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.

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…

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. 

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Stromovka | Relaxing | Free
Královská obora | Praha 7
24 hours daily

5