Prague travel guide

What blogs and Internet magazines should one read in and about Prague?

The Prague Post (http://www.praguepost.com) is the local English-language daily newspaper, providing local and national news in English, along with arts listings, concerts and other goings-on. Their website also has blogs written by the reporters on nightlife, music, books, politics and other insider city stuff.

Czech Please (http://www.czechoutchannel.blogspot.com) is the top food blog in Prague and a great place to find real restaurant recommendations.

In which movies, books, and songs does the city of Prague play a major role?

Movies:
Milos Forman: Amadeus (1984)
the Mission Impossible films

Martin Campbell: james Bond - Casino Royale (2006, all shot in Prague)

Composers:
Antonín Dvořák

Gustav Mahler

Books:
Milan Kundera: The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Gustav Meyrink: The Golem
Franz Kafka books

What are the 3 most famous and the 3 most exciting events in the city?

The 3 most famous events:

- Prague Spring International Music Festival (June): http://www.prague-spring.net/
- Czech Beer Festival (May/June): http://www.ceskypivnifestival.cz/en

- Prague Christmas Markets: you cannot miss them in the old town

The 3 most exciting events:

- Saint Nicholas Day (Dec 5/6): Santa Claus comes early in most of Europe
- Easter Monday: nice markets
- Witches Night (April 30): looks much like Halloween

What free offers should I not overlook?

Many of Prague’s greatest sights and experiences are free - for example, a stroll through the city’s wonderful gardens or the courtyards at Prague Castle costs nothing! Likewise, there are a lot of free walking tours on offer, departing from a sign near the Astronomical Clock (which, by the way, offers its chiming performance for free on the hour!). These extensive tours offer insights about the history and architecture of Prague and are well worth the price of a tip to the tour guide.

Lime & Tonic (http://www.limeandtonic.com/prague) is a deals website that offers lots of freebie coupons for experiences around the city, ranging from tickets to an open-air Shakespeare festival to free entry at a whiskey tasting or pub crawl.

What places give me that special Prague feeling the fastest?

Old Town, Malá Strana and Vinohrady all offer glimpses of Prague’s amazing array of architectural styles that have earned it the title of the “Golden City”. Old Town and Malá Strana are great places to soak up history, while in Vinohrady, you can immerse yourself in the locals’ way of life at numerous quaint pubs, cafés and beer gardens.

Where and how can I get to know approachable native citizens?

Praguers (and Czechs in general) are notoriously reserved. It will be difficult to get to know locals in just a weekend, but there are two good places to learn about Czechs and their culture: pubs/beer gardens and hiking trips. Czechs love the outdoors and often combine the two, so to really get a sense of what the locals are all about, try a hiking trip through Divoká Šárka, a mythic nature reserve on the north side of Prague, making plenty of stops for beer and grub at the pubs that dot the trails along the way.

How much is…

...a snack?

CZK 30-50 (€1.20-2)

...a subway/bus/streetcar ticket or taxi ride?

Metro ticket: CZK 26 (€1)

...a coffee / a beer / a pack of cigarettes?

Coffee: CZK 50 (€2) / Beer: CZK 30 (€1.20) / Cigarettes: CZK 80 (€3.20)

...a museum ticket?

CZK 150 (€6)

...a fun night in pubs and clubs?

CZK 150-250 (€6-10)

I still have some money left over, what should I buy in Prague as a souvenir?

A bottle of local Czech spirits: Becherovka, Slivovice or absinthe.
A locally-made puppet (beware: they are kind of creepy!)
Something made from Bohemian crystal (maybe for your mom?)

What makes this city distinctive, unique, or nerve-wracking - and what are the reasons for it?

The amazing collection of architectural styles, preserved from a lack of bombing during World War II, give the city a truly grandiose feeling. It is easily one of the most grand European cities you will ever lay eyes on, and the span of architectural eras, from medieval to art nouveau, is enhanced by the numerous church spires that sneak up into the skyline.

Prague is also an incredibly artistic city, and the locals pride themselves on being an educated lot. There is a high appreciation for the arts here, making Prague a fantastic place to see classical music, opera and theater performances. Beyond that, some folk arts, such as puppetry, are regularly on display across the city.

Despite its incredible beauty, a lot of pain and darkness festers just below the surface in Prague. Though, at first glance, the city seems to have emerged from its communist history unscathed, there are plenty of lingering scars if you take the time to look - for example, you will rarely see a local smile or make eye contact with a stranger and the city’s suburbs are still heavily dotted with stark, ugly communist-era cement apartment blocks.

Where and how can I get a good Internet connection?

Free wifi is common in a lot of Prague’s coffeehouses. Many restaurants and pubs even offer free internet access. Just look for the free wifi symbol on the door. Many times, you must ask café staff for the password, but they will offer it free if you’re a paying customer. Some good free wifi spots include:

The Globe Bookstore (http://www.globebookstore.cz)
Friends Coffee House (http://www.milujikavu.cz/en)
Starbucks (http://www.starbuckscoffee.cz)
Gloria Jeans Coffees (http://www.gloriajeanscoffees.cz/en)
Costa Coffee (http://www.costa-coffee.cz)

What should I avoid in Prague under all circumstances?

The restaurants and pubs right on Old Town Square, Prague Castle and near both entrances to the Charles Bridge are complete rip-offs. They often charge upwards of 3 or 4 times the price of a beer elsewhere in the city. Even straying just one or two streets from Old Town Square can drop the price of your beer or meal to a normal level.

Is there anything else that people should know about Prague?

Prague is notorious for having unfriendly staff in restaurants and cafes. It’s true - you will likely come across some grouchy waiter or barista around Prague, but just be aware that the Czech standard of service is to be gruff and leave you alone - usually they aren’t trying to offend you.

Also, when tipping, it’s best to just round up. So, if your bill came out to CZK 326, you might tell your server “350 is fine” to include the tip in what you pay. 10% is considered a generous tip in Prague.