you also need a special sticker on your car, which gives your permission to park. With the efficient and affordable public transportation system, we recommend using it to move about the center. However if you wish to drive, then we recommend using a safe parking garage instead of relying on street parking. 

Here at Prague-Stay.com we are glad to offer our list of top services in the golden city of Prague, whether it is anything from a haircut and style, to babysitting, healthcare, or even automotive centers. The establishments mentioned boast employees that speak English and will be happy to assist you, whatever your needs.

The Czech Republic is a fairy tale country complete with an overabundance of castles, ruins and chateaux throughout the hilly countryside; the Czech Republic truly deserves the label the Country of Castles and Chateaux! As the country is small it is possible to reach many gorgeous fortresses and stately homes from the capital city of Prague by train, bus or car; perfect for a day trip outside of the bustling city! The majestic Castles and gorgeous chateaux open their massive doors in early spring and close for the winter in late autumn, but it is of course possible to wander about the exteriors year round.