Advice/tips on Prague please

[Scam]

That reminds me about a small jazz cafe I went to near the castle, I'll try and find the name/adress if you think it might be worth a shout? It was a tourist place, but there was locals and the prices were reasonable.

That sounds brilliant, right up my street (although the girlfriend isnt too fond of jazz..)

Wrap up warm as it's going to be between 0 and -5 you may even be lucky enough to catch some snow as it warmed up a bit but it's got a bit colder recently.

I'm looking forward to the cold!

 

[Pug]

Spent a weekend with the missus there. We both REALLY loved it. Lovely place.

She got us some walking itinerarys from somewhere (tripadviser maybe) which was a 3 day itinerary and covered everything, new old, churches, cathedrals and restaurants.

Cant speak highly enough of the place. For local people doing local things visit the Urquell bars - they do beer and food in a very traditional style.

re restaurant VZatisi or Bellevue

we went here too, but it was very expensive for a pretty average evening.

We did have a nice meal on the large boat moored on the river. It was tasty and very good value - whilst being "special" enough. cant think of the name now - not the bi urquell one, andother one (which has about 3 rooms below deck). Would reccomend it - its moored on the opposite side of the river to the castle, south of the main foot bridge over the river.

Sex museum tbh was a bit dull i thought, but the old square is lovely, as is powder tower and the castle and surrounding areas.

A nice walk is to go up the observatory hill using the cable car (or walk it!) then explore the top, and walk around the top of the valley to come out near the castle, then explore the castle and the cafe's nearby.

Suffice to say it was great!

 

[Jonny69]

This is what their cars look like. Bizarrely for an ex-commie probably west hating country the first piece of interest I spotted was a '59 Chevy:

There were Trabbies all over the place but due to camera logistics (I had to use hers) the first one I managed to talk her into letting me picture was a *****-pink limo advertising the local sexy go-go titty bar:

Subway seemed to believe that parking up an old Skoda (or whatever) and letting everyone jump all over it would drum up some business. The roof and bonnet were well stomped in:

It was worth the wait to get a picture of a Trabbie because while most of them are old and knacked looking there weren't many that wore battle scars, scabs and moss like this one:

It's kind of strange because it's mainly brand new cars in Prague, it's a very rich city, but chucked in are some utter sheds with nothing in between. Apparently the older generation still really hate westerners, democracy etc and resist change quite hard.

These oldies are all over the place doing tours of the city:

I was struggling to make out what a lot of them were because they seemed to be a mish-mash of parts. I didn't get a look under the hood on any of them but they all had that unmistakable flathead-4 sound so they were all running bangers. Underneath a lot of them were Ford axles with original looking cable brakes, which would lead me to assume those ones would have to be all-Ford underneath because of the way '20s and '30s Fords go together. The bodies weren't Ford though, but they were all steel. Unless of course they were German bodied Fords?

These were the last two I got before the camera was confiscated. Proper late commie era-mobiles, one of them a coffin dodger at the back which I'm reliably told is a rare bit of kit:

 

[Nix]

This is what their cars look like. Bizarrely for an ex-commie probably west hating country the first piece of interest I spotted was a '59 Chevy:

Don't mean to be rude at all Jonny, but a lot of the citizens of Prague hated the commies. Have a read up of the Velvet Revolution if you're interested.

Did you not find it strange that the Communist Memorial is all but forgotten and that the Metronome was completely smothered with graffiti? I walked up to the Memorial after catching a tram (surprisingly hard as nothing is in English!) and the location is completely repressed, it was quite eerie. In fact, there was a massive debate regarding its destruction a few years ago, which I believe was recently resolved with the conclusion of preserving it.

I probably should chime in more on these Prague threads, as I happened to actually do some fieldwork out there whilst at university, but I really think people should put down the guides and explore places of their own accord. The city truly is fascinating in terms of its historical context though, so if you really wish to appreciate what you're going to immerse yourself within, I highly suggest a little background reading before you go.

 

[tindale]

I've done both the romantic weekend about 6 years ago, and the mates stag do about 3 years ago, and thought that the change in the place was incredible. There were Lads bars everywhere, and the prices had gone through the roof.

Dispite being on a stag do myself, I was relieved that we went in the week, as when leaving on the saturday morning there were groups of english idiots appearing everywhere, and it seems such a shame in what I think is the most stunning looking city I've ever been to.

