Prague/New Town and Vysehrad
Vysehrad is a district of Prague where there is a historical fort. It was probably built in the 10th century, on a hill over the Vltava River.
Understand
Under the hill, there are several stunning looking cubist buildings, constructed by architect Josef Chochol in the 1910s.
Get in
The New Town is well served by all three Metro lines. The following stations are in New Town or on its border:
- Interchange stations (upper Wenceslas Square), , (lower and middle Wenceslas Square)
- Line B: (Republic Square), (close to National Avenue, National Theater), and (Charles Square, Palackého Square, close to the Dancing House and the university area).
- Line C: (Main railway station, on border with Vinohrady), and (on border with Vinohrady).
The New Town is also accessible by many tram lines. The tram network is much denser than the metro network and can be useful to get around within New Town if you do not want to go on foot. Line 17, goes along the river and connects New Town (Palackého nám. near Charles Sq., National Theatre) with Old Town (Staroměstská, Právnická fakulta). Line 22 connects the New Town with Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and other tourist hotspots.
After midnight, when the metro is not operating, use night trams to get in or out of New Town. Lazarská street, just north of Charles Sq., functions as the central hub for all night trams in Prague. Many night tram lines cross Wenceslas Square in the middle (Vodičkova). There are also several night bus lines connecting I. P. Pavlova Sq. with other parts of the city. Another important station of night buses is Náměstí republiky (Republic Square).
Vysehrad is not located in the center of the city but it is well connected by metro line C (Vysehrad stop) and tram lines 6, 18 and 24 to Albertov stop.
See
Wenceslas SquareVáclavské náměstí is a wide boulevard running down from the National Museum and it's crammed with bars, restaurants and casinos. It is the heart of central Prague. All three metro lines cross there: line A and C cross at "Muzeum" station (upper part of boulevard next to National Museum), while lines A and B cross at "Můstek" station (middle to lower part of boulevard). Wenceslas Square and the surrounding area was an important place of demonstrations during the Velvet Revolution in 1989. There is a big statue of St. Wenceslas riding his horse in the upper part of the boulevard. St. Wenceslas is the patron of Czech lands, so this monument was the focal point of the anticommunist demonstrations. Just few dozen meters down from the monument, at the place where Jan Palach burned himself in 1969 in protest against Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia, there is a marble plate in memory of the victims of communism. The St. Wenceslas statue is also a popular meeting point; if somebody in Prague wants to meet u koně (near the horse) or pod ocasem (under the horse tail), this place is meant. A notable building is the beautiful Hotel Evropa in Art Nouveau style (1906) in the middle of the boulevard.
National Museumis a huge nature and history museum in the upper part of Wenceslas Square. The building was designed by prominent Czech neo-renaissance architect Josef Schulz in the years 1885 - 1891. In the older museum, there is an excellent permanent exhibition of various minerals including gems, as well as other interesting exhibitions including insects, fossils, animal skeletons, and stuffed animals from around the world. However, some of the information may be outdated, and the diagrams are not well done. One of the best known pieces is a large whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling, quite unusual in a landlocked country. The building is enormous and the architecture very grand, but the exhibitions in themselves need to be fixed up. New museum has exhibitions on communism. Old museum has been closed since 2011 for renovations.
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Dancing House
address: Rasínovo nábr 80, Praha 1Officially named the Rasin Building. It is the work of the twentieth century American architect Frank Gehry, and is said to be shaped like a man and a woman dancing; hence its former name "Fred and Ginger". -
Botanical Garden of the Charles University
phone: +420 22491 8970address: Na Slupi 16, 128 00 Praha 2Botanical garden of the Charles University with valuable outdoor exhibition and a collection of tropical plants in greenhouses. VyšehradSeat of Czech princes for centuries before Prague Castle was built. Site of St. Paul and Peter's Cathedral, and of the famous Vyšehrad cemetery known as 'Slavín', burial grounds of extraordinary Czechs. Don't forget to visit the casemate of Vyšehrad; they are picturesque, and you can see originals of some statues from Charles Bridge. From the ramparts of Vyšehrad, you'll have an excellent view of Prague castle, Vltava, Smíchov (former workers' slum and industrial quarter of town) and Podskalí (area under Vyšehrad, once inhabited almost entirely by raftsmen). If you take a look from southern rampart, you'll see Kavčí hory, headquarters of Czech Television - rather futuristic building from the 1960s. For closer look to Kavčí hory, take metro line C, station "Pražského povstání".
