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.

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Planetárium Praha | Relaxing | The Night Sky show/1 person CZK 220.00
Královská obora 233 | Praha 7 | +420220999001
Mon 08:30 – 12:00 & 13:00 – 18:00, Tue – Thu 08:30 – 12:00 & 13:00 – 20:00, Sat 09:30 – 12:00 & 13:00 – 20:00, Sun 09:30 – 12:00 & 13:00 – 18:00

I often hear from my friends and family that this cake and that tart were much larger and cheaper a certain time ago! What the cause is for these thoughts is a deep question – maybe we grow and the cakes do not. Well, in this sweetshop you can be sure the sizes are like in those childhood days, but, honestly, I cannot bet on the prices as well.

Erhartova Cukrarna is not only interesting simly because of the perfect desserts they prepare, but also because of the location. In this very spot the sweetshop has been located since 1937 when the building was built. The pure functionalist interior was very gently renovated just few years ago and, truly, it is a miracle the interior was not destroyed during the last era.

The new unobtrusive design is balanced by a rich variety of the desserts. From little soft cookies to large heavy cakes for cream lovers, I believe each of you can choose the right one. Of course you can sit inside and accompany the cake with a coffee. Here is another important message for quality lovers – all desserts are prepared right in the sweetshop and the bakers are using high-quality and natural products like real cream. And that is rare to see these days.

Continue to Stromovka (check the Stromovka article) to walk after all the sweets you could not resist to eat or to Bio Oko (check the Bio Oko article) to see a nice movie!

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Erhartova Cukrarna | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Apple Strudel CZK 25.00
MIlady Horákové 56 | Praha 7 | +420233312148
10:00 – 19:00 daily

One of the few “classic” cinemas in the city – Bio Oko is here to make your eyes shine in the dark. While most of the traditional cinemas closed down during last years, Bio Oko was reborn from traditional to cult four years ago.

Located in a friendly neighbourhood of Prague 7 in a significant 1930′s functionalist block of houses, Bio Oko welcomes you with opened bar which might not let you enjoy any movie at all.

They have a large variety of drinks, few snacks and bartenders with the right amount of intellectual shyness. Bio Oko offers many special projection and events, newest films along with alternative pieces or classics. As a foreign visitor you will appreciate English friendly films with English subtitles. Authentic interior is combined with modern (bar) and weird (assorted seats in the hall). Simply said this is art cinema with everything it should have.

I considered for many moments if I should recommend you my favourite seat, but, luckily all of us have different taste and I will have a place to sit by my next visit! Balcony, first row, shoes off and refreshing drink on the railing…. as my friend would say – feel like home. And that is what Bio Oko will make you feel maybe even after the first visit.

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Bio Oko | Cinemas | Ticket CZK 100.00
Františka Křízka 460/15 | Praha 7 | +420233382606
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 01:00, Sat – Sun 14:00 – 01:00

There is something peaceful about parks and gardens which makes them ideal for relaxation, no matter what season it is. Each park in Prague has a different atmosphere. It depends, what you are in the mood for.

If I’m in the mood for some fresh air with some flowery scents and possibly a glass of wine, I visit the open air exhibition of the botanic garden in Troja. When it’s warm, I could spend the whole day there – exploring plants and flowers which are just in the middle of blooming, sit on the grass and read a book or magazine, observe the turtles and goldfish in a small pond. The open air exposition is divided into several parts; my favorite is the Japanese garden and the St. Claire´s vineyard.

The Japanese Garden is a pleasant oasis of tranquility. St. Claire vineyard is the largest vineyard of Prague. From its terraces, you have a nice view on the Troja castle and the city – a glass of wine should go with…

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Botanical garden in Troja | Relaxing, Festivals & events | Entrance fee CZK 50.00
Nádvorní 134 | Praha 7
09:00 – 18:00 daily

The hall number 22 is one of my favourite places where I go regularly –  the vegetable market takes place there. It is an oasis of fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers from local provenience (although you can also find there imported commodities) of course according to the season. It is actually quiet nice to see how the goods (hence seasons) are changing if you go there regularly.

Some people can not understand, why I tend to buy vegetables there if I do not live in the neighborhood. But it´s simple – the rate quality/price comparing to what you can buy in supermarkets is definitely better, in spite of the fact that I like to support local farmers (one note: some are only re-sellers, but you still have plenty of local ones).

Another favorite represents a small stall with authentic Vietnamese food (and would-be Chinese food). The stall is quite well hidden – you will find it in a small side street just under the hall number 8 schedule. Try any kind of phở soup,  bún chả or bún bò khô, it´s delicious! (the stall is closed on Sundays and remember, it might be crowded around lunch time). To compare, you can check out the fusion Asian cuisine SaSaZu, which is a music club and restaurant under one roof.

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Holešovická tržnice | Shopping, Snacks, Restaurants (Vietnamese)
Bubenské nábřeží 306 | Praha 7
06:00 – 20:00 daily

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 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 do not have the feeling that the park is overcrowded. Depending on the season, people are walking dogs and kids, cycling, rollerblading, playing frisbee or cross country skiing. You can also meet horse riders (there is a riding-hall nearby).

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

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Stromovka | Relaxing | Free
Královská obora | Praha 7
24 hours daily

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Get swallowed by a living mechanical organism, moving in the rhythm of ska-punk-rockabilly-techno-drone-dnb-jungle-hip-hop-chill out.

Buy a drink in one the bars and then sit down. I tell you – that’s the best position to admire a fan made of scrap iron and car-exhaust pipes. Lights above the tables consisting of gearboxes, drain pipes and kinetic sculptures of many kinds. All polished and mounted with care, animated with extreme effort and unlimited imagination.

Cross club is truly one of the most original Prague clubs. Gives enough space for whatever I feel like doing. Two stages, a theater and two to three bars are open for all kinds of concerts, poetry readings, exhibitions, and I shall not forget to mention the Ghettolledge – a street university.

You can be sure that by your next visit there something will have changed – because the world behind the looking glass is never the same, including the numerous corridors that made you feel like you were lost in the rabbit hole the very first time you entered.

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Cross club | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Theaters | Ticket from CZK 100
Plynární 23 | Praha 7
From 16:00 (until the barman is in sleep) daily

5

Almost whenever I go for walk in Stromovka park (read the Stromovka article), I end up in Wakata. After healthy walk my body needs some refreshments, and their bar is pleasantly equipped for such occasions. The barmen are always nice, even though it sometimes takes some time before you are served. But who wants to hurry from here? (By the way, dogs are welcome, as in many Prague places.)

True is that I like this bar all year long. It is my anchor in Prague 7 – one of few, scattered all over Prague. So when come in and enjoy this place carved deep in Prague`s DJ history.

And – did I tell you that Wakata also does concerts? Check out the website!

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Wakata club | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks | Espresso CZK 25
Malířská 14 | Praha 7 | +420233370518
Sun – Thu 18:00 – 03:00, Fri – Sat 18:00 – 05:00 (Program starts 20:30)

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