I've heard rumours that its calmed down a bit though, as cheaper places have appeared for large groups further east. hopefully this is true, as its wasted on drunken stag parties (titty bars are all the same in side, you really don't need to be in such a stunning place).

 

[Jonny69]

Don't mean to be rude at all Jonny, but a lot of the citizens of Prague hated the commies. Have a read up of the Velvet Revolution if you're interested.

I was only joking

 

[Jonny69]

I've heard rumours that its calmed down a bit though, as cheaper places have appeared for large groups further east. hopefully this is true, as its wasted on drunken stag parties (titty bars are all the same in side, you really don't need to be in such a stunning place).

I was out there in November, brrrrrrrrr, but I did notice there were no groups of English lads rampaging the place. I thought it would be stag do central but it appeared to be completely the opposite.

 

[Spunj99]

Don't mean to be rude at all Jonny, but a lot of the citizens of Prague hated the commies. Have a read up of the Velvet Revolution if you're interested.

Did you not find it strange that the Communist Memorial is all but forgotten and that the Metronome was completely smothered with graffiti? I walked up to the Memorial after catching a tram (surprisingly hard as nothing is in English!) and the location is completely repressed, it was quite eerie. In fact, there was a massive debate regarding its destruction a few years ago, which I believe was recently resolved with the conclusion of preserving it.

I probably should chime in more on these Prague threads, as I happened to actually do some fieldwork out there whilst at university, but I really think people should put down the guides and explore places of their own accord. The city truly is fascinating in terms of its historical context though, so if you really wish to appreciate what you're going to immerse yourself within, I highly suggest a little background reading before you go.

It's quite hard to find pictures of it but the Stalin monument was absolutely epic, if not only for its location. When I was there I was actually struggling to imagine how huge it would have looked up and there and utterly opressing. Walking through the old down you can see it's location through every gap in the buildings.

 

[Rich]

Love the Go-go's stretch

Been in Go-Go's, if thats the sort of reason you are going then its pretty good. Darlings Caberet is also good for those sorts of "activity"

As for Bars, I couldnt remember the name of half of them. It seems typically english to look for Irish and British pubs and I usually wouldnt, but we went in the George last time and had a cracking night. For Sport and Stag its great, anything else maybe not so great. If you are wanting to stitch your stag up, ask the guys at the George to set up a special session for them with the bondage girls haha. We witnessed this show and it was hilarious.
We also liked La Fabrique bar for a quiet few.

Prague overall is a fantastic city. Been twice and will be going again. Good people, great beer and food and a nice feel to the city overall.

If you meet a guy who goes by the name of Stephane The Hurricaine, ask him to take you somewhere. He never fails to find an appropriate place for you to eat or drink...or more Nice guy too.

 

[Pestilence]

The wife and I went there for our Honeymoon a couple of years ago, and loved the place.

I hate hot weather, so got on just fine with the chill. The Zoo is awesome with bats flying free in the bat area, whizzing past your head and all.

We stayed at a hotel called "The Golden Wheel" in Nerudova, only a few minutes walk from Charles Bridge. There was a really great restaurant there called "The Three Little Violins" or something similar, though the staff did come across as a little rude in pointing out that the bill did not include service (when I had intended to tip anyway).

The Museum of Torture was cool, and the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town square really is amazing.

LOADS of places to eat and drink depending on your tastes. I can't remember the name of it, but we found a brilliant restaurant with a medieval atmosphere, tons of candles providing light with HUGE amounts of wax in crevices in the walls. The food was great too. The only problem there was, surprise surprise, a table of extremely loud and drunken English people.

You'll get along just fine speaking English as the majority of people there have at least a basic conversational grasp of it, but they do love it when you try speaking to them in Czech, so grab a phrasebook.

 

[megakid]

Hey, you should come to some student parties with us!

You like girls right?

I like girls

We're arrive on Saturday night (should get to the city at about 2100) and leaving Monday night so a bit worried Sunday night will be very quiet?

Can you give us any hints on where to head as soon as we get there on Saturday - We'll be in and around Wenceslas Square so will be checking out the "sights" - only looking, no touching I'd imagine

 

[slambo69]

A nice walk is to go up the observatory hill using the cable car (or walk it!) then explore the top, and walk around the top of the valley to come out near the castle, then explore the castle and the cafe's nearby.

Suffice to say it was great!

Yea, thats where I stay on Strahov! You can go to Petrin tower and you can get the fenicular railway up, I believe its covered in your transport pass same as metro/tram/bus but check first!

