Off to Prague for five days - any tips, recommendations or suggestions?

LondonDiva

Hi guys

After the problems we've had re potential locatiosn (Tunisia and Cairo), I'm off to Prague this week and because it was a very late booking was wondering whether you lovely people have any recommendations and suggestions.

Particularly re the must dos and avoids~especially about food, sights and getting around.

Your recommendations are very welcome about anything

thanks:j

PompeyPete

Food is great.
Drink lots of Budweiser Budvar, not the american crap!
Buy a runaround ticket on the metro, and use it.
Avoid the Stag and Hen party pubs, as here are much, much better.
Let Lonely Planet be your guide, but not necessarily your bible!

ellay864

If you get trams make sure you get your ticket validated each journey - there's a separate machine where you validate your ticket after you've bought it. Ignorance is no excuse if you don't validate.
Try to eat a little away from the main square if you visit the Old Town (which you HAVE to do). When you look at menus, even the nicer places don't seem too bad...but they will really sting you on the drinks. But just a few hundred yards down the side roads you'll get drinks for a third of the price.
Going up to the castle is great. Even if you're close enough to walk across Charles Bridge to get castle side of the river, there's a tram up to the castle...otherwise it's a long steep walk. Mind you we went in May when it was in the 30s - am guessing it won't be so hot for you! But enjoy a walk back down from the castle and then spend some time down in the town on that side of the river; its a bit quieter there than Old Town or Wenceslas areas

PompeyPete

Our hotel(?) was in the old Secret Police HQ. Spooky, but great!
Went for 12 nights a few Novembers ago, chucking it down on arrival, totally disorientated when we got off the underground at Good King Wencelas Square.
Couple of days in the rain in Prague, bit like Paris I suppose, but no dog poo, and some great places to eat and drink, but please avoid the British dross!
Then it started to snow, and that was it for the rest of the time.
Got the train out of Prague, here there and everwhere, couldn't see much apart from the white stuff, it was like fantasia.
Stayed in Ceske Budevice, where Budweiser is brewed.
Exceptional country, inexpensive - just avoid the tourist traps, and get out into the Provinces - you'll be rewarded;)

jcrobbielover

hi the zoo is lovely and really easy to reach first on underground then a bus . use tripadvisor gives really good guides on things to do. also go on a tiptour we picked ours up outside tourist office in old town square the one with green umberellas lovely girls told us many amazin facts u just give them a tip at the end. we had a great lunch in bohemia bagel .petrin tower is also a great place to vist the views are great. hope you have a greattime we loves it julie x

photome

Petrin tower is great but walking up the steps when you dont like heights isnt recomended (there is a lift). I walked up and wish I hadnt.

You can see the largest stadium in the world from the top of the tower. Not used any more.

Go to see Sparta Praha play great atmosphere but rubbish team

Take a trip to Terezin where the Nazis used a whole town as a ghetto it is very moving

whatyadoinsucka

yeah avoid the strip joints and sports bars of the sidestreets to sir wenceles square..

awfull having been 3 times (all on stag dos unfortunately) i liked the opposite side of the river, charles bridge etc,

take some warm clothes this time of year you'll need them

LondonDiva

Thanks guys!

Any suggestions about food? - We have one veggie and one very very keen meat eater!

pattycake

Also, don't forget your comfortable shoes or boots. All the main sites are walkable but there are plenty of cobbles so you need good footwear.

As a previous poster has said, avoid the main tourist areas for food and drink - especially the Irish pubs. Much cheaper and better food to be had if you stroll just slightly off the beaten track.

pattycake

LondonDiva wrote: »

Thanks guys!

Any suggestions about food? - We have one veggie and one very very keen meat eater!

There is a vegan restaurant called Clear Head (can't recall the Czech name). It is near the Charles Bridge on the left hand side facing the Castle. Go down the road which is parallel to the tramways and it is a little way down a narrow street on the left. Pretty rubbish directions, sorry but I am sure you will find it on maps.

They do an excellent lunch for a fixed price with free water. You can buy alcohol if you want it.

If you want meat, Czech Republic is the place for you! They are not big eaters of anything healthy. Pork or goulasch with dumplings are staples on all menus. Your meat eater will be in heaven:) Steak tends to be very expensive but lots of chicken. Try a needle which is what we would call a kebab.

I have lived off and on in Prague for the last ten years. My husband's job is based there.

MrSmartprice

ellay864 wrote: »

If you get trams make sure you get your ticket validated each journey - there's a separate machine where you validate your ticket after you've bought it. Ignorance is no excuse if you don't validate.

If you get a 1 or 3 day pass you only have to validate it the first time you use it. After that you just need the ticket with you in case inspectors want to see it. There are no barriers on any of the Metro stations. The tickets are valid for Metros, trams and buses.

Use trams where you can as they are the most convenient. Only use Metro trains for longer distances where they connect with trams. There are only 3 Metro lines.

Get your travel ticket from the kiosk in the srrivals hall at the airport and you can use it for your transfer into town. There are 2 buses, the 100 and the 119, which connect with the Metro, one to Zlicin and one to Devicka. Get a transport map from the kiosk to see which suits best.

The pubs are great for lunchtimes. Try this site for some tips. We love Pivovarsky Dum, especially the home brewed beers!

http://www.praguepubs.co.uk/