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Vyšehrad cemetery
address: StulcovaEstablished in 1869 on the grounds of Vyšehrad Castle, it is the final resting place of many famous Czechs like artist Alphonse Mucha and writers Jan Neruda and Karel Čapek. -
Basilica of St Peter and St PaulA neo-Gothic church in Vyšehrad fortress.
Velvet Revolution Memorial
Jubilee Synagogue
Do
- Walk around the Wenceslas Square in the evening.
- Sit and relax amongst the greenery in the Botanical garden of the Charles University.
- Small walk in the calm of the morning to observe the city waking up from the castle.
Buy
Wenceslas Square is one of the best places in Prague to buy books. There are two big multilevel bookstores. One is Palác Luxor, Václavské náměstí 41, it has great selection of foreign language books, including English, on the first underground floor.
Eat
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phone: +420 224 922 887address: Rašínovo nábřeží 62, Praha 2Italian
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phone: +420 224 222 383address: V Jámě 7, Praha 1Good place for burgers. Free wi-fi.
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phone: +420 224 220 009address: Jindřišská věž, Jindřišská ulice, Praha 1This romantic restaurant is spread over three levels high up in a Gothic bell tower. If you're lucky, you will get to eat dinner immediately beneath a huge bell.
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address: V Jirchárích 12A great, inexpensive pizza place with a relaxed setting.
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phone: +42 0296 216 666address: Ječná/Lípová 15, Praha 2Microbrewery makes everything from a traditional Czech pilsner to beers flavored with sour cherries or banana.
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phone: +420 603 193 711address: Bělehradská 120, Praha 2Vegetarian food. Radost is also a lounge and has a club in the basement, making it a favorite with expats.
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address: Narodni trida 1A coffee tastes even better when accompanied by stunning views of the Vltava and Prague Castle. Cafe Slavia is the perfect place to stop for a coffee or light meal during a day of sightseeing in Castle.
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address: Narodni trida 20Once frequented by Franz Kafka, this cafe is now a popular hotspot for a Prague locals. Their separate dining room offers French cuisine, for those looking for a different option than Czech food.
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phone: +420 775 905 022address: Vratislavova 12, 128 00 Praha 2 - VyšehradCharm restaurant with delicious food and reasonable price. Try the double colored beer!
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phone: +420 774 774 774address: Slovanský ostrov 226/8Garden restaurant, featuring European cuisine with grilled specialties.
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phone: +420 221 081 218address: Václavské nám. 26Upscale restaurant, sea themed, located completely underground. Excellent food in an unusual decor, ideally suited for romantic dinners for two. Not suited for kids. The entrance is somewhat hard to find, ask in the bar on street level for directions.
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address: Politických vězňů 5Hip, market-style restaurant specializing in different cuts of meat and local side dishes. Most food is by weight: you grab a tray and have the cooks pile on whatever you'd like from their station. There are also items you can order off the menu: the burger and beef tartar are highlights. Outstanding flavors and fresh ingredients.
Drink
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phone: +420 736 630 868address: Václavské námesti 58, Praha 1Novelty pub where you can pour your own beer from the centre of the table. As well as live sport, the giant tv screens show graphics ranking the 15 tables by beer poured. When all of the tables are occupied, the barstaff can get you beers or cocktails from the bar. Food is also available.
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phone: +420 224 232 319address: Vaclavske Nam 21, Praha 1Situated in Wenceslas Square, this club pays US$5000 rent per day, and consequently charges an outrageous cover fee to teenage tourists who still think that Prague is the "wild" place it was in the early 1990s. This club does a good job of keeping the more pleasant clubs in Prague free from tourists who come for Prague's more disreputable aspects.
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address: Vodičkova 36, Praha 1Nice, but a little touristy; they play mostly 1980s music (with the accompanying music video on the big screen).
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phone: +420 222 075 705address: Národní 11, Praha 1This club is named after the infamous "Nine Eleven". Run by natives of the USA, it is a well-run club whose rules are very strict.
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phone: +420 222 520 084address: Myslíkova 28, Praha 2Small bar close to Lazarska, in which you can always find a mix of expats & locals. Live music venue for acoustic acts. Open late.
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phone: +420 774 982 445address: Spálená 47, Praha 1Loud bar pumping dance music onto the street. Not much room for dancing. Popular with tourists.
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phone: +420 605 000 500address: Pštrossova 21, Praha 1Frequented by the Czech yuppie set.
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phone: +420 296 222 292address: Ve Smečkách 12, Praha 1Watch a big variety of sports on big screens, very close to Wenceslas Square.