This is what the foreign students think of Czech cars:

Note the Petrin tower in the background - great view of Prague all over.

 

[slambo69]

I like girls

We're arrive on Saturday night (should get to the city at about 2100) and leaving Monday night so a bit worried Sunday night will be very quiet?

Can you give us any hints on where to head as soon as we get there on Saturday - We'll be in and around Wenceslas Square so will be checking out the "sights" - only looking, no touching I'd imagine

On the square theres a gentlemans club called Hot Peppers, its free entry but a 2 small beers will be 200Kc which is like £3.50 each so drink them slowly...

What sort of music do you like?

What date do you go, I can see if theres any special parties happening - and dont worry about sundays!

 

[Col_M]

I like girls

We're arrive on Saturday night (should get to the city at about 2100) and leaving Monday night so a bit worried Sunday night will be very quiet?

Can you give us any hints on where to head as soon as we get there on Saturday - We'll be in and around Wenceslas Square so will be checking out the "sights" - only looking, no touching I'd imagine

I almost always go to Celnice, it's right next to Namesti Republiky metro station and attracts a good standard of skirt have a look in the gallery on the website. I've done some photos there (not for their website) and know a handful of regulars Here's where it is Map

Mecca is a pretty good club too, it's a little way out from the centre in Prague 7 but not too far by taxi or tram. Again here is a map

www.mapy.cz is great for finding your way around, it has all the metro, tram and buses on it too.

..and dont worry about sundays!

The truth!

 

[Col_M]

lol @ the trabant!

 

[megakid]

On the square theres a gentlemans club called Hot Peppers, its free entry but a 2 small beers will be 200Kc which is like £3.50 each so drink them slowly...

What sort of music do you like?

What date do you go, I can see if theres any special parties happening - and dont worry about sundays!

We're out there on the 21st -> 23rd Feb.

Probably be looking for upbeat dance music - good DJ - club anthems are great but not hardcore trance (non-vocal, unrecognizable stuff) all night.

Thanks! I'd appreciate it if you could check out any specials going on that weekend

 

[Greebo]

Can't be bothered reading all the replies so sorry if they have all been mentioned.

A bus from the airport to the centre of town is less than 10% of the cost of a taxi so depends how far your hotel is from the centre of town.

If using a taxi, agree and haggle a rate before getting in and setting off to town. Savings to be had. This advice applies anywhere not just Prague.

Try and find a local czech pub/restuarant and not one made for the tourists for a feel of traditional food and cheaper prices. Last time I was there (3 years ago, 6 of us had a meal each, 6 pints of lager, one vodka chaser, two packets of fags for £28 which was literally 400 yards down a side alley from the astonomical clock where six of us had just had 6 pints plus one vodka chaser for the same money sat in front of the clock at a tourist bar)

Keep your wallet in your front packet of trousers/jeans. Never in the rear or the inside jacket as pickpockets are rife. Only take the money you need out each night plus one card max for emergencies. We met loads of people who had their wallets lifted while we were there including one of us. I wouldn;t mind but a guy on the plane gave us this advice and all but one of us took it on the first night. He had his wallet in the rear of his jeans and in one bar it was lifted. Worse it had all his money for the trip, all his cards, his driving licence and even his airport parking ticket!

Language no problem as 95%+ speak English.

Trams are cheap to get around just make sure you always buy a ticket (6p for inner circle trips when I was last there so no excuse really) as the fines are huge if caught without one.

There is a discount card which lets you into art galleries, museums, tourist attractions all cheap or free if that's your thing or you are there long enough.

That's about it. Have fun

 

[Rotty]

we went here too, but it was very expensive for a pretty average evening.

!

Which one did you got too ?

I have been to VZatisi a couple of times and really enjoyed it

Not been to Bellevue but posted it on it's reputation

Pravda is also quite good

 

[neiljung]

My mate had his wallet lifted out there too, so take note of the advice to keep it in your front pocket or otherwise secure.

 

[slambo69]

We're out there on the 21st -> 23rd Feb.

Probably be looking for upbeat dance music - good DJ - club anthems are great but not hardcore trance (non-vocal, unrecognizable stuff) all night.

Thanks! I'd appreciate it if you could check out any specials going on that weekend

For special going ons, I mostly mean student parties, basically clubs will host special nights but they will only let people know about them maybe 2 weeks in advance so its hard to say anything for sure right now. I'll get back to you with clubs.