Prague is described in many ways, ‘City of a Hundred Spires’, ‘The Paris of the East’ or ‘The Golden City’. All of these names help to portray a city that is one of the most beautiful and intimate cities in the world. After the fall of the communist regime in 1989 there has been a cultural renaissance in Prague making it an ideal location for a European city break at any time of the year and especially in the run up to Christmas.
The city itself is located within the centre of the Czech Republic and has 1.2 million inhabitants. Unlike many other European capitals Prague is small enough to be enjoyed on foot.
Prague is now teeming with new shops, restaurants and art galleries all aimed at making the city a popular tourist destination with plenty to see and do for all tastes.
Shopping
The main central Prague shopping area is around Wenceslas Square, where local shops compete with International department stores. The Old Town Square and Mala Strana have smaller boutique shops.
Travel
With a quick, efficient and inexpensive transport system, it's easy to visit Prague's major tourist areas by bus, tram or metro.
Night activities
If you like to keep busy then the jazz clubs will keep you dancing until dawn, and there are plenty of bars and dance clubs too. If you prefer something a little quieter the Prague theatre scene offers plenty of attractions.
Food and drink
Food and drink in Prague are of a generally high standard. Sample Czech traditional dishes or French and international cuisine. Beware of some of the beers which can be potent. Most of the bars sell hot wine by the glass which is an excellent way of resting and recuperating between architectural monuments.
Sightseeing
The city can be divided into five separate areas: Prague Castle, The Lesser Town, The Jewish Quarter, Prague Old Town and Prague New Town.
Prague Castle is the most popular visitor attraction. It is the largest ancient castle in the world, constructed in the 9th century by Prince Booivoj. The castle was transformed over hundreds of years from a wooden fortress surrounded by earthen bulwarks to the imposing form it has today. Each ruler made their own additions so there is a mixture of styles. The castle has attractions for all - history and architecture plus marching soldiers and entertainment.
The Lesser Town clusters around the foot of Prague Castle and remains the area of the city least affected by recent history. The narrow side streets of this wonderful baroque quarter offer plenty of attractions.
The Jewish Quarter was named after the emperor Josef II, whose reforms helped to ease living conditions for the Jewish inhabitants of Prague. As many of the Jewish died during WWII and were forced by the communist regime to leave the country, the current Prague community numbers just 5000 – 6000 people.
Prague Old Town is the oldest of the towns of Prague and gained the privileges of a town in the 13th century. However, its name dates back to the 14th century when the New Town was founded.
Prague New Town consists of numerous businesses, hotels and banks, as well as department stores, boutiques and a few small shopping malls. The New Town is also rich with culture, offering museums, theatres, movie theatres and an opera house.
Prague Christmas Markets
Rows of brightly decorated wooden huts sell Czech handicrafts and other stalls offer hot food and warm drinks. You can also listen to Christmas carols and in Prague’s Old Town Square there has even been a mini zoo. Markets run from the 25th November up until the 1st January.
Getting to Prague
Prague is well served by cheap flights. Book early to get the best rates. Here are links for some of the most popular airlines:
www.thomsonfly.com
www.easyjet.com
www.ba.com
www.bmibaby.com
Useful information
www.timeout.com can provide you with some information on visiting Prague including hotels, nightlife, restaurants, shopping and sightseeing. It also has links to hotel and travel sites if you don’t want to organise it all yourself.
Prague's geographical location in Central Europe brings extreme weather patterns. There are marked differences in temperatures between seasons. Such contrasts add to the romantic appeal of the city.