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phone: +420 602 660 290address: Křemencova 11, Praha 1A restaurant that brews it's own fantastic dark, sweet beer. It is the color of Coca-Cola with an alcohol content of 5.5% ABV, but its flavor is not overly strong. The servers will suggest a shot of local herb liqueur, Becherovka, but it won't be free. The atmosphere of this pub gets very rowdy as it is loaded with tourists from all over and bands play regularly. It's a lot of fun with a group.
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address: Vodičkova 677/10An incredible wine bar that doesn't look like much from the front, but if you look inside and go in the way back you'll find a huge underground maze of different areas each with their own unique music and vibe. Also nearby is the crossing point for all night trams.
Atlas Cabaret, Darling Cabaret, Hot Peppers, Club Empire, etc., around Wenceslas SquareThe area around Wenceslas Square is popular with British stag groups, and there are numerous strip clubs on offer. Groups of young foreign men will be approached in the street by touts offering cheap drinks and women, and they will even trail you from pub to pub if it's a slow night and you haven't take them up on their offers. The strippers are full contact with touching allowed, while the girls in Atlas, Darlings and Empire offer full sex.
Sleep
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phone: +420 777 664 663address: Wenceslav Square 48Apartments where can sleep up to four people with living room, bathroom and kitchen from 2450 Kč per night. Higher rates apply during peak season and for more than 2 guests.
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phone: +420 211 156 500address: Ostrovni 32Luxury 4-star hotel on the edge of Old Town and New Town. 78 rooms containing pieces of original antique furniture, A/C, private bathroom, IDD, pay TV, satellite, free WiFi, safety deposit box and a minibar, wellness, hotel garages.
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phone: +420 224 811 084address: Na Poříčí 9A 3-star hotel located in the City Center on walking distance from all major historical sites. It offers 62 spacious, comfortable rooms, of which 3 have access for disabled people. Rooms are fitted with shower, WC, satellite TV, direct-dial (IDD) telephone, wifi and safety deposit box.
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Hotel Best Western Meteor Plaza
phone: +420 224 192 559address: Hybernska 64-star hotel just outside the Old Town gate, within walking distance of much of the city centre. Amenities include air conditioning, shower and/or bath, WC, hair dryer, satellite/pay TV, IDD telephone, personal safe, coffee/tea maker, and mini-bar. Rate includes breakfast and wireless Internet access. -
phone: +420 224 941 163address: Melounova 3This designer boutique hotel/hostel is the perfect destination for a quiet getaway in the heart of Prague's New Town. Miss Sophie's offers private hotel rooms, apartments, and shared rooms. Gourmet breakfast is prepared and served daily in brick cellar basement.
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phone: +420 246 008 324address: Odboru 4A unique blend of 4-star hotel and hostel. Downstairs, the restaurant and bar have a wide variety of local and international food and drink options. It's a blend of style, ecofriendly features, fun, and culture for all ages. Prices range from 250 Kč for a shared room and 1,400 Kč for a private double. Modern, eco-friendly, and centrally located. From shared rooms to private rooms with terraces, all are beautifully designed with cozy linens, gorgeous bathrooms, modern amenities. Also on premises is Belushi's Bar and Restaurant , which offers great food and drinks and live entertainment. Breakfast is served from 07:00 through 11:30, with omelettes and scrambled eggs, pancakes and fresh fruits, fresh breads from their local bakery, coffee and tea. Lunch, dinner, late night eats, and everything in between served until 23:00. You can select from burgers and sandwich options galore, tasty salads, filling appetizers and specialty desserts menu.
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phone: +420 776 686 719address: Lipova 20Family-run accommodation.
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phone: +420 224 093 111address: Panská 12Luxury five-star hotel just off Wenceslas Square.
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phone: +420 255 737 200address: Senovazne namesti 15Skype: hotel987prague1. For €1 more get free phone calls to Europe. Free internet.
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phone: +420 224 210 281address: Skretova 1Located in Prague city center, near the National Museum.
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phone: +420 224 916 555address: Gorazdova 22Three-star accommodation in the center of Prague on the banks of the Vltava River, next to Dancing House near the metro station Karlovo náměstí
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phone: +420 774 80 77 87address: Oldrichova 9Apartments from two to four people to rent near Vysehrad castle. Kitchen, internet and no curfew. The host is very helpful for information about public transport, attractions and night life.
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phone: +420 241 004 811address: Podolské nábřežíA hotel boat on the Vltava river offering rooms and suites, all with private bathroom, TV and phone. There's a Czech restaurant on board and you can enjoy drinks on the deck or in the bar. Botel Racek is ten minutes away from the city centre by tram and has private parking available. Singles, doubles, triples and quads. Prices vary depending on season, there are last minute offers.