Relaxing

Just by the river, some six kilometres south of Podolska vodarna lies the local’s very favourite cyclo-road. Of course you will not find only bikes there but also a bunch of in-line skaters as well as pedestrians.

It is not only its length which makes it so attractive. It is also the position at the outskirts of the city, in the green area. It is a great place for a picnic or various outdoor sports. By the road, there are several ‘refreshing’ spots where you can get a cheap cold beer or a Kofola – the popular Czech coke drink (which I really recommend trying, we, locals, love it – what about you? ).

A trip there makes for some sort of cultural event, too. That is thanks to the number of great graffitis placed at the so called ‘legals’ – concrete spots by the river on which it is completely legal to spray.

If you own a bike or feel like a long walk, you can go even further than the previously stated 6 km and reach the ‘real’ nature near Zbraslav (where there’s even a small zoo and a former Celtic settlement). Enjoy!

Vaguely reminiscent of a French countryside living-room, with its blue and white décor and lavender stems in glass vases, Prádelna is all nouveau Žižkov. With mismatched quaint furniture, white walls and black-board menu, this non-smoking café seems to be made for a lazy afternoon of conversation and light snacking.

Prádelna, or laundry room in translation, is home-made through and through. Aside from the furnishing, the cakes, panini, soups and even the paté, which is a staple on the menu, are also all made with love by the café staff and associates. Although service can be a bit on the slow side – all the times I’ve been there, there was only one young lady serving the whole place – it is very pleasant and laid-back.

This café is definitely a great stop on your way from Riegrovy Sady (check the article) or a late-morning coffee after doing your shopping at the farmers’ market (check the article) at Jiřího z Poděbrad. I prefer the latter. The only downside to this place is that it closes at 20:00.

The A2 Prague bike path slices the city in half from north to south. Starting all the way up around Roztoky the path hugs the Vltava river, taking you to the southern outskirts in Zbraslav. But, that’s actually not the way I would recommend to go. The best way to use the A2 is to take it from the outer center of the city north or south and watch the city landscape turn to green countryside.

If you want to head south, which I highly recommend, start at the railroad bridge near Výtoň. This way, you avoid the tourist crowds moseying along the embankment. The sidewalk quickly turns to a proper paved bike path, once you go under the Vyšehrad cliff, and then at Branik slopes down towards the river away from the car traffic. After that you’re riding along practically uninterrupted greenery for about eight or so kilometers, passing along a golf course, a wonderful tree-lined lane and then riding near the river with plenty of grassy meadows for picnics and pit stops. And since it’s the Czech Republic, there is always a beer stand close by serving refreshing beverages.

Once you reach the bridge to Zbraslav, though, the A2 official ends and you are doomed to riding along a narrow undivided local road, which can be dangerous. If you don’t want to go back, you can cross over to Zbraslav. We recently even kept going to Černošice and then to Karlštejn, without having to ride along any big roads.

It is so rare these days to see a sky full of stars in the city. All the light pollution is giving us the feeling that the city exists in a different universe than the countryside. For those who think the stars belong to the sky there is the Planetarium in Prague. If you would ask any Prague citizen if he visited the planetarium, answer would be ‘Yes, on a primary school trip’. And now, when you visit it, you will be mostly accompanied with families and children.

The Planetarium is located in the park Stromovka (check the Stromovka article) and was founded in 1960. The dome is one of the largest in the world, so imagine how many stars will fit there…yeah, many. The shows in English are of a limited number but I believe this tip is worth it. When you choose to listen to the presentation in English, the price is a bit higher and you will get headphones with the English translation. Remember to come 15 minutes before the start. The shows available in English are ‘Nocni Obloha – The Night Sky’, ‘Poutnici prostorem a casem – Wanderers through space and time’ and ‘Astrologie a alchymie na dvore Rudolfa II. – Astrology and Alchemy in the court of Rudolph II.’. Especially the show ‘Night Sky’ is on twice per week.

I want to recommend a whole walk. You would not probably have a chance to lose your way up to this area although it is around the corner from the touristic attraction, Prague Castle. And Prague Castle is the peak of this walk.

You will walk through the history of urban architecture of Prague. Begin in the Brevnov monastery which can be reached by tram 22 or 25, stop ‚Brevnovsky klaster’. In summer get a local beer outside the monastery tavern, which offers wonderful meals also! Get out of the monastery and take the way left around its walls.

You will pass a pond where ducks are waiting to be fed. Follow any path upright from the monastery. First buildings you will meet are colourful, concrete high-rises, built in the 1970s’. Follow the street Satoriova up to its end and go straight on to street Ve Stresovickach.

You will walk through another high-rise area. These houses were built also during previous regime. Continue to picturesque old Stresovice. Finish the street up to its end. On right you will meet houses built during the first half of 20th century. Move to street Sibeliova. In the second half of the street are detached houses from 1920s’. Check the facades, they are decorated in “made in Czech Republic” style rondo cubism, which is unique and was popular those days.

You almost met your destination. Take tram back to the centre, or follow the main street down and get closer to the Castle.