Tomáš Jungwirth (1988)

I personally hate cities lacking a river. A river creates an essential axis of the city and brings a lot of other advantages. Such as nice bridges, islands… and the possibility to paddle-boat when the summer is fine. In the very center of Prague, at Žofín (just close to Smetanovo nábřeží – check the Smetanovo nábřeží article), you can rent one.

Renting a boat costs about CZK 150 – 200 for an hour which is fair enough if two or three people join you. It would not be much fun to go alone anyway… I would recommend going on a warm evening – they don’t close before nine if the weather is nice and there are much less people there then. You can paddle about 500 m up and down the stream and see the beautiful city centre from a slightly different perspective.

The paddle-boat is very easy to handle so you do not need to be worried that you will not manage. You can even have some sort of picnic there, just lie back, have a snack or glass of wine (which you can actually cool down in the water) and enjoy yourself…

We, locals, sometimes even go to study there, it is quiet and calming. They usually start operating by the beginning of May, very much depending on the weather.

In the very north of Prague, quite near the place I live, there is a very nice spot. It is a hill called “Baba”. You can easily get there taking bus No. 131 from the stop Hradčanská, getting out at “U Matějě” and then walk north-west. It is a very nice walk through the woods of “Divoká Šárka“.

The hill has an interesting history. Up on it you will find a strange ruin. Surprisingly enough, its history is not confirmed. There are several theories – the widest-spread claims that it is a former wine-press built in 1622. Another says that it is a regular building newly-built at the beginning of the 19th century, others say that it used to be a chapel. No matter which of them is true, it is a nice spot which is even lit at night.

From there you can see a large part of Prague that you wouldn’t see anywhere else (for instance the sewage plant on the largest island at Vltava in Prague). Also, looking at the Prague castle from above is not a very common thing to do. The park around is a great place for sports or chilling out. If you prefer to walk, follow the red tourist sign, which will lead you to the forests of Divoká Šárka.

Not to forget, the surroundings offer an unique architectural composition. There are a number of functionalist villas built in the era of the so-called “First Republic”. See some of them here!

Kampa is a very beautiful area in the downtown of Prague – just near Újezd. It mainly consists of a large park from where there is a nice view of the river and the other part of the city.

People go to hang out there, smoke a water-pipe, throw a frisbee… It is also a place of culture, though. There is a very nice museum there and most importantly a lot of outdoor exhibitions take place at Kampa (you can find the ‘babies‘ here for instance).

Not to be forgotten, Kampa offers also a great refreshing place. It is situated inside what used to be a water-mill and the interior has remained pretty much the same, I imagine. The atmosphere of Mlýnská kavárna is truly charming. Plus there is a pleasant backyard. When the weather is nice, I prefer to have a beer draught in a plastic cup and go outside to chat on the benches or sit on the grass.

Many interesting or famous people are spending their evenings in Mlýnská kavárna. For instance, David Černý, the author of Entropa, Miska republika and other original pieces of art. You can find him there virtually every day, usually he will have at least two women around himself…

Some thirteen years ago, the perhaps most famous Czech cartoonist died. His name was Jaroslav Foglar and he was famous for his comic books “Rychlé šípy”, about a group of honest and genuine boys. Their adventures took place in a city quarter which has never really existed. However, it is said that the so called “Stínadla” (“shadow-city”) were above all inspired by the narrow and dark lanes in the area between Národní třída and Národní divadlo.

Along with Újezd this is also an area where most of my favourite bars, pubs and Cafés are. One can imagine that some hundred years ago, there have been lots of passages through the backyards of the houses and such. Almost all of these (which used to be really popular all around Prague) have been closed since, though. Luckily, there is one really cool passage still open, at least most of the time.

It is a true shortcut, if you want to get to the tram stop “Lazarská” from inside this area. However, I walk there just about any time I have the chance. It leads from the lane “Opatovická”, to “Spálená” street. You will be walking through a backyard which feels as if time has stopped running there seventy years ago. Of course, it is a bit filthy and smelly place, but that helps building its character. If you have the chance, see for yourself! Just don’t get locked up inside (I almost did once)!

Prague is full of “green” spots. Those are not only parks – if you manage to get a little bit further from the center, you can get to “real” nature, as well. One of the locals’ favourite places to spend nice mornings, afternoons or evenings is Prokopské údolí.

Located in the south-west of Prague, it is just about twenty minutes from the centre. It’s useful to take a bus (104 or 120) from the stop Na Knížecí (Metro stop Anděl) – and get out at Hlubočepská. A bike path begins there which will easily lead your steps. If you actually have a bike, don’t hesitate and ride it – walking is also fine, though.

The place is lovely in fall or winter. In fall, you will particularly enjoy the cool mist that covers this deep valley as well as the colorful leaves of all kinds. In winter, especially when there is snow, the place is very silent and feels a little bit like another, distant, world – and yet it is still close to the city.

I would recommend taking some snacks and wine too, as there are number of places for a small picnic… For instance by a pond, laying some fifty meters up north from the main road. It used to be really messy, but things seem to be getting better…

If you feel a bit like some action, I would also recommend going up the hill and seeing Prague from Barrandov rocks. It is quite high, but definitely worth it!