Relaxing

Havlíčkovy sady aka Grébovka is one of my favourite parks in Prague. You can go there and have a picnic, read a book, go there for jogging or even have a glass of local wine… Parents with kids will find two playgrounds in the park.

The park was built between 1871-1888 around a villa which belonged to Mr. Moritz Grobe (an important Prague industrialist of his time). You can find many interesting things in Grébovka: the above mentioned villa, an artificial cave (grotto), an ex “gaming house” (there is a restaurant now, but the old bowling alley is still in working order) and also a vineyard. 

I recommend you check out the wine cellar, which is open every Friday and Saturday from 14:00 – 21:00. They are curently offering 4 wines (3 whites and 1 red) made from grapes grown locally (=directly in the park’s vineyard) which are well drinkable.

P.S. A part of the upper park is now under reconstruction, but you can still visit the majority of the place.

When I plan my trip to a foreign country, I not only check the sites, nature, art I want to explore, but I also go to local football sites to check if a game is on. I am not a regular visitor of Czech matches. But the same way I was only once in Bilbao and once in Luton, I just want to live the experience and that is easy among a passionate football audience.

Football will be an adventurous experience for a few reasons – it is adventure to choose a match you want, the event will look adventurous and also using public transport around the stadium is adventure in itself. But I wouldn’t consider the event to be dangerous – just always buy tickets for the home-team and do not scream the opposite team’s name without a helmet. I sometimes have the urge to shout ‘Goal!’ for whatever ball falls there, but I eliminated it with practice.

On the picture is the ‘Sparta‘ stadium, one of the two leading Prague teams. When they play with ‘Slavia‘, prepare for an interesting match. These are the two Prague ‘ESS’. There are other popular teams in Prague – Bohemians 1905, Dukla, Viktoria Žižkov, and others, but none of them are in the first league.

I recommend you browse the matches here, where all the important ones from Czech and European leagues are listed. Check the division of the leagues here, so you’ll know if you’re going for first-class football or district championship.

I first visited this botanical garden recently when I was scouting for parks nearby that I could stroll in with a pram.

Unlike the botanical garden in Troja, this one is situated near the city centre (one tram stop from Karlovo namesti). It belongs to the Faculty of natural sciences (Charles University). 

The great thing is, that the entrance to the outside exposition, is free of charge. So you can go there regularly and observe how nature is changing (especially now in blooming spring). 

You can find quite a number of benches there, some of them exposed to the sun, some hidden in the shadow. So if you want to chill out, relax or simply read a magazine or a book in a quiet environment, you will be satisfied there.

There are many places in Prague where I would like to live. One of my dream locations is the district Vinohrady (something like NYC´s Upper East – check this great comparative article . There is one place that I really like – the park called Riegrovy sady alias „Riegráče”. I have to make a confession – I really envy the park not only to all inhabitants of the neighbourhood but also to the employees of an unnamed advertising agency which is located there .

When I was studying at the university, I often went to Riegráče to prepare myself for the exams. I brought lecture notes and within learning (or at least an attempt at learning) observed people walking their dogs.

I like the park not only for its location but also for the variety of pubs. On warm days, there is a quite large open-air self-service beer garden (where you can watch a sports game or play a table soccer) and a couple of other pubs including one which is situated in the local sport centre.

But there is one thing, that I like the most about Riegrovy sady – the amazing view of the city. I could sit on the bench for hours contemplating my beloved city. Try it yourself, but be careful: it can be addictive !

The royal park aka Stromovka (strom means tree) is a a large English style park with a long history. It was probably founded around 1268 by the king Přemysl Otakar II. When it was opened to the public few centuries later, it became a popular spot for Prague citizens.

Nowadays Stromovka is one of the most popular parks in Prague. In this case, size really matters – although many people go there, you will not have the feeling that the park is overcrowded. Depending on the season, people are walking dogs and kids, cycling, rollerblading, having picnics, playing frisbee etc. You can also meet horse riders (there is a riding-hall nearby).

For me, a stay in the park is not complete without some refreshments. Try the place called Vozovna where you can get something to eat or drink.